Chapter 207: Eventful times

Jin sat down opposite the Wizard in his house. The Wizard seemed like a man who seldom missed his mundane cups of burning coffee. 

He seemed particularly happy to see Jin today. Happier than all days. That smile lingered on his middle-aged face for far too long. 

"So ..." Jin trailed off, "a tournament, huh?"

"Indeed," The Wizard said, "I didn't plan it myself, it just happened. More of a demand set up by Jerald, but I complied since Franklin made it sound so much like a proprosal instead."

Jin nodded. "I see." His eyes were apathetic as usual. He sighed, and then leaned back in the chair, folding his arms, and crossing his legs. "Wizard, I've planned to leave tomorrow for a bit."

The Wizard had nearly spat out his coffee. "What did you say?"

"Don't like repeating myself for the purpose of emphasis," Jin smirked, "you heard me just right."

The Wizard wiped his mouth with his handkerchief. "How long would you be gone?"

"About two to three days," Jin said. He then raised a brow. "Have you announced the tournament yet?"

"Not yet," The Wizard said, "but I've planned to later today."

"It's happening in three days, right?" 

"Yes."

Jin leaned in. "Make it a week. Seven days."

The Wizard grimaced. "Come again?" 

"Extend the date of the tournament," Jin said. "In this way, people actually get time to prepare as opposed to some measly three days."

"I suppose you're right," The Wizard said, "preparation time must be acknowledged. Fine ..." he trailed off, "In seven days it is then."

Jin smirked. "That's great ..." his voice became a whisper on the last word.

"I suppose you're meaning to give yourself some more time to spend where ever you're headed, and still get back for the tournament, yes?"

"Correct."

"I see."

"Mhm."

"Where to?"

"Where ever the road takes me," Jin said, "but I'll be searching for a village."

The Wizard crossed his legs. "Suit yourself, but be warned that I'm not tolerating any catalysts of wars."

"You're speaking to a shapeshifting, teleporting, ghosting man," Jin said. 

The Wizard nodded. "You have a point, but still don't incite any conflict with the people of different villages."

"Don't fear, Wizard. I have everything covered."

"I do hope so. We're still rebuilding the village after Earl's outburst. Another threat is the last thing we need right now."

Jin stood, "I'll see you around. Leaving sometime tonight."

"Fine, fine," The Wizard frowned, "just be safe, alright?"

"If I needed a father I would be at an orphanage," Jin said.

"Sorry."

Jin started toward the wall, his hands lingering in his pockets. "See you around."

The Wizard raised an index finger. "That way isn't where the door is—"

Jin walked right through the wall like a ghost.

The Wizard narrowed his eyes at this sight, and pressed his lips together in a line. "Show-off."

***

[Task Completed!] 

[+10 Exp, 5 UP] 

A body dropped before Jin. The man sprawled out on the floor, a loud thud sounding. Jin kept his eyes narrowed. 

"Put some ice on his head, and your husband will be just fine," Jin said, looking over his shoulder at a woman behind him. "Just be sure to tell one of the other hunters if he tries to attack you again."

"I will, Hunter Jin. Thank you so much for all of your help," The Woman praised. "Thank you, thank you so much. I can't thank you enough."

Jin nodded, and began to walk away. 

[Strength: 65]

[Health: 72]

[Speed: 48]

[Skill: 61]

[UP: 18]

[Exp: 83/85 | Level 12]

Cliff manifested at Jin's right. He walked alongside him. 

"I see you're becoming heroic around these parts," Cliff said.

"Cut the crap," Jin said, "we both know it was all for the experience points. Wouldn't have had a reason to knock him out and get rewarded if it weren't for his actions."

Cliff smiled. "I know that."

Jin continued walking through the village with his eyelids particularly drooped as if he hadn't slept in days. 

"Looks like you're going to be quite busy," Cliff said, "that's really great."

"Yup. Leaving these walls tonight."

"Pfft. It's about time you leave this place."

"Who said I was leaving?"

Cliff looked at him. "But you—"

"We've been through this before," Jin said curtly, interrupting. "I'm not yet leaving this village. The outside world is filled with danger and boringness. This place is loaded with monumental leveling opportunities, say, for instance, the upcoming Hunter's tournament."

Cliff closed his mouth, and looked away.

Jin shook his head and fixed his eyes on the straight path through the village again. 

"There are a lot of Voids out there," Cliff said. 

