Ethan did not rush his words when he spoke. He understood that desperation, when revealed too quickly, often weakened one’s position rather than strengthening it. Even so, there was a certain urgency in his tone that he could not fully conceal.
"Soone very powerful is after my talent," he said, his gaze steady as he looked at the boy in front of him. "Will you be still sheltering now?"
The child did not respond imdiately. He tilted his head slightly, studying Ethan with an attention that did not match his youthful appearance. There was nothing childish in his eyes.
After a short pause, the boy spoke.
"If that is truly the situation, then I can consider sheltering you," he said. His voice remained light, but there was an unmistakable firmness beneath it. "However, I do not offer protection without reason. What exactly is your talent? And more importantly, how will you prove that you are worth the trouble?"
Ethan exhaled slowly. He had expected this question. In a world where strength dictated value, re words held little weight unless they were supported by sothing tangible.
"I am a seer," he replied. "My ability allows to perceive fragnts of the future, though only within a limited range around . If I am placed in a position of risk, I can sense incoming threats before they fully manifest. Not only that, I can also identify opportunities that erge alongside those dangers."
He paused briefly before continuing, choosing his next words with precision.
"If I work under you, those threats and opportunities will not only concern . They will concern you as well. My survival will naturally align with your interests. So, in essence, by protecting , you are investing in your own advantage. Would you consider hiring under those terms?"
The boy’s expression shifted slightly. There was a faint gleam of interest in his eyes now, sothing sharper than before.
Ethan noticed it imdiately.
He remained silent after finishing his explanation. There was no need to push further. The decision rested with the child, and forcing the matter would only reduce his credibility.
Internally, Ethan evaluated his situation. Leaving the continent was not an option for now. The constraints surrounding him were too tight, and the risks were too great. If he wanted to survive and grow stronger, he needed a temporary sanctuary.
The child finally spoke again.
"Is that so?" he said, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity. "Then show . Demonstrate your ability for a while. If your performance satisfies , I will assign you a significant position. That would be a fair arrangent, wouldn’t it?"
Ethan nodded once.
"That works for ."
He hesitated for a brief mont before asking, "But before that, who exactly are you?", he pretended as if he knew nothing.
The boy’s lips curved into a faint smile, though there was no warmth in it.
"You do not need to concern yourself with such details," he replied casually.
Before Ethan could respond, the boy lifted his hand and made a simple motion.
In the next instant, the space around them distorted.
The environnt shifted without warning. The air itself seed to fold, and within a fraction of a second, they were no longer standing in the sa place.
Ethan’s surroundings had completely changed.
They now stood inside a vast garden, filled with an assortnt of unfamiliar plants and softly glowing flora. The atmosphere was tranquil, yet there was an underlying sense of power embedded within the space itself. Creatures of various forms moved quietly in the distance, their presence adding to the surreal nature of the environnt.
"This is my estate," the child said. "You can stay here for now. Do not leave the premises. The outside world is not safe for you at the mont."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away, disappearing from sight almost instantly.
Ethan remained where he was for a mont, observing his surroundings carefully. Everything about this place suggested that the boy was far from ordinary.
After a while, he walked toward a large tree and sat down beneath it. The shade provided a sense of calm, allowing him to focus.
He closed his eyes.
"Yumiko," he said internally, "is there any level 500 powerhouse currently on this continent?"
The response ca imdiately.
[There is one. A traveling rchant. He moves across all of Elysium, but at present, he is within this continent.]
Ethan opened his eyes slightly.
"Does anyone know his identity?"
[No. However, no one dares to provoke him. There is a long-standing belief that he belongs to a force beyond comprehension. Approximately four million years ago, a general under Darkseid attempted to rob him. The rchant erased him instantly, in front of nurous witnesses, while smiling. Since then, he has beco a taboo figure across Elysium.]
Ethan absorbed the information silently.
"What does he sell?" he asked. "Would it be possible to obtain the materials required for Nini’s upgrade from him?"
