Only I Am A Reader

'Are they also sent by 'them'?'

Leo's Breathing Steel Sword Shone as it escaped from his sheath, his mind spinning to analyze and find a solution to his situation. Compared to his latest hostile encounter where he finally had the upper hand, the situation wasn't as easy this time.

The pair didn't look like anything special, but both of them were actually grade-4 Swordsmen. Although he wasn't as disadvantaged as when he met the Fanged Wolves' team, dealing with two Swordsmen of the same grade was almost like dealing with a smart Sword Beast.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Leo felt like only 'that' place could mobilize people that could match him this quickly, but he had doubts about it, mainly because of the pair's clumsy sneaking. He still had some confidence in winning despite it being 1 vs 2. If the battle could be avoided, however, there was no need to brute force everything.

"Oh, he is polite. This makes our job easier."

The other man was the one to speak this time, but he didn't say much before looking at his companion who opened his mouth to speak in his place.

"Brother is right. If you also politely tell us about your 'opportunity', then no one will have to get hurt."

'Opportunity?'

Leo's deep thoughts suddenly paused as his eyebrows were unintentionally raised. He had been churning his head to figure out who they were if not from 'there', but it seemed like he was overthinking it.

'Now that I look at it, they do look familiar…'

"We had some business in the Association just now and we heard everything, so don't pretend like you know nothing about it."

Having come to a full understanding of the situation, a smile crept to Leo's face, this misunderstanding was the result of accumulating too much tension.

'I didn't expect they would come this early.'

"I see, I would gladly tell you, but are you sure you want to know about it?"

He had just been waiting for someone like these two!

"Huh? Are you trying to escape by acting smart? We obviously want to know since we followed you all the way here."

The pair's faces showed visible confusion at Leo's words. It was understandable to not give up quickly, but was this guy even trying?

"Hmmm, you two seem nice so I will give you one last hint. Just for your information, this was my very first mission just now, and I just happened to encounter an 'opportunity'. Now, I will ask you once again…"

After saying his piece, Leo put his sword back in its sheath before shining a friendly smile at the pair who stood in front of him.

"Are you sure you want to know about it?"

The confusion instantly drained away from the duo's faces like a bucket of cold water was poured on their heads, their eyes widening as they quickly turned their heads, staring at each other in silence.

'No way… a seed?'

The two didn't speak but they could almost read each other's thoughts. Were they actually unlucky to pick on the Association's seed?

The Gigant Sword Association's seed! As an ever-expanding power, the Association could never be just satisfied with the Swordsmen force that they formed as the foundation to their emergence.

No matter the time, they didn't stop using their 'resources' to recruit those who they expected to grow into prominent figures at one point in the future. Even as the 'special' items in the world have greatly decreased over time, their information network was still there!

Every now and then, A newly joined member would be heard to have chanced upon some 'fortunate encounters' out of nowhere. No one directly mentioned it, but everyone acknowledged their identities! They were none other than the Association's seeds that were being groomed to become true members!

"Ahem… on second thought, we are kind of busy right now. Perhaps we should have this conversation at another time, right brother?"

Although the two didn't have a way to confirm their suspicion, they couldn't take a chance at someone who had the defining characteristic of the Association's seeds. They simply didn't have the ability to handle the possible consequences.

"Yes, yes, yes, we have something very important to handle. See you later fellow member!"

The two smiled awkwardly before disappearing from where they came from. They might have said they were just delaying the conversation, but they had no plans to come close to this young man before they were completely sure that he was bluffing!

"Suit yourself."

Shrugging his shoulders, Leo smiled at having put the third benefit of joining the Association into play this early, it was really great to have a 'backer'!

'Let's hope their mouth is as big as their cowardice.'

As someone who planned to openly seek all kinds of Hidden Pieces in the near future to rush forward on his unconventional path, he needed some excuse to hide his identity as a 'Reader'. Naturally, the elusive identity of an 'Association's seed' was more than enough cover!

Compared to Ray who received the offer to actually become one, only to refuse due to the restrictions, Leo's plan depended on this reliable 'cover' from the very start. After all, his future actions would only contribute to 'proving' it, and the Association couldn't come openly to refute it. At best, they would suspect he was being groomed by another force.

"That sure went well."

Getting back in his driver's seat, Leo was thankful that the two weren't a pair of idiots, they at least knew the basic rule of thugs, 'Bully the weak, and fear the strong'.

As long as they did well, then he could freely start-up his 'Hidden Piece Frenzy' without trouble!

'...Money comes first I guess.'

After suffering for another hour to find an inn, Leo firmly decided to go on more normal missions so he could afford rent in this expensive city. Some said that one had to suffer to climb up, but Leo didn't plan to live like some crazy monk.

Starting tomorrow, everything would be different!