A week had passed. For the past days, the number of demons powerful enough to hurt them had been decreasing. Also the number of humans they had encountered on their way here had increased.
As for today, they had come across the most number of humans. They were often in groups and they could not help but stare at the two.
Reason maybe because seeing a guy walking with a bare chest next to a beautiful girl was enough to raise brows. Or maybe because they could tell the direction they were coming was where most danger was.
One could tell they were not even past their teenage years in the first place. But none of them dared to stop them. As for the moment, the two were standing on top a building.
In a distance almost 100 meters away from them they could see a valley which spanned around 100 meters wide. Its length seemed to stretch to as far as one's eye could reach.
If one was able to see its depth, it was more than 50 meters deep. But it was impossible because the valley was filled with water that stood 10 meters below the bridge.
The valley was man-made the concept of a dam was behind it. The reasoning was obvious and it was a good move. Also, on the valley there was a bridge around 30 meters wide. It was supported by huge pillars that stood firmly on the valley.
On both ends of the bridge was a gate. There were also checkpoints on both sides of the bridge. One could see few people going out and others were going in. One could not miss the few taking pictures of this place.
"Look, that is the Checkpoint. It is impossible for someone to come into this Danger Zone without a license. A Golden License as I had told you.
"Whenever one comes into this place, they must have their names registered on the other side and also when leaving, one must have to check out.
" This is for reasons such as keeping toll on those who might have lost their lives in the danger zones. The fact that you are not checked in is going to raise brows as to how you got into the danger zone," the girl continued her speech as Athan grit his teeth.
" But do not worry. I have my own influence and you might just get through without much of a problem," she said.
" What problem are we talking about here?" Athan asked as an unkown anger crawled deep inside his chest.
" You could be arrested for tresspassing without required certification. I also doubt that your name has been registered in the system. This will make things harder but do not worry. I will do my best. Just keep your promise to sell information to us," the girl said as she jumped from the building.
Athan had suddenly felt his mood go sour. Just who did they think they were to try to keep tabs on him? But he had to do it. He was weak and that was the way of the weak. Oppression by the system.
Unless he got strong to oppose the system, he was never going to live his solo life as he wanted. He could not help but clench his fists as he remembered about his Soul. He had to get stronger...
He jumped from the roof and landed next to the girl with a slight thud that caused web like cracks from the point the ground had contact with his feet.
This somehow caused some people to look at him. Only one question ringing in their brains. ' Could he not land softly'?
As for ghe girl, she could not help but smile bitterly. Not because of his actions but because no one recognized her. All fhose people she encountered, none of them had even mentioned her name.
But she could understand the reason why because without her friends, not many would even consider looking at her. She just took the lead as she headed to the Checkpoint.
The guy just followed her silently as she entered the office and stood in front of the female secretary wearing glasses with her hair trimmed.
"Calista Quiren," was all she said as the secretary typed her name into the computer. Her glasses suddenly flashed with a white light.
"Where are your friends?" The lady asked. She knew just what family was in question here.
The girl went along and narrated what happened. She ommitted the obvious parts and also about the strength of the guy as he had told her to keep it secret. She knew just what trouble it would cause if she said about his technique
But the lady raised her brows when she heard that the guy had taken down two High Orcs. She could not help but wonder what his name was. She made a few calls and it was to the Quiren Family.
"Your father will be sending your transport means in a while. You must not leave the Checkpoint," the lady said in a commanding tone as the girl Calista just nodded.
" Your name boy," the lady said. Athan walked to her and stood in front of her with a plain gaze.
" Athan," was all he said which caused the lady to glare.
" Full names," she said her voice just as plain as it was all along.
" I do not know whether they consider me to part of them. It is unknown to me though," Athan said.
" He has been in the Danger Zone for more than two years. He was not there when the system was established thus he is not registered," Calista jumped in.
" I need to hear from him," the lady said and Athan just sighed.
" Just so you know, I don't comsider them my family. Athan Byron."
There was silence in the room as the two ladies gazed at him almost horrified. For Calista it was shock but the lady had horrified look which disappeared immediately.
" Pardon," she had to comfirm.
" Athan Byron. I guess they already forgot about me," he replied but the lady just nodded and quickly made a call. Everyone in the room could hear her words clearly.
" This is from Checkpoint Number 1 from the Quiren Region. This call is for princess Luna. Connect her to the line," the lady spoke and waited for a while.
"I have news for you. We have found him. Athan Byron."
Athan was confused at the sudden turn.
"What do you mean Princess Luna?" Athan asked.
"It really is true that you are illiterate of the new word order as the Young Miss of the Quiren Family has said. The Royal Family has been looking for you for the last two years.
"It will take a few hours for them to come get you. The closest family you can go to is the Quiren Family which will be here in five minutes. It has been agreed that you should wait for them at the Quiren Family Mansion," the lady explained.
Athan could feel a headache already coming in. What was wrong with them? Had they not already disowned him? Why had they come looking for him? Like he would agree to go with them.
But he had to agree and go to the Quiren Family Mansion and know what it was they wanted from him. He wanted to start and do things on his own and for himself. He did not want to depend on anyone.
The last few years he had been alone were actually the best years he had as he had all the freedom he needed. He was already coming up with ways to reject them. He was not going to let someone have control over him.
"Okay," Athan said as he walked out. The girl Calista walking behind him.
"I could never have imagined that you are a Prince. You really are good at keeping secrets," she joked but Athan glared at her and did not reply.
A Prince? Like he would take that worthless title. What he wanted was to bring down the Byron Family and have them pay back for everything they had done to him and his mother.
It was not like he did not hear stories about how they mistreated his mother after she was pregnant and even the rumors that the family had tried to kill him when he was still a baby. Rumor had it that his mother died immediately after she gave birth to him.
Just what a coincidence it was. Like he would ever fall for that. He clenched his teeth as he went to sit on a bench that was right outside the office. He did not even realize as Calista sat next to him.
" I wonder what I said wrong. I do not even think that you are going to agree to sell information to us anymore," the girl said with a sigh. She knew just what the title Prince came with. They had just lost a valuable source of information.
"I am a man of my words and the day I left the Byron Family Mansion, I vowed that the only time I would go back there was when I was strong enough to destroy the family," he replied with gritted teeth.
" ..."
" I am not going back to that place. I am an independent entity from them. I want to forge my own path. That is why I still want to join the academy in this Region and not that of the Byron Region," Athan said resolutely.
In the distance, one could hear the sound of an incoming chopper...