Secretly The Overlord

Chapter 6

Before magic became reality, science reigned supreme in society — a majority of labor carried out by man relying heavily on machineries and laws of physics.

 However this status quo was soon broken when the first Haunt Gate was discovered; a unique spatial gateway that led to a game like realm thriving with powerful beasts that were once thought as myths and legends.

  They were known as Feinds.

 Despite the fact that defeating a Feind oftentimes came with some valuable loots, they were not the main attractions of a Haunt Gate — Nebula Stones were!

 Rumored to the pure and unrefined concentrated spiritual energy that took on solid shape over time, the discovery of Nebula Stones caused the value of the Haunt Gates exploration Industry to reach an all time high and it has only continued to increase with time.

 Currently, the Industry firmly sat at number one . Due to how lucrative the industry appeared to be, everybody wanted to have a slice of the big fat cake and Henri was no exception.

 The Industry was firmly governed by an organized body of several nations' government who were in an alliance, called VANGUARD. It was an acronym. But as for what it meant, Henri had zero clue.

 However what he did know that directly under VANGUARD were exploration companies.. the employers of the current most sought after occupation in the world; Spiritist Masters.

 Spiritist Masters were elite Magic Practitioners who were licensed to explore newly discovered Haunt Gates. Despite the danger that came with their line of work, Spiritist Masters were one of the highest paid employees across all the economical industries in the world.

— They were even regarded as Celebrities!

 It was only natural that Henri wanted to be a Spiritist Master while growing up. Unfortunately his inability to possess a meridian vein made this desire of his nothing more than a pipe dream.

-- At least that was what he once thought.

 Nighthawks Inc was a regionally acclaimed Exploration company that just happened to be situated in Delta City and Henri was currently in a heated conversation with the female receptionist at the lobby area of the towering commercial building it was located on.

 "I am sorry sir, but you cannot just join an exploration company."

 "What are you talking about? look, I am an Elite!" sensing the other party's skeptism, Henri didn't hesitate to reveal the small tongues of black flames that were making an elegant dance around the tip of his fingers.

 "This --" the female receptionist was momentarily stunned when she noticed the black flames.

 A Practitioner capable of weilding external energy.. only Awakened Practiconers could replicate such a feat!

 Although it was said that about ninety nine percent of the world's population were magic practicioners, easily almost seventy percent of them were unawkened — Reasons being not only did awakening require talent, it also burned through money!

  From the moment Henri walked into the lobby in his completely ordinary clothes that was heavily reeking of sweat, the female receptionist had unconsciously developed a complete disregard for him.

 This disregard was further developed into utter contempt and irritation when she heard him raging on about becoming a Spiritist Master at Nighthawks Inc. 

 Receiving a license as a Spiritist Master was a very complicated process. It wasn't something that could be done in a short span like a week or months, even. As such Henri's ignorance only ended up stoking the flames of her irritation.

 She was even just about to alert the security personnels to throw this ignorant country bumpkin out. Now imagine her shock when she realized the person she looked down on was actually an awakened Practitioner!

..

 "Those flames are very peculiar." Henri had just revealed the black flames when an unfamiliar aged voice drifted into his ears.

 Before he could react, he felt a hand grip his right wrist as a bald headed man in his late sixties began to observe the flames with rapt attention. The old man was clad in an immaculate suit and judging from his well polished shoes --

 He was obviously from an affluent background.

 "Where did you obtain your Core Skill from? those flames are no ordinary flames." 

 Henri felt uncomfortable under the sharp scrutiny from the other party. As if sensing his discomfort, the black flames slowly died down.

 "I--I don't know.." while replying, Henri tactfully yanked his wrist away from the other party's grip.

 Despite his advanced age, Henri was stunned to discover the other party had a terrifying iron grip.

 "Hm." the old man gave Henri a deep look. Obviously, he wasn't buying in on the authenticty of Henri's claims.

 "Eh? what is going on?" at that moment, a middle aged man clad in a posh designer suit descended the stairs that led to the upper floors, arriving at the lobby area in a somewhat rushed manner.

 However as soon as the female receptionist saw the middle aged man, she immediately stood up respectful. "Good afternoon, boss."

 Damian West.. now a retired Spiritist Master, he was also the CEO of Nighthawks Inc. Possessing blonde hair that was showing signs of going bald, Damian West had the build of a well fit athlete.. a physique that was further accentuated by the designer suit he was currently wearing.

 However Damian West completely ignored the receptionist, his gaze trailing towards Henri's direction. Or to be more precise, the old man standing besides him.

 "Master, you shouldn't scare me like that. Why did you suddenly run all the way down here?"

 Damian West was naturally known as an overbearing figure. But at that moment, the tone he was adopting was one filled with complete respect and reverence, judging from the way he was carefully picking his words.