Chapter 17: The Ring Of Necromancy [1]
He could hardly contain his excitement, for he knew that within those walls, he would uncover not only the object of his search but also a wealth of mystical artifacts waiting to be discovered.
Zain gently rapped his knuckles against the weathered door of the old shop and called out in a firm yet respectful voice, "Excuse me, is there anyone inside?"
Immediately after Zain's inquiry, a hushed and raspy voice seeped through the cracks of the old shop's door, carrying a hint of curiosity and caution. "Yes...?"
The voice seemed weary, as if it belonged to someone who had spent an eternity within those walls, hidden from the world.
As the old man slid open the creaking door, a gust of stale air rushed out, carrying with it the scent of antiquity. The wrinkles on the man's face told tales of wisdom and countless years. His eyes, deep and mysterious, held a glimmer of recognition as he looked at Zain.
"..."
The old man's silence stretched for a few moments as he observed Zain with keen interest.
"Yes, how may I help you?" the old man inquired.
"Actually, I wanted to purchase some items from your shop," Zain said, offering a warm smile. He didn't want to reveal his true intentions just yet.
The old man stared at Zain, his gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and confusion. "Here...? It's been days since this place has been closed," he said with a hint of sadness in his voice. "You might have better luck finding what you need in the nearby malls. They have a wide variety of items." The old man's initial reluctance didn't deter Zain.
Whether the old man was testing him or simply lacked the motivation to sell, Zain remained determined to obtain what he was searching for.
"I have already visited the mall and..."
Even before Zain could finish his words, the old man's face contorted with frustration and he burst out in a sudden fit of anger. His voice reverberated through the small shop, echoing off the walls.
"If you've already been to those modern malls, what use is there in coming here?" The old man's voice cracked with emotion, his eyes filled with disappointment. The weight of years of solitude and neglect seemed to weigh heavily upon him.
"...."
Zain stood calmly in front of the old man, maintaining his composure despite the outburst. He understood that the old man's frustration stemmed from a deeper place, and he didn't want to further escalate the situation.
"Huff huff, just get lost," the old man exclaimed, preparing to slam the door shut. However, in a swift motion, Zain extended his hand and firmly held the door, preventing it from closing.
"Huh? How dare a youngster like you trouble this old man? Don't you have any shame?" the old man exclaimed, his voice filled with both annoyance and a hint of frustration. Just when Zain had thought that the old man had calmed down, he realized that his earlier assessment was premature.
"No, I just want to buy from your store because I wasn't able to find what I wanted in the malls," Zain said, his voice calm and composed. He maintained a respectful demeanor, hoping to persuade the old man to reconsider.
"..." The old man paused his incessant blabbering, his eyes fixed on Zain with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. He seemed to be evaluating Zain, searching for something in his demeanor.
Zain met the old man's gaze with unwavering confidence, intent on making a breakthrough. He could sense that there was more to this shop than met the eye, and he needed the old man's cooperation to uncover its secrets.
"You didn't get...? What were you looking for?"
Zain took in a deep breath, gathering his resolve. With a determined look in his eyes, he leaned closer to the old man and uttered the words, "The Ring of Necromancy."
"..."
The moment the words left his lips, a profound change came over the old man's face. His eyes widened, and his wrinkled features contorted with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. It was as if Zain had uttered a forbidden incantation that stirred long-buried memories within the old man's mind.
"What did you say..?" the old man asked, his voice filled with disbelief and a hint of trepidation.
The old man's words trembled as they escaped his lips, his thin, bony arm visibly shaking. Every word carried a weight of caution and uncertainty. His bald head, devoid of any hair, seemed to sway in unison with his darting eyes, as if searching for an answer in the empty air.
His gaze darted around the room, scanning the shelves filled with dusty artifacts and faded books. The old man's eyes reflected a mix of unease and caution as Zain's words hung in the air.
Zain understood the gravity of his request, knowing that the Ring of Necromancy was associated with dark and forbidden powers.
Its very existence was shrouded in legend and whispered tales of unspeakable deeds. The old man's apprehension mirrored the inherent danger that surrounded this artifact, a relic capable of manipulating the forces of life and death.
