Aelk Village (1)

[Mortelix has killed someone level 87]

[You didn't get any experience]

[Mortelix has killed someone level 73]

[You didn't get any experience]

…

Each time the blade was painted red with blood, the blade quickly absorbed the blood. So at the end of the killing spree, the blade only had a little bit of blood stuck on it. When the blood was completely absorbed by the blade, Charles saw another notification.

[The sword has drunk the blood of someone agile, you have learned Evasion level 1]

[You have Evil Dragon power within you, the skill is upgraded to Evasion (Low)]

In the same manner, Charles learned another two skills. Dual-attack (Low) and Disarm-weapon (Low).

'That's it kid, don't ever hand over my fang to someone else again. Ah, finally I drank some blood after 100 years. I will go to sleep.'

And just like that, the dragon went to sleep again, and his pupil turned back to his own. But now he remembered, there was still the archer up the cliff.

"I prefer not to fight against you, but I will have to bind you and take you to the village. What do you say?"

Without having time to check the new skills he learned, another problem came his way again. Unfortunately, like before, he was powerless. He had to accept the request to be bound. However, he remembered to not get his sword stolen again.

"I will agree with your request. However, I have one request."

She dropped her aim.

"Say it."

"Please do not take my sword, otherwise I don't even know what to do." Said Charles sounding worried.

She didn't know what exactly going to happen, but she had a rough guess.

'Probably it has something to do with his berserk and transformation.' She shivered as he remembered that scene.

"O-okay, you keep your sword with you." She quickly put away her bow and slid down the quite steep cliff as if she had always been doing this every day.

"Wait, let me take some money from these bandits. Sorry I don't have anything with me, not even a copper."

"Suit yourself."

-

After getting a closer look, she looked cuter than instead beautiful before. Charles was captivated by how straight her black hair fall. Combined with her pale white skin, brown eyes, and small nose and lips. He wondered, how could someone this quite sounding so full and commanding.

On the way up to reach the plateau of the mountain, sometimes they encountered a few small beasts. The archer girl mostly ignored them, she knew which beasts are harmless and which are not.

The way to reach the plateau area of Aelk Mountain was long because of the sheer size of the mountain and its spiral path for several levels. Aelk Mountain had been long known as the first Bastion of Eternia. The entrance path was located deep in Eternia territory, which would make the enemy take rains of arrows to reach it. On top of that, the entry path was very narrow which only fit one adult.

"Wouldn't Eternia be in a pinch if somehow the enemy manage to climb? The Eternia force supply line and reinforcement path will be blocked right?"

"You seem to understand the basics of war, stranger. But obviously, I won't answer your question."

"I understand."

"May I know why you wish to come to Aelk Village kid?"

"I am on a journey to Povia city, however, I heard there is a settlement atop this mountain, so I thought I could gain some information, something new to wear, and food..." said Charles with a pained smile.

"Povia city? Your attire is obviously like those from the empire. But what happened to you, why are you so ragged?"

"Be at ease, I don't come here to look for trouble. I am going to Povia city to look for someone. Do you know Master Arteya?"

"Why? Do you know him?"

"Kind of."

"A mere kid like you? Look here kid, empty brag will score you nothing with me. You are even younger than me." Said the archer girl with a proud look and deep commanding voice that turned her cute-looking face a waste. Then she continued, "the sword saint that helped a dragon subjugation since very long time ago? He is nothing left but a legend now. If the rumor is true, then he should've gone missing 450 years ago after he have had come back from the empire to teach sword swinging to some prince of a random kingdom."

'Just who is the young one here? Tsk. Also, it is not just a random kingdom.' Charles thought so while he smiled wryly after listening to this woman whose pride could as tall as this mountain.

However, Charles chose to not retort back to her accusation. "Hmm. That's not good. Do you know any rumor about his whereabouts then?"

"Sorry, I don't know any. But maybe if you go to the merchant guild in Eternal City, the capital of Eternia, you might find something. But information about a person of this level might cost you a fortune."

"I understand, that is helpful enough. Girl, I have a request. I need money the most now. Can I work for the Eternia Kingdom? I have some insider information of Forlean Empire from 100 years ago." Charles smiled with pride since he believed that no one had insider information in this kingdom other than him. He naturally thought that the Eternia Kingdom wouldn't let this opportunity go.

She was annoyed with the choice of words that Charles used against her. "Okay brat, first thing first. If you want to start gaining my respect, call me big sister Tillia. Also, I am still suspicious of you after what you did against those bandits. On top of that, you could be a spy sent by the Forlean Empire. You think we would get fooled like a baby like you?"

The now Charles however had lost the dignity of a king he was, annoyed with her retort. He retorted back, "Okay sure, I will call you big sister one day when you get matured enough."

Inside Charles, Mortelix was amused and wondered if the regression also reduced his maturity, leaving only knowledge with him. 'Well whatever, once I assimilated enough with his body, this body will be mine.'