Shocking Talent

When Cherom arrived at his office, he placed all of his harvests inside those simple yet elegant looking boxes. He packed those himself and was quite happy while doing it.

With regards to the the Riverside Red Lily, it was just supposed to be one but he gave two since it's his sister who was his client.

"I hope she would be happy with these. I am also a bit curious of what she need it for since it wouldn't do much in her current level. Anyways, as long as my sister is happy."

As a charming smile of her replayed in his mind, Cherom subconsciously smiled but ended up deeply sighing. Even if they were not blood related, Cherom still chose to restrain himself, controlling his unexplainable feeling.

He messed his hair up. "What am I thinking? In this life, only food and adventure will be my focus. I wouldn't let myself be drown in that nonsensical stuffs again. Mixing my goals with romance wouldn't definitely work."

He twitched his lips. "Besides, I had enough of that thing called love. I don't want to look desperate and lowly again."

"I just want to live this life simple, yet secretly eventful. Enjoying the company of such a warm and loving family and helping people in need with secrecy."

After packing all those stuffs, from the lilies, wolves' furs to honey, Cherom went out with his face covered with the hood of the cloak. He simultaneously placed all those boxes in the loving room.

"Andres, deliver this to the their designated address. Each one already knew the reward price. All you need to do is collect it."

"Affirmative Sir Black." Andres was always full of energy and smiles, it seemed like he do enjoy his job well.

"How's the challenge I have you issued?"

"It was already settled Sir Black. Next week, in the City Arena."

"But that young man's arrogance was just so over the top. He even said, that he will completely thrash you until your mother can't recognize you."

Cherom raised his brow, "Oh, really?"

"Not only that Sir Black, he also stated that he will unveil your mask and let everyone witness your ugly face. He even encouraged the people to go and laugh with him when that day comes."

"Well, I don't give a damn to his words. Finished collecting all the fliers?"

"I-I am almost done." Andres smiled wryly.

"Make sure to get it done quick. Fix your mess. After that, make a new set of decent fliers of what this business is really aiming about."

"Ye-Yes Sir Black." At that moment, cold sweat was dripping on Andres' face.

Watching his boss leave, Andres took a long breath.

'I thought every men have the desire to conquer women's heart, yet Sir Black here is a living abnormality. Aish, he has the platform to have all the women he wants yet he was just wasting it! Such a pity. I even thought he would be so grateful and give me a couple of praises of what I did...'

'I do admit, it kind of dirtied his reputation but I am thinking more of the gain. It is even very effective, the women swarmed the place. The only problem was Sir Black's indifference. I was even doubting if this master of mine is straight.'

Andres strongly shook his head. 'Aish, whatever the reason might be, he is my benefactor, so I just have to follow whatever he wills!'

Remembering the copies, then he sighed. "There are still several copies missing and it's absolutely impossible to get all of it back. But I still have to do my best and retrieve those I can but I will leave those fliers to the women I can't dare offend. I will just leave them for Sir Black to handle."

"Right!"

...

Human Domain had 4 prefectures and 48 cities in total. A prefecture had exactly 12 cities under it. The one controlling the whole domain was the Human Empire.

One of the most outstanding cities of White Tiger Prefecture, was the Riverblade City.

The City was headed by a genius of the former generation, Leonelle Raincaster, an Intermediate 9-Star Mage.

In the very city he was one of the most powerful men other than the president of the Adventurer's Guild and the headmaster of the academy. But compared to the two, the City Lord offered more promise. He was way younger than the other two mentioned, still being in his early forties.

"You've gone to the forest son?"

Cherom nodded. "Yes, I went there and made my first set of tasks as an independent adventurer."

"Well, its great. The bear actually did a good job in controlling the forest. There were lesser deaths of adventurers this few months now."

"Well, then. I will reward the big fella for his hardwork when I go back."

Cherom added, "Oh, before I forget, father, please give this to Leina for me. It will be helpful for her cultivation."

"Level 7 magical core?!" The city lord looked dumbfounded.

