47 Daedalus Street.

I excused myself from the large Orario fortress walls. It was the same spot where Aiz would have trained Bell.

' How the tables have turned...'

It was a good spot, relatively close to the Twilight Manor, and hidden from the public sights. Not including the breathtaking scene observable from such a high point.

The memory of little Aiz knocking on the workshop door and begging to be taught was still fresh in my mind. I was not sure what to respond to at that moment.

Sure, I found her story pitiable. But, that didn't really warrant me teaching her or anything. I surely didn't expect her to take what I said back then seriously.

In the end, I just decided to just make up some time each day. Most importantly— Hephie saw what happened during those 3 days that I was absent when she updated my status... I suppose seeing me fighting three pumped-up bosses to the death was not enjoyable to say the least.

I grimaced just remembering the amount of shit I had to hear from her; it was not fun, not at all.

She got so upset at that, she mellowed out from our beforehand argument. Something positive at least.

Although, we were still at a cross about the meaning of 'Slow down.'

"Greetings, Sword King~"

I could practically picture the shit-eating grin the owner of the voice had just by the tone used. I winced internally but didn't show the effects that alias was having on me on the outside.

Just in these last couple of weeks, I turned into something of a celebrity grace to my stunt in the Loki HQ. I was okay with that, in fact, I even wanted it.

However, the stories going around are oftentimes quite ridiculous. And of course, fame came with both the fans and the doubters. Luckily, I didn't have a scrawny body, most people were easily intimidated by a stare down.

Sadly, that wasn't the case for everyone. Far too many times would I have to beat up someone in the alleyway or something— just because they couldn't believe some more than likely fake rumour about me. They wouldn't even listen.

I nodded casually despite the memory film that crept up on me and smiled," Fancy meeting you here, Tsubaki."

I was just about to grab a bite in the hostess of fertility. That place really grew on me.

"Booo." She childishly made a silly face and gave me a thumbs-down.

I rolled my eyes at that. I guess she was expecting the same reaction when I found out people were calling me that.

"So you finally realised how cool that is?" she asked. "You're kinda lucky you have a good alias."

I nodded to her question, and a grin started to manifest on my face, "I know right. Imagine being called Cycl—"

*Crack*

"Oops... My hands must have slipped." jested Tsubaki, utterly shamelessly, with a non-bothered look.

There was now a hole in the stone wall behind me.

A mean, big-ass hole. The smoke and debris surrounded me.

I waved my finger back and forth. I answered her just as shamelessly,"Tsk, tsk... You got such a short fuse Tsubaki, you truly live up to your legacy... The cycl—"

*Swoosh*

A punch was heading my way.

I let her punch have the smallest of contacts on my face, she smiled victoriously at that moment. Tsubaki was sure she would land a hit, this time for sure. I waited until the last moment and spun out of the way.

She almost tripped on the empty air.

"Not so fast, Tsu-Tsu. You gotta be ready to take shit too if you talk smack to me."

If there was one thing that she hated more than her alias... It would be that nickname.

"You bastard!!" she shouted as she chased after me.

I didn't wait for long and started booking it as well.

"I will get you— eventually!!" She screamed her lungs out. She couldn't reach me no matter how hard she tried.

"Isn't this their fifth time this week?" an old shopkeeper said.

"Tell me about it. Youngsters these days..."

"They should just take their lover's quarrel elsewhere." a sour voice chipped in.

The owner of the voice had a cloak on, not letting any feature escape. That person appeared to be nibbling at their fingertips in unfiltered frustration.

Tsubaki's slightly hollowed out screams as I was drawing farther and farther were simply music to my ears.

I stopped when she no longer gave me chase.

However, it seems that I unknowingly entered a very troublesome place.

The Daedalus Street.

It's a wide residential area for the poor class, located in between the main streets. The building style was very peculiar, as many structures as possible were huddled together. It almost seemed like another dungeon in and of itself.

It wouldn't do me good to be seen in this area of Orario.

Rumours are weird that way.

I headed into a remote alleyway, and it lit up for a brief second. Using my shapeshifting magic, I made myself look like the most unassuming adventurer you can see; an early level2 would be how people would view my choice of 'apparel.'

A black-haired man, looking in his later twenties or early thirties. A huge scar ran through his visible neck. His features were hardy and tough.

Uninjured adventurers were the minority, I noticed.

Overall, I looked like a veteran at dealing with the wrong crowd. I could have chosen an even weaker appearance, however, I needed to ask some questions.

A level2 should be enough for some basic intimidation to work.

Multiple eyes surveyed me from the safety of the building windows. The old people sitting on chairs were undressing with their eyes; no doubt looking for any valuables. I could see several children playing with a ball in the large dirt street.

Their clothes were ripped, or otherwise stitched repeatedly.

The scrawny children that couldn't play with the others were sitting on the side. A despondent look on their little eyes.

It was my first time entering the slums— I was hit hard.

They say to truly know the economic state of a country; the slums are where you should head.

It couldn't be more true. The vast difference in the living conditions was scary, to say the least. Not that I wasn't vaguely aware. It was just different seeing in person.

Alas, there is nothing to be done.

'As long as there are winners in life, there always will be losers.' I muttered. 'I'd rather be a winner.'

I was taking in utter disparity when I saw a large bar that looked like it would collapse at any given moment.

I nodded. That was the best place to look for information.

-------------

[Akagi Ken]

Level:5

HP: 4980-->7700

MP: 2490-->3850

STR: 122-->138

VIT: 123-->140

DEX: 124-->140

WIS: 123-->138

Unallocated Stat points: 156

Valis: ~10mil

-Strength: E420

-Endurance: D530

-Dexterity: D580

-Agility: D580

-Magic: E410

Skills: Gamers Mind - Gamers Body - Instinct - Mind's Eye (True) - Mage - Mystery- MasterSmith- One-Handed Sword Mastery - Rejuvenation - Shapeshifting - Mixing- HeadPatting- Luck- Endless Libido- Battle continuation- Mana Burst.

Magic: Ele magic - Non-Ele magic - Inventory- Space-Time magic.

[MasterSwordsman: Lv5-->Lv9.]

[MasterElementalist: Lv2-->Lv7]

[Dark/Holy ArchMage: Lv1-->Lv6.]

[MasterSpacialTemporal Archmage: Lv3]

[MasterSmithing: lv14.]

[MasterAlchemist: Lv1]

[Headpatting: Lv100]

If you have to help me out, have any ideas or want to read advanced chapters ahead: patron.com/MunirSM