The Ancient Genes

Butcher's Street, Tempest Territory, Capital.

"Let's go get some drinks…"

"I heard Miss Milena is coming at Black Liquor tonight…"

"I am tired...I am going home.."

The road buzzed with people. It was one of the most crowded times of the day here. This was one of back-alley places in the Tempest Territory where the local gangs and criminals operated.

Max had experienced the place himself before. He knew the Capital like the back of his hand.... obviously, the areas which were open to the public only.

Max and Bahamut along with his two followers stood on the terrace of one of the buildings with their presence completely erased.

On the other side, Lisa who had draped herself in disguise followed a man who seemed to be slightly drunk. He looked sturdy with his huge frame and a bit menacing with his black beard and a scar on his cheek.

Lisa's skills at pursuing were a bit above average. It seems practicing stealth had broadened her horizon.

Behind him, Lear moved with calm. The guy was good at sneaking around after all.

Lisa seemed nervous, this was her first time taking the initiative to attack someone and this was not some training or mock battle.

She quietly followed the man and waited for the right opportunity to show up. This place was too crowded. Max had given a fair share of his mind to train her and hence she at least knew how to act.....

She wouldn't attack in the crowd unless she was confident of ending it in a single blow.

But no matter how long she waited, the man never left the street and continued to wander around.

…

On the other side, Max and Bahamut continued to follow them along watching from the sidelines.

"Oh….she is approaching him." Bahamut said with surprise as he noticed Lisa finally closing the distance between them.

…

Lisa fastened her steps and as she neared the man, she suddenly extended her hand and snatched the blade hanging on his waist.

"Hey! Stop you damn thief!" The man screamed and a few people noticing immediately tried to block Lisa.

It was surely an impatient action. If she met a strong and righteous person here, it would have been over for her. But luckily, the people weren't that strong.

Lisa made a jump and immediately went over the man's head with ease entering the narrow alley.

A few people immediately followed. It wasn't just because of catching a thief but keeping the reward for themselves. Basically they were another bunch of thieves who were eyeing the man for his gear but didn't dare to make a move.

This place after all was a dwelling for low life scums....

Lear shook his head and entered the alley as well. The other guys were a small fry, only their target was the one which Lear had to pay attention to.

…

"Young Master, one of the group finally had an encounter with that bunch of people and it left 3 people injured…." The lady who seemed to be Bahamut's follower spoke with a transmitter in her hand.

"Is it that Master tier mage who has been screwing us around?" Bahamut asked.

"No, it was the smaller group...a bunch ranging from mid to high…"

"What do you say?" Bahamut asked Max. To him they were just small fries but if Max wanted to, he would let him have it.

"One sec, I have got perfect people for the job…." Max smiled as the next moment, a black beast emerged from thin air. It stood a head taller than Max with its black fur shining in the moonlight.

The lady immediately appeared in front of Bahamut to protect him.

"Don't worry, they are tamed…" Max said before looking at the Twice and then to Juju who crawled out from the side to the top of it's head.

"It's time you show me the results of your training….but remember one thing. I shouldn't be hearing any news of beast sighting or you two will regret it…."

Max basically meant kill without being noticed.

"Why don't you accompany them, Brey." Bahamut said as he looked at the lady. "If the situation goes out of hand, we can just have you act as a beast tamer."

Brey was a bit hesitant. But she still nodded.

"Then follow me…" As soon as she said that, Twice walked forward and immediately disappeared into her shadow surprising everyone.

"It's a Shadow Panther....'' Max said.

"Shadow panther have ability like this?" Bahmut asked in surprise and then looked at others who were no less surprise than him.

"Don't they?"

It was Max's turn to be surprised. He thought it was something that they naturally learned.

But it seems something was different here...

Twice had greater talent compared to others or maybe he was just hard working. He had already surpassed his mother even before awakening his abilities and now that he has started to awaken….his strength began to soar as well.

As Brey left, Max turned his head to look at Bahamut, "You didn't say that there was Master Tier Mage coming for my neck…."

"Didn't I say that both of us together could take on a Master Tier Mage?"

"You think that's the same thing?" Max stared at the kid.

