2 Chapter 2

Ancient powers.

The heroes would find these powers. However, these powers were all supporting powers, not strong enough to be used as a hero's mainstay.

These were the powers that Cale was looking to find.

'Everything but the divine powers.'

Whether it be god or angels or devils, Cale did not want to get involved with them.

That was why Cale was looking for the powers that people naturally developed or came from nature.

'That is the way to make sure I don't need to put in any effort.'

Those were the types of powers he was looking for. Something like sword art or magic would require him to put in the effort to practice. He didn't want to do something like that.

Unlike other books, the ancient civilization in the novel, [The Birth of a Hero], was not that strong.

As civilization developed, the magic and summoning skills were developed outshined the natural powers left behind by the ancient civilization. Superpowers were the same way.

Most subtle superpowers would be blown away by a single hit from the Aura, that was used in the present day.

It wasn't like the heroes used these powers sparingly for no reason.

'My goal is to collect these subtle superpowers to become decently strong.'

It was a satisfying goal. Especially because Cale also knew the ancient power that could strengthen these subtle superpowers.

To take the first step in his plan, Cale started to look for the ancient power was hidden in Western City. He knew the requirement to earn that power.

Cale was deep in his thoughts. He didn't notice a presence arriving in front of him. He was looking for a store that would sell bread and jerked into a man in front of him.

"Aah, sorry about that." Cale apologized and was about to walk off till he heard a silky voice calling off his household name.

"Are you a Henituse?" A euphonious and hopeful voice asked him.

Cale turned to face the person he bumped in.

The man possessed turquoise eyes that seemed to contain an entire ocean and a soft tuff of brown hair. He was a head taller than Cale with a muscled body.

"Yes." Cale had to applaud himself. He was so famous for being trash that even a passerby could guess he was a Henituse.

"Are you looking for a subordinate or a servant?"

Cale looked astounded at the man before gaining his composure. "No, not really. Why did you ask?"

"Ah, dammit." The man sighed and then looked at the redhead. "I was hoping that they could hire me and that I could sell my products. I guess I am a lost cause now." He stroked his brown hair exaggeratedly.

Cale quirked his eyebrows in interest. The man in front of him gave him very robust and honest vibes. Perhaps, he could have products that could interest him?

"What sort of items?"

The man grinned and looked at Cale, his eyes gleaming in excitement. For a second, Cale regretted asking him. "Anything and everything. I sell whatever you want."

Cale blankly looked at him and turned to walk past him.

What a scammer.

"Nooo! Really! I have everything you want. Information, items, skills, weapons, or even powers." He hugged the other's waist and seated on the concrete. "I have it!" He cried out aggrievedly.

Cale looked at the embarrassing man that was hugging his waist and sighed. "Get up. Show me what you have."

He sprung up immediately. "What do you need?"

"Information about the ancient powers." Cale was testing him. He knew where they were but did this man know as well?

"Hmm, the closest one is a black tree found at the top of a hill in the slums. It is known as a man-eating tree."

Cale widened his eyes. "Do you know anything more about it?"

"More information is going to cost." The male grinned. Cale handed over thousands of gallons and gestured for him to continue.

"The tree housed the soul of the gluttonous priestess who had created the power called Indestructible Shield. The black tree had rumored to eat everything around it. In truth, there is a hole at the base that would absorb any life energy near the tree, preventing things like grass from growing in the area."

"Additionally, if people chose to commit suicide on that tree by hanging themselves, by the next day their corpses would be desiccated, which is how the tree earned the name Man-Eating Tree."

"Young Master does not have to feed the tree, human flesh. You could feed it a large amount of common food and gain the power."

Cale was astonished. This man knew about the power more than he, even the small facts were not left out. "You...Do you have any potions that you can sell me?"

"Yup!" He took several potions out of nowhere and showed them to the redhead.

"Are you a mage?"

"Sort of."

Cale continued to ask him to show commodities he knew that was limited and precious. The man obliged and showed his credibility as he puffed his chest in pride. He had to pay with his life to get these items, after all.

Cale looked at him in disbelief. "You have numerous things that are invaluable and still want to work for me, why?"

The man raised a brow in return "Isn't the Henituse household the richest in the northeast faction?"

Cale deadpanned at him. He wasn't a fool. If this guy wanted, he could've sold it to the royal family and earned lots of fortune and fame. "Sigh, Alright. What are your specialties?"

"I can use magic, provide things you need at a lower price than most, swordsmanship, cleaning, cooking, and make weapons."

Cale hummed and looked at the male, and nodded. "Quite good. Alright, you're hired. What's your name?"

The man grinned as his eyes twinkled. "Edwin Peregrine at your service."

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"You can't approach that t-tree!"

Cale ignored that warning. He heard another worried voice as well.

"You can't go there! It's a man-eating tree!"

