When all that remained of the beast was a pool of blood with the occasional presence of mounds of flesh, Arthur retracted his hand while withdrawing his immense mana, absorbing it again.
He unsheathed Skofnung, allowing the sword to enjoy a meal very low in nutrition, but still satisfying.
"You're weak," said Arthur, approaching Kai, who was still in agony. A pool of blood surrounded his body. Several splotches of burnt flesh were visible, while a faint craziness flashed across his eyes.
His expressions were almost always negative as if he wasn't aware of the existence of emotions such as joy, excitement, etc. A soul detached from reality…
"Pathetically so," Arthur continued, squatting only a few feet away from the pitiful figure of the boy. Albeit Kai was still a mere child, Arthur hadn't paid 100,000 Tokens for nothing. Well, to be honest, he'd expected such an outcome.
However, he couldn't display a casual persona. Towards Kai, he would be a stern mentor.
"Instead of detonating your mana, wasting a precious opportunity, you should have focused it on your eyes to enhance your sight," said Arthur in a tone devoid of any emotions. "Instead of bursting forward, you should have adopted an intricate pattern of movement to confuse your foe."
"Arghh…"
Kai continued to release low screams, but judging from his gaze, he was busy processing the information that escaped Arthur's lips. He was trying to absorb everything, from Arthur's body language to his lessons.
Suddenly, Arthur extended his arm, smacking Kai on his head. The latter winced, forming an expression even a fearful, wet cat would find demeaning. "Do not imitate me. Simply learn what I tell you."
"Y–Y–Yes…"
"I have to leave tomorrow, so we'll continue this once I'm back, okay?"
Kai paled.
"Don't worry. You'll be staying with a friend of mine."
*
"You expect me to believe you 'found' this guy on the streets?" Ferhill inquired, annoyance vivid on his face. He massaged his temples, pacing around the compact hotel room while groaning occasionally. "Also, where the fuck did you spend 100,000 Tokens?"
"It just… it just kind of happened," said Arthur in a meek tone. During the three months that they spent together, Arthur and Ferhill had grown closer and now addressed each other quite casually.
Arthur took a bite of a guava, chewing on it with a blank expression. Kai stood in an isolated corner of the room, too fearful to let out a sound. Ferhill–the man screaming at his master–was truly scary.
"Why did you bring him here, anyway?" Ferhill inquired, wiping the annoyance from his face. It was a genuine question he had. "You don't value anyone with mediocre, or even amazing talent. You're kind of… uh, unusual."
"Crazy?"
"Yes."
Arthur nodded in acceptance. "Well, I sensed an ability within him that no one else possessed… Not even the Divine Rankers have such an ability."
Ferhill's eyes widened. "Why don't we sell him as a slave?"
Arthur facepalmed, too exhausted to answer such a question. Ignoring Ferhill's suggestion, the crimson-eyed man slipped into more luxurious robes, strapping Skofnung to his waist before approaching the exit.
"It might take me anywhere from a few hours to a few days," Arthur announced. "Ferhill, use the rest of the money to prepare actual ingredients for artifact refinement. It doesn't matter how much you spend."
Ferhill was about to question Arthur's demand before the latter shut the door, rendering the former speechless.
"Do you want guavas?" Ferhill inquired, turning to face Kai with an awkward smile plastered upon his face.
*
Leaving the hotel, Arthur immediately headed to the floor tower that was located at the center of the Outer District. Requesting his destination, Arthur immediately teleported to the sixth floor, the hub of many guilds and clans.
Although it mostly featured clans and guilds with barely any fame or authority, there were a few organizations that stood out amongst those that were present.
His destination for today was a clan that practically ruled over the sixth floor. Although its main headquarters were high up in Heaven's Spire, it was split into several branches that were located on many different floors.
'The Ganghan Guild…' Arthur muttered internally, approaching the guild's branch office with a cloak masking his appearance.
The Ganghan Guild was an organization that was involved in the destruction of the 18th floor during Arthur's former life. Shortly after their illegal act, the entire clan was obliderated by the union formed between the Tower Administration and the Shimmering Dragon.
The reason why the two giants cooperated was unknown, even to Arthur.
When one reaches the elite league, many unexplainable events occur. When one reaches a certain level of power, common sense is a mere restriction to one's true abilities. Common sense is a shackle.
Such behemoths of the tower could only have united for an important purpose.
"Who are you, boy?" A man dressed in a navy uniform inquired, gazing at Arthur's disguise with narrowed eyes. Arrogance was vivid in his pupils, while a certain sense of superiority flashed across his eyes.
It was as if he were attempting mask his insecurities.
"Could I speak to a higher-up?" Arthur inquired, cocking his head innocently. The guard spat on the ground beside the crimson-eyed man, shaking his head as if what Arthur said was utterly absurd.
"A higher-up? You're lucky to be speaking to me, right now."
"I don't believe I am, though," said Arthur in an emotionless tone, not a single shred of respect present in his voice.
"Do not speak to me like that, boy," said the guard, gritting his teeth. His back was hunched, while a sense of frustration was distinguishable through his actions. It seemed he'd had a rough day at work. "Have some respect for your elders."
"Ten of you wouldn't be enough to be considered my elder," Arthur replied, removing the hood from his head, and revealing his appearance.
The guard furrowed his brows in confusion, but reality was quick to strike him.
'Red eyes, black hair, a handsome face, pale skin, a positive canthal tilt…'
'It's Arthur Solace!'
