Chương 15: An Opportunity

EC is the number one city on the entire Earth when it comes to security and neatness.

But who made it possible?

The highest thanks would have to go to the five powers that were ruling the city also known as the five great counsellors.

And one of these counselors is Atherston Corey. The Patriarch of the Abyssal Core Guild.

With one look at the mansion and reputation and the symbol, Khan immediately determined this man beside him was no ordinary man and could tell he was deeply connected to this city flourishes as it is and he seemed he wasn't wrong.

"The price you have to pay to make this hold is something I can't comprehend..." Khan said genuinely surprised as Atherston directed his attention towards him.

This young lad was beginning to pique his curiosity. Talking to him felt like talking to another counselor and it filled him with surprise.

"What makes you say that?"

"I've seen the wild! I've been part of it, witnessing its growth and witnessing its terror! To me, no city is absolutely safe! Sooner or later, humanity be history! For you to make a group of more than three billion to think otherwise, then the price for that is something I can't imagine" Khan said looking into the bustling city in the distance.

"You're right and you're also wrong..." Atherston said as his eyes flashed with a stubborn look.

"Oh, might you enlighten me, Sir..." Khan asked, but he didn't care much either, it had nothing to do with him.

"You're right, what you say about the wild. And it seems you have strangely grown very conversant with it. Something I find very strange since no ordinary mortal or low-level cultivators are even allowed outside the barriers but I won't delve into your matters..." Atherston said causing Khan to raise an eyebrow.

"You're right when you say no city is absolutely safe, we the Higher-ups know that, and a few major people in the world. Even this peace is due to strange reasons but it won't last. The wild is truly terrific. But you're wrong when you say, Humanity will be history, HUMANITY WILL SURVIVE!!!" Atherston said, raising his voice higher and Khan watched as his eyes flashed an intense purple light and his hair started floating in the air as if suddenly escaping the grasp of gravity.

Immediately, his mind shook, not due to the strength compressed in those simple words but due to the conviction. It was a mad conviction rooted in his very being.

And Khan knew well of people with this mad conviction. They are all people with great wills!

Atherston finally got a hold of himself as he retracted back in his aura causing the purple light in his eyes to fade away and his hair to fall back down on his shoulders.

"I'm sorry, it seemed I got a little lost in it..." Atherston apologized with a smile.

"It's okay..." Khan replied as they both turned back, looking into the distance.

"Judging from what Aurelia said, I'm guessing you can't go back to Suicides City, at least not for now..." Atherston said as he looked at him.

"Yes..." Khan replied curtly.

"So you're going to start a new life right? And if there's a certain place to start a new life, then EC will be the dream of many..." Atherston said causing a nod from him.

"Yes..."

"You know, young men your age actually go there..." Atherston said pointing to an especially large structure in the distance.

"What's that?"

"It's Starlight Academy. The founder is a counselor just like me, and also a good friend of mine. They are an academy training young awakeners like you. All their graduates, even the laziest, are all at the Meteor rank stage while their exceptional ones even reach the Cosmic Rank stage before graduating..." Atherston said causing a flash of surprise in Khan's eyes.

Of course, he was well aware of the cultivation stages, the first was the Star rank stage, after that the Meteor rank stage then the Cosmic Rank stage, and lastly the Galaxy Rank Stage, each possessing 9 grades.

Although he never cared much about it since he couldn't cultivate it, at least he knew their levels and also knew the higher levels possess strength beyond human imagination!

"So it's a type of Mana school?" Khan asked just to be sure.

"Yes. So you want to go there too. My two daughters also go there..." Atherston replied but his smile faded away on looking at Khan's blank faces.

"If it's a Mana school, it's useless for me..." Khan replied as he removed his gaze away from the large structure and back at the city.

"I can still sense you're an ordinary mortal but perhaps you'll be able to awaken..." Atherston tried convincing but his eyes suddenly narrowed as they flashed an intense purple and immediately his face changed.

"You...You don't possess Mana at all. Not even a single bit?" Atherston asked, the shock in his voice unconcealed.

This was the first time he'd be seeing a person without Mana at all. Looking at Khan, he could tell he was truly different. When he looked at others with his eyes, they were colors! Some are red, green, blue, and yellow. There had to be some color, but when he looked at Khan, there was nothing! It was like looking into a dark void that possessed not even the slightest light at all.

'But that's impossible, the Mana in us is the embodiment of our being, including emotions and behaviors. How can he not possess any of that, he's like a hollow person, like a great emptiness covered by human skin...'

"I'm sorry for your defect..." Atherston said as Khan slowly turned his gaze towards him.

"Is not possessing Mana a defect? It's not to me..." Khan said as he clenched the iron bar in his hands and exerted strength.

In front of Atherston's shocked eyes, the iron bar was immediately bent and twisted, and judging from Khan's blank face, he could tell he wasn't even placing much effort.

"I might not possess Mana, but I do possess my ways..." Khan replied bending the iron back to normal.

"Wow, that's incredible..." Atherston said as his eyes displayed shock when suddenly a thought popped into his head.

"Since the Mana school is a waste of time, why don't you work for me, for my Abyssal Core Guild? I believe you're the perfect talent for me and the perfect place for you..." Atherston said with a smile.

"Oh? How so?" Khan asked raising an eyebrow although in his mind...

'Finally got him where I want...'

SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
Supreme_IQ

Just wanted to tell you guys, the novel has been contracted. So, we'll be seeing this through together guys. Don't forget to keep those powerstones coming in.

bình luận bình luận của 1

Bình chọn

GỬI QUÀ TẶNG

Chương 16: Joining The Abyssal Core Guild

"The Abyssal Core Guild. One of the top five most powerful organizations in EC..." Atherston began, face blank but Khan could feel the unconcealed pride in his eyes.

"We are mainly responsible for harvesting of abyssal cores making the wild to us a playground. The majority of our technology functioned on the power of the cores that are obtained from Abyssal creatures.

To continue growing, there's no choice but to harvest those cores, that's what the Abyssal Core Guild mainly does..." Atherston explained as Khan narrowed his eyes in understanding.

The entire world is in fear of the wild, but the cores present in Abyssal creatures are necessary to power them. If someone then decides to be the one to go to the wild and fight for their needs. No doubt becoming a top-five organization in such a city is already a complete thing.

"Majority of the workers are soldiers, willing to risk the wild to harvest cores necessary for our survival! From what I have heard from Aurelia, it seems you're not bad yourself..." Atherston said giving him a cursory look with his hands on his chin.

It was truly remarkable for the young man, an ordinary mortal, to kill a hundred others in a direct battle with nothing but two daggers. It was no doubt a sign of ability but more than anything else, it also gave Atherston chills. Just what was this young man's background?

"Soldier or not, you're still indispensable and can act as a guard on the wilds tour or perhaps take up missions yourself. And believe me, a top five organization of EC won't pay shabbily, would they?" Atherston voiced out, though Khan kept staring into the distance.

"If the Starlight Academy would only slow you down and you want to 'live' in EC. Then perhaps this is your best choice..." Atherston said as he brought out an envelope from within his pockets and handed it over to Khan.

"I look forward to your reply, Mr. Khan," He said, giving him one last look before heading back into the mansion, the sound of his footsteps slowly fading away.

Khan's eyes were narrowed as he looked into the distance light of the city.

"AHHHH..." White air puffed out from his mouth as he slowly raised his head to look at the stars up above.

His hands moved towards the golden necklace on his neck as he rubbed it in his hands.

They were cold yet gave him a feeling of security. A feeling of security he had never felt, not even when beside his Master.

"Hey system, do you know what this necklace is?" Khan asked.

[Yes. The system witnessed the memories of the host, and therefore understands the true meaning of the necklace.]

"Oh?"

[According to the system's understanding. The necklace is not only a house of memories but in essence, a map that leads back to a particular place.]

"A map?" Khan asked once again just to be sure.

[Yes. Although, it'll be hard to once again enter the space anytime soon. The last entrance was due to the fusion and it took quite the energy from the Nanorunic Core. Entering for a second time will require you to possess enough energy in you. An energy you'll be able to harness only after reaching Level 10 of the system.] The golden panel appeared in front of him causing Khan's eyes to narrow even more.

"Level 10. It's not too far away..." Khan muttered, plans flashing in his eyes as his body slammed down on the ground like a falling sandbag and the thousands of stars illuminated his face.

"No matter what it takes, I'll find you... " He whispered gently, clutching the necklace, and soon, his eyes closed off.

-- -- --

The Next Day...

"You won't regret your choice, this I promise, Mr.Khan..." The masculine voice of a middle-aged man rang out as Atherston gave Khan a firm handshake.

"And also I'm a soldier!" Khan said with a smile.

"You seem pretty confident of your words..." Atherston said with a smile.

"A soldier's confidence..." Khan replied, with a smile on his face that made light gleam fast in his eyes.

"You know I might just have the perfect job for you, Khan. A new ruins that was found just a week ago. Mind you, the entire top five organization of EC have their 100% attention to this Ruin and believed it to be a very important variable to the future event..." Suddenly a loud ringing sound echoed out as Atherston slowly brought out his device.

"If you'll excuse me..."

"No problem, Sir..."

"Hello"

-- -- --

2 minutes later...

Atherston dipped his device back into his pockets as a smile appeared on his face.

"Duty calls, Mr. Khan. But you might ask Aurelia about the Ruins if you're interested. I look forward to seeing you next time..." Atherston clasped his shoulder tightly before moving out and Khan watched his firm back slowly leave his sight.

"He's a man of conviction..." He muttered quietly but soon turned his attention behind him.

"YOO-HOO" The excited voice of a lady rang out as Khan raised an eyebrow looking at Aurelia who was beaming with a smile.

"Guess someone managed to join the top five organization of EC in less than 48 hours of arriving. What luck?" Aurelia said as she came to stand beside him.

"How do you even get along with that old foggy? All he says are business and business and business. This might be the last time I see him In the next six months..." Aurelia grumbled to which Zeras raised an eyebrow.

'Old foggy?"

The silence was stifling for the next few seconds and Khan decided to light the touch.

"Aurelia,"

"Khan,"

Both of them suddenly called out at the same time causing Khan to direct his attention towards Aurelia catching the pink shade on her cheeks and the surprise.

"Go on..." Aurelia commanded.

"I'm just asking if you're willing to let me on something..."

"Things about what?"

"About the new Ruins..."

"What! Father told you that?" Aurelia asked in shock but quickly regained herself.

"Sure. But this is not the place for such a thing..."

"Huh?"

"Don't worry, I've got just the perfect place In mind!" Aurelia said beaming with a sinister smile that made Khan raise his eyebrows even higher.