My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 480: Recruitment

Silence blanketed the forest once more, as if the earth had sighed in relief after the frenzy of the earlier fight.

Ethan held a respectful stance with his head tilted down a touch, arms hanging loosely beside him, face kept utterly impassive. Opposite stood the envoy Harold, scrutinizing him wordlessly for an extended beat, keen gaze gliding over Ethan's frame like he was inspecting a priceless relic instead of a youth who'd just endured a chaotic field swarming with corrupted beasts.

Finally, Harold broke the silence.

"Rise."

Ethan raised his head and straightened up, locking eyes directly with the man.

Harold's eyes narrowed a fraction upon seeing no trace of fear in the youth's face. Normally, a level one before a level seven would buckle under the sheer pressure, voice quivering, body trembling, gaze dropping to the dirt.

Ethan showed none of that.

He just stood there, serene, like this was an everyday chat.

"You destroyed thousands of corrupted beasts," Harold declared in a steady, even voice, eyes locked on Ethan's features. "And yet, after that burst of might, you fled from a level three boar."

Ethan nodded faintly, no embarrassment evident.

"My situation changed."

Harold cocked his head while eyeing him.

"Clearly," he responded, his stare now roaming deliberately over Ethan's form, hunting for some unseen trace. "Your energy signature has nearly vanished. Moments ago, your power pulsed strong enough to feel across the battlefield, but now it's like you're scarcely giving off a whisper."

He held back before posing the query outright.

"What happened?"

Ethan stayed mute.

He simply stood motionless.

Harold waited with endless patience.

The hush between them dragged on amid the far-off breeze whispering through the scarred trees in the forest glade.

At length, the envoy let a subtle, insightful smile tug at his mouth's edge.

"Keeping secrets," he noted evenly. "That's wise. The mark of one set to thrive in a realm like this."

He pivoted a bit and lifted his hand, pointing toward the city's hazy silhouette visible past the woods.

"Come with me. We need to talk."

Ethan moved without delay.

He trailed after.

The structure they reached loomed near the city's heart, encircled by broad stone avenues and buildings radiating the same undeniable vibe of might and command.

Though not the grandest in the area, its architecture seized attention right away. Sleek silver lines traced the ebony stone walls in exact patterns, while soft blue energy throbbed lazily along slim channels etched into the stonework, lending the whole edifice a subtle, pulsing vitality.

Ethan shadowed Harold inside, wordless.

They traversed lengthy halls lit by gentle azure glows emanating from the walls. Their steps reverberated softly off the sleek stone floors as they delved further in.

Soon, a vast chamber opened before them.

A lengthy table dominated the room's core, hewn from one massive block of unfamiliar dark substance. Its top mirrored the walls' dim blue sheen, with sturdy chairs positioned precisely around its edges.

Harold advanced and claimed the head seat.

Ethan lingered by the door, upright.

"Sit," Harold uttered offhand.

Ethan approached and picked a chair a few spots away. Close enough not to seem aloof, yet distant enough to avoid presumption.

Harold spotted the choice at once.

A flicker of approval lit his gaze.

"You saw what I did to that beast earlier," Harold started, one arm draped over the table. "The strike that obliterated it might dazzle at your level, but trust me, that's commonplace in the Ragnarok Clan."

Ethan heard him out silently.

"Our clan spans countless continents," Harold went on assuredly. "We hold lands in diverse realms, with members at every rung of the level ladder. Some just starting out, others scaled peaks beyond your wildest dreams."

He leaned in a tad, gauging Ethan's response.

"We constantly seek out those with promise," he pressed.

His look intensified.

"You wiped out thousands of corrupted beasts with hardly any detectable energy—that alone drew eyes. Then your strength plummeted, but you stayed cool, no panic."

He halted on purpose.

"That mix makes you prized."

Ethan's face stayed blank.

Harold's eyes sparkled subtly.

"I offer you a spot in the Ragnarok Clan."

The declaration hung thick in the still air.

Before Ethan could reply, a new voice boomed from the entry behind him.

"He is an outsider, and according to the rule, we should receive the first opportunity to recruit him. Surely you remember that, Harold."

The tone was gravelly and profound, like boulders shifting deep underground.

Harold's face hardened instantly.

The poised assurance from before darkened as he whipped his head toward the door.

A silhouette filled the threshold.

Humanoid in build, yet topped with an undeniable bull's head atop massive shoulders.

Heavy horns swept back from its skull in bold curves, ending in lethal tips. Intelligent dark eyes gleamed over a broad muzzle, and the frame below rippled with compacted muscle.

Each motion hinted at leashed power.

The emanating aura left no doubt.

Level seven.

Matching Harold's own.

Harold's tone chilled noticeably.

"Dominic. How did you learn about this so fast?"

The bull-man strode in fully, hooves clacking rhythmically against the stone with purposeful strides.

Yet he ignored the question, flashing a smug grin instead.

His focus shifted to Ethan.

Those shadowed eyes probed the newcomer intently, as if weighing an intangible quality.

"An outsider," Dominic growled deliberately. "I felt your energy clear across the city. Your fighting style was odd enough to snag my notice right away."

He tipped his head.

"It matched no clan's techniques I recognize."

Ethan sat quiet and still.

Dominic's muzzle twisted into a grin that screamed hunter on his beastly visage.

"I am Dominic of the Aurora Clan," he announced.

He let the name linger.

"Our clan rose from outsiders alone," he pressed on. "All of us hailed from other worlds to Elysium, refusing to let this realm's old powers devour us unchallenged."

For the first time in the exchange, a glint of curiosity flashed in Ethan's eyes.

Dominic caught it instantly.

His grin broadened a notch.

"You might not grasp Elysium's politics yet," he stated smoothly, "but outsiders get safeguards here. The initial contact clan doesn't claim recruitment rights outright."

He broke off.

"There's a rule."

Harold's jaw clenched as Dominic spoke further.

"The all-outsider clan gets first pick. In cases like yours, priority falls to us."

Dominic swung his gaze to Harold.

"You know this rule inside out," he said flatly. "No use acting like you don't."

Harold's palms pressed the tabletop, knuckles whitening from strain.

"The boy has not accepted anything," he shot back icily. "I made an offer, but no answer yet."

Dominic barked a gravelly laugh that filled the space.

"Then it's still open," he countered. "And priority stays with Aurora."

His eyes returned to Ethan.

"Join us, outsider. The Aurora Clan defies Elysium's ruling ancient families. We don't kneel to local lords, nor become their pretty trinkets."

His rumble softened.

"We forge our own power."

He halted.

"And our own destiny."