The Burning Fiend

After leaving the book area, the group walked toward the information hub. Reynolds had not being able to find information on Linley within the Jadefloat Continent, he thought that since this place was independent to the continents he might have better luck this time.

The office that dealt with information was decorated in a spartan style, confirming Reynolds belief that the entire city was just a major cover up. The 'Free Castle' did not care about selling treasures, but there were signs everywhere that promised discounts to the victors at the 'Arena'. 10% for ten victories, 20% for twenty victories and 50% for a hundred victories... this was just a way to identify powerful combatants, and perhaps their decision to settle down here was not theirs to begin with.

He shook his head and noticed that this time the clerk was already waiting for them with a more adequate attitude, his previous show of power was enough to either produce fear on them or they have already run to inform those who might be able to deal with him. Reynolds decided that if he felt any sort of danger at all, he would immediately activate the Ba-Serpent Attack Formation, while keeping his family inside the construct, and destroy his way out of the island.

"Lord, how can I help you?" The clerk was an old man with gray eyes and, if Reynolds were asked to describe him he would say he has, weasel-like features. "I'm looking for information for one Linley Baruch and the divine beast Tarosse". The clerk trembled slightly as he knew that their dealings with Tarosse were something he should be very careful about, but he had not heard about this Linley Baruch and thus he started reviewing his files while considering how to deal with the information about Tarosse.

He soon found that Linley Baruch was one of the guest that should be treated with respect and not to be crossed due to his powerful guarantors, he sighed and took a modified file which contained general information on Tarosse. He returned and offered the file. "Lord, we have basic information on Tarosse, but we have nothing on one Linley Baruch. The cost for this file is 100,000 inkstones".

Reynolds was surprised to be able to find information on Tarosse and paid for the file, he had enough signals screaming at him to leave this place and that was what he intended to do. But at this moment, an extremely beautiful woman walked nervously toward him and bowed deeply while offering an envelope to him. Reynolds was speechless for a moment, this woman was a saint without the smallest aura of divine power on her meaning that this was her real appearance, and that she had no divine avatars.

She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, her long raven hair reached her h.i.p.s, she had green eyes and olive skin while her perfect figure would haunt him for a while. He knew that if this woman were born within the Yulan Continent, her mere existence would have caused wars. He shook his head and took the offered envelope to read the message.

"Kid, I have followed your growth since your Fiend Trial and I'm looking forward to having a battle with you. Do not worry, I know you are related to Beirut and I have no intention to add you or your pets to my collection. Follow my pet, and she would take you to a private room in a restaurant where we can talk. Mosi."

Reynolds was surprised, from his conversations with Kendrics he understood about other powerful Asuras, and he had mentioned that Mosi was a powerful Commander of Hell and that he had taken part in many Plane Wars. He was hesitant for a moment, but decided that things would not change now... if Mosi really wanted a battle with him, he would have his battle and it did not matter if Reynolds was willing or not. He turned to look at his family and sent a mental message.

'Hopefully we will have no problem, but we need to be ready. Always stay together and close to me... if it is needed I will take us away with the Ba-Serpent Attack Formation. I'm pretty sure that we can at least escape from anything below the Paragon level and the true ruler of this island is a peak Asura as far as I know'. They nodded and prepared to follow his instructions.

He turned his attention to the beautiful woman waiting in fear and couldn't help but take a few seconds to admire her gorgeous body before nodding to her and say. "Lead the way, pretty thing". The girl looked like her life were spared and almost jumped in delight bowing deeply to him before starting to walk into what looked like an expensive restaurant.

Reynolds was slightly hypnotized by the way this woman walked and shook his head reminding himself that he might be entering a difficult battle in a moment. He has noticed that within the 'Free Castle', even if the clerks have no interest in serving anyone, the furniture was at least expensive and even luxurious in some places. 'At least in this place the security is somehow guaranteed'. He thought.

---

Sasha and Bebe were walking along the small city within the Amethyst Mountain, there was nothing spectacular within the city. A few bars and restaurants and a commercial building in which people could sell the amethysts they found, but the true beauty of the place was the borderline mist in which the amethyst flew from what seemed to be the inner part of the mountain.

They did not venture too deep as they were told that the people who have done that in the past were never seen again. "This place is so boring! There is not even a Redbud Palace... how can someone live in such a primitive place?" Bebe was muttering annoyed as he had expected to find some entertainment here, and he was not one to appreciate the beautiful scenery of the dangerous mist ahead.

Sasha nodded though she was not so annoyed. "Well, don't w.h.i.n.e too much. We are leaving in a few hours... we would not even have to stop here if your Boss' wife was not so insistent in watching the beautiful scenery. A waste of time if you ask me". Sasha's voice was more indifferent than angry, she still refused to talk to her parents or even call them that... she wasn't planning in joining them to visit the Four Beast Clan, they would part ways as soon as they reached that point, and she would continue by herself to the closest city.

Bebe smirked while shaking his head in amus.e.m.e.nt, he was tempted to go with her so that he could meet Koral's daughter, but he was hesitant to leave his Boss who he regarded as his closest family. He was interrupted from his thoughts by Sasha's voice. "Still, we should take the opportunity to distract ourselves as I understand that it would take us more than 20 years to cross the Starmist Sea where the only entertainment might be the electric storms... I really miss the peace and calm of the Yulan Continent".

---

Reynolds entered a private hall that was decorated with an expensive carpet and pillows instead of chairs, Mosi was sitting on the floor and there was a small table in front of him with a glass of wine on top that Mosi sipped from time to time. He had a muscular body and short red hair, his presence exuded domination and power assuring Reynolds that this was the true ruler of the island.

"Welcome friend, please sit and join me!" Mosi was happy that he had come and looked at him curiously, Reynolds smiled and sat in front of Mosi who looked slightly surprised when he noticed that the five women sat behind him and were flanked by four flame doppelgangers that if one were to trace a circle touching each of the four doppelgangers Reynolds and the five women would found themselves inside.

Mosi instantly understood that Reynolds was ready to call upon his Attack Formation without leaving the five women unprotected, he smiled in approval... he knew that he should control his greed, but he also knew that if the opportunity presented he might be overcome by it, and perhaps he might end up doing something stupid.

"Hmm... so you understand about this island by being on it only for a few hours... smart". Reynolds smiled, and couldn't help but steal a quick glance at the beautiful raven haired girl who was kneeling at the side waiting for orders while trembling in fear from time to time. He redirected his attention to Mosi and said.

"My name is Reynolds, I will be happy to call you a friend... did you made some deep research on me? I'm pretty sure that I learned to control myself a long time ago and have not being that 'playful' since I arrived to the Infernal Realm... how is Tarosse and his companions?" Mosi blinked knowing that he had made a mistake.

What Reynolds said was true, all the reports mentioned that he appreciated beautiful women, but he did not increase the size of his entourage regardless of the temptation. But Tarosse had mentioned that within the Yulan Continent, the kid enjoyed conquering beautiful women and playing with them, and that's why he had sent the girl to him as a small bait.

He sighed in annoyance at his own misstep that was caused due to his excitement, he knew that he had to make some explanations and took a sip of his wine to gain more time to think... 'Perhaps the truth would be the best approach... after all, the way that Tarosse described the kid... we are not that different and Tarosse and his group did not suffer any harm or great humiliation during their stay'. Mosi smiled and decided to bet... perhaps the kid will become a true friend after all.