Agreeing to the terms, Vera led him through the Haven to the inner sector, encased beneath a half-spherical dome. At its heart lay the chambers with the travelling Mirror—the gateway back to Earth—surrounded by three buildings.
She guided him to one of the buildings, nestled beside the Association's headquarters.
Draven followed in silence.
When they entered, the house was spacious and meticulously kept—more akin to a portable mansion than Draven's cramped single room.
Vera wove through the passages until they reached a wide hall.
Inside, Draven saw the back of a woman with forst green hair, her sword cutting elegant arcs through the air as she practiced alone. Her movements were precise, unhurried—each motion deliberate.
Draven arched an eyebrow. 'That hair…'
She halted mid-swing and turned.
Recognition flickered in Draven's mind. 'I figured.'
Vera strode in with casual familiarity. "Selene, he's agreed—but he wants payment upfront and the target's details."
Selene gave a curt nod. Her sword dissolved into motes of light before she approached Draven, stopping just out of arm's reach. She extended her hand, her gaze steady and unreadable.
Draven met her forest green eyes for a beat before clasping her hand.
[+1 Gear received.]
They withdrew simultaneously.
"Verify the payment," Selene said. "If it's acceptable, I'll brief you on the target."
Draven pulled up his Elite panel.
'Wintervein…'
–––
[Gear: Wintervein]
[Rank: Transient]
[Order: Second Order]
[Type: Weapon]
[Description:
A crystalline arrow forged from glacial flora found in the Shattered Tundra.
On hit, the arrow infuses the wound with a seeping chilly mist, slowing the target's movement and reaction speed.
Note: Effect duration scales with the target's constitution:
- Weak Constitution: May paralyze.
- Moderate Constitution: Slows movement.
- High Constitution (Primal rank+ and special Third Order Transient rank): Negligible to no effect.]
–––
A glint of satisfaction flashed in Draven's eyes as he looked up. "What's the hunt?"
Selene's gaze sharpened. "Terms first. Everything—gear, crystal, carcass—is mine. And I will be the person to deliver the final blow."
"Sure."
Her posture loosened slightly. "A Third Order monkey. Agile, excels in climbing. Strong, but not unbeatable as it has ascended recently."
Draven asked after a momentary silence, "You got a plan?"
"Yes. You attack from a distance, Vera performs close-range attacks, while I distract and restrict it," Selene said calmly.
'I would still go since I need the arrow. Slows target with every injury? That's something I need,' Draven mused for another second before nodding.
The trio moved out.
As they walked, murmurs about the challenge trailed after them. Draven shot Selene a sidelong glance, but her expression remained detached—as if the gossip meant nothing.
"Surprised?" Vera chimed in.
Now clad in crimson armor etched with intricate designs, she looked every bit the warrior.
Draven turned and stared at her in confusion. "Why should I be surprised?"
"You didn't do your research?" Her eyes widened.
Draven shrugged in response. "I did, but not about the challenge stuff and Haven, because I barely stay here. I only know that killing is forbidden in the Haven. Didn't care about the rest."
Vera stared at him skeptically before asking with gleaming eyes, "Then did you research the hunting crusade?"
"I did. Well, it is a joint hunting organized by the strongest, two weeks after new Elites awaken in the academy, to clear the most dangerous zone. This will save the lives of many new Elites entering the plane. Though not all Planes do the crusade," He recited it like a bored student. "Happy?"
Vera smirked. "Maybe. Maybe not. You know, it feels wrong going around with a guy who'll make me explain every little thing—it's exhausting."
Draven steered the conversation back. "So this challenge…"
"You saw those two houses apart from the Council Association Store? They belong to Theo and Selene." Vera jerked her chin toward Selene, whose face stayed impassive.
"And?"
"Only the strongest hold those residences. Theo shares his' with his crew."
"And?"
"To claim the house, you challenge the current owner. Win the duel, and it's yours. Wait—" She paused mid-sentence, brows knitting. "Why does this feel like we've had this exact conversation before?"
Draven ignored her ranting and quickly said, "Let me get this straight—Jude challenged her to a fight just to claim a bigger house in the inner sector? Just for a bigger house?!" He scoffed. "I always knew that boy had stupidity in his blood, but I never realized it was this bad. Besides, isn't he supposed to be rich? Wasn't that why he became stupid in the first place? So why is he desperate for a bigger house here? Vanity?"
Vera gaped. Selene, who had been ignoring them, finally turned, her brow quirking.
"What?" Draven wiped his face, half-expecting dirt.
Vera's voice dripped with disbelief. "You seriously don't know why everyone fights for inner-sector homes?"
Draven hesitated, suddenly unsure. 'Should I have researched this?'
Draven's voice wavered slightly, betraying his doubt. "It's… common knowledge, right?" He'd been so focused on monsters that he had ignored the Haven—maybe a mistake.
"Of course it's basic academy knowledge!" Her eyes narrowed. "Oh. Right. You skipped classes."
Then she snapped. "This is exactly why I told you to RESEARCH!"
Draven flinched.
After a dramatic exhale, Vera spelled it out:
"Each of the three buildings has its own private basement that is connected to the base of the mirror. That space calms and sharpens the mind, which is crucial for skill ascension. You should know the requirements to ascend to the next rank—Master one skill to the next rank, and your entire rank gets dragged up with it. Besides, ascending your skill means the instant your mana reaches the limit of the Third Order, boom! Instant ascension." She smirked. "And in battle? It's a brutal edge."
Leaning in, her eyes gleamed. "Imagine this—wielding a skill of the Primal rank while being in the Transient rank. Although it's draining to use, imagine the advantage over others."
Draven's pulse spiked as understanding crashed into him—followed by a hot, clawing itch in his chest. His thoughts raced as he remembered his death approaching:
'If Mental Serration ascends… how strong would it be? Should I challenge her? After all, I need to ascend the next rank immediately I reach the limit of the Third Order, which by my estimate will be in twenty-something days. By then, it would be too late to ascend a skill.'
The temptation coiled tight.
'Should I challenge her? What are my chances of beating her?'