Felix’s Visit
Hans sheathed his swords and leaped down from the wyvern's body and to the ground.
A named monster can drop rune stones or even items but as he scanned the wyvern's body, Hans found nothing.
Fortunately, the body is still intact which is a good sign as the hard scales could be used as materials for crafting and other stuff. As for its blood, some alchemists might take an interest in those, especially if someone is well versed in the art of medicine.
The blood of a wyvern, a dragon's descendant, could fetch a high price. What's more, its rarity and probably the purity of its blood could make it even higher.
[Why don't we sell it in the Beast Empire?]
'Hm, not a good idea.'
Tri-ring—
Hearing another system prompt, Hans opened the newly arrived message and read its contents.
[Do you wish to plunder the skill…]
[Do you wish to plunder the skill…]
[Do you wish to plunder the skill…]
"Wow."
Dozens of skills were laid in his eyes, ready to be plundered but the majority of them are similar. Unlike he expected, these are really good skills to use.
There are skills for, defenses, attacks, auxiliaries, movements, and even debuffs.
[Told you, baby.]
However, as much as he wants to take all of them, there are still skills that are useless such as [Farsight], which lets him see distances a mile away.
Although it's cool, his [Primeval Eyes] was not only superior but also has many different functions too.
Also, the reason why he doesn't want to plunder recklessly is that he was trying to delay the speed of his evolution.
He has a hunch. Something will happen when it's exceeded 50%. He could sense it the moment he got the [Devourer's Heart] trait and the skill [Empyrean Aurae].
'Something was being suppressed inside of me but I don't know what that is.'
Hans already accepted that he's no longer a full-blood human but something akin to a monster.
However, if ever he's really a monster, Hans doesn't want to transform yet.
[Tch. You're just overthinking things.]
"If ever turned into a monster, can you stop me then?"
[Uhh… no? If you somehow became a madman, it's beneficial to me. Well, to be honest, I actually like the idea...]
"Alright stop, stop."
[...You kill, you plunder, I rank up and the cycle goes on and on forever. I'm actually not against it.]
"I am… speechless."
Hans shook his head, shifted his attention to the skills, and scanned each of them. He sorted out the useless skills like [Horn Bash] which requires a horn and many others.
After a brief period of picking skills, Hans took a deep sigh. A screen of messages that could be counted on a finger remained.
"One, two, three…"
In the end, Hans was left with 6 skills. Without hesitation, he plundered them immediately.
[Bull Thrust (A)
Type: Active
Use:
— By channeling mana into your fists, you can deal damage in a large area depending on the channel time.
Maximum Channel Time: 10 seconds.
Plundered From: Giant Bull.]
-
[Wall Breaker (A)
Type: Passive
Use:
— Your every attack will trigger a blast effect, amplifying your attack damage and explosiveness.
Plundered From: Hard Skull Rhino.]
-
[Calamitous Roar (B)
Type: Active
Use:
— issue a roar that destroys all objects in the area of attack and stuns the enemies for 3 seconds.
Plundered From: Ferocious Elephant.]
-
[Wind Control (A)
Type: Active
Use:
— You can manipulate the wind element with great proficiency.
Plundered From: Four-Armed Falcon.]
-
[Suppress (A)
Type: Active
Use:
— Suppresses your target's stats by 10%
Plundered From: King Gorilla.]
-
[Icath's Half-Blessing (SS)
Type: Passive
Use:
— All draconian species won't be hostile to you.
— You can now learn the [Dragon Language].
— Grants access to forbidden locations.
Plundered From: Wyvern, Rya.]
-
Hans nodded in satisfaction.
Four attack skills and one powerful debuff. Hans felt like he won a lotto. But the most versatile amongst them is the [Wind Control].
Just like his flame control, this skill grants manipulation over the element of wind. For Hans, if used intelligently, this skill could do wonders, defensively or offensively. Also, this skill could boost his movement speed, which is another plus for him.
Of course, the question he wanted to know was whether he could fly with it or not. Hans once tried forming a wing using his [Flame Control] but to his dismay, he couldn't fly at all.
'I'll try it out later.'
Finally, Hans' eyes darted at the last skill he plundered.
'Icath's Half-Blessing…'
It was a very strange skill. Although Hans has no idea where the Wyvern got this blessing, he's certain that it came from a dragon; a pure one no less.
The first use was good. Dragons back on earth were always hostile to non-dragons. Other species couldn't even approach without being attacked. Even if they came with good intentions, it will all end up the same.
However, with this blessing, Hans won't have to be afraid. Even if he went to Australia right now, the place where the majority of Dragons live, he might be able to walk there freely.
