Title: My First Trading Partner is An Awaken
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"What are your thoughts about what they found out?" Mang Dondon asked.
Just like they had anticipated, the relatives of Banoy reported the Aswangs' movement, especially the one related to the kidnapping of their people.
"Diego is safe for now and he is coming too. We can talk to him personally after he comes here. However, I didn't expect that the Ortiz family of the 21 clan of Aswangs would be involved here." Gregorio complained.
Henry is also stunned by the news of one of the tikbalang with similar markings and features like the spiritual familiar of Mang Dondon.
The news he received, when he listened further, had placed him in a deeper quagmire of spiritual warfare. As he listens, he never had expected that in the whole country, there are these families of Aswangs who act like underground organizations with superpowers whose diets are human beings.
Upon listening, one of the extremist clan of Aswang belonging to the Ortiz clan is the suspect in the abduction of the people of the three Albularyos.
Late in that evening, Diego manages to locate the Ramirez Residence and was received by Henry and Mang Dondon themselves.
"Why do you look like a beggar?" Mang Dondon asked.
"So, you really came, teacher," Diego replied. Henry is nearby so he heard about the relationship between the two.
"It's good to see you, Diego. It has been a year and it seems you never intended to visit me," Mang Dondon teased.
"Yes teacher, I thought you got older but you seem to have become younger yourself," Diego complimented.
"Old man, why not join the two? It seems Diego here is exhausted." Henry suggested.
"You're Henry Ramirez, I suppose. Please, to meet you," Diego introduces.
Henry just nodded as he didn't bother to ask when he had known his name as the information to be shared by Diego is the most crucial.
When Calixto and Gregorio saw Diego, they had this happy expression of seeing an old friend. However, after taking food and not even bothering changing his clothes as it was just a secondary concern, he started to talk about his experience.
"Just seven days ago, I found some markings of Aswangs after I had accidentally heard about the missing person near my place." Diego started.
"So I had tracked it down and I finally found out about this warehouse in the Eastern City. As I continued monitoring them, I found out that these are the people of the Ortiz Family."
"The warehouse had been the property of the family and I can assure you that their business of butchering of humans had been practiced a long time," Diego continued.
"As I had found evidence of their actions and verified them even further. It is when I saw the two - Timothy and Alden, who also had investigated the said movement of the Ortiz clan." Diego is still explaining.
The rest of them were still listening and Henry had more understanding of the situation.
"We had jointly investigated it but we had encountered and caught the Aswang just last night. We had managed to kill some of the Aswang but due to their number, we decided to escape. I'm not sure where the two are now," Diego finally said.
"It is in line with the information of Banoy's relatives. So, we have two warehouses which were confirmed to pack human flesh and distribute it to their customers. I never thought that these Aswangs are now using new ways to cater their needs," Mang Dondon said.
"This is a new way and they use the idea of their prey to do their business," Calixto interjected.
"Since you're safe Diego, and we can't know the whereabouts of the two of your fellow Albularyo, you can stay here and I guess this young man here would mind," Mang Dondon suggested.
Henry twitched for the words of the old man but he too agrees that Diego is not in the condition to do combat at the moment as his haggard face says it all.
"Yes, this place is safe. I can ask my father to accomodate you." Henry said. The house is big for them and using the guest room for Diego is not a problem. He can even squizzle out the rooms of Dylan and his two sisters to accommodate the rest if they needed to.
"I can stay here in this Nipa Hut, while waiting for you," Diego didn't mind.
"Since that's settled, what plan do we have here for the confirmed two warehouses of the Ortiz Family?" Gregorio asked the group.
"Old man, since those Aswangs dare to use this city to use for their abominable act, I just need your help to restrain those Aswangs that will escape when I destroy the place," Henry requested.
"So bold!"
"That's suicide!"
The rest of the group exclaimed as they found that the request was ridiculous. However, Mang Dondon just glanced at him and he knew that the strength of the young man had increased again as he felt the pressure of his spirituality.
"I'll remind you Henry, these are Aswangs that butchered human beings and if I allow you to do what you want, I need to make sure that you kill them without hesitation," Mang Dondon reiterates.
"I know, they had truly reached my bottom line this time," Henry affirms.
Mang Dondon still looked at him seriously, "This is not the same when you deal with the Gabunan that disturbed the Sales Family in Bulacan. You need to be decisive here."
Henry nodded. He knew why the old man kept reiterating his words as he hesitated last time. However, this time, these Aswangs are killing people now so he needs to support the group.
"Alright, since Henry gave his word, the warehouse of the Ortiz Family here in the city will be cleaned out by Henry." Mang Dondon decided.
The old men, Calixto and Gregorio tried to persuade him but even Mang Dondon reminded them about Henry's spiritual power.
Then after such a reminder, they knew that in their entire life, they didn't find someone who had this thick form of aura as Henry's.
They knew that even if they trained for their life, they can't achieve such accomplishment. So they refined their plan with Henry's request.
That very evening, they scouted the place and the warehouse is not actually an isolated one but in a compound of a decent district in the city of Manila.
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"Hey, young man, Let me remind you about this group under the Ortiz Family. Most of them are composed of Aswang na lakad and the core members are definitely a level stronger than the newly guided gabunan."
Mang Dondon reminded Henry. Then he continues, "I know you easily subdued gabunan before but you still need to be careful. Here is the Bronze Short sword that you can use."
"Thanks."
