CHAPTER 38: FOLLOW

’Looks like they want to have some fun first,’ Richard thought.

But what he didn’t expect was that the man called Damon took all three women inside while his two subordinates waited outside.

By his estimation, they should have acted today.

Today was supposed to be the day the eggs hatched, the beasts feeding on their shells before launching their assault on the village.

Of course, none of that would ever happen.

Richard was confident he could deal with them, but he would wait—wait until they made their move.

"That’s Damon. I wonder what he’s doing here. Doesn’t he usually waste his time in Night Valley City, sleeping with pretty girls?"

Richard suddenly heard an adventurer speaking outside a restaurant. Curious, he approached and stood nearby to listen.

"It can’t be anything good. Rumor says he’s been collecting human souls for someone. If he’s left the city, it’s probably for that. He was even brazen enough to do it in Night Valley City."

"Yeah, his backer is a big shot—that’s why he’s still alive."

"We’d better leave now."

"Agreed, we can’t afford to cross him."

After their brief exchange, the adventurers mounted their horses and quickly left.

Now things became clearer to Richard, though it seemed Damon himself was just someone’s pawn.

"What?"

Richard was taken aback moments later.

From Old Bear’s house, he felt killing intent—the first time he had ever sensed it so vividly.

The reason he could feel it was his affinity with the Dark and Blood Elements.

He sensed the hatred of death and the stench of spilled blood.

And the dead weren’t just three, but six.

’Did Old Bear and his family get killed too?’ Richard wondered.

Damon’s two subordinates glanced back briefly before grinning.

Soon after, Damon emerged from Old Bear’s house—alone.

He signaled his two men, and they mounted their horses, white steeds similar to those used by Sky Armor Knights.

Of course, many could own such horses if they had the coin.

They set out toward the edge of the village, in the direction of Purple Rose Village.

Damon looked indifferent about most things—except when it came to beautiful women.

When his eyes fell on Richard riding the Red-Black Horse, his gaze lingered, especially on Athena. He even narrowed his eyes.

After passing Richard, he glanced back, his curiosity deepening as he continued watching him.

’Did he sense Athena’s power?’ Richard wondered.

One thing was clear: Damon would target him sooner or later, though for now it seemed he had more pressing matters.

Athena couldn’t conceal her hidden aura as well as Richard could, so it was only natural for another Magus to notice her uniqueness.

’I’ll just follow them.’

Richard wasn’t afraid—ready to fight to the death at any moment. Boldly, he trailed them from behind.

Damon, at best, was his equal in strength, given his youth. He couldn’t possibly be stronger unless he was some high-level genius—but no genius would stoop to such dirty work.

Richard was fairly certain of victory. With his Tier 3 Aether and affinities reaching up to 90%, a single roar might be enough to end them.

When their horses sped up, Athena matched their pace.

When they slowed, so did she.

His deliberate mirroring made them suspicious—it was clear he was tailing them.

"Boss, what’s that kid doing?" one of Damon’s men asked.

But Damon himself looked confused.

He certainly hadn’t expected this.

In Night Valley City, children usually trembled before him—his cold face, coupled with his ruthless reputation, ensured that.

Even if this boy didn’t know who he was, why would he dare follow?

"Ignore him. Let’s see what he does. He’ll probably be scared to death once he sees what we’re about to do," Damon said with a cold chuckle.

To him, Richard was just a child—nothing to worry about.

This way, he wouldn’t even need to hunt him down later to claim his horse.

Richard had expected Damon’s nonchalance. That was the advantage of being underestimated—a child posed no threat in their eyes.

Their destination was indeed Purple Rose Village.

But instead of entering, they headed to a nearby hill overlooking the entire settlement.

Once atop the hill, they dismounted.

Whoosh!

Damon suddenly waved his hand, and something appeared before him—a massive magical lamp, large enough to rival his horse.

It seemed to be made entirely of gold—though a darker shade—exuding a powerful, sinister aura.

Richard was a little surprised at the sight.

"Hahaha, boy, do you realize now? We are Magi—and we are Evil Magi," one of Damon’s subordinates sneered at him.

But Richard remained silent.

"This kid must be an idiot. He’s not even running," the other laughed.

"Maybe he’s smarter—he knows he can’t run."

"You two, shut up..." Damon snapped, irritated by their nonsense.

Chastised, they immediately fell silent.

Damon turned his gaze on Richard, raising his hand toward him.

Richard instinctively stepped back.

A light-blue Aether flared and enveloped his body, freezing him in place.

"Stay there, boy. I still need you so your horse will submit to me," Damon said.

This time, Richard pretended to be frightened.

He couldn’t move, couldn’t even speak.

The pale-blue Aether pressed down on his entire body.

Of course, if he wanted to break it, it would be easy.

After all, it was only Tier 2 Aether.

"Why haven’t the beasts appeared yet? Not even a single roar," one of the men muttered.

"Maybe soon," the other replied.

Minutes passed. Damon frowned, glancing upward whenever a hawk flew overhead. He seemed puzzled by their presence—birds should have fled sensing the danger, yet some remained.

Still, Damon was patient. He waited, eyes rarely blinking.

But after more than an hour with no sign of the beasts, his expression soured.

"You two, check the cave. See if they’ve hatched yet," he ordered coldly.

"Actually, you don’t need to do that..." a boy’s voice suddenly cut in from behind, startling Damon and his subordinates.

They spun around, shocked to see Richard standing freely.

"How is that possible? How did he break free of the boss’s Aether bind?"

"What’s going on?"

"Boy, who are you?" Damon drew his sword, pointing it at Richard.

But Richard calmly replied, "Just a seven-year-old boy named Richard. As for those eggs? I destroyed them all. Naturally, no beasts will be attacking this village."