The guard stood there with complete incomprehension of what was happening. If this guy was dead, he'd probably been in the wasteland for over a year. And he was there alone!
- How long were you in the Endless Wasteland? I'll have to report it, then your plaque will be restored. - The man asked, trying to control himself.
- Erm... Well, to be honest, I don't really know myself. - Kai said with a smile.
Looking at him, the guard didn't understand what was going on. If this guy had been gone so long, why was he so calm? I mean, he literally had to have been surviving in the wasteland for over a year!
- Oh, right! We can find out the exact time by looking at when my group came back. - voiced Kai as he thought about it, -It just so happened that I fell into a strange trap. Most likely, the others thought I was dead. Here's my contract. - Saying that, Kai discreetly took out the contract as if taking it out of his robes.
Handing over the contract he was calm and smiling. He himself was wondering how long he had spent in the confinement of Astral Grad.
The guard quickly took the contract, and unfolded it for him to look at. When a person returned to the Border Beast City with a completed task, it would automatically record the date of completion so that the employer could track it.
Since Fabian's group had returned with a successfully completed mission, all the contracts issued were recorded as completed.
Kai himself could see when the mission was completed. Except, he didn't know what day it was. He couldn't independently track the amount of time he had been away.
- How come?! Boy, you've been gone for a year and seven months... Where have you been all this time? - The guard stood there in complete shock. This was the first time he had ever seen such a thing. He hadn't even heard of situations like this from his older comrades who had been working for years.
There were alliances that could spend years in the Endless Wasteland, fighting ferocious beasts for resources. Except, they had camps and headquarters set up there, with hundreds of people there at all times. This was a completely different situation.
In Kai's case, he had gone out on a group mission over a year and a half ago, and his group had returned without him.
- So where were you! - The guard asked shocked, seeing that he had no answer.
- I've been here and there. My group thought I was dead, but I just fell into a gorge. They were gone by the time I got out... My sense of direction is terrible, so I got lost and survived all this time in the Endless Wasteland..." Kai explained stupidly.
The guard stood completely silent. Kai seemed strange to him, he seemed out of this world.
- Okay, come on in. I will report what happened, soon you will be able to use your plate again. - The man said quickly. He didn't seem to want to waste any more time with this strange guy. All the more reason to report it quickly.
- Thank you very much! I'm glad I could finally find my way back. After this, I'll never get lost again. Hehehe. - Laughing foolishly, Kai said and started walking towards the descent from the wall.
The guard looked at his back and continued to be in shock. He wanted to finish his shift so he could tell his friends in the tavern about this amazing incident.
Kai slowly made his way down the ramps, looking at the wall. He saw it differently now.
"I didn't realise before, but now I can clearly see the structure of the array on each block. I am certain that the vocation of this array is to strengthen and gather energy to function. I'm sure I can replicate it, but what resources does the Shadow Sect possess that it was able to find so many array masters? I had to draw an array on every block, and there are thousands of them here..." - Descending reasoned Kai.
He was pleased with the work he had done in studying the arrays. In fact, he was doing it completely on his own. But through this, his knowledge had become far more efficient than others. What you come to on your own, not just read, is more valuable. Understanding gained on your own through practice and reflection is true knowledge!
"I wonder if the fat man is at the trading post now?" - Kai thought with a smile.
Right now, Kai was even in a kind of anticipation. He really wanted to see Diso's face when he realised that his friend was alive.
With such musings, he began to move towards their trading post.
As he walked and looked around the city, he reflected that nothing had changed here. It wasn't surprising, such a majestic city had existed for a very long time. Such a short span of time couldn't have affected it. But when Kai thought of the Astral City, he realised that the Border Beast City paled in comparison.
From memory, Kai moved towards the small square where Diso was supposed to be. It took about an hour as he walked at a leisurely pace.
Coming out from around a corner, Kai stared at a bench where a young guy stood. It was exactly his outlet, but it wasn't Diso who was selling there.
"Hmm, we need to find out everything first. I won't jump to conclusions..." - Kai thought and approached the counter.
- Hello, I have a question for you. - Kai said politely.
- I'm listening to you, do you want to buy something? - The guy replied with a smile.
- Not exactly, I'd like to know where the fat man who used to sell here is. Did you buy the outlet from him? - Kai asked calmly.
- How dare you call our head like that! Don't you fear the wrath of the Trade and Investigation Union?! - The guy's face changed instantly, expressing extreme displeasure.
- The Trade and Research Union? What the hell is that? - Smiling, Kai asked.
Beginning to realise something, Kai was having evil thoughts. It seemed that he had decided to brighten up his time a bit. It had been a long time since he had interacted with humans, and he wanted a little thrill.
- Shut your filthy mouth! Our Head is at number 98 on the Fame Rankings! Either you apologise or there will be consequences! - The guy shouted out in anger.
''Wow, 98th place in the Glory Ranking? Fatty seems to have done quite well in that time too. I'm sure he's not there through his combat power... Then there's only one option. The guys founded the so-called Trade and Research Union, and its influence is now quite impressive!" - Having made that assumption, Kai continued to play his game.
- Apologise? Ha ha, I'll call your head fatty to his face and he'll be happy about it! Do you want to argue with me? - Kai said defiantly, while still laughing.
- Is it such a stupid trick to meet our head of state in person? Don't think I'm an idiot. What do you have to bet to afford such a bet? A meeting with the head is worth a lot! - The boy said unhappily. He seemed to be quite intelligent, but still, it was impossible to understand Kai's true motives.
- Hmm, well for example this. - Calmly speaking, Kai took out a red fruit, and placed it on the table.
It was a plant from the Astral Grad's garden. It was overflowing with energy, which was immediately noticeable to an experienced merchant. But more importantly, it was unique! I don't think anyone had ever seen one like it before.
- What do you think? Interested? I understand your alliance is made up mostly of traders and explorers. So this fruit should be of interest to you. Hehehe. - Kai smiled wickedly.
The boy looked at Kai dumbfounded, and realised that he had said all the right things. He just had to get his hands on this fruit.
- Alright, come with me! You'll meet with the Head in person, but don't think you'll be able to get away with a simple apology after such an insult. - Saying that, the guy quickly closed the shop and moved towards the city centre.
Kai smiled wryly and followed after him.