Return To The Kariblanc Group

[Skill Categories]

~ SS-Tier: 3

~ S-Tier: 8

~ A-Tier: 8

~ B-Tier: 12

~ C-Tier: 3

[New Skills: Please Select Their Categories]

~Nil~

[Total Skills: 34]

Rey smiled as he looked at his new sets of categories.

'The whole Attack, Defense, Buff, and Auxiliary thing just doesn't cut it anymore.'

Some of his Skills had overlaps with these categories, so he felt it would be too confusing to place them in a single box when they checked multiple ones.

'Right now, I have 34 Skills; 27 of them are Active and 7 are Passive.'

He had also managed to increase the number of his higher Tier Skills while having a reduced amount of lower Tier Skills.

'It's better to have fewer Skills that are more effective than a bunch of trash Skills.'

To Rey, quality far outweighed quantity.

In the fight against the Dragon, he had seen this exact philosophy being the perfect position to have.

Back then, Rey had to either abandon or jointly use all his Low-Tier Skills to even think of damaging the thing.

It went to show how ineffective they would be against powerful foes.

'Now that I have [Merger], this arrangement is the best.'

Once he finally settled on the thought, Rey could feel his body nearing its limits.

"Fuaaah!" He yawned while stretching his arms.

'It's 3:00 AM, and I'm still awake. Damnit…'

Thankfully there wasn't training for the time being. He couldn't imagine the suffering he would have to endure if that was the case.

'I'll still have to wake up early, though.'

He had to go to the KariBlanc Group to figure out what to do with the Half-Elf, after all.

With that thought in mind, Rey collapsed on his bed and enjoyed a nice sleep.

*********

[The Next Day]

A dark cloaked man stepped out of a swirling rupture in space, his form the very personification of mysterious strength.

The purplish blue portal behind the man collapsed the moment he appeared, causing space to return to normal.

He appeared at the doorstep of the KariBlanc Group's massive building, his presence oozing nothing short of intimidation.

The guards who saw him instantly bowed and parted ways for him to enter.

Once he got in, he was welcomed by the staff, and he was escorted by an especially beautiful lady who donned the KariBlanc Group's uniform.

She smiled sweetly at him, maintaining a few inches behind him, while making sure she walked as gracefully and respectfully as she could.

Everyone in this building knew just how important he was, and any single mistake made could result in severe consequences.

They ascended the stairs that led to the first floor, and after passing the grand hallway, they arrived at the exquisite Lounge prepared for his exclusive use.

For Sir Ralyks, he deserved at least this much.

"You can leave now." The man in black told his attendant, and she bowed her head and exited the room after opening the door for him.

As she left, he walked in—his mask hiding any vestige of emotion.

*******

"Haaa…"

Rey entered the freshly scented place, feeling the cool and comfortable ambiance of the place.

He had forgotten all about the amazing reception he always got from the KariBlanc group.

Perhaps that was due to the fact that he watched as they mercilessly murdered their enemies.

He knew they were a savage bunch and didn't trust them in the slightest.

To be honest, the only reason he was here—apart from getting the Half-Elf—was that he wanted to sell his new set of Monster Cores.

'If I can make money from them, and get new Items, that would be nice…'

It wasn't like he needed money at the moment, but Rey had a feeling he would be relying on it in the future.

Besides, there wasn't really anything like having 'too much' money.

… Right?

'Well, it's not a compulsory arrangement. I'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing goes.'

The primary goal remained ensuring the Half-Elf's safety and also figuring out what to do about her.

'Ah… he's here!'

Rey maintained his sitting posture as he heard a slight knock on the door before it creaked open.

Appearing inside the room was the slick and absolutely stunning Broker—Aldred Winsley.

He was wearing his dark waistcoat, as usual, with his formal shirt and black trousers. His tie was expertly done, and while both his hand sleeves were folded up, it didn't subtract from his neat appearance.

Aldred appeared to be nothing short of a gentleman.

However, Rey couldn't be fooled by the man's gentle appearance and 'nice' facade.

He knew full well what kind of man Aldred really was.

—A Killer!

Rey fought back a gulp as Aldred smiled at him with a genuine look of relief and pleasant surprise.

"Sir Ralyks, it's so nice to see you. I apologize for coming late, I just had to arrange a couple of things first before arriving."

As soon as Aldred said this, he sat down and gave Rey the most innocent smile anyone can make.

"I'm so happy to see you are well."

Rey quickly glanced away due to how uncomfortable Aldred's smile made him.

That was when he noticed something.

'Hm? Someone is still behind the door?' He slowly titled his neck with interest.

As soon as he thought that, Aldred's voice burst forth.

"A-ah! Sorry about that, Sir Ralyks. I assumed she would enter after I came in."

'He must have noticed that I detected someone behind the door. Also… she?' As Rey was having this go on in his head, Aldred spoke up.

"Please come in, Miss. Sir Ralyks is waiting for you."

After he said this, there was no response from behind the door.

And then, a few seconds later—

~CREAK~

—The door slowly opened.

Pale white hands held the knob as a girl entered the room.

The moment Rey saw her, his eyes widened—nearly bulged—

beneath his mask.

'T-that is…?!'

He couldn't believe what he was seeing with his own two eyes.

'… It's her!'