UNLIMITED SPEED

"So what do you want?," Aiden enquired after arriving at the end of enclosed alley of sorts. It seemed to been constructed simply for events like that to take place.

In front of him were five individuals completely clothed in black, their faces also concealed by their black hoods and masks.

Three presence's remained on three points above them. There were probably roofs capable of hiding their figures, but not their aura's.

No response came to him and he began to feel impatient.

'Are they trying to be cool,' He giggled inwardly, he could clearly sense their intent to talk.

"I don't have much time, I don't know my way around this city," Aiden announced, and their auras burst out, their I'll intents pouring out of their figures.

"We don't want something from you. We want you," One of the five announced omniously.

Aiden couldn't help but feel stunned by those words. "Why even tell me. You could just knock me out and do whatever you wanted, or something," he explained bemused. His face not showing the slightest bit of fear.

"It matters not if we told you or didn't" the person at the forefront spoke before dashing forward, the four following closely behind him.

Aiden's senses immediately sharpened. Seeing no direct way out of that position, he shot upwards.

His feet struck the walls and he swiftly jumped off it to land on the roof, where the remaining three stood.

Aiden raised his palm to cast one of his wind spells, but shock filled his mind when his energy didn't move according to his will!

His target barreled towards him with a glowing knife, and he didn't hesitate to perform a side step. Grabbing the individuals arm, he snapped that wrist with one swift movement and tried to cast a spell again but nothing happened.

His feet struck the man's torso with full force, but a brown barrier obstructed his leg. The kick sent the man flying nonetheless.

'When did I get this strong!' Aiden marveled, but didn't have time to think much since seven figures converged on his figure.

Strangely enough, they utilized no spells, only their weapons out in the open.

'Are they planning something,' Aiden wondered, but their weapons struck his body before much of his thoughts could continue.

And to his and his opponents shock, his body withstood their attacks, only his clothes being torn.

Their figures shot downwards at that point, as Aiden still shook from what just happened.

"We yield!," The leader of that group announced, "We wish to converse with you," the man added.

Aiden felt unsure of his next actions, but seeing their weapons disappear, and their aura receding into their figures, he understood that the man meant what he said.

Still on full guard, he jumped down the wrecked stone roof, and stayed a safe distance from their figures, and they didn't move closer to his.

"I apologize for the earlier incident. I had to understand how strong you were," The same person spoke, Aiden concluding on him as their leader.

"What do you mean?" Aiden frowned.

"You see; we found out that you were an adventurer. Someone who could be useful for something we plan to do," The man explained.

"Ah, the soldiers told you, or was it that woman. Though that Information isn't really a secret," Aiden raised an eyebrow.

"I cannot disclose that Information, but will you hear me out," The man stated.

"I don't have much of a choice, just go straight to the point," Aiden shrugged, his mind never lowering its guard.

"We plan to embark on an adventure. The location, the Claw region," the man started closely Inspecting Aiden's expression, even In the drakness of the night.

An eyebrow almost immediately rose on Aiden's face, "If I'm correct you mean there," he pointed at the distant landemasses, their structures seemed to glow, even from that immense distance

Seeing the man nod, words quickly escaped his mouth. "Aren't really powerful beast like the norm there," Aiden exclaimed. The idea sounded stupid.

"Yes, but we'll have equally powerful individuals with us," the individual replied.

"I really doubt that, but how strong are these individuals?" Aiden almost mocked.

"Tier 4's," the man quickly replied, "And there'll be more of us," he added.

A moment of silence passed before the individual spoke again.

"We wish to recruit you for the journey," he announced.

"What do you crazies even want there?," Aiden spoke utterly bemused by what he heard.

"A treasure. That is all I can tell you, for now at least," the individual replied.

"Ohhh! And what would I get for joining you on your crazy mission," Aiden mocked.

"Gold. Lots of it," the man spoke as though it were the most reasonable price.

"Hmmm.....I refuse," Aiden stated with a shrug, startling his audience.

"Why?," the man quickly enquired.

"There are a lot of reasons, but I'll mention the most important one," he paused, "I don't trust you."

Aiden watched his audience grow silent at those words, and he soon continued.

"I don't know any of you, how do you expect me to trust you. Only the worsts of fools would do that," Aiden's voice went serious.

"I have a family that I love to see, the prospect of lots of gold isn't the main reason you'll be capable of buying me over," he stated coldly.

Difficult expressions appeared on his audiences face behind thier masks.

"What do I need to do gain a bit of your trust?," the man enquired.

"Show me your face. All of you," Aiden stated. "If you do that, I'll consider your still crazy offer," he added.

Grunts escaped their mouths at his words. Most weren't ready to reveal themselves to someone who hadn't joined them.

"I can't allow that, but I can show you my face and tell you my name," the man suggested.

The others immediately voiced out complaints, but he quickly spoke.

"Can anyone of you do what he did? If you can't then I'll do as I wish."

No other words were spoken at that point, and Aiden couldn't help but see the individual in a new light. He seemed to know what exactly he was doing.

"I am Williams, a low-ranking soldier who has remained in his position due to unfair judgements of my agency," the removed his mask and hood before bowing.

The man looked well over fourty, which hinted at stagnation in his cultivation.

"I am Aiden, a mere 3-star adventurer," Aiden announced with a smile.

The two conversed for a few more minutes, Aiden eventually accepting the offer.

He understood the danger of going on that mission, but as an adventurer; that was exactly what he did, take risks.

He had lost count how many times he had almost died, but this could go different due to the presence of stronger existences.

"When exactly is the journey commencing," Aiden asked, laying his back on the wall with he arms folded.

"Two months from now, but we're expected to have gathered by at most a week before it commences," Williams explained still in his position.

"How are you certain that I'd still be in this city by then?" Aiden raised an eyebrow.

"That's why we'll contact you two weeks before the date, to allow you enough time," Williams explanined.

Aiden sighed at that point, they seemed to have everything in consideration.

"Gold isn't the only reward is it?" Aiden suddenly announced.

"A treasure that even tier 4's desire has to be something. There might be something for us," Aiden mused studying the man's expression intently.

"I don't know much about that," William spoke blankly, afterwhich a few seconds of silence passed.

"Here!" Williams threw something at Aiden, "We'll communicate with you on that," he explained.

Aiden nodded his head and simply held the communication amulet.

"Thank you and goodbye!" William's announced at that point, and their figures shot upwards.

A sigh escaped Aiden's mouth at that point, but his expression suddenly turned dark. He had to figure out what exactly was going on with his vessels of power.