Aegeus

"Haha surprised?"

"Hah—hah— yeah I am."

"You look tired…"

"Ah, no, uhmm yeah, I ran towards here so."

"Alright…"

Hans nodded and retreated towards the corner. Sensing that no one is paying attention, He placed his hands on his chest as he let out a deep sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the shadow guarding the exit is not the woman.

'I almost have a heart attack.'

But come to think of it, that man is familiar.

'Have we met somewhere?'

Hans then swept his gaze back to the exit's door, more specifically to the man standing beside the door.

'Flower polo and shorts…'

Isn't this the man who saved hi—… them?

Now that Hans can see the man's face, he set his gaze intently towards his appearance. He has black hair, thick eyebrows, and a large tattoo covering half of his face. Overall, he looked like a badass middle-aged man seen in animated movies. The tattoo is also very intricately detailed, which was in the shape of a snake. This also added swag to his entirety.

'Snake… snake…'

Aside from the association, there are strong Awakeners who created their team or group individually. They are the ones detached from any government rules and order, but they are obliged to do so when a disaster is at a nation's threat.

Some were called guilds, organizations, leagues, etc.

In other words, they are also the nation's freelance workers. If they are paid, they work.

And this guy.

'No doubt…'

This guy is a member of the Basilisk.

'But why would he be here?'

From what he knew, the Basilisk is a group formed in Greece and they wouldn't work for other countries aside from theirs. So it's rather strange seeing a member of that group here.

And it also seems like this guy is an S-Class, but he's probably like those guys who wouldn't want to be in the spotlight.

'Forget it.'

Hans shakes his head left and right. Since his savior is here, it wouldn't hurt to thank him right?

Steeling his mind, Hans approached the burly man again.

"Hello, kid."

"I'm not a kid."

"Oh come on… you're still a kid."

The man let out a chuckle as he pulled his hands out of his pocket. He swiped his fingers inside his nose and began asking.

"Why are you here?"

"Uhm… I want to thank you, Mr.?"

"Aegeus."

"… Mister Aegeus. Thank you for saving me."

Aegeus received the gratitude with a smile on his lips. Based on his reaction, Hans is quite sure that the guy is very down to earth.

"Hahahahaha… No worries, no worries…"

Hans stared at Aegeus who's waving his hand in delight.

'He's like a friendly neighbor.'

Just as he was about to leave, a hand abruptly caught his shoulders.

"It's nice hearing gratitude from you. I've been an Awakened for 20 years and this is the first time someone has the guts to say their thanks in front of my face. Thank you, young man."

Aegeus sincerely spoke in a light but deep voice, followed by a tap on Hans' shoulder.

Hearing this, Hans nodded and forced a smile on his lips.

"Alright."

But in his head, he was already cursing his misfortune.

Hans retreated and seeing that Aegeus is not looking at him anymore, he cocked his head sideways.

Looking at the solid green-colored thing hanging on his shirt, Hans' eyes showed disgust.

'Did he just put his booger on my shoulder?'

Hans took a glance at Aegeus, with sharp eyes that can kill.

For some reason, he really hates this guy now.

...

'The scent is still here somewhere.'

Although Aegeus is near him, Hans still couldn't help but worry. There are instances where enemies suddenly sneak attack and honestly it happens all the time.

It felt like, once he let his guard down, his head will fall to the floor immediately.

'… or am I just imagining things?'

Well, seeing that Aegeus is just a distance away, Hans can breathe more safely. After all, this guy is strong, enough to see through invisibility.

At least for now, he'd just be observing first.

Hans then darted his gaze around his vicinity.

'Now that I think about it…'

The surrounding atmosphere felt rather strange. It's not loud as it used to be earlier.

'Is it because of the radio news?'

Earlier, probably about 30 minutes ago, a piece of loud radio news was broadcast underground. The contents of the news said that reinforcement was coming which made the people burst into joy.

Unfortunately, Aegeus spoiled it.

After sensing the lies of the news, Aegeus quickly told the whole story.

"There will be no reinforcements coming for now. High-ranking Awakeners are quite busy driving the enemy back. So I hate to say this but… you all are staying here for days."

