173 Is That P0K3B4LL?!

"You're brave, and seem very confident too. Not bad. But I wonder if you forget that I'm still here?"

Said the Ice Empress while surrounded herself with a frightening aura. And amidst those scary-looking aura, Sheila senses a faint smell of blood. For those who have never killed anyone, they won't be able to notice it, but not her. She had personally killed a group of thugs, which was hired by Rodrick back then when the latter kidnapped Yuna. In summary, she has the experience, and without a doubt, a murderer. If she went all out, it is possible for those who have never kill anyone might feel repulse from her aura alone.

Although her hand now stained with blood, she didn't regret it, nor feel guilty like most of the characters from a novel does. After all, she killed them so that they won't become a hassle in the future. Unfortunately, she missed one guy, most likely Rodrick. She didn't know how he can escape amidst the building crumbling down, but most likely, he was teleported by something or from someone's abilities. She was indeed surprised, knowing that someone else out there also has the ability to teleport people. Sheila thought only the system was capable of using that kind of magical spell, but apparently, she's wrong.

Of course, never did Sheila think that only she or the system has the capabilities to do that. That would be looking down on the entire world, after all. Who knows, there might also be someone out, awaken to a special ability, just like her own unique circumstance? With how the world is going to turn out in the future, it isn't impossible. She believes it is wiser to think that there might be someone out there who also have the same capabilities and power as her and, think of a way to deal with it under such circumstance. 

"Forget, me? No way. I simply didn't care as, at the end of it, you're going to die by my hand. I was going to make all these Head of Influential Families to obey my command before going after the desert, however, since you want to die that badly, sure I'll follow along."

Zack confidently spoke with a grin on his face before shoving his hand into his pocket and pulling out a weird looking ball at the size of enough to fill in his palm. Aside from its strange-looking appearance, the ball looks very ordinary—so ordinary that one might mistake it for a normal ball. But one shouldn't underestimate this ball since it has a single yet powerful feature that will definitely help him in eliminating the woman in his sight. He didn't actually plan on using it, but the situation called for it.

"Now, everyone, you shall witness the great power I hold! Look closer, because this will end within the blink of an eye."

The people watching couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva when hearing his remark. They also wonder what kind of 'great power' he was talking about since the power he had shown previously is more than enough to frighten some of the people in the room. But of course, there are still few people that aren't really afraid of his prowess. There are either one of two—First, their strength is much stronger than him, so there's no reason for them to fear him. As for the latter, they are just a bunch of idiots whom couldn't understand the difference between heaven and earth.

With a weird ball in his hand, Zack smile in glee as he imagined what their face would look like when the situation suddenly turned against them. Most of the people in the room also locked their eyes into the strange-looking ball in his hand and thought, 'What is that ball? Is it a grenade? No, the grenade is much bigger than that, so it can't be. Also, it doesn't make sense for him to called it 'great power' if it was just a simple grenade unless his insane.' While some people started to speculate what kind of item the ball is, they were surprised to see Zack throwing it straight at Ice Empress. Unexpectedly, his throwing speed is so slow that even average people can dodge it. 

"?"

Because it was so surprising, she didn't make any sort of movement to avoid it. Zack grinned upon seeing this. He didn't expect for everything to go so well, she must have overestimated her strength too much. To everyone disbelief, the moment the ball came in contact with Ice Empress, her figure vanished on the spot as if she was but a ghost. 

"What is..going on?"

Zack slowly stepped forward before crouching down to pick up the ball that has fallen to the ground. When the ball is now in his grasp, he couldn't control himself anymore and started laughing out loud.

"Hahahaha! That's what you get for underestimating me! With this, you're now locked forever in that shit hole, unable to escape! Hah, how I wish I can see your expression now, but too bad. Well, I'll just be satisfied with this."

'What? Are you telling me the ball in his hand is a freaking P0K3B4LL?! How many does he have in his pocket? Give me some! No, this is not the time to joke around. Though I have a feeling that woman won't get caught just like that, I need to prepare for the current situation too. If he has more and I let my guard down for a moment, I could also get captured into that ball, suffering the same fate as that woman. Plus, I don't even know what's in there. It might be a place where the monster they sealed ran amok in there. Even if this guy only has that single ball, what if he can use it continuously? Anyways, more dangerous guy pop-up, my luck really suck. All I wanted is just to make this 'Shiro' persona to have an admirable reputation...' thought Sheila as she heaved a sigh.

"Fuh~ that really hit the spot. Now then..."

After having a good laugh, Zack turned around, facing the people seated around the table. 

"I'll give you all one last chance, obey me. If you do so, I'll let you live."

Zack declared with both of his hands spread wide as if welcoming them to his rule. Since his mission was to take control of the branch, it doesn't matter whether he does it with his real identity or a fake one, both will have the same result at the end. Even so, he couldn't help but wonder why does he has to do all this troublesome matter, when 'they' are more powerful than something like Mage Association? He's sure that one of them, alone can take care of this entire organization, but for some strange reason, they didn't which confused him to no end. Either way, it doesn't matter. In fact, this seems like fun, taking care of nobles families like a slave that is.

"Hello? I know it might sound weird coming from me, but aren't you all coming here to speak with me? So how did the situation turn out like the anime I watched yesterday? I thought you guys are going to invite me to join your little vanity group, but that's not the case, huh?"

Suddenly finding his fun being interrupted by someone, Zack was annoyed. He moved his gaze toward the man wearing a suspicious fox mask, and remember that there is such a person here. He had forgotten about it since his mind was occupied by other businesses.

"Oh. Since you easily killed their guardian, how about joining me? Heck, if you join them, it is the same as you joining me anyway."

Sheila titled her head to the side upon hearing his remark.

"Let's say that I agree to your offer, what's the price?"

"Price?"

"Of course. If you wanted to hire someone, you need to set a price. And since I'm pretty strong, that means I'm very expensive. Can you afford me?"

Sheila nonchalantly replied as if she's speaking the obvious. Zack lowered his head in response before he started laughing out loud once again, perhaps finding her remark funny.

"Hahahaha! That's indeed the case. Yes, you are right. But why would I need to hire you? Though I don't know how strong their guardian is without meeting it face to face, I'm sure I can do the same. No, I can finish it even faster than you. So what I'm saying is, why do I need to hire you when I'm strong enough to protect myself?"

Sheila nodded her head in an understanding manner.

"Then my answer is no. I don't have any reason to side with you now, did I? So my answer is given."

Once again, she nonchalantly said. Even if a man got a good temperament, he would at least be upset if his offer was rejected right in front of many people. If you triple that amount, you'll get the damage Zack received from that single rejection. After all, the people in this room will be his subordinates in the future, so if he had already lost his face before he became their leader, it wouldn't be strange if they didn't show any respect to him, right?

"Sigh, another foolish fellow. Fine, if it's the fight that you want, so be it. Come on, I'll show you who's the boss."

"Hmm? When did I say that? I only reject your offer, never did I mention about wanting to fight you, did I?"

"And? If you wanted to escape from here alive, you have to fight me anyway. You don't think that I'll let you go just like that, right?"

Zack muttered before putting pressure on her with his powerful aura, which is enough to kill ordinary people. But it is nowhere enough to be called pressure in her presence. Since the man wanted to fight that badly, she might as well give it a try to test the water. With that thought in mind, Sheila also silently released her aura, which immediately caused Zack to feel chills running through his body as his sense of danger started ringing a loud alarm in his mind. From his entire life, this is the second time it happened. The first time it happens...didn't turn out well to him.