Gate Hunters

"It's good to see you, young Lord Godfrey. Was your raid successful as usual?" Asked the receptionist.

Following the raid, we made our way to the resource bank to where I was met with enthusiastic praise from the crowd.

I clicked my fingers, "V, the resources." I commanded.

V's shadow clones emerged from his shadow, each carrying an abundance of items: strands of web, cuts of meat, various horns, wings, pieces of skinned leather, and several types of ores.

"Incredibly, you were able to collect so much." I was beyond shock but impressed.

V flashed a cunning smile and said, "There's more in my shadow. See how handy I am as your best buddy."

For an ape I must say that I'm impressed with what I'm seeing. I was expecting him to use his clones to collect the resources that was collectable and wait for me and Kira to finish up.

But he was able to utilize his shadow to store majority of the resources that he collected. I must admit he is far better than having a support team with us.

If he were to tag along with us, it would save up a lot of time and we will get a bigger haul compared to what a normal support team could carry.

The receptionist was astounded by what she saw. "My lord, with these resources, we could begin producing high-grade weaponry and clothing for the Hunters," she said.

Naturally I deserve the praise for allowing him to be on the team, "And that is why he is my support. This town will start receiving even more resources from the Gates. Just know that you will be expecting the three of us to be appearing."

Not only the bank receptionist but majority of the employees started celebrating at my honour.

(Five minutes late)

The three of us left with the bag of money that we received.

Forty thousand Oaks.

We had so much money that we didn't know what to do with it, but we had to split it amongst us.

I did not require the money since I'm literally wealth. I gave Kira sixty percent while V had forty percent.

After the raid, I was in very good. "I'm feeling generous today. How about I treat you both to a reward? Whatever you want, it's on me," I declared, reaching into my blazer jacket to pull out my wallet.

V started to do a celebrational dance where his shadows appeared as his backup dances.

Normally I would find this irritating but due to me being in such a good mood, I was actually enjoying this form of entertainment.

I noticed Kira smiling at me, "What now?" I asked.

"You are enjoying other people's company. It is a sight to behold as your maid, my lord." She said.

I'm not fond of V's behaviour; I was merely in a good mood. "It's more like I'm enjoying a jester's antics. Kira, is there anything you want?"

"Actually, I'll tell you what I want later. But for now, why not reward this jester?" Kira laughed playfully.

Our attention shifted to V, who was still dancing. Good grief.

(Five minutes later)

He had the opportunity ask me for anything.

Endless amount of money, a new home for his family, the most expensive car that my family could purchase, or he could have asked to be my servant.

But he chose to eat lunch with us included. And the place was some family dinner that wasn't even worth stepping in.

The three of us were seated in the same booth, with the waiter cowering in fear at my presence. "Young Lord Godfrey, it's unusual for you to visit an establishment that doesn't meet your status," he said, already sweating.

"I'm simply treating my jester today. And here's a fair warning, if this place does not appeal to me. This whole establishment will be burnt to the ground." I said to the waiter.

He swallowed his saliva and placed three menus in front of us, saying, "I... I understand, young lord." Then he quickly walked towards the kitchen, with all the employees following suit.

V was already looking through the menu and so as Kira.

Upon examining the menu, I was unable to find any appealing food options. The items listed, such as hamburgers or fizzy drinks, are not the type of food I would normally consider eating.

The waiter returned with three cups of water, "May I ask what's your orders?" He asked.

V slammed his menu on the table, "Hawaii pizza with ice cola please." He said with enthusiasm.

Kira gentle closed her menu and gently placed it on the table, "I would like a steak pie please."

I was the only one who had no clue on what I must get to eat.

Kira noticed my distress and pointed to a recommendation, "Why not this, young lord." A chicken BBQ pizza.

I swear that, this word known as pizza was recently created.

"You heard her, start cooking already." I tossed the menu onto the waiter's chest. To which he continued to smile and picked up the menus.

"Right away." He left straight to the kitchen.

"Have you ever eaten pizza before?" Asked V.

"My Lord has only eaten the finest cuisines crafted by the best chef's known to men. He has no reason to engage himself in this type of establishment." Kira explained perfectly.

The cheerful smile eventually vanished. "I see, so you never had a childhood," he remarked. That single comment changed the atmosphere of the dinner.

That's when I stood up and approached him. "What are you trying to say? I had a childhood that anyone would wish for. What more could I possibly want to experience that I haven't already?" I asked.

Now every single one of them turned their attention to V. It was predictable.

They all wanted him to be quiet because they all feared me. This is the result of my presence, to be able cast so much fear into the minds of an individuals that it's an amusing to watch.

Seeing them coward like the dogs they are.

Yet V's gifted energy hadn't diminished in the slightest since our gazes met. Rising with a look of pity, he said, "You might be able to purchase anything you desire, but the one thing money can't buy is a normal life. Sometimes, being born special can shield you from the truth—that we are merely cogs in an endless machine. Much like how you are merely a self-proclaimed deity, oblivious to the fact that you could be replaced at any moment."

Everyone around us had all rights to start running outside the dinner, "My lord-" Kira wanted to stop me, but I wasn't going to allow disrespect like that to be tolerated.

Quickly I grabbed his shirt with my left hand and charge a fireball in my right, "You damn ape must know your place." Seconds before I could blast him to ashes.

Two massive black wings sprout from his back, four red eyes appeared, he grew two extra arms, his mouth began slit up to his cheeks and finally a black thorn crown appeared around his forehead.

I was left shock at what I saw, "Julius... I am the Tainted King." He said as his body erupted in a sinister black aura.