Chapter 11 - Kain Guild
At this time Krist was expecting the emergence of an underground smuggling, assassinating, black-market dealing, thieving, and generally a syndicate or mafia-like group, the Kain Guild. This group was trying to find the cosmetic product manufacturer selling in aristocratic circles like hotcakes. They’re quite the elite organization, so much so, that Krist had remembered the Vice Guildmaster, Ragar J. Agravain, the “Poison Demon.”
Flap opening.
Krist exited his tent, “No need to waste time, bring me the Poison Demon.”
?!
“H-How does he know?! What do we do?” An assassin had quietly asked such questions to the ally beside him.
Hmm? Krist had seen that Ragar was way faster in handling situations than in the past life. 1st Rate on the brink of crossing the Peak Realm? You’re quick on the uptake at this level. Krist had instantly deduced Ragar’s level.
“You must be the guys interested in that ‘product’ that’s been selling, aren’t ya?” Krist was subtly mocking the assassins, wanting to instigate a physical confrontation.
“That’s true…” Ragar entered the scene.
“Well well, that sleep gas was delicious,” Krist was mocking the Vice Guildmaster, all done with intent.
“A wise guy, huh? If you knew all along, why hold back?” Ragar had shown himself capable, understanding that the intel received regarding the ‘Medical Sage’ was true and acclimated to the confrontation. He’s as good as they say he is. Ragar had wanted to decelerate the conversation and leave, however, Krist had brandished two knives at this point.
“No need to take it easy with ‘special’ guys like you. I intend on making every single one you submit,” Krist was speaking as an Artistrocat, in other words, the right of a Noble is the ability to make anyone below their status submit either through force or coercion. Unlike in the past, Krist was not as dominant and overwhelming as he is right now.
“So you know the ways of the ‘Underworld?’ I can’t believe someone like you grew up within our midst,” Ragar held a serious expression, understanding that there was no way of disengaging from such a person. A duel of blades was about to ensue.
Circling the torch planted on the ground lit the surrounding area, “Well, then…” Krist had decided to not hold back against the Poison Demon and held the knives through Telekinesis and approached Ragar.
?!
“A Master!” One of the assassins instantly recognized the invisible skill wielded by those who can manipulate mana to a high degree.
These guys like to play dirty. There are holes dug in the ground. Krist had seen the imbalance of the earth and flew the dagger at high speed toward Ragar while simultaneously launching from his position with a raised knee.
“Shit!” Seeing the incoming knife was almost impossible in the dark and the small object was thin and sleek.
Barely dodging by a hair’s breadth, the Poison Demon successfully dodged the ghost-like knife, “Fool.”
Krist had already closed the gap after Ragar’s evasive maneuvers and connected the raised knee to the Poison Demon’s stomach, “KUCKK!” I made sure to hold back. Even with Krist's withholding strength, Ragar had been knocked out by the excruciating pain. Fortunately, there were no internal injuries sustained by the walloping knee strike.
Step. Step.
“Kuku!” Forris Zecht made his appearance.
“You have a bad habit of watching from afar,” Krist knew that Zecht was observing from quite a distance.
“It’s been some time, Krist.”
You’ve crossed into the Transcendence Realm. An evil grin had appeared on Krist’s face.
“Bring him into the tent. It’s best we catch up,” Zecht had his agenda.
Flap opening.
Entering the tent, Krist initiated the conversation, “Shouldn’t a hideout be more inconspicuous?” The question was asking why a place for assassins was out in the open.
“You’re here early. I was expecting you to take your time,” Zecht was getting on to business.
“A lot of matters had to be settled before this meeting,” Krist spoke as if such an occasion was about to arise.
“By the way, I’ve never formally introduced myself, but, it looks like you’ve always known?” Forris had shown Krist his respect now that such sensitive information was being relayed.
“I have my ways,” Krist had information about the future.
“Illegitimate son?” Forris had cited Krist’s very first words regarding the identity of the 1st Lieutenant Zecht.
