195. Recruitment
The sun has just risen and the usual peaceful Dwarfen Guild had become lively as multiple experts had congregated to participate on mysterious mission posted ten days ago. The recruitment post did not indicate specific rewards but given its danger level, it is only natural to assume it comes with hefty commissions.
Today, more than fifty mages have gathered and not everyone is friendly.
“Oi!”
A middle-aged Elven with spiky hair raised his voice as he tried catching the attentions of three Dwarfen bartenders who seem busy preparing trays of transparent mugs. From the way his hands is spread beside him and his legs crossed while munching on what looks like a toothpick, his annoyance is rather obvious. “Does this stinky place even serve food?”
“Trust me. It is within your best interest to not have a full stomach when taking your client’s test. But if you insist, you can order what you want. On the house!” One of the Dwarfen bartenders spoke. He is not other than Grumaht. It has been ten days since Clay had requested a recruitment mission and today, fifty-three responded and gathered within his little guild to check the mission.
Grumaht was tempted to enlist but as someone who keeps tracks of human affairs visiting their lands, he knew too well how death is human’s best friend. Besides, if he dies without having reached the retirement age, his successor will not receive resources to reach 2ND Circle.
“If there is anyone among you who would like to satiate their hunger, please raise your hands so we can start taking your orders.” Grumaht looked into the transparent mug he just wiped and after confirming that it was spotless, he placed it on a tray upside down.
“This meeting should have had started an hour ago. How long do we have to keep waiting?” A participant seating in front asked.
“He should be here any minute now.” Sensing the tension and cold atmosphere, Grumaht maintained a warm smile as he picked another mug to wipe. “Since no one raised a hand, I assume we all agree to wait?”
Earlier when he advised Clay that fifty three cultivators will be attending, he was instructed to keep watch as the meeting will be purposely delayed.
Grumaht used his peripheral vision to observe a certain old man holding a cane and is seated on the front left. As 2ND Circle Mage, he is confident he can judge everyone’s strength but this old Moon Elf is giving off a faint cold and domineering aura almost similar to when Clay revealed a sliver of his power.
Ten days ago when Clay asked him to post said mission, there were only two line items. Can survive at the heart of Spatial Tear Burst. Rewards: Cultivation Resources.
If not because of the reputation of the Dwarfen Guilds, no one would even treat it seriously. He was anticipating only three or four would come but surprisingly enough, words spread like wildfire even Moon Elves from the neighboring country came in such short notice.
*Squeak!
As everyone’s patience is running out, the door was slowly opened and a man wearing dark hooded robe entered and walked straight towards the front catching everyone’s deadly gazes. Unlike everyone in attendance, he did not emit any aura.
“Gentlemen, ladies. Your client has just arrived. Please have your…” As soon as Clay reached the counter, Grumaht wanted to introduce Clay to everyone but he got immediately interrupted.
“Are you kidding me? A human?” The man with spiky hair stood up together with his two friends. “I think I share the same sentiment when I say, prove that there will be plenty of resources for everyone….”
Crack!
“Thread carefully if I were you.” Grumaht’s brawny hands easily crushed the transparent ceramic mug on his hand as he released his aura and jumped over the counter cutting the man mid-sentence. Having drank Clay’s Muraka-infused beer a few days ago, his strength had improved quite significantly that he is confident to confront everyone in attendance.
“That’s enough.” Clay’s mana-infused voice echoed within the spacious hall and as he turned to face the crowd. Then second later, his right foot lightly tapped the floor levitating his body backwards and in blink of an eye, his buttocks perfectly landed on the long table near the trays of mugs.
“What’s your name, Mr. Terrestrial Elven with a scar on his face?” Clay then looked at the person who wanted to instigate a ruckus then placed his right foot atop a chair.
“It’s Atzali.” Having threatened by a Grumaht’s oppressive aura, his tone slightly changed. “I hope you won’t misunderstand but I just want to make sure I am not wasting my time.”
“Atzali as in steel. Beautiful name you got there. Why don’t you step forward and be the first to take my test. I was just about to test everyone but why don’t you volunteer and confirm if there really will be rewards for everyone.”
Atzali was apprehensive and had the client be an Elven, he would immediately kneel and beg forgiveness however, he is convinced that everyone will help him as they are dealing with a human so he stepped forward with confidence.
Meanwhile, seeing that Atzali was actually approaching, Clay grabbed on one of the mugs Grumaht had prepared and when Atzali was a few feet away, he took out a barrel from his spatial ring then instructed Grumaht to fill the cup.
(What in the world is that?)
(Is that what I think it is?)
(You are not playing with us right?)
