"That was pretty embarrassing," Liam commented as he walked down the street, recalling the look on the young girl'ss face.
"Nah, she expected too much. You mean to tell me every time you see multiple people come in, all of them are going to buy something? Ludicrous." Alex replied unconsciously, his eyes lost.
"Usuall,y that is why people go to a store, unless you're there to window sho,p" Rose commented on the side.
Liam shot back, and the two began a back-and-forth. During this time only Alex was reserved, his mind thinking of what the next step should be.
Although he had already gotten enough money to get basic techniques and they could now possibly hunt for money, it was a bit risky. He didn't have transformative strength beyond everyone else, the Supreme Paths showed their might later on.
'Let's wait; if we hold out a few days, I can begin Phase 2.' Alex thought; the gains from his previous endeavors were substantially more than what he had expected.
This led him to the conclusion that just Phase 2, If carried out properly could net him over 500 silver pieces, enough for the body refining technique aswell as an initial treasure to use with it.
Name: Alex
Race: Human
Class: Abyssal Doppelganger (II)
Class Skills: (Adaptive Clone), (Attribute Clone)
Realm: Path Genesis Realm (1 Karma Qi)
Supreme Path: Karma [Initiated], Fate [Initiated]
Talent: Clone [D Rank – Growth Type]
Strength: 30
Defense: 10
Mana: 40/40
Mana Recovery: 0.05/S
Stamina: 12
Agility: 10
Comprehension: 20
Available Paths: 7 Remaining
Looking at his satisfactory system panel, Alex was debating. You see, previously he had received information about what the requirements for initation were, however there was nothing further than that.
Meaning, he had to continue on these 9 Paths all on his own without the ease of a progress bar.
Regrettably, he had asked Roe previously and it seemed all system goers received a follow up 'Quest'. Hers was to enlighten in 3 Paths.
Liam's was to gain information about an abhorrent amount of items, all Profound Grade. This is what caused him to seem like a max level window shopper in his eyes.
Alex recalled the detailed realm information about the Path Genesis Realm.
Once one had initiated into their path, gaining their first bit of Path Qi they would then need to comprehend more of the Path, mystical techniques that enhanced comprehension came into play here.
To put it simply, the idea of a so-called mystical technique was actually rather simple. Everyone had a source, which could also be called the dantian. I think. Either way, the source was actually what contained blood essence.
This blood essence was a mixture of the person's bloodline and after they began cultivation it was also where the Path Qi was stored. Thus, by igniting the bloodline and enhancing it's strength one would first improve their source's size and quality and secondly, would become more intune with their Path; as it quite literally flowed through their veins.
On the other hand, we had the players. Seemingly broken characters with no purpose but to set unbeatable records in their cultivation journeys.
Take Liam as an example. At the moment although he wasn't that quick in progression he was in an inferior city. Had he been in a large city or even a Clan or Sect, he might have already broken through to the next major realm.
However, these things were unrelated to him. He neither had the method to ignite his bloodline nor did he have the system's easy hand holding.
In conclusion, as all great man have said and done, when you don't have talent or skill, just throw money at your problem. Sadly he couldn't directly use billions to gain immortality like those MC's in "I started with an SSS rank Talent in the game world".
But he could use money to get into body refinement, a very superior Path. This would get him the early strength he required and displayed his talents speciality fully.
[Three Days Later]
In a large mansion, children laughed and played in the courtyard while refined ladies sipped tea and conversed with one another. During this time, within the core area of the house numerous man and woman were sitting across from one another.
"This problem has escalated. Just in the last few days more than 10 robberies have been successful with several dozen attempted." A handsome middle aged man said, his eyes glowing with the wisdom of age.
A woman across from him rolled her eyes "And who's fault is that? You've all grown soft after the commoners have grown so meek. Do you think no one has it in them to rebel?"
"Hey Mingxu, don't act like you're any superior. Your little daughter also got robbed." A bloated man retorted.
"My daughter wasn't even initiated into the Path, you useless bunch and your descendents got robbed by ordinary folks while having some in the Path Genesis Realm." Mingxu shot back fiercely
The bloated man was about to continue when he felt the handsome man's gaze linger on him.
"I apologize Clan Head Zhao for my recklessness" he said.
"No matter, this isn't a time for bickering, we need to work together to figure out the cause of this crisis and resolve it. Does anyone have any clues?" He asked
A young figure in the corner replied, it was a blue haired girl, her eye lids fluttered open revealing blue eyes.
"Replying to Clan Master Zhao, the first suspect was a figure in a black cloak, he appeared soon after to commit two more thefts, one of which failed. He gave off the aura of a newly initiated Path Genesis Realm cultivator and the reports mention his height was around 6 feet." She conveyed the message to Clan Head Zhao before closing her eyes once more.
"A Path Genesis Realm cultivator, almost all the robberies have been on one, but it doesn't seem that it's directly linked to him. It's likely he enticed the commoners with a show of wealth, anticipating their actions to allign with his objective." Mingxu deduced, her eyes giving off a faint golden hue.
