Chapter 16: Hidden Edge part 2

"Since it'll be an assassin group that only appears when striking and taking down their enemies let's call it Hidden Edge" nothing was fancy about the name however when Brandan heard it his ambition that he lost many years ago started coming back to life.

"Although we should concentrate on those with young age even those older are accepted because even those with one leg in the grave can still make a name for themselves that's what kind of masterpiece this game is" Tony explained to Brandan his plan slowly "my requirements for the members are the first talented with an adaptive aptitude to cope with any situation they face, second they must have some achievement in martial arts and third is for each member to be loyal and honest I don't want to let a snake enter my house" those three requirements are what Tony wanted to be the foundation for Hidden Edge to be successful.

"What kind of achievement are we talking about here" Brandan asked while hoping in his heart Tony requirements won't be high, however that maniac reply shattered his hopes

"I don't have high requirements in Martial Arts they must at least reach the rank of a Master as for inside the game Peak Expert and above is the target"

the instant Tony said that a vein almost popped open in Brandan head as he screamed "Are you insane even in those Supreme Guilds Peak Expert is considered important assets" for a second he thought that Tony was just messing with him "your requirement are way too high it's almost rivalling that of a 7-star Guild"

"Yeah the requirements are harsh however Brandan you know that quality is better than quantity" Tony was aware that his requirements are ridiculously high yet he still wants to walk the path of the elite "Brandan to secure a foothold for ourselves in this game quality must always be the choice so we'll accept only elites and those with insane potential"

"But I'm no Elite in my current state" Brandan replied with a frown "with your fame you should be able to make many join you with ease"

"I don't want to attract too much attention this early in the game, and your experience and dormant potential made me tell you my plan because with you by my side the road will not be way too hard" Tony replied with a grin.

Brandan was silent for a while, he would lie if he said that he wasn't interested in Tony's offer however he was hesitant because of the problems that plagued him the past years. When Tony saw that he sighed internally.

"I have a chance to challenge anyone in the Abyss Battlefield so I'll bet on your wife's cure" the moment Tony said that it was as if Brandan was struck by lightning, his breathing became hurried and he was agitated while looking at Tony with red eyes.

"Why are you doing this" his thoughts were in a complete mess as he didn't understand why someone he met only today was treating him like that.

"A simple reason because even when the whole world was against you, you didn't band the knee. For that alone I respect you from the bottom of my heart" in recent years a part of Brandan started regretting his actions back then, thinking that maybe if he gave up or accepted their terms nothing bad should have happened to them. However, Tony's words brought his chaotic heart a sense of peace that he didn't feel in 10 years.

"Although I have nothing except for my name from this onward whether we ascend to heaven or descend to hell my life is yours I'll follow you without any complains" seeing how Brandan was taking what looked like an oath Tony didn't know whether to laugh or cry however he was happy with getting his assistant. And like that Hidden Edge got its first member.

"From what I understood is that you don't want to join any guild which means the number of resources you can acquire is pitifully little against the big guilds so how are you going to get enough resources for yourself and the squad especially when the mainstreams reach high levels" after getting his emotions in check Brandan started thinking about the future with a clear point of view which made Tony admire him even more.

"Did you Check my level" Tony suddenly asked "yeah the moment you were in my range I used the identification skill on you and your information appeared except for your level and the sword in your hand still unknown" Brandan replied as he looked at the sword with interest.

All players at the start got a basic identification skill that helps to check other players information, so if the identification didn't work it means the level of the item is higher than the skill.

At that moment Tony made his level visible and Brandan felt is he was seeing wrong because it said level 7, from the first minute in the game the only thing he did was fight monsters and do quest this made him reach level 3 with only 12% to become level 4 which made him proud a little because even among other players in their village it was said only the Eternal knight have the highest Level 5 but he has the help of guildmates that's why. However, at the moment he saw that Tony who's a solo player is already 2 levels higher than the Eternal knight.

"Just how did you do it?" Brandan couldn't hold himself from asking.

"I was already level 5 when I left the village and since you were following us you saw how we defeated those humanoid planets and those boars my level raised by 2 I'm only short 9% to the next level" Tony explained to him before smiling devilishly "you should know what my level indicate right"

"Of course I know you'll be the first player to enter the town" Brandan's eyes were glowing because reaching the town first meant a step ahead of others, especially for a freak like Tony.

"That's right so when I leave the village the first thing I do is to settle a good start for the group like equipment, weapons, and skills however after that I want to see some good results that's why I want you to not think about levelling up but focus more on scouting talented people" Tony words made the excited Brandan calm down as he was taking his time thinking about many kinds of stuff before saying "in this game, you can use martial art principles right"

"Yeah I already succeeded in using my Formless style as a unique fighting style, the notification even said that I was only the fifth to do it" Brandan started getting numb from the shocking things Tony was delivering to him each time.

"To think that this game is that mysterious" Brandan was feeling slightly jealous of others who achieved a unique fighting style thinking that if he kept training he might be one of those who achieved this early on before his eyes regained their calmness.

"I know 7 that I can guarantee with my life that they have no problem joining Hidden Edge and another 4 in this village but I have to first meet them to decide" Brandan took his role seriously because Tony's trust pressured him a little so he wanted to do a job worthy of that trust.

"Brandan, remember that haste makes waste so take your time for scouting and I will do the same. At least we have time until mainstreams reach level 30 because at that time the game will take a huge turn.

"What kind of turns"

"Well I met with a legendary NPC and from the information I got is players have to change their class and take a specific path at level 30" although Brandan was waiting for some kind of shocking news it still made his mouth gap, whether the path he talked about or him meeting a legendary NPC this early on he could only attribute this to his monstrous luck.

Tony suddenly took a dagger and tossed it to Brandan, Brandan the moment he saw the dagger already fall in love with it, the colour of the dagger was like a raging fire he played with them a bit however when he saw the states he couldn't believe his eyes.

[Name: Flaming Dagger]

[Rank: Gold]

Equipment Level: Level 10

Attack +29

Strength +18, Agility +19, Endurance +15

Additional Passive Skill - Flames Strike

Deals 50% flame damage to the target, reducing the target's Defence by 10% for 20 seconds.

"Tony I can't take this it's too precious"

"How can a commander of my Hidden Edge say that this miserly dagger are precious, remember my friend that in the future we would only gear ourselves with Legendary equipment everything else will be trash in our eyes"

Tony's words were arrogant and boastful to certain extent however those words made the blood of Brandan boils as he just wanted to go level up, reaches level 10 and equip that badass dagger, however, he fought that urge as he said to himself that finding talent is more important because he has the feeling that following Tony will let him reach the high that he always dreamed about.

After that Tony asked him to escort the two sisters and the villagers back as he was going to do something alone, Suzy wanted to follow him but he said that he was just going to investigate something and will follow them back to the village and take them to leave up again.

After walking for a while he saw on the map that he was in a mountain range, there were many high-level monsters there so it took him almost an hour just to get past the few that come out of the mountains randomly and he finally found the Lone peak mountain which was in his Devil hunt chained quest.