Jealousy

"Permanent Stats!" Kite was surprised. Both in RPG games and in this world, additional stats were the rarest to get. Normally you'll only obtain extra stats from leveling up or adding pieces of equipment.

But stats than can be gained in from consumables were rare as phoenix's feathers. It Kite decided to sell this thing, he can directly gain 20000 gold. But why would Kite sell this if he can directly consume it to increase his Vitality?

"Vanessa! Ansel! Look at what I got!" Kite happily shouted.

The two rushed towards Kite's direction. When they saw and used inspect on the soul stone, their eyes flashed.

"Amazing! It's my first time seeing additional status points consumable", Vanessa cried.

She only heard some high leveled and grade adventurers who grew strong due to items and consumables that gave permanent stats.

When two people fought with the same level, class, grade, and equipment, the one who had the permanent additional status points will win.

"My father only got a 5 stats increment in his Strength. And 100 lives of Level 30 Adventurers were lost in the process! To think Brother Kite got a 20 Stats increment in Vitality", Ansel commented with flared nostrils. He really envied this brother of his. He didn't only have a hot girlfriend but also a 20 increment stats consumable.

Kite lifted his head in satisfaction. But he knew that there was some connection between his mythic quest and this soul stone. A rare consumable like this soul stone was impossible for him to gain.

"From what I know, there are some advantages and disadvantages when consuming soul stone, especially if its from a monster..." Vanessa muttered.

She tried hard but she can't remember a thing. She shook her head and stared directly at Kite with a serious expression.

"We should go to the library first before you consume that thing"

Kite smiled. After that, he replied, "We?"

Vanessa was stunned for a while. After thinking about what she said earlier, she blushed.

"Stop teasing me! Geez ..", she cutely pouted.

Ansel was observing the two converse. He was dumbstruck when he saw Vanessa blushing. His brother was really lucky to have a girlfriend like her. The jealousy in his heart was growing.

"Alright, let's go home now. It almost evening", Ansel interjected. He couldn't stand this lively atmosphere that was slowly forming.

"Yeah, we should probably go. It's more dangerous at nighttime after all", Vanessa proposed.

Monsters increased in numbers and power when it was evening. No one knew why this was so. But they theorized that the Titans made it that Adventurers will take a rest after hunting monsters to level up in the day.

And hunting monsters in the evening was ten times harder than dealing with it during the day. Your sight will be limited while the monsters were more aggressive and perspective in the night.

Kite looked at his status screen to know the time.

| 5:34 PM, August 16 (Sunday), 50760 |

"Let's move out! It's almost nighttime!", Mite shouted.

They left the dungeon using the black portal and appeared outside the small mountain. They rushed away from the Rocky Mountains and directly went towards the city.

***

| 7:45 PM, August 16 (Sunday), 50760 |

They finally reach the outer area's gate. They looked haggard and depressed. Their clothes were torn for some reason and their faces were muddy.

"Damn! We encountered a lot of monsters on the way!", Ansel grumbled.

"Those monsters were obviously following us. That was not a coincidence. Maybe they were attracted by one of our items?", Kite questioned.

"It's obviously because of the soul stone. Monsters could also use them to grow strong and have a chance to evolve.", Vanessa was more knowledgeable than the two of them. he frequently went to the library of there was nothing to do. She doesn't have any friends to hang out with, that was why she was always alone.

"That's impossible!" Kite retorted.

"And why so?" Vanessa countered. She raised one of her eyebrows as if looking down at him.

"If they were attracted by something, then they were attracted by your beauty,", he spoke romantically. As if what he just said right now was a fact that was long ago determined.

"Shut up Kite! You're really good with your words", Vanessa grumbled. She stomped her feet on the ground. This was the first time she acted like a girl for almost 10 years.

Ansel was just behind them. He also spent some time and talked with Vanessa. The more he observed and conversed with Vanessa, the more he was falling in love with her. He silently swore on his heart that he'll steal Kite's woman.

He was raised in the city with a mindset of 'the strong claims it all'. If someone was stronger than you, then he/she could go and steal your belongings without any problems. And being treated like a son by Severus, even though he appeared polite and respectful on the outside, he also has some pride and arrogance carved deeply in his soul.

From Ansel's viewpoint, Vanessa was kind-hearted and a sweet girl. She was really beautiful and strong, a perfect match for a man like him. But what he didn't know was that Vanessa was acting like this not for his sake but for Kites. Every girl wanted to show her best to the man she loved. This was a common fact even on Earth.

The two didn't notice the slight change in Ansel's expression and demeanor. They always treated Ansel like a kid. It was his first time going out in the city after all.

But a shadow silently following and observing them saw the change in Ansel. He understood why Ansel was feeling this way. A boy at his age will be easily swayed by a beautiful girl. And Ansel who didn't receive his father's and mother's love will eventually prefer older women than younger ones.

The guard stopped them and told them to wipe their faces first. They must make sure to check all the faces of these people and adventurers who entered the city. There might be some criminals who'll try to enter the city using a disguise.

Ansel quickly went forward and swiped his face using a clean towel from his storage ring.

"These two are my friends", he coolly declared.

The guard was sweating buckets. How could he not know who this boy was? This was the only nephew of Severus.

"I apologize for my mistake Young Master Ansel. I also apologize for the two friends of the young master." He immediately kowtowed on the ground. A guard like him can easily be killed if he disrespects such a prestigious person.

Vanessa was used to this sight and ignored the guard. It was not because she looked down on the guard but because it was too common for her to see such a scene.

While on the other hand was not use to this kind of thing. He lived in a world where discrimination and equality were being employed.

He quickly went where the guard was kowtowing and help him get up.

"No worries, no worries. It's just a simple mistake that's all." He smiled and pat the guard's shoulder.