System's POV

"How? Just how?" one of the Commanders of the Cygni Coalition muttered as he watched the live broadcast from Bee Bee Cee News. "Has it always been that easy to deal with those wolves?"

His eyes turned bloodshot as the cameraman showed the world the aftermath of Zion Leventis' expedition against the wolf monsters that had terrorized Runestone City in the past two months.

Countless dead and dying wolves lay on the ground, and it only took a few minutes for those still alive to be silenced.

The pretty reporter then approached Zion Leventis, who was talking with his soldiers and praising them for a job well done.

"Commander Zion, congratulations on successfully defeating the enemy," Rein said. "Is there anything you'd like to tell the viewers watching the broadcast from all around the world?"

"Actually, there is something I want to say," Thirteen replied as he looked at the camera. "To the members of the Cygni Coalition, why are you all hiding like turtles? The true war has yet to start, yet you're just doing nothing?

"I just arrived, and I'm already cleaning your house for you. I have to say—the place is quite dirty. When's the last time you cleaned your own home?" Thirteen's tone was filled with ridicule and contempt. He then shook his head before pointing at the camera.

"Nevermind. Feel free to stay where you are, like scared turtles," Thirteen stated. "Don't worry. I understand that you're too scared, so I'll clean up the monsters in your continent for you. You're welcome in advance. I'm doing this for free, you know?"

"And of course, I would like to thank Clark Ashford and Char Lotte for fighting in the front lines with me. Unlike those so-called prodigies from the Monarch Clans and the Prestigious Families, it seems like only the two of them are not all talk." Thirteen sighed before shaking his head for a second time.

"Who knew the Monarch Clans and the Prestigious Families have been raising pigs all this time?" Thirteen added. "They're probably not here since they're so useless, they'd only contribute as food for the Jinns."

Erica couldn't help but pinch the bridge of her nose as she watched the live broadcast.

She knew Zion was deliberately taunting the Monarch Clans and the Prestigious Families. Although he wasn't referring to her, just looking at the contempt on his face also made her feel bad. That said, she was certain he already succeeded in triggering them.

Even if these powerful families understood Zion purposely provoked them, the world had already heard the young man's words, so they had no choice but to take action whether they liked it or not.

Everyone paid close attention to what was happening in the Cygni Continent. Now that the lack of action from these families was pointed out, not doing anything would make the public look down on them.

The Monarch Clans and the Prestigious Families cared a lot about their reputation. Anything that would make them lose face must be fixed, eliminated, or erased completely.

They couldn't possibly stop the Bee Bee Cee News from airing, so they could only grit their teeth in frustration.

This news agency worked under the Central Government. Only the Grand Marshal and the Field Marshal could put a stop to Rein's reporting, and both of them had no intention of doing so.

"Ah, before I forget, the Patriarch of the Leventis Family, Arthur Leventis, is also here on the battlefield," Thirteen said. "Instead of taking a nap in his luxurious mansion in the Aldebaran Continent, he hurried to the Cygni Continent to help humanity drive off the invaders who wish to push us to the brink of extinction.

"Good job, Gramps. But just in case your arthritis flares up, come and find me. All your medicines are with me. Don't worry, I won't tell Grandma that you're suffering from hip aches. You're already old, but you're still active in doing that kind of thing? Tsk. Hold back a little, Gramps."

The glass in Arthur's hand shattered as he glared hatefully at the TV screen.

'You damned no-good grandson of mine!' Arthur roared internally.

The Patriarch of the Leventis Family then glanced at his soldier and gave an order.

"Take all our forces and head to Runestone City now!" Arthur growled. "If we're not there before Zion leaves that place, I'll make sure to deduct half of your salaries!"

The pitiful retainers of the Leventis Family scattered like wild ducks that heard a gunshot.

Arthur glanced hatefully at the TV one last time before storming out of his temporary residence.

*****

Somewhere in the Aldebaran Continent…

Gerald and Lady Callista, who were watching the broadcast from Zion's home, laughed at the same time, amused by the teenage boy's antics.

"Father must be throwing a tantrum right now," Gerald chuckled. "My boy really knows how to crack a joke."

"I just hope Arthur doesn't spank him when they meet up," Lady Callista commented. "That boy really knows how to cause trouble."

*****

Rein did her best to keep the smile on her face from cramping as her hand that held the microphone for Zion lightly shook.

She didn't know if she would be punished by her boss later or not. But, since she had already jumped on Zion's bandwagon, the only thing that she could do was hold on tight.

"That is all for now, everyone. Rein from Bee Bee Cee news, signing out!" Rein said.

A moment later, the cameraman gave the okay gesture, telling Rein they were no longer on air.

Then and only then did the young lady breathe a sigh of relief.

Zion had asked her to approach him and ask that question. In short, it was all part of her script.

Of course, she had no idea Zion would answer like that. Thirteen's declaration was similar to throwing a boulder onto the surface of a calm lake.

Soon, the big splash and the ripples that followed would spread through the entire world.

As for what would happen next, Rein decided to turn a blind eye to it.

After all, out of sight, out of mind.

"Collect the beast cores," Thirteen ordered. "Any beast core you take will belong to you, so take as much as you can!"

Cheers rang out from the surroundings as the members of the 69th Battalion, as well as Nick's team, started to collect as many cores as possible.

The Squad Captains from Runestone City, who had just arrived, looked at this scene with envy and jealousy.

Thirteen glanced in their direction and smirked.

"What are you all waiting for?" Thirteen asked. "There's plenty of Beast Cores to go around. Go and collect them."

"But, Sir, we didn't do anything," one of the Squad Captains replied.

"So?" Thirteen arched an eyebrow.

"We don't deserve it, Sir," the Squad Captain stated.

"I think you're misunderstanding something," Thirteen replied. "Those who plan to join me will share the spoils of battle together. As long as you plan to follow me in eradicating the other Monster Dens in the area, you can take as many cores as you need."

Thirteen then walked toward the Squad Captain and patted his shoulder.

"The good part is that you don't need to surrender these beast cores to the Cygni Coalition and wait for them to give you some scraps. In other words, you take the lion's share and get to keep it. So get some cores. There's more where that came from."

In the end, the Squad Captains were convinced and decided to take Zion's words for it.

The spies of the Monarch Clans and the Prestigious Families, who were part of the 69th Battalion, were quick to send this information to their employers.

Thirteen already briefed all of them, saying they could share all the information they could give. He even encouraged them to not skimp out on the details.

The teenage boy was confident that the two hundred soldiers under his command would balloon into the thousands as he wandered across the monster-infested lands.

People could easily be moved if there were enough benefits.

As long as he could provide them with good things, they would not hesitate to join his ship and ditch their former employers.

Using his charisma and fame, Thirteen intended to absorb as many groups from the Cygni Coalition as possible.

They weren't really part of the private armies of the Monarch Clan and the Prestigious Families of the Cygni Continent.

All of them were Wanderers who only wished to defend their homeland.

They didn't care who would lead them as long as they could accomplish their goal.

The moment the will of the people gathered under Zion's banner, he would become an unstoppable force whom even Douglas Griffin wouldn't be able to brush off even if he were the Monarch of the Cygni Continent.