10 10. The Root Of All Problems

[Purchase Complete!]

With his shopping done, he swiftly tapped on the Status option and assigned the earned Attribute point to none other than Aura Sense.

Yet, there lingered some anxiety. According to Kavius' words, strengthening Aura Sense was to be among the most challenging things, requiring improved efficiency. Given his stats displayed 0.8, he dreaded the possibility that allocating 1 Attribute point would merely advance it to 0.9.

Once he had completed the purchase, he looked at the attribute sheet again.

[Strength(Phy/Mag): 5.5/100

Agility(Phy): 3/100

Endurance(Phy/Mag): 6/100 

Dexterity(Phy/Mag): 7/100

Aura Sense: 1.8/100

Charm: 50(-55)/100(Externally Suppressed)]

He kept staring at it. 

'It actually bumped up a whole one point,' Hunter noticed, much to his delight. Now, he wondered if he could simply become a wizard instead since he could keep pumping points into Aura Sense. 

'Nah, Strength, Endurance, and Dexterity enhances my magic along with my physical prowess.'

After careful consideration, cautiously improving all of them with a significant focus on magic and strength made a lot of sense. Dexterity was also important, however, since it improved his general ability to use all the skills perfectly, whether magical or physical, enhancing his coordination. 

'Well, ain't that just agility with some extra steps?' He wondered, but since agility only affected his physical ability, he couldn't ignore it either. It saved him against Captain Arthur, after all.

However he did wonder what would happen if he were to pump everything into strength and reach 100. 

[Name: Hunter Hendrik/Remophroditux Ignius Kelib

Universal Rank: Knight Ordinary

Level: Third Breath

Race: Half Demon(Akursed)

Soul Corruption: 0.3%

Attribute Points: 0 (55/1000 Trash Points)

Ability Cards: 0

Shop Token: 0

Money: 57 Revs, 69 Gold Coins]

With one last look at the main Status screen, he put the book away and glanced at Kavius with one last question. "What's Knight Ordinary? And Third Breath?"

Kavius was already drooling at the food wrapped in a strange, soft, yet durable material. "I-Its… Knight is your occupation, and Ordinary is the rank… Holy Heroes, that smells good… I mean, Ordinary is the second rank in the ranking list, right after Initiate rank. Third Breath means you are three levels into the rank and need to go seven more level-ups to reach the next rank, Awakened—dammit, can't we just eat first?!"

Hunter chuckled and picked up the plethora of items lying around him. Surprisingly, the food came packed in nice, hard-plastic containers, while the boots and other things simply fell near them. 

"Sure thing." He opened a container and handed one over to Kavius. Meanwhile, Brownie grabbed the fruits, "Let's mov—"

"By the heavens of the mighty immortals!" Kavius exclaimed, springing to his feet with the bowl of food clutched in his hand, a spoon dangling from his mouth. "What manner of divine fare is this?! What enchantment...this taste..."

[New Kavius Favorability: 5/5]

"It's just meat and eggs," Hunter responded, amused at his reaction. He couldn't really compare it to the cuisine of this world since he hadn't had a chance to eat any yet. 

Kavius stared at Hunter's hands.

"I ain't givin' you mine," Hunter started eating faster. He was hungry too.

"What? No, no… I wanted to ask." Kavius crouched down carefully and whispered into Hunter's ears. "Is this also the magic of that mysterious book?"

Hunter simply nodded. It wasn't as if Kavius or anyone else could steal it. It was merely a visual hologram for others.

"The book is the treasure of the Gods! Protect it with your life, Hunter! Don't ever tell anyone about it," Kavius seriously advised.

That small display of concern painted Kavius in a kinder light in Hunter's eyes. Many would have been envious and plotted, yet here was Kavius, fretting over maintaining secrecy. Or perhaps it was just the magic of the good old hearty cowboy breakfast.

"I know, Kavius. Now finish eating." Hunter finished his fill and got up with a groan, "Ugh! Feels like I got fire in my body."

He donned the various leather pouches he had bought, and then the hoodie Trashman jacket over it. As for the sword, he couldn't find it anywhere around him, prompting him to cast his gaze on the ring once more.

