4: Resolve and Arrangements

*Clang*

The sound of metals crashing could be heard. The peoples who were anticipating a deadly scene could see a blinding light as the two swords collided.

"What!" A man exclaimed. Having a profound cultivation, he could see what had happened.

The man saw it all happened; when the sword was about an inch away, a silhouette from the crowds jumped in between and intercepted the strike.

"He must be an expert....hmm," He whispered, looking forward to what will happen.

The place was quiet, everyone was anxious of what had happened, the blinding light from the clash had made it so they couldn't see; but with it dissipating, they were focused.

"What do you think... you're doing?" The voice sounded cold, coming from in between the victims. The person was in commoners linen clothes. His short hair complementing his light brows.

"Who are you?.....how dare you stand in my way?" He shouted furiously, his anger rising quickly.

"...."

There was no response from the man.

"Donne, leave it be. Let us go." A man jumped in, trying to cool him down. Seeing that the man would be a tough match, he decided to come in before it was too late.

"Klein, why? Don't tell me you're afraid of a pumpkin boy." He said, laughing widely to show his courage.

Donne was part of an organization and had the backings. His elder brother, the leader of the group had assigned him 'Town Square' has his base, where he deals with all the trading activities.

"Just take care of him..." Maria said, standing at a far distance with a blank expression on her face as if she couldn't care about what was going on.

"You son of a bitch won't talk. Then I guess my sword is going to force you to talk." Danne's eyes sparkled with arrogance as he extracted a white sword like feather.

"You want to taste my sword.... then get it."

"Dragon dance!!" He shouted.

A red fiery dragon, appeared coiling around his sword; dancing menacingly.

Nate stood at the side baffled by what's going on; How come someone just comes and fight for me. But I remember this world isn't like this.

Many thoughts were running the rough hi mind but he had to hold it. The face of his savior couldn't be seen at the angle he was.

"Who could it be?" Nate thought.

Meanwhile Danne's attack was fully charged, the little fiery dragon had now become a watermelon size. The crowds were in disbelief of what was happening. They knew Danne was powerful, but not to this extent.

"LATE STAGE APPRENTICE SWORDMAGE!!!" A young man from the crowd whispered. An old man beside him heard it all and said it out loud, which made the crowds shocked. They knew him as a lackey of his brother, but if his cultivation base is this!! Then what about his older brother.

Josh stood there unfazed, not even talking a look at the incoming attack.

"What are you doing!!" Nate shouted trying to talk some sense into him.... but before he could get to him, he raised his hands and an ice shield was created which absorbed all the heat accompanied by the attack in a single wave.

"WHAAATT!!!, How did he do it" Danne shouted in shock. Fear and panic stricken over his old face.

The man started to channel his energy too, but this time a cold and freezing air covered the place. Many of the crowds were commoners and not cultivators.

Seeing what was happening, Danne felt the fear that he hadn't felt before.

"Josh! Stop it. Let him be," Maria shouted from the crowds, eyes locked on her as she walked forward. But this time, there were many people here who recognized her even in her disguise.

"The Marquess Family!!" A young man shouted, walking backwards.

"Josh? That's the lady's bodyguard... A mid stage Beginner swordmage!!!" Another revealed. After hearing this, Donne's fantasy fear became a reality.

"You....just ask for forgiveness!!" Maria ordered, pointing at Nate; who was standing at a far place from the battle.

"Wow! Who's she?... and she seems to know. A beautiful gem, I will make you mine." Nate stood at the distant, mesmerized by the beauty of Maria. Past memories began surging waves in his mind.

"Hmm..... Maria!! My best friend since childhood." He thought."I have to make her mine."

Danne been told to apologize to Nate, rushed and kowtow before him; pleading, but not sincere.

"Is okay! I don't even know you?, so why the hell did you want to slice me in half." He muttered.

Danne got off the ground with a bow to Maria, he left disgracefully through the crowds.

[New Quest]

[Conquer Maria Clair; Daughter of Marquess]

[Time Limit: 15 days]

[Failure to accomplish will result in punishment]

[Reward: Inspection skill, +3 STM]

[Exp will automatically be earned]

"Hmmm..." Nate stared at the message. This is is first quest and its to win someone that the old Nate had admired.

"Thank you Maria." Nate uttered, bending slightly to show his appreciation.

"Nate! You should leave the outskirt and live in town...you can life in our old mansion." Maria offered, walking toward him with a pleading tone.

"I can't let her come close to me yet. If she finds out something is amiss.... I will be in danger," He thought, before turning to her and saying,"It's okay beauti.....ahem! Maria."

Maria knew she couldn't force him. It had been a long time that Nate came to town, and this time she had to know where he stays.

"Okay. But I'm always there for you." She said, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"Josh. Follow him, make sure he doesn't see you." Maria whispered to Josh, the man in commoners clothes.

