Dragon Slaying Badge

The next second, Hans reappeared at an inn that was now devoid of people. 

Hans opened the wooden door, producing a ringing sound as he entered. Fortunately, he has many clothes as backup, or else they'd see his clothes being drenched in mud. 

'Huh?' 

The outside of the inn looks just like an ordinary wooden hut but the interior was different. The inside was much more elegant with the warm lighting giving more vibrant energy. 

It was no different from a fine dining restaurant. Maybe the difference is that the food was much cheaper here. 

"Welcome to the Rima Inn." the clerk sitting on the counter greeted with a smile on his face. 

Hans sat on the nearest chair and ordered some food to eat. He hasn't eaten anything in the past few days other than the biscuits he had stock inside his storage bag. 

As he waited for the food to be cooked, the television played a few feet away from him. 

'Oh, about the tomb?' 

Seems like the tomb hasn't opened yet. As Hans watched the news further, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. 

The tomb will open tomorrow. No exact time was announced but for sure, Italy would be crowded tomorrow. Perhaps, it's already even crowded now. 

'Damn…' 

He forgot to buy a ticket. Even if he went to the airport now, the flights for today or tomorrow might already be full. 

Hans briefly considered buying those teleportation stones but after seeing the 9 digit price, he just shook his head. As he brainstormed how he would get to Italy tomorrow, the waiter placed Hans' order at the table. 

"Here's your shawarma and desert. Please enjoy." 

"Thank you."

The waiter left and Hans immediately gobbled up the food on the table. He's hungry and if he needed to be in the best condition tomorrow, he had to eat more. 

At that moment, as the reporter broadcast all the latest news about the SS-Class Awakened, his eyes suddenly perked up. 

'Hang on!' 

Come to think of it, there is someone he knows that could help him go there. 

"I don't know if she'll help me."

Even then, it would be worth a try. Hans picked up the tissue and wiped his hand clean. He twisted his wrist and dialed a number he saved on his phone. 

Ring—, ring—, ring—

The watch rang a few more times before a charming and sultry voice answered on the other line. 

—"Hello?" 

"Uh, hello Freya."

—"Oh, Hans!"

Suddenly, the charming voice turned into a husky tone. 

—Where were you? I have been finding you these past few days! 

Hans put away his watch a little bit before slowly closing in again. 

"Uh, I'm in Egypt doing dungeon stuff."

—"..."

Freya did not answer quickly. The two were enveloped by silence before Freya spoke in her normal tone. 

—"Why did you call me? You sound like you're in a hurry." 

Hans took a deep breath and placed his hand on his chest. For him, this would be the first time he asked someone for help. He's a man who would rather do everything alone that's why asking for help embarrassed him. 

"I will be frank with you." After a brief pause, he continued, "I need your help."

...….

Venice, Italy. 

9:17 am. 

Italy has been famous for its tourism and unique sceneries. 

However, this time, the city was bombarded with crowds of Awakened hoping to get a sniff of the Ruined King's Tomb. 

Securities were stationed almost everywhere. Ambulances and paramedics were on standby in case of unforeseen accidents. 

More people gradually arrived at the capital, be it civilians or Awakened. The number still increased as time passed by. The canals and bridges were full of crowds, waiting for the moment the tomb opened. 

The number of people visiting was 10 times than the previous days; the local government had no choice but to intervene. With such a large amount of people, once a monster spawned out of nowhere, the consequences would be disastrous. 

As such, they eventually limited the number of people who could enter the city. 

Venice wasn't as big as Beijing, so the civilians had no choice but to watch the tomb's spectacle from afar. 

There were cheers of applause when a famous Awakened stepped inside the city. Even then, the people wanted to see the 5 holders of Ruined King's items. 

However, no one knows that 3 of them were already snatched away aside from several privileged Awakened. 

"I'm curious about the holder of the Golden Crown too."

Hans muttered as he went for a short tour around the city. His eyes were a little misty as if he has just gotten out of bed. 

Truthfully, he's been here since last night after requesting Freya to send him here. Unfortunately, she's busy and only sent her secretary to pick him up. 

The woman was familiar. She's that girl back at the Gathering. 

'Gia, was it?' 

Eventually, Gia sent him here. Fortunately, she didn't ask questions but the curiosity in her eyes cannot be contained. 

Well, she left him after that. 

Hans shrugged his shoulders and trudged towards the large crowds. 

Hans passed by a bridge until he arrived at Venice's most popular auction house, Grand Fleet Auction Center. 

As he was feeling quite bored, Hans eventually decided to go in. 

...… 

Mike wasn't having a good day right now. He's a B-class Awakened from the US but the guard won't even let him in despite presenting his ID. 

Now, all he could do was watch those VIPs happily go inside the auction house with cheerful smiles on their faces. 

Well, he's not really there to buy anything but to see his idols. 

According to an unknown source, all SS-Class Awakened would be here. 

As for why?

He had no idea. Even if his family is filthy rich, detailed information about those powerful Awakened would be far too impossible to investigate. 

'This shit is killing me…' 

He's having the urge to burst out on speed and just barge into that large door. However, his self-control still reigned, or else he would be spending his next few days in jail. 

