“What do you mean, it’s stronger than Nesune’s?! She is already a Greater Tier Second level Soul Mason!”

Azazel was sweating as he tried to understand the situation.

“What are the different levels?”

“Hah…they are the same as those of the Mortal Stage for warrior Demons. There’s ten levels with three tiers in each level.”

Azazel was the one answering questions, as Lonny was too surprised. The one she was willing to be slapped by was actually just a kid!

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as her situation meant she owed this kid her life. Honorary guests of the auction house had the utmost prestige. If the Demon wanted an escort for the night, the house had to provide. Although most, if not all, were decent enough to not take advantage. But this didn’t mean she hadn’t heard of it.

Hearing Melakios’ reply brought her back to the conversation.

“The Runes you guys were selling has strong Soul Energy tied to it. Can you not sense it? Here, it seems the actual Rune written cannot be seen by normal people. It must be only by sensing. Such high leveled Rune Mastery can even do this much.”

Adopting a mode similar to Nesune, Melakios began to enter a special state. He ignored the two Demons and began to inspect the Runes and Glyphs.

“It looks like he passed the Tengu’s little test.”

A voice called out from behind Azazel and Lonny. There standing in the doorway was a pretty lady in uniform dressed in red wearing glasses and standing with a grace she hadn’t exuded before.

“Bunny?”

“Sis?”

Bunny walked through the two dumbfounded Demons as she continued talking.

“Father wanted to know if Melakios could actually see the importance of this item. We had to put the things he brought up for auction so as to give him a reason to see this set. Mammon, my and my sisters' father, knew that these Runes and Glyphs were actually impressive Soul Items granted to us to sell by the Tengu. We had agreed on a price, but when we received it, it was as you see. A prank.”

Melakios was too busy paying attention to the things before him to listen to Bunny’s words. He had entered his soul realm and began to practice the motions. It may have only been a couple minutes, but he had made good use of it. It wasn’t long before Bunny got fed up and poked Melakios.

He was prodded awake by the beautiful vice leader, but she wasn’t happy.

“Sorry, I was thinking.”

Bunny sighed as she began to walk back out. She tacked up a map by the door as she left. Azazel and Lonny both bowed on their way out.

Walking up to the map, he saw a red circle around a mountain range and a city with a red arrow to the north of it. He noticed there was something written on the back since he could see the words through the paper.

‘Your Gryphon is waiting outside. You best hurry, Valafar and his men were sighted not far from Gloss City. If you ever need help, just go to any Triple M Trade branch building.’

Walking outside of the building, a shadow fell on him. Next thing he knew, he was being sat on by a large Gryphon.

“Clair! Come on! Stop it!”

The Gryphon took his hood in her beak as Melakios put his mask back on. They quickly flew out of the city, but not before asking which way was south.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

As Melakios rode on Clair, the sun was high over their heads and the wind was in their faces. It was nice and calm, until a loud voice broke through the reverie.

“HAHAHA! Found you, human brat! Now that you aren’t with Mammon and his gang, you are out in the open! What led you to leave such a comfortable retreat? Haha!”

There was Valafar, as he was riding on what looked like a lion with wings.

“I didn’t want to cause those people trouble. You have a nasty habit of hurting people, after all.”

“Look, just come with us! We can supply you with knowledge and power! We have all the resources you would ever want!”

“But what about the things I need!”

Valafar was visibly stunned. Wasn’t that the same thing?

“What about visiting my friends, experiencing the world myself, or even learning from mistakes? If all I got were things I wanted, I wouldn’t know what I needed!”

Melakios was raging at Valafar, his anger reaching the peak. What had he done, to deserve such a treatment? Nothing! If he was just some human, why would this Prince Gäap go so far? Regardless of whether or not his enemies are Soul Mongers, this was too much!

“What do you REALLY want from me?!”

Suddenly, Valafar’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“How much do you know, twerp?”

Hmm? There was something else? What could it possibly be?

‘Well, what makes me so special? I can see souls? Well that comes from not…having…one…’

“Does it have something to do with me not having a soul?”

Valafar’s face instantly scrunched up in disgust.

“Dammit, what a smart brat. Come on, guys! Let’s go!”

“”””YEAH!!!””””

Three Demons with wings appeared between Valafar and Melakios.

Melakios could sense that the power they contained was more towards Ardat Lili’s level, than Valafar’s. They must be Lords or Barons. The strongest one stood in the middle and held a glistening sword in his left hand. The other two carried spears. Melakios heard a voice as a white mist began to seep out of his body.

“Looks like I can finally fight by your side. My power has settled to the point where I can battle a Soul Baron to a tie, maybe. Leave the weaker ones to me.”

“Wait, take these.”

Before Alkelios flew off, Melakios handed him a different beetle than the full body suit. It was a shield. He also handed Alkelios a snake that transformed into a long spear as well.

“Haha, this gear seems awfully familiar, which helps me out. Reminds me of my days in the army! Let’s go, demonic scum! HAH!”

Alkelios rushed to the Demons, looking like the radiant warrior he was before.