To back up his claims, Aegeus even showed his Awakened Badge with his rank indicated.

So knowing the whole story, the people had no choice but to comply.

They wouldn't get rescued even if they complained right? Rather than gambling their lives to escape, it's better if they just wait for a few days until the battle ended. Until then, they will have to do anything to survive.

'It may take weeks.'

Of course, there is a possibility that it might extend for more days. Those high-ranking Awakened can't save people if there are enemies around. They are more like clearing a safe path where survivors can safely cross out of the state.

They have no choice either.

'Sigh—'

Hans reflexively raised his head and glance at the floating letters in front of his eyes. Although he already saw it a while ago, since he has nothing to do, it wouldn't hurt to see it again, would it?

"Status."

The screen lightly blink before he was presented with the detailed information of his status window.

[Name: Hans Luther

Age: 23 Level: 1

Race: Human (96%), ??? (4%)

Potential: ???

Strength: 30

Agility: 10

Stamina: 10

Mana: 10

Unused stats: 0

Talent: Unlock at Level 100

Innate Skill: [Endless Plunder (D)]

Plundered Skill: [Body Enhancement (B)], [Minds Eye (E)], [Acrobat (D)]

Skill: No skill.]

Looking at his stats, Hans gave out a sweet grin. Investing his 20 unused stats might be a fool's way but actually, he's taking advantage of the fact that his strength will be doubled once he uses body enhancement.

'A total of 60.'

Calculating possible probabilities, a 60 strength is about as strong as a D-Class power type Awakened.

'Not bad…'

Next, Hans tapped the newly upgraded innate skill. There, he was shown a detailed explanation of the skill.

[Endless Plunder (D) New

— Allows the user to Plunder the ability of every living creature he kills.

— By consuming the blood of the enemy for the first time, you can get bonus stats.

— ???]

The explanation is brief but it clearly tells how this function works. It was an awesome new function and Hans can't wait to use it. Unfortunately, he can only use it once per species.

'Sigh—better than nothing.'

Finally, Hans set his sights on the section above his potential, to his race specifically.

But what intrigued him, is the numbers written on it.

'I remember the human gene is 98%.'

So why is it 96% now? And the unknown question marks beside it is now 4% which he recalled at 2%.

'But there are no changes in my body.'

Knowing that it is pointless to think more, Hans threw it back to his mind. He'll find out about it sooner or later.

Hans set his sight to his level. Since he killed that woman, why didn't he level up? There are only two plausible cases he can think of.

When suddenly.

"Cough— excuse me, but it seems we need to leave here."

Aegeus's deep and loud voice awakened those people sleeping and moping on the floor.

"Why?"

"Aren't we safe here?"

"Is there an enemy? Sir Aegeus, you can just kill it."

The loud chattering increasingly intensified which made Aegeus burst out loud.

"Are you ordering me?"

The unmistakably strong pressure started emanating from the whole vicinity. It felt as if breathing is hard and their body is heavy which made some flop to the floor. Of course, some civilians were not affected, which further demonstrates the amount of control this man has.

"N-no, sir."

"Very well, pack your things. We're leaving in a minute or two."

Creek—

The people began packing their valuable things and necessity such as food, water, etc. Hans doesn't have anything with him, as his backpack was left alone back to the interrogation room. All he has is a bottle of water and a pack of biscuits.

A minute later, all people were ready to leave.

"There are 3 rules you have to follow after we go out."

Aegeus raised his 3 fingers as he took a glance at the people before he continued. "First, stay calm and don't panic. If ever some of you panic, I'll throw you into a blue dungeon. Mark my words."

Hans couldn't help but snicker at the cheeky remarks of the guy.

"Second, don't stab someone from behind or I'll stab you from behind. The meaning is simple, don't betray. As for the last rule…"

A moment of silence takeover as the people quietly listened to the man waiting in anticipation.

"Don't die."

......…

Step—, step—

Buildings were down, cars and houses were also blown up, this is what Hans saw the moment he went out of the underground bunker.