'How could I enter though?' 

Suddenly, someone bumped his back. Annoyed, Mike turned his head and stared at the man who continued walking towards the auction house. 

The man is dead handsome. He could even sense those people taking a glimpse of that man from time to time. He wore a simple white shirt tucked in blue pants and a long brown overcoat. The black boots even added to his charm. 

Unconsciously, Mike touched his face. 

'Man, God is so unfair.' he grimaced. 

Shortly afterwards, that man reached the guards. As an Awakened, naturally he had a powerful hearing so eavesdropping on their conversation can be done with ease. 

The guard went for his signature greeting and the man spoke. 

"May I enter inside?"

The guard glanced at his other pals, nodded before shifting his eyes back at the man. 

"Do you have the Auction Pass, sir?" 

The man tilted his head and asked once again, "What's that?" 

Hearing this, Mike reflexively chuckled. 

'Ha, hahaha, is he living in the mountains or something?' 

If this is a joke, then it sure seemed funny to him. However, his chuckles eventually stopped after he sensed several eyes staring at him with weird gazes. 

The guard then responded, "All auction houses need Auction Pass to enter, sir. Today, our auction house was rented and only those VIP customers and those with passes can enter."

At that moment, Mike frowned as he heard something absurd. 

"I just gave you my auction pass. Can I enter now?" The man spoke in a calm tone. 

Mike's eyes widened as he already knew the situation, 'That's a lie… lie… lie?' 

The man is lying? Or not? 

As his mind ventured into his brain, Mike saw pictures of the man handing the guard his auction pass. 

'Wait, he's not lying.' As if something supernatural happened, Mike held his chin. He pondered for a while before eventually shaking his head. Maybe he's just jealous of those people that's why he's having hallucinations. 

'Man, I hope I have that auction pass too.' Mike murmured as he watched the man easily enter the auction house. 

..... 

Hans smirked as he pulled his collar up.

The guard wouldn't let him in so he had no choice but to use it. 

[Trickster (S)] 

The power to make lies become the truth.

And because of this, he easily managed to pass through the tight security. Hans took a glance behind him before proceeding to walk through the corridor. 

On the side of the long corridors, glass boxes were arranged in a row. Inside, were various kinds of treasures and artifacts people found inside a ruin or the dungeon.

There were even those relics that have a deeper historical meaning for Italy. For example, the scale of the fallen flame dragon was on display. 

In the early age of the apocalypse, Italy was hit by the S-class flame dragon. It took countless lives and it was not until a year later that the people of the country banded together to bring this creature down. 

The sacrifices were massive. But it was because of them that the people of today could live in peace. 

[Fake.]

'Yeah, I know.'

The scale might have been turned into a weapon by now. However, with these kinds of displays, the people have something to remember. 

As he was walking, a single display caught his attention. Hans suddenly discovered a golden plated badge the size of a ping pong ball on the shelf. The badge was carved with a dragon pierced with a sword. 

Not only that, but the badge also emitted faint mana signals. 

'What is this thing?' Hans was confused. 

Unlike the other displays, this badge has no particular description outside its shelf. This kind of thing piqued his interest. 

"It's called the Dragon Slaying Badge. More than 16 years ago, thousands of Italy's A-Class Awakened banded together to kill a flame dragon. That badge was a symbol of their sacrifices and the dragon itself recognized their bravery." the charming voice of a woman whispered behind him. 

Even without turning back to look at her appearance, Hans could already tell how gorgeous she is from her voice. 

As he turned around, he was met with those sharp and attractive eyes, just like he expected. He stared at the woman, and as if adrenaline rushed through his body, he felt his heart beat rapidly. 

Even then, Hans maintained his composure. 

"You want a kiss or something?" Hans asked with a poker face. 

"Aww~, you've become bolder Hans." Freya smiled. It was sultry yet friendly, which caused Hans to shake his head. 

"You should say that to yourself." 

"Tch."

The two proceeded to walk in silence. However, Freya wasn't accustomed to that which is why she rambled everything in her work. From stress to dealing with the aftermath of losing an SS-Class Awakened, Freya told everything. 

Sometimes, Hans wondered why this woman is too comfortable with him. 

Is she not afraid he would attack?

Or maybe, she's just into him? 

"... So here I am. Sigh—, I just want to retire now. How about you? Why are you even here?" 

At that moment, Hans felt electricity send warning signals throughout his body. 

'No, I don't need to tell her.'

The existence of him having one of the keys must not be known. 

"I hunted at Egypt."

Hans then proceeded to tell his experiences in Egypt with a little alterations to make it much more believable. After all, he met an SSS-Class human, and such a story would look like a fake. 

"It sounds like you fought a God and save the world." Freya giggled as she teased him playfully. 

"Well, it's all in the past now." Hans spoke in a humble tone, "Oh, by the way, you said that's a badge right? But why is it emitting magical fluctuations?" Hans inquired. 

The two continued to walk; Freya having this menacing smile on her face. 

"I just became an SS-Class, 5 years ago. I don't know everything but…" 

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. Her eyes contained disdainfulness. 

"Hans, have you ever wondered how the world knows the existence of the tomb and when will it open?"