[Host's Exclusive Card]
Host: [Emris Leonis]
Race: [Human]
Bloodline: [None]
Potential: [One star (Top-tier)]
Combat Strength: [None]
Trait: [Perfect body], [Mana resonance]
Skill: [Formless shadow Scripture (Basic)], [Velthora Basic Spearmanship]
Talent: [Spearmanship(Advanced)], [Ice jade constitution (basic)]
Achievement points: [50]
Inventory: [Leather Mantle (Rare), Mission card x1, Function card (third eyes awakening) x1]
I sat on a chair in my room, half naked, as I stared at my exclusive character card.
[Skill Card]
Skill name: [Formless shadow scripture]
Rarity: [Unique]
Type of Skill: [Movement]
Skill grade: [Basic]
Description: [This movement technique is an ancient scripture for a now extinct humanoid species known to be apex hunters.]
Status: [Available]
*
[Skill Card]
Skill name: [Velthora Basic Spearmanship]
Rarity: [Rare]
Type of Skill: [Spear Technique]
Skill grade: [-]
Description: The Velthora clan was known to be the sovereigns of spear. Unlike most, their spear wasn't domineering, it was fluid and flexible, but in a way, it was also absolute.]
Status: [Unavailable]
*
[Equipment card]
Equipment name: [Leather mantle]
Equipment rarity: [Rare]
Equipment type: [Cloak]
Equipment grade: [Advanced]
Trait: [Shock absorption], [Extra durable]
Skills: [Masked presence], [Bubble shield]
*
Staring at my exclusive card and my new boons, I should be very happy. The difference between the past me and the current me was massive.
Not just in terms of skills but in terms of inventory. Previously, I didn't even have a weapon to my name and although my [bronze spear] was a bit too low level, it was something.
And now I had an extra skill, and a cloak with not just one but two traits!
It was rare to find equipment with traits, they were treated like gold and an equipment with more than one trait, no matter how low ranking, would be priceless.
Traits on equipment were like passive skills, this made it so that one didn't have to actively activate the skill, this was why they were loved so much.
And here I was, with a cloak of such caliber. In every sense of the word, I should be ecstatic.
I should be, but...
'That damn bastard!'
I couldn't. In fact, my mood was so sour at the moment, it felt like I had eaten shit. And not just any shit, but the kind that flies have laid eggs on and had been left out for days.
"Young master,"
The door to my bedroom opened and Reid rushed in. Although he was neat, I could tell that he was disheveled.
"I've prepared the carriage, young master." He said with a bow.
I stood up from the chair and walked to my wardrobe. I picked out a simple shirt, a leather belt adorned with golden embroidery and a few jewelry; mostly rings and a necklace.
In a few minutes, I was ready to go. I sighed once again before walking out of the room, following behind Reid.
"Of all times for that bastard to pull such a crap, it had to be now…."
After I was informed of the terrible news, I went online and did some digging to pass time and calm myself down. It was then that I found out that there were rumors of a rupture appearing close to the center of Bellenau, where the main estate of the Leonis was located.
'I can't believe I missed such important information! This was the source of the bad premonition.'
If I had found out about the rupture earlier, I would have begun to head for the main estate even before I was summoned. Unlike my other siblings, I knew how this noble stuff worked the best.
Depending on how large the rupture was, many things would change in preparation. It was a given that a general family meeting would be called.
"Tch…." I clicked my tongue as I walked out of the manor.
Julien had purposely delayed me so I would miss the meeting. He set me up. What bigger insult was there than to be late to a meeting my own father called?
And because there will be such a large audience— both the main family and the branch family of House Leonis would be there —the marquis wouldn't be able to ignore my 'disrespect'.
That was what Julien was aiming for. A chance to shame me and if possible, punish me in front of everyone to assert his dominance.
'What a brat…..'
I paused before the carriage, it was smaller than usual. I could tell that this was to reduce the weight on the horses.
There were only two horses pulling the carriage, two black Stallions. They looked very powerful…
My eyes narrowed,
"Reid, if I wasn't here and you are the only one heading to the main estate,...."
I took my eyes away from the stallions, my gaze lingering in the family emblem of House Leonis before finally settling on Reid,
"What would you say is the fastest route?"
