Only I Am A Reader

"Woah! Is all of murim gathered here for real?"

A large number of people stood in the middle of the flat grass plains. Wearing all kinds of attires from traditional robes to plate armor, everyone found their own unique way to kill time as they awaited the major upcoming emergence!

It had only been three days since the informant released the particulars of this special phenomenon, but the specific plain had already turned into some sort of farmer market, crowded to the very brim.

In fact, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an actual market at this point. Not all the people had come here to have fun and fantasize about the Sky Fruit, some of the more courageous salesmen wanted to grasp the great business opportunity standing right in front of them!

While it was only a very small possibility, wouldn't it be better for one to prepare for the actual emergence of the Azure Tree rather than cry about it later?

Internal Energy Booster Pills, Healing Elixirs, or even food made with True Beast meat… A luxurious high quality Martial Artist market was quickly erected on the spot. Although, not everyone could truly afford much considering how hiked up the prices were...

'Our luck…'

A white dress, an extremely pale skin, and silvery white hair, a very cold beauty stood amid the crowd followed by a youth who had very similar features. Had it been anywhere else their appearance would have grabbed a lot of attention, but the crowd they were standing in was even more abnormal.

Whether it was brown, yellow or white, tall or short, big or small, all kinds of people had rushed up here thanks to the Sky Fruit hype. Originally, it would have been harder for the people of the northern and the southern mountains to join up. However, a lot of reclusive forces had walked out, mixing up in the murim as a reaction to the monsters' invasion.

It took time for news to travel, but the dilemma that the monsters presented was at heart the concern of all humanity. Rather than greed, it would be stupid to let the monsters eliminate all competition while watching on the side. After all, no one could stand up to the force that this invader would obtain if they were allowed to naturally grow…

Most importantly, the temptation presented by the Monster Hunter Association was simply too good. Who could say no to removing a potential threat while parasitizing off the other side? As a result of this, this 'Joint Emergence' wasn't restricted to just Zhongyang Martial Artists.

'Can this be considered bad or good?'

Compared to other people coming from all over the place, the two pale youths had been around even before the monsters' invasion had started. They traveled a long way to reach Zhongyang and experience the life of Murim Martial Artists, but…

"Sister, should we really have come here?"

Their experiential outing was almost done when they heard that the Mount Hua Sword Conference was brought forward, so they went to watch. Although they survived without doing much under the protection of the genius youth, they got stuck thanks to the monster invasion.

"You are right. Just this high concentration of monstrous Martial Artists is bound to cause a big conflict or two, let alone if the Azure Tree actually appears. However…"

Since their safety could possibly be compromised if they traveled by the sea, they were told to stay back and act at their force's focal point in Zhongyang, maintaining the link between the two points in these hard times.

"It's not like we have any other choice. If the geezers back there find out we abandoned the duty that they forced upon us, you know… right?"

Being born to those at high standings wasn't always good. They were supposed to be their force's young master, but it was also because of it that they were constantly asked to prove that they were worth it… Even if they just wanted to live a normal life.

"Hey, watch it!"

"The place is already hard to walk around in, am I supposed to look out for nobodies like you?"

"Ha?! Do you want to have a taste of my big club?"

"Humph, arrogant strength reliant idiot, real ability is all about dexterity!"

Swish!

'Yeah we stand no chance here anyway.'

Just about anything could start a fight in this heated environment. Although the two didn't stand out as of now, things would go wrong if someone was to set his eyes on them. Shrugging off her far-fetched thoughts of being the lucky ones, Bing Baek covered her face further with her straw hat as she dragged her brother to find a place where they would be out of sight.

"Hey, aren't those…?"

As she tried to slip away, she was pushed back by the people retreating to make way for a few figures that had suddenly appeared. Unlike most others, they were people who couldn't escape recognition even in a colorful crowd like this, at least not until they chose to change their attire.

"It's the Heavenly Demo- I mean the Heavenly Strength Society!"

The man speaking quickly corrected himself when he received Cheon Jeong's glare. Although the old 'demons' of this world didn't purposefully antagonize others like they might have done in the past, no one could deny their capabilities as the ones who stood up first against the monstrous invaders!

As a result, every member who had become active on the field had quite a bit of information recorded on them. Even if they didn't wear their trademark robes, they would still be quickly recognized in time.

'It's even more rowdy than I expected…'

Being aware of their notorious identity, Leo's small group had long decided to straightforwardly walk in without bothering to hide. Since they would be exposed either way, it was better to just make use of it to keep the trouble away.

'Hmmm?'

Looking at the suffocating scenery, Leo's eyes suddenly caught a notable figure hidden within the crowd…