After the auction was finished, the beautiful female attendant took them to a counter to receive the items that Jack had won in the auction. Jack and Dylan continued to wear the concealment coats with their hoods up. Jack put the three items he had won into his storage bag. After finished with the procedure, the three exited the venue. Marquess Fernando's carriage was already waiting for them in front, ready to take them back to the marquess' home.
Once inside the carriage, Jack took out both the technique books he had won from the auction. He proceeded to learn them with excitement.
Dylan gave him a contemptuous sneer, "you boy and your toy."
"Boy? Dude, you are younger than me," Jack countered.
"Age is but a number. I am clearly much more mature in style compared to you."
Jack didn't bother arguing with him. He opened up his skill window to check on his new skills.
Flash Step, level: 1/20 (Active skill, movement)
Instantly moves in a direction to a maximum distance of 2 meters. Create an afterimage in the original position.
Cooldown: 10 seconds
Stamina consumed: 10
Shredding Fang, level: 1/20 (Active skill, range, required melee weapon)
Creates three giant energy fangs that traveled in three directions in a fan shape. Each fang deals 180% physical damage, 25% chance to cause Bleed.
Range: 6 meters
Cooldown: 2 minutes
Stamina consumed: 50
"Not bad, not bad," Jack commented. With the Flash Step combined with his speed, he should be able to move in a more unpredictable way than before. The Shredding Fang skill was almost as powerful as Sword of Light, but its area effect made it a better skill when in a group fight.
Dylan made a scoffing sound when he heard Jack commenting in delight.
"You said you are mature, but why act like a jealous child?" Jack said to him.
"Who is jealous? I just find it childish seeing you so happy for getting new game skills."
"Dude, if you have not yet been aware of the state of the world now, you better open your eyes and take a look. You are not living in the normal world anymore. In this world, this so-called game skill you called, is a real thing that allows you to perform superhuman tricks. Do you think that precious business skill of yours will be any good if I can blast you to death with a spell of lightning?"
"Hmph, what do you know. I can always hire a bodyguard with my wealth," Dylan retorted.
'He can?' Jack asked Peniel in his mind.
"He can. Member of Trade Association can spend their points to hire a skilled bodyguard."
'Not just during caravan travel? He can hire a bodyguard that follows him as he walks around?'
"Yes, there is a time limit though. He will have to spend more points if he wants to continue hiring the guard."
"I still think personal power is the way. Having a bodyguard even if powerful won't guarantee your safety. You can't be protected from every angle."
"Then I will just hire more then," Dylan was not backing off.
"You said you are mature, but you squabble like a kid," Jack ridiculed him.
As they continued bickering, they suddenly realized the carriage had stopped and marquess Fernando opened the carriage door.
Jack was puzzled. "We arrive? So fast? Why does it feel like we have just traveled for less than ten minutes?"
"Where do you think I am taking you to?" The marquess said before he climbed down the carriage.
Jack followed down and found that they were in front of a luxurious building with scenic surroundings. The marquess was already taking the lead walking to the entrance of the building. Jack and Dylan looked at each other before following the marquess.
They entered the building and were greeted by a lovely stewardess. Marquess Fernando whispered something to the stewardess who then nodded with understanding and asked them to follow her. They passed through a large hall with palatial décor. One of the walls opened up to an open courtyard with a swimming pool. A few people could be seen sitting leisurely on the loungers beside the swimming pool. Some stewardesses were serving them drinks.
"It's a clubhouse," Jack heard Dylan said.
"What are we doing in a clubhouse?" Jack asked, which Dylan replied with a shrug. "Beats me," he said.
They just resigned to follow the marquess and the stewardess as they were led to a large corridor. The stewardess guided them to one of the doors along the corridor. She opened the door and ushered them to go in.
When they went in, they saw a decently large leisure room with many gorgeous furnishings. The attendant closed the door after the three of them entered, allowing them privacy.
They heard a clinking sound from the side. They turned and saw another hooded figure in a black coat behind a bar counter was pouring ice into several glasses. Marquess Fernando walked towards the hooded figure and sat at one of the bar chairs opposite from the hooded bartender.
Jack and Dylan looked at each other again before shrugging and took the seats beside the marquess. The mysterious bartender gave each of them a glass filled with cold beverages. The bartender then unhooded himself.
"Duke Alfredo?" Jack called when he recognized the person in front. "What's with all the theatrics?"
"It's a precaution," the duke explained. "I mentioned before that I am going to investigate about the Cult of Phobos after their attack on my home, didn't I? Turns out their infiltration might be deeper than I have imagined. It will take a longer time to flush out all their spies, I can't be sure if any of them is watching our movement at the moment. Hence the need for these concealment coats."
"I see, so you don't want them to know who had gotten the Fragment of Map from the auction," Jack commented as he digested the duke's words.
"Yes, they will know that an outworlder had gotten the item, but they will not know who."
"But wait, the cult knows that I have helped foiled their plan when they tried to take the piece in your house. They will certainly know about my relationship with you."
"Are we having a relationship?" The duke chuckled. "Don't flatter yourself, all they know is that you are doing a quest posted by me. And since that time, I have made several other requests albeit pointless ones, just to make contact with several other adventurers in order to throw your scent away from them."
"Oh, that's smart."
Marquess Fernando chimed in at the time, "also, if there was a spy watching, what they see was that the outworlders who got the piece came with me. And if they checked further, they will just find out that the outworlder associated to me at this time are ones coming from the Trade Association."
"Hold on a second!" Dylan suddenly interrupted. "What kind of dangerous affair are you guys involving me here with?"
Jack turned to him and gave him a pitiful look, "well, it's just some issue with a bunch of murderous fanatics who serve a mad God."
The marquess peeked out from behind Jack and said to him, "sorry."
"Why, you…" Dylan didn't know whether to get angry or to cry. He was just trying to get enough points for another caravan trip. His focus was on trading and gaining more wealth. He had no intention of getting involved with whatever conflicts of these world's storyline that the game-makers had cooked up.
"I am sorry," the duke also apologized. "We needed another outworlder as a distraction, but don't you worry. I have my top people watching you from the shadow. If any of the cult people trying to come at you, they will be taken care of."
"Yeah, that way, we might even catch them and find out about the remaining spies," marquess Fernando added.
"Wait a minute, are you now also making me a bait?" Dylan protested.
"Don't worry, I believe my people are more than capable to preserve your safety," duke Alfredo said. "And you won't be without compensation. Here, take these gold coins as the current compensation. If there is any attack attempted on you, I will give you more and reimburse any loss incurred upon you."
Dylan checked the pouch that the duke had given to him. There were 20 gold coins inside. It was almost half from his initial stash. His bad mood was instantly alleviated. This reward was more than the profit he could make with one caravan trip. However, his business sense told him to capitalize on the current opportunity.
"I also want to be accepted into this country's Kingdom Faction!" He demanded.