Kavius noticed and spoke up, "It's our great grandfather's. My father stole it from the royal palace's treasury and hid it. This was all I could snatch before fleeing with you."

Hunter nodded, closing his eyes in an attempt to sense the so-called Aura.

Clank!

This time, the response was swift. The boost in Aura Sense had greatly improved his ability. That burning sensation in his body appeared to be one of the aftereffects. 

He clenched his fist, feeling the firm strength coursing through his arm. The Berserker physique felt truly great. As for the greatsword in his grasp, it looked no more than ordinary and worn-out.

It was a simple, plain sword teetering on the brink of rust, with numerous tiny chips along the edges and a few cracks scattered about. Its length was slightly shorter than his height, its blade as wide as his palm. The rain-guard was a modest piece of faded gold metal curved downward. The grip was thick, wrapped in softly tied leather, while the pommel was a flattened, round piece.

It simply couldn't look more basic than that. 

Yet it somehow withstood thunder strikes many times. 

"What's it called?" he asked. 

Kavius finished his meal and readied to depart, donning the boots gifted by Hunter. "I know it may now be deemed a Trash Grade sword, but it was once known as Moonblade, a legendary sword wielded by our great grandfather. He was the first Kelib to attain the seventh rank—Ascended."

"Was?"

Kavius' expression turned sorrowful and conflicted. "He died... But truth be told, it's a widely believed tale that he was murdered. Since he reached the last rank before the start of the three ranks of immortality. The Emperor presented him with a choice; join the Redcapes or meet his end."

Hunter put the sword back in the ring and started walking by that time, guided by Brownie. Though he was fully invested in this family's history lesson. "How'd he die? Did the Emper—"

"No, he commanded the Field Marshal to engage in a private duel with our great grandfather. Naturally, facing the highest-ranking member of the Redcapes, just beneath the Emperor, Great Grandpa stood no chance." Kavius sighed and silently walked alongside him. "That marked the gradual decline of our family."

'Ain't that just the usual ugly politics?' Hunter mused as he kept on walking behind Brownie and closed in on the dirt road.

With his hooded jacket now aiding him, he felt somewhat relieved as they reached the road leading south. Once more, they continued their journey, but this time with greater caution.

Any sight of a passerby, whether on foot, horse, or carriage, made them hide away in the trees. They wished they had horses, but money was an issue, and no one would lend them their carriage. 

They passed through small villages along the way, often consisting of no more than a few houses. As night descended, they sought shelter in the forest, sustaining themselves on the wild fruits they had gathered.

Day after day, they pressed on in hopes of reaching Divefall village, exhausting themselves from dawn till dusk. Having no bandits along the way was a pleasant surprise, but in Hunter's case, even common folks looked like mortal enemies. 

His shining safety vest didn't help at all since he had to wear it over the jacket, or else the warning prompts from the magical book would flood his mind. 

"How 'bout we grab a decent meal?" Hunter suggested when they spotted a village not far from the main road.

"But your face," Kavius worried. 

Hunter sighed and knelt by the side of the road. He took out their leather water bottle and poured some water on the dry soil. 

Splash!

Splash!

Hunter stood up again a few moments later, "I figure it won't be a problem anymore. As for my eyes, I'll just squint them shut and be a blind man."

"T-that… is genius!" Kavius exclaimed. A face covered in mud and dirt was a thousand times more acceptable than a man with an Akursed mark. "But don't bother closing your eyes. Red eyes are evil when matched with an Akursed scar. Normally, they aren't that rare."

"In that case, let's go." 

It was a small roadside village with closely built houses, resembling a big cluster of buildings in some city. This village was crowded, however.

Hunter took off his hood since it looked more suspicious. "Looks like a regular spot for travelers to take a break."

With horses tethered in front of each building in the village, it wasn't difficult to discern that they were all taverns. With dwellings situated in the rear and lodgings above the taverns, it appeared that the village prospered from travelers.

"The donkey stays outside." 

An aged villager outside the tavern glared at Hunter and Kavius as they attempted to enter. Brownie trailed behind them, silent.

