Return

"So, who are you exactly?" 

Kanaria's expression was solemn and her gaze was filled with determination. It seemed that she definitely wanted to get the answer in one way or another.

Clovis shook his head helplessly. "I should be asking you first. Are you seriously going to stay in this group? I have to remind you that this kind of experience is nothing compared to what I have in mind. In the future, the group will engage in a far more dangerous exploration, to the point that we might lose our lives."

"Are you going to change the subject?" Kanaria bit her lips.

"Not at all. I'm simply telling you that I don't want a huge group that can do a lot of raids. Instead, I want a super-elite group that can do the impossible. That's why I'm going to warn you that it's better to give up early and leave the group. After all, I don't have any reason to share my personal information about someone outside the group. If you can answer that question, not simply because you want to know my identity, then I will consider giving you my name."

"…" Kanaria was not a fool. His name? That was the most important clue in his words. It seemed that his identity was so sensitive that knowing it might bring her harm.

That was why Clovis warned her that it took a lot of determination if she wanted to be a part of the group.

It didn't seem like Clovis was joking. 

After recalling his weapons and the way he fought, Clovis might really be someone important. She didn't know about his circumstances, but she might have to consider this matter carefully. 

If she knew too much, she might not be able to leave the group. 

Because of Clovis's reply, Kanaria became doubtful whether she wanted to stay in the group or not. But this was the first time that someone was trying to be mysterious around her. Normally, boys around her age would be boasting about their identities in order to impress her. 

On the other hand, Clovis felt like he wanted to push her away. It wasn't that he thought she was useless. He simply sought out a comrade that he could rely on.

Kanaria turned around, not being able to answer that question. She had to consider this carefully.

Clovis shrugged and continued collecting the essence. Since there were no more enemies, they took their time to recover while collecting the essence.

After fifteen minutes, they finally finished collecting the essence. Clovis couldn't help but mutter, 'We got quite a big haul today, even though it's not as big as yesterday. We got 1,849 ml of Tier 0 short-faced bear, 255 ml of Tier 1 megistotherium, 163 ml of Tier 1 Entelodon, and a whopping 651 ml of Tier 1 short-faced bear. The Tier 1 beasts from Tier 1 territory are too amazing.'

He remembered how they didn't get a lot of essence from Tier 1 Dire Wolf. So, when he saw this much essence collected from a single body, he realized that there was a reason why these beasts resided in Tier 1 territory instead of ruling the Tier 0 beasts. As for the short-faced bear, it was just an anomaly.

Clovis knew that they could buy a lot of things after this. Then again, he didn't know when the next exploration would commence, considering they had to stop after this. 

Even after a while, the sensation of his arm still hadn't returned. They really couldn't continue with their expedition.

As planned, after collecting the essence, the group moved east. They had to get as far as possible from the base.

However, there were still some beasts lingering around the area beyond the short-faced bear. Clovis could fight them, but Jay and Kanaria were the main combatants this time because they were not as injured as him. 

Because of their action, they never met up with the rescue team, who assumed that the group had gone to the base to get protection, which also made the commander of the base panic. 

They waited for a few hours in the woods while gradually making their way back to the base. Kanaria was in front, so Jay took this chance to come to Clovis. 

"You're not revealing your identity to her?" Jay asked.

"Is there a problem?" Clovis knew that Jay would definitely overhear their conversation, but he didn't think that his decision was wrong.

"No. If that's your decision, I can respect that. Instead, I want to ask you another question."

"What's wrong?"

"I am quite curious how you can get so strong even though your progress is only that small. I mean, evolution's progress." 

"I trained?" Clovis tilted his head in confusion, thinking there was no other way to get stronger. 

"No. That's not what I mean. I don't understand why you could actually cut those beasts that easily. I'm fully aware that your weapons are of high quality, but it's not enough."

"Oh!" Clovis nodded in understanding before handing him his sword.

"Hmm?" Jay was confused, but he still grabbed the weapon, which he almost dropped. "!!!"

Jay was dumbstruck and thought, 'What? How heavy is this? If I have to compare it to my sword, it's at least… four times heavier than my sword. And he has been swinging this sword at the same speed and mastery as mine?'

He finally understood why Clovis was so strong. This weight was the reason. By increasing the weight, the force of a swing could be amplified. But a heavy sword was also hard to swing and control.

It seemed that he had severely underestimated Clovis. His gaze was glued to Clovis's arms. Although it was hard to see because it was covered by his sleeves, he noticed that his muscles were actually bigger than his.

While the evolution rate could strengthen one's abilities, it wasn't that much different for Tier 0. 

'I have always thought that I have worked hard enough, but it seems that I'm overestimating myself.' Jay couldn't help but chuckle, remembering what he usually did in his house. 

Jay would usually train early in the morning until the evening. He spent the remaining time learning about other things like the beast's information or other common senses.

While he spent his time wisely, the intensity of his training couldn't be compared to Clovis.

But after understanding the secret of Clovis's strength, he realized one thing: the method to catch up with Clovis. Instead of focusing on his evolution progress, he should focus on his body. 

After giving back the sword, Jay thought, 'Do you believe in fate, Clovis? I didn't until today. Maybe fate has allowed us to meet and form a group. But this fate also shows me the path to getting stronger. You are my friend as well as my rival.'

While they were talking, Kanaria couldn't help but try to listen to their conversation. 

This was the first time that she was curious about a boy. His words earlier piqued her interest more than she imagined. 

Did he know her and her status? Did he understand the importance of having her in the group and locking her in the group for a long period of time? 

Clovis didn't look foolish enough to make her think that he was not capable of realizing that thought. So, it seemed that his identity was pretty important. 

'Can I imagine myself still with the group ten years from now? The family might be angry at me because I leave the group, but I don't think they will pursue this matter. However, if they know that I join a random party… While it's true that Jay is here, they will definitely focus their gaze on Clovis.' 

'Then again, it doesn't seem that he is lying about his ambition. The only problem would be his evolution rate.' 

Kanaria couldn't stop thinking about Clovis's identity. Without her realizing it, half an hour had passed and the group finally exited the woods. 

"Finally!" Clovis smiled as he looked in the distance. "It doesn't look like the siege is still going on. Have they defeated all those beasts?"

"Let me check." Kanaria used her binoculars to check on the situation. She saw multiple people dissecting the corpses, so it seemed that the beast wave had ended. "I think we can return now."

"That's good. Let's go back!" Clovis smiled. Although he didn't meet his target this time, he got to experience fighting a lot of Tier 1 beasts. Compared to them, Tier 0 beasts were lacking.

Once they registered their return, the rescue team would be recalled back to the base.

Unbeknownst to them, there were two people standing on top of the wall. After seeing their group return to the base, they couldn't help but frown. 

"They survived…"

"Even multiple Tier 1 beasts weren't enough to kill them." 

They exchanged looks, both having a confused expression. 

"Are those two the ones helping him?"

"I don't think so. I have seen their track record, but I don't think they are competent enough to defeat multiple Tier 1 beasts."

"So, it's really him."

"Most likely."

"Then, should we just assassinate him with our own hands?"

"Boss's order. We can't do that. We have to use other methods so that it doesn't look like our work."

"Annoying."

"We don't have a choice. Unless that madman is confirmed to have died, killing his grandson directly will make him berserk. You should know what it means to let the top ten explorers go berserk, right?"

"Not only our organization, but also the entire city will be leveled, huh? Well, what should we do now?"

"I have an idea."