Chapter 27: The Swamp Knight.

"How?!" Isaias jolted from his chair and stared at Rigel with a shocked expression. "How did you do that? Tell us!" He approached Rigel with curiosity for knowledge in his eyes.

Rigel didn't know what to tell them about the answer to why he could absorb the core like that. He needed more time to understand the situation inside the tower, and especially about those people around him. He couldn't trust them since he just met all of them a few minutes ago, and it would be best to keep his secrets a secret from everyone.

"I'm not sure, but I can absorb the Core the moment I touch them. It was the same when I hunted monsters back in my world," Rigel answered and he didn't completely lie about it.

"Is that why you're this strong even though you just came into the tower?" Kane looked at Rigel. "I know you're not telling the whole truth, and we understand. We also don't want to pressure you to join our cause just because you're a Non-Player like us. But what I want you to know is that we are brothers the moment you became a Non-Player," he added.

Rigel understood why Kane said that they were brothers, and he appreciated that Kane looked at him like a brother and didn't try to force him to join their cause.

"So, what are you going to do now that you know the truth about Players and Non-Players?" Caius asked.

"I'm not planning to hide like this. I have my own agenda, but I still need to know about the tower, so I'll stick around and learn from you guys before I go further," Rigel answered. "Also, I wonder how did you get that Core? I believe I owe you one since I took it from you," he looked at Isaias.

"You should ask to the expert about that," Isaias said as he stood up. "Come, I'll introduce you to Arnel because he's the one who hunts Cores for us," he added.

Rigel left the cave with Isaias and Isaias guided him to the heart of the forest. There was a big swamp hidden inside the forest, and there were so many monsters that lived there, powerful ones. Rigel thought he would encounter those monsters, but Isaias took the safest route and avoided those monsters. Little did Rigel know that the monsters in the forest were territorial and they wouldn't go beyond their own territory.

"People would get scared shitless if I bring them here," Isaias chuckled.

"Why? Because of the monsters?" Rigel asked.

"No, even the monsters are scared of what's hiding in that swamp," Isaias answered. "The Swamp Knight, the myth that had killed countless Players whenever they tried to meet with it," he added as he stood in front of the swamp.

Rigel furrowed as he looked at Isaias, but then he felt a presence as if someone was watching him. He didn't know where he felt that feeling until he noticed the water in the swamp started to move.

A head popped out of the swamp and slowly went to the surface, showing its knight armor that was covered in moss and weeds. The sword in his left hand was wrapped in weed, and it made the knight look like a ghost rather than a person because the face was covered by an iron mask and scarf.

"Arnel, we found someone that you can play with," Isaias said as he moved to the side.

Arnel, the Swamp Knight that had killed countless Players, someone that didn't hesitate to kill. He looked at Rigel for a moment and suddenly dashed forward as he dragged his sword. Although his armor was soaked in water, he moved so fast and swung his sword swiftly that Rigel could barely block it.

When Eclairswille clashed with Arnel's sword, a small chunk of steel flew from Arnel's sword. Arnel realized his sword couldn't withstand Rigel's sword, so he dropped his sword and used his fists and legs to fight. Rigel wanted to play fair and dropped his sword as well and started blocking the punches and kicks that Arnel threw at him.

Rigel thought that he was strong, but he couldn't believe that Arnel's brute force was stronger than him. Every time he blocked the punches and kicks, he felt a sting in his arms and legs. He didn't want to lose and showed what he could do even in a fistfight.

Rigel grabbed Arnel's right hand after Arnel threw a straight punch, but Rigel didn't expect Arnel to push his left knee to Rigel's chest. Rigel immediately swung his left foot and kicked Arnel's right leg that currently the only thing that supported his body. 

Rigel slammed Arnel to the ground and he immediately put his left hand on Arnel's neck as he sat on top of Arnel's body and used his knees to lock Arnel's arms. Rigel clenched his right hand and he was ready to punch that iron mask and crush it.

"I lost..." A weak raspy voice could be heard from underneath the mask.

Rigel stood up and helped Arnel to stand up by offering his hand. They both grabbed their swords and sheathed them as they looked at each other and nodded because that was their introduction to each other.

"Damn, I never thought you could lose in a hand-to-hand combat," Isaias was surprised by the result. "And you know what? Rigel just entered the tower., and yet he's already stronger than you who had lived in the tower for 20 years," he mocked and chuckled as he looked at Arnel.

"What's the reason you brought him here?" Arnel asked.

"He wants to find some Cores, so I brought him to the master which is you," Isaias answered as he yawned. "Anyway, I'm going back to my hole and take a nap..." he waved as he walked away.

"Seeing your skill, I believe you did some score when you entered town. How was it after you heard about the truth?" Arnel asked.

"As long as they don't bother me, I'll mind my own business," Rigel answered.

"Sounds like we have something in common," Arnel responded as he looked at the swamp. "Well, since you came here to learn about Cores. It's perfect timing since it's harvesting time. The monsters here have started to show signs of turf war with other monsters," he explained.

"How do you know the monsters have Cores in them now?" Rigel asked.

"It's simple. These monsters won't dare to go on a turf war if they don't have a leader. Only chosen leaders can possess Cores, and I don't know how it works either, but that's how it is," Arnel answered and looked at the trees around him. "The Silverclaw monkeys already left a few marks on those trees. They have scouted the territory of the Razortooth bears, and they might attack them in a few days," he pointed at the marks of scratches on the trees.

Rigel looked at Arnel and he was amazed by Arnel's insight and how he could tell the changes in the forest.

"Should we go and kill them?" Rigel looked at the marks on the trees.

"Yes, follow me, and since we are going to hunt Cores, it would be great if you don't kill the ecosystem here. We need the monsters to become a leader so we can get the Cores. Let's just say what we are doing here is nurturing them," Arnel responded and led Rigel to the lair of the Silverclaw monkey.

Rigel watched the Silverclaw monkeys run away for their lives because of Arnel's presence. Even if Rigel wanted to kill them, they moved too fast to pursue.

"Looks like they're scared of you more than anything," Rigel said. "Seeing how they're running for their lives, looks like you traumatized them since you came to kill the leaders for the past 20 years."

"You can say that, but the leader doesn't have fear. Honestly, the Silverclaw monkey is my least favorite to deal with," Arnel responded as he looked around and followed the monkeys that ran away for their lives because they would lead them to where the leader was.

"Why's that?" Rigel asked.

Before Arnel could say anything, the sound of birds fleeing could be heard in the distance. They both looked at the birds flying past them and then they heard roars that shook the trees. Not long after that, they felt the ground was shaking and it became stronger and stronger. They looked in the distance, and they saw trees get trampled to the ground, and that was when they saw a big monkey, or to be precise, a gorilla with long sharp silver claws. The gorilla was 7 meters tall with no fat and only muscles inside its body.

"Usually I have to do some tricks and preparation to kill that thing, but since you're here, I believe I don't need that. Especially with that sword of yours," Arnel said as he moved aside. "He's all yours."