Chapter 89: The Location

"Hmmm, according to his description, it seemed he really knows what an elemental crystal is," Nox pondered to himself as he went separate ways with the old man.

The man had told him that the Elemental beast had been spotted on the south side of Frostburg City. Though Nox was a bit suspicious that the man might have scammed him since he had easily gotten the information, he didn't think it was too bad to check it out.

Moreover, the man's description closely matched what was written in his father's book, compelling Nox to even listen to his words in the first place.

Because he had thick clothes just like the normal folks here, it was very easy for Nox to blend in; he didn't arouse curious stares like on the first day.

As he walked through the streets, heading deeper south, Nox noticed the number of people he was seeing was beginning to thin out, giving him time to reflect on his plan.

His plan was simple: if the beast truly was in the south side like the man had said, he intended to study its strength before engaging in a fight.

When Nox had first come to this world, he was very reckless because he was still just a 16-year-old from Earth. However, after a few close calls, witnessing people dying, and observing his master Eve hunt beasts, he had become more cautious and strategic.

"A planned battle is already half won." Nox didn't know if he was imagining it, but he heard one of his master's mantras in his head.

Slowly, he went further and finally arrived at the place. From Nox's point of view, it was an abandoned district with a series of two-story and three-story brick buildings.

Because it was currently night, the place looked a bit ominous; kids back on Earth would have thought ghosts lived there, but having stayed with Eve, whose house was literally filled with undead, hardly anything scared Nox anymore.

'Let's see. This seems like a nice place for the Elemental beast to hide away from the public,' Nox thought as he walked through the streets, unaware that several black-clothed individuals were running atop the buildings, keeping their eyes fixed on him.

As he ventured further, Nox opened his ears to detect the roar of the beast or any sound in general. That was when he heard a series of footsteps.

'Huh, I thought there was no one else here,' Nox frowned. 'Could it be someone else?'

At that moment, Nox suddenly felt his hair stand on end; his body seemed to move automatically as he dove to the side, narrowly avoiding a swift blade aimed at his neck.

Rolling a couple of times, Nox jumped to his feet, only to be met by another sword flashing towards him. With no choice, he kicked the ground and did a backflip to distance himself from his attacker.

With moderate distance between them, Nox could now clearly see his attacker: three figures dressed in black clothing and masks. Nox tried to see if they were Awakened, but their names didn't pop up, which meant they were either mundane or hiding their information with an item.

"Who are you people? Why are you attacking me?" Nox shouted, trying to control the anger within him. He summoned his dagger and glared at the three masked individuals who had only slits for mouths and noses. There was no way to recognize them. S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

'Are they also after the Elemental beast?' was the first thought that came to his mind. 'Or is it a setup by that man... did he sell me out to these people? But why... unless these people know about the Elemental beast and want to get rid of me so that they could have it.'

"From your expression, I guess you realize who we are," one of the figures said and kicked off the ground, exploding towards Nox like a bolt of lightning. They covered the distance rather quickly, their sword flashing forward.

"Hmph!" Nox sneered, barely parrying the attack with his dagger. A loud clang echoed through the deserted district as metal met metal.

"Eh?" The figure's eyes widened. They didn't expect Nox to react this fast... isn't he only level 14? Could this kid be like those prodigies who can fight opponents higher than their level?

Meanwhile, Nox simultaneously counterattacked with a powerful strike, aiming for the figure's chest. "Thinking in the middle of a fight. You're not so bright, huh?"

"Heok!" The figure hastily blocked the attack, and the force of the impact sent them flying backward like a ragdoll, crashing into a nearby wall.

Nox didn't have time to catch his breath as the other two pounced on him like hungry lions. A fireball burst forth from one of their palms; Nox zigzagged past the attack, closing the distance to the figure. His dagger flashed in the dim night, biting deep into the mage.

"Damnit, backup!" The mage screamed, jumping backward with blood dripping from her chest. As soon as she called for backup, more masked figures leaped out of the building. It seemed the three were merely gauging Nox's strength, and now that they knew he was strong, they all came out.

However, upon seeing Nox, one of the figures that had jumped out froze, their sword hand trembling a bit.

'It's him, what is he doing here?' the figure thought with a frown.

Unaware that he had been recognized, Nox opened his eyes and flashed an annoying grin. "I guess it's only natural for me to call for backup as well."

A blue portal opened up behind him.

----

Within a nearby building, a silver-haired boy observed the fight with his hands clasped behind his back.

"It seems that kid is strong," he commented. He had heard news about this boy searching for the Elemental beast from one of his spies in the city, so he had decided to get rid of him to reduce the competition.

But he never thought the kid would be powerful enough to hold his own against an Awakened who was one level higher than him.

Despite the kid's prowess, he didn't panic; after all, he had countermeasures. He always had one.

A smirk curled up on his face as he looked at the dark-skinned girl who had her eyes closed, as if she was meditating. "Do your thing!"

"Yes, leader," the girl nodded, her eyes shining with a bright glow.

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