"Hey, did you know? there's a King creature in the deepest part of Fortis Forest!"
This is a common rumor in pubs at Zaral and the bestselling points of this newly developed city. Despite being a new city, pubs in Zaral are always booming in business. Every day, groups of people come and go because this city is also has a newly discovered hunting site and every new source of opportunity always comes with an aspiring individual.
"Hey, hey, Do you wanna know more information about the King living in the Fortis Forest? since you're new here, I'll give you a discount for just 5 silver, I'll spill it all out" says the man in front of him that has the same dark-brown complexion that he noticed that all denizens of Zaral have, while a woman can have a bit lighter complexion like Lakshman have.
Lakshman is baffled, a 5 silver can afford him 1 week of accommodation in public pubs with food here. For a story that is known to all the residents and possibly to all other travelers, charging him this much can only lead to one thing - this person is trying to deceive him. Although this is a normal trend in any place, he still can't let this information be unheard so he decided to play along with him.
"How can I know that you're telling the truth, you might be one of the many people that just wanna earn an easy silver"
"I've been living in this city before it was discovered it was developed, I've heard all the rumors that spread around here but unlike any other informant, I work my way to provide solid information, from the roots up to the branches of made-up stories. This is my way to make ends to feed my family, so I'm asking you the right price for the right service"
Having been a solo adventurer for a long time, Lakshman could tell that the person in front of him is telling the truth, even to make a code of service, and telling it without blinking cannot be done easily. Now he want it all. He pulls him to the corner to inform himself to the fullest for the silver that he's willing to pay, but for safety he asked.
"Why did you specifically approach me and say it loud voice makes it sound like you're a fraud?"
"Because it won't leave a good taste in my mouth if a lone half-elf like you would be one-day be found as cut-off parts by other adventurers, the reason I said it in a loud voice is, I also want others to make the deal. If they're willing to risk." the informant grinned.
Confirmed the authenticity of his confidence, Lakshman stealthily handed the 5 silver to the informant and said "You said you'll spill it all, right?"
....
After hearing all the information he needed, Lakshman just nodded to the informant and quietly leaves the pub. Most people that heard the deal just clicked their tongues, pitying him. But two other people noticed what's going on.
Vin is one of the people that noticed Lakshman, "5 silver for a piece of information huh, I guess informant isn't that bad" Vin knows the informant that asked for a high price, his name is Jenkins, Vin just know his name and this is the first time he saw him do work.
"You better answer all my questions or I'll tell auntie all the time the hardship I've gone through for all the fake promises you made" Shon half-drunkenly said
Vin then turned his attention to Shon, he still couldn't believe that this person in front of him is the same person 2 weeks ago that cannot go out of the house for 10 mins and too scared to greet the costumers. "Of course, what do you wanna know?" Vin couldn't hide his amusement and smiled.
"Finally, Mwuhahahaha! Okay! First, I've been dying to ask this ever since I got here! how can you summon that Ranger Slaad?"
"You mean my Gilmer? before that, I'll have to teach you the basics of Vuan. Every creature in this world has Vuan but not all of them know or can use them. To use Vuan, first, you have to know how does it work. Vuan is produced by 3 factors: capacity, physique, and characteristics. There are some unique circumstances that affect the total outcome of Vuan, but those are rare cases that even I, myself don't know so I won't tell them for now.
A creature must have the capacity to carry Vuan, then the physique should be strong enough to process it, after processing the Vuan it would be then branded by the creature's unique characteristic. I cannot tell you here about my unique characteristics, maybe if we arrive at the house. But it's about taming creatures, In some other time, I'll teach you how to use it.
"Coooool! Vuan huh, kinda sounds lame but let's go with it! Hahahaha" Shon cannot hold the excitement and ask continued asking"Okay next, who's the strongest Vuan user in the city?"
"The strongest one I know is Alrik, he's the commanding officer of the newly built Zaral's elite squad. If I remember correctly Alrik alone handled 7 adults *N.V.U* Forest Mauls at the raid last month ago and managed to capture 2 with moderate injuries. His unique characteristic is body strengthening, although it sounds kinda dull, his accomplishments and title should not be reckoned."
"Body strengthening huh, I wonder to what extent he could do" Shon tried to imagine what makes this ability so powerful to be called the strongest in the city. Lost in thought, he suddenly remembered the loud person earlier. "How can a person be a king in this world?"
Shocked by the unexpected question, Vin let out a smug " Hahahaha! to a person that just heard the basic principle of Vuan sure asks very interesting questions, oh! I'll guess your next question! Vin, Who's the strongest person living? "Vin cannot hold it anymore and laugh like he can't breathe.
Shon was annoyed "What are you laughing, you said you'll answer my questions!"
Vin finally stopped laughing and with a carefree voice he said "I don't know, only a King knows how to be a King, All I know is you'll have to kill a lot to be a King"