Chapter 144: Black Rust

Inside Sebastian's room were Bernard, Remy, Kenneth, Jeremy, Gary, and Gwen. There were a total of six of them that were going to fully support Allen, three of which were Primordial Beast Bearers and one with almost the same level as them.

"W-What?" Allen couldn't believe it. He was shaking his head in happiness, smiling at the joy that he was feeling. He always have known that a lot of people are looking forward for him, but he didn't know that this was the power of his influence.

Three Primordial Beast Bearers were going to help him. Apart from Lin who is only going to help him once he gets strong enough, these three were going to help him get to the point of absolute strength.

"There are seven of us that's going to help you get stronger," Sebastian said. "Four of us are going to help you from the top while the three are going to be by your side. Dante, you can't fight this battle on your own."

Allen nodded. He still haven't told anyone else about his true identity and he was planning on keeping it that way. "Okay. But why do I need protection? I don't get why Barandilla and Fantasia is so eager to get me."

"For them, you're a threat," Remy replied. It was a good thing that the other two Bearers and her that got attacked a while ago had already healed. She was now able to move like nothing happened. "Barandilla has illegal connections but there's someone from the top that's protecting them, so we can't eradicate them.

"But since you're someone who has the potential to become stronger and get to the top, they will do whatever they can to kill you," Remy continued. "And I did not exaggerate when I said they'll kill you. If they have the chance to do so, they will. So always be on guard."

"There's also one thing that you have to know," Kenneth said. From the three after the attack, Kenneth drastically changed. He didn't wear too feminine clothes like before. The past bunny girl-looking boy was now wearing gender-neutral clothing. "Barandilla has the police officers in their hands, so it would be quite useless if you try to rely on them."

"Is another Bearer helping them?" Allen asked. "You said they have help from the top. That could only mean one thing. A Bearer is helping them, am I right?"

"No," Remy replied. "At least we don't know if that's true or not. What is true though is that a sponsor of the organization is helping them. A man that is the CEO of a huge corporation and has a lot of businesses in the world."

Allen's mind was running on its own when he said, "One of the three businessmen in Eternity."

"Correct," Remy nodded. "Felix White. The man behind his father's White Enterprise, one of the largest businesses in Earth that deals mostly with illegal goods as well as the company that provides technology in the Otherworlds. It's no wonder why they're rich and powerful, they're rich because they are powerful."

"Is he a dangerous man?" Allen asked. "If he's just a businessman, he's not much of a threat then."

"That's where you're wrong," Bernard was the one who replied this time. "Felix is both a combatant and a businessman. His tycoon had earned him billions, but not just because he could hire Hunters, but he is the Hunter that provides the service. He's the suspected leader of Barandilla based on our investigation."

Allen nodded in understanding, "I see."

The people inside the room continued to talk until the time came late. It was almost midnight when they decided to sleep. Sebastian's unit had seven rooms, so it wasn't a bother for them to sleep in each room apart from Sebastian and Bernard who decided to share.

Allen laid awake in the bed, his eyee wide open as he cannot sleep with all the thoughts that were running inside his head. He couldn't focus on one thing and it seemed like the Intelligence attribute was also getting lagged by all the information that he had.

He wandered around his Code slots when he realized that he had too much Codes and then it was almost a week and time to report to Hilda. He also couldn't grind yet since the camp doesn't allow unraked Hunters to hunt until they are ranked.

In Paradise, the creatures would have different areas to roam at. In some areas, the beasts would be most located on, the A rankers were only allowed to enter. In most areas where the beasts were easy or average, the B to C rankers were allowed to go.

Meanwhile, there was no place for D rankers. A D ranker can only hunt when there are more than five B or C rankers in the group or two B or C rankers and one A ranker. That is another form of discrimination for D rankers but they just masked it as trying to help them.

If a D ranker is forced to join a group with higher ranks, then they can't level up unless the group they joined lets them get the last hit. If not, then they'll be stuck in the same rank for the rest of their lives.

It was hard to level up in Haven, and it was even harder to level up in Paradise. There's going to be a higher level requirement and stronger beasts to slay, and if a Hunter isn't a strong and adaptive Hunter, then they'll get left behind.

A knock on Allen's door woke him up from his daydreams. He stepped closer to the door to see who it was when he saw Bernard there. "Hi, is there something wrong?"

"Uhm," Bernard trailed off. "Jake wants to talk to you."

Allen's eyes widened when he completely forgot about Jake Summers. He didn't realize that Jake would get angry if he get to Paradise first, leaving the man behind. Allen was thinking that Jake would be pissed because he would think that Allen had tricked him or something.

"S-Sure," Allen said. "Where is he?"

Jake pointed at the wall and Wayne was there, smiling at Allen while gesturing at the portal beside him. "This way."

"Is he mad?" Allen asked to which Wayne answered with a shrug.

"You'll see."

–

It was already a few minutes and Allen was feeling erratic. He was nervous while Jake was stirring his cup of tea, staring at Allen with a melancholic expression.

"So, you made it to Paradise," Jake said, making Allen gulped. 

"Are you mad?" Allen asked. "Because it you are–"

"Why would I be mad?" Jake placed his cup down and laughed. "I called you here because an old fool mentioned someone he was treating like a treasure to me and I realized we were treating the same treasure."

Allen scrunched his face. "Treasure? Uncle? What?"

Allen then realized that Jake was Jack's nephew. Jake must be talking about the old man when he was saying that. And treating like a treasure must meant the way that Jack had treated Allen.

The old man had only been kind to Allen, and he was yet to repay that kindness. He promised to himself that he would do so, maybe not now, but soon.

Jake raised his hand and a man that was carrying a large case entered. The man wore a black suit and tie with a pattern that was familiar to Allen. He swore that he had seen the pattern before.

"He's from Verta Carta," Jake said. "He's here to deliver this package."

The man was carrying a black metal briefcase that he gently placed on the glass table. Jake unlocked the briefcase by typing in the Code and he showed Allen a bright, beautiful sword.

"Here it is," Jake said. "Our congratulatory gift to you for making it to Paradise."

"Congratulatory gift?" Allen asked. "I thought you were mad because I didn't tell you that I made it into Paradise."

"What do you mean? Why would I be mad when one of my men has reached a milestone?" Jake asked. "I'm almost there too, so don't worry, we'll see each other soon. And besides, it was not stated in the contract that you have to follow everything that I say or even not report things that are personal. That's not required. You just have to send me Codes like always and then we can go into our own lives."

Allen smiled as he received the gift. Jake said that Jack also paid half of the sword because it was expensive, a high tier Grand grade sword that can swiftly slice even the hardest metals in Paradise.

The sword looked plain and simple, but its sharpness and light weight was no question. It was a black crystal sword that had no special markings on the blade. It looked clean, but its power was undeniable once you get a taste of it.

"Wow," Allen whispered in shock. "This sword looks amazing."

<Black Rust>

Grade: Grand (Evolvable)

Damage: 200