Cherom coughed. "Well, I'm lucky enough to encounter a Fiery Gargantuan Centipede. I will just give it to Leina since I am not a mage anyway. Besides, mother is in no need of it, so it is only her that has a fire affinity left."

The handsome middle-aged man shot up from his seat. "That's not the thing son! This old man is shocked to the core of your progress!"

"To think that you've killed a Level 7 beast. Don't tell me... You broke through again? It was just a month ago when you made your last break through and yet... I'm speechless. This is so shocking. I never heard of a genius in your caliber son. Never."

Even if the world contained abundance of resources for the cultivators, progress was still not easy to attain.

Take using of magic cores and physical cores as an example. It was true that cultivators could absorb cores yet there was a limit set by talent and capacity.

Mostly, cultivators could only absorb 30 percent of their efficacy while some with higher talent could go at higher percentage. That alone made a clear line of those who should be identified as a genius, average and trash.

The most dazzling characters of the younger generation of today was only an Intermediate 6-Star Warrior and a Superior 6-Star Mage. They were both recognized as the Human Empire's younger generation representatives. The former was of 20 years of age young man while the latter was an 18 years of age girl. The former was able to absorb 60 percent of Physical Core's energy while the latter could absorb 80 percent of Magic Core's magic particles.

While they were said able to slay beasts a phase higher than them, was this young man in front of him, was able to slay a Mid-Phase Level 7 beast! Even the Superior 6-Star Mage lady could only kill at most an Early-Phase Level 7 beast! Which meant his son was even more talented. This was mind blowing for the city lord! His brain couldn't contain it!

Looking directly to the young man's eyes, the City Lord asked, "Son, tell me honestly, what is your cultivation level now?"

This, Cherom was always trying to slip away when his godfather asked about this kind of question. Not that he didn't trust him but he was just keeping it not to be called as boastful or cocky.

However, he was already pinned on a corner. Those prying curious eyes wouldn't give him a chance. There was no route left for escape.

Cherom gulped, looked away, then answered. "Intermediate 6-Star."

Though his godfather was a bit stunned, still, he wasn't seemed convince. His sharp eyes were still staring closely at him.

He coughed. "Middle...no, Superior 6-Star."

Yet the his old man's probing eyes was still not backing down. Those eyes were hungry to be fed with honesty. Cherom could only sigh inwardly, a sign of surrender.

'Anyways, it is father. He might not take me as a boastful person.'

"With all honestly, it's Intermediate 7-Star."

The city lord's eyes widened.

An 18 year old 7-Star Warrior was concealed from the knowledge of the world. If this talent was revealed to the public, the empire would be shaken to the core.

However, that was the last thing Cherom would do, revealing himself to the empire.

7-Star was the most difficult threshold to cross. Many said that heading straight to Grandmaster Realm was way easier than breaking through 7-Star. Even the City Lord took 3 years to break through that threshold which was already considered fast.

When the shock slowly dissipated and the city lord looked recollected, the middle-aged man asked.

"So I am right all along. Even if it is quite unbelievable, of course I believe in you son. It just matches out with you unfathomable talent."

His godfather sighed. "What more could I say? You never failed to make this old man proud. Sadly, only I, knew of your earth-shattering existing talent."

The City Lord, paused for a moment as if he remembered something. "Tomorrow, I will head to the capital. There are quite a lot of troubles to handle. Son... I am sorry for asking this again. I swear, it will be for the last time."

The city looked directly in Cherom's eyes when he asked, "Don't you want to return to the place where you truly belong?"

Cherom slowly yet firmly shook his head. "Still, its a no. Father, my answer will never change."

The only left his old man sighing. "Fine. I fully respect your decision. I will do my end of the bargain and I will never mention this again. I promise."

"Father, I'll be heading out now. I still have to dye my hair."

"Mn."

Seeing Cherom closed the door, the City Lord sighed deeply.

"I could clearly remember, a few years ago, the Human Empire was rejoicing in secret for the birth of a scion. The one that could bring freedom and reign to our very own race but before he became a hero, he was already wronged. How could he save the people who wronged him in the first place?"

The City Lord nodded. "I see, it is really for the better. I couldn't bear to see my son in that state again."