Summoner's Second Chance

Chapter 14

The night was still young, and the moon had reared its head for no more than an hour. It was full-moon, and the night was not too dark to need a torch. A certain tavern is open like usual, but it did receive a pretty unusual guest. A young boy, no older than 15 years old, with a fierce fire-like hair and beautiful amber eyes, sat down across a bald man three times his size. They are holding several cards in their hand, and they are eyeing each other, gauging what hand do they have based on their expression. The man smirked, and put his cards down on the table. "Too bad, young man. My hand is the King's Family*." The young man sighed, and slowly put his cards down. The man's eyes almost popped out of his head as he gazed at his opponent's card.

"Terribly sorry sir, but I do believe my hand is the Absolute Ruler*." The man was lost for words. He slumped into his chair, and massaged his bald head. "It looks like the goddess of luck is with you today, young man. Go ahead, take that 50 Gold Sverd in that pouch." The young man stood up, and shook his head. He walked to the bald man's side, and tapped his shoulder. "I will have to refuse that offer. Oh, and sir. It would be wise to improve your shuffling skill." The bald man was once again lost for words. He turned his face toward the young man, and saw his smile. He sighed through his nose, smiling, and replied. "Thank you for your advice."

The young man nodded, and walked toward the center of the tavern, where a man with a feathered top was sitting. He came inside the tavern only a few minutes ago, in the middle of his game of poker. He approached the man with the top hat, and sat down across of him. The man's face lit up as he noticed the one sitting in front of him. "Ah, young master Trace! You are here!" The man's smile turned wide as he extended his hand. Trace smiled, and greeted his hand as he shook it firmly. "Sir Axel, the report, if you would." The merchant known as Axel Broadwick took out a small scroll and a pouch, and put it on the table.

Trace glanced at it for a moment before closing his eyes as he nodded. "Young master may already know this, but I'll explain nonetheless. As you predicted, the value of the Red Flower sky rocketed in a mere day. The price is still increasing, even as we speak. Everyone was desperate to look for it, but they could not gather enough to keep up with the demand. As such, I managed to sell 5 crates for 40 Platinum Sverd. I predict that the price is going to rise even higher from today onwards." Trace nodded once more, and opened his eyes. "Then I can safely assume that there is 16 Platinum Sverd in this pouch?" Axel smiled, and nodded. Trace took the pouch, and put it inside his coat. "A pleasure doing business with you. Then shall we meet again tomorrow?" Trace shook his head slowly. "No, meeting everyday would rise suspicion among the more... unruly groups here."

Axel nodded deeply, and stood up. "Then shall we meet at your mansion?" Trace nodded, with a slight smile on his face. Axel bowed, taking off his top hat, and walked out of the tavern. Trace remained there for a while longer, and left the tavern. The night was beautiful, and it was not dark in any way. It was cloudless, and there are nothing blocking the moonlight. Trace looked up, still walking to his mansion. Nights like this was a very unsettling time for him, for the monsters became very active at full moon. He sighed, as the thought of not having to deal with waves of monster comforts him. Then, a loud crashing sound can be heard in an alley he was passing.

The sounds of growls can be heard coming from there, making him unconsciously narrows his eyes. He walked briskly into the alley, and saw a group of Ferals led by a Hive-type Einherhar. Trace took out the hidden knife under his belt, and readied himself for battle. The Ferals growl and snarled as they circled around him. He glanced at the Ferals around him, and wait for them to make the first move. The first Feral jumped at him from his left, and he quickly side-stepped, and grabbed it by its neck. He quickly buries his knife to its neck, and it whined as it dies. He pulled out his knife just in time to prepare himself for another Feral coming his way. Instead of dodging, he used the Feral corpse in his hand to block the teeth of the incoming Feral. He let go as the Feral snatched the corpse away from him, and quickly slit the Feral's neck as it passed him. He swiped the blood away from his knife, and looked around.