Jin's blood turned to ice as he took in the figure that had just entered Bobby's shop.
Pale complexion... check.
Crimson eyes... check.
Tall and gaunt... check.
Creepy-as-hell smile... check.
This guy is definitely one of the cultists, or I'm about to be very embarrassed for being racist toward pale people.
The man stood in the doorway, his unnaturally red eyes scanning the shop with predatory interest. Everything about him screamed "dangerous".
Jin's hand drifted toward the Ironhowl concealed beneath his armor, muscle memory from the original Jin's training taking over. His heart hammered against his ribs, but he forced himself to remain still.
One wrong move and it'll be over before I know it. Stay calm, Jin. Act normal.
Bobby's jovial demeanor evaporated like morning mist. His hand moved slowly toward something behind the counter—probably a panic button or weapon—but he maintained his merchant's smile with practiced professionalism.
The stranger noticed the tension immediately. His smile widened.
"My apologies for the... dramatic entrance," the man said, his voice carrying an oddly musical quality that made Jin's skin crawl. "No need for weapons. I'm here to shop, nothing more."
He held out both hands in a gesture of surrender, but somehow the movement felt more like a cat showing its claws than any genuine attempt at peace.
"I'm with the recent expedition into Silver Spire. Surely you must have heard of it?"
Bobby's posture relaxed marginally, though his eyes remained wary. "Silver Spire? That's... impressive. Those expeditions don't come cheap."
Spire? Jin's mind raced through his knowledge of the world. Those are the towers filled with high-level monsters and treasure. Only experienced hunters can tackle them safely.
There was a Spire in Vienna? That's news to me. The author never mentioned it in any of the books.
Bobby broke the silence, "Then please retract your aura presence... Don't flare it in the middle of a public place."
The stranger nodded apologetically.
Aura?… damn, one unlocks their Aura presence at Order III.
The invisible weight pressing down on the shop suddenly lifted. Jin hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath until air rushed back into his lungs.
The stranger nodded apologetically. "Indeed, I once again apologize for that... I've been running through spire floors with my party, and contact with the public is always awkward after extended dungeon runs."
He reached into his coat—Jin tensed, ready to dive for cover—and produced an official-looking identification card.
"My credentials, if it would ease your concerns."
Bobby accepted the card and channeled a thread of essence into it, his expression shifting from suspicion to recognition as the authentication enchantments confirmed its legitimacy.
"My apologies, Mister...?"
"Joe," the stranger said with that same unsettling smile.
Joe. Jin nearly snorted. That sure as hell is a fake name. Even my dead mama could figure that out.
What kind of parent names their kid Joe in a world full of people called Valdris and Korthak?
Joe laughed, apparently noticing Jin's skeptical expression.
"I know, I know. Not the most exotic name for someone of my... appearance. But it's the name my father gave me, and I've grown rather fond of it over the years."
Jin forced himself to relax, adopting the polite demeanor expected of a young awakener meeting his betters. "Forgive me, Mister Joe. Where are my manners? I'm Jin Winters."
"The pleasure is entirely mine, Young Winters." Joe's crimson eyes fixed on Jin with an intensity that made him want to squirm. "After all, it's not every day one witnesses such... natural talent in essence manipulation."
Talent? What is he talking about? The skill core absorption?
Jin's mind raced. Had this man been watching him earlier? How much had he seen?
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," Jin replied carefully, injecting just the right amount of confused innocence into his voice. "I only awakened my Mantle a week ago. I'm still figuring out the basics."
"Of course, of course." Joe's smile never wavered, but something flickered behind those crimson eyes— Amusement? "Forgive an old hunter's paranoia. We see patterns where none exist, especially after long expeditions."
Old hunter, my ass. This guy can't be older than thirty, and he's got the kind of presence that screams 'magical enhancement' or 'inhuman ancestry.'
Jin studied the man more carefully, trying to reconcile his appearance with his knowledge of cultist descriptions from the novels. Joe was certainly pale enough, and those red eyes were definitely unnatural, but he lacked the ritual scars and obvious corruption marks that most cultists displayed. He looked... clean. Civilized. Which somehow made him more unsettling, not less.
Should I test him? Say something insulting about the cults and see how he reacts?
The plan died before it could fully form. This man radiated power—ORDER III at minimum, possibly higher. Starting a fight here would endanger Bobby and Dorian, and Jin wasn't nearly strong enough to protect them if things went sideways.
