The Core's Location

As Shaz and Yori flew through the sky, they gazed downward. Looking at the city from above, the two felt nothing at the sight of the marvelous capital.

As shadow creatures, their emotions were often suppressed and replaced with a sense of indifference.

Their job was to try to find any defenses that would be the first responders and wait for their Lord to give the signal, and then assist him in acquiring the Core.

Sensing something abnormal, Shaz entered the shadow realm followed by Yori.

Since becoming Tier-6, the shadow duo could now enter the shadow realm at will, although they could only stay in it for no more than 10 minutes at a time.

Throughout the city, people meandered, but several groups of non-Boar auras were spread out in several houses throughout the city.

What was strange was not that they weren't Boars, but that they were high-ranked warriors.

Although Enzo's team didn't have a lot of information, they knew that Garfield's army didn't have any non-boar troops so it seemed strange to have so many non-Boar warriors in the capital city.

These warriors were between Tier-5 and Tier-6. Shaz even sensed one that was Tier-7.

Retreating back into the sky, the duo headed back to inform the rest of the party of the strange happenings in the city.

Enzo had just left the information booth and had a smile on his face.

Although no one knows with 100% confidence in which building the Core was, Enzo did get a general idea in exchange for a few beast cores.

Although he tried to be inconspicuous with the money exchange, he noticed two larger Boars following him.

They likely suspected him a naive trader who was alone and with a lot of money.

They also could have thought he had a spacial device as when he was drawing out the items from his inventory, he would have to remember that for the future.

Ducking into an ally, Enzo prepared for the confrontation while slipping on an innocuous ring.

"Hey kid," came a gruff voice from the entrance of the ally, "we're not going to hurt you, just hand over the ring." As he said that he and his partner started slowly creeping up the dead-end ally.

A box, just large enough for someone to hide behind, sat at the end of the ally.

Slowly creeping up, the duo drew their swords and the larger Boar signaled to the smaller one to get into position.

Standing side by side the duo just got to the front of the box when a sword slash appeared out of thin air.

Enzo had activated 'Shadow State' on his Earth-ranked weapon and the result was devastating.

Blood splattered the ally wall and a sharp gasp followed by a low moan echoed off the walls.

The larger Boar crumpled over and died with a sword putrodung out of his stomach.

The other bandit gasped and staggered back, tripping over his counterparts still warm corpse.

"Please sppparrree mee!" He cried with tears and snot streaming down his snout.

Enzo loomed over him and withdrew Sword of Shadow from the bandit's corpse. He now only had 4 charges on the blade remaining.

Enzo then twisted his ring, the active effect forcing the bandit on to his knees.

"My Conqueror's Ring will not allow you to lie or disobey me so just give up on trying," Enzo said in a commanding voice.

"What is your name and do you know anything about the Castle's Core?" Enzo asked getting straight to the point.

He really didn't like wasting time on nonsense and the duos attempted robbery put him in a foul mood. He was slightly worried and hoped that Tormu and Kai could hold Gardof at the Fort for long enough.

Stammering the Boar wiped snot off his snout and looked up at his new captor, "My name is Baf and I do know something about the Castle Core… Although not much."

Surprised Enzo urged Baf on.

"Me and…Eref were guards," Baf said, glancing down at his former partner, "We sometimes heard the higher ups talking about the Core, it seems to be located in sector A3."

"So," Enzo thought, "the kingdom was broken down into sectors, sector C was civilian, B was for nobility and A was military. I just have to find a way to get into that specific sector."

He had gotten the sector information from the information hub but now he had a more exact location.

Enzo then contemplated his next decision.

He was not the merciful sort, so he had no qualms about killing his would be killer, but he thought he had an idea on how to use this for his advantage.

Enzo bargained, "You have two choices. You can either die right now or lead me to A3. Maybe then I'll let you live."

Baf stuttered, "I,I,I will lead you there. No problem!"

Enzo ordered, "If anyone asks who I am just tell them I'm your prisoner." Enzo then brought out some rope from his inventory and tied himself up. He had full confidence in his Conqueror's Ring which could totally place anyone of his level or lower under his power.

Although the ring was controlling Baf, it was not absolute.

Baf could still control his actions to an extent but was forced to comply with the order of Enzo.

Straining against the invisible chains Baf half-lead half-bumped Enzo towards sector A3.