Edit: Before i forget i decided to give a shoutout to my donors from now on.
so thank you very very much Trent Stone, Michael Pavese for supporting this story!
!!!!! Pr Credits To Draconis & Tembulon who not only both pred it but improved this ch's quality greatly please rep them. Also Full Credits to Askard who maintains the Information Doc where a majority of spectral regalia information is written please Rep him to ^^!!!
evening! well its evening here so its all good :D. so i was going over sr's current story and pacing and i found that there was a bit of dialogue i wanted to spice things up. i also took comnts to heart and decided to give the inhabitants of the world/side chars a bit more ti/depth to make the story more realistic i hope it pays off.
as so of you know there is the l/mysssteeeriousness/ i find artwork makes a difference and i asked the staff to allow to sponsor a contest where the prize is a 150$ Cover commision from an artist of the winners choice or from my artist. if you want to try your hand at writing please give it a go
Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/Enjoy Ch 73. Volu 2 will be ending soon!!
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As the large vessel docked, Avrin had already gone to the lower deck to see Kael prepare his horse. Keeping silent, Avrin also began to prepare his own. “When we leave, stick close and don't wander off” There were many creatures he had read about on the Verge Islands.
The creatures weren't as strong as the ones on the Twisted Lands, but they were better in terms of sneak attacks, and had a bit of intelligence.
It would be safe to assu the Verge Island would be a great place to practice awareness. Kael kept quiet, as he was inwardly disappointed. He didn't know why, as the emotions welled up. Angry at Avrin for lecturing him as such, but angry at himself for being too caring.
The port was not a city, but a fortress outpost with large wooden palisades that were fortified to a heavy degree. Several guards stationed at the top of wooden watchtowers were vigilant and looking around carefully.
Kael and Avrin mounted the horses, wasting no ti in making their way outside of the docking area. “There aren't any civilians here...” Kael spoke as he looked around. All he could see were rchants buying the loot of returning adventurers. He didn't see any won or children living normal lives.
“This would be a terrible place to live. The only people you will see here are rchants, adventurers and the guards. You can consider this a sort of battlefield” Avrin spoke softly as he also looked around to see what sort of goods the adventurers sold.
“I'll buy those 2 batches of fur for 2 gold each” A rchant spoke to an adventurer, who seed a little disappointed at the price as he replied “2 gold Are you crazy?... Those Devil Bears almost tore my 10 man group to pieces… I won't go lower than 5 gold each…”
The rchant laughed grinning “Hmph… The best I can do is 3 gold eac-” Before he had finished, another nearby rchant called out “I'll give you your 5 gold friend! Co here!”
After being cut out by the other rchant, the adventurer gave a satisfied look and began to walk towards that man.
Not satisfied, the rchant, who at first tried to rip the adventurer off, called out “5 gold and 5 silver!” The adventurer was dumbstruck but began to return with a smile, which was when the other rchant clenched his fist “5 gold 6 silver!”
From there, a sort of bidding wore occurred, but no one looked at them, as if this was a common occurrence. “There seems to be a lot of gold to be made here” Avrin whispered to himself as he and Kael passed through.
“Kael, we will wait at the Inn” Nodding to Avrin, they both made their way towards it. The inn’s entrance had 2 guards. Avrin could only assu this was necessary, just in case the adventurers beca violent with each other.
Making their way towards the large wooden door, they were cut off by a group of 4, who went ahead of them while laughing to themselves, as if they didn't care. Kael was pushed aside by one of the skinnier n who didn't seem to even spare glance.
“T...That rude bastard…” Kael mumbled anger in his eyes. Avrin replied “Ignore him...” Kael frowned before taking a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself down. Both Avrin and Kael entered. The inn’s interior was quite large, spanning nearly 50 ters, with many tables and adventurers seated about.
“It's huge…” Kael mumbled. “This is probably the only inn in this place. It has to be this large to accommodate all these people.” In the distance, a large group of rcs where seated on the right side. They were mostly familiar to Avrin, but Kael’s eyes were wandering off, as he admired the adventurers who seed to have seen their fair share of battle.