“Is it not true? Does the Count not claim you as your successor?” Krist said some bold words. Typically, such speech often incites aggression.
“Has the retired Royal Knight submitted to your leadership?”
Of course, you would know a lot of things. “Indeed. And the price to keep such a character is tremendous.” Krist decided to be frank with Zecht, “How did you come to discover about that ‘product?’”
“A merchant named Neraz requested the assassination. There is no personal connection to this, only, I had wanted to see the encounter between the Poison Demon and the Medical Sage.” Forris shrugged his shoulders. “Anyways… have fun managing the Kain Guild.”
Yes! Krist was expecting to hear such words.
“The spoils go the victor,” Forris exited the tent. “Take heed.” He addressed the Kain Guild awaiting outside. “From now on, Krist is the Guild Master.”
“Kuku!” Krist held a greedy face, a dark and evil expression. “My first line of business is to bring Neraz to me tomorrow evening.”
And behold, the very first Guild would be the group that Forris Zecht had cultivated as his personal underground forces.
***
“Knight Krist, you have a lot on your schedule these days,” Triquell had noticed that Krist had been missing the training due to obligations.
“Getting matters settled before training has always taken too much time. Anyways, how are they doing?” Krist was watching Laciel, Loutch, Reddas, and Saix with their intense training.
“You can see for yourself,” the Trick Lord was hiding his true intentions when in actual fact his heart was racing.
“Come with me,” the Trick Lord would teach Krist.
Dropping the training spear, the Trick Lord initiated a scenario, “When there are no weapons, what are your options?”
“The body is the only option,” Krist knew the answer to this scenario like it was the back of his hand.
“Correct, as expected. From now on, I’ll be teaching you advanced Mystic Taijutsu Arts.” Triquell held a solemn face, satisfied that someone younger than him would succeed in his Martial Arts.
“My thanks,” Krist lightly bowed to the Trick Lord, displaying gratitude. Excellent. For the first time in a long time, Krist had felt a great burden falling off his shoulders, meaning, that the stress of building one’s military and political power in Lukedonia had begun to weigh like a feather.
This period would be a time where there would be no interventions for a couple of years and Krist knew that. Coin, Aura, Martial Arts! The founding of an Empire!
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While Triquell was busy mentoring Krist, the Poison Demon, Ragar was brewing a poisonous herb. I can’t get my mind around it. What does Lord Zecht see in that young Knight? Ragar and his thoughts portrayed themselves through his body, showing anxiety when creating a potion. Siren’s Silk huh? The Medical Sage sure lives up to his name.
Flap opening.
Entering the tent of the Kain Guild headquarters, an assassin brought a person tied and gagged up, “Here’s the lucky guy.”
“Proceed to the dungeons,” Ragar was faithfully carrying out the order of the newfound Guildmaster.
“Kuu!” The gag was loosened and Neraz began to plead on bended knees. “W-Who is it?! Please, I beg you…”
“You’ll be good and end that gossip about Knight Krist,” Ragar held a voice of indifference.
“U-Understood! Do you… require anything else?”
“Silence.” Ragar noticed Krist entering the dark chamber.
“Well?” Krist was asking if there was any progress in the extraction of information through torture.
“We have yet to torture this prisoner,” Ragar knew that such things required sensational pain.
“Then what are we waiting for?” Krist proceeded to display what true torture should be like.
After a series of commands from Krist, and even, personally handling unorthodox torture methods, Neraz ultimately gave in. Although the Assassins and Ragar held cold expressions, their insides were boiling, impressed at what lengths and depravity the famed Medical Sage had displayed.
“Very wise. You at least know how to act like a Merchant,” Krist was too seasoned for things like this and had done such things so that Ragar and the rest could learn. “Ragar, come with me. The rest of you, escort Merchant Neraz to his abode.”
Walking out of the dungeons, Krist had wanted to see where the mind of this lifetime’s current “Poison Demon” was and where he ranks among the world’s top fighters. “In this situation, would it be correct to kill the Merchant?” Krist initiated the conversation.
