'' So this is what silver coins looked like? '' Jerouch asked, almost in form of a whisper as he allowed his emotions to swiftly take over.
'' Eh? '' Azel rolled his eyes.
Since when did his ears start working abnormally?
He turned his head backwards, and others' reactions confirmed that he indeed hear Jerouch's question correctly.
They couldn't blame Jerouch though. He had lived a life of authority and command where money was nothing but a tool to him.
However, without giving him a warning of any kind, he stumbled upon a world with different rules and concepts.
He sharply fell from heaven to the abyss.
He was practically useless in this world. Not only was the world harsh to him, but his family was also even worst.
He couldn't even imagine how he had survived this long. The only family member who he thought was going to protect him turned out to be an expert in torturing him.
His parents were even heartless enough to sell him out to a slave house.
He might be acting strong, and even pretending as though it was nothing, but deep down he knew it hurt.
He had never seen a silver coin before. He only used bronze coins when he was very young, at that time, his parents still thought highly of him, but that was it.
Since then, he had no access to money, not even the bronze coins which had the lowest value.
Shrugging his shoulders, he shook off those sad memories.
They were all in the past, and he wouldn't allow his past to affect his present.
He had seen how swift if was to have one's life snuff out in this bizzare world. Moreover, he needed to remain focus and plan for the future.
'' Ah, don't bother. '' He smiled and turned, facing the many corpses that lay on the ground.
He watched as flies started gathering on the corpses, including Ralph's, which made him shake his head.
' This world is all about strength. An hour ago, they were still oppressing their prey thinking that the goods were at their fingertips. Now, however, they're all lying on the ground soullessly. They couldn't even stop flies from feeding on their bodies. ' He sighed with a conflicted look.
He had been near death a couple of times, and as for the last time, he knew it was a miracle that he even survived.
If the giant serpent had succeeded, then he would've lain like this in the empty hall with flies and saprophytes feasting on him.
He clenched his fist tightly as he thought of this gut-wrenching possibility.
' If power would let me survive in this world. '
' If power would let me decide my own life… '
' Then I will go to any length to get it. '
[Mind- +1]
Jerouch saw the notification and relaxed his muscles.
He then turned to face Azel and his group.
'' Um, I want to clean this place of dirt. '' He uttered.
'' You all should wait for me over there. '' He pointed his hands into the far distance.
Azel was no dullard as he understood this gesture quickly.
'' Hey, let's go, '' he muttered in the usual authoritative voice he used around his aide as he instructed them.
They all packed their belongings without questioning Azel or Jerouch.
After a while, the place became silent as Jerouch blew all the flies away.
' I need to be quick before stronger monsters sense their corpses. 'He thought.
Even though it was his first time in the forest, this common logic was pretty obvious.
' Grimoire, ' he whispered.
The grimoire as usual appeared in thin air in grandeur and grimness.
Jerouch grabbed it and headed for his first target, Ralph.
[Absorption in progress. ]
A notification popped up immediately after he initiated the absorption process.
Ten minutes later, the absorption came to completion and Jerouch opened the grimoire tab.
Target- Ralph
The leader of a bandit group who operated near Nega forest. Died at the hand of @#$.
Rank- E
Class- Mage
Skills- lightning bolt
Lightning gloves.
[Lightning bolt- host can fire a fast bolt of lightning at any target within a hundred-metre radius.]
[Rank D]
[Mana cost- 30]
[Lightning gloves- host can summon a glove made of lightning.]
[Rank- D]
[+2 strength.]
[Mana cost- 10]
' Hmm. ' Jerouch frowned, seeing the censor, but he shrugged it off.
The system was good at hiding things from him all the time. Throwing that aside, his ears then perked, seeing the skills.
They were instantly ranked up to D rank, and their descriptions made him drool.
Even though Ralph didn't have any special bloodline, he was still satisfied with what he got.
He then went ahead and began to absorb the others' abilities.
By the time he was done, he had gained many other abilities.
'' Status page. '' He muttered inwardly.
Status Page
[Stat] [Skills] [Quest] [shop]
Host- Jerouch
Health: 270/300 Mana: 90/150
Race- ?
Level- 3
Exp- 2250/4500
Class-?
Rank- D
Strength - 5
Agility- 4
Mind- 11
Perception- 3
Charm- 1
[Abilities]
Fire arrows, water bullets, earth spikes, earth walls, wind blades, healing, lightning blade, lightning gloves, water barrier, fireballs, wind burst, stealth.
His eyes twinkled seeing the drastic increase in the number of skills he had.
He was becoming more and more versatile which made him grin.
After finishing his business here, he proceeded forward to join Azel.
He wouldn't have tagged along before. However, they were his only guide to leave this forsaken place.
He had already seen enough. Now, all he wanted was to leave.
That was the real motive behind saving Azel's group.
He even showed off his strength albeit to let them understand that he wasn't an easy-going person.
As for them informing others about his strength.
Pfft. They could go ahead, everyone knew that the cities closest to Nega forest were all backward cities inhabited by low rank warriors, so he wasn't fazed.
Walking for a couple of minutes, he eventually caught up with the group who were glancing at his direction, waiting for his shadow to come out.
They were all looking at him with mixed feelings.
Some had fear projecting from their faces, and some showed gratitude and respect.
Whatever their feelings or attitude were towards Jerouch though, they didn't matter.
To him, they were just another random humans he was going to meet and leave behind.
'' So you all are heading to… ''
'' Klaris city, Sir. '' Azel answered, seeing Jerouch trail off.
'' Alright, can I tag along? '' A cheeky smile appeared on his face.
---
A/N
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