“Avrin, over here!” A light yet tough voice called out towards them from the group of rcs. Felia was standing up and waving at them with a smile adorning her face. Both Avrin and Kael made their way across, taking a seat at her table that seed to consist of her and a man with scars all over his face.
“I apologize for being late” Avrin spoke. He didn't want to be rude, since it was, in truth, his fault. Felia laughed softly “its fine. At least you made it.” Kael seed nervous as he looked around. He was keeping an eye out for Wyni, who may pounce on him from god knows where.
“Avrin, I'm curious, why did you postpone coming with us?” Felia couldn't help but ask. Avrin glanced through the eye holes of his mask before speaking “I had to attend to sothing.” Felia grinned mischievously.
“Oh? So it doesn't have anything to do with a certain 10,000 gold potion?” Freezing for a second, Avrin looked at her, before he caught the attention of her other fellow rcs who also seed curious.
“Where did you hear that from?” Avrin spoke. He also couldn't help but ask. Felia tapped her fingers on the table eagerly. “I have eyes and ears in a lot of places” Narrowing his eyes slightly, his reply was fierce. “It would be a sha if those eyes and ears were cut off for seeing and hearing sothing personal”
Felia laughed again, while the man next to her kept a straight emotionless face while looking at Avrin. “Fine fine, it's your business. I'm sure it must be sothing incredible.” From there, she began to speak about things Avrin showed no interest in.
Felia, seeing he was slightly bored, decided to take it up a notch. She took out an aged parchnt and placed it on the table. The parchnt had drawings all over it and appeared to be a map.
Avrin eyed it with renewed focus. “Where did you find this map anyway? Surely sothing that rare wasn't acquired easily.” Felia looked at Avrin. Although she was smiling, she showed a ruthless look. “Sotis the best way to get sothing isn't always the one with the most moral” [Sotis the best way to get sothing isn't always the most honorable thod ]
Understanding her aning, Avrin decided he needed to be on guard when it ca to her. Felia began to explain in detail everything they had seen and gone through as they travelled and entered the dungeon until they ca across the draconian humanoids. 10 minutes had passed before they found out that Wyni, along with a group of 15, were sent ahead to keep an eye over there.
“To reaffirm our deal. 1 piece of ore that I desire, whether it's low quality or sothing that would start a war. And I will progress at my own pace.” Felia, after hearing this, couldn't help but feel a drop of sweat run down her cheek. She was cautious of Avrin. Ever since he spoke that he wanted a piece of ore, she wondered why he would even gamble like that.
“I rember. In fact, I guess its better like this, heh. More for us” With the agreent coming to an end, the rest of the ti the rcs spent eating and drinking. “Kael, it's ti for us to go. We will go join up with Wyni and et your group there”
Felia, who was stunned a little, spoke out “Huh?! Don't you want to enjoy yourself here a bit? There's no rush” Avrin stood up and Kael also copied. “My focus is with the boy’s training "Avrin turned to leave before Felia laughed, not denying it. But as Avrin made his way forward, a strong voice called out. “Bastard… Who do you think you are to act so high and mighty?”
The area beca silent. Not only Felia, but her rcs, as well as the nearby tables. The voice ca from the man with scars on his face, who glared at Avrin. He stood up, emitting a fierce aura, one of an expert who has seen countless battles.
Avrin turned and shot a curious glance. Even Kael was a little dumbfounded. “Hmm? I apologize if I have offended you, but this is just how I am” Turning around, he began to walk again. After being spoken to in such a casual way and in a manner as if it where nothing, the man’s face twisted in fury.
He vanished with incredible speed, and appeared 2 ters in front of Avrin. “My na is Clovis; I'm an early stage master. I should be more than enough for this dungeon.” Avrin blinked, sowhat surprised.
He ignored Clovis for a mont and looked at Felia. “This guy is new to your group?” Felia, showing a nervous look, nodded, as she stood up and made her way towards the two, stepping in between.
“I made a deal with Clovis. He is renowned across the Central Continent as an incredible martial artist. 20% is his share.” Avrin raised a curious brow.
“You didn't offer a deal like that when you t .” He spoke, sowhat disappointed. Felia pursed her lips and tried to look innocent, but Clovis was angry, regarding Avrin’s personality.
“Hey you, Avrin… I challenge you to a duel.”
