“Sera, Sora. It’s good that… that you’re here!”, came a relieved shout from behind Tepo’s back.

The two female warriors eyed the young warrior before them as they approached Terno.

“Young master! Are you running away from someone?”

“Who dares to chase our young master?”

Before Terno could answer the two caring voices, a yell came from withing the tavern:

“Stand still! You deserve to be punished!”

Sera and Sora sighed faintly. They stepped forward, blocking the door. With a quick glance they had already understood the situation.

Sera’s face turned serious as she addressed the two warriors in pursuit:

“Executors. My young master will be punished by his parents and a donation will be made to your church. Let this end here.”

A faint pressure emitted from the valiant looking Sera. Although the two female warriors’ outfits right now didn’t look suitable for a battle, one could tell from their demeanor that those two knew how to fight.

Within the tavern curious eyes looked at the two executors. Under Sera’s pressure they stopped, eyeing each other.

“Okay. We naturally trust your honorable family’s words.”, complied one of the executors.

For the Church of Thunderous Punishment this was a normal occurrence. Many of the strong families were hard to touch. If they could extort some money, it was already an accomplishment. Who care’s if the punishment is actually delivered in the end?

Tepo sighed as he watched the process. In the end it was all about strength. Even those fanatics didn’t dare to make things difficult for strong warriors.

As the situation calmed down, Sera turned around smiling at Terno and then eyeing Tepo.

“Young master.”, asked the female warrior curiously. “Who is this man?”

“Ah. Sera, Sora. This isss my friend. Tepo!”

“Nice to meet you.”, greeted Tepo with a nod.

He was surprised as he watched the female warriors’ faces. Was there a glimmer of joy in their eyes?

“So, its young master Tepo!”, exclaimed Sora.

Sera had a faint smile on her face as she asked:

“Did you meet our young master today?”

“Yes. We met in the arena.”

Hearing the last word, Terno flinched slightly. Sora rolled her eyes at his embarrassed reaction. No matter how often his parents warned the young master, he would always enjoy those commoners’ entertainment.

Well, at least today something good came out of it.

Thinking about their young master’s new friend, the two female warriors felt secretly delighted.

In a good mood Sera addressed Tepo:

“Young man, I’m glad that you can call our young master your friend. For now, we have to go back, but I hope you can visit the young master often. Just ask for the Cloudbearer family.”

Hearing those words, Tepo could only nod. Although it was uncertain when he would come back to Winged Border City.

Terno felt somewhat reluctant. The young man had a lot of fun today and was delighted to find someone actually willing to listen to his words.

Looking at his bodyguards who were ready to leave, the young master could only say goodbye for now. Tepo and Terno exchanged their contacts before the latter slowly disappeared down the street.

Tepo shook his head and left hurriedly as well. Who knew if those executors might come back? Now there was no strong warrior to keep them in check.

Walking along the dark roads, Tepo yawned. He had a lot of excitement today and even a fight. It was time to relax a bit.

Asking around the young man soon found the inn he heard about earlier: Bel’s.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

It was an old building owned by and old man. The beds were dusty but still better than many the investigator knew from his old life.

To the backdrop of a few arguing drunks the young man gradually fell asleep.

Suddenly, a few hours later. Within Tepo’s chest the Core of Time pulsed lightly. Words appeared and disappeared from time to time. If Tepo were awake he would notice that the Force of Natural Perception got more aggressive again.

Gradually the Core of Time began to brighten. The runes swam actively. A faint pressure spread form the core.

Suddenly Tepo woke up. His eyes shot open. The sudden awakening triggered his instincts as a former soldier. He suppressed all laziness and pushed his senses to the limit.

What’s going on? Why did I wake up?

Focusing, the young warrior felt a strange itch in his chest. The sensations were unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. Tepo furrowed his brows as he concentrated on the Core of Time.

What’s happening? My core is pulsing rapidly all of a sudden. Those words… the Force of Natural Perception? Why now?

