Return of the Lost One

Top Forces In Kalayaan Village

“What are you talking about?” Sael Anselmo smiled as he shook his head. After a moment of pause, he then continued, “Naturally, it's because the soundproof formation is very common here in this place. What is so surprising about that?”

“Very common?” Dugo Zugath was taken aback. He frowned slightly as he continued, “Do you mean most houses here are soundproof?”

“Although not every house, but at least 50 percent. So it's really not surprising that we have a soundproof house.” Sael explained with a smile.

“So, you're implying that the two of you don't belong to the common folks? Meaning, a lower class like us?” Dugo Zugath went to ask. After all, even though soundproof formation was common in that place, it would still cost a hefty sum. And someone like Dugo, or his family, wouldn't be able to afford such a price.

“You can say it that way.” Sael Anselmo replied.

“Oh? Then that makes sense.” Dugo Zugath responded with a nod. Even so, he still couldn't understand why would they waste the soundproof formation to a small wooden house. But then, he didn't linger on about the matter anymore and forgot about it.

“Oh, right!” But just as he was about to turn around to take a stroll in the village, Dugo Zugath suddenly recalled something as he quickly covered his right cheeks with his right palm. Shortly after that, he came closer to Sael and pushed him into the house hurriedly. He then slammed the door close as he leaned his back against it afterward.

“What's the problem?” Sael Anselmo asked seriously seeing that Dugo appeared to have some urgent matter to tell. Why was this guy acting like this in all of a sudden?

Dugo Zugath who had just heaved a sigh of relief then stared at Sael before he said, pointing his slave mark with his forefinger, “Do you have anything to cover my face?”

Since he was a slave who had escaped from his master, Dugo Zugath was afraid that someone might take an interest in him as they would catch him for money's sake. He couldn't vbe careless especially when he knew that his strength was limited as he didn't have enough power to protect himself at all times and in every situation.

On the other hand, Sael Anselmo was taken aback for a moment before he burst into laughter. He couldn't help but ask while he was still laughing, “This is what you are worried about?”

Dugo Zugath's expression suddenly turned dark seeing that the other party was making fun of him. He found his veins popping out on his forehead as there was even an urge in his heart to punch him good.

But before Dugo Zugath could get even more frustrated, Sael Anselmo held back his laughter as he explained, “People in this place doesn't really care about anyone's status. After all, most people here are in disguise and were only passing by. Some old man here is begging across the street but he is actually a high-level awakener. There are even a few who are purposely marking their face with a slave mark just to put a low profile and do their business. Since this place is where many powerful groups gather, anyone naturally won't act so arrogantly for they are afraid that they may offend someone they can't afford.”

“So it really doesn't matter in here what status you have. No one will purposely cause trouble for you unless you first cause trouble for them or they knew that you are easy to bully. So what you should do right now is to act mysterious and avoid being a coward instead of covering your slave mark. But with your character, I think you are not that kind of person who would act so cowardly.”

“Hmm...” Dugo Zugath nodded one time after listening from the other party. He didn't expect that the custom here in this place was like that. Thinking about it, Dugo Zugath was certain that he could still cope with it.

But just as Dugo Zugath absorbed the new information, Sael Anselmo suddenly began talking again. However, this time, his tone of voice was exceedingly serious, “But of course, although I said that status really doesn't matter here, that is only applicable to the normal people. There are actually three forces here in Kalayaan village that are respected and feared by the people.”

“Three forces that are respected and feared? Who are they?” Dugo Zugath repeated with a questioning tone. His interest was piqued by these groups of people.

Sael Anselmo took a moment of pause before he answered, “The Guevarra family, they are quite infamous and owned many properties in this place. They are the biggest force here. Many awakeners are willing to work for them for the sake of money. They are feared and loves to do the dishonest job. Other than them, no one would dare to act so arrogantly in this place. After all, their strength is can also be compared to some stronger families in the cities.”

“The other one is the notorious bandit group, Taugama. Very few people have seen their faces and they rarely appear in public. But most people tried their best not to offend them. If people encounter them and learn about their identity, they will most likely offer compensation to avoid conflict and endangering their life.”

“And lastly, it's not a group, but an individual. No one knew what is his name or who he is but people called him the Old Beggar. He is an old man in the guise of a beggar walking aimlessly in the street together with other beggars. But his strength alone is more than enough to cause threat even to the Guevarra family or to the infamous bandit group, Taugama. No one saw his real face before so instead of finding it out, people were just trying to not cause any trouble to the beggars and homeless people in the village as they were afraid that the one they would cause trouble with was the Old Beggar himself.”

After explaining things to Dugo Zugath, Sael Anselmo stared fixedly at the other party's eyes to see if there were any changes in his expression. But surprisingly, he only saw him having the same nonchalant expression as he nodded his head and said, “Oh?”