The moment Liam and Hybris stepped inside the Techon artifact store, they were greeted by the soft glow of enchanted lanterns hanging from the ceiling, their light reflecting off intricate brass and crystal fixtures. The walls were lined with dark mahogany shelves, each one meticulously organized to display a plethora of magical items.In one corner, a polished glass case housed an array of shimmering jewels and amulets, their surfaces glinting with an inner light. Each piece seemed to whisper secrets of unique powers.Another shelf was dedicated to an assortment of curious, arcane tools and enchanted weapons, including daggers with runes etched into their blades and staves topped with glowing orbs. The weapons all had one similarity though, their core functions were powered by spirit cores.A faint, pleasant aroma of aged parchment and exotic spices lingered in the air, likely emanating from the section of rare tomes and scrolls. These were carefully rolled and tied with silk ribbons
Jacky moved with the crowd for a short while before he fluidly left the pack, seamlessly blending into the shadows of a deserted alleyway. The narrow passageway was dimly lit, with flickering streetlights casting erratic shadows on the worn brick walls. As Jacky approached a particularly nondescript section of the wall, he took a deep breath. His mouth opened slightly, and words that would sound like gibberish to an average human flowed from his lips, each syllable resonating with an otherworldly cadence. The brick wall shimmered for a moment, the rough texture of the bricks seeming to ripple like water. Jacky didn’t hesitate; he kept on walking, passing through the wall as if it were made of mist. On the other side, a familiar sight greeted him. A hidden tavern, its warm glow contrasting sharply with the cold, dark alley he had just left behind. This time, the tavern was slightly more populated than before. Jacky's keen eyes quickly scanned the room, noting groups of adventurer
Hybris wasn't silent because she was terrified. In fact, it was the exact opposite. Her little crimson face puffed up, and her cheeks reddened. "She's so cool," she thought to herself. "Alright, I believe you," Mia Emberlyn said a moment later. "Really? Honestly, I won't blame you if you don't. It's kinda crazy," Liam said with a smile. She had known Liam since he was a toddler and had practically raised him alongside Mrs. O'Neil. "The least I can do is look out for him when she's not around," Mia thought."We live in a world where humans dare to aspire to replace the gods themselves. I'm sure at least half of what you said is true. And by the way, what's with that floating elemental? She's kinda starting to creep me out," Mia said, pointing at the heavily breathing and drooling Hybris."I think that means she likes you. I don't really know. She's some kind of primordial insect guardian entity or something like that," Liam tried to piece together what Hybris was supposed to be.
Hybris's eyes widened in astonishment as she took in Liam's new gear. The long crimson coat was undoubtedly of the highest quality, and it fit Liam perfectly, accentuating his lean frame. He raised the red collar, adding an extra touch of dashing style to his appearance.The coat wasn't purely red; it was adorned with patches of black that added a striking contrast. This design further enhanced the overall look, making the white shirt underneath stand out even more. The combination of colors and the impeccable fit gave Liam the perfect appearance of a stray swordsman.Hybris flashed to Liam's side."How do we know the gear works?". She asked curiously."Not sure, but we can try one method". Liam said hesitantly."Oh, what method is that?". Liam didn’t say, he simply walked to Mia Emberlyn with a forced smile on he's face, "Thank you for the gear aunt Mia". The moment Liam closed he's mouth, Hybris felt the room grow cold.Mia Emberlyn stood poised, her dark eyes locked onto Liam with
"What's the point of being the hegemon if I don't get to do whatever the hell I want?" Liam muttered, but just loud enough for Hybris to hear him. Hybris didn't respond; she couldn't. She's always been the one pestering him to be more like the hegemon, and now that he's stepping forward? To think I am trying to stop him from being what he's meant to be. Hybris stepped aside. The hegemon shouldn't back down from anything, he follows his will without fault, regardless of what the consequences might be. "I said, how much for the demihuman? Don't make me repeat myself," Liam said coldly, his blood red aura painting the environment crimson. The passerbys didn't know what was happening, but the pressure from Liam was way too daunting to ignore. "Dammit, the bastard is a divine true named county blessed," the man thought to himself, fear beginning to creep its way up his chest. "But so fucking what? Newhaven is a major city, and there's a country level blessed guarding this city. What e
"What's up with her?" Liam asked lightly, his voice tinged with curiosity. He wasn't sure what to make of the woman before him, but then again, this was a city filled with oddities and peculiarities.Liam lowered his gaze once more, observing the demihuman. She appeared to be in a trance-like state, her fluffy ears fluttering ever so slightly. Apart from the few cat-like features, she looked remarkably human."Master," she repeated, her voice trembling.This time, Liam definitely heard her. He had just bought her, so by default, she should consider him her master. Yet, she had a spirit that refused to be trampled on, no matter how much her previous master had tortured her. It would take more than a purchase to earn her true acknowledgment, not that he particularly desired to be seen as her master.The demihuman's eyes flashed with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Liam was definitely human, yet his core seemed similar to, or perhaps even of higher quality than, theirs. "It's mother," s
The table wasn't rowdy, but the silence spoke all the words that needed to be understood. Lilith might have a child like body, or might even be the youngest didn't mean she was any less in the loop, it was clear that multiple organisations are playing a game of chess, with the reward being unique blessed gems. But clearly some unforseen circumstances rose that lead to the current situation. If its so serious why even send a mortal officer and a county level demigod, Lilith still had her adorable smile but her mind was racing towards a different direction. Mr George is clearly here for a similar motive but for a different boss, it should be the original owners, the Techon family, and Hazel and midas are clearly after these gems on behalf of the world government. Archoness of the void, Peacemaker, a name that inspired both hope and fear echoed in Liliths mind. The world government should have a slight edge when it comes to having a ruler, a world level blessed is the one singul
The streets of Newhaven glowed with a soft, luminous light, casting long shadows that danced along the cobblestones. The lampposts, though seemingly ordinary, imprisoned elementals within their glass confines. These ethereal beings buzzed in despair, their delicate wings beating against the barriers that held them. Their light, though bright, failed to pierce the deepest alleys or illuminate the dank, oppressive cells of the auction houses where unspeakable transactions took place.For us, the denizens of the danger zones, the arrival of humans brought a harsh revelation. Technologically manufactured devices ceased to function in these zones, rendering even the most advanced guns useless. The only tools and weapons that worked had to be crafted from resources found within the danger zones. To the humans, those resources included us, the inhabitants of Emerald Glaze.Artifacts, however, were an exception. These ancient and mystical objects retained their power in the hands of humans, b