Chapter 527 - The Chosen (1/2)
CHAPTER 527
THE CHOSEN
A massive platform, decorated with over a hundred buildings constructed of emerald jade, stretched across the brilliantly lush skyline of Evers World. Though hastily constructed in terms of time, it exuded dignified brilliance that couldn't be matched even by the Palaces of the Emperors across the cosmos.
The tiled floor of the platform glistened in the precious silver, indomitable underneath the feet of thousands that trampled it at the moment. People moved furiously from one building to the next, with the solemn atmosphere slowly heating up as the minutes passed.
”Wow~~the Lynthorn's Gloves?! I can't believe even he decided to craft something!”
”Alphael's Spear! What?! How did it end up here?!”
”Ivorel's Combustion Magic? A complete set? What the hell?!”
Shouts similar to these echoed out ever so often as the thousands raced to find the best-suited items for themselves amidst the heavenly shops they couldn't even dream of finding prior to today. It wasn't necessarily free, but considering the value of the items on display, it may as well be.
Very few among the masses remained impassioned by the sudden development, among them Alan who sat on one of the terraces, drinking ordinary tea and observing the chaos unfolding beneath with a solemn eye. In total, only seven people currently weren't running around like headless chickens, trying to acc.u.mulate as many items as possible.
Alan sighed, his memory flashing back to that face of fire. It lasted only for a few seconds, yet it left too large of a mark on him. Though everyone here had conquered their worlds and rose up above their peers, there were obviously still differences among them. When Agent Elanor said that she would deal with the man, the vast majority lowered their guard. Alan didn't.
”—a human? Ho ho, looks like your species isn't entirely dumb,” a rather coarse voice entered Alan's ears as he glanced sideways; there, an ash-skinned man clad in thick, crimson scales, an elongated forehead that burst out into a curved horn, sat with crossed arms. Alan quickly realized that the man belonged to a very unique species – Vampiric Dragonkin. He'd only encountered one before and nearly died because of it. ”Ah, why the frown?” the man chuckled strangely, his cat-like yellow eyes shimmering. ”Don't take it to heart.”
”You insulted my species,” Alan scoffed. ”How can I not take it to heart?”
”Look,” the man pointed at the store opposite of them. ”They're my companions. They're also morons of the highest degree. It's shameful that I have to share my blood with them. Aren't all of us here like that?” Alan quickly realized that the remaining five members were also of different species, though the rest kept to themselves. ”You're thinking about retreating?”
”… shallowly.” Alan replied vaguely, sighing as he took a sip of the tea. It was similar to the menthol tea he used to enjoy a long, long, long time ago, but slightly sweeter. ”You?”
”… haah, still weighing the benefits,” the man replied. ”The chances of me dying if I join the expedition… are very high. On the other hand, benefits shouldn't be that great, considering there are tens of thousands of us.”
”I don't doubt the Creator would individually reward the best performers.”
”Perhaps,” the man shrugged. ”But what of it if we're dead?”
”… how strong do you think that man is?” Alan asked, frowning slightly.
”Though Lady Elanor claimed she'd keep him in check,” the man said. ”I don't think she can do it.”
”… he's stronger than her?”
”Not necessarily stronger,” the man's eyes shimmered strangely for a moment. ”There's a story between the two of them, and while the Lady's heart still seems warped, his appeared indistinctly cold. Chances are that he'd completely ignore her and simply focus us.”
”… that's what I was thinking as well,” Alan nodded. ”You still haven't answered my question, though.”
”… hmm, it is rather difficult to gauge from a few seconds of pressure,” the man said, stroking his chin. Despite their differences, Vampiric Dragonkin were still a humanoid species, meaning they shared a lot of habits with humans. ”In addition, it was my first time experiencing that kind of pressure. Distinctly similar to that of our beloved Agents… but vastly more violent, untamed, and, quite frankly, powerful.”