Nightmare Mythos

Cesar's brows raised.

'A bounty in my head?'

That couldn't be even possible.

He had no recollection of any enemy he made right before even entering the Mansion. Much more likely when he was finally out of it.

Through the three weeks he was in the Academy, the only thing he did was never-ending training in the teachings he received from his instructors.

Hence it never made sense why this was put on his head at all. Through an outsider's eyes, he was just the Hero of Wheels who managed to free the trapped people inside the Mansion.

Of course, he knew how powerful he was inside. At his age alone, Cesar is aware of how much strength he possesses and wields unlike his peers but he doesn't willingly show it unless it is needed.

The only people who managed to glimpse the true strength of his power were no other than the survivors of the Mansion. But according to Arnold, they kept a tight-lipped on revealing his strength to the outside.

'Or I'm thinking it wrong?'

What if some of those bastards have been paid to tell information? What if he really made an enemy along the way and it was perfect timing to confuse everyone who was aware of his situation?

There are so many questions pouring out from the mere fact that Cesar had a bounty above his head that he couldn't pinpoint the exact purpose of it.

Cesar pondered shortly, "May I know how much is the bounty?"

Ark thought for a moment before answering, "As of now, and what I've gathered just a week ago, your bounty already amounted to a staggering amount of A Hundred Million Vennon Cash. You'll be surprised at how it managed to rise in just a small amount of time."

This time, Cesar's eyes widened at how much they put value on his head. For some reason, he was strangely happy that the money wasn't definitely low, meaning they understood how risky was it to come for him.

If he was put in a third-rate bounty, he would surely crash out.

Cesar then put his focus back on the topic before asking another question related to his bounty as he stated, "How authentic is this reward? I'm sure it originated from somewhere,"

Ark nodded at those words as he revealed, "It's very authentic because it came from the Underworld. You know what an Underworld is, right?"

'Underworld…'

Once that place was mentioned, Cesar couldn't help but remember the time when he first met a Nightmare, and it was the time when he was still a child.

The moment when fellow children like him were wiped out the attack was located in the Underworld. That's why he was very aware of that place even if he didn't pay much attention to it.

'Back to my roots, huh? How interesting…'

Cesar stood from his place, intending to leave the chambers after being satisfied with the answers. And just as he was about to exit, he looked at Ark and asked in a indirect manner.

"Will I be expecting enemies the moment I leave your guild, branch leader Ark?"

Ark walked towards the window of his chamber, opened it up, and answered truthfully, "I'm very interested in the bounty. However, making Arnold an enemy will just do me no good. You don't even understand how that person is."

Ark finally went straight into Cesar's eyes and added, "He's your backer, isn't he? You're pretty lucky. After all, that was the only reason why you're alive at this point. However, even with that kind of reputation amongst the people, it will not be too long till chaos erupts again. I can feel it. Anyone who was keeping a close watch can discern it as well,"

Ark paused, "So be careful out there, kid,"

Cesar remembered his words that couldn't be truer.

And that was what he was afraid of.

Because currently, Cesar was still in the dark about what was actually happening. This thing was so very well hidden that it was making him nervous.

But then again, it wasn't the first time he faced this kind of situation.

He was right to be nervous but being afraid to face it directly wasn't going to cut it. Discover hidden tales at empire

'Man, I would've made preparations if only I knew more…'

Letting out a sigh, Cesar left Ark's chambers before finally leaving the Associations Guild itself. For the rest of the moment of time he had left, he went through the shops to see if there were any weapons he could buy with the remaining pocket money he had left.

After purchasing some of the items he liked, Cesar went to Arnold and wasted most of his time training indoors once they settled.

The banquet was fast approaching until the fateful day finally came.

…

"If something happens in the banquet today, you're only allowed to use a minimal amount of essence. More than that and you'll collapse on the spot. Are you hearing me, kid?"

Picking up a wrist accessory from his drawer which is an Artifact that has been specifically given to him by Arnold, Cesar replied through the air.

"I can hear you. Don't worry, until I managed to do something with my Soul. I will definitely heed your warning. So, let's hope that nothing happened in a week and be it a normal banquet,"

Cesar watched himself wearing formal attire in front of a rectangular mirror.

Everything about him changed.

The parts of him that scream youthfulness were gone, replacing it with an even more menacing demeanor. His body became even perked and buffed due to the training and changes he had to do with himself which can be outlined in his clothes.

One special factor was his left eye where the Nightmare, Cedeit was currently dwelling.

There was a glaring difference between his two eyes.

The Eyes of Deceit was emanating an indescribable aura even if it appeared normal under the naked eyes.

Even staring at himself felt suffocating.

That was how he was currently envisioning current self.

"Spooky,"

Putting the key in his side pockets where he stored every weapon he possessed just to be ready for any situation he was about to face, Cesar left his room.

With his departure, Cesar finally accepted that the banquet had finally started.