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Straw and hay from damaged houses scattered over the Chinese town of Payon, while the townsmen gathered more materials from the trees in the woods. At least the damage was not as heavy as it turned out a year ago, thanks to the help from the men who assisted during the battle. But, according to Tien's point of view though, the absence of Moonlight Flower was the main factor contributing to it.
The monk still recalled the fervour duel with the feline superior, and how he banished her back to the deep hole with his Asura Strike. Yet, a feeling of wrongness kept him distracted, a feeling of unease suggested that this was just the beginning. He certainly did not expect her to be such an easy foe to eradicate. Tien could not clarify his doubts in any way; if Moonlight indeed existed, that would be a matter worth bogging over.
Tien vowed to kill Moonlight at every opportunity, even if she was to revive from every death. She was the cause of his father's death indirectly, by sending forth endless streams of the cave demons. Worse of all, they left his father to burn to death. Such heinous act served only to incur the monk's fury, as he looked at the mass of people gathering at the funeral.
News about an organization of foot soldiers in Payon forming security directly outside the cave circled around. The Elite Hunter forces decided to support this plan, even promising to lend a handful of hunters to secure the cave area. This way, Payon might become less vulnerable to unsuspecting attacks.
But Tien cared little for these matters. He would act alone, destroy the feline superior alone, and do what he deemed right for him. He foresaw that he would be busy for the next few days, planning his revenge not only for his father, but to Doppelganger as well. Not forgetting the phantom swordsman, memories of his guild flashed in his mind again. At least, a member remained, but that did little to comfort him.
The monk had been pondering about the unexpected death of his guild mates ever since his escape from Geffen with Elemire, and he found it hard to call it quits. For years he had cultivated the State Overlord, devoting himself into it. However, due to current circumstances, it would be wise to put away the guild business, and devote himself into the struggle against Moonlight Flower, before going on to Doppelganger. Blinded by the sole purpose of revenge, he failed to see that the bottom line was to permanently cease the attacks on Payon, more importantly, the defeat of the four great evils.
The unbuttoned brown tunic he wore fluttered open as he walked, revealing a bronze, muscular chest that would stimulate envy from others. A long scar on his right cheek had damaged his looks, that being a facial injury caused by Cerberus in a guild war a long time ago. The best feature he had was probably the short black hair that was arranged neatly.
"Tien, are you leaving the funeral?" a woman attending the funeral asked when she saw him leaving.
"Later," he answered quickly without turning. There was somebody he wanted to attend to now…
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Tien walked up the undamaged house, pushing open the wooden door lightly. A strong whiff of tea leaves filled his nostrils upon his entry. Pay sat beside a small table with tea brewing apparatus set up on it, carefully pouring the freshly brewed tea from the pot into smaller cups assembled in a round manner.
"Tien, it is you. Come on, seat."
The approximately six foot half monk almost had to bend as his head was touching the low ceiling. Plopping down opposite Pay, the monk helped himself to a cup of fragrant tea. Being a Chinese town, the art of brewing tea and the drink itself was widely appreciated in the town. In the outdoor restaurants, no one would fail see teapots arranged on every single table.
"So you do practise tea brewing. I see you're not too bad at it," Tien commented after a long, appreciative sip.
"That was my daily work during my childhood. All I did was learning this from my mother," Pay recalled, a wave of nostalgia sweeping over him.
"And being pummelled," the monk jested.
A grin crossed the hunter's face, then his expression became serious.
"Too many have died after each wave of demons. Including your father… that was most unfortunate."
"I will personally ensure that I will avenge whatever losses since the first ever attack. Especially Moonlight," he said, even though he had been hoping all these while that Moonlight Flower was dead. But her easy death made him uncomfortable.
"I heard Elemire's been saying that you're responsible for banishing Moonlight back into the caves. I must say it's impressive."
"Don't get your hopes raised. My hunch says her death was nothing more than a hoax." Tien expressed his doubts. "With our guards let down, she'll make a fine entrance and catch us unprepared."
Pay heaved a sigh.
"Because of these, my mother's wanting me to enrol into the Elite Hunter force. But how can I forsake my guild?"
The talk of guild raised the monk's temptations again. Although Pay might be in the Avenger, he could talk him into coming over to the Overlords, to strengthen it once again. Just like how he made Sagi turn against the Avenger…
"Pay," he started. "What will be your response if I'm offering you a membership into the State Overlord?"
The hunter almost let the cup of tea fall from his hands. He quickly swallowed the remaining tea and continued, "This is not the time to worry about guilds, Tien! We need to enforce the safety of this town! That's what matters."
"It may look trivial to you, but being the leader I need to rebuild my passion! What say you?"
Pay put down his cup, and shook his head.
"I can't. My focus remains on the well-being of the townsmen. Whatever you are planning for your guild, I suggest you put it off till the dangers are cleared. Don't forget the four are still rampaging Rune-Midgard, and Prontera may be in need of help."
"But –"
The door opened, and a lean huntress strode in.
"Am I being too much of an interference? Anyway what's the heated discussion about?"
"Think about it, Tien," Pay returned to the conversation, not at all minding Elemire's presence. "Even if you did manage to shape up your guild, you'll eventually be forced into alliances with everybody else against the four."
"Their deaths may be a devastation, Tien. You'll have all the time to do what you wish after the battles end! The peace of the world is more vital," Elemire agreed, taking a seat beside Pay.
Tien was deep in thought for a while. What they said had a point; the world of Rune-Midgard had to be salvaged from the superiors' hands, not the salvation of his guild. He was being too impulsive this time round. He needed to cope with the loss…
"Come," Elemire spoke up. "Let's do what we can to help the constructions. You should really be returning to the funeral, Tien."
Taking a cup of tea in her hands, she swallowed it all in a few gulps.
"You brew really delicious tea, hunter. Maybe I should visit your home often," she said with a wry grin.
Strapping the Ballista crossbow to her back, she made a leave.