Chapter 62: The Seeker’s Union

The Seeker's Union was a large building at Ivanov's center, many stories high with an enormous compound. It was a powerful faction found in all important cities and towns of the Alvaria Dynasty, home to all classes of combatants and experts who roam the broad lands of Valoria.

Whether it be locals or travelers from outside regions, many would flock towards it for a myriad of reasons, those who even aspired to be knights, even those students who've graduated from a Royal Branch Academy.

This is because the Seeker's Union's roots run deep within the dynasty's core, making those amongst its high and exceedingly difficult to raise ranking system, connectable to the dynasty's core noble factions and even the Royal Palace itself.

Other than this, the Seeker's Union is naturally the most profitable means of livelihood for combatants. They can take missions towards distant lands, or even dangerous special zones, whether it being to slay vicious mystical beasts, find hidden treasures, or other tasks. Hence, if one were to ask about the most bustling place in any town or region, all would give the same reply, pointing towards this very union.

Marius had already arrived before the gates of this grand compound; he stared at the ground of both young and old Seeker's moving in and out, some having a battle-hardened and aggressive demeanor, with few being of hesitant and inexperienced look.

'It's quite a large place, huhu, so many brutes; I can already smell the adventure.' Marius thought with a tinge of childish excitement in his heart. He had always dreamed of traveling to a different world, exploring its boundaries and crushing all things beneath his feet.

However, that was but a fool's dream, a wish that could never come to fruition due to his slave-like childhood upbringing, dancing on the edge of death for more than half his current lifetime.

Marius shook his head, clearing away the gloomy mood. He then took a hurried step into the building, as if fearing it would vanish, but as he did this, a large individual who wasn't watching where he was going bumped into his shoulder.

Though Marius was many times smaller than the other, the person pushed back was none other than the opposing party. Marius didn't even say a word of apology as he continued onward with excitement in his eyes. However, this act had enraged the opposite party.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? Apologize for your absentmindedness!" The rough voice said.

"Hmm, what's that?" Marius murmured as if he only now paid attention to the other party; he was originally planning on letting it pass since he was in a hurry. Still, now that he have taken the initiative to label him as the offender, he would teach him a lesson.

This person was also an Artiman, but his size was very similar to that of the Mantar Brakan. He had a broad face with big eyes, a scar on his cheek, short brown hair, and an extremely robust figure with pulsing muscles that seemed as if they would pop out with a light flex; he shouldered a giant blade on his back and wore fine but patchy heavy armor.

This man carried a fierce aura as if he was ready to erupt at Marius, but as he heard Marius word's, he couldn't help but show a strange expression, even more so when he saw the eyes Marius stared at him with as he slanted his head. They were an emotionless set of eyes, both of which seemed to have peered at the depths of hell and returned unharmed.

At this moment, no matter how many life and death battle's this man had fought. He couldn't help but feel startled and fearful when he saw Marius's look, fearing that if he did something foolish, he would certainly die today.

The scene remained quiet for a while as if only Marius and the man existed, but as time passed, it only grew darker as if it was only moments away from tragedy.

Not hesitating anymore, the man hurriedly bowed his head as low as possible as he clasped his hands in a humble posture and replied, "I... I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me; I didn't mean to offend sir over such a silly matter."

Marius, hearing what he wanted, nodded his head with a satisfied look. His imposing manner vanished as he revealed a normal and friendly attitude when he spoke, "Haha, big guy, I say you're rather adorable, and here I didn't think you'd break so soon. Heh, it truly looks like size doesn't matter, oh well, I'm headed in, let's meet again sometime."

When Marius left him behind, the large man sighed in relief, but as if someone caught sight of his humiliation, a mocking voice sounded from nearby.

"Herculean, is that you? Hahaha, I never thought I'd see the day a man like you act no different from a bitch. Hehe, it looks like I need to show you how to be a man!" A slender but ugly looking man said, his face much like that of a rat's as he wore fine armor with a dagger at his waist.

Herculean glanced at the man and scoffed, "Rat Wringman, don't come mouthing off in my face, remember, I can teach you a lesson just like those times. As for that man, why don't you go provoke him yourself? Hehe, it would be nice if someone got you down from your high horse simply because of a little success."

After Herculean said those words, he didn't bother with Rat anymore; he went off towards the gates' direction, aiming to do his new mission.

Rat had an even uglier look on his face, even more so when Herculean reminded him of his sore spot; he snorted and spat on the ground before moving towards the Seeker's Union, no longer paying his words' any mind.

Nevertheless, though the commotion had ended, another noticed the scene of Marius suppressing Herculean.

A calm looking man that had a lazy manner, with grass shoots in his mouth and a straw hat, he eased himself up a bit and peeked towards the direction Marius left with a smile at the corner of his lips while thinking to himself.

"And so, a new dragon has found its way into our den of tigers. things should get fun around here..."

The man murmured before he closed his eyes, falling asleep without a care in the world. 

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