Chapter 30: Arrival of the black snakes.
The next day dawned, casting a soft glow into Kim Yung's chamber as he stirred from his slumber. With a contented sigh, he sat up on the edge of his bed, muscles rippling beneath his skin as he stretched. His eyes fell upon Ciel, who knelt before him, head bowed in reverence.
"Good morning, my lord," Ciel greeted, her voice a gentle melody in the stillness of the room.
"Morning, Ciel," Kim replied, rising from the bed with fluid grace, his movements like a panther's as he crossed the room to retrieve his attire from the left side.
"Are we departing today?" Ciel inquired, her gaze lifting to meet him.
"Yes, very likely, we've spent enough time here… but first I still have to take care of something." Kim sighed, 'Helix, open up the quest'.
{Request confirmed…
*Quest*
-Stay in Orion village for 4 days ✓
- Acquire your first subject
- Walk 500,000 footsteps ✓}.
Studying the instructions on the template, Kim couldn't suppress a sigh as he confronted the second quest.
According to his system, securing a subject was akin to ensnaring someone into servitude, binding their soul to a contract, a pact of sorts.
"And how am I supposed to persuade a human to obediently obey my every command?" Kim muttered aloud, frustration lacing his tone.
{Notice: Upon obtaining a subject, the king's authority is bolstered, rendering them unable to resist your will}.
"That's not the issue here…" Kim remarked to himself, a wry chuckle escaping his lips as he contemplated the daunting task ahead.
…..
*Outside Orion village*
With a steady pace, four sleek black bikes, each carrying two riders, raced toward the village. The tires gripped the rough surface of the unstable bridge, threatening to send it tumbling into the churning river below.
Reaching the far side, their laughter echoed louder, punctuating the air as they zoomed past the weathered sign marking the village entrance.
Skrrrrrr!
The bikes screeched to a halt, and with ominous smirks, each rider dismounted, their presence casting a shadow over the tranquil village.
Dressed in matching black jackets adorned with a skull logo on their shoulders, they advanced toward the village square with purposeful strides.
As they approached, the nearby villagers caught sight of the menacing group and scattered in terror, seeking refuge wherever they could find it, their hearts pounding with fear at the sight alone.
"Come out, old man! The black snakes are here to claim what's rightfully ours!" bellowed one of the figures, brandishing a smartphone to capture every moment of their intrusion.
But despite the echoing command, not a single soul dared to emerge from their hiding places, leaving the village eerily silent in response.
"Well, looks like they've wised up," remarked another member, a towering figure with muscles rippling beneath his jacket.
"Seems that way. Can't say I'm surprised," replied the leader, Rizor, his long black hair swaying as he remained perched on his bike, a scarf tied around his forehead lending him an air of intimidation.
"So, what's the plan? Should we just keep searching until we find the old man?" inquired another member.
"Nah, no need for all that," Rizor replied dismissively.
"Then what's the plan?" Pressed the member.
"We'll lure them out," Rizor declared, extending his hand toward one of the towering tents. Flames erupted from his fingertips, coalescing into a fiery ball.
A sinister grin played across his lips, his eyes alight with dark intent as he hurled the fireball toward the tent.
Almost instantly, a male villager burst forth from a nearby house, clapping his hands together with remarkable speed, splitting the flames into two harmless streams.
"Hahahah, mission accomplished," laughed one of the members, twirling his scythe with practiced ease.
Rizor let out a resigned sigh, observing as the villager positioned himself defiantly between them and the tents.
This particular villager was clad in translucent magical armor, amplifying his already imposing stature.
"Black snakes," the villager seethed, his voice thick with anger. "You promised never to return here."
"Did we now? I must have forgotten," Rizor replied with casual indifference.
"Leave this place immediately. We have nothing for you," the villager shouted, his tone brimming with defiance.
Surrounding him, other villagers emerged from their hiding places within the tents, their bows drawn and arrows aimed squarely at the intruders.
Rizor paused, his gaze sweeping the area, meticulously noting every arrow trained on him.
"By the way, where's the chief?" he asked, his tone deceptively casual.
"That's none of your concern," the villager shot back, his voice edged with defiance.
"Is he hiding from me? Really? That's quite pathetic, considering his duty to protect the Texarat," Rizor remarked, his movements fluid as he circled, his eyes locked on the villagers with a predatory intensity.
"..."
"Seems there's nothing more I can say to you," Rizor remarked coldly, closing the distance between them until he stood mere inches from the villager.
Locking eyes with him, Rizor continued, his voice low and menacing, "How many lives do you think I have to take before he takes me seriously?".
The question hung heavy in the air, eliciting a stunned silence from the villager. Before he could muster a response, Rizor's hand shot forward, piercing his chest with a swift, brutal strike.
With a surge of dark energy, Rizor ignited the villager from within, his body consumed by flames as he fell to the ground.
The remaining villagers watched in horror from their hiding places as their comrade writhed on the ground, consumed by flames.
"Come out!" Rizor's voice thundered, flames dancing around him in a menacing display. "Get your asses out here, or I swear I'll burn every single one of you. Stop wasting my time!!! And give me the damn Texarat!".
Silence greeted his demand, intensifying the cold fury in his eyes.
"Tommy," Rizor called out, his voice cutting through the stillness.
"Hmm…" came the reply from the member named Tommy.
"Kill every single one," Rizor commanded, his tone devoid of mercy, "and leave no one alive."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone