Code Collector

It has been a few minutes since Allen's new passive skill has activated. He was now aware of what it does and how beneficial it is for him especially when he finds himself in tight situations.

The skill allows him to act calmly even when he was facing a man that was ways stronger than him, just like Chen. The skill hides his nervousness and makes him look like a much stronger person than he actually is, making the opponent feel intimidated.

Against humans, this skill isn't as effective. Since humans have rational way of thinking, they can also act like they're not scared of facing Allen. This was why Chen didn't hold back even when his men showed fear.

But when used on beasts, however, this skill was terrifying. Should Allen face a Grand grade beast or a high tier Rare grade, he can activate the skill and the opponent will lose its defenses, giving him a chance to attack and hunt them.

Allen had never heard of a skill such at this. It's part of the Snake's Exclusive Skill set, so that was why no one else has heard of it at all.

Chen crossed his arms while grinning at Allen, "Done for? The Smith Sisters? What do you mean?"

"I had a new hobby, and I decided to try it on them," Allen replied. "I just wanted to see how much I improved and what other way to know other than trying, right?"

Chen laughed loudly. "That is right. So, what was your hobby that you tried on the twins?"

"Carving," Allen replied. "I merely carved small art on their faces. Shallow enough to not kill them, but just the right amount of depth so it would leave ugly scars. They deserved those scars."

"Ha!" Chen yelled. "They do, don't they? Those b*tches had me on their fingertips before, sleeping with me when the Fire Dragon attacked."

The words rang in Allen's ears like bells. He looked at Chen who had a furious look in his face, hidden with an obvious fake grin. He was clenching his fists while he looked at Allen intensely.

"I've always wondered what happened to that incident," Allen said. He knew he should be trying to ease the conversation, but his mouth was betraying him. The curiosity he had was greater than the fear of Chen's rage. "I never knew what exactly happened that time."

Surprisingly, Chen unclenched his fists and his muscles relaxed. He took a moment to close his eyes and sigh deeply, also massaging his forehead. "That night was the worst night for all Hunters in both this camp and the next.

"In the camps of Haven, a Rare grade beast needs a group to be hunted. Back then, there wasn't as many strong Hunters, and a lot of the ones who were strong just ascended to higher worlds in excitement. The ones left here are the citizens of Haven."

"But then, no one has ever heard of a beast that was supposed to ascend staying here for a short while before its body rises to the next world. No one," Chen sighed again. "And so, when the Grand grade beast attacked, a lot of Hunters lost their lives."

Allen recalled the headless woman in his memories. She was only one of the victims of the Fire Dragon that attacked years ago. There were so much more Hunters that were victimized by the beast and just the thought of that made Allen's heart clench in pity.

"Back then, I was only a part of a small gang organized by my father," Chen said. "He and his best friend were trying to get powerful just because we needed more power so that our gang would rise.

"Then the Fire Dragon attacked. Everyone was disoriented, even my father who was the most powerful man I knew was scared. Uncle Jack, his best friend, had already called out for him, trying to pull him back because no one could match the power of the dragon."

"Did he met his demise that time?" Allen asked, regretting that he interrupted the man.

"I wish it was him," Chen laughed lightly. "But my brother who was also a Hunter stepped in and took the blow. He got a giant claw pierced in his chest, digging through his flesh and bones. My brother, although he wasn't as strong as my father, was brave. He died that night."

Seeing such a scary man like Chen open up like this bothered Allen for some reason. He didn't know what exactly was happening but he had suspicions that this was his new skill's doing. It was making people let their emotional guard down, since it can't bring their physiological guard down.

He was thinking he could use this skill to other people, so that he could gain more clients. If he could use this skill on Chen and make him open up like this, imagine what he can do with much weaker people.

The thought excited him just for a little bit.

"Anyway, why were you here?" Chen asked. "You made me talk to distract me. I had all of my guards down and you could've attacked or escaped, but you didn't. Why?"

"Because I'm not here to attack or escape," Allen replied simply. "I'm here because I see you as my client. We can create a deal together, just a simple trade."

Chen snorted. "And what could I want from you? I'm a very powerful man, capable of killing people, rich to the fact that I buy houses just because I'm bored, and I'm also handsome that any woman would want me. Now tell me, what can you do for me exactly?"

"Peace," Allen replied simply. "I know you're having sleepless nights because of your worries. I know that Verta Carta is coming for you and so are the other gangs. You made a mistake of dealing illegal substances, now you're worrying how you'll pay the price for it."

Chen was speechless. He couldn't speak anything at all. The words that tries to escape his lips were all blocked by his mind. His brain was blank apart from a question that he asked himself repeatedly.

"How did this man know what happened?"

Allen smirked and shook his head, "You really are readable. And yes, I know a lot of things. I have information in my arsenal just in case I need to start another deal. It's pretty awesome, right?"

"It is," Chen grinned. "Then, what kind of deal do you do? I assume you have something in mind?"

"I do, actually," Allen replied. "There's something I want from you. An information regarding what happened to the Fire Dragon Incident. I want every single detail of it."

"That's it?" Chen smirked. "Then what will you do in return?"

"A Rare grade Code," Allen replied. For him this deal was nothing more than to get himself out of Chen's clutches. His grave was dug the moment Chen swung his sword in Allen's way, but the boy refuses to lose easily and was going to climb the hole and rise again.

His plan was to offer a ridiculously simple deal with Chen. This would hit two birds with one stone. One was that he could escape Chen and the other was that he could have more information regarding what happened a few years ago.

Not everyone has the same perspective. If he can get as many angles as he can, he will uncover the broken memories in his mind. That would be good for his mental health.

"Your deal is awfully basic," Chen said. "And a Rare grade Code? That's hard to find. You expect me to believe that?"

"I have seven in me," Allen said, making Chen's eyes widen slightly. "I also have a lot of Basic grades— even items, I have so many."

"Give me five Basic grade items," Chen offered. "And I'll tell you all what happened to the incident almost three years ago."

"Five Basic grade items seem too—"

"Many?" Chen smirked. "I know you're just bluffing. A craftsman would take a couple of days to craft a single item. He then has to go to the Skill Altar to register the item and activate its synergy. The average craftsman could create have twenty or so items a year, that includes the time to collect materials."

Allen only crossed his arms. He knew what he was currently capable of was beyond what most people could do, and he wasn't afraid to flaunt it. 

"So?" Allen asked. "I don't exactly see your point."

"You're obviously bluffing," Chen laughed. "And where are those items now? You're really—"

Allen lowered his palms and chanted in his head. Suddenly, items fell from nowhere, making Chen's eyes widen. "W-What are these? And how?"

"I'm not an ordinary person," Allen said. "And you know that."

Chen grinned, "Fine then. I'll tell you everything."

"Good."

"Including the girl who had her head chopped off and a mute man crying over her body."

Allen froze.