A man-eating tree. Anyone who hung themselves on this tree became mummies overnight. Furthermore, any blood that lands on this tree instantly disappeared.

Finally, there was only dirt around this tree. Grass, and even weeds, were nowhere to be found.

This was the tree that Cale was looking for.

How primitive, mysterious and strange was this! The majority of the ancient powers were mysterious like this.

Cale pressed his temples with his fingers.

The number of people following him and Edwin decreased the closer he got to the man-eating tree at the top of the hill, however, the owner of that voice continued to follow them.

Cale frowned as he turned his head around. Edwin looked at him and turned around too. When they did, they noticed a girl who seemed to be around 10 years old, holding her younger brother's hand while looking at him. Her eyes were full of concern.

Seeing that Cale was frowning and staring at her, the young girl stumbled on her words and started to mumble.

"It's a man-eating tree. You're going to d, die."

"I won't die."

Cale gestured to Edwin as the latter took out a handful of bread from his space and handed it to the children. Edwin edged his nose to be sky and proudly stated, "My bread is the best in the world. Finish it all."

The young girl looked back and forth at the tree and the men.

"You can't die."

"We won't." Edwin grinned and pulled a thumbs up at the kids. The lads scampered and left the two with the tree.

"Let's get started." Cale glanced at Edwin.

The Peregrine dumped a load of bread into the hole. They soon disappeared into the darkness.

"...more, give me more." It was the voice of a weak girl.

Cale sighed and motioned to feed it further. Edwin did just that.

And finally.

Ooooooooooong-

A rumbling that was worlds different than the past rumblings poured out from the tree toward Cale. This rumbling, which was only aimed at Cale, did not catch his attention because of the hole that was starting to turn transparent. It should be dark inside the hole because of the shadow of the tree, but such a realistic situation did not occur.

That was the Ancient Power.

The moment Cale saw the Ancient Power, he could hear the voice that had been asking him for more food until now.

- It was so, so good!

That voice was ... obnoxious.

- That soft texture of the bread! I guess even food develops as time goes by. There was no such thing as bread back in my days! The wheat itself must grow on a fertile land! Yes, not all wheat is the same –

...The voice was evaluating the taste of the bread.

A storm caused by the voice started to rush toward Cale.

The obnoxious voice continued to chatter away, making him unable to focus.

- ... That's why I am so full! It was delicious!

"Yes, it was an amazing and professional evaluation. You're a bit loud-"

The spirit cut Cale off.

- You understand my evaluation. You are a really good guy! Thanks!

...Cale couldn't tell whether he could communicate with the spirit or not.

Cale really could not figure out the situation at hand. At least the voice stopped after telling him thanks. Called looked toward the tree in front of him.

"How interesting."

The man-eating tree, the originally black man-eating tree, was starting to turn white. It then started to slowly grow some green leaves. The scene looked even more mystical because he was surrounded by fog right now.

Ooooooooong-

The noise held some heaviness compared to before. Cale kneeled on one side and sat down underneath the trunk of the tree. A bright white light was pouring out from the hole.

Cale put his hand into the light. He then closed his eyes.

'This must be it.'

A warm and strong power wrapped around his hand. He started to smile before hearing the voice one more time. It was a pure and warm voice.

- It will protect you.

Cale quickly lifted the shirt that he was wearing.

'I did it.'

There was a small silver shield inscribed over his heart. It was different from a tattoo. Such a beautiful and fancy shield left its mark on Cale's heart.

The shield will prioritize its owner's safety above anything else. The location of that promise was at the heart. This shield will be with Cale until his heart stops beating.

"How nice."

Edwin clapped in excitement and cheer. "You did it, Young Master!"

Cale glanced and him and smiled. "Thanks to you."

Edwin's cheeks were dusted and his grin became wider.

He soon quickly left the slums with his helper.

The people in the slums who knew Cale and Edwin had gone to the top of the hill were looking at him wondering what crazy thing he was doing now.

The people outside the slums looked at them weirdly as well but they didn't care about these gazes.

"Ah, young master. You are back."

Once Cale returned to the tea shop, Billos greeted him pretty happy. The latter looked at the newest company beside Cale. "This is...?"

Cale looked at Edwin. "This is my attendant, Edwin Peregrine."

The piggy immediately smiled and welcomed the male.

Cale headed back to his seat on the third floor with Edwin. It should have been pretty busy at this time, but there was nobody else on the third floor. They were all avoiding the trash of the Count's family. That was why Cale could relax.

"Here is your tea, young master. I also brought up some desserts."

"Ah, great. Thanks."

Cale only continued to look toward the city gate as he took a sip of the tea. Billos observed Cale's face with an odd expression before he quietly left the third floor. It was weird to hear Cale thanking someone.

"What are we gonna do now, Young Master?" Edwin asked as he stole a cookie.

"It is time to go interact with the dangerous dude."