Before Tepo had more time to think, a flash of light suddenly emitted from his core. It even vaguely reached his skin.

The young man was confused for a moment before quickly connecting with his core. Information appeared in his mind.

>>> Core of Time <<<

Real name:

Master of the everflowing, the immortal

Core rank:

common (damaged 100/1000)

Core quality:

⭐⭐

Core level:

3

Host level:

aspirant (three-circled)

Spells:

Lonarzium Skin][Lonarzium Infectious Skin]

[Rapid Pierce][Chaotic Evasion][Rapid Chaotic Piere]

Core abilities:

[Scan][Projection][Time Dilation: Body]

[Time Protection: Future]

>>> <<<

Immediately Tepo was elated. His core’s quality had advanced, and it gained a new ability.

Let’s see what it does…

[Time Protection: Future]: Once every twenty hours the Core of Time can send a single attack into the future. The timing can’t be controlled, and the host’s future self will have to deal with the attack. The Core of Time gained this ability at two-star quality.

Tepo’s mouth gaped open. What a powerful defensive ability! From the information provided by his core, apparently there was no limitation to the ability’s might.

This is one of the best life-saving abilities I could have hoped for. The only downside I see would be the attack emerging during a fight and distracting my future self.

Playing out a few scenarios in his head, Tepo was more and more satisfied with this ability. This was definitely a great trump card to have.

Tepo was in a good mood as he laid in bed, ready to sleep through the night. But suddenly his eyes shot open. A bit of sweat formed on his forehead.

My core’s quality suddenly advanced. Doesn’t this mean people are forming opinions about me. But… who?

The Church of Thunderous Punishment? The Blue Ocean Merchants?

Tepo took a deep breath. How was he supposed to sleep now?

Apprehensive, the young man left his bed. Carefully, not making any noise he sneaked towards the dirty window of his room.

Leaning against the wall Tepmodus slowly glanced outside. Watching the shadowy road the young man had the misconception as if eyes were everywhere. He felt observed, uneasy, since his core upgraded.

Tepo mustered the few people outside. A group of warriors hurried past the dark streets. Drunks slept leaning against walls. A few scantly clad women hurried home from their works in various taverns.

Suddenly Tepo’s eyes froze. He was sure. There, at the corner, a drunken man glanced at his direction, his eyes clearer than they should be.

Tepo stabilized his breathing as he mustered the man. He stopped on the drunk’s hand.

This… metallic? This has to be a com. F*ck! This can’t be a coincidence.

Drawing his head back, Tepo’s thoughts raced.

I don’t know who’s observing me, but it can’t be something good. F*ck! Can’t even catch some sleep. What should I do now?

Since they haven’t acted yet, they are probably waiting for something or someone.

I don’t think they are afraid of attacking within the city. So far, the guards appear to be complete apathic. Which means I should leave immediately!

Can I put on my mask? Hmmm…

The Inn doesn’t have many rooms. It would be stupid of them not to trail anyone who leaves. I might give away my other identity. This would only spell even more trouble.

Having thought it through, Tepo didn’t waste any more time. He put on a nondescript black coat, wore a hood, and left his room. He took the inn’s backdoor and briskly walked down the street.

Immediately movement came into the shadows. Rustling noises sounded out. People stood up seemingly coincidentally.

Tepo glanced over his shoulders. He felt a cold shudder going down his back. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling knowing that he was being tailed.

At this moment the young warrior naturally wouldn’t care about etiquette. He hurriedly activated [Scan].

Nothing? I’m being tailed by at least five people and the [Scan] doesn’t show anything. Either all of them are way stronger than me or commoners.

Naturally only one of the two conclusions made sense.

B*stards. They hired commoners to trail me in large numbers so I can’t kill them all? If they are also waiting in other parts of the city, it will even be harder to lose them.

I have to try something, but I also can’t waste too much time. Whoever they are waiting for will surely arrive soon.