Five Stars In The Doomsday

Panthera

I had spent some time in the town of Ghuan Yu located on the continent of Ern, a continent full of legends of wingless dragons and tiny feet. The city was fairly peaceful, more peaceful than I thought it would be compared to the cities I'd been in all this time.

After the occurrence of Yase's vision in my residence, I decided to leave my clan and stop by cities that I had always wanted to visit like this Ghuan Yu city. I also changed my name to make it easier to travel here and there. People used to call me young master Carle, but now I was freely and comfortably called Walye, the adventurous orphan.

Of course I deliberately identified myself as an orphan for a reason. As my father's insistence on expelling me, it made me realize that I had to sever my ties with the sea serpent clan. I also had to give up my position as the young master who held the highest position after the elders or my father. I don't regret this, perhaps part of me did want to throw a tantrum and blame everyone, but I wasn't capable of acting rashly like a child. At least I had other things to do besides that stupid war between the clans.

Yellow and red lanterns shine from morning to night throughout the city, and even the houses are never without them. I also didn't know why the customs on this continent were so distinctive, everyone never showed their spirit forms and their auras could be neatly hidden. It also made me think at one time, that I might have strayed into the human world. However, fortunately Mr. Zhao whom I often visited to look at the old books in his store, explained that the people of the Ern continent especially this city only focused on trading. Which means they prioritize business over fighting to survive.

"Ah.. hello, Mr. Zhao," I greeted him back.

I approached that man and we exchanged some words. His wrinkled face, slightly graying hair and the his cute pot belly were refreshing to see. He seemed to be living a very peaceful life with no thought of war, or so I thought to myself.

Mr. Zhao asked if I would come by again today to see the new books collection.

I nodded my head in agreement, Mr. Zhao never fails to offer his customers a look at the new arrivals at his grocery store. But one thing I wondered was if his customers were just me? I never once saw anyone other than myself chatting with Mr. Zhao and buying things at the grocery store. People just stopped by, looked at antiques instead of books, and then thanked Mr. Zhao for letting them in without buy anything.

We parted ways and I continued my destination. Today I intend to go to a storeping center in this city just to look for a fortune in the weapon stores.

Shan Zern, the storeping and entertainment district in Ghuan Yu city, is one of my favorite places, at least for now.

The first time I came here was when Mr. Zhao suddenly told me to come to the district when I asked if there was a place that sold an ancient artifact. He accompanied me to come here beforehand despite the fact that we couldn't find a single weapon store or antique store that stocked the ancient artifacts.

I didn't intend to do anything with those artifacts. But to be honest, I do like one of them; Mjurdu & Nywest, the two daggers I usually carry. However, the reality for many people who think artifact enthusiasts are dangerous fighters is true, just like me.

An artifact is not just a talisman or a weapon. They are ancient relics of the oldest spirits that are said to have shaped the dimension of Iorla like the human earth. The spirits of legend are called even more sublime deities and I almost thought they were just people greedy for praise. As I knew, there were rumors that the artifacts were actually cursed objects made from the souls of the spirits worshipped as gods themselves.

Although artifacts seem rare and great, the truth is that the existence of ancient artifacts is quite easily accessible on the Oltard continent. Like how I found Mjurdu and Nywest, I still remember very well when I was fourteen years old my father introduced me to an artifact expert named Nolan. He brought various weapons and amulets that turned out to be ancient artifacts including the two dagger pairs.

Like a bolt of lightning penetrating the cellular cavities of my body, my eyes could not tear themselves away from the sight of these two. There was something... that somehow drew me to choose Mjurdu and Nywest.

Of course, I do not intend to replace these two daggers. Nor do I intend to discard them nor am I dissatisfied with their existence so far. Mjurdu and Nywest have helped me harmonize my muscles and main mana. They have also become the most sturdy weapons in my hand. Even if I am dissatisfied or want to replace them, it can be interpreted that I am the one who is not able to make them useful properly. Because that's how ancient artifacts are, the more powerful the master, the more dangerous the aide.

After a few minutes I had arrived at the street where the weapon stores feasted my eyes. This part of the district on the street looked deserted, just like before. Considering that the continent of Ern was a peaceful continent and the city of Ghuan Yu was a merchant city, this seemed quite normal and understandable. Weapons weren't really necessary, but they were a must-have for preparation that we never now.

That’s quite smart I thought.

I walked and looked at store after store I visited. Everything was almost the same. Swords, spears, arrows, booster sticks, core necklaces, not much different from just basic weapons that made from regular minerals and iron. It seems like I was expecting something more, and I should have realized myself. Besides... if I think about it, what am I looking for ancient artifacts for? I'm not going back to the clan wars on the Oltard continent. And for sure, I don't need to think about the Eloka clan again, right?

"You've come a long way, haven't you?"

I turned my head. I saw a man in dark green robes with white shirt and fleece hooded grinning at me. The man removed his hood and his face revealed the pale skin milky just like Sola's skin, hair brownish almost red, and eyes that somehow looked wary. He was tall in stature, seemingly even taller than me. Her body looked perfect with her broad shoulders and well-aligned chest. He wore brown boots and also a thick gloves covered with light mana. I think his gloves was also ancient artefact. Interesting.

Let me guess, Panthera the tiger clan? Why is he here?

"I have no business with you."

"How kind of you, aren't we neighbors, Young Master?"

My eyes sharpened and my scales tingled at the same time. It felt like hearing that call was still bothering my head. It was like a wound that I could never forget, a call that I still hadn't consciously let go of. As quickly as the wind I disappeared and was behind this man with both my daggers extended to lock his neck movement.

"What do you want, cute cat?"

The man didn't budge, his hands were clenched into fists and I could see he was trying to push my daggers away. Does he think sea snakes are stupid? I was already casting traps on the soles of his big feet. It tried to fight me from the front using its elbows. I was stunned because I didn't expect his elbow to make me swerve. As soon as the man was out of my grasp, the wind picked up and a bit of old dust flew up as a result. The man moved away in front of me, smirking and giving me a dismissive look.

"As it sounds, the sea serpent clan cannot be underestimated," he said simply.

He was trying to attack me again with his tail out, fangs enlarged, and a body that I realized was emitting yellow mana almost like lightning. I sighed and tried not to take this fight seriously. I wasn't fighting for anyone and I didn't want to waste my mana in vain.

We fought for almost five hours and not a single word came out of our mouths. I could see that the man, who was probably younger than me, was sweating, his hands were shaking and his legs, which had looked flexible before, looked limp now. I didn't take this man's game seriously, but apparently I went a little overboard when I fought him. I had only intended to equalize my strength with that Panthera clan man, but apparently he was already at his limit.

"You underestimated me?" his tone was overwhelmed.