First Task (3)

The horned boar charged at Shui first; it was determined to crush this child into paste. Similar to the boar who was confident in its victory, Shui had no worry that he would lose. Though it would be rude to compare the two, this beast would end up the same as the wild boar Shui once fought.

As it charged at him, Shui unsheathed one of the swords on his back. It was a two--feet-long sword with mysterious symbols engraved onto the silver blade. The sword by itself was an artifact of supreme special-rank, but when paired with the other sword on his back, they would have the strength of a blessed spirit-rank artifact. The symbols on it also seemed to possess shocking mysteries that Shui couldn't see through. However, besides its sharpness, Shui had no other use for it.

When the boar was in range of his sword, Shui executed the move he had imagined countless times before and had used against the wild boar. Though it was very fast and comparable to him in strength, the horned boar still lacked nimbleness.

Shui did an aerial flip over the horned boar and thrusted his sword through its head before reaching the ground once more. With his sword stuck in its head, the beast continued to rush forward before it tripped and rolled while lining its path with blood. After the beast was down, Shui retrieved his sword and wiped it off with a cloth from his satchel under the astonished gazes of the siblings. They didn't think he was weak, but his flawless execution of the horned boar had earned him a high place of respect in their hearts. Even the stench of blood didn't seem to ruin his knightly figure.

Without noticing the admiring gazes of the siblings, Shui returned his sword to its sheath. It wasn't much, but he did feel quite a bit of satisfaction from the short confrontation.

After looking over the fight in his mind once more, he looked at the siblings who stared at him.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Skin it for parts."

He didn't need the money so he planned on giving the meat to the siblings while keeping the accomplishment for himself. Since evolved beasts were generally considered ancient enemies of humanity, hunting them would automatically be counted as an achievement. It wouldn't be very significant, but it would help close the gap for him to reach copper rank. Ranking up would give him a better standing in the association and access to more tasks so he looked forward to it.

After being reminded by Shui, the siblings took what they needed from the horned boar and they carried their harvest back to Cyrus. They were even planning on giving him the boar meat as well, but he told them he didn't need it.

When they entered the Workers' Association building with the horned boar's meat and horn, many looked at the three with surprise and intrigue. After recognizing them, the gazes gathered on Shui who was in front.

"Check these please."

The receptionist who checked what they came in with was also surprised. She was the same one who registered Shui and she also recognized Lily and Ryan so she knew it couldn't have been the two of them who killed the horned boar. That only left one possibility.

'Stronger than I expected.'

Though his body was covered by a cloak so they couldn't be sure, Shui didn't look to be injured so he should have handled the boar rather easily as well. This immediately made many take notice of him, but there were also those who were suspicious. After all, Shui appeared to be a simple seventh level in the Mortal Realm cultivator, so they didn't understand how he could easily deal with a horned boar, even if it wasn't a beast spirit.

"Okay, the horned boar meat is 30 gold and its horn is 20 gold and the Blue Jade herbs add up to 3 gold."

After checking the goods, the receptionist prepared the reward and presented it to the three. Evolved beasts were the enemy of humans so not only would killing them add to a worker's achievement, the beasts' corpses also sold for a good amount. The Workers' Association partnered with the Commerce Guild, which was basically an alliance of merchants, so it was easy for them sell the valuable items that workers brought into the guild. Well, as long as there was no problems with where the item came from.

"Take it."

Shui took the money and gave it to the siblings like he said he would. Everyone was surprised by this act but they quickly guessed that he just didn't need the money. There were many among workers who had other interests besides money.

Once he gave them the money, Shui gave a basic recount of their quest so that their achievements could be recorded.

"...and then I killed it."

"I see, thank you for your time. Oh and, be careful."

When receptionist told him to be careful, Shui had to think for a moment before he understood. After realising what she was hinting at, he nodded and thanked her.

Since their business was done, the three left the building together.

"Really, thank you so much! I don't know how we can repay you."

It was time for them to part ways, but Lily couldn't stop thanking him, and Ryan wasn't opposed to it either. Looking at the two's sincere gratitude, Shui decided to help resolve the trouble that was made.

"You say you want to repay me. Do you two mind doing a favour for me?"

"Of course! Though we can't give you our lives, we'll help to the best of our ability."

Unlike his sister, Ryan was more subdued but he also nodded.

"Good, follow me for a bit."

Shui led the way to the slums that were between the business and residential areas.

"Um, Mr. Shin..." Lily called out nervously.

"Just follow for now."

Neither of them were worried that Shui would hurt them, but the slums wasn't a peaceful area. As expected of such a place, the harsh smell and numeral homeless people was like a different world compared to the rest of Cyrus. Since he had looked at the map of Cyrus, Shui knew how to find this place, but he was still new to the sight. However, Shui was only bothered by the smell of feces and urine that infested the area, he felt no pity for the lifeless eyes watching them.

Without going too deep into slums, Shui stopped at an intersection without people. Then, he turned around, but not to the siblings.

"Why don't you show yourselves?"

At first, there was no reply so the siblings were confused. But as Shui continued to look in a specific direction, eventually five men came out from the shadow of a building. The men were of different sizes, but they all used sabres and wore red-brown fur coats. Initially, they thought Shui was merely bluffing but as time passed they began acknowledging the chance that he had actually seen through them.

They were a team of workers called 'Big Bear', and their leader, Rut, was a man nearly a cale in height that truly matched the ferocity of a bear. When he stepped out, Lily and Ryan immediately stepped behind Shui and looked at them in fear.

"Big Bear!"

"So you've heard of us. Good! Now hand over all of your money."

Pleased by the frightened expressions on the siblings' faces, Rut got over the disgrace of being found out by Shui. He was suspicious when the three of them went into the slums and was even more suspicious when Shui discovered them, and almost got tricked into believing Shui was actually strong. However the siblings' actions reminded him that these three were simple prey.

Since their boss was confident, the rest of the team showed fearless smiles and some even looked at Lily with horny gazes while licking their lips and rubbing their hands together. To such people, Shui shook his head and sighed.

"So you're one of those, huh?"

"What? Short stuff, do you know who you're talking to? I'm the leader of 'Big Bear', an iron rank party! Hmph, I was going to let you off easy, but since you don't know your place, give us the girl and break your arm too."

Rut gave out those orders as if he had that right. Though he was a first level in the Soul Realm cultivator, Shui felt no fear even with his friends with him. On the other hand, the siblings were depressed. As soon as they finally had some good luck, the bad luck came as well. Big Bear was well-known for making money by taking it from weaker iron-ranks, but they didn't expect them to come after them so quickly. What they were doing was clearly against the rules of the Workers' Association, but since none dared to report them in fear of being killed, they were still free to do what they wanted.

If Rut hadn't expressed his desire in having Lily accompany them, the two might have considered begging Shui to act like a sheep, however at this point, they knew it wouldn't be so easy. Lily considered sacrificing herself but she knew Ryan wouldn't allow it, the hand that gripped hers tightly confirmed that. As tears began to cloud her sight like lust had clouded the judgement of Big Bear, Lily had a thought.

'I'm sorry. I don't think we'll be able to take care of you anymore.'

In the midst of everyone who seemed to think the result was determined, there was one who held a different opinion.