Whispers began to echo silently across the inn. The owner himself was shaking a bit. He didn't want this place to be turned upside down. Avrin eyed Clovis for a mont. “-This guy is pretty strong indeed. It should be nice to show Kael a better fight-”
“Very well. I accept.” With the whispers growing into words that could be heard more clearly, the entire group left the inn and made their way towards a training area. Kael was standing next to Felia, gazing nervously.
He could feel Clovis was stronger than his old master, but was also angry that he spoke to Avrin in such a way. Clovis’s casual clothing was changed to a sort of leather martial arts attire. He began to practice on the spot, as if trying to show off his Prowess (A.N it was to show off he's strength but i took the PR’s Advice as it sounded better)
“Wow, he's fast…” One rc spoke, while another nodded in agreent. “Calm and composed. It’s not easy to do that before entering a fight.” Felia folded her arms under her bust as she spoke to Kael nervously.
“Hey kid… Sorry about this, you're going to have to stay by your master's side at the dical area… This Clovis learned an ancient martial art, which is another reason why I hired him”
Kael looked up at Felia, confused. “Ancient martial art?” Felia nodded. “It's called Fla Fist. Imbuing a fla affinity into one's arm and increasing the strength. He should be able to match a majority of rare grade weapons.”
Avrin looked at Clovis as if he were a clown trying to seek attention. “-How should I handle this buffoon? I don't think it would be fair if I used my ability. Fla Fist, huh? I guess I'll only use martial arts too, and see how I fare-”
A man wearing armor stepped between the two and spoke out “When fighting, if soone gives up or is KO'd, they lose. There is no killing or cheap attacks. Everything else is fine” The man, seemingly a guard, needed to oversee this fight spoke, before he walked over to the side and called out.
“Begin!” After those words escaped his lips, Clovis vanished with great speed, and began to barrage Avrin with several casual strikes towards his body, but Avrin casually dodged and stepped back as he avoided them all with ease.
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“-Hmm... He is holding back, but I can see he is aiming at vital spots… Is he testing my defences to see if he can penetrate them and hit?-” He thought to himself. Avrin was also seemingly testing Clovis.
Felia blinked. “Wow… Already pushing Avrin back? Maybe Clovis was right and he is enough for the dungeon” Kael gazed worryingly after hearing Felia’s words. Clovis snickered as he began to pick up the pace and speed things up, his arms becoming a blur.
“Hmm!?” Avrin beca more aware as dodging beca sowhat harder, but he was holding himself back greatly. Clovis then jumped back and laughed.
“Ha, you're pretty good. I didn't land a hit on you even if I was holding back. You're definitely sothing. Well than… It's ti I show you why I'm a Master level...” Clovis’s body began to emit a red fiery energy, before that energy, being mana, siphoned across his body before engulfing his arms.
The transparency grew weaker and beca more solid as it went towards his hands. His fists were incredibly red and emitted a fla like look. “Fla Fist, First Strike...” Clovis vanished nearly 3 tis faster than before as he appeared in front of Avrin and punched towards his gut.
Avrin blinked in surprise, stepping back as the fist scraped across his leather attire in the section of his stomach, causing it to scorch and burn significantly.
“-That's dangerous...-” Right as Avrin finished stepping, Clovis spoke. “Fla Fist…” He vanished again, moving nearly 4 tis faster. “Second Strike!” His right hand turned into a flaming blur as it hit towards the sa location, this ti managing to strike, but not significantly.
Avrin could feel the burning sensation, as his leather attire was burnt through, leaving a scorch on his stomach. He winced a bit, but was enjoying it. “-Ha… Good good!-” He thought to himself.
Clovis seed to also enjoy himself, as he vanished again, turning into a blur as he jumped up and punched downwards like a shooting star towards Avrin. “Fla Fist Third Strike!” Avrin was a little shocked at how fast he was. Nearly 6 tis faster. The fist smashed into Avrin as he raised his hands, barely in ti to guard, as he couldn't avoid it while holding himself back.
The earth trembled as dust and rocks scattered everywhere, a crater forming under the strength. Clovis released a powerful surge of hot air rushing all over, causing everyone to tremble and step back.