Clan Head Zhao nodded his head, closing his eyes to think before he made a decision. After a few minutes of debating he announced his orders "Have the young ones travel in groups from now on, atleast groups of two must be formed, as for mortal descendants have them be accompanied by one of the more advanced stewards."
"Yes, Clan Head Zhao!" The various people present replied simultaneously.
Soon, everyone had left, with only Clan Head Zhao and Mengxu present.
"What did you see?" He suddenly asked.
"It's not a fortunate situation. Although we won't lose much in the long run, we will have to bleed a bit, perhaps a few hundred gold." Mengxu said, her eyes now losing the golden hue.
"I understand. Do you think we should interfere?" Zhao Feng asked, although on the surface he was the supreme Clan Head, Mengxu was actually not too far from him in status due to her unique Path.
The Path of Foresight.
It had allowed their family to rule Lunar City pretty well with little to no upheavals yet, however every time they say into the future and changed it, Mengxu would suffer a lifespan backlash. Thus, actions couldn't be taken lightly.
"No. It's not worth it for a few gold coins, I am soon to break through to the next realm, perhaps by then the backlash will be more manageable and we can act on these small matters." She made her stance clear, rising to her feet and leaving aswell.
Soon, only Zhao Feng was left to think on his own. "The problem isn't the money, it's our reputation. It'd be tough to keep our iron hold of we're seen taking losses from some commeners."
Alas, he didn't even think of going behind Mengxu's back to interfere, he couldn't offend someone who could peer through time even if he was a major realm ahead of her.
Back to the marketplace, at this moment a figure in black was standing on top of a merchants stand, his voice was wicked and deep.
"My brothers! We, the commoners, the descendents of the human emperor's have been treated with scorn and disrespect too long! I ask of you my brothers! Will you not take this chance, this gift given to us by the Elusive Bandit to make those arrogant nobles feel some pain!?" He yelled, channeling all the rage and might in his body to make it more invigorating.
Throughout the market, various men and women heard his chant, they're memories of trauma coming back to them. Some lost homes, others lost loved ones, all because of the cruel nobles.
Not to mention, the Elusive Bandit who stood up for them and even stole from the arrogant young masters, he might have already been found and killed, could they let his heroic sacrifice be in vain?
Of course, they didn't know the Elusive Bandit was just a money hungry goblin named Alex Edwards who also used their frustration against the nobles to profit. Although deep down, a sense of justice prevailed...
The black robed figure kept spouting a motivational speech, his words traced with a leaders aura. However it seemed even the clone grew tired, as it left the marketplace suddenly. Leaving the thrilled commoners confused.
'Phase 2, initiated.' Alex thought as his true body returned home, he was previously watching his clones speech and acting as a bystander to alleviate any suspicion on him.
Phase 2, was actually a not so intricate plan. It aimed at capitalizing on the commoners hatred, by allowing them a way to vent by down right assaulting all the nobles that dares pass in the streets.
He had three phases in his money making plan, Phase 1, steal. Prove that theft and provocation of nobles was possible. Phase 2, give the citizens time to have a brave few commit said theft themselves, showing it was possible for normal people aswell.
This was his current situation, now he needed to band the commoners together under one name. That's where he, the Elusive Bandit came in. The classic trope of a heroic sacrifice stirring the hearts of the people.
This would then lead to Phase 3, Armageddon. Just sheer chaos, enough to give him time to send in his clones to do some dirty work and make money. As for why he did all of this instead of getting a job or hunting monsters? Two reasons!
First, it was easy, it aligned with his character of going for the comfortable route.
Second, he felt kind of hateful. These nobles, they didn't have them back on Earth atleast not in the 21st century, but they had corrupt officials and overbearing rich people.
He hated them, life was miserable for others because of them. And no, it wasn't the fault of the people living their lives that some random guy who had an extra 10 grand would hire bodyguards and go annoy people, at times even assault them then hide behind his guards like a wuss. Not to mention alot of this behavior was for so called content.
As a educated individual in a world with laws, even if he felt like ripping those lifeless losers to shreads, be couldn't. Here? It was all game.
Alex took a deep breath, thinking of a few happy thoughts to calm down. The beautiful sun set, the lovely taste of shawarmas and the beautiful face of Rose- hold on why was that included.
He brushed it off, once again focusing on the coming conflict he had to prepare for.
He didn't need strength, mainly speed so he could maximize how much he could steal in the shortest time possible.
He chuckled "Maybe this is my purpose in life, instead of walking the Path of Karma it more so seems like I'm acting as karma itself, bringing retribution to those nobles for their deeds..."
Alex said, his eyes becoming hazy. His mind seemed to enter a state of complete focus, flow state as some called it. Various experiences flashed through his mind, karma wouldn't necessarily act as the will of the world.
So if you killed someone you might not get struck by lightning, but someone related to who you killed would kill you. Thus karma is formless, it takes whatever it has and wields it as a sword against others.
[Karmic Resonance achieved, + 10 Karmic Qi]
A thought came to his mind as Alex felt his previously dry Source bloat a bit with the sudden ten fold increase in Qi.