Chapter 14: Killing Intent

Once the pig-like man saw Uriel, he took long strides towards her, each movement causing his big belly to grotesquely sway about.

"Uriel, it is pleasant seeing you here." The fat man spoke with an ugly smile.

He looked like he was in his twenties, wearing a loose, white robe, however, there was a badge that had a 2 star engraving on it. This person was also a runemaster.

Uriel replied politely.

"Senior brother Garav, is there anything you need from the Runemaster Association?"

"Hehe, I am actually here to watch one of the members of my Silver Leaf group. She should be taking the examination soon." The man spoke with a lecherous smile. He was here to pull some strings for this woman. Once he helped her, she would owe him a favour. Being a two star runemaster isn't why these people were fearful of him, it was his backing in the Silver Leaf group. His older brother is someone at the second level of Spiritual Condensation.

Moreover, with such an examination, bribery and personal connections could easily influence the results. The Runemaster Association, while outwardly prestigious, was primarily a marketplace for buying ingredients needed to craft runes. It also offered the title of "official runemaster," though the title was more like a formality. One didn't need it to sell runes, but it gave an air of legitimacy that customers found comforting.

After all, runes bought from a 'certified' runemaster were perceived as more reliable. And with the selling of runes, if a customer isn't experienced in the field, could potentially get scammed as not all runes are the same. Some runes could be worse in quality, while others could be defective or even ruin your equipment. As such, one's reputation is quite important.

"I see, I hope she passes the examination." Uriel replied.

"Haha, she definitely will." Garav's eyes slightly opened, causing Uriel to feel a chill once more. She knew this person was quite notorious for being a lecherous man with a powerful older brother. He would also frequent places like the Myriad Fragrances House, a place that sold high quality wine and food. But what it is most known for is the extremely beautiful women who serve their customers there.

"Hehe, it seems the examination won't be starting in some time. Can you be so kind as to guide me Uriel?" The fat man said with a grin. He obviously didn't need a guide as he was already a runemaster.

Seeing his intentions, Uriel strained a smile as she said.

"Haha, I'm terribly sorry senior brother, but I'm already guiding someone. There are other assistants in the Runemaster Association, I'm sure they would gladly assist you." Uriel didn't want to be near this man. She's heard stories of how one of her senior sisters had been harassed by this person before quitting. This man had his eyes set on her for a week already, thus, she was very wary towards his advances.

Hearing her words, the fat man frowned as he glanced at the boy next to her. He had golden hair and was quite tall for his age. Moreover, with his devilish crimson eyes and expressionless face, the obese man felt a little uncomfortable. However, he quickly realised that he wasn't even at the first level of Spiritual Assimilation before he inwardly sighed in relief.

He wasn't one to provoke powerful enemies. Although he had the backing of his older brother, if he solved every minor issue, he would surely be annoyed.

He was innately a coward that likes to bully the weak. Although he was at the fourth level of Spiritual Assimilation, he had only reached this level through consuming a vast amount of resources. So, although he has combat techniques, his battle experience was practically non existent.

With a chuckle, the man spoke.

"Ah junior brother, it seems you are new here. I wonder what you are here for?"

Sorin cupped his hands and politely replied.

"Senior brother, I simply want to try my luck in taking the examination for runemasters." Sorin was here to take the examination and become an official runemaster. Although this obese man was causing trouble for this girl that was helping him, it wasn't his problem. He wouldn't get involved in someone's affairs unless he benefits from it.

"Hoh?" The fat man raised an eyebrow. This boy, no older than 16, actually has enough astral tokens to take the examination? Was he foolish? Or does he actually think he can pass?

The fat man then said.

"Haha! I see then! That makes things easy. Then you know where it is taking place right?"

Sorin nodded.

"Haha, Uriel, it seems fate is on my side! You don't need to guide this junior brother anymore as he already knows the location!" The obese man laughed heartily, his expression looking rather hideous.

The bystanders that were watching felt some pity for the young girl while the women that saw the scene watched with scorn and disgust. The obese person was too hateful!

