Chapter 56：New Legacy Rune (1/2)

”What kind of artifacts are we talking about?” Joe asked with caution, and when Arthur told him they were low-ranking ones, he sighed in relief. ”Then why me? I know you can find others in Kera city.” That was Joe's second question, and it made sense.

”I'll be spending a lot of time here with Kira as I can't take it into the city as a mount yet. Furthermore, I'll be hunting in these areas. I also wish to stay anonymous, away from the hustle and bustle.”

”Is that so?” Joe nodded in understanding, as a lot of mercenary staying here wished for the same. ”So are you going to be staying at my tavern?”

”On most days at least. I still have a lot of business to take care of in the city. I'll also count on you for any mana cores or monsters' part to be sold.”

”Sounds good to me, let's make some money. What's your name, by the way?” Joe nodded and reached out his hand, and Arthur shook it.

”Call me Aldo.”

It was a distrustful thing to use a fake name, but Arthur felt like it was necessary if things came to worst. Since Joe owned a tavern that dealt in mana cores and monsters' part, he was licensed to buy and sell these items without going through any legal matters. Most mercenaries disliked such things, so the government made it easier for them. Although this would allow for unsupervised hunting, they encouraged this due to some areas where monsters that escaped the dungeons couldn't be reached in time, like mountain range Rovero.

Joe was also fine with Arthur using a pseudonym, making this a lot more comfortable to Arthur. The two discussed the ratio, the delivery, payments, and other finer details until it was the afternoon and Joe treated Arthur for a meal.

Arthur couldn't stay in the mountain range for long, so he planned to head back toward the city after asking Joe to take care of Kira. Sensing no danger and being offered food, the wolf stayed next to the pub obediently. Even more, it was reassured by Joe's mount existence as it started following it. Arthur and Joe laughed at the two wolves forming a little pack of their own, and Arthur went home.

His body was still injured, but finding Kira took priority for him. Even if it was a lot weaker now, Arthur wouldn't forget the bond they shared in the trial. If he couldn't find the giant Kira, he needed to take care of this one until it matures.

After he was back home, he sat on top of his bed as he opened his legacy.

[Scholar Guardian's Legacy]

[Level: 15 (16%)]

[Strength: 67]

[Agility: 64]

[Stamina: 58]

[Perception: 50]

[Mana: 65/65]

[Abilities: Beginner Runes Wordsmith (20%), Useable Runes: 10]

[Skills: Lesser-Mana Breathing Skill (F), Poison Strike (F), Camouflage (F), Earth Manipulation (E), Bladeless Wind Slash (E), Shadow Swap (E)]

[Insignia: The Breaker.]

These were the stats he absorbed while hunting with Hazel, Miko, and the bastard Jin. He also remembered that when he absorbed the Dark Queen, the legacy told him that he absorbed Dark Essence but he had no idea what that was. His legacy didn't show it, so it is probably something he can't use yet.

”That's it?” Self-ridicule was the most intense feeling Arthur had as he felt this was not enough. Did he end the trial just for these gains?

'Shut up. Don't be conceited.'

The trial gave him the chance to grow so much stronger in a short amount of time. Even if Arthur's life was at stake, he still acknowledges that no real strength came from playing it safe all the time.