Henry can only recieved it. They are looking at the warehouse clandestinely as there are people in the vicinity who are just lurking and sitting in the small variety stores in front of the compound.
'I never had expected that the warehouses that are only 300 meters away from the DnD warehouse where I place my salt would have this kind of dealing.'
'I bet Mr. Alrik would be surprised when he learns about what happened here after I ransack the place.' Henry thought.
The group of Mang Dondon prepared as the old men tried to isolate the said warehouse with their own crafts and power. Henry doesn't understand this and surely the Aswangs' didn't find any changes when the group of experienced Albularyo did it.
Even Henry, if he didn't feel the wave of vibration that was created after the Albularyos raised the isolated illusion, he might not see what they did.
He was aware that Ezio's Breathing technique had actually helped him up since that technique is responsible for increasing his mental strength exponentially and his physical strength as only secondary.
After a nod from the group and securing the possibility of escape from the enemy, Henry immediately sneaks into the warehouse's compound.
Within it, Henry can only suffer from the smell that comes with his enhanced senses, "This kind of smell again!"
He becomes familiar with it since he can smell everything within 70 to 80 meters away from him. As he practices the breathing techniques he purchased from Tyler, the senses and everything become enhanced and strengthened.
"The heck with this kind of smell. I bet they are immune to it! I think even the Albularyos didn't flinch when they smelled it. I too need to get used to this."
Henry said to himself as he complained to the revolting smell that came from the nearby Aswangs. However, before he went deeper into his own concern, he heard mournful cries of two different people begging for help.
"Where's that?" He thought.
He was actually inside the compound and with a small coaching of Mang Dondon, he had succeeded to conceal his own body smell by covering it with his aura.
So even if there are about 10 Aswangs in the rear of the warehouse guarding the post and positioning himself in the mango tree that is inside the compound, he was sure that he can't be detected.
"It's there, Henry. It's in the fourth warehouse," said Banoy, the tikbalang.
"You came, was it directed by Mang Dondon?" Henry asked.
"Yes, he wanted to make sure you're safe." Banoy said.
"Alright, since you're here. Do you have a way to conceal the hostages so that they will not be seen by the Aswangs? It seems that there are still people here to be butchered." Henry asked.
"I have, but my concealment is not as strong as the shaman for it was not my expertise." Banoy said.
"That's good, how long will it last?" Henry asked.
"May max is between, Five to six minutes only. I don't know if this can help." Banoy replied.
"Alright, that's enough. There are five warehouses here and the Aswangs inside the compound is around 80. I will be the diversion and you try to conceal the rest of the victims." Henry said.
Banoy had this blank face as he found that the plan was ridiculously simple but he knew that the number of enemies was too great for Henry in Banoy's cognition. Yet, he still managed to nod in recognition.
"Let's go!" Henry jumps from the height of 10 meters which surprises Encanto since Henry landed in the range of sound that he can perceive.
"This guy! I thought he is suicidal but maybe not!" Banoy said. He was instructed to keep the man safe when he was cornered but it seems that Mang Dondon had underestimated Henry too much.
In the blink of an eye, Henry uses his Nearly E-rank physique to deal with the three Aswangs near the tree. Before Banoy landed on the ground, he finds that Henry used the bronze weapon to kill another three without alerting the four Aswangs that remained in their post.
Banoy runs towards the warehouse number 4 and as he positioned himself and merged in the structure's shadow, he witnessed Henry cutting the throat of the last aswag posting the rear of the compound.
"So fast!" Banoy exclaimed.
He tries to compare it to the king of Tikbalangs in the spiritual world but Henry's mortal physique and speed is even stronger compared to their king!
As one of the 24 warriors under the Tikbalang's king, he was pretty sure with his assessment and evaluation and this shocked him even more since he knew for a fact that Henry is only about 22 years old while his king is now around 1200 years old!
Henry gritted his teeth and used Ezio's Breathing technique to restrain his mind to calmness after killing 10 Aswangs.
He knew that these were Aswangs after opening his spiritual eyes but still, it was a life he was forced to forfeit. With this thinking, he still manages to calm using his breathing technique.
"Rear guards down, Banoy. We need to save the hostages first before the Aswang smells the blood of their fellows." Henry reiterates.
"I know, hold me so that you can go through this wall," Banoy said.
Henry didn't hesitate as he already saw the ability of the spirit familiar of Mang Dondon. Aside from the speed of a naturalized tikbalang, he has the ability to make portals and merge with the shadows which is pretty useful in their situation right now.
After holding the tikbalang, Henry can sense that he was warped with an energy that he can't describe. It's like the tikbalang extended his aura towards him and viola, he was now inside the warehouse.
However, Henry immediately speeds up towards the three Aswangs that raised their butcher knives towards the three people crying for help.
"Ahhhh!"
The nearest Aswang is down and yet before the second butcher reacts, his head is rolling in the ground. Only the last Aswang who held the knife made some reaction but we're halted by the bronze knife that targeted his heart.
"Intru —--- ahhhhh!"
It didn't attract the attention of the other Aswangs who seemed too relaxed playing cards in the distance. However, they frowned when they heard the victim stop crying and saying thank you!
"That's weird! It's my first time hearing someone who is about to be a killer say thank you! Hugo and Drew, you check our three seniors in the butcher area" the more matured Aswang commanded.
"Yes boss!" The two said as they strove towards the butcher area.
"They're coming! You and you! Don't make noises. I'm here to save you!" Henry whispers to the two male victims he saved.
The three can't see Banoy, as they are just ordinary people.