Chapter 246: Shocking Changes

Chapter 246: Shocking Changes



If it weren't for the ancient troll fangs vanishing and the slightest fluctuation in the opponent's aura, Rain would have never sensed his presence.

Clearly, the opponent was an expert in concealing their tracks.

"What sharp senses, Lord Rain. My apologies for the intrusion." A soft, effeminate male voice came from outside the door.

Rain glanced at the fangs that had turned to dust and couldn't help but find it amusing. He thought, What's the point of meeting now? Even if I wanted to give them to you, they're already gone.

However, it wouldn't hurt to hear him out and see what he was after.

"Enter!" Rain commanded.

The door opened gently, and a slender yet robust man in leather armor walked in. His narrow eyes gave off an aura akin to a venomous snake's gaze.

The man named Hamis bowed slightly and said, "Lord Rain, on behalf of the Minster Aksen Auction House, I greet you on behalf of Viscount Fabien, our representative."

"Mr. Hamis, please state your purpose," Rain said, examining the man before him.

The short dagger at the man's waist seemed to indicate that he was an assassin.

"Lord Rain, I'm here to request that you sell us the fangs you obtained from the natives. Our auction house values those fangs greatly."

Rain waved his hand dismissively, "Mr. Hamis, I'm sorry, but I don't have any fangs here."

He wasn't lying.

Although he had possessed the fangs just a few seconds ago, they had now turned to dust, so it was true that he didn't have any fangs.

Hamis stared at Rain's emotionless eyes, taken aback.

Huh? Could it be that he was telling the truth? But that's impossible!

As soon as he had arrived nearby, he had sensed that faint fluctuation, and after pursuing those fangs for so long, he should not have sensed them incorrectly.

After a moment's thought, Hamis's expression turned solemn, and he said gravely, "Lord Rain, although you are a noble Imperial Swordmaster, you may not be aware that the Aksen Auction House is far more influential than you might imagine."

"Viscount Fabien is merely a representative figure. By causing trouble over this matter, you will offend not just a viscount, but many others. It would be unwise to do so."

"Oh? Mr. Hamis, are you threatening me?" Rain smiled.

"Do you know that I hate being threatened? Furthermore, even if I did have the fangs you mentioned, according to the Imperial War Spoils Allocation Regulations, they belong to me, don't they?"

"Or is the Aksen Auction House challenging this established Imperial rule? Perhaps I should spread the word about this in the Swordsman Division."

Hamis was at a loss for words.

Damn it!

If it weren't for the stupidity of the caravan master Asani and his men, who thought they had reached Minster and relaxed their guard, allowing this native to escape, there wouldn't be so much trouble!

Before coming, he had examined the native's injuries and knew that the young Lord Rain was no ordinary person. Moreover, the more troublesome aspect was his sensitive identity.

If it wasn't necessary, he wouldn't want to confront him.

"Lord Rain, let me be direct. Those fangs are of great importance to the Aksen Auction House, and a Marquis has specifically requested them. If you insist on your stance, please don't regret it later."

"I truly don't have the fangs. If you don't believe me. If you don't believe me, you can check for yourself." Rain spread his hands, revealing the contents of his waist pouch.

"I swear by the Goddess that this is true!" Rain declared.

He had known that the Aksen Auction House had a powerful background, and it would be best if he could bluff his way through.

Additionally, he was indeed telling the truth.

The fangs had turned to dust, and if they wanted dust, they could discuss it.

But if they wanted the fangs, there was nothing he could do. Rain thought to himself.

Hamis looked at Rain's clear and earnest eyes, his unwavering oath, and was perplexed.

Such clear eyes couldn't be lying. Hamis carefully examined the contents of Rain's waist pouch, but the fangs were not there.

Those fangs were long and white, and they would be easily noticeable.

He scanned Rain's room, which was simply decorated, and there didn't seem to be any place to hide them.

The floor was a little dirty, probably because the servants hadn't cleaned it properly. Hamis thought.

"It seems I might have made a mistake. My apologies, Lord Rain, I hope you don't mind my intrusion." Hamis bowed.

