Affinity:Chaos

Three days later.

Grey appeared at the gates of the Pyrmond Faction. He looked at it with some emotions. When he came here he was in the Overlord Plane, but in a matter of a few years, he had grown to the Peak of the Venerable Plane, on the verge of becoming a Sovereign, being close to the very top of the Aurora Continent, yet he didn't feel safe nor comfortable, rather, there was a force urging him to grow stronger.

He was growing stronger, yet the forces after his life were getting even stronger. In the Azure Continent the strongest experts there were only in the Overlord Plane, with a few at the Sage Plane. But now, he was against a foe that had God Plane Elementalists in it. Not just him, but the entire Continent.

The difference between him and the others was that the Gnome race wanted him dead at all costs, while the others could be pardoned if the Aurora Continent was successfully invaded by the Gnomes.

To a certain extent, the humans were all fighting for their lives, but there was a good chance they could also survive under the control of the Gnomes. Yes, they would be restricted from doing certain things, but there was a slight chance they would survive.

Grey was different, with his ability, the Gnomes didn't want him to grow. At the moment, even with his current strength, they feel he's already becoming more of a threat. Someone as dangerous as he is shouldn't have been allowed to grow. However, he was discovered very late which was to his advantage.

At the moment, it was common knowledge that Grey is wanted dead by the Gnomes, and recently, the price placed on his head had been increased.

Grey sorted out his feelings before walking into the Pyrmond Faction. He was still a member of this once prestigious Faction, and would always be. Even though he had some issues with one of the Grand Elders, his status as the son of the great Lucas Dawson was enough to ward off any evil eyes placed on him for the meantime. Other than the Gnomes and Necromancers, the rest didn't want to have any issues with Lucas, hence the reason some people hadn't taken on the task of killing Grey and collecting the rewards.

When Grey entered the Faction grounds, he was surprised that he didn't even get the chance to get to his house before he was teleported to the Faction Leader's place.

Grey bowed to greet the Faction Leader when he saw him. When he sensed the teleportation energy, he knew where it was coming from so he didn't fight it.

"Peak of the Venerable Plane. A prodigy from the Dawson Family indeed." The Faction Leader nodded in approval when he saw Grey's current cultivation stage.

He knew Grey was going to get to the Sovereign Plane faster than his father, Lucas Dawson, but it is looking like it would be faster than what he imagined.

"It's good you've returned safely from your journey." He added.

"Thank you." Grey bowed once more.

"I'm sorry for this, but I was looking for the perfect person to send out for a mission, and since you're here, I couldn't help it." The Faction Leader gave a wry smile.

Grey wanted to reject, but seeing the Faction Leader's sorry expression, he knew he was doing it because there was no other option.

"What is it about?" He questioned.

"You have to escort some of the weaker members into a region and ensure they don't get attacked by Rank Seven Magical Beasts while they train." The Faction Leader explained.

"Can't one of the Elders in the Faction do it?" Grey raised a brow.

From his perspective, this was something one of the Faction Elders should be doing. He wanted to get to the Sovereign Plane. Within these past three days, Void had gotten to the Eighth Rank and has been very cocky.

Whenever Void or Klaus had the higher cultivation stage, they tend to bully him before he catches up. Well, Klaus has always failed, rather, he was beaten up instead. Void on the other hand was too strong and he only attempts this when he's in another Plane. Since Grey caught up with him, he stopped training with Void as much as he used to.

"You're one of the Elders of the Faction, and has recently been announced as one of the potential next Faction Leader." The Faction Leader replied with a grin.

"Uh?" Grey was speechless when he heard this.

He rarely spent time in the Faction since he found out he was from the Dawson Family, yet he was already an Elder and also announced as one of the potential future Faction Leaders?

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept these things. I'm not cut out for leading. I have too many people who want me dead that just being in this Faction is already implicating it." Grey didn't want to take up such a responsibility.

"I know, and that will make the others strive to get better, taking this Faction back to where it belongs before the start of the war. In all honesty, I believe you should take up this offer. There are certain things that will be very beneficial to you." The Faction Leader tried to convince Grey.

Grey shook his head," I'm sorry, but it has never been my intention to rule over a Faction."

The Faction Leader lowered his head when he heard this.

Grey's brows were knitted before he added, "However, I would protect this Faction to the best of my abilities. I've been doing this since I joined the Faction, and until the day I die, I will protect this Faction."

A smile appeared on the face of the Faction Leader when he heard this. To be honest, he was more interested in hearing this than Grey accepting he wanted to become the Faction Leader. Both cases were to the benefit of the Pyrmond Faction, and as long as Grey was willing to protect the Faction, it doesn't matter if he was the Faction Leader or not, at least as long as Grey was alive, they had the backing of the powerful Lucas Dawson.

Grey saw his expression and knew this was what the Faction Leader wanted to hear.

"Also, about the mission…"

"You can't refuse that." The Faction Leader cut Grey off, "You've not been in the Faction for a while now and you need to at least complete some tasks. I'm sorry, but you have to accept it."

"You don't have to worry, they wouldn't be venturing deep into the forest, just enough for them to train." The Faction Leader said, seeing Grey's expression he added, "Also, none of them will be aware of your presence. With your strength, don't tell me you can shield yourself from a bunch of Sage Plane Elementalists."

Grey thought about it and nodded. Since he didn't have any choice, he didn't mind following them. Besides, he had Void who was already a Rank Eight Magical Beast. Void would protect them while he trained somewhere else.

"When are they heading out?" He asked.

"In two days. So you have sometime to rest." The Faction Leader said.

Grey didn't speak any further and left the place, heading to his building.

He was quite famous in the Faction, and the others were able to easily recognize him. As he walked through the Faction, he was getting looks from those around and those in groups started to discuss him. There were a lot of rumors that were about him and one of the most common one was the fact that he was very powerful for his cultivation stage. Not just him, but his group of friends were also very powerful.

"You don't have to worry, they wouldn't be venturing deep into the forest, just enough for them to train." The Faction Leader said, seeing Grey's expression he added, "Also, none of them will be aware of your presence. With your strength, don't tell me you can shield yourself from a bunch of Sage Plane Elementalists."

The group of friends were even called 'God's favorites'.

As Grey walked, he heard all sorts of rumors and couldn't help but frown. His reputation had grown more than he expected. He didn't find this pleasing in any way. He liked being anonymous, but with his present fame, it would be difficult to even walk in the Faction without having so many looks from others.

'Klaus would be enjoying this.' This was the only thing in his head as he dropped his head and walked into his building to hide.

It didn't take long before a visitor arrived. It was none other than Keith, the only person he regarded as a friend in the Faction.

It had been a while he saw Keith, and when Keith entered the place, he found out Keith was already at the Peak of the Sage Plane, and with a little push, he would break through to the Venerable Plane.

"You're back." Keith said as he walked in.

"Yes. I didn't find you in your place so I decided to rest for a bit." Grey nodded.

"I just returned and heard some people talking about you, so I came here as soon as I could." Keith explained.

He tried to sense Grey's cultivation stage, but he couldn't. As a matter of fact, as he tried to sense it, it was as if he was being dragged into the boundless space.