102 An Unexpected Meeting
Pulling the massive body of the Wyvern surely attracted attention. Even from afar, dozens of people peered through the gates as they saw Hans enter the gate with a bloodied creature on his back.
"Who is he?"
"A knight maybe?"
"But he doesn't look like one though."
Hans took a glance at the people swarming the lane as he passed by. They are like moths being enticed to the flame.
Even then, Hans ignored their increasingly annoying chattering and trudged towards the large medieval-style building in his sight.
It's made of bricks enforced with mana and it had a height of over a hundred meters. On its center, a wooden placard was plastered on the brick with the building name engraved on it.
[Abel's Auction House.]
A golden gate glittered at the entrance as people came and went every second. Mostly, those people were nobles and merchants who were seeking good products or selling their goods.
Only a handful of commoners managed to get inside. In Hans' observations, they might be servants or cleaners based on their similar clothes.
'The Wyvern might fetch a lot more if I sell it here.'
If his estimate is accurate, the entire wyvern's body should fetch around 1 emerald stone.
The order of the currency here in the empire is Copper, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Ruby, Emerald and lastly, Adamantium. The Adamantium is rare so seeing one in a lifetime was already a very extremely lucky sight.
On the other hand, the emerald was also rare. However, it still pales in comparison with the Adamantium stone. Comparing them is like comparing a penny to a diamond.
'But if I sell it in the auction house, it might even go around 5 emeralds.'
Based on the map, this auction house is the largest and the most popular among all auction sites around the entirety of the empire. Due to their popularity, the trades and the items sold here were always unique and rare.
Additionally, there were also the favorite sites of the nobles who just lavishly spent money on precious items.
As Hans gradually approached the auction house, two guards standing near the gate blocked his way.
One of the guards stepped forward, checked the surroundings, and spoke.
"Sir, if you are selling that, would you mind going inside the back?"
Although they are guards, once they saw something that could make the auction have more profit, they wouldn't hesitate to offer an alternative before someone could even buy it.
Hans knew this and nodded. If the auction house wanted to buy it, he could not only befriend them but also ask for discounts every time he sells a high-quality product.
This is a win-win situation for both sides. He'll be a Duke tomorrow, for sure, many would question his position.
However, if he managed to make an ally out of this in exchange for a little cut in price, then it's worth it.
"Please, lead the way." Hans politely said.
The guards, who are both holding their breaths, exhaled deeply. A victorious smile bloomed on their face as they began leading Hans to the back of the auction house.
..........
Chuuaaaa—!
Clang—, clang—!
A long black chain whirled around the area like an agile tentacle. It slithered around the tree and tightly bound the monsters where it passed through.
Then…
Swish—
A blurred shadow swirled around the area. His speed quickened as he slashed the monster using his dark scythe.
Slash—!
After killing one, the shadow did not stop and continued his rampage.
Slash—, slash—
Clang—, Clang—!
As he killed the beasts one by one, the chains binding them loosened. The shadow leaped through the air, twisted his hand, and threw the scythe to the now escaping orc.
Swish—!
The scythe left his hand and the chains followed. The shadow maneuvered the chains and it swirled around the massive red orc's body.
Shu—, clang—!
Like a snake preying on its meal, the scythe attached to the end of the chain also twisted. The shadow landed on top of a dried tree and…
Grip—!
With a strong force, the shadow pulled the chains, causing the scythe to change direction and aimed toward the orc's neck.
"Die."
Slash—
Clang—, clang—
The scythe beheaded the orc. Under the moon's light, the blood splashed on the ground and it gushed out of the monster's headless neck like a stream of a river.
[You have killed a Red Orc.]
[Level Up!]
The man ignored the sound ringing in his head. He jumped down the tree and landed near the monster's body.
With one swift motion, he pulled the chains up and they swirled around his hand like an obedient child. As he slowly approached the monster's body, beneath the moonlight, his features gradually became vivid.
