Revenge: A Path of Destruction
Chapter 146: The Hunts Begins

Chapter 146: The Hunts Begins

The light of the teleportation portal dimmed, and Lauren Blackwood stepped through with composed grace, her black coat fluttering slightly from the residual energy. Behind her came Liam Drake, his expression neutral but observant.

One by one, the rest of their team followed—five Grandmasters and ten Master-ranked warriors—all bearing the insignia of the government.

The air in the European teleportation station was crisp and charged with a different kind of aura—one that belonged to a continent under the influence of the Wind Clan.

As they approached, a figure stood before them, clad in a tailored black suit that exuded sophistication and authority. His demeanor was composed yet undeniably commanding, radiating an air of confidence that could not be ignored.

It was clear he held a position of great esteem—he was a Grandmaster, without a doubt. The emblem emblazoned on his chest offered undeniable proof of his rank: Erik Vondral, the President of the European branch of the Guild. His sharp gaze seemed to assess their every move, adding to the weight of his presence in the room.

At his side stood seven other Master-ranked officials, all similarly attired, all standing straight with the professionalism expected in a territory governed by a Higher Clan.

As the newcomers fully emerged, Erik stepped forward. His stride was deliberate and respectful.

He stopped before Lauren and bowed slightly.

"Welcome to Europe, Lady Blackwood. Master Drake."

Lauren responded with a brief nod, her expression unreadable, her voice cold but measured.

"Thank you for receiving us, Mr. Erik. We will be in your care."

Liam followed with a polite nod of his own, though his eyes subtly scanned the officials behind Erik, noting the flickers of discontent, especially from one of the Master-ranked men who, despite his silence, wore his displeasure poorly.

Though Erik had shown no offense at Lauren’s tone, clearly familiar with her reputation, the younger Master-ranked officer behind him bristled. He said nothing, but the tightness of his jaw and narrowed eyes revealed his disdain.

As if being older and higher-ranked should have warranted warmer deference. Others, too—men who had gazed at Lauren with thinly veiled lust moments earlier—now looked at her as if she were an unwanted presence. The female officials didn’t hide their envy either, glancing at her appearance before masking it behind professional indifference.

Lauren ignored them all.

She had seen the shift—how admiration soured into quiet hostility—but she gave no reaction. She was used to it.

It was Liam who broke the tension.

"Mr. Erik, if you could direct us to where we’ll be staying, we’d like to drop off our bags and—"

"No," Lauren interjected, her tone sharpening just slightly. "We’re going straight to the Association building. We’ll leave our luggage with Victor and Victoria."

The twins, both Master-ranked and thirty-one years old, were among the average; they could be considered geniuses compared to ordinary warriors. They rarely spoke unless necessary and moved forward silently. Known for their efficiency and quiet competence, they exchanged a synchronized nod.

Lauren continued, "Every minute wasted here is another step closer to someone else finding him first. We need to understand the true reason behind the bounty."

Her voice cut through the air like a blade. No one argued.

Erik turned, his expression unreadable but accommodating. "Three of my officers will escort the twins to your temporary residence and assist with the baggage."

Orders were given, and the group quickly divided.

As the rest followed Lauren and Liam out of the teleportation chamber, a quiet unease lingered in the air.

Liam, walking beside her, glanced at her sideways. She was walking with intent—more driven than he’d seen her in a long time.

Something was different.

And it wasn’t just the mission.

But he said nothing. For now.

Outside, sleek transport vehicles awaited them, engines softly humming. Lauren climbed into the lead one without a word, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

In her mind, only one name echoed:

Alex.

I’m close. Just hold on.

----

Alex—the very one Lauren was now dedicating everything to find—was already on his way to the continent.

He perched atop Nyxara’s broad back with an air of serene concentration, the colossal tigress having transformed back to her awe-inspiring true form. Her powerful limbs sent crackling tendrils of black lightning arcing through the air, illuminating the dark waters beneath as she raced across the ocean’s surface. Each graceful bound sent foamy spray cascading into the air, a testament to her incredible speed as she sliced through both waves and gusts of wind with effortless ease. It had been three full days since they had left the island behind, three days filled with unwavering momentum and determination. There had been no pauses, no opportunities for respite; just the unyielding drive of a Legendary Beast on a quest that demanded urgency. The very fabric of the world had shifted dramatically since the advent of mana, expanding its boundaries nearly threefold. Journeys that once seemed short and simple—crossing the sky in a matter of hours—now stretched into exhausting odysseys that could take an entire day through magical means. Crossing vast bodies of water had become even more brutal, transforming once-familiar routes into formidable challenges that tested the limits of endurance and resolve.

But Nyxara was no ordinary beast.

She didn’t fly, nor did she swim—she ran. Her lightning-infused paws skimming across the surface of the sea, leaving scorched ripples in her wake as thunder rumbled beneath the waves.

Now, after nearly seventy-two hours of constant motion, the edge of the European beast territory finally emerged on the horizon.

Jagged cliffs rose from the sea, shrouded in warm mist. But it wasn’t just land that greeted them—it was heat.

Alex narrowed his eyes.

The temperature was rising, subtly but unmistakably. The salt in the air shifted—less ocean, more ash.

Nyxara let out a low growl.

"We’re close."

Alex said nothing, but he felt it too.

Their first target—the Firebird of Rebirth—was near.

The heat was its herald.

Another hunt was about to begin.