Chapter 144 Reuniting With Aldred
[Skill Categories]
~ Attack Category: 30
~ Defense Category: 13
~ Buff Category: 12
~ Miscellaneous: 12
[New Skills: Please Select Their Categories]
~None~
[Total Skills: 67]
"Looks like I have 67 Skills now…" Rey mumbled to himself as he looked at the System Window in front of him.
While waiting for the Black Hole to complete its task, Rey had gone ahead to place his new Skills in their respective categories and even removed the unnecessary ones that he accidentally used [Doppel] to copy.
Things like [Lightning Field] or [Lightning Magic] and [Wind Magic] were unnecessary to him.
He had better Skills, or even similar Skills that performed the same functions.
There was no need to have them take up space in his arsenal.
'Also…'
Rey looked around him and found all the slaves he rescued, as well as all the people he captured, floating in the air—all surrounded by winds.
'… This stuff really drains my Mana.'
Using [Black Hole] and [Absolute Wind Magic] simultaneously, while also using [Absolute Appraisal[ a few times had drained his Mana.
Sure, he had a Mana Recovery Skill, but it was a B-Tier Skill, and the rate at which it restored his Mana wasn't fast enough to keep up with the effects of his [Absolute Wind Magic] alone.
'Did I bite off more than I can chew? I don't think I'd be able to get to my destination like this…'
Rey planned on taking all the criminals and victims to the doorstep of the Royal Estate. But, it was a considerable journey there, and his current reserves weren't looking so good.
'I overdid it, didn't I?' As he sighed to himself, he noticed two presences nearing him.
'Oh? Those are—!'
In a flash, both Aldred and Yuri appeared before Rey with wide smiles on their faces.
"Welcome back, Sir Ralyks!"
"Welcome back, Sir!"
As the two said these words, practically at the same time, Rey raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I thought you guys left already. You decided to stick around?"
"Well… something like that." Aldred made a slight laugh as he itched his hair a little.
Rey narrowed his eyes as he stared at the two.
'Were they spying on me? I guess they really wanted to see my power.'
At the very least, the fact that he had nearly two hundred people floating in the air, and he just destroyed the entire Warehouse with a black hole had to be enough spectacle for them.
'Hopefully it's enough to convince them not to mess with me.' Rey sighed to himself.
"Where's the other guy? I thought you wanted to torture him or something…"
"I already have. I did it all while you were inside, and now he's nothing but mincemeat." Aldred's calm smile as he just talked about brutally murdering someone unnerved Rey.
Once again, he felt disgust well up from his depths.
Fortunately, after all he had experienced for the day, he had developed something of a resistance to these things.
"That's fine then." He managed to speak without retching.
Aldred seemed to beam as he said this.
"But Sir Ralyks, I noticed you don't kill. Is there any particular reason why? You even took all those prisoners."
The one who spoke was Yuri, and she asked the question in the most excitedly innocent manner possible.
It almost made Rey forget what kind of a cold-blooded killer she was.
Fortunately, her charms could not erase his memory.
"I have my uses for them. The slaves too."
"Ohh! So you're taking them for yourself!" Yuri beamed with a brighter smile.
'I never said that!' Rey wanted to scream, but he assumed it was probably best to leave the details to her imagination.
"I know it's no problem for you, but wouldn't it be a tad bit inconvenient to carry all of them like this?"
The moment Aldred said this, Rey felt a tingle down his spine.
It really was inconvenient for him!
More than a tad bit!
"En. What do you suggest?" Rey maintained his cool facade and asked.
"We could help you transport them to whatever location you desire. You can trust us with the merchandise."
Rey nearly recoiled when he heard this, but he kept his cool.
So far, the KariBlanc group had been very helpful to him, and he didn't think they would be incompetent in their duties either.
He was just slightly surprised by their willingness—or Aldred's in particular—to help.
"I'm sure you've had some business with the Evals Redart. He's a customer, isn't he?" Rey narrowed his eyes as he asked.
"Yes. Or should I say he was?"
"I'm sure you also purchased some merchandise from him as well."
"That is correct. Most of our factory workers come from the delivery he makes for us."
The fact that Aldred could so shamelessly spout words like these to Rey told him that the man thought of him as a fellow denizen of the criminal world.
He didn't really know how to feel about that.
'At the very least, they don't think of me as a softie. That's good…'
Despite all this, Rey was already considering leaving this illegal kind of life alone once he returned to the surface and the entire issue blew over.
'I can't keep this up…' He nearly sighed.
"Why are you helping me, then? I just eliminated someone you did good business with."
In response to his question, Aldred merely smiled and shrugged.
"It is what it is. I always make sure to side with the stronger side. You were simply stronger and took him down. So, I choose to side with you."
'I see…' Rey had already figured this much out.
As long as the KariBlanc Group considered him useful and mutually beneficial—more so than the other side—they would support him.
He knew he wouldn't have to rely on them for too long, but Rey couldn't help but feel a drive within him.
Something told him to act now.
'This seems to be the perfect time anyway. I might as well utilize the opportunity…'
"I understand." Rey spoke. "I'll leave their delivery to you, then."
Rey caused most of the people he carried to descend, their bodies slowly touching the ground.
Only three remained in the air.
Alicia. Billy. Esme.
"I'll personally take care of these ones." Rey answered the unspoken question that was written on Aldred's face.
"Noted. By the way, if I may ask…"
Aldred glanced in the direction of the girl that floated closest to Rey.
"… Were you able to find the girl you were looking for?"
"Yes. As you can see…" Rey raised his hand towards the girl who was covered in tatters.
Her pitch black hair hid a portion of her face, and her dirty body marred her beauty. However, locked in her finger was the White Amber ring.
"I-I see. That makes me glad, then." Aldred looked up and saw two others floating in the air.
They were shrouded in cloaks and a mask, causing most of their bodies to be hidden. They also floated on a higher level in the air.
"People I have a special interest in. I'll be seeing to them personally."
"Understood. Forgive me for asking so many questions."
"As long as you know."
Once Rey concluded this section of the conversation , he made a small smile and exhaled deeply.
'Aldred, you sly bastard. It's a good thing I took my precautions.'
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[A/N]
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