Chapter 6: Adventurers

No one POV 

After speaking a bit more with Rishone, Amon headed out after confirming his commission was a success. He headed back down to the main hall and left with his two subordinates, the three of them riding the carriage back.

Sitting in the carriage, Amon thought to himself, surprised at how things were currently going. "I didn't expect to gain a loyal subordinate here. And what's also surprising is..."

Looking at his status window, Amon gazed upon Rishone's name that had the new logo next to it and a star in front of it. He clicked it and was met with a very shocking description that he didn't expect.

Rishone, much like you, is someone summoned from another world. She holds within her a huge darkness and a hatred for this world, the next, and the gods who command it. She possess incredible intellect, negotiation skills, and manipulation tactics, it wouldn't be a stretch to say she is another you!*

Is that why I was drawn to her from the start? Besides that, does this mean that there are other people here from other world's? Or is Rishone an exception? Shit...I have to know..."

Taking in a deep sigh, Amon exhaled before speaking. "System, question."

Everything around him froze, the sleeping Dani's snores were hushed, the cluttering noise of the carriages movements stopped along with its movement all together.

It was obvious to tell that time had been stopped.

*Yes, Mr Villain?*

"Are there lots of people in this world from other worlds?"

The system didn't respond, it would seem that it was formulating an appropriate response. 

Yes! A lot like you, lots of people were called to this world with the task of slaying the demon king. They roughly make up a third of the population. However most of them have already given up due to not being strong enough, and have taken up jobs elsewhere! You'll find that most adventurers are people from another world trying to gain strength in hope of defeating the demon king.*

But I thought the hero was supposed to defeat the demon king. What the hell is going on...?"

"Thank you system."

*Of course! Have a good day Mr Villain!*

As time resumed so did Amon's thoughts, his brain rattling for an answer. He could've just asked the system but this was a question he didn't think he needed to know. "So there are two possible scenarios...the first is that the hero hasn't been chosen yet and is amongst one of the many adventurers."

To Amon, this made the most sense. Although the system told him the hero had already began his journey, the system could have been referring to the man who's going to become the hero, rather than him already being designated his role. 

The other option is the simpler one, the hero has already been chosen. But if that were the case why would I be summoned to become a hero? Unless I was going to be sent to another world? Fuck there's too much information!" 

Amon shook his head, it didn't matter. If anything now he would just have to keep an ear out for any promising adventurers, or any news on the hero.

Rishone said it'd take about two weeks for the commission to be accepted. I look forward to seeing just who's brave enough to pick it up."

Timeskip

In the last two weeks, Amon practiced on things like his combat skills. Due to not having the blood he needed he decided there was no reason to continue business for the shop, and more so needed to focus on himself.

Thanks to the monsters that were his Oni subordinates, they were amazing partners when it came to sparring. They couldn't really teach anything due to being muscle heads themselves, but Amon was smart enough to grasp things on his own.

Another thing that happened was the number of gods that watched him had went up. The usual five had changed into a hefty 27, it was a pretty sizable jump to Amon, and he hoped that the donations would come in a lot more now. 

Much like Rishone predicted, the commission had been accepted a few days ago and the promised meet up day was today. After an early training session, Amon and his two subordinates headed out via carriage and ended up at the guild building. 

"I'll do all the talking." Amon told the Oni, the two of them nodding as they entered the guild. 

Once they were inside the guild, Rishone quickly walked over to them and bowed a bit. "Greetings Mr Nova, if you would follow me upstairs, I'll take you to the meeting room." She said in a formal tone. 

Amon was a bit expectant of her after reading her description via the system, so he enjoyed the fact that it seemed like nothing between them occurred. The three followed Rishone up the stairs and into a private room, and upon entering they were met with 8 people. 

It was a rather strange situation, the moment they entered the room, Amon could tell instantly; They were the type of people he hated the most. 

Goodie two shoes people who would actually risk their lives for randoms, it almost made him want to puke.

With Desir and Dani behind him, Amon walked over to the couch across from the one the adventurers were sitting and took a seat. Desir and Dani stood behind the couch and Rishone stood at the end of the table that was wedged in between them. 

