Lightning Is the Only Way

"So, he said he is coming into the city, and then lieutenant Handers just let him walk through the gates?" An imposing man sitting on a throne inside a big hall asked. He was looking at a soldier, kneeling in front of him. The soldier was the same one that had been sent to inform the town lord. The man on the throne was obviously the town lord. He was the only individual inside the town with tempered muscles.

"Your majesty, I was on top of the wall, and when the man said that he would come into the city, I felt like a blade was resting on my throat. The lieutenant and the other guard knew what the punishment for failing our duties, was. Yet, no matter how hard we tried, we could not step forward to obstruct him. He then opened the gates and walked into town with his weapon," the guard continued.

The town lord's eyes narrowed. "He opened the gates?" Suddenly, he stood up. "Idiot! Why didn't you mention that the gates were closed, sooner?" The town lord shouted.

The guard shivered. "I apologize a million times, your majesty. This little one forgot," the guard whimpered.

The town lord wandered around his throne hall, unsure how to proceed with this situation. Only people with tempered muscles could open the gate. On top of that, the guards knew very well that failing one's duty meant death. This meant that the fear the guards held toward attacking the young man outweighed the fear of certain death for failing their duty.

This young man was, at least, as strong as him. This could be an issue, if not handled correctly. "Did the young man introduce himself?" The town lord asked while looking outside of his window into the town.

"No, he just asked if everyone had to follow the weapon-prohibition. We told him that it concerns everyone who was not of a certain status. Then he said that he was going into the town, pushed open the gate, and walked in," the guard narrated again.

The town lord rubbed his chin in thought. "Announcing his status would have made things way easier. Either he is a wanted criminal, which I doubt since he didn't hide, or he is unknown. Maybe, he is a disciple from some mysterious master. He didn't announce himself, so he is probably not interested in meeting me, or interested in my position."

"Yet, he is a young man, probably in his teens judging by how the guard described him. He must have some incredible treasures with him. Maybe, I could get them and finally temper my bones..." the town lord looked at the ceiling and continued rubbing his chin while muttering to himself. After a while, he nodded to himself and made his decision.

The guard continued kneeling, not daring to say a word. "Alright," the town lord shouted while turning back to the guard. The guard stood up and saluted. "The soldiers will not receive the death penalty since this seems to be an unusual circumstance. Yet, punishment is necessary. Return to the gate! Everyone involved in this incident will receive 40 hits of the Skin-Rod after their shift ends!"

was a specific rod to punish people with tempered skin. The lieutenant would survive, but he would lose a layer of skin, while the guards would have to fight for their lives. The guard saluted again. "Yes, your

his throne and began

to do, and then leave. The young man was at least as strong as the town lord himself, and the fear he instilled in the guards seemed unnatural. He never even

the situation that the young man would do something illegal or kill someone? The town lord would not risk his life for that. "Just

lord

tempering needed a lot of money in the form of pills to progress. The following stages were easier in that requirement. Gravis had to find a way to earn money. However, it

eyes lighted up. She was about to make lots of money. "What's

"The best way to

Gravis nodded.

felt the money glide out of her hands. This guy had no money. But then, how did this guy walk around with a weapon? Some guesses started forming in her mind. If cash or status weren't the way he got his

"There is a place where sir can earn a lot

"Oh? Where?" Gravis asked.

was obviously, genuinely interested in making money. "We have a big problem with ferocious beasts and demonic beasts in the surrounding villages. The Hunting Guild has a lot of bounties and missions for killing different beasts. Of course, one needs a certain amount of strength for that, but I

realm, and enemies could increase his will and experience. This was killing two birds with one stone! Gravis nodded.

"I think there is a notice on the notice board on the central plaza,

other hand, rubbed her chin with a smirk. If she were right, she would earn a lot of money in the near

He walked towards it, everyone giving Gravis a wide berth, and began to read the announcements. After a while, Gravis found

It read: