He was not just a man honored as a chief and the first hero of the Maharlikan island, which the Spaniards, later on, declared as the Philippines, but worked as a guardian of humanity as well.

With his blood and will being pa.s.sed down generations to generations until it reached Elric, his mission will continue to move on.

But try as Elric wanted to do his great ancestors bid to protect the land and find that hidden treasure in the Mactan island, Elric is much more inclined to recovering back the stolen soul of his grandma.

With all the clues finally connected and the obvious suspect finally revealed according to Kahayag's memory. Elric is set to move again with eyes full of unyielding determination.

He could only imagine the suffering that grandma is experiencing right now. And as much as he wanted to stay put, his fist was just thirsty for some blood of those who oppress and harms his family.

It was not vengeance. He was just doing his job as a protector of the only family he got left. The treasure can wait but his grandma can't. He must venture out again to recover grandma's soul as soon as possible! 

With his grandma's body knocked out before him, Elric gazed at the unkempt ethereal figure floating behind. Kahayag had obviously suffered from the sudden outburst of the reflected psychic attack from herself. She never expected that Elric's spiritual progression would allow him to reach the level to face even a powerful Spiritual like her.

With a surprised look in her face, she was just stunned at the incredible potential the young man before her posses. No wonder, if the enemies are up to the most perfect body to forcefully take-over, this young man's jar is like the diamond of all gems!

This guy is like a cheating machine. He comes in, evolves, and moves on like it was his casual thing. 

"How long are you going to just stare at me? Hurry up and let's go. Tell me how to get to the World of the Shadows." Elric frankly said.

"You sounded really arrogant right now just like your b.a.s.t.a.r.d ancestor. But I will turn a blind eye for now since you have the strength to back your words." Kahayag replied as she casually came back inside grandma's body and completed the possession as if she was just taking on clothes.

Immediately, she stood up and walked away towards the exit. In her haste, she ended up stepping on a fallen piece of gla.s.s and caused Kahayag to slip. She maybe powerful spiritually, but she was actually a clumsy woman.

WOOP!~

Fortunately, Elric managed to grab a hold of her before she could slam her head to the floor.

"Careful, that is still my grandma's body." Elric reminded her as he pulled her back to stand properly.

"And how about me? I am your great-great-grandma you know. I still have a faint trace of my blood flowing in you! Don't you think you owe me some respect too?" Kahayag frowned like a  

Elric stopped walking as he turned his head to face her with a serious gaze, "Grandpa told you to watch over us. You failed and now we have to go and find grama's soul. I will return my respect to you if we can successfully recover grandma's soul." 

"You.." Kahayag could only look at Elric's departing back with a complicated expression. Does this arrogant man really just looked down on her?

I am a powerful Spiritualist you know! I can swish away those powerful Arkhan's like peeling away a piece of paper from the bundle! I can shot those mighty Dragons down from the sky with a mere thought! I am an immortal who lived true countless years, traveled uncountable distance and had faced more adversaries more than he could imagine.

And yet did he just treated me like a n.o.body?

Kahayag's pride was swelling badly from Elric's words but before she could mutter her own reply, Elric's figure suddenly stopped and his eyes were locked into a certain direction filled with curiosity.

Kahayag traced Elric's gaze and she finally figured out the reason why Elric's arrogant demeanor had suddenly banished. 

Standing before her door, Lesse was just about to leave when she noticed a mysterious man staring at her from the corridor leading to the apartment's kitchen. 

Lesse's eyes glared back as she felt like the man's gaze at her was making her extremely uncomfortable. She felt a familiarity with the man but looking back at him, she just can't recall anyone she knew. His aura was familiar but his looks were not.

Crossing her arms, Lesse finally talked,

"Are you a new boarder in this apartment? I hope you don't get me wrong but I just want to let you know that, you may be handsome, but the way you look at people can easily make us uncomfortable. Some might think you are a pervert so please be mindful how you stare at people."

And with those words, Lesse decided not to bother anymore and was just about to leave the exit door when the man's voice suddenly came from behind her. It was a voice deep and serious and felt like just a meter away from her.

"You are that Dragon girl..." Elric's figure indeed was standing just a few feet away from Lesse and she could not help but stand back in shock when she realized that he is now standing just feet away from her!

This man... I was pretty sure he was just at the end of the balcony about fifteen meters away from here. How did he reach me in less than a second? He did not even create a single sound of footstep! And what was with that incredibly domineering aura? And how did he figured out I was a Dragon?

Questions flooded in like high tide in Lesse's head as she tried her best to stay calm despite her pounding heart. She was unsure if the man before her is a foe or a friend. But realizing that she is under the protection of the old grandma landlady whom his father has entrusted their fate, Lesse decided to just act like normal and deny him as much as possible. 

But staring back at the man's intent gaze towards her, Lesse could not help but feel threatened. Just who this guy is and what he was doing inside grandma landlady's domain posed only more questions.

"W-what do you want? What are you talking about?" Lesse replied, obviously stuttering from the explosive pumping of her heart due to the man's dangerous aura. 

Elric looked back intensely. What lies before him right now was the trigger of all this. She was that exactly arrogant lady Dragon whom Elric helped from the attacks of the Kapre and the Manananggal. But this woman replied to his kindness with even more threats.

If not for his creed to help those who are in need, he would have never stayed in that forest for long. Not to mention the terrifying presence of the two monsters rampaging against each other trying to decide who gets to dine on the girl.

If not because of this woman, his life would have been normal. He would have eating grandma's chicken adobo and green-vegetable soup in the morning. Those smell of hot pandesals that would wake him up, together with the ringing sound of the spoon clanging inside the coffee mug. And Elric would wake up from his room greeted by the gentle smile of his grandma as she hands over his daily breakfast. 

Thinking about it, it was indeed unfortunate that he had lost all the time and opportunity to leave a peaceful life because of his stupid decision to leave the house that night, chasing after his wild fantasy.

Elric's eyes remained serious and intent. But the exploding emotions deep inside his heart were like a raging volcano meeting a powerful storm. The least he could do right now is clench his fist and let it go.

He remembered those unseen heavenly figures of the angels in the sky, Elric reminded himself that it was all part of the grand plan. And that plan is always set for the, if not good, the best.

"E-excuse me? Do you know me? I-is there anything I can help you?" Lesse's voice snapped Elric out of his train of thought.

"I am sorry. I mistook you for someone. The Dragon I mentioned, what I mean is a cosplayer. I am a huge fan of those cosplayers who wear Dragon costumes" Elric replied with an innocent look and a pathetic excuse.

As much as Elric would like to ask direct questions, he realized that this woman had also lost her Dragon essence and it seems he already had an idea why. It was the hide from the Dragon hunters. Elric decided to stay low for now and do his best to pretend.

"This young man's name is Dodong Pogi. He is what you youngsters called an Ota uhm. what was it called again? " An energetic voice of the landlady suddenly came from Elric's back. It was grandma Kahayag and excitedly introduced the two like a normal excited old woman.

"An Otaku?" Lesse asked in confirmation.

"Ahh yes! An Otaktak, whatever. Anyway listen, girl, Dodong Pogi is a new tenant here. My back hurts badly lately so if you don't mind since you are the oldest tenant here Lesse, would you be kind enough to show him around? " Grandma Kahayag requested as she limped hunched with a tired expression. A serious of cracking bones can be heard from her back too!