There were murmurs within the crowd. Just a second ago, upon seeing that Clay was a human, they were already preparing to leave but the barrel took everyone’s attention. Everyone stood up and gathered closer and watched as sparkling golden beer poured out from the wood tap of the barrel.
“This is not your normal Mimic Ale. I would consume it slowly if I were you.“ Despite wanting to crush the head of the arrogant young Elf, Grumaht composed himself and as he handed the mug filled with mysterious alcohol.
At the same time, Atzali’s eyes widened as he watched the ale being served to him and when the mug finally was in his hands, he forgot to enjoy the aroma and immediately drunk the contents in go.
*Gulp!
*Gulp!
*Arggghhh!
*Burp!!!!
“Ha ha ha. My apologies.” In about three seconds, Atzali could immediately tell how potent the cultivation effect is and softly laughed like a maniac. “Is it too early to ask for seconds?”
“Well, since you volunteered, I will make an exemption.” Clay slightly nodded towards Grumaht giving him a sign to serve another cup. And seeing that everyone’s jealousy, Clay looked at Gundahr and the other bartender and said, “Please, let everyone have a taste.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
While many among the crowd would like to be served first, they contained their excitement upon seeing Grumaht’s wrinkled forehead. From Grumaht’s warning and seeing that the client can indeed fork out such unordinary alcohol, they knew the conditions of the test will unordinary as well so they stepped back and took their respective seats.
“My name is Tarihk. This mission, it doesn’t have an age limit, does it?”
While everyone is slowly being served, an old Moon Elf spoke prompting Clay to turn his head.
Honestly, he had been wanting to talk to this frail-looking old man. Two days ago when he was observing any potential applicants visiting the guild, this old man caught his attention.
For the first time since he reincarnated to this world, he finally saw a solid proof that Dao exists and can be acquired. Based on the image reflected on his Godly Eyes, Tarihk’s soul has tiny trace of dark reddish mist around his soul.
Clay was tempted to talk to him directly about this power but he did not want to show he is desperate. Since this old man is guaranteed to pass with the test he is about to conduct, he will slowly earn his respect and trust then let him reveal the secrets.
And the other reason he chose this approach is because his Godly Eyes revealed this old man was once 5TH Circle.
It is evident that Tarihk had his primary mana heart crippled but as an Elf with secondary and tertiary mana centers, Clay believed this person is still capable of manifesting strength close to a 5TH Circle Mage’s strength. As for which Magi School and who crippled this man, these things will have to wait.
“That depends. Will you blame me if you die during the expedition? Because if you will, then I think the answer is rather obvious.” Clay pretended to have not noticed the man’s cultivation level and decided to further observe.
(Strong!)
(Ha ha ha. Quite Strong!)
(Arggggghhh! That’s some spiritual drink for yah!)
Clay remained silent as he observed everyone. Originally, the plan is to recreate a portion of ancient Druidic Shrines and while he can do it alone, it may take him forever spotting and locating the specific monster he needed.
The way he envisioned the plan is to have Dwarfen companions during the trip but to his disappointment, Grumaht and the rest of the Dwarfen Guilds chose to not participate.
He is not really the type to force people so he can only recruit other people.
The only problem is that, the recruitment post for some reason spread throughout the country and even attracted at least five Moon Elves, four of which are 2ND Circle and the fifth, a 3RD Circle young female Elf pretending to be 1ST Circle and another interesting participant who has four mana circulation centers.
He could just pick the obvious but to avoid causing further troubles, he will make it appear like it is a true assessment.
“Everyone!” After a few minutes and seeing that all fifty three candidates had consumed their respective servings, Clay smiled and announced, “I’m glad that everyone enjoyed my present. The bad news is, I’m planning on hiring only five of you. But you can prove me wrong. As for the actual test, there is only one rule. Don’t fall asleep.”
Clay took out an hourglass then flicked his fingers.
*Click!
Under the influence of mana-infused Mimic Ale, everyone could feel their bodies like being cleansed and some are tempted to meditate but did not dare lower their guards upon hearing Clay’s instructions. It is within their expectations that there will be a combat assessment but it confuses them to have everyone undergo the test in one go.
And it confuses them more that five seconds have already passed since Clay clicked his finger and nothing is still happening.
“What’s going on?”
“What?”
“Are we supposed to fight or something?”
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Don’t let your guard down.”
Clay ignored everyone’s reaction then took out an apple from his spatial then took a bite.
*Crunch!
“Now.”
WENG!!!!!
Clay whispered and following which, the entire hall was shrouded with terrifying aura pulses causing everyone to take out weapons. Some certainly felt where the origins of those aura pulses and while they wanted to attack, their bodies did not seem to listen.
