"Let's avoid that place, young master. Red usually means danger," Alvin advised, showing concern as he eyed the red barrier warily.
"But we shouldn't jump to conclusions. We might find something valuable inside," Kuber countered, staring intently at the red barrier, intrigued by the possibilities. He believed in the adage that where there's conflict, there's also potential for profit. Despite some initial hesitation, he resolved to enter the red barrier.
"We should venture inside and see for ourselves, whether it brings fortune or crisis," Kuber declared confidently as he set off towards the imposing red barrier. Unlike the golden one, this dark and larger barrier had an air of mystery and fascination around it.
Resolving himself, Kuber entered the barrier with his butler Alvin. As soon as he entered, both of them were left speechless. There was nothing in sight. Just an empty barren land.
"Young master, what do you think about the current situation? Do we retreat or keep on going ahead?" Alvin found himself perplexed about this place. A barren land with nothing in sight can be the most dangerous place sometimes.
"We are not going to retreat, Alvin. We will keep moving onward. God knows what kind of surprises we may encounter in this place." Kuber somehow felt that there was something good inside of this place. He knew that there was something hidden that needs to be discovered.
"Let's start our search from the west direction first."
Kuber and Alvin started to move in the west direction and encountered only dry lands on their journey. At this point, even Kuber's confidence in his decision started to waver.
However, just when he was about to retreat, a resounding clash of metal came from a nearby area. Following the sound, they reached a pond where two groups were engaged in a deadly battle.
"You people should come under our command. We are more powerful and have strong leaders. You all should serve under the one and only Captain Stalin," said the leader of the team with red armbands, boasting a larger number.
"Don't fall for his trick, men. He is trying to bait you into submission. Stalin is a psychopath who follows a dictator ideology. He would slaughter you once he comes into power. Instead, support the rational and wise Joseph," argued the leader of the team with blue armbands. They appeared exhausted and desperately in need of rest and food.
Tempted by the offer, half of the men from the blue team joined the red team. The red team supported Stalin, while the blue team remained loyal to Joseph. It was evident from their conflict that they were willing to massacre people to gain power.
As expected, after the betrayal of the blue team's men, their resistance quickly crumbled. The blue team's leader was swiftly captured alive, while the soldiers faced merciless execution on the spot.
"You people are on the wrong side. We don't need a strong leader but a wise leader. Believe me, I have been in the army before, and I know more about this world than you do," the leader of the blue team desperately argued, struggling to free himself. His eyes displayed desperation to escape, and his unwavering loyalty to his leader was evident in his words. It was clear that this man would rather choose death than capitulation.
"Young master, shouldn't we escape before they find us?" Alvin, being smart and cautious, favored avoiding risks and leading a peaceful life over pursuing grand ambitions.
"No, Alvin, I have a better idea. Let's approach these people first," Kuber said, studying them intently. He believed it was wiser to gather information from them before making any decisions.
"Hello, I am Kuber Walton. I would like to have a word with you, sir. If you would please allow me to have a conversation with your leader, I would be grateful," Kuber said, stepping out of hiding with his empty hands raised in the air. He aimed to appear harmless and spoke in a polite tone while addressing the leader of the red team.
"Young master, what are you doing? It's not too late; we should run away from here," Alvin pleaded, clearly worried about the intentions of the opposing party.
"Don't spout nonsense and get up, Alvin. Believe me, I have a good idea to profit from this situation," Kuber reassured Alvin in a calm voice.
Frustrated by Kuber's seemingly irrational decisions, Alvin felt the urge to burst out in anger and quit his job. However, duty as a descendant of the Lewis family prevented him from abandoning his responsibilities. He sighed, slapped his forehead with frustration, and then composed himself, wearing a fake smile to appear harmless, just like Kuber.
"Who are you guys? What are your motives? Come out of there with your hands in the air and weapons on the ground." The red team leader said to Kuber like he was some kind of a cop.
