System Stigma

The moment Alex was about to open the book, information about who Pagma was immediately flowed into his mind without his consent.

Who was Pagma?

Pagma was hailed as the legendary blacksmith and swordsman. Originally a Yangban of the East Continent who went to the West Continent and transcended the skills of a dwarf, forged sacred treasures with the help of the Goddess of Light, and made the blacksmith god to feel threatened with his skills.

As the information continuously flowed into his mind, Alex unconsciously muttered.

"Pagma doesn't fall behind to the legendary heroes of this world."

Aside from he had the general knowledge of Pagma's skills and abilities, Alex found out that the Legendary Pagma had even saved the humanity in his time, showing how powerful he is. However based on the information, Pagma wasn't from this world but in the another world.

If Alex was a normal mortal, he might be confused with the existence of the another worlds but as a former god, it was normal for Alex and didn't questioned much.

"But first thing first, how and why I was able to know all of this?"

Alex questioned himself as it didn't make sense to him. With just the attempt of opening the book, he had become aware of the legendary blacksmith.

"The Akashic Records!"

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He then remembered that the system was called Akashic System. As the Akashic Records had the records of everything, Alex mind became clear as his doubt disappeared.

Also, Alex considered himself lucky that he didn't fully opened the book or else he might have become Pagma's Successor already making the book to disappear.

"Following Pagma's path might be the best, but I don't want to follow the legendary blacksmith's path. In the future, I might need strong companions so probably, it would be better if I will give this to others I would trust."

Alex then imagined a scenario in the future. What if, the Kronos Familia will become a large Familia but he was the only one who is strong because of his skills. Alex found that situation quite lonely.

Even if he was currently alone, Alex wanted in the future that he could have someone who could stand by his side and continue moving forward. This might be idealistic of him, but that was what he wanted.

Anyway, remembering the other reward he had, he decided to keep the precious book in his inventory to be safe and Alex inspected the next reward curiously.

[System Stigma Lv.1]

Rating: Epic

[* Grants willing parties a sub-version of the Akashic System. The parties branded by the stigma will be unable to betray the caster.

* Branded party must absolutely obey the order of the caster. Any actions that intended or would leave to harm the caster is prohibited. Failure to do this will inflict a terrible pain regardless of the resistance.

* Stigma Limit: 0/3

Type: Active

Skill Proficiency: 0%

Cooldown Time: 30 Minutes.]

The eyes of Alex widened and his breathing hitched slightly. Such skill was beyond his wildest expectations! The system may be new to Alex, but even he could understand how great the Akashic System was to be able to grant him such power that made him reach this point. 

If he could bestow a small bit of the Akashic System to chosen natives and individuals of this world, would this not allow him to form an army which would grow endlessly through battle?! 

Most importantly, those who he branded would be unable to ever betray him! This theoretical army would be totally loyal! This skill definitely deserved to be called an epic skill.

Suddenly with the skill, having the need to trust someone to be gifted by the book disappeared in his mind. If he could somewhat trick someone to agree, Alex didn't have to worry of being backstabbed at all.

Looking at the sky, Alex saw the clear blue sky. Seeing that it was still at the afternoon, probably at 2pm, he decided to go to the Hostess of Fertility at night time as he was still apparently not hungry.

Changing his intended direction, Alex decided to go to Babel first and check the equipments at the smiths of Hephaistos Familia. As he had the Pagma's Rare Book in his inventory, Alex decided that it would also be good to find someone he could give the book.

Arriving at the fourth floor, Alex once again saw the impressive displays of the expensive weapons. Even though, Alex can purchase some items with his shop function of the same grades with the weapons on the displays, the desire to buy these cool weapons was still there.

Shrugging the thoughts of, Alex thought in his mind to distract himself.

'This won't do. The smiths at this floor were Master Smiths already or some successful smiths. They have high pride so I don't think they would listen to me.'

With that in mind, Alex proceeded to the next floor hoping he could make someone agree with him.

"The place is still the same."

Alex muttered looking at the place that was still bustling with people. Taking his time touring around, Alex occasionally examined some people that could catch his interest.

