Chapter 15: Target

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Leylin approached Grey Stone City, noting its short walls and crude buildings, with soldiers patrolling its perimeter. A greedy patrol leader stopped him, eyeing his fine horse and cargo, but upon noticing Leylin's cross blade, he quickly accepted a bronze coin for entry, warning him not to wander at night.

As Leylin rode into the city, he observed its underdeveloped state—dusty streets, malnourished people in ragged clothing, and animal dung polluting the air. The city paled in comparison to even small towns from his past life. Seeking an inn, he had to bribe a local for information and was directed to "Big Sword and Wine Cup," a rowdy establishment in a lawless district.

Inside, he found drunkards brawling and harassing hostesses, but the bartender, a sober young man, confirmed that they offered lodging. Leylin paid for four nights and his horses' care, tossing silver coins without hesitation.

However, trouble awaited him outside. A gang of hoodlums, captivated by his fine horses, attempted to steal them. One, a cross-eyed thug, falsely accused Leylin of theft, trying to rally his gang. The crowd watched in silence, unwilling to intervene, while the thugs drew weapons, prepared to attack.

Leylin effortlessly subdued the hoodlums, breaking bones with ease but ensuring none were killed, as normal humans were of no use to him for testing his Soulbound Devourer binding ability—he needed acolytes for that, and he knew he would find plenty once he reached the Magus market to sell his potions. After incapacitating the gang, he warned them against seeking revenge and returned to the bar. His display of strength made the bartender and the patrons wary, prompting the bartender to treat him with newfound respect.

Leylin instructed him to handle his belongings and horses, tossing another silver coin. He was then led to a quiet, clean room at the back of the establishment.

Satisfied with its condition, he took the key, dismissed the bartender, and settled in, ordering a steak before shutting the door. The room's noise cancellation was decent, allowing him some peace as he prepared for the long journey ahead.

.....

Nightfall at the Lost Forest

The moon hung high over the Lost Forest, shrouded in thick mist that wound through gnarled trees like pale tendrils of some slumbering beast. Shadows stretched long and ominous as an eerie silence blanketed the land, broken only by the distant cries of night creatures.

A lone figure emerged from the treeline, draped entirely in black robes with a hood concealing its face. The fabric of his cloak barely rustled as he moved, his presence a whisper against the wind.

"Lost Forest… this is the place," Leylin muttered under his breath, pulling out A. I. Chip interface. His boots crunched over withered grasses as he stepped into the darkness.

The crisp snap of dried twigs beneath his leather boots echoed strangely, a Chi-Chi sound that made the night feel colder. Leylin paused momentarily, his eyes gleaming with a hidden light beneath the shadow of his hood.

"A.I. Chip, initiate area scan."

A faint, near-invisible blue light flickered across his vision as the artificial intelligence embedded in his consciousness responded.

[Beep! Slight illusionary field discovered! Field effect: Regular humans who enter will be baffled, walk around in circles, and eventually leave unknowingly.]

Leylin smirked. No wonder there were so many tales of ghosts and missing travelers. This was the work of Magi—traps laid to protect the market, or perhaps to ensnare unsuspecting victims.

He advanced deeper into the forest.

---

A shadow detached itself from the canopy above, landing soundlessly upon a broken gravestone. Two dark green eyes gleamed in the night.

"Hello, acolyte! Welcome to the Magus Market!" a voice greeted.

Leylin halted. His gaze fell upon a black cat perched atop the gravestone, its tail flicking lazily.

It was no ordinary cat. It exuded an unnatural intelligence, its presence infused with arcane energy.

Probably a Magus' companion, or a modulated organism or even the result of a spell.

"I am a wandering acolyte," he stated calmly, "I have heard that this market is open to all Magi. Is that correct?"

"Indeed," the cat purred, licking its paw. "The market is governed by the mighty Walker Family, and within its boundaries, all Magi are promised safety. But…" the cat's eyes glowed ominously, "...step outside the perimeter, and you are on your own."

Leylin nodded.

"All acolytes must pay a fee of one magic crystal. Magi may enter freely."

