Just before the end, the first one could have completed his sentence, Emperal didn’t waste a single second and lunged at him.

But unfortunately, the middle guy reacted just in time and saved his sorry ass.

"He’s fast! Be careful!"

The first one shouted before drawing out a large sword. He swung it a few times and took a fighting stance.

Emperal smirked at them; he wasn’t worried. Only the middle one was a bit strong, but he didn’t dare underestimate them. Although the two of them were at Verth Seeker Stage Three, it was the middle one that was the problem.

Verth Wielder Stage Three.

He was strong, but...not enough to capture Emperal.

The middle one stepped forward, stretching his hand...they began to glow. A wisp of dense fire materialized in his palm.

"Brat, let me show you why we Firebirds are feared in this region." But to his surprise, he saw Emperal was just standing there...looking at him in surprise.

"What?"

"Your voice...sounds familiar."

He spoke, his voice full of scepticism. The Firebird suddenly halted, as if he had been shot in the back.

"W-What a bluff! Men, get that kid!!"

He tilted his head and roared. Before they could even move, Emperal raised his hand.

"Halt."

And halt—they did, there was something in his voice that made them stop. Something they could not ignore.

"You...aren’t you the leader of that group that confronted us a few days ago, and you had abandoned them in one go?"

A small smile stretched on Emperal’s face; his words drained all the colour from his face. Which was enough distraction, Emperal needed.

The two standing behind also had their mouths wide open; they couldn’t believe their ears.

"Leader, you—!?"

Sling!!!!

Emperal struck, not his body or the rest. But, he struck his face.

Slitherr....

The mask fell off, and Emperal saw the same face he had seen before, the same one that had run off the moment things went south.

"Well, the Infernal Dragon’s eyes sure are sharp."

Emperal chuckled, looking at the man. "So? Tell me the real reason why you are chasing me. Don’t give me the bullshit about the posters. I have connections in this nation deep enough to know what is happening in the market."

He said, which was true. When he had brought this topic up with Soleine, she was filled with rage. Almost infiltrating Draventhar’s black market and incinerating all the rats. But, Emperal of course held her back. It was useless to do so, but she did swear she would skin everyone alive if his poster began spreading in Solmere.

The Leader, being exposed, couldn’t help but grit his teeth. Seeing this, Emperal’s smile widened.

"How much did they pay you? Tell me, I’ll give you double."

Emperal stepped forward, his words surprising the Leader.

"You’ll pay me double?" He asked, his eyes shining in unmasked greed. The two of his subordinates stood behind him quietly.

"Yes, and if you help me find them, I’ll give you three times the money."

Hearing this, the Firebird could no longer control himself. He instantly agreed.

"Deal!"

...

In the far corner of Dawnreach, there was an underground bar. It was nighttime, and the bar was as loud as ever.

In the corner, two men were sitting on the bench, drinking. They were muscular and their eyes sharp.

Veterans.

"Big brother, how do you think we should spend all that money, heh?"

One of them spoke, addressing the other.

The big brother in question merely shook his head, "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There must be a reason his bounty is so high. We should proceed with caution."

He spoke in a calm and measured tone, but the other one seemed to disagree.

"He is merely at Verth Seeking Stage Three. What can he do? And besides, that idiot we underpaid must have already captured him."

His words gained a nod of approval from the big brother, chugging another jar of liquor. He spoke.

"That is true, and even if he didn’t capture him. That should be all the signs screaming we shouldn’t mess with that man."

"Hehe, true. Now, let’s go and meet up. He must have already arrived there."

Saying that, both of them stood up. Paying the bar owner, they exited the bar. It was still nighttime, so there were far fewer people.

"Hmm, in that direction. Let’s go."

The big brother pointed in a certain direction and gestured.

"Alright."

After walking for a few minutes, they finally arrived at a secluded spot. It was a bit away from the town’s influence and just a few miles ahead...the forest region starts.

Looking around, the little brother couldn’t help but speak.

"Where is he?"

He couldn’t help but ask when he noticed the absence of people. His tone was full of annoyance.

"I’m right here."

Just as the two of them were about to use their senses, a voice echoed. Turning back, they saw the Firebird walking through the forest with a smile on his face.

"I hope I didn’t make the two of you wait for long."

The Firebird flicked his copper hair back and spoke, his tone though. It didn’t sound all that sincere.

"Enough of chit-chat, you have already wasted enough of our time. Where is that brat? Did you capture him?"

The little brother spoke, his voice sounding eager. The big brother, too, nodded.

"Alright then, come with me. I’ll show you where I have captured that brat."

Saying that, he gestured to them. And started walking towards the forest.

...

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived in front of a cave. The Firebird smiled when he saw this, "He is inside, you check it out."

He pointed his hand at the inner part of the cave, which was engulfed in darkness.

"Big brother, you wait here. I will check it out."

"Alright, but be careful."

The man rushed inside, his body radiating the cultivation of Verth Wielding Stage Two.

As he walked deeper and deeper, his steps gradually faded. Seeing this, the big brother frowned.

"The cave is...that deep?"

He turned towards the Firebird and asked, but to his horror, there was no Firebird beside him.

"Heh, right behind you!"

BOOMM!!