'It felt like I'm a god wanting an adventurer to join my Familia.'

Alex amusingly thought as he found like he was doing the same with the gods. As Alex was leisurely moving around, he saw a familiar figure at a distance.

It was the man with spiky red hair and dark blue eyes that he saw at the guild this morning who was also there when Eina exclaimed about Bell Cranel's rank up.

"Damn that old man, disregarding my works."

There was a giant sword strapped to his back...he also looked angry enough to use it.

"You seems like you're having a bad day."

Alex spoke nearing him and taking the initiative to start a conversation. Taking a simple approach, Alex found it no use to use any scheme and trickery to someone who would only benefit from his offer.

Turning around at his back, the man watched Alex but just sighed.

"Your right. My works were keep getting disregarded, always making my mood to foul."

The man replied with a sad expression.

"Eh...I think that's tough. You're a smith right?"

"Yes and so what if I am?"

Looking at his wary expression and hearing his low tone, Alex simply smiled.

"Hyyst, why am I telling you this?"

He sighed again wondering what's wrong with him talking with a stranger he had never known. As he was about to leave as he never knew him anyway, he heard something that interested him.

"Do you want power?"

He immediately turned around when he heard that. Alex on the other hand, felt like he was a devil tempting someone which made him sigh.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

The man warily asked thinking that the man in front of him was shady. However seeing that there were many people walking around, it made him confuse when this scene normally happened in a place devoid with people.

"Ah pardon me. My name is Alex Uchiha, pleasure to meet you."

"Welf...Welf Crozzo."

Alex's finger slightly twitched remembering that he was the smith that created his previous weapons.

'Crozzo?'

Suddenly, Alex remembered a detail that he had overlooked before. Crozzo, a noble family famous for them being used to create magic swords but was now currently unable to create one. Alex doesn't really know the complete details about it but that's currently irrelevant.

"Well you being a Crozzo didn't really matter."

Welf widened his eyes when he heard that. People might not know but he doesn't like to be associated with his family name which surprised him hearing Alex who didn't care and nonchalantly shrugged off about him being a Crozzo.

"So how about it? Wanna try take my offer?"

Welf was unsure for a moment but think that Alex was kidding. Welf decided to not think much about it seeing that Alex was not a god. For him, only gods had the right to say this words so he decided to play along and then later forget that this never ever happened.

[Detected target for branding with the System Stigma. Proceed?]

"Sure why not? Sounds interesting to me."

Replying with a small smile, Welf wondered what he was doing and thought that Alex was stupid at the same time. If he wanted to joke about this, he should have spoke to another adventurer who truly cared about power unlike a smith like him who cared more about smithing.

However he was left confused and immediately regretted his decision the moment he saw the wide and creepy smile of Alex.

[The target has been assessed as a willing candidate. Condition has been met.]

[Candidate Name: Welf Crozzo. Candidate Race: Human (Crozzo Bloodline).]

[Overwriting existence...auto educating with provided Infopack...establishing loyalty...completed.]

[Congratulations! Welf Crozzo has succeeded in becoming your Retainer.]

Welf widened his eyes as he felt something was flowing from within. With a shocked expression, his eyes gazed at Alex but his expression immediately turned with respect and reverence.

He then kneeled which surprised many people but immediately proceeded with their own businesses.

"I, Welf Crozzo, am your loyal retainer henceforth, Master Alex. I will serve you with all my loyalty."

Welf pledged sincerely making, making Alex nod in contentment.

"Well first, tell me about your system functions." Alex intructed him, as he wanted to make sure the fellow knew how to use his system.

Welf gazed over as if he was in a trance for a seconds before he returned to normal. "Master, I had the functions of Character, Quests and Inventory."

Alex was surprised that the sub-version was kind enough to give his retainer those functions. He expected that Welf would only obtain the Character and Map functions but this is better.

"Well can we go to a room with no other people for a moment, for what we are about to discuss is very crucial."

"Right away, Master." Welf replied as he then led the way. Looking at him, Alex amusingly thought.

'Making a Crozzo to be Pagma's Successor? This is exhilarating.'