Wordlessly, Leylin flicked a small, glimmering blue crystal towards the cat. It caught the payment in its mouth before turning gracefully, leaping down from the gravestone. It padded into the mist, motioning for Leylin to follow.

He stepped forward, following the feline guide. The mist thickened, swirling with unnatural energy, yet the path beneath his feet remained solid and true. The moment they stepped through, the fog dissipated, revealing a bustling marketplace hidden deep within the forest.

---

The air was thick with the scent of herbs, potions, and exotic incense. Hooded figures in grey or black robes moved between the wooden stalls, each one exuding a palpable aura of secrecy.

Some concealed their faces entirely, while others, less cautious, revealed glimpses of scaled skin, fur-lined features, or unnatural, glowing eyes.

Leylin's gaze swept over the crowd.

Among them, he spotted marine species with glistening scales, half-beastmen with animalistic features, and even an owl-headed Magus engaged in a quiet discussion over a table of shimmering potions.

Many of the acolytes here reeked of blood—a sign that they had survived battles and conflicts in the outside world. Not like the sheltered students from the academies, Leylin thought. These are individuals hardened by necessity, willing to kill to advance.

A flicker of movement drew his attention. The black cat was gone.

"Sir! Do you need a guide? Only one magic crystal!"

Leylin turned to find a young boy, gaunt but alert, standing beside him. The child emanated the weak energy signature of a level 1 acolyte.

"No need," Leylin dismissed him, stepping past. He had no intention of drawing unnecessary attention.

His focus turned to the central area of the market, where well-crafted wooden shops stood, their doors bearing ancient symbols of alchemy, runes, and protective enchantments.

After some browsing, Leylin approached a shop marked with the symbol of a test tube, its entrance glowing faintly under the light of enchanted lanterns.

---

The Potion Shop

"Welcome, sir! How may I assist you?"

Behind the counter stood a young man in a well-tailored western-style suit. He was polite, but Leylin noticed the calculated glint in his eyes.

Leylin scanned the shelves. Rows of glowing potions in glass vials shimmered under the dim shop lights, their colors ranging from deep purples to molten gold. The transparent counter displayed rare herbs, ground powders, and alchemical catalysts.

This shop has better stock than Woox's in academy trade post.

Without hesitation, he listed his requirements:

"I need Moonshade Petals, Venomroot Essence, Abyssal Salt, and a vial of Elder Spirit Extract."

The shopkeeper's demeanor shifted slightly. His eyes flickered with a new intensity.

"My apologies, sir… are you, perhaps, a Potions Master?"

Leylin did not answer immediately. His hood concealed his face, giving the illusion of a shadowed enigma.

After a pause, he merely replied, "Yes."

At that, the shopkeeper bowed deeply. "Our Walker Family would be honored to have you join us. We offer the best terms for Potions Masters—"

"I will consider it." Leylin cut him off. "For now, do you have the ingredients?"

The shopkeeper hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. That will be 90 magic crystals."

Leylin pulled out a small wooden box from his robes. With a flick, he opened it, revealing neatly arranged cyan-colored potions.

"These are Strength Potions," he declared. "Thirty of them."

The shopkeeper's excitement dimmed slightly—Strength Potions were a basic brew. Still, he inspected them carefully before nodding.

"For these, I can offer you 130 magic crystals."

Leylin smirked internally. More than Academy prices. Prices here are higher, but that also means greater danger.

"Agreed."

The exchange was made swiftly, and Leylin pocketed the wooden chest of ingredients.

"Pleasure doing business," the shopkeeper said with a smile, but Leylin did not linger. He turned and stepped out of the shop, disappearing into the shadows of the market.

---

As Leylin left the marketplace, he spoke quietly.

"A.I. Chip, initiate area scan."

The blue interface flickered before him, pinpointing a single red dot trailing behind him.

[Target identified: Level 2 acolyte. No magic artifacts detected.]

Leylin's lips curled into a smirk beneath his hood.

"Only a single level 2 acolyte, huh?" He exhaled, his voice laced with a menacing chill. "The perfect target… Let's see how Soulbound Devourer works on binding an acolyte."

With that, he stepped into the darkness of the forest—waiting. Waiting for the fool to make his move. (Image)

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