"Of course not," Rain waved his hand.

Hamis bowed again and turned to leave.

After Hamis left, Rain pondered in silence.

The ancient troll fangs must be extremely rare, or the Aksen Auction House wouldn't be so persistent.

Perhaps, when he returned to the Swordsman Division, he should find some related information to understand this better.

Rain turned his attention back to the job change information.

With the job change to a legendary profession, he gained a boost in all attributes, especially in Spirit, which increased by 3 points.

Rain flipped to the attribute page of his system panel:

Name: Ryan Calan

Profession: Legendary Weapon Master lv6 (1912/3000) / Beast Priest (Legendary) lv1 (1/100) / Arcane Apprentice (Extraordinary) lv6 (69/3000) / Deadly Alchemist (Extraordinary) lv6 (69/3000) / Armorer lv6 (211/3000)



Constitution: 32

Strength: 31

Agility: 32

Spirit: 39

Remaining Attribute Points: 12

Remaining Skill Points: 0

All attributes had surpassed the thirty-point threshold, but Rain was more concerned about the three core skills he had just acquired from the Beast Priest (Legendary) profession.

Cold-Hot Alternation

Intermediate Steel Body

Strength Attribute

Torrent Chamber

Bronze Rank

Wisdom Slate

Valor Points

Minster

Wayne

Kim

Nokford County

Engo First Mine

Derby County

Liaison Task

Common Tongue

Security Advisor

Trade District

Imve Barony

Feral Beast

Legendary Weapon Master

Extraordinary Battle Technique

Firestone Particle

---

The cold-hot alternation is a technique that allows the user to rapidly switch between two different types of energy, such as hot and cold, to create powerful attacks. This skill is often associated with the Intermediate Steel Body, which enhances the user's physical attributes, including strength and endurance.

The Torrent Chamber is a specialized training ground designed to simulate the intense and unpredictable flow of energy, helping users hone their skills in controlling and manipulating energy. The chamber is divided into two sections: the Standard Torrent Chamber and the Advanced Torrent Chamber, each offering different levels of challenge and training.

The Bronze Rank is a classification system used to evaluate and rank adventurers and warriors based on their skills, achievements, and contributions to their respective fields. The Wisdom Slate is a valuable item that can record and display a user's attributes, skills, and other relevant information, serving as a comprehensive overview of their abilities.

Valor Points are a form of currency earned through various tasks and quests, often used to purchase special items or exchange for valuable rewards. The Minster is a prestigious location, possibly a town or a region, known for its association with the Valor Points and the Wisdom Slate.

Wayne is a character, likely a notable figure or a place, connected to the cold-hot alternation technique and the Intermediate Steel Body. Kim is another character or location associated with the Torrent Chamber and the Bronze Rank.

Nokford County is a region or an area that might be related to the Wisdom Slate and Valor Points. Engo First Mine could be a significant mine or a location connected to the cold-hot alternation technique. Derby County is another place or region associated with the Intermediate Steel Body and the Torrent Chamber.

Liaison Task refers to a specific mission or responsibility, possibly involving communication and coordination between different parties. Common Tongue is a language or a form of communication used in this context.

Security Advisor is a role or a position related to maintaining order and safety, possibly within the Trade District, which is a designated area for commercial activities and transactions. Imve Barony is a title or a location associated with the cold-hot alternation technique and the Intermediate Steel Body.

Feral Beast could be a powerful and untamed creature, possibly a key element in the acquisition or understanding of the cold-hot alternation technique. Legendary Weapon Master is a prestigious title or a character skilled in the use of various weapons, possibly connected to the Extraordinary Battle Technique.

Extraordinary Battle Technique is a unique and powerful combat skill, potentially linked to the cold-hot alternation technique. Firestone Particle might be a crucial element or resource used in the application of this technique.

It seems that you have to find a beast to try it.

Then, Ryan shifted his gaze to the last icon, which depicted a beast galloping in a grand manner, full of vigor!