“Master!!” Kael called out. As he was about to rush in, Felia grabbed him and pulled him back. Clovis jumped back, a little exhausted, as he laughed and smirked. “Ha...ha…” He panted softly and spoke. “Damn… Maybe I overdid it… Is he ok?” He whispered to himself.
As the dust settled, the guard nearby was about to end the match, before a silhouette appeared from the crater, dusting himself off. Avrin’s mouth had red blood dripping from the mouth area of the white mask, as the mask itself was a little cracked.
His leather attire was burnt significantly, with his cloak turned ragged and nearly torn off. His stomach had a large wound on it as it bled. Avrin looked at Clovis seemingly impressed, and not fazed much by the wounds. “That was good; it hurt a lot...…. What else do you have?”
Clovis widened his eyes, shocked to see Avrin was still able to move. “You're...impressive… I take back what I said…. You can indeed take a few hits… Not many can handle the third strike and move… But...”
He spoke that last word as if he had a trump card. Clovis began to take a steady stance, moving his hands around slowly as an intense mana began to burn around him. “The most powerful move I have and also the fourth strike. Inferno Fist…” Clovis’s body began to burn slightly, as his clothes tore a bit.
“Avrin… I may kill you with this move…. Do you want to surrender?” He spoke, as the mana began to burn up. Avrin looked at him with a joyful smile. “If I die, then I die… Co at with everything you’ve got.”
Avrin extended his arms in welco, his face showing excitent. He wanted to test how far his body could go from an early stage Master while holding himself back.
“S...Shit, that mana…. It's so intense…” Felia bit her lip a bit. “Kael...don't look...” She spoke, trying to save the boy from seeing his master die. People began to step back, as the air beca dry and hot, as if they were in a scorching desert.
Clovis’s fist began to burn like a blinding light, as he vanished with incredible speed, 10 tis faster than before, using all his strength and pushing his body to his limit, even as pain tore against his muscles.
“Inferno Fist!” A large typhoon punched towards Avrin as Clovis appeared in front of him, smashing it against his body. The earth trembled and split, as if a mountain was trying to push its way through.
The force of the attack blew an intense wind towards the direction Avrin was standing, but by now, he had already disappeared in the light and effect of the attack. With people screaming and trying to flee, it began to settle monts later.
As it disappeared, a large scorch mark spanning a hundred ters appeared. Clovis was sure to aim it in a way that no one would be hit, so it fired off in a direction that led to the sea, where it wasn't populated.
Clovis fell to his knees as sweat adorned his face. He began to pant, clearly exhausted. ‘Ha… I did better than the last ti I used this… Master would be proud. I take it back Avrin, you were brave to take that attack with your body...but also dumb. You let yourself die without even fighting back”
“M...Master…” Kael’s eyes widened as he tried to free himself from Felia, his body shaking and quivering. Felia felt bad, but did her best to hold him. “-Damnit… Why did he die so easily…-” Felia was also annoyed, not sure what to do with Kael or why Avrin died in such a way.
From the wide line of the scorch mark, a figure stood up from the ground covered in dirt. As he stood, his left arm was twisted in a broken state, and his stomach was scorched greatly, to the point where it opened up and then beca cauterized by the fla.
The mask on Avrin’s face was black from the heat, changing the tal, but also cracked and broken, but holding on, showing how well it was crafted. “Damn, that fucking hurt….” He whispered to himself.
Looking carefully, he found blue blood running down his lips as he coughed out so more of it. “Ah, I see, so it was enough to do that, huh…” By then, as Avrin talked to himself, Clovis had already gazed and was frozen; stunned that Avrin was still alive.
“I...Incredible… This guy’s fierce...” He mumbled, before standing up, taking another fighting stance. “Master!” Kael called out with a wide smile on his face. Felia was also stunned at how Avrin had survived such a dangerous attack.
“Incredible…” She spoke with shock. Even the other onlookers were sowhat stunned. But regardless, they knew that this match was still in Clovis’s side. “I have to admit, you are indeed strong.”
Clovis smirked and stood up. “I'm going to risk it all… You are an opponent I can try it all against… Live or die...Masters try their best to always be on edge. Prepare yourself, Avrin.” Clovis began to condense and emit the sa mana as before; using everything he had, as he was going to use the sa attack.