Of course, Hans wouldn't really try that. After all, what if the skill failed?
"Dragon Language? Is there something special with this?" Hans asked subconsciously.
[You can talk with dragons once you learn it though you need to find a dragon to teach you first.]
"Talking with dragons huh?"
[Oh, right. Once you're well versed in it, you should be able to learn dragon arts and magic.]
"Really?"
He hasn't heard of dragon arts and magic but he could somehow guess that it's like vampires' blood manipulation— A technique unique to them.
Of course, to further prove his guess, he has to ask the expert.
"Dragon Arts? What's that?"
[It's like human spells but a hundred times better. Wanna learn? Learn the dragon language first, you fool.]
"Nah, I'll probably pass for now."
He still has so much to do that he might even forget going into a dragon's den.
Hans' eyes shifted to the final use and his expression grew from surprise to bewilderment.
'Forbidden locations?'
According to the map of Clovera, there are no forbidden lands at all but just areas in which dangerous unknowns currently reside.
However, they are not really forbidden to enter.
So…
'Sigh—, investigating this will surely take time.'
Even then, this would be included in his bucket list. Perhaps he might be able to find one in the future.
After sorting all of his skills, Hans pulled out a dagger from his storage bag and began dismantling the wyvern.
First, he went for a cut on its soft spot and blood gushed out of the wound. The red liquid trickled down its scales and onto the ground. Immediately, Hans scooped a pint of blood into his finger and swallowed it.
Gulp—
'Mmm… it tastes good.'
The blood didn't taste like rust at all; rather, it tasted like apple cider. Additionally, it was refreshingly good to the tongue and not like those blood that always leaves a bitter aftertaste.
[You have consumed the blood of a 'Wyvern'.]
[Strength +40, Agility +30, Stamina +40, Mana +40.]
'A 150 stat points!'
However, he was about to celebrate when suddenly…
Ba-dump—
Thud—
Hans felt strength leaving his body. Powerless, he fell to his knees.
[You have been struck by the wyvern's venom.]
[All stats -90%]
-
[Health -1%]
[Health -1%]
[Health -1%]
As he forcefully read the contents, his face frowned. He never expected the blood to have poison. It was careless on his part.
Hence, before the poison even spreads on his body and eventually kills him, Hans immediately activates his skill.
[Empyrean Aurae.]
[Your body cannot be invaded by poison.]
At that moment.
The seemingly purple bruises spreading on his skin, which eroded his muscles, began diminishing at a rapid pace. His lost strength also returned.
Hans flopped to the ground and heaved a heavy sigh.
"What a lucky day."
Now that the poison is gone, he could freely move. Then, after a brief pause, his eyes moved towards the direction where he previously killed the mobs.
Although only a handful of them gave useful skills, their blood could still give him free stat points.
But what his vision saw was nothing but empty spaces.
'Strange.'
The Wyvern did not disappear but those monsters did.
It's as if this place functions like a dungeon.
'Wait… a dungeon?'
Instantly, Hans sprung up from his seat and surveyed the area up to a hundred-mile radius. Nests of monsters teemed in the forest.
In Hans' opinion, they should've left this place as this was a territory of the Harisan Empire. Adventurers and mercenaries alike went here to hunt.
However, none of them even attempt to cross the road and leave.
'Hmm…was that Wyvern born here then?' Hans thought but quickly shook his head at the absurdity of such a situation.
If it's born here, the adventurers or even the knights could have killed it before it reached adulthood but they didn't.
That only means that it's either they didn't know if its existence or this wyvern wasn't even here in the first place.
[It's like there is a conspiracy here. What do you think?]
"I don't know. Although it's not my job to meddle with one's business, I am really curious."
[Maybe this is a dungeon?]
Monsters that vanished after getting killed mean this area somehow functions like a dungeon.
It means that this area could be a field dungeon— something like that.
A dungeon is a place full of treasures, relics, or monsters. Sometimes, there are even ruins of ancient civilizations inside and their history.
But in the end, they always have one thing in common.
'So if this place is really a dungeon…'
Hans' eyes narrowed as he swept his gaze around the vicinity.
'...then somewhere out here, a more terrifying monster than that wyvern is sleeping.'
That is… the existence of a Boss.
......…
Venice, Italy.
"7,887… 7,888…7,889…"
Beads of sweat trickled on his forehead as Miguel continued doing one-hand push-ups. The gym had been closed today so he was all alone inside the large building.
On his back, three magical plates weighing over 20 tons were attached. If not for him continuing to reinforce the ground with mana, it might have already collapsed due to its sheer weight.