Jin glimpsed at him. "Voids that I can't kill for Exp."

"I know that. You said it was boring so ..."

"This is an ultimatum, Cliff," Jin barked, "I'm not leaving this place until I've sucked up all of its opportunities." 

"Fine, Jin. I don't have a problem with that at all. But ..." he looked at Jin, trailing off, "what about the disciple who's looking for us?"

"Trivial."

"What about your friends?"

Jin took a while, then said, "Even more trivial."

"It's clear you're changing ... but you don't have to be such a brat, kid."

"Shut your mouth, Cliff," Jin barked again, "I'm the upcoming God here."

"Upcoming for how long? A month or two again until another person gets to hone his skills with your system?"

"You're underestimating me."

"I've seen hundreds with your confidence. Where are they now?"

"I'm different."

"You're becoming more like ... them. Everyday. Every single day, Jin. Arrogance, hatred, stoicism and carelessness. What makes you different?"

Jin smirked. "Watch me, Cliff. Watch me."

Cliff looked at him, shaking his head in wry. "That's what I've been doing for weeks and weeks now. I don't see anything special. I can probably predict how you'll come to an end." 

"Whatever," Jin said, looking away while walking.

Cliff sucked his teeth. Then, he sighed. "I'll be watching, Jin," he said, "I'll be watching all the time."

Cliff vanished. 

"Good," Jin said. 

He continued walking. Kai later joined in on this same path. 

"What's up?" Kai asked.

Jin smirked. "My excitement." 

Kai cocked his head. "Huh?"

"It keeps escalating," Jin said. 

"Spoke to the Wizard a while back," Kai said, "I heard you're ... leaving."

"Right," Jin said, "about that ..."

"I'm coming with you." 

"Except you're not."

"Then I'm going to follow you tonight."

Jin scoffed. "Good luck following an invisible man."

Kai cursed. "Damn it! I forgot about that."

Jin smirked. "Mhm."

"You've got like the coolest abilities ever."

"Of course," Jin said, "it's a trickster skill set ..."

"Man, imagine if I had a system. I guess I'm just stuck as my sister's disciple."

Jin raised a brow. "Wait, what?" 

"Right," Kai scratched his head, "I didn't tell you."

"You died ... didn't you?"

Kai kept his smile on his face but looked away. "Yeah, it just happened so fast. I didn't have an ability at the time so I got thrown around like nothing. After my sister touched my chest, there was just light. I also have an ability now. We share time-related abilities."

Jin scoffed. "I knew."

"You knew what?"

"I knew you were a disciple," Jin said, "you hinted at it accidentally quite a few times in the past. Like that time you mentioned seeing and hearing what your sister sees and hears. You're both connected."

"I see."

"Yeah."

"Do you have a disciple? My sister has three."

"I have two. One's really annoying and pushy—can't get a break from the guy. He seems to forget I'm the one in charge. And the other's untamed and is looking for me as I speak."

"Interesting," Kai said. 

"Annoying," Jin said brusquely.

Kai looked at Jin, and stopped walking. 

Jin stopped.

"Jin," Kai said, "please come back after leaving us."

Jin looked over his shoulder at Kai.

"We actually," Kai continued, "need you. All of us do. And if you don't come back, my sister will die since there are no other disciples for her to defeat. Plus," he smiled, "I wouldn't get my rematch."

Jin smirked. "I'll ... think about it." He continued walking, looking ahead again. 

"You'll ... think about it?" Kai started to follow him. "Come on, man. This is important ... we need you."

"You said that already."

"Are you not going to return?"

"I'll think about it..."

"What about the tournament?"

Jin looked over his shoulder again while walking this time. "That's why I'll think about it."

Kai's lips parted. Then, they fell. "Where are you even going? It's afternoon. Far from night."

"I've changed my mind," Jin said, "I'm leaving right now."

"Hey, wait. Why now? And why can't I come?"

"Because you're annoying," Jin said, "and you'll hold me back."

Kai raised a brow. "How would I hold you back?"

"How wouldn't you?" Jin asked. "I'm going to hide inside another settlement and farm that area for points. Can you teleport? Go invisible? Shapeshift? Walk through walls? Heal super fast from eating a bunch of stuff?"

"No."

"Exactly."

Jin suddenly went invisible. "I'll see you in seven days, Kai."

"Does this mean you're coming back?"

"Hey!"

"Does it mean you're coming back?"

"Jin!?"

Kai stopped and frowned.