“No.” Ragar held his instincts and intuition above all else.
“And why is that?” Krist continued to lead the conversation.
“Better to keep a fence, a front to further fuel operations,” Ragar was analytical and assessed situations beyond that of an Assassin, but rather, an inquisitive character that is a pioneer in a certain art.
“Not bad,” Krist could trust Ragar’s judgment with that answer and handed a note tied with a rope. “This is the recipe for Siren’s Silk and other products. I’m sure that you can teach yourself how to make them.”
“You would give something precious to me?”
“No matter how hard you try, my nose can always smell a faint scent of herbs. You also have green fingernails, it would be best to sanitize your hands after synthesizing.” Krist was displaying his superior Alchemy against the current Poison Demon who is at this level, capable of being called an “Adept Alchemist,” two levels below that of a Master Alchemist.
Befuddled, Ragar immediately smelled his clothing, “That ‘Sleep Gas’ was synthesized by you? Quite a potent one at that. You have a special skill.”
“Well… I have been working with Forris since the beginning, supporting him from the shadows and eliminating targets when need be,” Ragar was not the type to verbalize, but, felt it necessary to explain. It was as if the charisma itself was leveling Ragar to another realm.
“I expect nothing less from the Poison Demon. Then, I’m going to increase the production of all products by severalfold. Not just that, the Kain Guild has an Adept Alchemist and several Journeyman Alchemists.” Krist gave the last bits of orders to Ragar and left the Kain Guild.
Forris Zecht wouldn’t pass the torch to a nobody. Only, he knew I could lead the Kain Guild to places they couldn’t even conceive. Something to believe in. Krist waved his farewell to Ragar.
***
Two days passed and Krist received orders to meet with First Sergeant Bolsir, “You have orders from above to deploy to Lowgard and a parcel from the Kenesis Royal Family for your efforts so far.”
!!
Now was the time to ascend to the next realm, “Affirmative.” Krist proceeded to his quarters and prepared for his mission. Opening the parcel, Krist had anticipated the gift that was from his Master. My Master had conquered the World Dungeon, ‘Tomb of Diablo’ at an earlier time. As expected, I’m sure you can repair that broken Neidan, my Master.
What was inside the small brown bag was a violet Archdevil Soulstone, a magical organ exclusive to the Devil species that functions as a heart and produces extreme yang energy.
Soon, the news would have spread like wildfire that the Lord Emir of Lukedonia had conquered the Tomb of Diablo with Geshalt Von Tremblin, the “Sword King,” and Ha Jong Hwa, the “Assassin King.” Together, the Ancient Mystic who had been sealed in a decadent urn at the depths of the wicked tomb prowling with all sorts of monstrous creatures who are allured by the demonic energy that the cave emanates had been defeated and subsequently looted as is the rule, “the spoils go the victor.” Immediately, Lord Kenesis did not hesitate to dissect the Ancient Mystic of one the most valuable parts of an Archdevil, the Archdevil Soulstone, and 4 Archdevil Heartstones. With such materials, Lord Kenesis employed his Alchemist to produce the Reversing Energy Pill which would be used to revive a broken Neidan.
My Master would have crossed into the Mystic Realm by now. Krist’s heart began to race. I too shall achieve “Age Reversing Revival” and accomplish a fine degree of extreme mana manipulation.
Not thinking any longer, Krist ingested the Archdevil Soulstone which was in the shape of a cat’s eye. Gulp! Instantly, the Archdevil Soulstone appeared on the middle of Krist’s forehead which came with preceding tattoos with peculiar razor-sharp designs.
The function of the Archdevil Soulstone was to physically manifest mana through a medium. Not only that, it could also be used as a heart and life force of the Devil species. At long last, the Transcendence Realm!
It was an anti-climatic evolution into the Transcendent Level, however, it was because Krist did not go through Body Reformation due to the Archdevil Soulstone. Krist’s body had merely become a refined vessel to contain Innate Essence Qi, the power of condensed and supremely refined energy. In other words, Krist could now house up to an ocean’s worth of mana.