After finishing 8,000 push-ups, Miguel stood up and wiped his sweats with the towel hanging from a metal bar.
The sunlight just rose signifying another day of survival.
At that moment.
"So why are you here?" Miguel said, not even looking toward the man who just appeared out of nowhere.
"Just paying you a visit." The man took off his large monopoly hat, sat on a bench, and placed it beside him.
He wore a black suit under a long overcoat. In his hand, he held a black cane resembling a kid's candy.
This man is Felix Adams, one of the USA's S-class Awakened.
Miguel sneered and continued wiping his sweats off. He had no time for such meaningless conversations.
"Well, actually, I lied. I'm here as per the Director's order. It's about Mrs. Taylor's activity back in the states. We have tracked her activities and we found some interesting things." Felix crossed his legs and enthusiastically said.
Miguel stopped his actions and quickly looked at the man staring at him with a wide smile. He put on his shirt and sat on a bench near him.
Felix's words piqued his interest. Perhaps Freya has been in contact with the 'Illuminati' without her noticing so this might become their primary lead.
"I'm all ears."
The room was filled with seriousness as silence descended. Then, with a flick of Felix's fingers, photos taken from a top perspective appeared.
It was pictures of Freya together with an unidentified man.
"We have been trying to find that man's identity but, it seems like our records couldn't find anything. So I've been wondering if you know who this is?"
Miguel scanned the photos and inspected the young man's appearance. Purple hair, fit physique, and tall height are the characteristics he noticed first.
However, after rambling many memories in his head, he couldn't identify this man.
"Hang on… I saw him back at the Gathering." Miguel pointed out.
"Good observations. Indeed, he's in there. But our leads already ended there as, after the Gathering, this man couldn't be found anymore."
"..."
Hearing no response from Miguel, Felix continued.
"We suspected that he might be a member of the Illuminati or some sort of an accomplice. So we have been wondering if you know this man. After all, out of all SS-Class Awakened, you're the closest to Freya."
Miguel stared at the photos once again but in the end, he couldn't really remember any resemblance of the man.
He and Freya have been friends for years because they were once classmates in the Elite Training Program. However, she hadn't really said anything about getting a boyfriend or something.
Also, according to his knowledge of Freya, she wouldn't pick any man without reason.
Yes, this man is good-looking and has a good body but that's not enough reason.
In the end, all he could do was shake his head.
"I don't know. She hadn't really said anything to me."
Felix sucked his lips and sighed. Looking at Miguel's expression, he couldn't tell if this giant was telling the truth or not.
'Although Freya's not our Awakened, she's still a vital force to humanity. If she dies… sigh—'
When that happens, those monsters won't even hold back anymore. For sure, they'll immediately invade the countries despite the treaty.
But what's even more terrifying is the existence of this unknown organization. They just surfaced but they already caused massive problems for the world.
What if they kidnapped another SS-Class Awakened again?
The monsters will surely sweep humanity at that time because of the lack of protectors.
Many people would die.
'Well, it's not like I have someone to lose anyways…'
Felix groaned in helplessness. He stood up from his seat and wore his hat once again.
"If that's the case, thank you for your time, Mr. Silva. I ap—"
At that moment.
"Hang on… it seems like I know someone probably knows that man." Miguel raised his head and interrupted.
Felix, who was about to leave, stopped. His head tilted in confusion.
"Who?"
"Gia. She's Freya's secretary. I haven't talked to her yet but maybe she knows who that man is." Miguel answered.
Gia always knows a thing or two about Freya. As long as it's about Freya, she's always updated.
"Gia?" Felix nodded, and continued, "I see… I'll visit her then. Thanks…"
After a brief exchange of words, Felix leaves the gym in a flash, leaving Miguel alone once again.
However, this time, his eyes were full of hatred, more specifically towards the man Felix showed earlier.
In his head, that man might be the culprit of Freya's kidnapping and as to why they were ambushed like that.
"I remember your face." Miguel grunted as he clenched his knuckles.
........
"Achooooo—!"
Hans sneezed loudly. The force of his sneeze even generated slight ripples in the air.
[Someone might be talking about you.]
"Who would talk about me?"
[Maybe, your sister? Or that chick, Felisha?]
"Felisha?" Hans tilted his head and continued, "Who the hell is that?"
[Dude, your memory is shit. It's the female mage!]
"Oh, Freya?"
[Cough—, yeah, yeah. It's Freya.]
At that moment, a smile bloomed on Hans's lips.
"Come to think of it, I still owe her a dinner."
In the end, Hans shrugged his shoulders and ignored it for now.
On his back, he pulled the massive body of Wyvern as he trudged back to the center of the Empire.