Not yet. I need to get stronger first. Can't afford to pick fights I can't win.
While Jin was lost in his thoughts, Joe had turned back to Bobby and was discussing Spire conditions with the casual expertise of someone who'd actually been there. He spoke knowledgeably about monster types, floor layouts, and loot distribution with the kind of detail that could only come from firsthand experience.
Focus, Jin. He mentally slapped himself. Can't afford to zone out during important conversations. This guy might be evaluating me for something, and I need to know what.
Noticing Jin's return to awareness, Joe smiled and produced a small card from his coat.
"Here, Young Winters. This is my 'party' card."
Jin accepted the card with a confused expression. The metal was heavier than it looked, cold and thrumming faintly with essence under his fingertips. No flashy inscriptions, no gaudy decorations—just the crest of a hunting party: a wolf with pale blue eyes.
o...o
SILVERS
★ Silver Ranked ★
"We Hunt What Hunts You"
o...o
Flipping the card over, Jin saw it was signed simply as "Joe."
Damn, a Silver-rank hunter party?
Although I don't remember the name SILVERS from any of the books... then again, this whole place was wiped out. No survivors to tell their story.
Jin looked at Joe again with a scrutinizing gaze. The ranks in Hunter guilds followed metals and earthly materials—a nod to their down-to-earth ideology.
Iron → Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Diamond.
It's a good connection to have, but pointless if I don't survive the next few hours. I gotta hurry.
Bobby whistled from his chair.
"That's really kind of you, Mister Joe. Giving a youngling your card is very rare, isn't it?"
"Most Silver-ranks don't bother with newbies."
"Indeed, Mister Bobby... Nothing wrong with some goodwill," Joe replied smoothly. "Young talent should be nurtured, not ignored."
Or maybe recruited for nefarious purposes… Shit, I'm a racist?
"True, true."
Jin thanked the man but apologized, explaining that his appointment with someone for his dungeon run was coming close, and he would prefer to be early rather than late.
"Punctuality is a virtue," Joe said with that unnaturally wide smile. "I do hope our paths cross again, Young Winters. I have a feeling you're destined for... interesting things."
Both men waved him off, though Joe watched Jin with an interested expression that made his skin crawl.
There's something about that kid, Joe thought unconsciously, licking his lips.
The way he absorbed that skill core, the control he showed... He may be something extraordinary. Only time will tell if he's worth...
…
Almost 40 minutes later, Jin sat on a bench outside the mall, working through a meat bun while the artificial night settled around Vienna.
The unnatural darkness pressed against the city like a living thing, and Jin could feel the veil's influence growing stronger by the hour.
He pulled out his phone and opened his notes app, checking the list he'd made:
~~~
#1 Ingredients for Mantle Evolution → Check
#2 Ingredients for natural regen boosts → Check
#3 Ingredients for Essence boost portion → Check
#4 Items for survival → Check
#5 [Appraise] Skill core → Check
#6 Other ingredients that I may need → Check
#7 Bonus: Get spatial storage → Check
~~~
Phew~ Good thing Bobby was a family friend, else I wouldn't have gotten such a big discount.
Saved me probably fifty thousand zens, maybe more.
Jin glanced at his watch: [4:30 PM]. The night was descending even though it was still afternoon—the veil's influence accelerating Vienna's descent into supernatural darkness.
First order of business: I need to enter a dungeon fast and become Peak Order 0, then trigger the Mantle evolution.
I really need Essence. A lot of it... Let's hope the process goes smoothly and I don't get eaten by whatever's lurking in these low-level dungeons.
Jin finished his food and stood, shouldering his pack with renewed purpose. The streets around the mall were eerily quiet, most people having retreated indoors as the unnatural darkness spread.
Time to find that dungeon entrance.
If I remember correctly, there should be one about fifteen minutes from here—a little deeper into the woods, but it should be free of people.
Something hard and muscular wrapped around Jin's throat from behind, cutting off his thoughts and his air supply in one swift motion. The grip was like iron, professionally applied with just enough pressure to restrict breathing without crushing his windpipe.
Shit!
"Shh, shh," a voice whispered in his ear. "You fucking bitch, think you could disappear after the shit you pulled off?"
Wait… I know that voice!
~~~