After receiving the silver token from Sid, Bas quickly exited the cage, wanting to look for that guy, Eric. However, no sooner than he stepped down, a crowd of people swarmed him.
"Bazzy, I want your autograph!"
"Bazzy, I want your baby!"
"What was that move you used at the end? Evil Dragon Claw? That was so badass."
"Make room, make room! Manager coming through, MAN-AGE-MENT, you hear me?" suddenly, Little Piggy's voice overpowered the others as she squeezed her way to the front of Bas. "Everyone gets a chance with the future champ; just line up in front of me in an orderly fashion."
Bas felt amused by Little Piggy's antics. She knew how to distract a crowd and keep them in line. He was grateful to have her as his so-called manager and, more importantly, as a new friend. However, he needed to slip away from the crowd unnoticed to find Eric.
"Bazzy, where are you going?" Little Piggy asked as she followed Bas through the maze of people.
"I need to find someone," Bas replied cryptically as he wove through the crowd.
"Who? Can I help you?" Little Piggy asked eagerly.
Bas hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to drag Little Piggy into his personal affairs, but he also trusted her more than anyone else in this place.
"I'm looking for someone named Eric. He issued my ticket and gave me the wrong token. I need to find out what's going on," Bas explained.
Little Piggy's eyes widened in surprise. "I know who that is. He's not a recruiter. He's a runner. He does tasks and delivers messages for the higher-ups and can assist with lower roles as well."
"What higher-ups?" Bas asked, his curiosity piqued.
Sid Evans did not count as one of these 'higher-ups,' or Eric's existence wouldn't be a mystery.
"I don't know, they say it's the power backing Mr. Evans. It's all very secretive. But I hear whispers about some rebellion. They're recruiting talented mortal hunters to join their cause and overthrow the current ruling class," Little Piggy explained.
Bas had already signed three autographs directed by Little Piggy during this time before realizing it. To his shock, he detected a notable increase in his Faith power. He wondered if mecha-hands could be configured to detect the power of faith.
'Mortal Hunters?' Bas smiled to himself.
He couldn't believe it.
Just moments ago, he was fighting for his life, and now, he was being showered with affection and admiration. More girls were screaming his name than he could have ever imagined, and he felt a sense of pride and power that he had never felt before.
This...this wasn't so bad. He could slip away later...
He signed autographs and took pictures with his fans, basking in the attention. Brenda watched with a sense of jealousy as Bas seemed to forget about her completely, but she couldn't help but admire his charisma and how he commanded the crowd. She smiled secretly before turning to follow her father.
After a few minutes of this, Bas felt a tap on his shoulder.
When he turned, his breath caught in his throat. She stood before him with a figure that could not be denied. Her hips curved around her waist, accentuated by her tight red dress. The fabric seemed almost to be painted onto her skin and perfectly showcased her body's feminine shape. Her hair was pulled over one shoulder and cascaded down in a golden brown waterfall.
Her face was smooth and round, her high cheekbones accentuated by a button nose. Long eyelashes curled at the ends, and her eyes were so vividly green they seemed to sparkle like emeralds against the sun. Her smile was wide and inviting, revealing perfect pearly white teeth.
Her modern, youthful style helped Bas identify her as a peer. Brenda was the prettiest woman he had seen; this creature was by far the sexiest. Brenda had an appeal that made one want to bow at her feet. The woman before Bas made him feel an unstoppable desire to conquer her mind, body, and spirit. They were two very different feelings.
"Hello, Bazzy," she said with a sultry smile. Even her voice was sweeter than honey. Bas felt his teeth ache as she said, "My name is Sable. I couldn't help but notice you, someone my age with such talent. You're quite impressive."
Bas grinned back at her. This was more like it. Mutual attraction was the best.
Her perfume smelled of the sea, with a hint of orange and sandalwood. But as she approached Bas close enough to kiss him, she smelled like fresh-cut grass, with a touch of lavender, like she had just stepped out of a field of flowers. Bas could sense her warmth and her vitality. He felt a sense of calm that made him feel safe, thinking, 'Man, her feminine ryms must be extremely potent...'
Who was this woman? Did she have an exceptional fem physique?
He had heard about the underground world being full of beautiful women, and he was excited to experience it for himself finally. However, there was no way this woman was from Mortalee. He unceremoniously scanned her profile with his spirituality, discovering she was a Fourth Class hunter! Were fourth-class elites homegrown like vegetables now?
How appealing was it to date a woman stronger than himself? Well, unlike Brenda, Bas felt confident he could overwhelm this goddess-like woman in front of him. He didn't feel right about seducing Brenda, as she was still a few years older than him.
Not because he felt inferior. He had existed for centuries already. Bas just feared that due to her perception of his age, Brenda wouldn't take him seriously just yet. Maybe serious relations weren't what Brenda even desired right now. He didn't have enough status to know either way.
The crowd's adulation had awakened Bas to emotions he hadn't considered previously. Now, he thought popularity was quite a useful tool when managed properly. He also realized status was essential in his pursuit of love.
Why would successful women want a nobody?
He could see the hunger in Sable's eyes, which only made him more eager. This woman appreciated his ability to the point of adoration. Bas felt a lot of unexpressed tension in his body after that Stratus elder attacked him. Glancing around briefly, Bas noticed that Brenda already left. This eliminated his only reservation in relieving some stress.
"Why don't we get out of here?" he said, taking Sable's hand, who was pleasantly surprised.
Did he want her body? Sable would rather someone took stock in her mind. However, she had been a bit stressed lately. And well, he was rather hunky...maybe she could use a distraction.
She smiled coquettishly at this handsome and domineering stranger, looking him directly in the eyes as she said, "What are you waiting for? Take me."
Hearing these suggestive words, Bas felt a passionate fire he hadn't felt in two lifetimes. He still couldn't believe how bold these new-age women came equipped. No additional assembly is required! As Little Piggy worked the crowd, Bas pulled a disappearing act.
"No cutting, no pushing! And don't try to bribe me with food. I'm on a diet!" Little Piggy wagged her finger, trying to control the swarm of people.
Bas couldn't help but chuckle at her antics.
Little Piggy looked back to wink at Bazzy, only to discover that he had already left at some point.
The crowd around her was equally stunned, as no one noticed Bazzy Dagod's movements. They were too distracted by this fat young lady! Bas used the very instant their attention was shifted to slip away without a second thought. Only a few shadows who never took their eyes off the target could see his movements.
But after a few breaths, they had lost track of the two youths.