The Villain's Story

“You’re late.”

Maxwell served Alan a cup of tea and sat opposite him.

“Thanks.”

“How did your training go?”

Asked Maxwell. Looking at Alan’s ‘beggar-like appearance’, he could guess that his training was extremely intense.

The scars on his face and his Subconscious release of mana were proof. 𝘳.𝑐𝘰

Thankfully, Maxwell carried a lot of artifacts on him at all times, so he was able to resist the mana surge Alan was exuding with ease.

“Great, I’ve advanced to rank B.”

The others who were listening in the lobby almost fell to the ground in shock.

“Nice.”

Maxwell, on the other hand, was not so surprised.

To be honest, he was expecting Alan to advance to A rank, or B+ at least. He was sure Alan could do it. He didn’t know why Alan was hesitating to Advance to B+ or A… .

He didn’t know it was because Arken had warned him not to.

‘Aura will advance together with your ranks. Even with your monstrous speed, advancing to S rank won’t be easy. Don’t advance further than this until you achieve aura. Hold the advancement back for as long as you can.’

If Alan wanted to, He could have returned as the youngest A-rank…But he wanted to achieve Aura first.

“I was expecting higher, you know.”

Maxwell jokes.

They were currently sitting in the Lobby of Richard’s estate in the Capitol. Twilight didn’t have a base in the Capitol, Unlike Titan and Behemoth. They had tried to make one multiple times but Titan and Behemoth always got in their way. Furthermore, the World government didn’t want another powerful guild to set up a branch here and further lessen its Authority. The ones at the top of the World government had learned their lesson from Titan and Behemoth Already.

Among the top 10 guilds, only Titan and Behemoth had their Headquarters in the Capitol. The other guilds had their Headquarters in other major cities, For example, Twilight had its headquarters in Askolt City, along with Phoenix guild, the rank number 6.

“I know,”

Alan responded half-heartedly.

“Well, the glasses look nice. Are they an item?”

At Maxwell’s mention of glasses, Alan suddenly remembered.

He focused his mana in the glasses and peered at Maxwell.

“Stay still.”

He said, and the glasses worked their magic.

Although Maxwell was confused, he didn’t question it and just did as Alan said.

Ethereal strings emerged from Maxwell and attached themselves to a gun and calculator.

[Hidden Talent of the Individual are Marksmanship(Amazing) and Mathematician(Genius!)]

“Your hidden talents are marksmanship and Mathematician?”

Said Alan.

“Oh, So those glasses can check hidden talents…Nice.”

Alan was perplexed by Maxwell’s lack of surprise.

“You’re not excited?”

“Not really.”

…

…

…

Alan truly would never understand this man.

“Where are the rest?”

Asked Alan. He didn’t see the members of Predator. Forget that even Richard and the elders were nowhere to be seen.

“Alice has gone with Richard and the elders to the World government for a meeting. Emma is over at the Medical bay…as For Kazikato and Edward…”

Maxwell pointed to a corner of the lobby, towards 2 individuals white as ghosts.

“..?”

These two were of course Kazikato and Edward, who had returned from Ariel’s training before Alan.

“It’s been three days, and they’ve been like that. A black portal threw them here.”

“Oh…”

Alan knew what had happened when he heard ‘black Portal’. He pitied the poor souls. Ariel had gotten their hands on them.

Who knows what hell the Primordial Dragon of Death Ariel had subjected them to… he silently prayed for their Well being.

“What about my Grandparents?”

Alan inquired about his Grandparents. He worried for them when he was training. Maybe they were worried for him.

“They’ve been doing well. They started gardening and other things. Your grandfather refused to accept the money I was going to give him…He said he’ll figure it out on his own. Restoration processes in Aror are slow but we should be glad they’re doing something.”

Alan felt relieved that the old man was still the same. Thankfully, it seemed his Grandparents were doing well.

“Oh yeah!”

Suddenly, Maxwell stood up and signaled to some other members to bring something.

“There’s a gift for you.”

“What?”

Alan remembered the note Maxwell had written. There was something in it about a gift.

‘I wonder what it is…’

He was curious.

Two men brought over a spatial ring and a large table. Maxwell equipped the Spatial ring and manifested ‘Alan’s gift.’

“..?”

It was armor and a cape?

“Just check them.”

Alan activated Dragon’s eyes and checked the armor first. Thanks to the Spectral Talentscope, the recoil of dragon eyes was reduced. He could probably keep the skill active for twice as long without suffering any major setbacks.

[Item Name; Demonic Embrace.]