[Beast Control lv1 (Active): As a descendant of the ancient trolls, you can control all beasts within a diameter of thirty meters, making them bloodthirsty and frenzied, and launching an attack on the enemy.]



(Note: The stronger the beast, the greater its resistance to your control, and the effect of beast control is related to your spirit attribute.)



Looking at these three core skills, a smile couldn't help but appear on Ryan's face!

In the evening.

Jenny arranged a sumptuous dinner.

"Jenny, perhaps you and Agatha can consider buying a villa in the administrative district." Ryan, while using a silver knife and fork to cut the hot and spicy Shingold Town goat ribs, said.

"Ryan, is it because of what happened during the day?"

"Yes, I'm not sure yet, it's better to be prepared." Ryan nodded and didn't deny it.

"Okay, Ryan, then tomorrow I'll go and look at the house with Agatha." Jenny didn't ask further, nodding.

During dessert.

"Ryan, are you going back tonight?" Agatha, with her big watery eyes looking at Ryan, took a sip of the young Bordeaux wine, her youthful face as beautiful as a flower.

Although Agatha had freckles on her nose, it didn't affect the girl's liveliness and enthusiasm.

"Agatha, you've had too much to drink!" Jenny couldn't help but cover her forehead with her small hand again.

Oh no, oh no.

She was completely smitten with Ryan's male charm.

"Is it because you want to ask me something?"

"Are you delivering it to my door?"

Meanwhile.

In a study on the third floor of the Aksen Auction House.

Hamus was sitting face-to-face with Viscount Fabian.

"So, Hamus, even you can't confirm whether the ancient troll fangs are in the hands of this Swordholder?" Viscount Fabian frowned, saying.

"Yes, Viscount Fabian, my apologies." Hamus nodded and replied.

"It seems we'll have to trouble Lord Horton to use his divination technique again. In the next few days, I'll have to make time to visit him." Viscount Fabian furrowed his brows, muttering.

In the evening.

In the Swordsman Division.

"Hello, sir, is there anything I can help you with?" A pretty female staff member saw Ryan approaching, stood up, and bowed.

"Help me look up information about trolls, um, or ancient trolls." Ryan handed his bronze emblem to her as he spoke.

"Okay, sir! Please wait a moment." The girl respectfully took the emblem with both hands and quickly started searching.

"Is it a book about trolls or ancient trolls?"

"Yes!"

"I found it, sir, there are two ancient books related to trolls, namely 'The Evolution of Giants' and 'The Ancient Giants'."

"Borrow both of them."

"Okay, sir, the total price for borrowing these two books is 20 Valor Points."

"Since these two books originate from ancient records of the Imperial Library, according to regulations, you can only read them within the Swordsman Division, and they must be returned within a month." The girl apologized slightly.

"Okay, thank you!" Ryan nodded.

After returning to his room, Ryan began to read carefully.

"In some remote areas of the Empire, or even beyond its borders, there are still remnants of certain forest troll clans."

". However, it's still unclear whether there are other types of trolls in existence."

Ryan first put 'The Evolution of Giants' aside and quickly started reading 'The Ancient Giants'.

". Ancient trolls have an average height of over two and a half meters, far surpassing the height of the remaining forest trolls, which is around two meters. Female trolls are slightly shorter, about two meters tall."

"Additionally, even within the same clan, there are some trolls that are significantly larger and more powerful than the ordinary clan members."

Ryan looked at the illustration and noticed that the male trolls' fangs protruded like those of wild boars, and the taller the troll, the longer its fangs. Their appearance was completely outside human aesthetics.

However, female trolls were different.

Their lower jaw fangs resembled slightly longer human teeth, barely protruding from their lips, like the commonly mentioned small fangs, looking a bit playful, and their facial features resembled those of human females, giving an overall feeling that appealed to human male aesthetics.

". Troll fangs are said to possess special strength, and the more powerful a troll warrior, the more pronounced this strength is in their fangs."

"During the rule of the Ancient Troll Empire, primitive human tribes worshipped and sacrificed to the fangs of powerful deceased troll warriors, borrowing the mysterious power within."

