The mansion was filled with a powerful scent of perfume and expensive wine. In the center of the large living room, a large chair was placed on a platform and surrounded by many smaller chairs. A small table set with food and drinks was arranged on the right side. Beside the table was a large TV screen showing the mansion's entrance.

Bastien sat on the couch, looking at the screen. He was wearing a red robe nightgown.

"Ch... Leon Gardner. He really came to this place." Bastien said, looking up at the screen of a young blond man who was walking alone through the big gate of the mansion where he lived. "It looks like tonight is going to be a long night."

Bastien smiled and took another sip from his drink. The room was dim, but he could see clearly what was on the screen. "How's the latest update from Zander and Marco? Did they manage to kill that son of a bitch?"

A young man beside him answered, "Nathan and Marco made it out of the dungeon, Master. But the military is keeping an eye on them due to suspicions of what transpired while they were in the dungeon."

"So he's still alive." Bastien said without showing any emotion. "And are there any suspicions that point to us?"

"None, Master," the young man replied, "but we should keep an eye on them anyway. Even if no one knows about your involvement in the incident."

Bastien smiled again. "That's right. I'm not even sure if Marco would admit my existence to others."

"Master, what will happen with Leon's arrival tonight, is there anything I should do? I've also asked all hunters to be prepared for what might happen. They're all on guard around the mansion. They would immediately move if anything suspicious happens."

Bastien placed his glass down on the table. "There is nothing you need to prepare for, just continue as usual. We have everything under control. Don't do anything reckless. If we take the slightest wrong action, our lives could be threatened. Leon is not someone we can deal with easily. He has power and influence far beyond the reach of mine."

"Yes, Master."

Bastien stood up and walked around, looking at the screens. "Did Leon really come alone?"

The young man beside him nodded his head. "We have confirmed that no one is following him."

"Good. So he's coming to me instead." Bastien said, walking over to a door. "I'll leave now so you can start preparations."

"Master." The young man called out, and he then pointed at the screen. "Leon disappeared!"

Bastien turned back to look at the screen. "What?"

Bastien frowned. "Don't tell me..." he was momentarily silent.

In the corner of the room, a black-colored energy that rapidly accumulated and enlarged into a lump of shadow suddenly appeared.

"Excuse me for being rude, but I'm not used to walking. So I took a shortcut to this room." A blonde-haired youth appeared from the shadows with a faint smile. He was Leon Gardner.

"Leon!" Bastien flinched, "Young master Leon, what a surprise! It is not everyday I get a visit from a big man like you, especially on a night like this."

"Let's hope I'm not here to say goodbye, Bastien." Leon said, standing in the middle of the room. "If you want to stay alive, you better join in my exciting offer."

"Oh no!" Bastien exclaimed. "You're not going to kill me are you? For god's sake, please don't do that!"

"Now calm down," Leon said, taking a seat at the table.

"Let me give young master Leon the most lavish dishes, wine, or.. Hmmm I have a lot of interesting women in this place. Perhaps I can pick one for you?"

"I'm sure you think you're doing the best by me, but it won't work. Let me make it clear to you: I am not interested in whatever you have to offer. But instead I have a good offer for you."

Bastien walked slowly closer to Leon, "Young master Leon, I'm really flattered by your arrival tonight. May I know what offer you want to make to this old man?"historical

"My offer is simple, Bastien." Leon paused, then snapped his fingers.

In the corner of the room, black energy came out of the floor. In an instant, the energy exploded. And from behind the shadows appeared a large dark figure, as if its body was made of dark and dense smoke. The creature floated without legs, and three pairs of arms were seen protruding from its body.

[King of Shadow - Soul Reaper]

A creature covered completely in shadow floated before Bastien. From its mouth fell the sharp teeth of a tiger while its eyes glowed red like a demon.

"That's the King of Shadow. The king of all the darkness. And it's my newest pet. If I were you, I'd run away before it gets angry." Leon said with a faint smile and glanced at Bastien, who was glaring and dumbfounded by what he had witnessed.

"Run? Why should I run?" Bastien said. "Why shouldn't I enjoy this moment? I must tell you, young master Leon, You have truly shown your majesty by bringing a being this powerful to this place."

Leon laughed softly, chuckling. Then he walked over and sat down on the couch. He crossed his legs. "Bring me a drink and a snack, I'll be here for a little while."

Bastien walked slowly, then sat not far from Leon. "Young master, may I know what kind of offer you are talking about here."

"Bastien.... Do you want to have that spirit beast? I'll give it to you, you just have to make a bet with me." Leon said without facing Bastien.

"Young master, what are you saying?" Bastien asked, confused. "Are you serious?"

"Deadly serious," Leon said, smiling. "In a few minutes, my beloved brother will come to this place and take away one of your favorite things. The bet is simple, if you manage to stop him, or even kill him, then you can have my beloved spirit beast, but if he succeeds Then..." Leon glanced at Bastien. "I'll take whatever I want from here."

"What are you saying, young master?" Bastien asked, his voice slightly shaking. "For what reason will your brother come to this place? What does he intend to do?"

"That's the interesting thing here. I invite you to watch what will happen from here. The conditions are simple, let your men try their best, without your orders. And we're going to witness something exciting...." Leon turned his head, "Haven't you brought all your strongest hunters near here too?"

Bastien swallowed hard. He tried to hold back his shaking body.

Spirit beasts with element shadows were Bastien's most coveted things. Accepting Leon's challenge was a very easy thing for him. The reward he might receive was so big that he could not compare it with anything he had in his possession.

'A brat that weak won't be able to easily get out of this place.' Bastien smiled with a sharp gaze in his eyes. "I agree."

***

"Tell me, who is your crush?" Nathan said.

Marco laughed and said, "You're joking! Why are you asking something stupid like this, Nathan?"

"Because I want to see the result of the contract. It's too late now."

Marco shook his head, then said, "Fine, fine. I don't really mind. However, what you're doing is really worse than asking me to kill myself, Nathan. Damn you, stupid master!"

After saying that, Marco started talking about his crush. "Actually..." His voice sounded nervous, and his lips trembled.

"I've never had any interest in women before, until I met...." Marco paused and looked at Edna.

"That was the first time my heart was moved when I saw a girl, a girl whose beauty I have never seen before, sorry Nathan but I have a crush on Ms. Edna."

"Woah....." Edna's face turned red at Marco's words. She shook her head quickly. "Marco... I'm embarrassed to hear your words..."

Edna faced Nathan and pounded him on the shoulder. "You did this on purpose, didn't you, young master?"

"Edna, I really wanted to see Marco's reaction. Can you stop this? How was I supposed to know that the person he has a crush on is you?"

Edna buried her face in his arms.

"Marco, man... Are you serious about what you're saying... Marco, you are so funny, don't you understand that Edna-San has a special relationship with Nathan-San?" Muramoto answered with a laugh.

Marco turned to Muramoto. "Shut up Muramoto, don't you know I am under the influence of a contract? I bet you were interested too when you first saw Ms. Edna."

Muramoto was taken aback by what Marco said. "No.... I already have a girlfriend, unlike you Marco..."

Marco turned back to Nathan, "Are you satisfied with the answer I gave you, Master Nathan?"

"Yes, Marco. I am very satisfied."

"You're kidding me... Don't you understand that I'm embarrassed right now? I haven't spoken about my feelings before. For me, this is a very precious experience."

Nathan laughed, saying, "I am glad you enjoyed yourself. I'm also very happy to hear that."

After they all calmed down. "Let's go back to our main topic, about the strategy for tonight." Nathan said.

"Ah, yes." Marco looked at Nathan and nodded. "The plan is simple. We will start in the middle of the night. I've prepared everything."