Hero of Darkness

Odin, the tall and ripped build thrall was seated in his office and going through the context of the letter as he was still finding it hard to come to terms with what he read just now. Because the words written there were something that not only baffled him but also completely unexpected. 

He heaved a sigh with a solemn countenance and read the words again. 

'I have a big business proposition. It is something too big for one person or an organization alone. 

So I need you to contact the other 6 Heads of the rumored Hydra that I've come to hear about recently. 

I'm fully aware of the complexity and how hard of a task it is to do it in just a week. 

But it is more effective and time-saving if it is you who are doing the delivery than me personally visiting them one by one.

You can send a message to all of them saying that they will be paid 10 million gold coins just for attending the meeting. As for your cut for going through this ordeal would be 30 million. 

Do mention that what I'm offering can change the futures of their respective organizations for the better. So.. 

Summon the Hydra.' 

Odin put the letter inside the envelope with an unhappy face. 

"What the hell is this psychopath trying to do? He wants all the 7 Heads of the Hydra to be present in the same meeting? Who the hell does he think he is?!" 

"If not for the 30 million.. I wouldn't even do the job. 

Who would've thought that one day, I will be the one to arrange the meeting with people I detest the most. Every single one of those bastards is no different than a blade in my gut." he said as his fists clenched tightly. 

[Let's hope whatever he & the force standing behind him is offering to all of us is something worth all the effort or my reputation will take a big fall.] thought Odin and decided to proceed to the arrangements that he needed to do now. 

The one-week period was indeed a short amount of time to get all the remaining heads together. So he had a lot of work to do. 

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ONE WEEK LATER

North-East area of the Rukon district, where a grand valley full of tall trees and wildlife was situated, a large open ground full of lavish green grass was left untouched. 

Despite being so many small cities and villages surrounding a 6 kilometer wide forest, no one had claimed or inhabited this place as if it was an unspoken rule or command of someone powerful.

Tap! Tap! Tap! 

The hooves of the multiple monster steeds resounded in the dark of the night amidst these tall trees and bushes. 

A small army of 200 people varying from species to species strode across patiently. All of the members were highly geared individuals with a variety of weapons and armors, the luxurious carriages that were carried by the steeds leaked an oppressive aura from the inside. 

As if a predetermined arrangement, there were 5 more of such forces coming from other directions of the forest at the same time. 

When the envoys finally reached the exit that led towards the open ground, all the sides sent a flair signal up in the sky. 

The next second, a pathway appeared in front of all these forces and they walked inside. Only to see a well-arranged open ground that had thousands of chairs and refreshments arrangements done inside an illusion barrier that hid the inner property from the public eyes. 

One by one, all the forces reached towards the center and all the influential figures that sat inside the carriages came out from their respective ends. 

As the 6 forces walked with their respective leaders, each of whom was a peak grandmaster being, the surrounding was filled with an oppressive aura and even the envoy from each of the sides found it hard to breathe. 

The 6 peak grandmasters then walked towards a wide table that had 7 heads of a Hydra, a sea monster with seven snake heads carved out that pointed towards the respective seats. 

The group of peak grandmasters consisted of a muscular black-haired elf, a female succubus, a red skin human, a purple demonkin, a black tengu and a green snakekin. All of them dressed in lavish and regal clothing since they were the figureheads of their respective organizations. 

And there was one person who was already present near the table but still hadn't taken his seat as if he was waiting for all the other 6 figureheads to be present there. 

All of them looked at each other and released their murderous aura and killing intent at each other as if wanting to rip each other's hearts out. 

However, the next second, all of them raised their right palm in the air and spoke loudly at the same time… 

"Hail Hydra!!" 

The echoes of their voice filled the 2 kilometer space under the illusion barrier as all of them took a seat at the table. 

The host of the meeting, Odin who awaited the arrival of his fellow members of this table let out a sigh. 

In Rukon District, The Hydra represented the top seven rulers of the underworld organizations in their respective specialties and trades. 

The moniker of one of the Head of the Hydra was given to each boss for different fields like brothel network, smuggling, gambling and money laundering.

Only the fighting arena, assassination, information gathering & mercenary organizations were left out as they traded in far open business compared to theirs which didn't see the light of the day. 

All these figureheads were the undisputed rulers of their respective professions. 

"The last time all the members of the Hydra gathered here was 5 years ago when I dethroned my predecessor. And now I am the one who has called out the other heads." spoke Odin in a kingly voice. 

"This better be worth our time. Or I for one will take out all my anger on you." spoke the succubus peak grandmaster whose body barely had the sensitive spots & assets covered under small clothes. 

Anyone who saw her would get enarmed by the lovely, seductive and bodacious body of this beauty. 

"Shut up, Violetta! Do you think I would call all of you here if it wasn't for a good reason? The one who wanted to meet all of us at the same time is someone worth all the effort. And what he intends to offer us is something beyond comprehension even for me." explained Odin. 

"So where is this person you speak of? The letter mentioned that he comes from a great force that wants to cooperate with all of us together. Even those noble clans aren't as courageous as this person." asked the human swordsman. 

Swoosh!! 

"I'm here. Thanks for coming." 

A ghastly voice resounded as if a ghost suddenly appeared out of nowhere and a mage donned in black robes came to be out of thin air. 

[What the hell?!! I'm a peak grandmaster mage myself! How did I not sense him?!] thought the green snakekin mage with a bewildered expression on his face. 

Not only him, but the rest of the heads except Odin, had a similar thought at the same time. 

Despite being on the same level as the mage, none of them even felt his presence here when they came. 

"My name is Loki, pleased to make your acquaintance." said Loki as he introduced himself. 

"I've done my part. I hope you remember your promise." said Odin as he looked at the mage. 

Loki nodded and gave a light smile to all the other members of the hydra. 

This setting looked like a wartable of generals surrounded by their respective forces gathering together the night before the battle. 

"So tell us, mister Loki. Why have you summoned us all together? You even went as far as to have Odin contact us and use the only one chance he has to summon all the 7 heads of the hydra." asked the purple demonkin. 

"It is very simple if I am to be honest. What I offer to all of you is a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

It is something that great personages of your standing and authority in your respective trades would definitely want to grasp as soon as offered.

And all of your organizations would greatly benefit from this deal I'm offering you at a silver platter." spoke Loki in a grandiose manner as he gestured his hand and the scepter up in the air. As if he was bestowing the blessings of the gods on these seven heads. 

"Let's not beat around the bush. Just tell us what kind of deal you're offering." said the tengu who had two black wings on his back as he folded his arms and looked at the mage with a suspicious gaze. 

Loki on the other end took a deep breath and spoke in a magnanimous and joyous voice that filled the entire area, reaching to the ears of every single being present here. 

"It's simple…" he said and quickly released all of his dark aura filled with dominance and bloodlust. 

"From now on… All of you are my servants!"