Anonymous God 2027 donated 5 gold "it's pretty tense in here!"*

No kidding." Amon cleared his throat and put on his best friendly smile. "Hello, my name is Nova, and I am the man who put up the request. The short man behind me is Mikey, and the woman is Mina. They're my own personal guards so I hope that they won't make you too uncomfortable." He said in a soft and welcoming tone, looking at the eight people sitting/standing on the opposite side of the room.

Most of them were human but he managed to spot an elf and a beast man, wouldn't be his first time seeing them but it was his first time seeing them unchained.

"Hello Mr Nova sir! My name is Kilai, I'm the leader of this party!" Said the man sitting directly across from Amon. He had bright red hair and big blue eyes, a well fit build and a sword on his back. 

"Typical party leader look."

Sitting next to Kilai was a woman, she introduced herself as Marie. She possessed long blonde hair and pair of bright yellow eyes, at her side rested a bow. 

On the other side of Kilai was a small man, not a dwarf apparently, with short brown hair and a beard. He held a pair of round black eyes and a sharp battle axe and shield. His name was Nid. 

Standing behind the couch the other three sat on were five more members. The first was the elf, he had long green hair and a similar color of eyes. Standing at his side was a large wand, letting his status as a mage be known, his name was Erlay. 

There was also someone dressed in all black, covering even their face, a flanker obvious, named Sasha.

The beastman was mixed with some type of bird and had pure white feathers all over her upper and lower body, weirdly enough the only place without them was around her face and abdomen. With a fluffy head of light blue hair, she introduced herself as Nai. 

The last two weren't very extravagant but seemed like nice people, they were simply just porters that carried the stuff. There was a man with black hair and eyes named Lyle, and a woman with brown hair and green eyes named Vena. 

These eight people made up the party known as the Pegasus Crusaders, the name was dumb enough to make Amon almost puke.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, let's talk business." Amon stated, sitting up and going into a more serious tone. 

"This commission requires for you all to escort me and my guards to the Arachnia Queen and help us defeat it. Of course you're free to loot whatever you want on the way there and after we slay the Queen, however the blood is mine. Naturally you'll also be getting paid on top of this, so all in all it should be a good deal for you all, no?"

Kilai hummed and smiled. "Sounds great! Also just so you know, we cannot slay any of the spider eggs. Especially not the next queen."

Amon raised an eyebrow. "What? Isn't the whole point of adventurers to slay monsters? Why let them repopulate?"

Rishone stepped in, clearing her throat. "Because it is taboo. The Arachnia queen and her children give lots of valuable resources upon killing them. By destroying the eggs you would be ridding the kingdom of such materials and resources."

Amon had to physically stop himself from genuinely frowning in anger. "Human greed...it's revolting. Even when the world faces a threat like this they're concerned about making money. But tin the end money makes the world go round, so whatever." 

Amon nodded. "Makes sense. Alright, I'll keep that in mind. Is there anything else that wishes to be said for we decide an expedition date?"

The elf in the back, Erlay, stepped forward and scoffed. "Make sure to bring your own healing potions, food, and other necessities. We are your escorts not your baby sitters, make sure your guards carry your stuff as well."

Amon kept his fake smile on and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Now then, a week from now works for me. Is that ok with you all? Pegasus Crusaders?"

Kilai nodded and extended his hand. "Of course! I look forward to working with you, Mr Nova!"

Amon stood up and clasped his hand, shaking it slowly yet so ever firmly. "As do I, Kilai of the Pegasus Crusaders."

The meeting between the two groups ended without any sort of conflict at all, but Amon had already planned to make this expedition a show for his viewers.

And a show they would receive.

Back in his lab, Amon was currently creating lots of different potions. Healing ones, stamina ones, attack ones, and most importantly, poison ones. 

"Don't worry, elf man. I'll stock up on potions alright."

Amon smiled with malice, causing a few donations to come in. He would've usually thanked them but he found himself not even doing that recently. 

After he finished his preparations, he grabbed his bow and arrow and stepped into his room. "I can't wait to use this baby again. I wonder if I've still got it."

He smirked once again. "Well, I'll find out soon."