Awakened: SSS Ranked Soul king

In the stone Titian alliance, there existed 7 strongholds. Seven places of insurmountable power and influence, one of those strongholds was called the Kong Stronghold.

The home to the vicious Kong shi family.

"Young sir is steadfast, you're glorious posture is illuminating"

Infront of a dusty outpost building in the middle of nowhere, a line of individuals could be seen formed not far away.

"You're too kind sir, I'm only looking for greener pastures like everyone else here" a young man with red hair and eyes as sharp as blades could be seen with his hands crossed accepting praise from a much older man.

His words were humble, but his eyes betrayed him. He felt delighted by the praise, he wanted the worship. After all, he was a powerful slayer, one that had not so long ago participated in the nightmare desert clearing army.

"No, you're too humble a Red slayer from the backwater shelters is definitely a talent, im sure you'll skyrocket when you step foot in the stronghold, maybe even become A ranked" The old merchant beside him continued to praise a look of delight painted all over his face.

A young talent like this was good to get close to, even with all his riches, slayers we're still the real powerhouses in the king stronghold. Unlike others, this place was ruled by pure strength.

"If you need any help just let me know old man. Once I join a group, I'll be able to help you." The young slayer with red hair said calmly looking up with pride.

The Kong strong hold unlike others didn't have a clear hierarchy of power. They had a Myriad of groups which included guilds, factions, mercenary companies and orders.

The rule of the strong was prevalent here and whichever group became stronger would naturally take the place of those above them.

If the young slayer could join an influential group, he would be on the fast track to becoming a truly powerful and influential.

"I…" the old merchant beamed in excitement hearing these words…..

However before he could express himself a voice sounded from not to far away drawing their attention.

"Everyone, pack up your things and rush to the city walls, there's a beast hoarde incoming!!" A guards man climbed atop the outpost building and ordered his hand gripping the spear in hand tightly.

Moments later bells began to ring all over the the giant stronghold in the distance as everyone outside rushed forward.

A horde

In the shelters, these were events that happened once every few years, giving them ample time to prepare and grow. But in the stronghold? It could happen anytime.

"Run faster!!!" A random youth shouted as he dashed forward quickly passing through the line and sprinting forward.

Even though it was considered commonplace, hoardes were still very dangerous. Being caught outside the walls during one was akin to a death sentence.

So when they heard the bells from the city, they all thought of one thing.

Run for your life.

"Young hero, please my goods help me get my goods!!" The old merchant pleaded with the young slayer with red hair as he hurriedly rushed forward with a box of jewelry.

He was barely capped at blue, rushing with a hand full of heavy gold was tasking. But for the young man? It would be as easy as carrying a quell in hand.

However, the young slayer paid him no mind as he quickly created a distance between himself and the greedy merchant.

He didn't want to die, and wouldn't risk his life for someone like the old merchant. The weak after all were meant to die.

"You.." the old merchant was helpless, a look of indignation filled his eyes. He had worked so hard to accumulate this wealth, his whole life even. Was he really going to throw it all away so easily?

He couldn't even imagine it.

Even now the sounds of monsters rushing through the raggedy landscape was increasing by the second. He hadn't even seen one, but he could already feel death baring down on him.

He was going to die any moment now.

However,

"Hold on"

A gentle voice resounded right next to the old merchant as all of a sudden he was lifted off the ground and quickly ascended upwards into the air.

The first thing he felt was panic as he tried to stabilize himself and hold on tight to his box of jewelry, then he felt surprise as he looked down at what laid below him.

The hoarde had truly come and was now rushing towards the fleeing denizens below him.

Then it dawned on him. If he had stayed on the ground a moment later, he would have been dead.

But….how was he alive?

He looked up and felt another round of shock.

He was being held up by a giant black raven with feathers as black as tar and purple claws.

"Don't panic or ill drop you" all of a sudden a rather young voice resounded just above him as he noticed a young man seated atop the giant bird in a strange military uniform.

It didn't look like anything from the king stronghold, but for some reason felt similar to something he had seen before.

"Am I seeing things?" The old merchant thought slowly closing his eyes and praying for the best.

Moments later they landed near the gate of the kong stronghold and were ushered in by a troop of guards.

"Please maintain a straight line, failure to adhere might just get you killed" an administrator said pushing his glasses back as he watched the people troop in.

Right beside them another group could be seen rushing out the city gates in droves armed to the teeth and on horseback.

Silver Wing mercenary company.

They were a top force in the kong stronghold and were coincidentally in charge of defending the city today, on the last day of the month.

Every single one of them was at least capped at red, as they released a suffocating aura that scared everyone present.