"She is naive…." Bahamut said looking in front and Max followed his gaze.

Lisa had just taken down three people who seemed to be thieves. But it was quite obvious that she just knocked them out.

''Were you born as a killer machine?" Max asked.

"Nope...I vomited after killing for the first time but I had to cop up with it. We don't have the liberty to be playing around and be depressed for long…." Bahamut said with a calm voice. He really was very mature for his age.

Max patted his head unconsciously while Bahamut titled his head to look at him in confusion. The giant man standing behind revealed a gentle expression on his face. He knew the hardships the young boy had faced.

…

Lisa was sweating by the time she dealed with the fifth guy.

"Bang!"

Suddenly Lisa felt an impact on her back and saliva flew out of her mouth as she flew a couple of meters before crashing into the ground.

"Finally caught you….little thief…" the man said as he picked up his sword which Lisa had stolen.

Lisa gritted her teeth as she ignored the pain and stood up. Her feet shook as it was the first time she had been put in this situation.

"Hoho..what is this? I didn't expect it to be a little wench…" the man said as he pulled out his sword from the scabbard and licked his lips.

Lisa froze feeling the killing intent as her hand began to shake. Until now, she had always been sheltered and even during the previous kidnapping incident, she wasn't alone. This was what gave her hope but now....

'No…Max and Lear are definitely here…' Lisa assured herself but when she looked around and tried to sense others, she failed to find anyone.

Fear immediately overtook her mind as she realised that she was all alone. The size of the man multiplied in her eyes.

"Hahaha!!!! What's this miss...your legs are shaking...do you want this man to support you."

The man made his way towards Lisa while everybody watched the scene.

As the man stood in front of Lisa and reached out to her, Lear tilted his head towards Max who was standing on the roof in the distance.

Max sensing Lear's gaze gently shook his head.

"Your skin is so smooth. Show me your face…" His hand reached towards Lisa's hood who was trembling in fear.

Lisa looked at the hand moving towards her as the scene of her training with Max flashed past in her mind. He was way stronger than him…..he said that she had something no one else had….her power was unique….there was no reason for her to lose to someone like him….

"Swing!"

Lisa's hand suddenly moved at her last desperate effort as the dagger in her hand sliced off the man's fingers.

"Aaahhh!!!!!'' A blood-curdling shriek escaped the man's mouth as if he was a pig being slaughtered.

"My finger!!! My finger!!!" The man rolled on the ground holding his hand.

"D-Dont….u-underestimate...m-me…" Lisa said as her hood slid down her head. The water in her eyes was clear as she gathered all her courage. Yet her hands and feet still continue to tremble.

"You!!! I will kill you!!!" The man screamed with bloodshot eyes as he used his other hand to pick up the sword before rushing towards Lisa.

Lisa looked at him as she desperately raised her hand to defend herself.

As the blade swung down on her, Lisa prepared herself for the impact. But the next moment, the blade suddenly froze in mid air.

Lear appeared behind the man and calmly walked towards him with his finger raised.

"Who are you?!!" The man looked at Lear with wariness in his eyes. He didn't sense him at all until he appeared and there was something dangerous about him.

"Why are you doing this? I don't have any enmity wit-"

Lear brought down his finger before he could even complete his sentence and the sword which was hanging in the air immediately turned direction and dropped down on the man's head-splitting him apart.

Lisa immediately fell down on her butt, this wasn't the first time she had seen people die in front of her but this still didn't feel good.

….

"You sure you wanna continue? Or should I drop you back?" Max asked as he looked at Lisa.

"No, I am fine…" Lisa shook her head even though she clearly didn't look good.

Max nodded.

"The guy is here…" Bahamut suddenly said as he held the transmitter in his hand.

"You guys continue the mission, We will join you in a bit." Max said as he called out the spirit snake.

This guy was clearly bigger than before, even his scales had changed with a small horn emerging from its forehead. Max couldn't understand what was the reason for his change as he didn't have any major breakthrough in his Spirit Arts.

"Follow them...help only when needed." Max ordered it and it nodded.

With that, Max decided to split, with him and Bahamut going to meet this guy who was causing pain for them.