Avrin smiled as he began to walk towards him. “I won't just stand there and take it this ti. That hurt quite a bit…” Clovis nodded, before he had gathered up the sa mana. “That's fine… Prepare yourself!!!”
“Avrin, give up!!” Felia called out, knowing the outco wasn't good. Even Kael agreed. “Master, please don't go this far! You can't win!!” Avrin frowned, as he was being looked down on.
“Whelps... You take for a fool? If I knew I would die this ti, I would move…” He mumbled to himself.
Avrin took his own stance as he moved his right arm back, opening his hand and extending his fingers as dark matter began to gather and his muscles strengthen. His face showed a mad look, with a desire to test himself.
Clovis roared out “Inferno Fist!!!” The sa scene occurred. The powerful surge of heat and energy punched towards Avrin with no rcy. But as it neared him, Avrin’s face showed a smirk.
“Claw of the Dragon…” Using more energy and not holding back as much, as he calculated Clovis strength. Although the attack’s effectiveness was useful with the Dragon Sweep, with Avrin’s strength, this was voided, as it was still useable.
As Avrin thrust his opened palm forward, the wind screeched as it tore greatly. His fingers also slashed downwards at the right mont, as if they where blades. The energy he added causing the wind to split apart as well as the earth split in the directions his fingers had slashed downward in.
The Inferno Fist’s energy trembled and was suppressed, and it was then torn apart by the force of Avrin’s attack.
With the force of the attack slashing past with no rcy, Clovis, who was exhausted, was barely able to block in ti, but was still blown away. In the direction the fingers cut down, the earth split apart for several hundred ters.
Avrin’s intention was to disperse the attack, so his attack was focused around the Inferno Fist’s energy. As it settled, Clovis had his body bloodied greatly, as he weakly stood up. Avrin’s body was already recovering extrely quickly, and the visible wounds were healing well, leaving only the dirt and stains of blood to adorn him.
Avrin looked at Clovis, who was wounded and bleeding, barely moving. He didn't intend to kill him, but at the sa ti, didn't want to show off an imnse amount of power that would draw unwanted attention to him.
Clovis chuckled as his left eye was shut and he held a major cut wound across his chest. “I...Incredible… To disperse my attack so easily….even after taking so much damage… What a monster”
Clovis mumbled to himself before yelling out. “I forfeit…. I can't fight him.” Avrin was already dusting himself off, extending his left arm, as it was being repaired and reshaped by the dark matter in his body. He already knew the outco.
The nearby onlookers were not just the rcenaries, but other adventurers and guards, even so rchants. They all erupted in cheers of the excitent that occurred. It was rare to find such a good fight without paying to watch a tournant, or even going out on the battlefield.
“That's...incredible… I never knew he was so strong...” Felia, who was trembling, spoke. Kael frowned as he clenched his fists. “I don't get it. Why was master still holding back in the end…?” He knew Avrin’s magic like ability and couldn't understand it as he ran towards him.
Felia, having heard Avrin was holding back even in the end, didn't know whether to laugh or cry (A.N sorry guys i love this line :3 ) “To think he was that strong…and still holding back. I will have to be sure not to piss him off” She smiled, happy that she had 2 people on a Master level assisting her. This dungeon would be easy.
Kael approached Avrin, who was walking towards him. “Master, why were you holding back?..” Kael spoke. Avrin looked at him. “Hmm? Well it wouldn't be fun if I beat him so easily. Here is a lesson. and Clovis both knew martial arts, I also have other abilities. I wanted to see how my martial arts fared against his.”
Kael rubbed his head, confused, as he walked beside Avrin. “Master, I don't get it… That's confusing..” Avrin laughed quietly. “It is hard to explain, but consider it a matter of pride. When you are older and experience the sa situation, you will understand”
Avrin walked towards Felia, and she only gazed silently, still trembling a bit. “I guess spending the day here will be necessary. I would like to wash up..” He sighed quietly, as he also needed to fix his attire.
Felia only silently nodded, and then looked at Clovis, who was being helped by people and tended to. “Avrin….” She whispered his na as her cheeks turned a soft cherry red while a sly grin appeared on her face.
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