12 Stone City

Compared to Harbinger City, Stone City was slightly larger. However, it paled in comparison to metropolises like Nightone City, which towered with cramped streets, black metal buildings, and housed stronger clans in its encompassing arms.

Harbinger City was home to two low-level bronze clans: Ahrab Shak's Shak Clan and Estero Ea's Ea Clan. Leon was lucky to meet their children back in the school, though the outcome of the meeting wasn't that good of a memory for him.

Interestingly, Stone City differed from both Harbinger and Nightone. It lacked a ruling clan or family; instead, it served as a neutral ground for everyone.

Leon intended to heed his mother's advice and stick to the alleys. Muddy clothes, tired, sweaty face with eyes lost color were just fit for an alley rat. While he didn't care much about his looks, the excessive dirtiness was a bit too much for him.

After contemplating for a while, he stood behind a tree and swiftly changed his jersey to a wet one, hoping it would dry by the time he reached the city.

Then, he decided to take off his shoes, socks, and pants while keeping his feet in the shoes. It was an unconventional solution, but it allowed his feet to feel the mud while the socks served as protection.

Freshly changed clothes of his were quite fresh, so to say. Yet, his face and shoes, especially shoes, were still muddy. But, he chose not to waste his few remaining waters.

From the small hill he stood at, the city on the horizon felt close, but in reality, he still had to walk around for two more hours.

"Well, I'm as ready as I can be. So, let's go."

After these words, he threaded his path onto Stone City, the city that is famous for a massive rock in its city center. That was both its touristic spot and the city's namesake.

Rock of Stone City was literally a rock. If it were to be a meteor, then that area would have been a gigantic hole. That was how big of a rock it was, after all.

As time passed, he could see his odyssey reaching its end with each step forward. However, he refrained from letting joy cloud his mind. He was now a fugitive without a God's Watch, so he needed to avoid the guards and stay out of the spotlight.

"It's time to show my dodging and talking skills," a grin appeared on his face.

In this world, countries still existed, each with its own borders. The same as a century ago, but there also was a vast difference between.

Borders of the day were just out there as tradition. Unlike a century ago, people didn't need a visa or anything to visit another country; their regular ID was enough.

Stone City wasn't a border city, but that didn't mean there were no checks at the point of entry and exit. God's Guards were on duty, albeit in a nonchalant manner, widening Leon's grin.

At up ahead were numerous cars of all kinds. And naturally, vehicles had to be searched. What he was hoping for was here, the crowded entrance.

"If it's this crowded, then my job will be easier."

His confidence in his grin, swiftly passed through the cars, Leon. He wasn't an idiot to take the sideways since there were quite a few guards on each side. Yet, there, of course, some also stationed in front of him, either.

While the guards nonchalantly checked the cars and people passing through, they were still doing their job.

"Hey, kid, come here," called a middle-aged-looking man; his face was of someone who may pass away from boredom at any moment now.

"Yes, sir."

'Tch. Seems like my dodging skills didn't work this time.'

Let out a short sigh, "What are you doing here?"

"This is my hometown, sir. I just went to Harbinger City to visit my aunt and just came back."

He was so uninterested in Leon's words that his one hand naturally made its way into his pocket, shuffling something, "I see, I see. However, you have to show me your—"

"Sir…"

"Haah…" Slowly rolled his eyes, "What is it?"

"Seems like you have been a God's Guard for a long time."

"Yeah…"

"I also want to be one in the future. Can you explain your job to me?" His puppy eyes on his handsome face were a sight to see, if he were to be someone interested in kids or men.

"Just search it in internet, alright? Now, let me—"

"But it isn't the same, sir," nonchalantly stepped forward, slowly trying to walk away, "As you know, those who have been in a job for a long time are the best teachers. And, of course, you know it already since you have seasoned God's Guard's eyes. Even your heavenly job has its own troubles and boring sides, right?"

"Yes, yes," his shuffle stopped and unconsciously took out his cigarette box, "It's the most tiring job ever."

"I bet, haha," scratched his head innocently, "By the way, if you want to, you can smoke. They wouldn't say anything if we go to a place where they can't see us."

Shot a glance at Leon, disappointment on his face, "Nah, I'm working right now."

"And I'm a part of that work, am I not?" Shot a thumps up.

"Well… That's also true."

"Then, let's go to somewhere else."

"I liked you, kid," taking even a few minutes' break was something anyone would want; a shining smile appeared on his face.

