The Last Human Returns.
Chapter 24 - Preparation.

Two months after Stampede, enter into June. The whole world is starting to recuperate. Slowly but surely, the Hunter began to be able to repel the Monster. Nevertheless, the Australian Continent and half of the African Continent are no longer helped.

Now the most frequently discussed topic is, about who the Strongest Hunter is. The Internet is filled with opinions from various circles, the general public, martial artists, researchers, governments, and public figures.

After so much discussion. The majority of the public approved the Strongest 10. First place, it was Hunter who stopped Stampede and finished 2nd Floor, Ethan Austin. Then, it was followed by Michael Kross, Arya Corner, Silvia Aymeric, Gordon, Hu Tao, Itsuki Miyamoto, Jean de Arc, and finally, Thiago **.

"Yup. Ethan's brother should be rank one!" Rania looked satisfied with the results of the rankings.

Rania gets a job from Ethan to distract the internet from the African Continent and the fallen Australian Continent. Therefore, Rania issued a topic of discussion that could suppress the big news of the fall of the 2 Main Continents.

"ah! This scoundrel! How can you say Brother Ethan isn't worthy in 1st position!?" Rania typed in very quickly, replying to comments that disagreed with Ethan in the first rank.

The Vice Guild Master, Indra, looked at Rania with a tired look. "You really enjoyed it."

Rania is not just doing chores but, she really enjoys arguing about Ethan. If it's about Ethan, he'll do everything.

"Well, as long as the job's done, it doesn't matter."

***

Ethan, who is still not fully recovered, goes to the Old Castle Basement. The sound of iron clanging against each other rang out filling the bright Basement due to the light from the flames.

Leo whose body was filled with muscles and sweat, struck the iron, turning it into a sword. His hands are so deft. Not only his hands, he actually had sharp eyes, seeing which piece of iron was struck or not.

"The human skill was already like an Iron-Savvy Master." Alice sounded quite surprised when she saw Leo's skill.

Ethan is also quite surprised by Leo's ability. Its growth could be said to be the most rapid among the other Guild members.

After watching for an hour, Leo finally finished and he only realized Ethan's arrival.

"Guild Master!? What are you doing here!?"

"I want a gun. Are you busy right now?"

Leo shook his head. "No! Sure, I can make you a weapon, Guild Master. You want a sword like before?"

"No. I want you to make a sword out of the materials I carry." Ethan took out a pile of dark blue metal and a jewel the size of a thumb.

Leo is stunned by the luxurious ingredients Ethan brings. He did not know about the red gem but, the dark blue metal in front of him was definitely something extremely extraordinary.

"This metal ... did you get this from the Tower?"

"That's Gehena Steel. Metals that contain the power of the moon. I got it hard and almost died." Ethan's eyes were blank when he spoke. This was the first time Leo had seen Ethan's expression like that.

Leo remembers Ethan's tattered state when he returns to the Tower. The injury was so bad at the time. Leo can't imagine what kind of monster made Ethan injured for so long.

After thinking for a moment, Leo shook his head with a regretful expression. "It is still too difficult to forge this metal. I will improve my skills first."

As if already expecting an answer from Leo, Ethan only nodded small, not looking disappointed. In fact, Ethan pulled out a hammer and a light gray foundation like silver but, not silver.

"Accept this and train harder."

Leo's eyes immediately locked onto the Platform and a hammer made of Magic Tungsten. The price is very expensive and impossible even for Leo to be able to buy it.

"... This is amazing. I'm afraid I can't afford it, Guild Master." He tried to refuse. However, his brightly lit eyes could not lie.

"Please as an investment. The weapons you place become our main financial supply. So, don't worry and accept."

After being given an explanation, Leo says nothing more and receives a pair of hammers and anvil from Ethan. His head was down and he started crying like a baby.

"Thank you, Guild Master! I-I will definitely take good care of him!" Leo hugged Ethan very tightly.

"Tu–!?" Ethan is surprised by Leo's sudden attitude.

Ethan feels his body is so dirty now. He never imagined he would be hugged by a muscular man covered in sweat, snot and tears. A goosebumping feeling spread all over his body.

"A– I understand. So, can you let go?" Ethan tries to push Leo away while hiding his disgust.

Fortunately, Leo quickly calms down and no longer forces to hug Ethan.

"Y– Yes. Doesn't matter. If so, I look forward to the sword you made."

Leo wiped his tears and nodded with a face full of determination. "Yes! You can expect more, Guild Master!"

Ethan nodded and gave his thumb. "good. If so, I'll go first!"

Ethan leaves Basement and vows not to come again. He would ask Michael or Arya to come deliver iron and other metals in the future.

***

In Amsterdam, in the House of the Nobles of Basten. Carmila swung her sword under the scorching sun. His sword technique was powerful but, it was ordinary. There was nothing special about Carmila's sword swing.

"Lady, a letter came from the Trouble Guild." A servant came with a letter.

Carmila who heard the name Trouble Guild stopped swinging her sword and gazed towards the servant who was carrying the letter.

"Trouble Guild? Really true?" Carmila looked delighted when she heard the news regarding the Trouble Guild.

Their help to the United States, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and China has become a heroic fairy tale that only appears in fantasy stories. In addition to courage, they have the power to protect people from Monsters. Carmila greatly admired the Trouble Guild as well as regarding the other party as a rival.

"Yes. Please check, Lady." The servant gave the letter to Carmila.

Receiving the letter, Carmila immediately opened it. A beautifully written message attracted Carmila's eyes. He read every word and his lips slowly rose with a joyful expression.

"Oh! Looks like they asked for help to finish the 3rd Floor of the Tower."

Tower. A mysterious place containing Monsters and a World with its own ecosystem. Not much is known about him. However, one thing is certain, when the Tower is not completed within four months, Stampede will happen just like last time.

"Send a reply to the Trouble Guild. If I'm gonna join the raid this time."

"I understand."

***

Meanwhile, on the 1st Floor of the Tower, three people with black hoods wandered over where Alice had sealed before.

They looked at an empty painting.

"It looks like Alice is free."

"... This is quite surprising. Who was able to remove the Great Soul Sealing seal?"

The Great Soul Sealing Seal was the highest seal. Even Gods could not possibly break out of the Great Soul Sealing seal.

"... Could someone help him get away?"

"That's impossible. Other than us, only 7 Outsiders know where Alice sealed herself."

One of them saw something strange about the place. "However, there are traces of battle. Isn't it clear if someone took Alice out?"

Although the place was already destroyed, but, the traces of the fight were still left. The other two who saw it looked confused.

"... Is Alice really dead then?"

"That doesn't make sense. Even two outsiders couldn't kill him."

"I agree. There was no way Alice would die even if she became so weak."

Those who had seen Alice's power did not think Alice would lose even if she was in her worst state. That was how frightening Alice was in her prime.

"... Since it's like this, let's send people to look for traces."

"agree. We can't let Alice go and climb the Tower anymore."

"Let's go back before the Tower gives more penalties."

The three simply vanished from the place as if they had never been present.