[It is possible. However, his prices are extrely high. You currently lack the necessary resources. That said, you possess the teleportation crystal of Aurelion. You could trade it. In exchange, you might acquire a teleportation pass to a location near the Hidden Sage Village. Remaining here will only slow your progress.]
Ethan nodded slightly.
The crystal had already beco a liability. Its tracking properties made it dangerous to keep. Trading it away would solve multiple problems at once.
"Then I should et him soon," Ethan murmured.
At that mont, he felt a sudden disturbance.
His expression hardened.
"What is it?" he asked.
Ethan’s clone’s voice entered his mind.
"Those two primordial entities are now aware of my current level of power. They cannot interfere directly within the trials, but they have dispatched three subordinates. These subordinates are likely to manipulate others in order to target .]
Ethan’s eyes turned cold.
"Understood," he said quietly.
"You must reach level 130 as quickly as possible. Only then can I enter the trial required to take control of the tower."
Ethan clenched his fist slightly.
"Is there a way to accelerate my growth?" he asked.
[Yes. You should trade information with the rchant in exchange for twenty monsters ranging from level 81 to level 100. Additionally, request his assistance in entering the Hidden Sage Village. The chieftain there is also a level 500 entity.]
Ethan considered this carefully.
"Information?" he repeated. "What kind of information would hold enough value for such a trade?"
[Information regarding Hyperion. It is one of the greatest desires among supre beings. However, its value is imnse. You should not reveal everything at once. Trade it in fragnts.]
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"Understood. How do I contact this rchant?"
[Speak the na ’Great rchant Null’ and declare that you possess information about Hyperion. He will respond.]
Ethan opened his eyes fully.
Without hesitation, he spoke aloud.
"Oh Great rchant Null, I possess information regarding Hyperion. If you are interested in a trade, you may co here."
Yumiko spoke again.
[This action carries significant risk. Once this information spreads, other supre beings will inevitably pursue you. You must strengthen yourself before that happens.]
Ethan did not respond.
He simply waited.
A sudden explosion of presence filled the area.
A figure appeared directly in front of him without any warning.
The man was short and stout, with an appearance that suggested familiarity with questionable dealings. Despite his unimpressive physique, the aura surrounding him was overwhelming.
Yumiko’s analysis appeared instantly.
[Na: Null
Level: 500
Status: Void rchant]
Null stared at Ethan with clear interest.
"You claid to have information about Hyperion?" he said.
"Yes," Ethan replied calmly.
Null’s expression did not change.
"Understand this," he said, his voice steady. "If you waste my ti, you will cease to exist."
Ethan nodded once.
Before he could continue, another presence entered the garden.
The child returned.
The mont he sensed Null’s aura, his expression changed. The irritation he initially showed vanished completely, replaced by caution.
"Great rchant Null," he said respectfully. "It is an honor. May I ask the reason for your visit?"
Null did not even look at him.
"You are interfering," he said flatly. "Leave."
The boy did not argue.
He disappeared imdiately.
Null turned his attention back to Ethan.
"What do you know?" he asked.
Ethan t his gaze.
"Let us establish the terms of our deal first," he said.
Null’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"A deal?" he repeated. "I could erase you instantly, and you still speak of negotiation?"
Ethan smiled faintly.
"Hyperion is near and very far from Elysium," he said. "The connection between the two worlds is incomplete. However, I possess knowledge that could help bridge that gap."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Perhaps, with that knowledge, you could break your current limitations and ascend to a higher state of existence."
For the first ti, Null’s expression changed.
"What do you want?" he asked.
Ethan did not hesitate.
"I will provide the information in segnts," he said. "In return, you will supply with twenty monsters, each ranging from level 81 to level 100, all in a restrained state. After that, you will assist in entering the Hidden Sage Village."
He paused briefly before finishing.
"Only when these conditions are fulfilled will you receive the complete information.", he muttered softly.
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