"No need, it's just a small problem. I can handle it myself."
However, in the face of Makarov's "kind-hearted" offer of help, Jose Porla directly refused, wearing an indifferent, calm expression.
"Pfft!"
If blood were not spilling from the corner of his mouth after saying those words, then he really would have looked calm and unbothered.
"Are you sure you don't need help? You're already coughing up blood."
An honest person spoke up worriedly. It was the bald Jura Neekis, who was standing behind the guild master Granny Ooba of "Lamia Scale."
Jura Neekis pointed at the blood on the corner of Jose's mouth, his face full of concern. It was obvious that he wasn't trying to stir up trouble—he was genuinely worried that something might happen to Jose Porla. The situation really did look quite serious.
Jose Porla shot the bald man a fierce glare and didn't say anything more. He simply turned around and walked away. His steps were unsteady, his body swaying, looking like he might collapse at any moment. It seemed that he had come to the meeting alone.
"Moen, he should be fine, right?"
Watching Jose Porla leave stubbornly with a cold expression, everyone instead began to worry for real. After all, no matter what, "Phantom Lord" was an officially registered guild. If the guild master were to be directly killed at a regular meeting—
"He should be fine. His magic power is strong."
Moen gave a definite answer. Judging by Jose Porla's current condition, he had at least stabilized the poison inside his body. With his abundant magic power, even if he forced it, he could still preserve his life.
However, while the death penalty could be avoided, punishment could not. His body would inevitably be left with some lingering problems, and in the short term, he could forget about any further growth in strength. He would need to clear out the poison in his body first.
Jose Porla was only in his thirties and still in a period of rising strength. Having his growth stagnate was an absolutely huge punishment for him.
It was foreseeable that from now on, Jose Porla would definitely hate Moen to the bone. Moen had not only stepped on his head to make a name for himself, but had also damaged his body and suppressed the growth of his strength.
Under normal circumstances, given a few more years, if Jose Porla continued to grow, he might have been able to fight Makarov properly, at least not be completely suppressed like he was now.
There was no helping it. The old man's strength was already very difficult to increase significantly, while Jose Porla's potential had not yet been fully developed. Logically speaking, Jose Porla's strength should have continued to draw closer and closer to the old man's. His talent was not bad at all.
Of course, getting closer didn't mean surpassing, nor did it mean winning. The old man hadn't even used his killing moves yet.
"Moen… this guy actually made Guild Master Jose suffer a loss!"
Once Jose Porla left, the venue became lively again. Bacchus was chattering excitedly. That was one of the "Ten Wizard Saints"! And he had actually fallen at the hands of someone from his own generation. It made him feel both admiration and envy.
If only the one who had stood out here were him!?
Of course, Bacchus knew he didn't have that kind of strength. If it were him, just the magic power released by a fart from Jose Porla might have blasted him to death. Some things simply couldn't be envied.
Looking at Moen, who was surrounded by guild masters and basking in glory, Bacchus's eyes were filled with envy and deep respect.
There were many people like Bacchus's. Those juniors who had followed along to broaden their horizons all looked at Moen with the same mindset. This trip had truly opened their eyes, and the pride in their hearts had all been suppressed.
Those who could follow guild masters to attend meetings—who wasn't a young prodigy? Who wasn't a future star?
But in front of Moen, no matter what kind of young prodigy or future star you were, none of it mattered. All of you had to step aside.
Geniuses were merely the threshold to meet Moen! Future stars were only worthy of flickering in the background!
After learning that Jose Porla was probably not going to die, the guild masters also relaxed and began to openly gloat.
Everyone had something to say. The main theme was that everyone disliked Jose Porla. That guy was really hateful!
Seeing this scene, Moen felt it was a bit hard to hold back.
If Jose Porla were going to die, the guild masters definitely wouldn't gloat, because it would damage their virtue. But since he wasn't going to die, they could gloat as much as they wanted. It was truly too real.
While gloating over Jose Porla's misfortune, the guild masters also didn't forget to praise Moen. The two things went hand in hand, because stepping on Jose Porla naturally meant lifting Moen up. After all, Moen was the other protagonist in this story.
"You kid, what exactly was that rose?"
Goldmine asked curiously, looking at Moen. Bob and Ooba were also very interested. A move that could knock down Jose Porla could naturally knock them down as well. There was no doubt about that. Their strength wasn't any stronger than Jose Porla's.
