35 Unconventional Means (1/2)

”Let me have a look.” Sebastian took the bunch of papers from Leo as he quickly glanced over them. With his augmented senses, he was able to skim through the entire pile in mere moments. He closed his eyes as he processed the information quietly. Opening his eyes he then looked at the expectant Leo and Jin.

While reaching out for the side dishes, Sebastian continued. ”He's trying to rebuild weapons he remembers from Earth. He wants to make money from it I think. That's what weapon dealers do - they make a need for advanced weaponry in the market. He's having trouble with the magick side of things, from what I understand in his notes. Is that what you wanted to learn?”

Leo rested his chin on his hand as he started to contemplate while gazing into the distance, seemingly unaware of the noisy pub around him. ”I also think that he's trying to make more weapons or try to ma.s.s produce them. We didn't know what weapon dealers did in Earth so we thought it was best to ask you. Once again, I think you agree that Forgotten Ones can be dangerous depending on which side of the law they stand.”

Sebastian let out a long sigh as he placed his third empty pint on the table. ”So what do you want from me? Should I kill him for revenge? Will you give me a quest like that?”

Jin saw the situation turning cold and interjected. ”I'll order more ale. We still have side dishes. What do you want Leo?”

”Ah thanks, Jin. I'll just have mead if you're buying.” Leo quickly turned back to Sebastian. ”Do you know about the adventurer tag and its binding status right?”

Sebastian took out his tag as he circulated his mana through it, bringing the familiar screen into view which was only visible to himself. Curious as to why Leo suddenly wanted to talk about it, he looked at Leo while waiting for him to continue.

”That was actually technology brought back by an Otherworldly adventurer, among other bits of knowledge they brought back.”

Sebastian raised his hand to signal Leo to stop. ”When you say Otherworldly adventurer, this was when your ancestors started exploring other worlds deliberately right? Not a Forgotten One like me?”

”That is correct. They brought back knowledge that inadvertently shaped our world. Rivie would have told you about this period. Did she tell you in detail?”

”Only about the cataclysmic accident between Kalonia and Earth when they tried to open a gate of sorts.”

”That's true, however, there was more before that.” Leo sipped his mead as he continued. ”With the knowledge they brought back, Kalonia flourished in leaps and bounds n.o.body ever expected. We had impressive means of transport that could traverse long distances in mere moments, people were able to cultivate their bodies to peaks which n.o.body even knew, and everyone lived in comfort due to this new information.”

Sebastian looked at Jin who was busy with the side dishes and drinking his ale across him. Jin returned his gaze as if to reaffirm that Leo was telling the truth. ”I've only read about it in books and heard it from teachers. Though we have had relics turn up now and then.”

Satisfied with his answer, Sebastian turned once more to Leo. ”If that's the case, then why are we struggling with magick like these, and why can't we keep mutated beasts in check? It sounds like everyone had a grand time back then.”

Leo nodded as if expecting the answer. ”That was what the problem was. Everyone became too complacent because of their newfound comforts that they forgot what Kalonia was. n.o.body checked on the mutated beasts population and their growth. When hordes of mutated beasts attacked the population, everybody was too distracted. Some people focused on technology, others on physical abilities or new magick techniques, and others simply on new types of food. n.o.body could defend properly and we estimate that 2/3 of the entire population was wiped out in a span of days. In that situation, otherworldly information resulted in a mixture of good and bad, as it made Kalonians too lax in their defence. However, the surviving knowledge pa.s.sed down through the generations has continued to shape our world. ”

Sebastian also nodded as he processed the information once more and imagined the scenario in his mind. Seeing him quiet, Leo continued with his speech.

”That brings us back to the rogue Forgotten One. People who come from other worlds literally have a world of new information that could affect Kalonia. Nate is a dangerous force, so much that leaving him unchecked will result in destruction we can't fathom. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning so we need you to find him.”

”And when I do find him? Report back to you like what we were supposed to do with Erimead Village?” Sebastian looked at Leo with tensed muscles.

”If possible. Although I won't get in the way with your actions, letting us know how to deal with him in the future will help us a lot.” Leo placed the pile of papers in front of Sebastian before he continued. ”I'll leave his journal and notes with you. I've already made copies for us to keep. Please have a closer read, preferably without alcohol involved, and let us know about your plan. I'll leave the members of this quest to you.”

Sensing that the short impromptu meeting was finis.h.i.+ng, Sebastian placed the papers in his winter coat pocket and prepared to leave.

”Ah, one more thing.” Leo raised his hand to stop Sebastian from leaving quickly. ”Visit me in the adventurer's guild so we can update your tag with the last mission you did. It was a success and you still have your reward with me.”

Sebastian's brows furrowed as he tried to remember the details of the last mission he did. ”Wasn't it a failure? We were supposed to simply check on Erimead Village and report back to you what happened.”

It was Jin's turn to interrupt the conversation as he scratched his head. ”In a way, we actually did that. We found out what happened with Erimead Village and even brought back the survivors. Mel, Aima, and I have already updated out tags. We didn't want to rush you so we waited for an opportunity to come by to let you know.”

Sebastian smiled as he wore his simple winter coat and stood up to leave. After receiving the complimentary [Detoxify] from the pub's in-house healer, he made his way back to Mel's house with only his snow-crunching footsteps to accompany him.

***

TANG! BAM!

Sebastian took a step back and a.s.sessed the situation. Jin was still holding his wooden buckler as he held a wooden spear on his other hand. Reeling from Sebastian's blows, he took a step back before he charged forward!

'I knew you would charge. [s.h.i.+eld Bash] is it? [Augment] max physical reinforcements.' Sebastian's new found skill set resulted in his muscles bulging to almost twice the size that Mel, who arbitrated the practise match, audibly hearing the muscles expand.

BLAM!