Code Collector

"First question," Allen didn't hesitate on saying. "How did you find out I was here?"

Jeremy smirked at this. He seemed to have known that the Wandering Trader would ask this question. He was now holding the high ground.

At least that was what he was thinking.

"You don't have a specific role, that's why," Jeremy answered. "Hunters with the role of Assassins have an innate passive skill in them. Their stealth are enhanced by a lot of times, making it easier for them to sneak on people.

"Besides the fact that their movement speed is increased, they also produce lower sound when moving and has narrower figure in the eyes of other people," Jeremy continued. "You were good at combat, but you didn't know about this fact. Interesting."

"Next question," Allen said without acknowledging Jeremy's words. "How did you know that Mary was the person behind the attack? And you were so sure of it too that you even threatened her with her own son."

"Another simple question," Jeremy said. "That's because there was no other person in the street that time. We have cameras in some parts of the camp, and it just so happens that," he paused and pointed at the building of the alley, "there's one right where you and Mary did the deal."

"Final question," Allen said. "What level do you think I am? I assume you already fought a lot of people before, and you had assessed them. How stronger am I compared to the others?"

"I'll assume you're almost at Ascension," Jeremy replied. "But you also have to count the fact that you don't have any roles— you're at a huge disadvantage, so maybe you're already qualified for Paradise. You just won't ascend because you have other businesses to take care of here in Haven."

"Fascinating," Allen muttered. He placed his finger on his chin and smirked. When Jeremy thought he had the upper hand, Allen was just playing with him.

The boy wanted to know more on how he can improve himself and since Jeremy saw through him twice, he was going to fix where he was wrong. He now has to be aware of the cameras around as well as the limit of his strengths.

He cannot fully hide since he wasn't an Assassin, that was a fact. His stealth was still not at its peak, so he has to improve himself more in this aspect.

As for his last question, he was right all along. No normal Hunter in his level to have so many Codes. Even when a regular Hunter would farm day and night for months, they would still have half the number of his Codes.

Knowing this, he was far in advantages than them. He can use multiple Codes for a battle. He has a lot of skill Codes at his disposal, he can simply spam them and it will look like he was a strong Hunter.

As for the integrity of Jeremy's words, he was sure enough that the man wasn't lying to him. Jeremy still has the desperation and he wasn't hiding it well. They were in the same boat, and they needed to help each other so their boat would not sink.

"Now for the second wish," Allen snapped himself out of his thoughts. "I have one Rare grade Code and two Rare grade items. I will ask for only one Rare grade Code of your own choosing."

"Only one?" Jeremy had to repeat. "Won't that make you go out of business? So generous. Also, items? How in the hell did you acquire such items? It's hard enough to craft a single item, you have two? And I'm assuming you have more since you're willing to just throw it all away."

"Out of our deal, I have three advantageous side while you only have one," Allen said, raising four fingers and closing one. "I have to equalize so we can reach the same ground. Again, I am trading and not giving service."

"Wow," Jeremy chuckled. "Then let me select a good Code for you. You go ahead and choose yours."

Little did he know, Allen already had Codes and items at his disposal. He collected materials in the forest and he found himself crafting a lot of items, now his Inventory was almost full. He was going to give Jeremy just anything and the man would be grateful. That was a fact.

"Okay, here it is," Jeremy offered his hand. Allen was pretending to choose in his interface just so his own side of the trade would look valuable. "Let me give you my Code first."

Allen took the man's hand and Jeremy selected the Code in his interface. He was grinning while doing this, making Allen about to smirk by how stupid he looked. Jeremy had a lot of tragic experiences in life, but he still acted like a kid sometimes.

Allen lowered his hands when a series of images flashed before his eyes. It was another set of memories, but this time they contained Jeremy.

"What—" Allen gasped. His eyes widened when the memories started playing more. It was like a very fast slideshow that his mind was barely able to keep up.

"Are you… okay?" Jeremy asked, trying to walk closer to him. The man raised his hand and was about to put it on Allen's shoulder when the boy shrugged it off. "What's happening, Wandering Trader?"

"You're so stupid," Allen said in his memory. He was looking at Jeremy who was playing in a creek along with his previous group. "Jeremy, stop!"

The police officer was grinning and he was splashing water to everyone beside the creek. They were all laughing at each other, as if they don't have a problem in the world.

"Allen," Jeremy called out. "Let's go."

The boy returned to reality and he was now kneeling on the ground. Jeremy had his hands on his shoulders while calling out his name continuously.

"Wandering Trader?" Jeremy called out. "Can you hear me?"

Allen pushed the man off. He stood and regained himself, trying his best to block all the memories that were trying to resurface. "I have an emergency to attend to. Let's meet back here tomorrow same time."

Allen groaned and massaged his temples, barely suppressing all the memories inside his head. He turned around and was about to walk away when Jeremy called out.

"But I won't be on duty tomorrow," Jeremy said. "It would be suspicious of me to go here when I don't have to."

"That's not my problem," Allen said. "If you don't show up, the deal is off."

He used the effect of his cloak to vanish into thin air. The he leaped to the roof to run away, somewhere where he can be alone and scream.

The memories that were playing in his head made it feel like his head was splitting in half. It was so painful that he was barely able to run away from the camp, taking his outfit off and going to the forest where he screamed his lungs out.

His knees brought him down to the forest floor. Everything was dark and all he could hear was the constant noise coming from the beasts that roamed the night. He should he alert if anything would attack him, but his mind was preoccupied.

"Allen!"

"Jeremy!"

Allen was standing in front of the gate from their camp when Jeremy was running to him. He was waving his hand while using sign language for the rest of their conversation. It seemed like the latter came from the forest and he was going inside the camp.

"I'm so close to achieving my dream, Allen," Jeremy said with a wide grin. "I came all the way here from Camp Twyla just to say that."

"Really?" Allen smiled as he signed his words. "That's great! We should celebrate this."

"Where are the others? Drinks are on me," Jeremy said with a laugh. "I'm just so happy."

"I'm also happy for you," Allen signed. He looked around like he was trying to find something. Not a moment later, he smiled and saw his group coming out of the forest and go to him.

"Allen!" the headless woman cheered. "And I see you have Jeremy visit you today."

"He always visit us," Allen signed with a chuckle. "Plus, he has a good news to share to us."

"Really?" Selena butt in. "Well, we also have some good news to share. We caught a Rare grade boar! Let's sell its meat and eat some for us."

"Beer is on me!" Jeremy cheered. "Let's toast our friendship."

"You did come all the way from Camp Twyla," Allen signed. "Let's go!"

The memory ended and Allen found himself lying on the ground. The dried up leaves crunched as he moved, sitting up to recover himself. "I don't believe this."

The boy stood and massaged his head, trying to calm himself down. "That can't be right."

The memories slowly flashed in his head again. Though the splitting pain was gone, the headache was still there.

"Jeremy and I were friends."