"It's a Star Rose that I created with magic."
Moen said with a smile, completely talking nonsense.
After all, his magic had no precedent and no written records. What effects it had and how it was used—no one knew at all. Naturally, he could say whatever he wanted.
At this moment, facing Moen's explanation, Goldmine, Bob, Ooba, and the other guild masters all believed it. Moen's magic was indeed extremely special.
"The younger generation is truly formidable! Makarov, you've really stepped in dog shit!"
The guild masters looked at Makarov, who was standing to the side with a smug expression, all filled with envy and jealousy.
Having a biological grandson with terrifying talent was one thing, but even the grandson he picked up was a magical genius—one even more outrageous than his biological grandson. How did all the good things end up falling on this old bastard?!
Facing the naked envy and jealousy of the guild masters, Makarov couldn't have felt better. This result was countless times more satisfying than him personally slapping Jose Porla a few times. Moen had really given him tremendous face!
"That guy Jose… he definitely won't dare be this arrogant again in the future!"
Makarov said happily while drinking, no one knew where he had dug out a completely intact bottle of liquor from.
This incident would definitely deal a heavy blow to Jose Porla's arrogance. Ever since becoming one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Jose Porla had been restless, constantly wanting to cause trouble for him and for Fairy Tail.
Makarov had endured him all the way until now—he had finally vented his anger!
"But Makarov, don't forget to repair the venue. You and Jose Porla broke it, so the responsibility lies with both of you."
Just as Makarov was feeling pleased, Granny Ooba stepped forward and brought up the aftermath. Ooba Babasama made her stance very clear—the other participating guilds would not pay for this. Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord had to take responsibility!
"No need for your nagging, old hag. Of course I'll compensate! Go ask around—when have I ever defaulted on compensation?"
Makarov took another gulp of liquor and replied irritably.
Ooba was just naggy and long-winded, making it sound like he wouldn't compensate. Was Makarov that kind of person?! Fairy Tail's annual compensation expenses were no small sum!
"You old bastard! You're clearly older than me, yet you call me an old hag! Spin for me!"
Granny Ooba instantly went red after being called "old hag." She directly twisted her finger, casting magic on Makarov. The old man's body immediately began spinning rapidly in place—this was Ooba Babasama's magic.
"Hahahaha—why did you have to provoke her?"
Seeing Makarov spinning in circles while holding a wine bottle, the guild masters burst into laughter. The atmosphere was extremely harmonious.
This proved that Makarov was an elder who could take a joke. Even while spinning, he himself was laughing so hard he was nearly doubled over.
He was naturally a kind and friendly person. As long as no one insulted Fairy Tail or harmed the guild's children, he didn't care if people joked about him. The old man had long passed the age of caring about his own reputation.
After being enthusiastically praised by the guild masters, Moen quietly slipped away. Taking advantage of everyone's attention being drawn to Grandpa Makarov, he silently squeezed out of the crowd and hid to the side to check his system.
[Ding! Quest "Ten Wizard Saints Assault" completed!
Quest Progress: Defeat Jose Porla (Completed)
Do you wish to claim the quest reward?]
The [Saint Seiya System] notification had already popped up earlier, but Moen had ignored it. Now that he had slipped away, he finally couldn't suppress his excitement and opened the system.
'So I really bug-abused it successfully!'
Seeing the words "Completed," Moen felt relieved. Before everything was truly settled, even he hadn't been certain it would succeed. Fortunately, the system's judgment didn't seem that strict—following Grandpa Makarov actually let him scrape together a success.
'But I did contribute too. Out of eighty-one combined points of damage, I should at least get some credit.'
Thinking this, Moen decisively chose to claim the reward, waiting for his first "Gold Saint Skill." On second thought, though, it couldn't really be counted as the first—"Diamond Dust" would definitely object!
"Buzz!"
As Moen confirmed the claim, the system panel flickered. Acquiring a Gold Saint skill was clearly different from Bronze or Silver—the system even added extravagant special effects!
After a burst of dazzling golden light, a magnificent golden gate opened, and a zodiac symbol appeared.
Two massive pincers extended, followed by a long, curved stinger tail—it was a scorpion, the Eighth House, Scorpio!
[Congratulations, skill "Scarlet Needle" unlocked!]
The golden symbol vanished, and the system notification appeared. The skill was successfully unlocked—it was precisely the lethal stinger of the Scorpio tail!
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