Reid paused for a moment before speaking,
"That would depend, sir. If it was a really urgent matter, I still wouldn't be able to make it…"
I smirked. I glanced back at the stallions, my legs moving as I approached them.
They moved around for a bit but I gently calmed them down. I glanced at Reid, from his slightly parted lips and his constricted pupils, I could tell he had an idea what I was planning.
"What if it was more than urgent? What if my life might possibly depend on it?"
Reid took a deep breath, his eyes closed for a moment before he opened them, a firm resolve in his eyes.
"The devil's pass…."
"Aaahh….." I raised a brow.
The devil's pass, every single citizen of Bellenau knew of it. My residence was located approximately twenty seven kilometers away from the main estate.
It was quite secluded, if I may say. But that was only if you were taking a normal path. If you move as the crow flies, the distance is instead shortened to fifteen kilometers, almost halved.
But no one in their right minds would take such a route. And the reason was simple,...
Between the main estates and my residence, approximately seven kilometers from here and five kilometers before the main estate was a thick forest.
This forest was known as the devils pass. The reason being, anyone who entered, was assured to die. Even Tier-2 knights and warlocks.
For a long time, the true nature of the place was unknown until a Tier-3 hunter went in and came out barely alive. It was he who finally revealed what the forest known as the devil's pass truly was.
A den. A large nightcrawler's den.
And to make matters worse, the nightcrawler was presumed to be a (Top tier) 1-Star monster, yet it was capable of killing Tier-2 awakened and almost killed a Tier-3 knight.
It was an enigma till this day. That was the devil's pass.
The usual me wouldn't even dare think of entering there, but at this moment, I could feel my blood boil at the thought of it.
'I have to plan this well…. The devil's pass is about 3 km, although it might seem like a short distance, it actually is quite long when you are racing against death.'
I knew that I couldn't rashly enter the devil's pass. Although Reid would be coming with me, he was only a Tier-1 knight and higher tiered knights have died in the dark embrace of that very forest.
"How long will it take to get to the main estate normally?"
"About fifteen hours, young master."
"What if we take the devils pass?"
"Five hours, give or take, young master…"
'The difference is drastic, with this, I would be able to arrive way earlier…. But still…..'
I looked behind me, at the door to the manor, Jenna stood. She was supposed to see us off but not anymore.
Her face was pale and her body was slightly trembling. I knew she wanted to say something, but I can't give anyone the chance to change my mind.
'I'm different from before, I have Esfyn now. But the system alone isn't enough, I have to be willing to take matters into my own hands.'
"Jenna…." I called out. Jenna raised her head to look at me, I could see the worry in her eyes, and the slight fear.
I couldn't blame her, her brother was one of the victims of the devil's pass. He was her last family.
"Go with Reid, take some money from the treasury and get us new mounts…. Dark steeds to be exact."
"Yes, young master,..."
"Yes, young master…."
Both of them replied simultaneously. I turned around to walk back into the house when I suddenly paused,
"Reid…"
"Yes, young master?"
"Get yourself a good sword while you are at it,"
"Understood, young master."
I walked into the manor as Jenna and Reid both entered the carriage, heading for the nearby market.
"Esfyn, Purchase four advance cards and use them to upgrade my Spearmanship talent to the Superior grade."
[Understood, Lord Emris….]
[Exchanging advancement points for advance cards…]
[Upgrading Spearmanship talent…]
I headed straight for the training room, taking off my clothes in the process.
A card appeared before me, it was green in color and had the image of an elf-looking man with four ears instead of two. He was holding a spear in his hand.
This was the [Velthora Basic Spearmanship] card.
I squeezed the card and it immediately shattered into star-like fragments before sinking into my body.
I suddenly felt my entire being tense up as information flooded my mind. It was uncomfortable at first but it only lasted a few seconds.
When I opened my eyes, I suddenly knew all there was to the technique. But it was only superficial knowledge and understanding, I had to practice it to truly be able to use it. And that was exactly what I planned on doing.
"It's time to see the worth of a superior Spearmanship talent…."
'Julien, I'm coming for you. But before I get to you, I'll get through the devil's pass first!'