'F*cking idiot.'

Thanks to his talking skills and having the lady luck on his side putting that kind of nonchalant guard in front of him, Leon swiftly passed through the checkpoint.

Though he had to endure accompanying the guard during his smoke break, it was a small price to pay to avoid visiting jail.

"See you later, sir."

"Yeah, see you later."

'Easy job.'

"Hahaha."

"What are you laughing for, kid?"

"Nothing, sir. It's just that I'm happy to be in my hometown."

"I see, I see. Take care."

"Yeah, you too."

'I hope all of you f*ckers die.'

Those were Leon's last kind words to the guard before continuing his aimless path into Stone City.

He didn't have any money, and he couldn't have money. It's been around eighty years since paper money became literal paper. People living under the Gods were using credit cards called God Credits.

It isn't like they had any freedom to choose, either.

'What will I do now? I mean, I will stick to the alleys, but why? Will something or someone magically appear and take me away or something?'

Lost in thoughts about his uncertain future. He had both the system and universal energy arts book that he brought with him.

These two were his path to power, to revenge. But overthrowing an entire system, especially the Gods, wasn't an easy feat. In fact, it was impossible to do as one man.

'I want many things, and all of them come down to this,' gripped his fist, 'I have the system that I've no idea how it works, but I need people, too. I can't do everything alone. I need people to help me, people to fight with me.'

"Sigh…"

"What are you sighing for, my child?"

Turned his head to the gentle, elderly voice coming from his side, next to an ordinary butcher.

"Nothing, Grandma."

"Haha, don't be like that," she slowly got up, "Goddess bless you, my child."

"Yeah, same to you."

"My dear, may I ask a favor?"

"Sorry, but I'm quite busy right now."

"Please, won't you help this elderly? Goddess is watching, son."

"I really don't have any time."

With a smile on her face, she slowly caught Leon's left wrist.

"What are you doing? Get your hands off of me!"

"I just wanted to check something on behalf of Goddess as one of her apostles."

"What the f*ck are you talking about!? Since when Goddess have apostles!?"

"Swearing is a bad manner, my child. And yes, Goddess doesn't have any. That is why we want to take that job for her."

"Wow, that's so nice," brightened his eyes, "Can you talk to me in detail? I also want to be one."

'While you are speaking shit, I'll try to get my hand off, idiot.'

"Of course, my dear," tightened her grip, "But we have to check something first," and dragged him.

"Aaah! Let me go!"

This was the grip power of someone at least Level 2.

Anyone at an older age, regardless of their talent, was Level 2. That was how easy it was to be one, and reaching a higher level meant power, even if they weren't the type to train. And, of course, those who trained had more power in them.

"You see, my dear, the last time I saw someone with those kinds of muddy shoes and haggard-looking face, she turned out to be a fugitive. So, as Goddess's apostle, I won't make the same mistake again."

"I have a watch in my house!"

"That's God's Guards' job to check."

"Hey, old woman!"

A girl's voice came from behind the woman.

"What is it, my dear?"

Pooow!

"F*ck you!"

Her punch to the liver was quite effective. As effective as to have her let Leon's wrist free. But this time, she changed places with her.

"Let's go!"

"What?"

"Just come with me!"

"Alright!"

The long, ruby-haired girl dragged him to the alleys after running through the city for a good five minutes.

"Haah… Haah… So… What's the deal?"

"Do you have a watch?"

Leon looked deeply into the same-aged girl's forest eyes, "What do you think?"

"What do you think about Goddess?"

"Well…"

Seeing Leon's attitude was more than enough for her to show her wrists. There was a watch on the right, making Leon think about if everything was a conspiracy.

"This thing isn't real. It's just a regular watch that looks like a God's Watch. So, you can be honest with me."

'Yeah. Do I look like an idiot?'

"What do you mean? I can't understand."

"I hate the Goddess, Gods, and Demigods. I hope they would all die. Was that enough?"

"Isn't that sin?"

"To hell with sin."

'Seems like I have to try.'

"F*ck the Goddess!"

Stunned for a second, "Hahahaha, yeah, f*ck the Goddess!"

Then she opened her palm towards Leon, asking for a handshake.

"Let's go."

Instinctively held her hand, but there also was trust in his hand, "To where this time?"

"To Rebellious."

"What!?"

"You heard me right."

"Will you make a terrorist out of me!?"

"Not really," a giggle followed, "It's just that, we, free-slaves, fighting for our freedom."