Bab 21: Monster Tattoo Holders

"Ban, pack your things the moment we arrive at the city. You need to leave the city as soon as possible before the guards and the lord come to know of your situation! Meet me at the back of the gate after you've done your thing!" Mario states in a hurried and worried manner as he urged his Cart Lizard to move faster.

Seeing Mario's reaction, Ban realized that he underestimated the situation he was in before. He also realized that Mario at least does not want him any harm, seeing how worried he is right now.

Ban smiled at the thought of this.

Of all the things, he already knew that he would not be able to awaken. As far as he heard, when someone does their awakening, they would be able to feel the presence of their monster even if it would not come out yet.

That was also the reason why Ban did not linger any longer in the city even before the receptionist could ask him questions about his awakening.

By now, he guessed that only the receptionist and those she informed knew of his situation. With the way his expression appeared back then, it would be easy to guess for the receptionist.

"Boss Mario, I think you've misunderstood my situation." Ban scratched his cheek lightly as he decided to 'explain' his situation.

"The thing is… I thought that I would not be able to awaken. I didn't know beforehand that we could still awaken even if we couldn't get it the first try, just like the situation you explained…"

And so, Ban recounted what happened from the start of the awakening until now. Of course, he omitted the part when he got the Almighty Summoner System and instead replaced it with him awakening all of a sudden when he was in danger.

"How could you risk your life like that? That Kuys did not inform you about it? And you did not even return to the Bar first and decided to risk your life here? Ban, how reckless of you!" Boss Mario reprimanded in a strict tone after hearing Ban's story.

"I know Boss Mario!" Ban admitted it without delay. In fact, the only reckless thing he thought about it was when he decided to go to the Beast-Filled Forest. Of course, he also could not go to the neighboring city as the moment they knew of his situation, he would surely be condemned and even killed instantly without warning.

"It's good that you knew! Anyways, what happened has already happened. Don't do it again Ban! Although it might not look like it, some people cared for you in the city." Boss Mario said in a plain tone.

Ban shook his head lightly as he replied with a smile, "I know Boss Mario!"

It was really the truth, for his over two years stay in the city, he also had some people that he got attached to. Even though he was always trying to hide the pain and anger away, some things still turned out pretty good when he came to the city. Making him cheer and smile in those moments.

Boss Mario nodded his head before speaking again,

"So, What kind of monster did you awaken? Although the appearance of every monster varies depending on the summoner, I might know one or a thing about it and can give you some sort of advice." A smug expression could be seen forming on Mario's face as he stated the last part of the sentence.

Ban smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgment. 'It looks like it's already enough, they won't be able to suspect me for contracting a wild beast anymore with Boss Mario as some sort of witness.'

"Come out, Little Eva!" Ban ordered in a low voice before a faint light was seen illuminating the surrounding area, even surpassing the light emitted by the lamp for a second.

A little creature, the size of a palm with a chubby appearance suddenly materialized in Ban's hand as the light died down.

Gasp!

As the little creature materializes in Ban's palm, Mario's surprise gasping could not be hidden.

"Ban! You have a Monster Tattoo?"

'Damn, I forgot about it!' Ban commented inside him as he realized his blunder.

According to what he heard, Monster Tattoos are supposed to be rare commodities, as rare as the Skills sold in the market.

However, unlike [Skills], Monster Tattoos could not be obtained from beasts. They are inherent and were considered to be a sign that a summoner was talented, and could become someone great in the future if nothing bad happens to their journey.

'Jeez! How could this piece of information slipped my mind.'

As he was already discovered, Ban decided to act as if he didn't know anything, as per what everyone in their neighborhood knew about him. The innocent and clueless Ban.

"Boss Mario, what's a Monster Tattoo?" He asked with brows scrutinized in confusion.

Mario believed his act directly as he replied, "Oh, so you really don't know anything about it, that's why you were able to show it to me without hesitation."

Mario then explained to Ban how rare the Monster Tattoo is. A Monster Tattoo could also be considered as a way to measure a summoner's talent and usefulness.

He also said that in the city, he only knew of five people who have Monster Tattoo, and including him, it became six.

According to what Mario described about the Monster Tattoo, Ban could tell that his Beast tattoo, and the five Monster Tattoo holders of the city were different.

For example, his Beast Tattoo could accommodate many Beast at the same time and with healing and other properties, while the others Monster Tattoos could only hold one monster at a time, and with only stamina recovering properties.

Of course, Ban did not rule out the possibility that Boss Mario doesn't know everything and only spoke according to the rumors. He also didn't forget that the Monster Tattoo holders might have altered and released the wrong information to feed the public.

"And just as what I've stated before Ban, do not recklessly show that you have a Monster Tattoo. There are many jealous people around you and It might cause you trouble if they decided to target you. Those five people are exceptions as they have huge people backing them from behind. Aside from your trusted aides, do not reveal it recklessly, alright?"

___________

100 Power Stones gathered and 100 Power Stones to go before we reach our goal!

Keep voting everyone, good luck!