[Veiled Bazaar, Lunia]
[Aranthra - Lv. 8 Intermediate Rank Acolyte]
Aranthra was one of the three intermediate rank acolytes, likely not much weaker than Malakoff. She was the youngest intermediate rank acolyte in the association too.
Black hair, face of a young highborn lady, and eyes that could charm anyone...Aranthra looked nothing like a dark path acolyte. Yet, she was one of the most fearsome. She only had one level more than he did, yet Greem could feel the qualitative difference between them.
The recent progress elevated his strength significantly, but despite the magus-level bloodline flowing in his veins, meeting the gaze of Aranthra was difficult.
[Greem Southport - Lv. 7 Beginner Rank Acolyte (1080 / 800 EXP -Cannot level up due to bloodline maturity. Estimated time before breakthrough: 2 months, three weeks)
Strength - 6 | Agility - 4 | Vitality - 5 | MagicPower - 7
Perks: Grade IV Shadow Elemental Affinity, Shadow Wyvern Bloodline
Spells: Dark Illusion (86), Shadow Hand (70), Ombre Curse (36), Shadow Cloak (22), Shadow Arrow (10)
Skills: Shadow Elemental Knowledge (81), Magical Knowledge (60), Swordsmanship (43) → (45), Crossbow Mastery (12)
Miscellaneous skills: Accounting (61), Eloquence (40) → (43), Charm (35)
Magical Artefact: Soul Ring [SSS], Thread of Fate Pendant (+1 Perception) [Low-grade Rank 0]]
Regular acolytes of the elemental path would need to meditate, and once they reached the spirit requirement, they would need to acquire a powerful regent to break through to the next realm. The higher the realm, the more potent it was. Some used transplantation of an undead as a means of breaking through like Ronnie and Elizabeth, others potions like Beretheum, and some used demonic rituals like Aranthra.
Greem, as a bloodline acolyte, required none of that. His bloodline was a regent powerful enough to push him to the next realm. 2 months, 3 weeks. This was a small period of time.
"Greem Southport...", Aranthra whispered, her magical power unlike anyone else he crossed path with in the Bazaar. Perhaps only Ronnie could stand a chance with her in the dark market. After all, she was one of the only three intermediate rank acolytes in the association, "Your team's excellent records has reached my ears. Interested in joining my faction?"
Greem shook his head: "Worshipping demons was never my thing"
It was ironic, considering he had sworn allegiance to a sect, and was smuggling contreband for them. However, the items in his pouch already, the profit of 16 magic crystals was his to spend. Combined with the previous missions' rewards, he now possessed the massive sum of 46 magic crystals, wealth that he never had in his possession.
"It's a shame", Aranthra continued, "Well, I guess it will not be long before you become one of the Association's elder, considering your growth. Elizabeth thought you dead, though. Surely, this must have come as a shock. You did so much for her, and she discarded you like a piece of thrash"
Greem squinted. He knew that Elizabeth's iron-arm rule had made a lot of enemies. Obviously, Aranthra did not bother to hide her animosity.
'Knowing Elizabeth, she probably thinks of Aranthra's faction as a good thing for the organisation'
The Skull Sect was a monolith, united by the tattoo curses and promises of the wyvern's bloodline. Punishment and hope of becoming a bloodline type acolyte brought the skull sect together. Plus, in the catacombs, they could only on each other to survive. Although they were acolytes, the dangers were plenty.
The Association was different. Most were coerced into signing a magical contract with Elizabeth, and had to obey her orders. All of their actions were monitored by Elizabeth's crows. Any drunk rumour escaping their mouth in a tavern, and there would be several parties, including Greem's blood bat party, ready to silence them forever.
Acolytes like Aranthra were plenty in the Association.
Greem smiled: "I know what I am doing. I will not die so easily, but I will say this. I encountered Malakoff. And I survived"
Aranthra's eyes widened. Malakoff was a well known name.
"He used to be an elder of the Association, too. The fourth one, actually, who deserted Elizabeth's rules and hid ever since, becoming part of the Skull Sect. Their leader, actually, if I am not mistaken", Aranthra spoke, as if the name reminded her old memories, "Back then, we were not even 20 in the association. It was a different period"
Greem smiled: "Anyway, I did not come here to speak ill of the association. I did survive the encounter, but I almost died. I have magic crystals, what can you offer me?"
Aranthra's purple eyes focused immediately at the promise of wealth. She showed a grin, far too demonic to be called a smile. Her tongue then showed a tattoo of a spider with the number 46. Greem had talked to enough people in the Association to know that this was the number of sacrifices she had made.
"Someone became a little rich", she said, coming closer to Greem, her tongue reaching for his lips.
However, Greem put his hand on his sword, as if to warn her of what would happen if she did not respect his boundaries.
"Tcheh, you are no fun. Most men would sacrifice anything just to talk to me..."
Greem retorted: "I am not most men"
She laughed like a demon, reveal a cold gaze that was similar to a predator about to kill its prey: "This much is true...Anyway, with this sum of magic crystals, I suppose you would have gone to the good hunting dog Ronnie if you wanted to become stronger the regular way, with potions or regents"
Greem nodded. This much deduction was nothing wise. It was just perspicacious on her part.
"Demon rituals are costly...", her voice whispered
"According to rumours, they can raise lifespan. I heard it can raise physical attributes too", Greem said
As if the words sparked her interest, she questionned: "I did not take you for a body refinement acolyte...This much is possible. When shall we proceed?"
"Now. I have to go back to my teammates by the next hour"