Ryan read with great interest.

"As suspected, there's no influence from evil gods within," he muttered.

"This must be some unique ability of the ancient race."

For several days, Rain diligently attended general education classes and spent time in the Torrent Chamber, living a routine life.

Unfortunately, he had little opportunity to use the other two core skills of the Beast Priest (Legendary).

However, early that morning, the evaluation of Rain's recent emergency response was released.

Three Bronze Medals and eight hundred Valor Points—Barnes' prediction was spot-on!

However, he would have to wait until the completion of his liaison task to receive the rewards.

With three Bronze Medals on his record, Rain's Emblem rank could advance from Bronze to Silver.

This meant he would soon be able to undertake Silver-rank tasks.

He was getting closer to earning the Gold Medal.

Late at night, in Myester County, Shingold Town Church.

A man in a black robe with several burning black flames on his collar and cuffs entered the church, where seven or eight similarly dressed Black Flame Cultists were waiting.

"Envoy, the Bone Staff has been set up," one of them said.

"Excellent, let's start with this town!"

"Hmph! The Dragoon Empire thinks that by eliminating one of our branches, they've intimidated us. How foolish!"

"Starting today, let's shake this decaying empire to its core!"

"Envoy, won't this provoke the Dragoon Empire to launch a full-scale crackdown? I'm not afraid, but I'm concerned about delaying the god's revival." One of the cultists hesitated.

The middle-aged man known as the Envoy revealed a peculiar smile. "Of course, but..."

"...the Dragoon Empire won't have the energy for it."

"Because this time, it's not just us!"

Minutes later, the cultists formed a circle, and their chanting filled the church.

"Great God of the Hunt, witness your humble servant's meager offering as we await your return!"

Shingold Town Administrative Building.

In the lounge, Hamilton suddenly woke up, feeling a heart palpitation. He got up and faintly heard chanting coming from the church.

"How could someone be praying at this hour?" Hamilton frowned, deep in thought. The next moment, his expression changed.

"Oh no!"

Hamilton immediately understood the situation and grabbed the sword and shield beside him, rushing out of the room.

But before he could reach the church with a team of Night Watch elite, he noticed a faint, eerie blood-colored mist hovering over Shingold Town.

Even before they reached the church, the Night Watch members beside Hamilton screamed in horror.

"I'm bleeding from my nose!"

"Look, the blood is floating!"

They watched in terror as their blood flowed from their noses and eyes, unable to stop it. The blood seemed to flow like a river into the ocean, rising from the air towards the church.

Hamilton's pupils constricted in shock. He was about to retreat when he turned and saw a black-robed figure behind him.

"Hmm? I didn't expect to find a survivor here."

"And a Senior Knight at that. Judging by your attire, you must be the town's sheriff. With you, the town is almost complete."

Minutes later, a familiar roar echoed.

Shingold Town fell silent, as if death had descended.

Under the same moonlight, in Myester County, Fishport Town.

"Whoosh!"

On the coast, waves rhythmically crashed against the reefs.

Suddenly, several bizarrely shaped, tall humanoid creatures emerged from the sea and swiftly slid onto the shore.

They had heads resembling miniature giant dragons, with both circular and linear fins, and multiple thick whiskers like catfish beneath their chins.

These creatures stood over eight feet tall, holding tridents, exuding formidable auras.

They were certainly not mere mermen, despite their 'Z'-shaped movement.

Early the next morning, as Rain headed to the Swordsman Division's Novice Hall to attend general education classes, he noticed multiple griffins taking off from the training ground one after the other, flying southeast.

"Hmm? What's going on? Why are all the griffins taking off at once?" Rain wondered.

Before he could figure it out, another squadron of griffins swiftly cut through the sky.

"Is that the Myester Griffin Squadron?"

Rain could make out Viscount Filck, the leader, wearing light golden knight armor.

At that moment, a red-haired beauty, Evelyn, rushed over from the corridor, anxiously saying to Rain, "Sir Rain, something big is happening in Myester County!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end