Number One turned around and followed the staff's gazes only to hear an argunt from the entrance. The guards seed to be explaining sothing but they got pushed aside while ten people stepped inside uninvited. The boss' face cringed as he saw the faces of two leading n.
They looked like two masters from rich families who had too much ti on their hands which cald Number One down. Being discovered by his Master wasn't that big of a deal but he had to be cautious about future challenges. It seed to be just a coincidence though since his usual opponents were much tougher at a single glance.
"They are the Alchemist Twins, Sir," the Boss introduced the intruders to Number One. "After the local Alchemist died three weeks ago, those two beca the best Alchemists in the region. They don't really have much competition when it cos to the supply of Earth Rank pills so they started quoting ridiculous prices. They also pressure us to get lower prices of Soul Herbs."
Number One didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that information. Was the level of Alchemists really that low if the old Alchemist remained amongst the top? Even if Number One decided to make pills without the golden cauldron, he was confident his knowledge alone could help him reach their level without much practice.
'No wonder everyone tries to beco an Alchemist…' Number One thought as he observed the incoming group. Why try to fight Soul Beasts if one could stay comfortably at ho and enjoy everyone's respect?
"If they are the best and can only make Earth Rank pills then this region is dood," Number One comnted indifferently and ignored the twins as he returned to his business. "Anyway, I heard you had so Poisonous Toad Leaves. Are they included in the goods I bought?"
Number One needed to start gathering the Soul Herbs for his Legendary pills but his question went unanswered when one of the twins interrupted their conversation. "Boss, where are all the herbs? We ca here all the way for shopping and you didn't even start filling up the shelves. What are you waiting for?"
The Auction House boss didn't hesitate to prioritize Number One and he shook his head, "We indeed had a few Poisonous Toad Leaves a couple of weeks ago but they were bought by soone else. Even the Winged Soul Academy contacted us about them but we were unable to negotiate with the buyer."
"Tell the na of the buyer. I will get them myself," Number One ordered out loud and all confidentiality was thrown out of the window.
"Naturally, I will write the information on a note," the Boss agreed instantly and snapped at the Departnt Head to pass him the notes. Those actions were enough for the twins to get suspicious of the mysterious man and they focused their attention on Number One.
Too bad, only one of the twins remained cautious while the other let his arrogance get the best of him.
"I don't know who you are but you are too late. The Poisonous Toad Leaves are with us and the buyer is our client. Good luck next ti buddy," the twin comnted with a smirk which caused his brother to hit him in the shoulder. "Auu, what do you want from again?"
"Just shut up," the brother warned as he gazed at Number One to explain the situation but it was too late. Number one was already staring at them through a single hole in his mask.
"I suggest you hand it over to the Sir in front of you," the Boss proposed before the situation got heated. "He is the Legendary Alchemist from the Inner World who just bought our whole inventory. You should—"
Number One raised his hand to stop the further introduction and walked up to handle it on his own. "I need them so na your price or I will take them myself. Alchemists like you will only waste them."
Threats were the best option for the quickest results but sotis the intimidation could backfire. Number One scared them with his presence alone to the point they suddenly turned around and dipped towards the exit without looking back. "Stop him!"
The eight guards that the twins brought with them hesitated at the order but they still blocked Number One's way. Their fists covered in colorful Soul Energy as if readying themselves to fight but Number One didn't even bother with them. His left hand burst with multiple arches of wind that forced them to dodge to the sides and he launched right past them to chase after the twins.
'Why do they always run away when you try to rob them?' Number One wondered with a sigh as he reached the entrance and saw the twins running through the crowds with their Movent Arts activated to the limits. He had no choice but to activate his Soul Vision and chased after them.
The colors of the world beca more vibrant as his gaze sharpened and a green trail appeared in the air. No matter where they went, they couldn't escape after leaving such an obvious path behind them. They even tried to lose him by using side roads but Number One quickly caught up to them.
"We can't give you anything! Our client is going to kill us if he finds out we sold his Soul Herbs," one of the twins cried out as they backed against the wall.
"That offer has already expired. Either you hand over your Storage Rings or you die right away. The choice is yours," Number One pointed out coldly. He didn't really plan to kill them but the Poisonous Toad Leaves were too important to him.
The World was already unfair and the situation with his Master only pressured Number One to act quicker. He had no idea why he was given such a powerful Artifact but it definitely wasn't anything good. He had to open the second door as soon as possible to get strong enough to beat his Master.
"What kind of choice is this? We will die either way," the twins complained and one suddenly withdrew a sealed box of black leaves. "Is this what you want? Back off or I'm going to destroy them! If we are going to die anyway, why would we give you what you want? Fuck you!"
Number One imdiately regretted not killing them right away. His gun would definitely damage the leaves in the process which put him in a stalemate. He was already thinking of his other options when the twins' eyebrows raised. They gazed behind him as if trying to trick him but then he felt a waft of wind blow into his hair.
"Master? What are you doing here?" A familiar female voice reached Number One's ears and his whole body froze on the spot. It was the voice he could never erase from his mind as it was the exact person who helped kill everything he loved.
"Stay back! Don't even try to get too close!" the twin shouted as he ford a fla in his palm. "I will burn this thing if only you take a single ste—"
A thin beam of light shot right next to Number One's head and it pierced right through the twin's head. He couldn't even finish talking before he fell down on the ground with an inch hole burned in his forehead.
"How dare you shout in the presence of my Master?!" the woman yelled back in disgust and shot another beam of light that blinded Number One as well. When he opened his eyes, the second twin's body was half burned with his hands rolling on the ground.
Number One's throat turned dry when saw the woman walk past him to pick up the Storage Rings off the ground and brought back the box to him. She wore the exact sa golden mask as him and her cloak was also similar.
Who else could it be other than his female Senior Disciple, the only other person who ever studied under his Master? The last ti Number One saw her was ten years ago and has already forgot her na. The only thing that stayed in his mind was her cold voice that didn't change even after she grew up.
"Here you go Master," the Senior Disciple called out happily as she presented the Storage Rings to him before questioning again, "Why didn't you inform you are coming to the Outer World? Did you co to check on Number One? I told you that everything is under control."
Number One clenched his fists under his sleeve and finally looked down at the Storage Rings. Even though his heart was beating like crazy, he had to react or his whole world would collapse.
"You are right," Number One spoke in his Master's voice while trying to sound as indifferent as possible. "Keep them. They are for him."
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