"Alright... alright, we are coming out with our weapons on the ground," Kuber shouted to ensure the red team captain and dropped his sword down while walking forward. To gather more information about the rea team captain, Kuber opened his status window.
—————
[Level] – 2
[Name] – Brandon Smith
[Title] – Veteran Cop
[Lifespan] – 34/63 years
[Class] – None
[Unique skill] – Thunderous fist(C)
—————
To Kuber, who has an S-rank unique skill. This kind of C-rank skill wasn't something impressive, but the fact that he was a cop is a bit shocking to him.
"We come here as friends, not enemies. We have heard the great name of Captain Stalin and I wish to serve under him."
Kuber's intention wasn't to really serve under Stalin but to see if he can profit from him in any way.
"Are you guys telling the truth? What about the other guy that's with you?"
Brandon felt suspicious about Kuber's answer. Somehow it just felt like he was being lied to. It was clear in Kuber's eyes that he isn't sincere. As a cop, Brandon has good instincts, but he still didn't want to rely too much on them.
Kuber stared at Alvin, he wanted Alvin to say what he just said. Even though Alvin wasn't willing to serve under a nobody, he still couldn't deny his master's orders and went along with him.
"Yes, young master is right, both of us want to serve under Captain Stalin."
Brandon looked again at both Kuber and Alvin deeply like a scanning machine. However, he couldn't just send back the people who came to serve under his boss.
"Well, what are your names then?" Brandon asked while still feeling hesitant.
"I am Kuber Walton and he is my butler Alvin. We are both level 2."
Kuber introduced himself and revealed his level truthfully to impress Brandon. Although there were many level 2's, they were scarce in numbers and Brandon himself was also level 2.
"Alright then, follow me. I will take you to our boss." Brandon said and started to move out of the pond area. Kuber and Alvin also followed him.
After walking for a while, they reached a residential place. There were many people inside this residential place alone. There were mostly armed men who stared at Kuber and Alvin like they were some kind of aliens who just descended on Earth.
"Hey, isn't that Kuber Walton?"
"Yeah, you are right. He really is that traitor's son."
"I heard he murdered a Congress member."
"Really, the balls on this guy...tch!"
Rumors of Kuber's misdeeds are all around the people. Wherever Kuber went, people always talked about these rumors like they were already proven. However, the court has already announced Kuber's innocence. But, people just love to make their own conspiracies all the time, resulting in fake rumors about Kuber.
"You are really famous here...huh!"
Brandon asked Kuber in a sarcastic manner. He was still wary of Kuber for some reason. To him, Kuber is nothing more than a threat.
"I am quite famous. But, unfortunately not in a good way."
Kuber couldn't help but admit that his reputation has hit rock bottom.
Moments later, they reached a certain building that looked like a luxurious mansion. However, it turned out to be just an empty shell from the inside. It kinda looked like a typical white-washed American apartment from the inside. This really disappointed Kuber.
"Ah! you are here Nelson. Good, I was expecting you."
A man in an army uniform was standing in front of the window and staring at the mountain in front of him. From his stature alone, he looked like a strong person.
"Ahem! I am Brandon, Captain Stalin. I came here because these two wanted to join our team."
Stalin was flustered because he wanted to look cool, but somehow he managed to screw it up by guessing the wrong person.
"Oh! yeah... I was just...I was just kidding. I knew it was you Brandon."
He turned back and sat on a chair. Folding his hands, he stared and Kuber and Alvin. It seemed like he too was a scanning machine.
Curious about his abilities, Kuber opened Stalin's status.
—————
[Level] – 4
[Name] – Alister Davis
[Title] – A diehard Joseph Stalin's fan, US Army Captain
[Lifespan] – 43/74 years
[Class] – None
[Unique skill] – Dragonheart's Dominance(Ex)
—————
Kuber was astonished after seeing this status screen, utterly astonished. He has no words to say after seeing this.