'Now I'd feel bad for makin' him stand outside,' Hunter felt and looked at his brother. Kavius looked similarly conflicted. 

But Brownie moved on his own accord and stood beside the towering horses. Highly self-aware, the noble gentleman never dared utter a word, as if he were merely a mindless beast.

"Let's just get some takeout," Hunter muttered, not wanting to wrong Brownie.

"What's a takeout?"

"Food for the road." Hunter entered the tavern.

Full of old wood, weathered and worn, it was dimly lit, emitting the scent of ale and sweat. The entire tavern was filled with men eating, drinking, and chatting. Varying in looks and clothes, they all fit the description of common travelers. 

"Ugh, wash your face, man," a server chided, passing by with laden trays.

'You'd all run away if I did.' 

Soon, they caught one of the servers running around and ordered large servings of a few cheap dishes: simple meat stew, bread, and some fruits. Of course, stews couldn't be normally packed, but Hunter had kept the plastic container he had gotten from the shop.

"Wait at one of the tables." 

The tavern was too busy, so they went over to a random table already occupied by two men and took the two remaining seats. 

'As reckoned, I knew I smelled gunpowder.' Hunter figured at least half of the men in the room were packing heat, but they were all hidden. 

This was the first time he found himself seated so closely among a throng of people. His curiosity was piqued by the well-kept beards and mustaches of the men, some of whom wore spectacles perched on their noses. A few even sported ordinary buckled belts around their waists.

"Ahaha… that wench almost shattered my ears with her shriek."

"Because you slapped the life out of her."

Hunter turned his focus to the conversation of his tablemates. With four empty tankards of ale before them, they appeared visibly drunk. Despite their decaying teeth, they maintained a semblance of hygiene, having shaved faces and tidy clothes consisting of clean tunics and trousers on their tall frames.

"Bitch deserved it for crying out for Redcapes."

"No doubt—who told her to scream for…" the brown-haired one lowered his voice, noticing Hunter's gaze at him. "What you looking at, shitface?"

Hunter's undercover work training kicked in, and he joined the conversation with a greater purpose. As if he had done this a thousand times, he formed a masterful trap of words. 

"Just wonderin' if y'all open for business," Hunter voiced, trying to sound as strange and uneducated as possible. It always worked to lower people's guard.

"What business?" asked the black-haired one. 

Hunter showed a tensed, alert expression and straightened up in his seat. He looked at Kavius, and then back at the two men, extending his hand. "Hunter."

"George."

"Pomel."

Hunter nodded and rested his elbow on the table, leaning forward to them. "I wonder if you two brothers are interested in capturin' a wagon filled with gol—ah, forget it."

"No, no… go ahead. Everyone's here too drunk to hear us," George prodded, his eyes filled with greed at the slight mention of gold. 

Hunter took another glance at Kavius, then shifted his gaze back to the pair. He spoke with such a foreign, unfamiliar accent that the men found it difficult to understand him. "Got a buddy in the goldsmith business, and... well, let's just say I got the lowdown, like knowin' when ee's movin' ee's goods. Reckon I can handle the wagon and its locks, but... things might git a mite messy."

"H-How much gold are we talking about?" Pomel whispered, his breath reeking of booze.

"A heap... more'n fifty... that's why I need more folks. We split it up even." Hunter breathed his words, so low that it was almost inaudible. He let them imagine what fifty meant.

"I'm in," George didn't wait. 

But Hunter shook his head, "Ya don't quite catch my drift, do ya? It can get messy—the bloody kind."

"Hah, that's child's play," Pomel boasted and licked his drying lips while greedily and excitedly looking at Hunter and Kavius. 

"I don't believe you," Kavius blurted, playing his part without being asked. 

"You-ugh… Go to Edge Town and ask around," Pomel pridefully grinned with his ugly teeth, his fist clenched tight. "You'd be enlightened."

"..."

"..."

Hunter and Kavius silently glanced at each other—exhausted and absolutely enraged.

_________________________

[A/N: The book just got contracted!!! Send me your sweet, sweet Votes and Golden Tickets, y'all.]

One more chapter coming up!