Chapter 397 Joining Shadow Hunter Association
The dwarf bore the visage of youth, his demeanor elegant, yet Damien understood that, contrary to appearances, he was far older than he seemed. Standing at a diminutive four feet in height, he had a spry, yet weathered countenance, with a finely groomed white beard that cascaded down to his chest. His eyes twinkled with an ageless wisdom, framed by a pair of round spectacles that perched upon his button-like nose. Alexander wore a pointy green hat and a black cloak adorned with intricate yellow floral patterns, both front and rear. Completing his ensemble was a pair of long, ebony boots.
"Salutations, Mister Damien!" Alexander, the former monarch of the Mountain Smashing Kingdom, cordially introduced himself, extending a hand in greeting.
With a gracious smile, Damien reciprocated, "Greetings, sir. I've been eagerly anticipating our encounter."
Seated, they engaged in a subtle dance of discerning each other's intentions, seeking to unveil the hidden facets of their motives. After a few moments of tense silence, Damien inquired, "Is there a specific reason you've been tailing me since the day before yesterday?"
Sporting an affable grin, Alexander replied, "Mister Darhk, I've received reliable information suggesting that you dispatched a Juvenile Shadow Fiend with astonishing swiftness."
Damien, with no inclination to deceive, reached into his pocket and retrieved a Red Crystal Stone, presenting it to the dwarf. Alexander, equipped with a magnifying glass, meticulously examined the stone for the next five minutes before confirming, "Based on my extensive knowledge of Shadow Fiends, I can affirm that this is a pristine Crystal Core of a Juvenile Shadow Fiend."
Damien responded with an appreciative smirk.
Returning the crystal to its owner, Alexander declared, "Mister Darhk, I come as a representative of the Shadow Hunter Association and formally extend an invitation for you to join our ranks. We have much to offer. Please, peruse this." He produced a weathered, substantial tome from his satchel and handed it over.
Damien, utilizing his photographic memory, swiftly perused the pages, absorbing every intricate detail. Nonetheless, it took him over an hour to fully assimilate the extensive Sanskrit text within the tome. Closing the weighty book, he returned it, remarking, "No need to retain it; I've committed its contents to memory."
Alexander was taken aback but chose not to dwell on it. "Regarding your decision, I can grant you a two-day grace period," he said, preparing to depart.
"No need to delay," Damien interjected, "I agree to join the Shadow Hunter Association under one condition."
Intrigued, Alexander inquired, "What condition?"
"Mister Alex, I've been apprised by your great-grandson of a Master Armament within the association," Damien began, descending the slope toward Alexander.
"You mean Master Theodore?"
"Indeed, precisely. I request that you facilitate a meeting with him. Can you make this arrangement?" Damien got straight to the point.
Alexander hesitated momentarily, then confessed, "Meeting that enigmatic individual will be a formidable endeavor for me. Nonetheless, I solemnly pledge to exert every possible effort to facilitate the meeting."
"Very well, Alex. And now that I'm a member," Damien continued, "could you illuminate me on the inner workings of the Association? Such as the current membership count and the identity of the leader?"
Shaking his head with regret, Alexander responded, "I'm afraid I cannot disclose such information. First, don this." He handed Damien a crimson ring.
Without hesitation, Damien complied, sliding it onto his middle finger.
"Well, congratulations, Mister Damien. You are now the officially recognized thirty-second member of the Shadow Hunter Association," Alexander declared, clapping his hands together. "Now, I can answer some of your inquiries."
Currently, we have a total of twelve members, counting you and me," he continued. "As for our enigmatic leader, she's a peculiar figure, an enigma much like yourself. We don't even know her real name; we simply refer to her by the nickname - the Lunar Goddess. In any case, prepare yourself; we'll be departing tomorrow."
Suddenly, a gusty wind swept across the small mountaintop, causing the green patches of grass and weeds to sway rhythmically, and even the trees to bow slightly. Under Damien's vigilant gaze, Alexander disappeared into thin air, accompanied by the rustling of the forest.
With a mere thought, Damien's eyes shimmered with a golden glow as he scanned the surroundings, ensuring the dwarf wasn't lurking nearby. After a thorough inspection, he sighed in relief. "Thank goodness, he didn't plan on eavesdropping," he whispered, the notion of a Level 561 expert sending shivers down his spine. Reflecting on their conversation, he muttered, "Lunar Goddess, she's the leader of this group of experts." Then, he descended from the mountaintop, soared over the town, and gracefully landed amid the rubble of broken stone slabs and debris, which served as the home of his third Shadow Slave, Crown Prince Zokaka. As he arrived, the dwarf prince rushed out from a chamber, greeting him with a respectful bow.
In the chamber, Damien engaged him in conversation over a calming cup of black tea. He informed Zokaka that he would be departing for the Shadow Hunter Association the next day and might not return for a while. Zokaka pleaded to accompany him, but Damien firmly halted him with a reminder, "Boy, you must stay here and focus on building your armies. One day, I may need your assistance, and at that time, you must come to my aid with a troop of fearless, well-trained, and disciplined dwarfs. Time is ticking, boy. Practice everything I've taught you diligently."
However, Zokaka persisted, tears and snot streaming down his face.
"It's already settled. No more discussion," Damien asserted sternly. "And, boy, it seems I've been treating you fairly until now." With a final, exasperated outburst, he shouted, "Alright, get out of here with your pitiful face!"
With a mixture of fear and sorrow, Zokaka hurriedly left the room after offering a solemn bow.
Shaking his head, Damien, like an old man, let out a long sigh and reclined on the bed. "Hmm, I've missed this feeling," he mused before closing his eyes. (please, stay tuned!)
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