Red plum-like eyes that seemingly came from hell, pit black hair styled into a perm plus a cold expression that tops even the winter season; this man is surely an aesthetic.
However, despite his handsome features, it couldn't be hidden that his face looks like a high schooler.
If Hans was here, he'd immediately recognized who this man was.
"I've been hunting for 2 days and I only leveled up by 3."
The trip to the Beast Empire by running at his pace would take a little more than 4 days. In such a short time, he decided to hunt monsters along the way.
After all, 4 days could probably push him to level 100 soon.
However, the monsters along the way were strong but the exp they gave only amounted to little. Finding a far stronger enemy would take time.
Thus, he decided to abandon that thought.
The man placed his chained scythe behind his back and opened his status window. Then, he distributed his gained stat points.
[Name: Gabriel Collins / Reaper Amador
Age: 19 / 85068 Level: 96 / ???
Race: Human / Reaper
Potential: S-class / SSS-Class
Strength: 189
Agility: 244
Stamina: 164
Mana: 151
Unused stats: 0
Talent: Unlocks at Level 100
Skills: [Enclosed Nightmare (B)], [Death Glide (B)], [Thirteen Scythes (SS)], [Reaper's Hand (S)], [Take Over (S)]...]
"Hmm…four levels and I will unlock my talent. I wonder what it could be."
According to Awakeners who have already reached level 100, the talent will be determined depending on oneself. Meaning, that if he's good at drag racing, the talent might give him otherworldly eyes that slow down the world he perceives.
Also, if he's good at nothing, he might not get talent at all but that's likely impossible. After all, all people have something they are good at.
"But all I did was sleep in class though."
In the end, despite brainstorming about any possible talents he might receive, Gab eventually surrendered as he reached a dead end.
Rather than guessing what was his talent, it's better to just level it up since it only needed four anyway.
Rustle—, rustle—
At that moment, the tall bushes and lush plants behind him rustled. Gab, who was preoccupied with his thoughts, tensed, leaped backward, and quickly rested his hand behind his back.
His eyes restlessly swept around the vicinity. The cold air was already cold but he could sense that the temperature is rapidly rising at an alarming rate.
Rustle—, rustle—
Gab's muscles bulged as he prepared himself for any possible attacks. His perception works at maximum output, trying to penetrate that dark area. However, to his dismay, a wall seemed to be blocking his perception from entering.
No matter who or whatever it is, he could tell that they have no good intentions.
'Lend me some strength, teacher.' Gab whispered in his mind where a middle-aged man was currently watching the event through his eyes.
'Alright but if the enemy is far stronger than you, just run Gab. There's no shame in running away.' Amador warned while also giving him a piece of advice.
At that moment.
Shu—
Gab felt strength flowing in his veins, muscles, and core. Vitality surged in his heart as it pumps blood like there was no tomorrow. Overflowing mana nourished his body, strengthening his overall power by a large margin.
Black marks then appeared above his forehead resembling a spiral pattern.
But even with power that seemingly compressed the space around him, Gab didn't gain even a hint of confidence.
The threat he felt did not decrease at all.
'What could it be?'
If this enemy has been tailing him, he could notice it as his perception will always know that something was amiss.
However, it didn't.
Meaning, either this enemy lives here or he just arrived.
Rustle—, rustle—
As fear crawled into his skin, Gab mustered the courage to ask.
"Who are you?" He yelled and followed, "Show yourself! There's no point in hiding when I already know you're there!"
The trip to the Beast Empire requires him to pass the land of death. According to his observations, this gloomy and eerie place should be a burial area of some sort.
He had no idea what was buried here but he was sure that this is like a cemetery due to the amount of death energy whirling in the surroundings.
Gab slowly stood in a defensive stance as he witnessed the bushes rustling more aggressively than before.
Then, at that moment.
Step—
A man stepped outside the bushes. The world seemed to slow down as Gab stared at the man.