Flap opening.
Loutch entered the scene shortly after Krist’s ascension, “Hmm? I can’t read your power level anymore. What happened?”
“This happened,” Krist had revealed the Archdevil Soulstone which he could freely activate.
?!
“I feel the Demonic Attribute from you,” Loutch had instantly deduced the nature of Krist’s newfound power.
“A gift from my Master,” Loutch was there when Duke Tremblin and the Lord Emir himself had sworn Krist as the Lord Disciple in secret.
“Congratulations,” Loutch gave his commendations. “But, I came by to ask about your commission to escort Carceron’s third Prince.”
“The third Prince is delegating the situation and is in hopes of resolving the war,” Krist was more than ready for the foreseen situation.
The third Prince of Carceron was known to have a diabolical temperament and would punish high-ranking guards for the most trivial of reasons. However, Prince Emeric J. Loyard has a knack for governing and maintaining regions and peoples.
“The list containing the guards seems suspicious,” Loutch was far more inquisitive in this life and had studied extensively about most things concerning his job.
“Indeed. Your name and my people are not on this list,” of course, Krist had expected as such.
“Should I shadow you?” Loutch had made a suggestion.
“No. I’ll handle this myself,” Krist was confident now that the Transcendence Realm had been achieved.
Leaving the tent, Krist was going to play the events in his head and “act.” I have two days. In that short time, I’ll harness Innate Essence Qi to shroud my power. It was important for Krist to be seemingly in the Peak Realm for the time being. If other nations had come to discover another ‘Master’ in Lukedonia, it would have brought unwanted attention.
“Guild Master? Welcome,” an Assassin from the Kain Guild greeted Krist.
“Greetings,” Krist entered the hidden base. “You’ve been dabbling with your art by the look on your face,” Ragar had a bluish powder on his cheek.
“I had completed a poultice this time with precise calculations,” Ragar had a rough voice, well-suited for the Poison Demon.
“Splendid. Have a look at this list and tell me what you see,” Krist was testing Ragar’s intuition.
“A blue-blooded Knight from the family of Morcok and a retinue of ‘paid’ guards,” unlike the past life, Ragar was not able to detect any suspicious persons. This time, he is more intuitive and has a talent called “gut feeling.”
“Excellent.” Krist had witnessed what needed to be seen. “Continue with the production of Siren’s Silk and relay a small group to Lowgard and monitor the situation for suspicious travelers.”
“With such small numbers would make it impossible to monitor the flow of people coming into these cities,” Ragar was spot-on with the assessment.
“Of course, there’s a condition. Keep an eye on talented people in the Peak Realm,” before Krist was about to leave, one last order was spoken. “Bring me some denial weapons. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
Flap opening.
Krist went to Triquell and spoke with the trainer, “Quite the ordeal to be guarding Prince Emeric. He has no tolerance for incompetence.”
“The Prince will serve as a stepping-stone for my future, nothing more, nothing less,” Krist was leading on to something more profound.
“I sense you have more to say,” of course, Triquell could see such things a mile away.
“I need a ‘card’ under my sleeve,” was a subtle way of saying that a trump card was needed.
“Of course.” Triquell handed Krist a spear. “I’ll show you something useful.”
The entire afternoon was spent learning that one technique that Krist had already mastered thanks to the regression, however, there was a need to act in this case.
Late afternoon, Krist was waiting patiently for Ragar to show himself. Step. Step. His quiet steps were of the best in the Kain Guild, “You’ve discovered something?”
“Indeed. Here’s a report from Lowgard,” Ragar placed a piece of parchment paper on the table.
There are more suspects than in the past. “A total of 10 enemy soldiers were spotted there and 8 in Hollow Bastion.”
“Good work. I’ll be making preparations,” Krist followed suit with the plan cooking in his head.
The next morning came and Krist was going to attend the escort mission to Lowgard, “The men are prepared, sir.” Morcok reported to Krist.
With a confident look on his face, Krist replied, “Time to earn more achievements!”