King Beast (2)

[Name: Journeyman's Blessing]

[Type: Necklace (Accessory)]

[Grade: Blue (Artifact)]

[Properties: Exp +5%]

[Skill: Minor Rejuvenation (Passive); Increases health and/or stamina regeneration by 100% for 15 seconds when below 35% of the maximum. Cooldown: 30 seconds]

[Durability: 80/80]

[Description: A necklace made from white gold and the core of a wood and water dual-element stage 2 Calming Frog. The core was tempered and carved with runic inscriptions to increase the beast's innate ability, and grant the wearer better results when circulating Origin qi]

[Remark: Not bad for a baby item]

---

Looking at the newly gotten item, Alfred was feeling quite satisfied.

There was only a single property and an extra skill. But to Alfred, this property was probably more welcomed than an extra 50 stat points.

'With this and my new title, I can reach the next level even faster'

Alfred put on the necklace without hesitation and then took a proper look at this new "uncle" for the first time.

The man was quite short for an adult, about 163cm which was slightly over 5 feet and 4 inches tall. He had short buzz-cut black hair and chiselled features with wine-red eyes and relatively thick lips. He looked to be in his forties, but with martial artists and espers, it was difficult to estimate their age. He had a disharmonious feel to him too, giving off an air of confidence and lethargy.

'Maybe he's just tired?' Alfred thought.

'But I still have to thank this old man properly.'

"Thanks again, Uncle Geri. I don't know why, but I feel that this necklace can boost the effect of my upcoming training" Alfred said with a smile.

"Not bad kid. It seems like your senses are quite sharp, or maybe you awakened a talent centred around keen perception? Either way, it's good you have such abilities" Geri whistled in praise.

John looked pleased with himself, while still puffing on his cigar.

"Don't praise the brat too much, we still have a King beast to go deal with" John drew their attention.

"King beast? What level of beast is that?" Alfred was intrigued.

He knew John was carting him off to the southwestern border for spartan training. So he was wondering why they took so many detours on the way, ending up more west than southwest.

"A beast with its own intelligence, and enough power to lay waste to a small to medium-sized town in a few minutes" John answered while tapping off ashes.

Huuuuu!

Alfred drew in a sharp breath.

One must know that this was a medium-sized town on Rivellus that John was talking about. Alfred didn't know how big a medium-sized town was, but just looking at Elincia with its 27,000 square kilometre area, then one could imagine the scale of such a town.

Even if a medium-sized town was only 10% the size of Elincia, that would still be 2,700 km2. What concept was destroying such a town in a few minutes? Take Toronto where Alfred lived in his previous life which was a mere 630.2 km2 for example. Didn't that mean that a King beast could smash Toronto four times over in just a few short minutes?

Crazy!

'Damn! If such a monster was let loose on Earth...' Alfred started to sweat just thinking about it.

'Wait! Doesn't that mean...' he looked at John with his chin halfway to the floor in shock.

'Fucking monster! Indeed, only a monster can fix another monster!' Alfred thought while looking at John with terror in his eyes.

"Hmph!"

John snorted in disdain while looking askance at Alfred's terrified expression.

"If you weren't so damn lazy, you would've had a chance to have strength like this daddy in the future. But with your lazy temperament, you can only walk the path of an Esper. Martial Arts might not be suitable for you" John sneered.

"..."

'If I can't even surpass you, then it's a waste for me to have this system. I might as well kill myself choking on a cherry seed!' Alfred thought to himself.

...

[Well said!]

[At least you have a conscience]

[Ding!]

[New mission generated]

[Mission Name: Going Beyond Expectations]

[Mission Type: Main]

[Description: The old has chastised the new for failing to live up to expectations. You must prove yourself and surpass your predecessors]

[Objective: Surpass John D. Gibbs]

[Reward: ????]

[Remark: It would be fun watching you eat your own words]

...

"..."

Alfred smiled wryly.

'Well, at least I have a new goal... system, what's with this mission reward?' Alfred asked after reading the mission details carefully.

...

[Your efforts will determine the rewards. The faster and more efficiently you complete the mission, the better your rewards]

[For example, if you accomplish it right now, then you can receive a divine equipment of your choice]

...

'Divine equipment!?'

Alfred was shocked and excited. But then he saw John in his blood-red battle suit, then looked at himself. Finally, he shook his head bitterly.

'Greed is a sin' he thought.

While Alfred was busy checking out and evaluating his new mission, John and Geri were finalizing the details of the hunt while making their way back to the command center.

"Kid, hurry up!" John urged the spaced-out Alfred.

"Coming!" Alfred got a hold of himself and ran to catch up with the two older men.

...

Back in the command center.

Geri called a meeting with his officers and contacted the five B-rank mercenary teams that took the mission posted at the Adventurer's guild earlier.

The Timberwolves and Purple Hawks were the two teams closest to the King beast's location, so their captains were participating while sitting in a chair as a holographic projection.

"...Captain Charlie and Captain Don Omar will take their teams and pincer the beast from West and East respectively at the base of Mount Anansi in 40 minutes. Marshall Gibbs and I will be on-site within 43 minutes, until then..."

Geri looked at the two holographic projections while enunciating word by word.

"Hold. Your. Positions! Don't be greedy! This King Beast is too close to Calamity, if you feed it anymore and we can't handle it then... none of you can bear the responsibility."

The other three team captains had sour looks on their faces. They knew they had no fate with the extra mission rewards since they wouldn't be participating in the final hunt.

'At least the base mission rewards are still acceptable. This Geri Zekes is a well-known scrooge, but even he can't shortchange us. Without us, his company of soldiers and barricades would have ceased to exist in the ambush two days ago. At least we get to see a Nova realm senior take action, so it's not a total waste of time.'

The three team captains could only silently and unwillingly comfort themselves in their minds.

Alfred was silently sitting beside John while taking in the situation.