Hero of Darkness

Outside of the innermost area of Rathna, two men were secretly escorted by over a dozen of Grandmaster rank warriors and mages. Even some assassins were in the mix. 

This group of vampires did not dare to be disrespectful to the two humans they were ordered to safely get out of the residential lands of the various noble factions and powerful fighters. Just being offered the position of the clan leader's disciple had made them acknowledge Kahn as someone they should treat with respect. 

After passing through various underground tunnels and a few magic vehicles, the duo successfully left the 500 kilometers radius of the inner circle of noble faction territories under 6 hours.

When the duo finally reached one of the districts from the middle areas of Rathna, called Njori district, both of them went into a luxurious restaurant and ordered overpriced and quality food. The main point wasn't the food but the environment they needed for a proper discussion. 

"What do you think? Still not angry about it, right?" asked Kahn to Albestros, the grandmaster rank blacksmith. 

"Look, kid.. I can't say that I'm not angry.. But I understand. You aimed for the best opportunity and possibly saved us years of time just by getting the backing of a powerful force and connections that would save us a lot of struggle. But what I don't understand is why would you take such a risk?

Those people could've just forced us to work for them or add some incorrigible terms that would not go in our favor at all. Besides, you know that the number of enemies we might make by having them back us up." said Albestros. 

"We're already caught in the crossfires since the moment I save his life. Even though I would like to stay out of the radar and not get involved in any of the faction wars.. Doing a direct deal with his father far outweighs the risks. If trouble comes.. I'll have to face it head on." replied Kahn. 

"But you can't deny that it would save us years of hard work and hassle that we would have to face if we started from the scratch and without any support from a powerful force. This is the capital.. Newcomers like us would be chewed out by the top sharks in the business world. 

And just with the name of their clan backing us or by hanging their banner on the shop would be enough to deter the small-time rivals from creating any trouble for us. I only wanted to avoid going through those ordeals and establish ourselves in a matter of half a year." spoke Kahn as he tasted the delicious meat of an aquatic monster that was grilled perfectly. 

"But we don't have enough capital to start a big enough enterprise that would turn out profitable. Even I have only 20 thousand gold coins on me at most." spoke the old man as he let out a defeated sigh. 

"You don't have to worry about that.. I got it covered." smirked Kahn and took out over a dozen space rings from his pockets and gave them to the old man. 

"How about 12 million gold coins.. That enough to start a big business?" he said coyly. 

"Nonsense! How do you have so much money? Don't tell me you're also some chosen heir of some big faction.." asked Albestros in disbelief. 

"Hey.. Did you forget what kind of people I killed when I was avenging your kids? Did you really think I would leave their belongings and wealth behind?" He explained. 

A sudden realization struck the old blacksmith and he found it reasonable for Kahn to have this much money if he looted those clan heirs and even their leaders. 

"But tell me one thing? Why did you decline that offer? You could've lived a life of no worries and probably even become one of them." spoke Albestros. 

This was something he too found intriguing. 

"Too many reasons. Just me saving Szayel and then uncovering his sister to be one of the conspirators who planned his death already put a target on me. For now, only a few know about my part in all of this. But if I stayed.. My life would be hell." he replied. 

"How?"

"The clan itself is solely made of vampires.. I alone will strike as a thorn in their eyes. By being the clan leader's disciple, the attention and hatred I would garner will be very troublesome. 

Plus, don't forget their entire clan itself runs on extremist beliefs. I would be targeted and possibly conspired against from time to time just because I'm a human. 

Even the clan leader won't be able to appease his kin and have them accept me as their own. And my presence would also bring attention to the deeds of the daughter and her fellow traitors in the clan. Something that I can't afford to get mixed into. 

No matter what, I would not have a peaceful life." explained the young swordsman. 

Although what Kahn said was indeed true.. These were only half of the reasons in actuality. 

One of the main reasons was that he'd always be under watchful eyes. And unlike the rest.. His rank and levels rose by eating cores of high rank monsters & mana ores. Something that would arise suspicion because generally, swordsmen didn't need those types of resources. Although they too used monster cores to raise their levels.. Their skills and strength came from the actual training of their battle arts. 

Even someone studying magic would not be able to absorb so many cores and rise in levels that quickly. That would make him an oddity and he would soon be found out as one of the Heroes sent by the Gods. Something he couldn't afford to get revealed. 

Plus his training by the 4th stage saint rank swordsman would not help him in acquiring other abilities or improve his mastery in other weapons. Kahn knew that he had to raise his levels in other weapons as well. He couldn't solely rely on swordsmanship alone. 

So far, only his sword, daggers and battleaxe Weapon Mastery were at Grandmaster rank. The rest were still below it. So soon, he wanted to raise his rank for all the other weapons as well. 

By becoming the disciple of the vampire lord or getting mixed in the Vandereich clan.. Kahn would knowingly halt his progress and have no freedom whatsoever. 

So becoming self-dependent and creating his own sources of income and resources was the most effective and acceptable approach for him. 

After they both finished their meals.. The duo left the restaurant. 

"So where are we going next?" asked Kahn. 

To his question, Albestros replied. 

"To visit my old friend."