Rank: SS

Description: The Demonic Embrace is a legendary artifact forged from the horns of an SS-ranked demon marquis, a creature of otherworldly power and malevolent influence. Crafted by a master artificer of Twilight who dared to tame the essence of darkness along with his comrades, this armor stands as a testament to both craftsmanship and defiance against the forces of evil. The Demonic Embrace boasts a mesmerizing fusion of ethereal darkness and infernal strength. Its obsidian-black surface is adorned with swirling patterns that seem to writhe like shadowy serpents, reflecting the chaotic nature of the demon marquis. The armor is masterfully sculpted to channel the very essence of its origin, with the curving horns forming imposing pauldrons and intricate, horn-shaped motifs accentuating its chest plate and greaves.

ABILITIES:

Infernal Resilience: The Demonic Embrace grants the wearer unparalleled protection against both physical and magical assaults. The horns of the demon marquis, infused with dark energy, bestow an extraordinary resistance to curses, poisons, and dark magics as well as Chaos.

Chaotic Vigor: In moments of dire need, the armor can tap into the latent malevolent energies within its construction. This enables the wearer to surge with increased strength and agility, as well as gives the wearer the ability to fire Chaos Blasts.

The nobility of the Demons: The armor provides increased resistance to attacks of demons below and at the Marquis level. It also makes you immune to the corruption of a demon below the level of a Marquis and grants great resistance against marquis-level demons. However, the Armor cannot do much in front of higher-ranked demons.]

“…That’s amazing.”

Alan praised. Truly the Armor was great! However, Maxwell shut down his excitement.

“It’s lacking compared to other SS-ranked artifacts, Because of its nature, not only was it hard to deal with but also came with abilities that had some side effects that we removed. They made it worthy of the SS rank title…but we couldn’t risk it.

“I still like it!”

Although it was lacking, Alan still loved it. He hadn’t had a good set of armor to fight in his human form. And it was also understandable, it was armor made from demons…it was bound to have some negative side effects. Thankfully, the artisans here at Twilight removed them. Alan would have asked them to do so if they hadn’t.

He just couldn’t risk it.

Alan donned the armor and marveled at his appearance.

“Are you okay? Is your memory faulty or something? You forgot about thos.”

Maxwell cut his happiness short. Alan had forgotten about the cape in his excitement.

Alan checked it out as well and had his jaw drop…The two made a great set.

[Name: Blood Shadow mantle.]

Rank: S(Potential rank SS)

Description: The Blood Shadow mantle is a striking and ominous garment woven from the blood of a vanquished demon, an entity of unparalleled malevolence and demonic power. Crafted by brave artisans of Twilight who dared to tame the very essence of darkness, this cape stands as both a symbol of conquest and a conduit to the abyssal energies it contains. It was made with a limited amount of blood from the hands of a Demonic marquis, so it yearns to be completed. It thirsts for blood. The cape’s surface shimmers with a dark iridescence, reminiscent of oil upon water, as if a piece of the night sky had been stitched together with threads of shadow. Closer inspection reveals the intricate weaving of enchanted blood fibers, exuding an ethereal crimson glow that pulses in rhythm. The hem of the cape drips with a phantom-like mist, hinting at the supernatural power contained within

ABILITIES:

Siphoned Resilience: The cape is infused with the regenerative properties of the demon marquis’s blood. When worn, it gradually replenishes the wearer’s vitality and mana, allowing them to recover from injuries or exertions more swiftly. It absorbs the blood of adversaries in order to heal the wearer.

Chaotic Veil: When donned, the wearer can input mana into the cape to make themselves meld into the shadows and chaos of the world. The user enters into a state of invisibility, detectable only by those above the rank of the Armour…and even then Barely. Inputting more mana will make you stealthier.]

“Damn…”

[The Supreme Dragon of Chaos Suleras says that the items are decent.]

[Supreme Dragon of Frost Lanesha praises your appearance and says you look magnificent.]

The supreme dragons seemed to have similar thoughts about the items as Alan.

“Strange…did it get hotter?”

Maxwell complained about the heat and went to check whether the Air condition was working or not. Alan on the other hand was still marveling at the items…Until.

He suddenly felt someone was looking at him.

[The Supreme Dragon of Chaos Suleras says you are slow in noticing.]

“…”

The gaze came from the Drakmor castle…and Alan could feel Elijah getting closer.

‘He’ll take care of it. I should help the guild out in the meanwhile.’

Alan concluded that Elijah would probably do something about it. He had a more powerful backing in the human world as well. And Agri would step in if something went wrong.

Therefore, he decided to help his Guild members first.

“Anyone who wants to see their hidden talents! LINE UP!”

𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