Blackjade Stone

But if they struck first, that would be another matter. That night, Linley and the others found a place to rest, but his spiritual force still covered the surrounding area, both to guard against Shak and to defend against surprise attacks by magical beasts.

The moment Shak and his men made a move, Linley noticed. A group of people slowly closed in around Linley, clearly intending to launch a sneak attack.

"Hmph, courting death." Linley sneered. In an instant—

"Pssh!"

Sharp earth spikes suddenly erupted from the ground, instantly piercing several low-level warriors. Having silently recited the spell, Linley instantly cast the earth-style spell, Earth Spike Lance. With a flip, he was already on his feet, coldly staring at the crowd.

"Prince Shak, what is the meaning of this?" Linley asked Shak coldly, sizing up the four of them.

"Linley, if you know what's good for you, hand over the spatial ring on your hand. Otherwise, don't blame me for being merciless," Shak said darkly, utterly unconcerned with Linley's gaze.

"I had originally intended to spare your life. Since that is not the case, go to the Underworld and find your father," Linley said coldly.

"What? How do you know about my father? Could it be... the ring on your hand was my father's? You're the murderer who killed my father!" Upon hearing Linley's words and seeing his spatial ring, Shak's expression immediately changed drastically.

At first, he had thought all spatial rings looked alike, but upon closer inspection, it truly was identical to Clyde's.

Upon hearing Shak's words, the people who had been preparing to surround Linley awkwardly halted and even repeatedly backed away. They all knew how terrifying the monster who had killed Clyde was. Even a Level Nine Warrior was no match for him, much less them, when the strongest among them was only a Level Eight Warrior.

"Not bad. You're fairly clever, but it's already too late." Linley spoke calmly and walked toward them like a messenger from Hell.

"Bebe, attack. Leave none alive," Linley directly transmitted through their soul link.

"Run!"

"Ahhh!"

"Pssh..." Shak's guards continuously let out miserable screams under Bebe's claws. In the blink of an eye, they died at the hands of Bebe and Linley. Not a single one escaped.

With an angry roar, Linley smashed Shak's head apart with a single punch.

"Boss, look." After dealing with everyone, Bebe brought all the baggage carried by Shak's group before Linley.

"You..." Linley laughed.

Among the bundles, Linley found a head-sized piece of Blackjade Stone. Since he had already been planning to forge a heavy sword, he was overjoyed and hurried toward Hess City.

Wharton, who had set out from the O'Brien Empire, was also making his way toward Hess City. After two months, he finally arrived. Seeing Hess City packed to the brim, Wharton knew that he first had to find the Dawson Chamber of Commerce in order to find Linley. Otherwise, searching for Linley in a city like this would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. He did not even know whether Linley had entered Hess City.

The Dawson Chamber of Commerce was easy to find in Hess City; he could ask anyone for directions. Wharton found an inn beside the Dawson Chamber of Commerce's Hess City headquarters and stayed there. Hess City was packed to the brim now, so finding even a single room was no easy feat.

After paying, he observed the Dawson Chamber of Commerce's movements every day. Several days later, a man and a mouse entered the Dawson Chamber of Commerce. Wharton recognized Linley at a glance. At the Dawson Chamber of Commerce's headquarters, the four 1987 brothers were gathered together in discussion.

"Third Brother, you finally escaped! I was planning to rescue you, but my old man locked me up," Yale said.

"Yes, Third Brother, you're finally safe. You had us worried to death," George added from the side.

"I have to thank that king of the Magical Beast Forest. If he had not been attacking the Temple of Light, I would not have escaped so easily," Linley said.

"Sigh! It all comes down to strength. If I had possessed overwhelming strength, I would not have been captured. From Clyde's actions and the Bright Church's handling of me, I have already confirmed that the Bright Church is the enemy who killed my mother. So, after coming here to bid you farewell, I will head to the Magical Beast Forest to train," Linley said.

"Also, Boss Yale, does your Dawson Chamber of Commerce have anyone skilled in forging weapons? I want to forge a heavy sword. That would greatly strengthen my attacks," Linley said to Yale.

"I'll ask my father right away. He should know someone," Yale said.

The group went to Monroe Dawson's residence. Yale told Monroe Dawson about Linley's idea. Monroe Dawson told them that he knew the Hyde Clan's patriarch, who could help Linley forge a heavy sword. Just as Linley and the others were about to go find the Hyde Clan patriarch, Wharton arrived at the Dawson Chamber of Commerce's headquarters.