Legendary Soul Art

The only clueless people in the group were the hunting team who watched the Emerald Viper wiggle like it was possessed. The blinding light had burst out of its mouth before its eyes rolled back and it collapsed on the ground with a loud thud.

"What the fuck…?" Captain Jack questioned with a dumbfounded gaze but none of his subordinates could explain what exactly just happened.

"I think the new recruit just defeated the Emerald Viper with a single attack…" Someone pointed out the obvious just before the mouth of the beast started moving again. It opened just enough for Number One to roll out completely unscratched besides his clothes being partially covered in a slimy substance.

Number One was completely unbothered by the fact that he just killed an Earth Rank Soul Beast and walked towards the group while pointing behind him. "If anyone is interested, there is a dead viper behind me. I'm not skilled in carcass extraction so you all can take care of it."

The whole hunting team was speechless at his approach but their mood quickly improved when they realized it was payday time. It didn't really matter who killed the beast as long as they were part of their team.

"Well done man!"

"Congrats on the first kill!"

"Welcome to the team!"

The hunting team cheered excitedly as they patted Number One's back and ran towards the dead body with their hunting knives ready. All of them seemed to forget about Number One's actions from before the kill but Captain Jack wasn't like the rest.

"Boy, come here for a second," Captain Jack beckoned Number One over with a complicated expression. "I'm sure you already know what I want to ask about, right?"

"If it's about my Soul Art then I couldn't do anything differently," Number One replied with a shrug. "I only have enough Soul Energy to fire it once so I have to be sure I can score a hit. The only way to be fully certain was to get eaten which allowed me to kill the Emerald Viper from the inside."

"That's good to hear but that wasn't what I wanted to hear," Captain Jack muttered while gesturing at Baldy behind him. "You worked with Baldy and ignored the instructions for your own benefit. It would be fine if you actually killed the Emerald Viper right away but you forced us to risk our lives to protect you while you were busy collecting the treasures from the nest. Can you explain that?"

Number One naturally knew what Captain Jack wanted to hear, but he wouldn't give up on the Emerald Milk. The hunting team would simply sell it on the market and other Alchemists would waste it. Only he could bring its full potential.

"How do you know it was a treasure?" Number One asked back with a calm gaze. "You don't even know what this liquid is. You completely ignored it from the start and chose a strategy that could easily ruin it. If I didn't collect it, the blood from the Emerald Viper would easily contaminate it."

"It doesn't matter. An order is an order," Captain Jack reminded with a stern look. "You did end up killing the beast so I can't be too tough on you, but if everyone started doing what they want, we would all end up dead. The reason we are the top hunting team is because we work like a team and cooperate together."

"I already explained my reasoning. The call was wrong and I acted on my own to fix it," Number One repeated himself and suggested, "I know you probably have a rule about splitting all the treasures so let me give you a proposal. This liquid is an Alchemy ingredient that only experienced Alchemists know how to use. You can choose to sell it in an auction for a little bit of money or you can let me bring it to my Master who can actually make use of it. I can promise each of you a single supreme tier pill in this deal."

Number One smiled as Captain Jack's eyes widened and added, "How else do you think I would survive Miss Black's attack? I had to use a Legendary Healing Pill to reform my body from scratch. My Master is an Inner World Alchemist with his strength equalling that of a Council member. You can ask Darius or Headmaster Blake and they will confirm it."

"So that's why the Headmaster favors you so much…" Captain Jack muttered with an enlightened expression and agreed without thinking for too long. "Alright then. We have a deal. You can also have a share of the Green Soul Crystals since you are technically part of our team."

Even if Number One wanted to take the treasures without giving anything back in return, Captain Jack wouldn't be able to say a word. Such a background allowed anyone to do what they wished since none of them could afford to anger an Inner World expert.

"I am actually in need of Green Soul Crystals for my Cultivation so I will accept the offer," Number One acknowledged with a smile. "I will join the rest for now since I can't help anymore."

Everything worked perfectly so far and there was little that could ruin this outside trip. The only person who could possibly mess with Number One's plans was Miss Black since she was the only one who could expose his lies. She thankfully left a week ago and he didn't believe she would actually hide in the shadows to attempt another assassination.

At least not until Number One turned to look at the cavern entrance and he saw the only person he was actually anxious about. Miss Black was standing by Nami's side and observed with her usual cold expression. When her gaze fell on Number One, she squinted her eyes and walked up casually with Nami following closely behind.

'My sister promised she didn't come here to fight. She knows I would hate her forever,' Nami informed from afar but that didn't calm Number One at all. If Miss Black didn't come for him, the only other thing that could interest her was the Emerald Milk.

Number One couldn't even be mad at Nami for not warning her since that wouldn't make a difference. She couldn't stop her sister even if she tried so he could only turn to the other safe option.

"I hope Captain Jack can support me with this one," Number One commented seriously but Captain Jack was already on the move as he stepped in front of him.

"Don't worry boy. You are part of our hunting team. If Miss Black dares to touch you, she would become the enemy of the entire Winged Soul Academy. Unless she plans to kill everyone here, you will be fine."