Strings Of Domination

The words of Nash made Zoar's expression turn into that of an even deeper disgust and his eyes geld unsurpassable disdain; it was obvious his impression on Nash grew worse and worse the more he heard him talking.

On the other hand, Flake's impression about Nash was growing toward the opposite direction, feeling that Nash was a rather interesting fellow who was worth befriending with.

Because he was the third prince of the Slayer Race, Flake so far met with people that wished to get into his good book by flattering him non-stop and giving him gifts for no apparent reasons. There were even times when they did his request for nothing in exchange just in the hope they can get closer to him and gain his family's support later on.

Such a special treatment at first made him feel delighted and someone special despite knowing they had ulterior motives but after many cases, that joy gradually turned into annoyance then into hate. That is why when others were flattering him although he showed he was happy and satisfied, deep inside his view toward those individuals turned into despising and dislike.

However, people that were honest with their words and did not try to flatter him just because they wished to get closer to him made Flake feel relaxed and feel the urge to know them better, maybe even forming connections with them if the chance presented itself!

Therefore, when he saw how Emerald, alias Nash tried to avoid him at first and even was indifferent toward him when he spoke despite knowing who he was, even only using simple flattering words that felt normal and not forced, made Flake feel the urge to know him better.

Furthermore, also knowing how great his and his friends' score was Flakes urge to form some kind of connections with this Emerald individual before him. As his father once said, if you have the chance always make sure to create allies, especially if they are stronger or better than you in any field!

"I like your personality more and more, haha!" Flake laughed once again that held no insincerity and said, "Let me see... It would not be fair to give you something you don't need to, hence why don't tell me what you need in exchange for your help? Naturally, it should be equivalent for something like killing Diamond Creatures."

Nash's lips parted slightly behind his mask but soon they curved upward.

'This guy... He really knows how to do business.'

It was an adamant rule that for a successful business, especially in a trade where only one party offered something to the other, it was extremely important to ask what that other party wished to get in exchange.

For instance, if an extremely rich person wished to sell a powerful Domination Art to a royal family, why would the royal family think that person needed money? It made no sense to offer such a thing in exchange, right?

Likewise, it made also no sense to offer and give something completely different than money to that individual. What if he or she already has what you wish to give in exchange? After all, the chances to know what the other party wished for was extremely low, or at least that was if they did not know personally the trader.

Therefore, if you wanted to have a successful trade you had to know or at least ask what the other side wished to get in exchange! And it seemed Flake knew about this rule extremely well and this was not his first time doing things this way.

"What do I need..." Nash mumbled as he began to think.

As Nash was pondering, Flake looked at Miles and quickly added, "Naturally, all of you will get a reward, so you can also think what you wish in exchange. And your third friend too who went inside the ninth gate."

Miles glanced at Nash upon hearing Flake's words and didn't know what he should say.

"Think about something you want, just make sure it's nothing exaggerated." Nash as said calmly as he continued to think.

Miles lowered his gaze and after a bride moment he asked from Flake, "Sir, if I may... If I ask for a dagger, is that a proper wish in exchange for helping?"

Flake was slightly taken back just how young Miles sounded, but once the meaning of the words reached his brain he couldn't help but close his eyes and start to laugh loudly.

Nash and Miles were surprised by the sudden burst of joy from the prince in front of them and subconsciously looked at each other only to see the confusion in each others' eyes.

Zoar, on the other hand, frowned deeply while his eyes examined Mile's figure from top to bottom several times. It was unknown what things were currently running through his head.

"D-Did I ask something funny?" Miles asked awkwardly once he saw how Flake was still laughing after half a minute, even feeling the desire to join the prince of the Slayer Race and laugh with him.

"Said something funny?" Flake finally stopped laughing and wiping the tear away from the corner of his eyes said, "Indeed, your question was rather funny, but in a good way."

Flake then glanced at Miles and said, "Look, if it is only a dagger you wish to get in exchange for slaying Diamond Beasts, I will gladly give you the best dagger I can give you!"

"Brat, I do not know how old are you, but it is pretty obvious even for a deaf man to know you have zero knowledge of what a Diamond Beast is capable of doing." suddenly Zoar's voice appeared, attracting both Miles' and Nash's attention.

"He is right," Flake nodded and after forming a smile said, "That is why I laughed. To hear you only needed a dagger in exchange for risking your life and not something even more valuable made me unable to resist laughing."

"Oh..." Miles said but still shrugged and said, "But I really don't need anything else. I only need a dagger or at least a weapon I can use in combat."

Zoar's brows twitched upon hearing how casual Miles was and how he didn't care what he just said while Flake began to laugh once again.

"I see, then let it be like that. And you know what, once we finish with the mission on Planet Rover I will personally ask the best blacksmith I have connections with to craft a dagger to your liking!"

"Really?" Miles' eyes lit up, his voice holding excitement and anticipation.

"Really." Flake nodded and raised a brow, "But how should I call you? Although I know his name, I still don't know yours."

"Just call me Abyss," Miles answered without hesitation, saying the name he was told to say by Nash.

"I see, then Abyss, as promised once we complete our mission I will help you get crafted your best dagger," Flake said with a warm smile.

"Thank you!"

Flake just continued to smile and was about to ask Nash what he wished to ask, but suddenly noticed as an individual wearing a white mask appeared from the ninth gate and after noticing them walked over.

Nash noticed Flake's averted gaze and saw how Amy was approaching them, thus quickly said, "This is Snow, she will help us too."

'She? I wonder what kind of beauty hides behind that mask.' Flake in his heart before he nodded and said, "I see, that is only better. Then she should think of something too."

Amy frowned behind her mask when she heard Flake's words but felt even more confused when she heard she was called Snow. Since when she was called Snow and why exactly Snow? It was such a lame name even if it was just an alter ego.

Upon seeing she was not talking, Flake just laughed gently and glanced at Nash, "So? Did you think of anything you want?"

Nash looked at Zoar then at Flake and nodded, "Yeah, I have one thing in particular I wish, but I do not know if you have it."

"Until if it is nothing huge and ridiculous, I am pretty sure I have it." Flake smiled as he said.

"I see, then what I want is..."

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Inside a slightly smaller but just as amazing-looking spaceship as that of Argon, Nash sat inside a spacious room with Miles and Amy sitting on his side and in front of him. The former was reading the book he obtained back in the Mystic Hall of Mastery while the latter was sitting in a lotus position, seemingly unlocking her Ancient Veins.

They were currently inside Flake's personal spaceship which at the moment was bolting through space, approaching Planet Rover, the last and smallest planet in the solar system they currently were.

They said after the Ancient Path was opened, Planet Rover not only did undergo several environmental changes but the creatures existing there evolved too, becoming Evolved Beast each!

Furthermore, although rarely, one would be able to meet with a Mutated Beast too, and usually those moments always end up with a tragic death!

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A/N: Hope you liked it! Make sure to vote for more!