Waking up, Kai opened his eyes abruptly.
He heard someone not very heavy coming up the stairs. His hearing was incredibly sensitive; he already knew it was Lily. He stood up, stretched and looked out the open window through which the sun was shining into the room.
Knock, knock!
- Good morning, I hope I didn't wake you, come down to eat when you're dressed! - Lily said cheerfully, and just as she wanted to turn around, the door opened in front of her.
In front of her stood a handsome guy in black clothes and a tuft of snow white hair on his head, smiling he said:
- Good morning Lily, shall we go?
- Uh... Oh, yeah, let's go. - Smiling Lily said, this guy kept dumbfounding her.
When they went down to the first floor, it was now quite quiet and cozy, which was a great contrast to the evening atmosphere. The table was now set and a full man was sitting at it.
- Boy, I apologize, I didn't even introduce myself yesterday! My name is Guilliard, I've been the owner of this tavern for over 30 years! - The man said loudly and proudly.
-And who are you? You're even younger than Lily, but you already have such incredible strength. You were able to put down two men and even catch ferocious beasts!
- A warrior at your age, you must be a nobleman! And yet you don't look at us as trash, how extraordinary! - Gilyard continued to speak.
In this world, people passing the age of 14 were considered adults. In the noble families, such youngsters were already started to be involved in running the family affairs and let them manage small tasks for practice. So it was not surprising that the man did not treat him as a child.
Kai didn't bother to specify that he wasn't a Warrior anymore, and the man hardly knew about it... All strong men were Warriors to him!
- No Uncle Gilyard, I'm actually a local. I used to live in a village not far from here... But unfortunately three years ago one of the gangs came there and slaughtered it. By a happy coincidence, I escaped by jumping into the river. And then I was carried by the current deep into the Forest of Silent Death, and there I was raised by ferocious beasts! - Kai said with a laugh.
Lily again did not understand whether he was telling the truth or not. The man realized that the boy had his own secrets and that there was no need to pry into his private affairs.
- All right, all right, sit down to eat! - Laughing said Gilyard.
- As a matter of fact, I came here to avenge my relatives. Can you tell me where the headquarters of the Ghost Halberd Gang is? - Biting into a vegetable, Kai asked.
- Hmmm... Honestly speaking, I don't know since they're in charge of another border city. Perhaps the Boss of the Gray Fang Gang knows since they're all competing for territory. But I wouldn't advise you to go to him. He's a Warrior too, and I think he's a lot stronger compared to you...'' Guilliard warned reasoning.
- Don't worry, I'm just curious. Maybe I can gain his trust and find out, I'm not suicidal. Hehehe. - Kai laughed calmly.
Ever since he was a kid, no one could tell what was really on his mind. In fact, he spoke so as not to scare his new acquaintances. And it was much easier, he wouldn't have to convince anyone or explain anything to anyone.
- If you go west from the tavern, in a quarter of an hour you will come to the center of the city, from there you will be able to see a large stone building. There will be a large wooden sign with a fang carved on it. I think you can find someone there who knows what you need. - The man decided not to discourage Kai, seeing that he wasn't looking for trouble. Perhaps one of the HQ guards could tell him something, in exchange for treating him to a drink.
- Thank you very much! - After finishing his meal, Kai stood up and started to move towards the exit.
- Are you leaving already? - Lily asked strangely.
- Yes, I still have a lot of things to do, if fate wills it, we will meet again! And yes Uncle Gilyard, the food was delicious, I'll repay you for it soon! Hehehe. - Saying that, Kai calmly walked out of the tavern and walked towards the city center.
- Little Lily, forget about this guy, we're birds of a different flight. Think of it as a sudden pleasant encounter. - The man smiled and started collecting plates.
- Okay father! - Smiled Lily. She decided not to think much about it since this guy constantly caused her nothing but confusion.
Walking towards the center, Kai saw many people selling vegetables and other household items along the road. Also he saw children who were all dirty running around playing in the street, he even remembered himself with his siblings. He also saw rough guys sometimes doing extortion, sometimes there were homeless people and beggars... Strength in this world decides a lot, the weak here lead a very miserable existence. Thinking about it he stopped at a terrace house, it was a kind of eatery.
He stopped at this particular place, because in front of this café he saw a large stone building with a sign of the Grey Fang Gang. Thinking that he could stop by the terrace and order some tea to watch the gang's headquarters for a bit, he immediately became numb.
"Shit! I don't have any money! Ayyayyy..." - Thinking about it, he watched as the guy who had just robbed the old lady of some of her proceeds, laughingly walked around the corner. An evil smile appeared on Kai's face.
A few minutes later, Kai was coming out from around the corner, carrying a bag of coppers. From the contents of the bag, it was obvious that this guy had been shaking down the gang's share of people for days.
Passing by the old woman, Kai tossed three coins that had recently been taken away by the thug onto her counter.
- Old woman, this is for you. - He said as he passed by and headed towards the tea shop.
He wasn't a paragon of nobility, and he wasn't going to give away any other money. But these three coins were taken from him in front of his eyes, he didn't want to feel as if he had robbed this old woman.
- Master, pour me some nice tea, I'm going to be at your place for a long time today! - Raising his hand shouted Kai.
A few minutes later, a teapot and a cup were brought to him, along with some dried fruit. Breathing in the flavor of the tea, he thought it was quite good. He sat here and watched until evening.
Throughout the day, he had seen the big guys collect their share many times and occasionally enter the headquarters. But here was their boss he never saw. Kai was cautious, he wanted to study the whole situation.
Toward evening, he saw a tall man with short black hair and a lewd smile enter the building. Two, rather revealingly dressed women were walking beside him, laughing and hanging all over him. Kai immediately squinted his eyes, he felt an energy in the man's stomach area.
"Hmm, he's a Cultivator... It's surprising to see them in such a wilderness. That means there must be several other Warriors besides him. Now I can see why the townspeople don't even resist, it's useless against him. But unfortunately for him, not against me..." - Observing, Kai thought.
"I don't believe that there will be another Cultivator-level master who can resist me. But if it were a Cloud Sphere master, things would be very difficult..." - Thought to himself, Kai thought to himself.
With each new sphere, the master's strength increased manifold. And with each new sphere, it became harder and harder to ascend to the next stage. Kai was very confident, but he wasn't stupid, if he saw the Cloud Sphere master, he would be wary of him...