Asher had just realized what he had done after reaching the inn room—well, not really, but he sure did.
"I forgot to ask what this damn gun function was and what its name was."
He will be too embarrassed to go back and bicker with that kindhearted shopkeeper.
"It's an artifact, an artificial one, but still, nonetheless, an artifact."
Asher holds the gun in one hand while eating bread with the other concentrated on it.
"Let's see, so I need to put the origin in it to fire. Quite simple, but I still don't think it will have much effect on a beast too much unless it's a low-rank one."
The monsters, or we can say creatures, from beyond tend to be stronger than human ranks by far if they are corrupted, that is. If not, they will be equal to human awakeners in strength.
"Not like I have any idea what a corrupted monster is yet."
For all he knows, it is the basics of the basics he got from Anny and the guild.
"I would like to ask for more, but I will look like a clown who has not done a single thing yet is asking for everything."
Asher's plan was currently nothing more than to hunt and get stronger. After he reaches Rank 2 he could finally start investigating the case regarding his village.
"Or even the white world I encountered."
Asher thought deeply about it, but he had refrained from saying it out loud on every occasion.
He had always felt that talking about that was not right, it was nothing but a gut feeling he had. That this was—personal, too personal, that he was not ready to share with anyone yet.
"First let's try the trick I have been planning all this time."
Cleaning his hands, he stood up from his bed and wore his shoes.
He was not planning on going outside; rather, he was going to use this trick here. He had thought of it after finding the different uses of his ability.
"Let's see, first I need to use static and then release with the exact time."
Concentrating, He used it in his shoes after hovering it above in the air, trying to take a step, as his body moved up after the shoe had become still and not moving. He took a step in the air.
"OK, this is working. Now for the second step."
He relaxed and tried to take a second step in the air.
Not able to keep his balance while in midair when taking his second step, he fell face down with a loud noise.
*Thud!*
"Ouch.. that would have been embarrassing if someone saw it."
Rubbing his face, Asher muttered. His ability was not so strong that it could keep a body still even if the time was stopped unless he was concentrating hard enough to keep it still; if not, the body would move and lose the effect of static as well.
"Alright, let's try it a few more times before leaving."
*****
Coming outside the inn, Asher went to get a public carriage with a bag on his back. He was wearing a chain mail inside his tunic and wore a coat from above to hide the dagger he kept on his waist along with his gun.
He was planning on going for dead zones outside the protected zones, i.e., the city he was in.
The protected zone is where countries like Amon, Lamern, and many other small nations are surrounded by dead zones. It was only for this continent; the other was a smaller continent surrounded by sea and small islands, relatively safer than this one.
"I would also like to go there once."
Asher thought to himself that if he could ever travel this world, it would not be a bad idea.
Soon seeing the carriages brimming with people and awakeners alike, he walked there.
"How much will it be for the western borders of the safe zone?"
Asher asked politely to the driver. Seeing him, the driver looked thoughtful.
"15 R"
"Alright."
Giving a nod, Asher went inside the carriage, not wanting to walk far; his village was situated on the southern side of Safron City, still within protected zones. From the west side borders the dead zones started, mainly Caser forest-filled low-level monsters.
Asher, sitting in the carriage, saw many awakeners also present in it as well, some holding weapons and some without. But most were in teams that were a common point for most awakeners.
'I would have also liked to join a team, but my ability is too abnormal for their standards.'
This was something Asher was sure of. His connections with that white world were well hidden, or he would definitely find himself in trouble.
After an hour of riding, they finally reached the borders of protected zones; it was a plane land with forest surrounding it. Many awakeners could be seen walking here and there or in small shops selling food or other necessary things.
Asher, not wanting to gain attention due to his eyes, wore the hood attached to his coat and simply walked in the forest till he found a newborn or low rank.
Walking in the dense forest, Asher remained vigilant toward every corner.
Even if he could kill a newborn by static. He still wanted to be ready for an ambush.
After walking for 10 minutes, he finally saw a dog-like creature with grey fur; it was not alone but with three others of its kind as well.
Asher, seeing them, quickly hid behind the tree, present at a safe distance.
Feeling his heart pounding in his chest, a smile soon appeared as he mumbled.
"Let's start the hunt."