The streets were deserted with fires everywhere which made him wonder what happened earlier to this place. Also, corpses of unknown faceless monsters were littered on the highways, and large steaming craters formed from where these monsters fell.

'A battle must have occurred here.'

As for why he didn't know, it's because the walls and ceiling back there are made out of shock-resistant materials. Even sounds were absorbed.

Bam—

After hearing an explosion, Aegeus's expression darkened as he set his sights in a direction.

"All of you stay here first. I'll check out something."

Swish—

Aegeus flew at high speed before disappearing from people's sight.

"H-hey, what now?"

"I feel unsafe here."

"C-can we just follow Aegeus?"

Seeing that the crowd is beginning to become chaotic, the only B-Class Awakened, Johnny, finally steps up.

"Everyone, calm down! I'm Johnny, a B-Class Awakened. Aegeus is surely clearing a path for us, so we can safely leave. Don't worry he'll be back… "

Hans standing on the sidelines also nodded in agreement.

He didn't need to hear Johnny's explanation to know.

He could sense the presence of a powerful lifeform nearby. And the smell of this lifeform is…

'T-this is!'

Hans'pupils grew wide in realization. He doesn't know why and how can he smell things from the distance but he's positive that this scent…

'It's the woman!'

Or a similar species to her. But, there will be nothing to worry right? Isn't Aegeus an S-Class Awakened? He'll probably crush her to minced meat even before she could move.

And this is the conclusion Hans came up with immediately.

'But why is he taking longer?'

His questions will be answered by the shrieking roar from afar.

Shriek—

Soon enough, a creature could be seen in the distance running towards their position. While behind him is Aegeus chasing him down.

Others gasp out a groan of fear they slowly took a step backward.

Perhaps it was their first time seeing the monster in real life, since the moment they saw it, their body instinctively move out of the way.

"R-run!!!!"

"Ahhhhhkyahhh!!!

"Kuuuuaahhhh!!!"

The people begin fleeing at the sight of the large monster that appears like a lizard in form albeit it was standing.

No doubt, It was a lizardman.

Shriek—

Hans turned his head back to see the running monster once more. Different from other lizardmen, this monster seems bigger and bulkier. It also carries a large silver trident tall enough to fit 5 humans' stack upon it.

"Ahhhh!!!!"

"Help!!!!"

Civilians are tumbling down. Hans helps some of them but unfortunately for others, they are not lucky.

Chomp—

Shriek—

The giant lizardmen chomped the bodies of the people left behind. Others heard their screams but they couldn't look behind but instead prompted them to run faster.

Unlike others, Hans remained calm and carefully analyze the situation.

'A giant lizardman.'

What's this if not a boss monster? The normal lizardmen mobs are as strong as A-Class Awakeners so it's pretty much understood how strong this boss monster is.

'It's scary.'

But then again, the difference between seeing a monster in person and seeing it on a TV or any device was very overwhelming. Most people would cry in fear the moment they saw what the monster can do for real.

Soon, Aegeus finally reach the monster before they engaged in another heartless battle. Hans didn't look back anymore and proceeded to run into safety.

And just like that, 20 minutes have passed.

Pant—, pant—

'Hah—hah— What just happened.'

Hans breathe heavily as he tried to calm his racing heart.

In their way, they encountered various monsters which took the lives of others. Their numbers were almost halved by now and those strong awakened were left behind to stop those beasts.

This is why the group is left with a bunch of E-Class and only 1 D-Class Awakened. The rest is civilians.

Criiekk—, criieek—

'Again!?'

Hans hears the shrieking cries of an orc as it marched towards their place. The increasing tension made the atmosphere very bland and heavy.

'Fortunately, it was a mob.'

The normal orc such as this is a D-Class monster so there's no need to fear it.

When suddenly.

"G-guys, I-I haven't fought an orc before."

"What?"

"Huh!?"

Even Hans was taken aback by the sudden turn of events.

'What a headache.'

Man, It seems the only D-Class Awakened on the group hasn't even fought a D-Class monster before.

Well, at least with this amount of E-Class Awakened, things won't go wrong right?