Chapter 5: Bronze Coins

“A regular dagger?” the shopkeeper asked, to which Arthur nodded. “That will be three bronze coins, please.”

Arthur quickly retrieved three rusty coins from his torn pocket before handing them to the bearded shopkeeper, who nodded happily. His stall was barren and didn’t receive many customers.

It seemed he was glad to have money to buy food. He wouldn’t go hungry today!

Arthur, on the other hand, was ecstatic to have gained a weapon. It was simply a tiny dagger used to chop vegetables. Only, it was designed to be incomparably sharper than kitchen knives for some reason.

The hilt was wrapped in white fabric while the grey blade shone under the moonlight. It was incredibly shiny. Although it wasn’t worth three bronze coins, Arthur couldn’t have found a cheaper deal on the entire planet.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, and the shopkeeper was desperate.

Arthur inspected the dagger for a few seconds before thanking the shopkeeper. The latter said he was happy to help before hurriedly removing his stall. He left to prepare dinner for his family using the compensation Arthur had given him.

‘Angels and Demons,’ Arthur thought as he stared at the mesmerizing sky up above. He could practically view the snobby little faces of those transcendents, scoffing at the prey they’d gotten so easily. ‘This is step one of my rise.’

It may take months, years, or even decades, but he would return. He would return as the Lord of Sins or something even better. He would rip the transcendents to shreds, no matter the consequences or costs.

‘For now, I have to hunt wolves.’

*

“There they are!” Arthur said. He’d been searching for foes for at least an hour, and he’d finally found some prey.

It was a pack of three wolves, all of which possessed decent abilities to contest with a regular human. Considering Arthur’s bodily condition, it would’ve been difficult to lift a finger. Fortunately, his troubles would diminish once he unlocked access to mana or magic power.

For now, he had to defeat wolves without any powers.

The wolves had thick, grey fur and stared at Arthur with bloodlust vivid in their topaz eyes. One thing Arthur found peculiar was the fact that their sclera was dark. Thankfully, their pupils were topaz, which meant discerning their field of vision wouldn’t be too difficult.

Such factors were necessary to take into account in battles, regardless of the gap between one’s foes.

Arthur Solace, the Lord of Sins who dominated over the 98th floor, had learned it the difficult way.

“Be glad,” said Arthur as he approached the wolves. Confidence oozed from his motions, despite having a bodily disadvantage. Well, how would he retain his pride after being scared shitless by mere wolves? “Be glad that you’re my first prey.”

The wolves tilted their head before rushing towards Arthur. They bared their fangs in an attempt to instill Arthur with fear. Alas, such a tactic only worked on amateurs.

‘Thinking of it this way, I’m really forty-two, aren’t I?’ Arthur thought as he gasped. ‘I was an old man. I didn’t even pay attention to my age that much. Hey, when’s my birthday? I never knew when it was.’

The wolves noticed Arthur’s frivolous attitude despite their attempt to rattle him. Wolf one rushed from the right, while Wolf two rushed from the left. Wolf three, on the other hand, directed a frontal assault.

They certainly had the numerical advantage. It should’ve concerned Arthur, but it didn’t.

“Intelligent beasts,” Arthur said as he casually walked forward, unsheathing his dagger from his waist. “But beasts nonetheless.”

With a single, rapid motion, a shallow cut appeared on Wolf Three’s leg. Then, Arthur spun, delivering two strikes, one to each of the remaining wolves. Blood emerged, but the cut was still shallow.

“Grrr!” Wolf Three growled as in indignance, baring his fangs in pain at the wound. It seemed the beasts had never suffered an injury before.

‘I thought old Melzer went on hunts, considering he retired from the tower,’ thought Arthur before shrugging his shoulders helplessly. ‘Oh, well, these wolves will have to go through a new experience. Their last experience.’

Alex took a step forward before lunging forward. He thrust his dagger into Wolf One’s torso, impaling it. The wolf let out a desperate cry for help, but his allies didn’t assist him. Arthur scoffed.

“I pity you,” said Arthur. “Your comrades abandoned you.”

The wolf simply bared his fangs, unbeknownst to what Arthur meant.

“But I can’t spare you either,” concluded the crimson-eyed man. Arthur dug the dagger into the wolf’s body before twisting it several times in rapid motion. The wolf attempted to bite Arthur’s hands, but he suddenly removed the dagger.

Blood sprayed like a geyser from the wound, and the wolf’s complexion turned pale.

“Well, good luck in the afterlife,” Arthur’s cold voice entered the wolf’s ears, but the latter’s consciousness had already begun fading. “Knowing your comrades were scared shitless and decided to abandon you hurts.”

Once Wolf One had perished, Arthur turned towards the other two, who cowered in fear.

It seems they did have a shred of intelligence.

However, before Arthur could begin his assault, a translucent, blue window manifested before his eyes.

Unconsciously, he let out a smile.

[Name: Arthur Solace]

[Title: None]

[Physical Age: 18]

[Skills: Sin Toll]

‘The system finally appeared,’ commented Arthur as he viewed the contents of the screen. It was quite barren, considering he’d only just regressed. However, he still retained the skill from his past life.

Well, it only made sense, considering it was an inherent skill which he possessed since birth.

‘But I don’t need it against these fools,’ thought Arthur, gazing viciously at the wolves, who were too fearful to move a muscle. Arthur sighed, wondering when he’d receive the opportunity.

He quickly ended the lives of the two wolves in two rapid motions. It was a quick process, considering his prey didn’t resist. But it sucked the fun out of murder.

‘These carcasses… I can get 3 bronze coins from these.’

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