[Clear a Dominion and extract the Fragments of Myth.]
From what Zeth had come to know, Dominions were basically small dark domes that covered an area and kept expanding unless cleared. Every Dominion had a set of challenges and a unique environment of its own. In order to clear a Dominion, one had to overcome those challenges.
As for what exactly the Fragments of Myth were, he had no idea.
For a moment, the idea did cross Zeth's mind to just ask the system, but considering their past encounters, he was in a dilemma. However, it wouldn't hurt to just ask, would it?
"Hey, system!" Zeth forced a smile onto his face.
[Sup?]
"Can I ask you a question?"
[Don't you have self-respect?]
"You do realize you'll die alongside me if I ever fuck up, right?"
[Womp Womp, cry about it.]
Zeth's eye twitched. On second thought, it actually did hurt asking the system for anything. Maybe he would have to do everything on his own.
Shaking his head, he turned to the television again and looked at the live locations of the Dominions.
Good for him, the global government was keeping live track of these Dominion thingies, and the information was public. However, it was still hard to clear Dominions. From what he could see, there were four nearby the city he was currently staying in.
The job didn't exactly specify what type of Dominion he needed to clear, so he would have to look for the weakest one. After all, there were gods who had multiple employees who formed parties and worked in groups to clear Dominions.
Sadly, Zeth didn't have that privilege, not that he was complaining. By novel logic, a Dominion in a less populated area should be considerably weaker...and if it came to him being naked or something, then he wouldn't be attracting the media's attention.
Zeth searched for any Dominions in secluded areas, and he did find one about fifty kilometers from where he was living. With the first problem solved, it was time for him to think about the big fish: clearing the Dominion itself.
From his last battle experience, fighting one hobgoblin was enough to almost kill him. Fighting inside a Dominion? Only God knew what kind of creatures would be inside. Zeth pinched the bridge of his nose. After a moment of thought, he called out loudly,
"Banshee!"
The maid instantly rushed into the room, making Zeth suspect whether she had been eavesdropping outside his door. Thinking about how she had survived the bungalow massacre, he helplessly shook his head.
"Arrange my transport to Rawana Village." With a pause, he added, "Also, look for the best combatants, bodyguards, mercenaries...anything that can be available within twenty-four hours."
The idea of going into the Dominion alone was dumb, so his thoughts naturally drifted toward hiring mercenaries who could help him in combat. However, he was still unsure if they would be of any help.
Zeth thought for a good minute before coming to a conclusion. Surely, if they could defeat him in a fight, they would be able to defeat monsters as well. Though if that plan failed, he would have to resort to other options.
Nodding to himself, he noticed the maid who was still standing there like a fool.
'Honestly, I miss my butler!'
He sighed, then, taking a deep breath, yelled, "What are you looking at, dumbass? Do what I said."
The clumsy maid hurriedly left, closing the door behind her. Now aware that he was completely alone, he waited for the moment. As soon as the maid left, he headed to the gym on the other floor. Though not as big as the private gym he had in the bungalow, it had all the equipment he needed, alongside privacy, of course.
Zeth made sure no one was watching. He closed the windows and doors, then began to undress.
Almost a few hours later, all the arrangements for his departure had been made. Since it was the rainy season and the outskirts weren't known for having the best roads, he had to pick the vehicle best suited for the terrain...a helicopter, of course.
As the helicopter hovered through the air, the high-rise buildings of the city came to an end, replaced by long expanses of farmland. Very soon, they were far out in the outskirts, and he finally saw it before his eyes.
A muddy-brown, opaque dome, extending almost a hundred meters in radius, lay in the middle of the village...or rather, over most of it. Only a few houses remained outside, alongside several blue tents for temporary refugees.
'That's...huge...'
Zeth's eyes widened. Naturally, he had seen pictures of Dominions, but seeing one in person made him realize how severely he had underestimated the scale of things. It also made him question how something like this could even exist in this world.
Landing almost a hundred meters away from the dome, Zeth was greeted by a group of local mercenaries who had arrived before him. Two men, each nearly seven feet tall, wearing black T-shirts with scarred faces, looked at him as if they were ready to eat his soul.
The other three didn't look much intimidating. Then there was another six-and-a-half-foot-tall mercenary, built like a tank. However, what attracted his attention the most was a small, middle-aged man...maybe five foot ten? With a lean body and a receding hairline.
And somehow, in that group of seven mercenaries, Zeth found himself rooting for the bald guy. As they say, beware of an old person in a profession where people die young.
"It's an honor to greet you, Master Zeth. We have only ever heard and seen you in the news!" the old man greeted, though Zeth wasn't interested in petty conversation.
He smiled, flexing his arms.
"I'm not going to explain much. Just attack me with all you've got!"
The air grew heavy. The mercenaries looked at each other. Hesitantly, the old man asked,
"Are you sure, Master Zeth? It could be fatal..."
"The payment has already been transferred to your accounts," Zeth said, looking at his phone.
When he looked up, the two tall mercenaries were already before him, knives aimed at his throat. A vicious killing intent burned in their eyes.
While Zeth remained calm, almost unimpressed.
'Figured...they're too slow.'