Their eyes met. The two glared at each other, seemingly measuring their enemies' strength and as if they reached an agreement…
Clang—
Swish—
Gab threw his scythe.
Shing—
The man drew his sword.
Under the witness eyes of the moon, their weapons collided.
Clang—!
The man easily blocked Gab's scythe and fended it off to the side. Then, he followed by closing the gap between him and Gab by using a fast movement skill.
Swish—
But as soon as he slashed Gab in half…
Clang—
His sword slammed at the scythe who just came out of nowhere. Confused, he turned around and saw Gab standing from where he sent the scythe earlier.
'Did he switch places with the weapon?' He thought.
However, there's no time to think further as he felt danger brushed behind his neck.
'He switched again!?'
His eyes widened.
Clang—, clang—
Baaaam—
The chains slithered around his body and bind him like it was a snake. Then, Gab kicked him in the solar plexus and sent him flying into the air.
Slam—, slam—, slam—!
The man's body slammed on the trees and crashed on a wet floor.
Chack—
Gab did not attack further and observed the man's movements meticulously.
'He's unscathed.'
The man looks in pain but Gab knew that what he kicked earlier was nothing but the man's sword. At a speed of a millisecond, the man managed to align his sword on his stomach but due to the force of his attack, he flew into the air.
Even then, the man is unscathed. The painful expression on his face is surely a facade.
"Who are you?" Gab asked. The man acts nonchalant but in reality, he's emitting a humongous amount of killing intent as if he's hunting for his prey.
It's the same feeling when his father sent assassins to kill him because his father thought that his body was already occupied by Amador.
No doubt, this man came for him.
"Me? I'm a passerby." The man sheathed his sword and said.
Gab frowned. The man was straightforward. He didn't expect it.
"Why did you attack me?" Gab asked once again.
"Attack you?" The man rubbed his nose and continued, "But you threw the scythe first right? I just blocked it in retaliation."
Hearing the man's words, Gab was taken aback.
Indeed, he was the one attacked first but it's because this guy looks suspicious!
"Anyways, I understand. I must have surprised you with my appearance."
Despite the man's gentle tone, Gab did not dare to let his guard down. The man was full of scars on his face and his dark pupils stared at him with a kind gaze.
With the face of an angel, sometimes a devil is hidden behind. This is what Amador taught him.
"Are you here to kill me?" Gab asked another question.
"No."
"Then why are you here?"
The man smiled which then turned into a chuckle.
"Hahaha, is it because of my killing intent?"
"Yes." Gab admitted. If not for that strong killing intent, he might have already loosened his guard.
The man sighed in understanding and nodded.
"I was born with this. I can't really turn it off."
It was a condition where he was born with Innate killing intent. As he grew up, it just got stronger. However, it doesn't really do anything other than intimidating enemies or scare them off.
Gab nodded but doubts remained in his mind. There's no guarantee that this guy is telling the truth after all.
Even then, his posture relaxed and Gab slowly retracted his chained scythe.
Now that he thinks about it, the man looks familiar. In his two-day journey, he passed by many towns and villages. Once, he saw pictures printed on the wall with a wanted sign on them.
And this man, he clearly resembled the most eye-catching of them all.
The man was about to leave when suddenly, Gab called him out.
"Hey… is your name Jacob?"
Hearing Gab's words, the man halted and raised his head.
"You know me?"
Gab chuckled, 'As expected.'
If not for him passing by in places after places, he might have missed the opportunity to befriend this man. Gab's attitude immediately turned polite.
"I mean who wouldn't know you?"
The man is the famous Hero, Jacob.
"That's all in the past."
But according to the poster, this man is currently wanted by all 5 Great Empires.
As for why?
'I might have found the perfect ally beside Hans.'
According to rumors, the Ex-hero, Jacob, robbed all priceless treasures of each empire.
But in Gab's opinion, all of it is bullshit.
The reason might be more than that.