*Argggghhhhhhh!
“Put up a barrier!”
*Argggghhhhhhh!
“Son of a bitch!”
*Argggghhhhhhh!
With the sudden presence of unknown terrifying and suffocating aura which seem to disrupt and invade their meridians, a few participants could no longer control the mana from the Ale they ingested
“Bastard!!!”
“Put up a barrier!”
“It’s useless.”
Clay watched as everyone panicked and in less than ten seconds, some had already dropped to the ground as their bodies could not generate barrier to prevent the unknown waves of fluctuating power from reaching their circulation centers.
As expected, aside from Tarihk and the 3RD Circle Mage who casted a simple barrier around their bodies, surprisingly, the Elven woman with 4 Mana Hearts at the back who seem unaffected and seven other scattered participants who had other means of resisting the mana distortions.
“Carry those who will pass out and bring them outside the building.” After twenty more seconds, the last struggling candidate succumbed to slumber.
*Thud!
Grumaht silently listened as he walked towards the first few victims. He knew that Clay had installed Mana Burst Arrays within the building but he did not expect the burst of energies to be of extreme levels. If he did not have their innate Berserk Skill, even he would pass out from the mere chaotic energy distortions in the air.
“You said five but there are eight of us. Do you want us to fight each other?”
As a friendly gesture, Clay took out another apple and threw it towards Tarihk.
“What do you think? Should I fail a few more?”
*Click!
When Clay clicked his fingers again, the Mana Burst Array stopped sending invisible waves of energy.
With the deactivation of the Array, Tarihk retracted his mana barrier as well then looked to his left. He could just use his divine sense but he has no plans on revealing his strength.
Tarihk stared on a corner where one of the Array Nodes is located. Normally, a recruitment test will have everyone engaged in combat but who would have thought that they would be exposed to an aura of an actual Magic Beast. From his estimate, there were six Array Nodes and each containing different Beast Cores but the trick was to quickly and alternately activate them in succession sending different energy signatures which could easily knock off inexperience 2ND Circle Mages.
This types of assessment is very wasteful and expensive and is never meant to test combat abilities but to filter those with solid foundations, those who can maintain their mana circulations even when exposed to dangerous and oppressive auras which begs the question, what kind of expedition awaits them.
“Unless you plan on hunting Level 4 Beasts, then this old bones will withdraw. If you can…” Tarihk was in the middle of his sentence when he was interrupted by a woman’s voice.
“Are we allowed to drink a few more? Such quality Ales will go bad if not contained properly.”
Tarihk composed himself and turned around so he could properly see the image of the woman. It is evident this young mage is at 3RD Circle pretending to be low level and is probably a student of Lunares Magi School.
In the past, he was once a highly respected Elven and people would not dare interrupt him but the glory of the past was long buried in the past. He has long retired from the cultivation world and whoever sent him the message about this mission, while he could just refuse, he thought it is not a bad idea to gift his grandchildren a few cultivation resources.
Tarihk decided to keep his identity to himself and allowed her to converse with Clay.
“I don’t see why a lady should not enjoy herself.” Clay paused and took out a bunch of grapes then placed it on a platter. “Step forward if you can. These grapes should further condition your bodies. As for the content of the mission, we’ll discuss it later.”
Clay got to his feet and looked at Tarihk. “Assemble everyone and meet me at the lake six mountains from here in three days.”
“Three days?” Tarihk’s voice was calm as he responded.
“Yes and if someone wants to leave, let them be. And it’s not eight who passed but nine. I need one more so you guys could form two five-man teams. Maybe get someone who knows how to cook.”
Tarihk’s eyebrows slightly moved indicating his confusion. He then spread a sliver of his mana towards Atzali whose mouth is foaming. From his initial assessment earlier, this guy is among the strongest 1ST Circles but clearly this guy passed out. He thought, “Who’s the ninth?” then looked around only to realize there is one more person sitting on another corner.
“I must be getting old.” Tarihk inwardly smiled. Similar to his potential employer, the person at the corner looked too ordinary as well that if they would pass each other on a random street, this woman will escape his extraordinary and keen perception.
It amazes him that everyone, including him had to put on effort to maintain their mana circulations and this is how he sensed everyone’s presence but this woman treated the waves of energies like it was non-existent. He could tell this person is a measly 1ST Circle and had not even integrated with a Beast Essence but to have an ability to resist aura suppression, he can only conclude this woman is an Elder Breed of Moon Elves.
Tarihk reached out towards his inner pocket to grab his phone. Since an Elder Breed is joining the mission, he may need to speak to whoever recommended this mission.