"Ring of Necromancy... I want that," Zain repeated himself as per what the old man had asked.
"W-what's that? Haha, never heard of it. You can come later," the old man stammered nervously, his attempt to evade Zain's request evident in his shaky voice. He quickly moved to close the door, but Zain's grip held it firmly in place.
"Let... it... GO!" the old man shouted, his face contorted with strain as he exerted every ounce of his strength, leveraging his body weight against the door. Veins bulged on the old man's forehead as he strained to break free, his muscles trembling under the immense force he exerted.
Zain, however, remained unmoved, his hand firmly gripping the door as if rooted to the ground. The old man's desperate struggle only served to reinforce Zain's conviction that there were secrets hidden behind the ordinary exterior of this store
"Oh come on, old man," Zain's voice carried a hint of impatience. "I know that it is inside, there is no point in hiding it."
"I don't know what you're talking about," the old man said, his voice laced with a mixture of fear and defiance. "There's nothing of that sort here. Just go away!"
The old man stubbornly refused to grant him entry, leaving Zain with no other choice. With a surge of determination, he raised his fist and struck the door with all his might.
*BAM*
The sound of shattering wood echoed through the air as the door splintered under the force of his punch. Without hesitation, Zain stepped over the broken threshold and entered the dimly lit interior of the shop.
Some of the nearby pedestrians and passersby were startled by the loud crash of the broken door. Curiosity piqued, they turned their heads to investigate the commotion, only to find an empty storefront with no sign of the cause.
Confused murmurs and puzzled expressions passed among them as they searched for an explanation, but the scene before them revealed no trace of the disturbance they had heard.
The moment his foot crossed the threshold, a ripple of arcane energy surged forth, invisible to the unsuspecting eyes of the passersby.
Zain had invoked his mastery of illusion magic, weaving an intricate web of enchantment that cloaked his actions from prying eyes. Like a skilled illusionist, he manipulated the perception of reality, ensuring that the curious bystanders saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"Wait... you can't come inside!" the old man protested. He extended a trembling hand in a feeble attempt to halt Zain's advance, but it was futile against the young man's stride.
"..."
"So you won't leave?" the old man's voice resonated with a newfound seriousness. In an instant, his entire demeanor underwent a startling transformation.
His hunched figure straightened, and a surge of energy pulsed around him, filling the room with an electric intensity. His eyes, once filled with weariness, now burned with an intense determination.
Zain could sense the shift in the atmosphere, the palpable change in the old man's aura. It was as if a dormant power had awakened within him, demanding recognition. He couldn't help but be intrigued by the sudden shift in the old man's demeanor.
The old man's plea-filled expression morphed into a visage of disdain and arrogance. The desperation in his eyes gave way to a hardened glare, as if he had suddenly taken on a role of authority.
"I said get lost, you piece of shit!" His voice boomed, carrying a tone of superiority. "This is not a place for the likes of you to enter."
Zain was perplexed by the sudden surge of confidence emanating from the old man. It was evident that there was something more to this encounter, something hidden within the depths of the old man's power.
He was a powerful angel, a Class-S Star-4.
The killing intent radiating from the old man was suffocating, enough to encompass the entire city. Yet, curiously, it remained contained within the confines of the store, as if sealed off from the outside world.
Unbeknownst to the old man, Zain had already erected a powerful barrier around the shop.
"Ho ho... seems like you possess the power of a 4-star angel as well. No wonder I couldn't see through your true strength," the old man chuckled, his voice laced with a mix of surprise and admiration.
"Enough with your complicated ranks and nonsense," Zain snapped, his voice booming through the air. His patience had worn thin, and he had no tolerance for the old man's condescension.
"Huh...?" The old man's eyes widened in complete shock. The overwhelming killing intent that had surrounded him just moments ago vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed.
"This.."
The old man stood in stunned silence, unable to find the words to express his astonishment. His trembling body betrayed his overwhelming surprise, leaving him at a loss for what to say or do next.
"J-just who are you?"
"Me...?"
"..."
"I am..."