Chapter 4: Long Li
"What do you mean? Where would I go? I know nothing about the outside world, and even if I do leave, I have no money to sustain myself. Not to mention that when they see me leave, without thinking they'll just kill me."
Ever since he was young Marcus had to work, leaving no time to explore the family library if they would even let him in at all, his mother did tell him a bit about the area around the clan, but that was it. The moment he leaves he would have no idea where to go.
"Host, I understand that it may be hard, but this is your best option. If you stay here and show off your power, just based on your memories, I can tell that they will kill you."
This… was also true.
"Es you must have a plan since you came up with this idea, right?"
"Yes Host. You will go to the west, through the forest until we find a town called yellow grass town. There you can find a job, earn money and slowly gather strength. In between, I will also teach you about this world."
"How do you know so much Es?"
"Mr. Ethan has equipped me with all the knowledge needed about this world. History, geography, different races, kingdoms, cultivation techniques, I have it all saved, and if you wish to, you can access it in the library."
This was a hard decision for Marcus, this clan was all he knew for his whole life, but Es was right, he would be in danger here. Others maybe would stay and with their newfound strength change the clan, but most that would try probably perished while trying to. But the outside was not safe either, mighty experts, powerful beasts, terrifying demons, who knows what he will meet.
But with Es's help, he may be able to stand a chance against the outside world. In the end, it's all about strength.
After thinking for hours, Marcus had to agree with Es, he had a higher chance of surviving outside. Now that he made his decision, he had to prepare. First of all, he had to sneak out. And this step was already… very difficult. The whole clan grounds were heavily guarded making it hard to go by unnoticed. To the east, there was a city, but since it basically belonged to the hidden dragon clan, he couldn't go there or else he would be caught. To the West, north and south was nothing forestry, but since it's filled with spiritual beasts, the danger was substantial, and only got worse the further you went, this meant he would have to avoid all spiritual beast in the forest.
"You still didn't check out the shop."
Right! In the shop, Marcus searched for detection ability, and many options show up. First on the list was 'energy wave scanner' costing only one energy, it covered 100 meters and could detect any life forms that were larger than one meter. Thanks, Es.
"No problem. With this, your chances are much higher. You just have to exchange for it."
"How much energy do I have now?"
Name: Marcus
Age:15
Health: Good
Aptitude: MAX
Muscle strength: 1.2
Flexibility: 1.4
Speed: 1.3
Energy: 2
It's only up by two?! After seeing the number, Marcus swallowed his sadness and went back to the shop. He decided to buy the 'energy wave scanner' when he chose the exchange option, he felt his core getting smaller until it was half its original size, at the same time information started to appear in his mind, it showed how to use the 'energy wave scanner.' He really wanted to try it out, but he couldn't since experts from the clan might be able to detect him while he was practicing. Instead, he should leave now and learn it on the way to the yellow grass town.
But he had to admit that the price he had to pay, being the size of his core, was huge since all his practice only got him up to two energy. And he knew that there were things in the shop cost more than a thousand energy! Sighing inwardly, Marcus started to gather his things.
There wasn't much for him to pack, the second set of clothes, some rations he saved up for winter and determination to leave.
Sneaking past a guard post, he entered the forest and started to head west.
Soon after he heard voices coming from far away. Quickly hiding in the bushes, Marcus started to observe. The voices turned out to be three people, and as they got closer he recognized them! It was the young master of the clan Long Li and his henchmen. Marcus held his breath not daring to make a sound. Long Li was the same age as him, but opposite of Marcus, he was a genius from birth, and currently the strongest in the younger generation. If he found Marcus, it would mean death. They were getting closer and closer; he could feel the tremors from their footsteps. When they passed him, Marcus felt relieved? He started to get up after making sure that Long Li left.
After taking a few steps, shivers went up to his back, and when he turned around he saw Long Li!
"So, it was you."
Long Li's gaze was cold and piercing, his face expressionless. Long Li and his henchmen were the ones that came over to beat him up the most often. But Long Li always only watched, he never raised his hand.
"It looks like you finally running away."
Marcus looked at Long Li, but he didn't dare to move, seconds passed, and Long Li stayed motionless.
"Why are you not going? If you think I'm going to kill you, just know that I don't want to dirty my hands with the blood of a dog. Either way, beasts will kill you in the forest…"
Long Li turned around and left after his words. When Marcus couldn't see him anymore, he dropped to the ground and breathed heavily. He still could still feel the reaper's scythe on his neck.
Minutes later Marcus finally got back up and started walking again. His head was empty of thoughts, not even Es could hear anything.
"It looks like you finally running away."
Marcus looked at Long Li, but he didn't dare to move, seconds passed and Long Li stayed motionless.
"Why are you not going? If you think I'm going to kill you, just know that I don't want to dirty my hands with the blood of a dog. Either way, beasts will kill you in the forest…"
Long Li turned around and left after his words. When Marcus couldn't see him anymore, he dropped to the ground and breathed heavily. He still could feel the reaper's scythe on his neck.
Second or minutes later Marcus finally got back up and started walking again. His head was empty of thoughts, not even Es could hear anything.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Haron
Haron Edited by - HollowReaver
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