Sorin was indifferent to such trivial things.

As he turned and was about to leave, he suddenly felt someone grab his wrist.

Uriel held Sorin's wrist firmly as she spoke to the obese man, "I was previously just showing this junior disciple around. We still haven't finished yet. After all, there is still an hour left before the start of the examination."

Uriel felt guilty for involving a junior disciple into her trouble, but she didn't think it was too much of an issue.

Whispering, she said to Sorin.

"I'm sorry, but please can you act a bit? I'll be very grateful. I'll even transfer some astral tokens, that man is simply too hateful."

Hearing her words, Sorin frowned a little. The obese man wasn't stupid. For her to be acting like this, it wasn't hard to guess that she was avoiding him. Sorin could already infer that this person had some backing so provoking him was foolish. As for astral tokens, he didn't really need it right now. Once he sold some of his runes, he wouldn't have to worry about them.

Seeing Uriel practically holding hands with Sorin, the fat man felt a burning rage inside him. This wench! She was trying to avoid him!

Garav wasn't stupid. He's dealt with many women before and have seen their disgusted gazes towards him. They would all try to find reasons to distance themselves from him.

After weighing the benefits, Sorin barely glanced at her as he effortlessly flicked his arm, breaking free from her grip with indifference.

"Ah–!" Uriel gasped softly, the sudden gesture cutting through her composure. It was clear now — Sorin wanted no part in her schemes.

Without even meeting her eyes, he spoke in a voice as cold as ice.

"Sort this out yourself." His tone held a subtle contempt as he walked towards the room the examination will be held.

However, as he was leaving, the obese man had suddenly moved towards Sorin, saying.

"Boy, who said you could leave?" Garav's heavy steps resounded as he stomped toward Sorin, his face twisted in anger.

He knew Uriel was avoiding him — she had been for days, dodging every advance he made. But now, seeing her cling to this unknown disciple, someone who dared brush her off so easily, ignited something deeper in Garav. How could someone as insignificant as Sorin disregard her like that when she had avoided him so desperately? The sight hurt Garav's pride.

He reached out and clamped his thick hand onto Sorin's shoulder, a smug grin spreading across his face.

Sorin halted.

For a brief moment, there was silence.

"Boy, today, you have offended me. As I'm feeling generous, all you have–"

Suddenly interrupting him, Sorin spoke, his voice colder than before.

"Remove your hand."

Garav's smugness faltered, his pig-like eyes narrowing.

"What did you just say?" His tone dripped with disbelief. No one ever dared speak to him like that, especially someone like Sorin who isn't even at the first level of Spiritual Assimilation.

Sorin's eyes sharpened as he turned his head, his gaze locking onto the fat man. His expression was calm, but a terrifying pressure was released by him, completely suppressing the pig that was in his way — this was Sorin's killing intent.

It was an advanced form of fighting intent accumulated through countless bloodshed and death. Someone like Sorin that has killed millions had achieved a high mastery of this. Although it doesn't do anything physically, killing intent could be used to suppress weaker people that have not experienced life and death.

"You gluttonous pig. Did you not hear me? I said to remove your hand."

As Sorin's killing intent was unleashed, Garav's face became ashen with fear. In his world, it was dark. It was like a suffocating fog had surrounded Garav. Sorin's red pupils felt like they were devouring him, making his skin crawl.

The onlookers watched in stunned silence, waiting to see what would happen next. Garav, despite his size and arrogance, was visibly shaken, his hand slowly retracting from Sorin's shoulder as if burned.

Sorin turned away without another word, leaving Garav standing there, dumbfounded and humiliated. The onlookers whispered among themselves, and Uriel stared in disbelief at what had just transpired.

Sorin walked towards the examination room, indifferent to the commotion behind him. In his mind, it was nothing more than a minor annoyance, something barely worth his attention. Provoking such a person just couldn't be helped.

Garav stood frozen, his face contorted with anger, but fear kept him from acting.

"That trash actually humiliated me in front of all these people! I will definitely repay this grievance!" He gritted his teeth.