"Okay, Maria See you." Nate said goodbye and walked away.

After the conflict was stoped, many people departed the scene.

"How much is this?" Nate asked a shop attendant, holding a lettuce in hand.

"That's ten bronze, Sir." The man replied.

"Pack it for me," Nate placed ten bronze coins on the table in exchange for his trade.

[Daily Quest]

[Daily Quest Completed]

[Make a transaction in this world: 5 Exp points]

[All Daily Quest has been completed]

Seeing the message, a smile bloomed on his face.

"Hah....it's refreshing." He breathed.

Proceeding through the market, he bought all the things he will be needing for the month and decided to head home.

A man was following a young guy stealthly without him knowing. The man followed him for some time and they got to a certain house which have cracks on the walls and shady roofing. He stood there and kept watch for some time before saying something then leaving.

Nate got home and prepared a delicious and tasty food using the recipe of this world. He enjoyed the food then stood up, went to the kitchen the washed his dishes before deciding to sleep because it is already night.

"Let see what tomorrow will offer"He said then closed his eyes before falling asleep.

At a certain place in the capital city a young lady who is around the age of 20 was sitting in a chair while sipping a ginger tea. There was a man before her who was bowing down.

"My lady, I followed him as you ordered "

She nodes and didn't say anything then she continued sipping her tea.

"My lady, the Marquess is coming home today and your mother said you should get dress and come down for a banquet"A woman who is in a maid uniform and seems to be around 35 entered and reported

"Amiss, I have told you to stop those formalities when there are not anyone around "She said with a smile on her face

The maid noded then requested to leave. When she left the young lady got up and then said to the man standing beside her.

"Please do keep an eye on him for me okay"

"Bu... but my lady I have to protect you"

"Don't worry nobody will harm me when I am the house. "

The man noded then bowed before leaving the room. The lady stood there in happiness then muttered "Daddy, you have been away for long this time"

She walked to her room then prepared to take a nap before going to take a bath.

"Nate, I have longed for you a long time. Why do you keep pushing me away, why did you became like this? "She started questioning herself then fell asleep. If Nate were here he would have seen that this young woman was Maria.

Sometime in the evening Maria woke up and took then headed down to their man hall for dinner. When she got there she saw that her father is in and ran to him

"Daddy, you have taken long, long this time"

A man who look to be 30 but was actually 50 years old stood up then hugged her while been delighted.

"My little Princess you know I can't leave my post at the borders to come here every time," He said.

The young lady nodded then seems to remember something, extended her hand as if collecting something from him. His father smiled then took something from his storage ring then handed it to her.

"Thanks dad, you the best"She giggled and sat down. After their conversation ended she looked over at a certain table then greeted

"Good evening mother"

On the table there were four seats that have been arranged, three people sat on these seats leaving one

"Is brother coming today"She asked

"We don't know, we sent him a message but looks like he will not come again "The woman replied in a sad tone.

The Marquess had two children; Maria and her elder brother Joya. He left home to stay alone in his new house that their father bought for him because he also talks about how he wants to live alone. After that he rarely comes home nowadays.

He has a beginner stage apprentice level cultivation.

Maria was about to step into that realm a few days to come. They talked and drank till midnight catching up on news at the borders.

________________________

At a certain place in a small room there was a young man with s paper and an ink writing and canceling. He has been doing that for a very long time

"Why is it that I don't get any nice thoughts, good ones at that"He said looking dejected

He had been planing on hie to get to talk to Maria since he woke up from sleep.

"Heh, Maria I have a system which says I should fu*k you to get rewards"

"Nooo thats not a good thought "

Days after days past with him not getting a good plan

He continued this for the next four days and there was no progress.

"I'm a sucker, I sucks at these things"He thought. He dicided to check his system.

[Name: Nate Cowell ]

[Age:19 ]

[Magic Cultivation:Mortal.]

[Body Cultivation:Mortal ]

[Talent: None]

[Exp: 25/100] [Level: 0]

[HP: 40/50 ] [MP: 0/0 ]

[STR: 5 ] [AGL: 5 ]

[VIT: 5 ] [STM: 5 ]

[INT:10 ] [DEF: 5 ]

[Shop Point : 2]

[Abilities: None]

As the stat appeared he scrolled through and found a small next word there and he selected it to see what will appear there

[New Quest:Conquer Maria Clair]

[Time Limit:15(11)days]

[Failure to accomplish will result in punishment]

[Reward:Inspection skill, +3 STM]

[Exp will be earned automatically]

As he saw the time limit he squirmed

"time is going and I still don't have any plan set in place, so what will the punishment be"He thought inwardly.

"Can it take away my life"

He became more frightened and started pacing from one corner to another.