Chapter 522 - Legs Turned to Jelly (2/2)

“Coward!” teased Irvan.

“Fine, I’ll go. It’s just one mercenary. Worst case scenario, I’ll just get beaten up by him.”

Skinorse walked back into the tavern. Under the collective gaze of the mercenaries, he strode towards Link. He then drew his dagger out and stabbed it on the table where Link’s feet were raised. “Buddy, you look like a tough guy. I’m here to teach you some manners on my friend’s behalf!”

Seeing how worked up Skinorse was, Link could not help but smile at him.

He had seen them come in and out of the tavern, trying to get a better look at him. Now that one of them had mustered up the courage to come up to him personally, Link felt that he was probably going to burst out laughing at any moment.

He stretched out his hand and flicked a finger at the dagger that was still stuck to the table. The dagger let out a clear twanging sound, which echoed around the tavern.

The expression on Skinorse’s face began to change gradually. He could feel the fine vibrations of power the man’s finger had sent off from the dagger.

Only one man in this world possessed such resonant, indescribably oppressive power.

“Why isn’t he doing anything?” Irvan asked, looking at them from the doorframe.

Moya swallowed and whispered, “I don’t think he can.”

Beads of sweat appeared on Morrigan’s forehead. “Eagle Eye, this is someone you don’t want to pick a fight with. I can’t believe you actually met him here.”

“What do you mean?” Irvan realized that his hand was trembling.

On the other side of the tavern, Link retracted his finger and softly asked, “What brings you to the South?”

“There’s an ancient site here. There’s also the king’s bounty. I thought I’d just drop by and give it a shot.” The truth left Skinorse’s lips all of a sudden. Deep down, he was cursing Irvan. What was he thinking, letting himself be dragged into another one of his messes?

Link thought for a while about this, then smiled. “Your power has grown quite a lot. Eliard’s here as well as a diplomatic envoy. He’s currently investigating the city’s bandit troubles. Why don’t you go help him out?”

He had wanted to be acquainted with Irvan at first, but the sudden appearance of Skinorse made things much simpler.

Eliard still lacked experience, and Link was worried something might happen to him. With experienced adventurers like Skinorse and the others to aid him on his mission, Eliard was sure to pick things up quickly.

“I’m not saying I can’t, it’s just… the bounty…” Skinorse tried not to show the trepidation in his voice. He felt guilty about wanting to rough Link up a few moments ago.

“The bounty’s all in your dagger.”

Link then leaned back into his chair and spoke softly, “Don’t reveal my identity out loud. I’m just here to gather some information from these mercenaries. Go now, Eliard should be at the Magic Academy.”

“Oh, alright, got it, I’m going.” Skinorse pulled out the dagger from the table without giving it a second look and hurriedly walked out of the tavern.

Once outside the place, he let out a long sigh and said to Morrigan, “Come, we’re going to Grinth Magic Academy.”

Morrigan and Moya followed Skinorse without a word. Only Irvan hesitated.

Skinorse called after him. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go, I’ll split the bounty with you. How’s 1000 gold pieces sound to you?”

Irvan jogged after them. His legs were limp like noodles. His voice quaked with uncertainty as he asked, “The man back in the tavern, was it really him?”

“Yes, you should count yourself lucky that you’re still alive,” growled Skinorse.

Irvan wobbled a bit and caught Morrigan’s shoulder just in time. “I really am one unlucky fellow.”

According to what he had heard, the Lord of Ferde possessed power capable of rending the skies and splitting the ground. He had eliminated the army of darkness all by himself. To him, those demons were like flocks of sheep waiting to be slaughtered. Irvan had just raised his fist at the man, and now he feared that he might be placed under some fatal curse for his transgression. Would he just collapse and die on the spot without warning? Would his soul be tortured for eternity?

All kinds of thoughts ran through his mind. He stood there almost in trance, sensing that a curse had already been cast on him.

Skinorse noticed this and patted his back. “Alright now, Irvan, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Let me tell you, the Lord seemed to fancy you. Also, if he really wanted to end you, he wouldn’t resort to such underhanded techniques. You would have been erased from this plane of existence completely. Under instructions from the Lord himself, the king of Southmoon Kingdom would also have slapped a couple of unpardonable offenses on you to justify your execution.”

Hearing this, Irvan cheered up a bit. “Really? The Lord fancied me?”

Mercenaries like him were not worth much in the eyes of any other lord. Irvan swelled up with pride at the thought of impressing someone like Link.

Seeing the foolish grin on his face, Skinorse did not bother with him any longer. Moya added, “The Lord is a tolerant person, he won’t take something so minor to heart. Got it?”

“Got it.” Irvan sighed, then asked, “Where are we going now?”

“To finish the Lord’s mission,” said Skinorse. He looked at the dagger in his hand. It was already an Epic-level weapon, but now there was a red gleam around it.

He knocked the dagger against the Reaper’s Dagger he was already equipped with, on which a large crack appeared.

“This is good stuff. So worth it.”

…

Grinth Magic Academy.

Eliard had only been there for around an hour, and already trouble had found him.

Upon hearing that he had arrived at the Magic Academy, the king of Southmoon Kingdom immediately hurried over to welcome him personally. There were more than 20 people who had come out to receive him, including the king, queen and princess, all of whom who were illustrious figures in the Southmoon Kingdom.

The king had given him a warm welcome. However, Eliard sensed that something was wrong, but he could not put his finger on it.