October 11th.
[Name: Marcus Sirdi.]
[Age: 24.]
[Level: 2 (Mage), (Sage).]
[Race: Human.]
[Mana: 3000.]
[Titles: Lord With A Will (Lv2)]
[Pathfinder: Will 50/44. Strength 100/100. Dexterity 120/120.]
[Achievement Points: 13653]
[Arcane Knowledge Learned (Lv2). Advanced Technological Knowledge Learned (Lv2). Body Modification Knowledge Locked. Futuristic technological Knowledge Locked.]
[Redo: 3.]
[Days Left: 11 months (323 days)]
…
Two months had gone by in a flash with Marcus hardly doing much against the Faceless Order.
Or so it would seem to others.
Since Eddy's death, he had remained in his mansion, focusing on building his immediate surroundings…
Standing on his balcony under the purple haze of dawn with his hands behind, Marcus exhaled softly.
A faint plume of frosty breath formed over his lips.
In the distance, organized rows of concrete bungalows stretched even beyond his estate walls.
Smooth roads lined by slabs that covered the pipes and gutters underneath them.
Just two months ago, this view had been mostly grassland, a few wooden shacks, and a single muddy track leading to the estate.
Warm yellow lights flickered in some windows, with thin curls of smoke rising from some open windows.
Life around Marcus's estate had become safe, comfortable, and convenient.
Even the doctors invited to Agard on contract found this place clean and hygienic enough to consider staying in the future…
All of this progress in two months, and my heart still hasn't settled.
"This is already a future very different from the last one." Marcus leaned on the rail of his balcony as he delved further into another thinking spree.
Over the last few months, while it did look like he was idling and focusing on the development of his territory, he had been secretly investigating what Cassir had said.
Marcus had been searching for the item that could potentially bring about an end to whatever plans Maney had for this territory.
However, all his efforts were for naught.
Not a single clue was found.
Moreover, the people who had been fighting the Faceless Order had been claiming victory for a while.
With no more cultists in sight, Agard was seemingly free from its shackles.
Many of the warriors invited to fight the cultists had left the State, but not before showing great interest in the novelties that Marcus' territory displayed.
Some of them even proposed buying the cement formula for Marcus, but all their suggestions were met with a strong rejection.
They also ask for the blueprints of his bungalows and even tried to bribe some experienced stonemasons to leave with them. Unfortunately for them, every corner they tried to poach from sent them back empty-handed.
When they finally realized that there was nothing to gain here for now they left, leaving a few who chose to remain behind to exorcise the Devilish Intents that had permeated Agard.
Despite all of this, Marcus's heart remained unsettled.
"There's been no sign of Maney since. He disappeared without a word. Has he given up on this place, or has his goal already been achieved… or could it be something even deeper?"
Marcus glanced at his interface and his eyes settled on his achievement points for a while.
He had been saving his points, not because he had something he wanted in particular, but because he didn't know what he would face when he came across Maney.
Marcus silently watched as people stepped out of their homes as the sun rose.
They were leaving for their job shifts, properly clothed and with smiles on their faces.
Never had they thought they would be leaving this kind of life just a few months ago.
Those whose workplace was close to Marcus's mansion paused and bowed to the young lord when they noticed his presence.
Marcus smiled and waved at them as they went on their way.
Slowly, the smile vanished from his face.
"Food is sufficient and will last for a while. The time for our second harvest is close at hand, so good for the winter wouldn't be an issue.
Enough clothes for the upcoming winter have been supplied to everyone, and those who were rescued have been recovering well."
Marcus paused and looked in a certain direction.
The tension in his heart seemed to tighten whenever he glanced in this direction.
Closing his eyes, he opened his Pulse of Seeing and performed his Rippling World.
Still water that stretched for as far as the eyes could see, surrounded Marcus.
Unlike a while back, Marcus had become a bit more perceptive with this skill of his.
In his eyes, not only could he see ripples on the water, but he could also see thousands of crimson threads, interwoven around each other and all of them eventually wrapped around a single thread that was attached to him.
He raised his hand and tried to grasp this thread. Marcus's hand passed through the thread as though it were only a mirage.
He sighed.
The other end of the thread led in the direction that Marcus glanced at.
With a soft exhale, he reigned in his Rippling World and everything returned to normal.
"Out of all the places they've raided. Unlike the past, that auction house remains untouched, and unsuspecting. Is it because Cassir left earlier than before, or…?"
And truthfully, Marcus had also avoided that place, for the fear of dying there again, or at least, prematurely.
He needed Maney to act before he would make his decision.
However, stalling has left him with no other option.
"Maybe we should investigate that place next."
Marcus had gotten stronger, but this improvement of his failed to deceive him.
He didn't think he was strong enough to face Maney, nor was there much he could do to improve his strength enough in time to counter Maney.
But power is not the only way to win.
Punishing himself off the rail lightly, Marcus returned to his mansion to prepare for his next move.
…
Time trickled by for Marcus, and soon, it was nighttime.
Stepping into the Eastern District with only three of his veteran knights, Marcus stood before the auction house, staring at it like it was a predator he didn't want to mess with.