I Reject Quests

4th Grade Training Ground.

'Just a bit more. A bit more…' Rewen gritted his teeth to make the most out of the time. 

The bell rang.

Rewen was forced to stop as he couldn't feel the natural energy from the surroundings anymore.

---

MP: 78

---

'The 2% increase in mana resonance is a significant increase.'

As he was exiting the training ground, he met with Zaplin and Vin.

"How was the welcoming party?" Rewen asked curiously. He didn't get the chance to go to the party as he was busy.

"It was better than expected." Zaplin replied. "The sophomores seemed good."

"Did you seriously expect the sophomores to bully us? Come on, they aren't that dumb."

"By the way, have you heard of [Mana Manipulation]?"

"I have no idea." Zaplin shook his head.

"My brother has mentioned it to me a couple of times. I remember it was related to sequences or something."

Rewen was in a dilemma. When he tried to see the details of [Mana Manipulation], he couldn't. That means, he had to find out the details on his own. While pondering about the matter, he saw Svety standing in front of his classroom as usual.

*** 

Central Canteen.

"I'll be going to Area 51 today." Rewen calmly said. 

"Why today? You can go tomorrow." Svety's heart was not calm. 

"I have my reasons."

"What reasons?"

"You'll find out."

"I will go with you."

"You want them to hold you captive and threaten me with your life?"

"They can't kill me."

"How can you be so sure? X might not expect his subordinates to go crazy and kill you."

"I won't get killed. If anything, I can help you if I threaten to kill myself in front of them."

"It's a gamble but since you insist, fine. With that out of the way, have you heard of [Mana Manipulation]?"

"Hold on." Svety took out her smartphone. After a few seconds, she replied. "It's an advanced skill and is used to complete a long sequence within seconds."

Rewen felt a little dumbwhen he realized that the details of [Mana Manipulation] was available online. "How does it work?"

***

Area 51.

Jon Tribe.

"Is something the matter?" The 'En' of the Jon Tribe stepped forward to greet familiar guests.

Svety looked at her right where Rewen was standing. 'What is he going to do? What has the Blood Squad got to do with Jon Tribe?'

"Where are the cannibals?" Rewen didn't mince any words.

"What cannibals?" The 'En' of Jon Tribe looked confused.

"Cannibals? Wasn't that practise abolished by our ancestors long ago?"

"Yes, but what if cannibals from outside came?"

"That's… horrifying."

Few people behind the 'En' also looked confused.

"Is your Tribe really important to you?" Rewen asked in a calm tone.

"It is important!" The 'En' of Jon Tribe answered without any hesitation.

"I don't think so."

"What do you mean?"

"If the Tribe was really as important as you claim to be, then you would have answered my question truthfully." He paused. "Sigh, I didn't want to do this."

A clamor instantly rose from the Tribe.

"Who do you think you are to threaten our Tribe!? Previously, we treated you with the utmost hospitality and this is how you respond?" The son of the 'En' was furious about his declaration.

"Leader! Please give us permission to drive them away!"

"Yes, Leader. We can't kill outsiders but it doesn't mean we can't drive them away."

"Filthy outsiders! Go back to your land!"

"Filthy outsiders! Go back to your land!"

"Filthy outsiders! Go back to your land!"

It has to be said that tribal people are very united and defensive about themselves unlike normal people. If Rewen said what he said to a normal group, he would be met with passive aggressiveness, not outright insults. 

"Rewen, is this right?" Even Svety was shocked. 'Has he gone mad? To directly threaten the entire tribe with annihilation? I'm not doubting that he is doing this without any reasons but this is too much. If word gets outside, he would have to explain himself in the court.'

"It's alright." Rewen gave a reassuring smile.

Svety wanted to say something but eventually decided to stay quiet. 'I'll see what he does.'

The 'En' of Jon Tribe had no expression on his face. Hearing all the commotion, he raised a hand. 

The Tribe got quiet.

This is the power and prestige of the 'En'. 

"Respectful guest, I am caught between two rocks. I can only beg of you not pressurize me like this." In front of everyone's shocked eyes, the 'En' of the Jon Tribe bowed his head.

"Father, how could you do this!?" The son of the 'En' was frightened. As an 'En', bowing to someone is a taboo.

"Old Man, raise your head!" A child shouted.

The other members of the Tribe looked dismayed and lost. They didn't have the strength to speak a word. They might not have seen the outside world but they aren't stupid. They understood the meaning of his statement. The respect they held for the 'En' was slowly washing away. 

"Does he really know where the cannibals are?"

"He probably does…"

"How can you both talk like that!? He is the 'En'. The King of our Tribe! Do you seriously believe the words of an outsider?" A bald-headed young man raged against his tribemates. He was the nephew of the En.

"It's not that we are believing the words of the outsider but the 'En' himself admitted…"

"From which ear did you hear that the 'En' admitted? He is only being polite."

"There's a difference between being polite and directly bowing his head to some outsider!"

"All of you, shut up!" The son of the 'En' couldn't continue listening to it. This was the worst time they can have an inner dispute. "Believe in En!"

"I don't want your bow, old man. I just want to know the location of the cannibals. If you tell me where they are, I'll leave the tribe without leaving a scratch on your tribe." Rewen wasn't intimidated by the tribe. His voice and tone was the same as earlier.

The 'En' of Jon Tribe raised his head. His face was difficult to read. "Are you going to do anything if I don't give you what you asked for?"

"I would."

The tribe members got enraged. They were about to raise their voice when the 'En' raised his hand again. "No need to say anything more. They are our respected guests. Both of you, come with me. Let's talk inside."

"Fine." Rewen nodded, then followed the 'En' to a room along with Svety.

Seeing their backs, various members of the tribe had various thoughts.

"Our entire tribe was threatened and he just let them inside?"

"The matter is not simple as it sounds. The 'En' has quite possibly hidden the existence of cannibals. Do you think that it is a matter that can be solved just like that? In fact, we should be glad that they didn't bring authoritative figures in." A rational middle-aged answered.

"But why would 'En' hide the existence of cannibals?"

"Isn't it because they are cannibals? Now that I think about it, the matter regarding the Kun Tribe is too weird."

"Don't tell me… the Kun Tribe was annihilated by the cannibals?"

"Not only that, the Jun Tribe may quite possibly be…"

"Why do you say that?"

"Use your head. The 'En' of Jun along with some members visited the Kun Tribe but they didn't return. What does it mean?"

People aren't stupid. When a little information is given, everything could be figured out.

***

In a moderately large room.

Rewen and Svety were sitting opposite to the 'En' of Jon Tribe. Between them was a small table upon which three cups filled with black tea was placed.

Svety held the cup and was about to take a sip when Rewen grabbed her hand. She understood his meaning and placed the cup down.

The 'En' of Jon's eyes twitched as he immediately exchanged her cup with his own and took a sip.

Svety was relieved to see this and held the exchanged cup to take a sip when Rewen grabbed her hand again. "What now?"

Rewen took the cup from her hand and signalled a child who was hiding by the door to come in.

"I-I…" Getting caught, he had a fearful expression.

Rewen gave a smile. "Drink this. It's good."

The child nervously got hold of the cup and took a sip. 

After a while, Rewen waved his hands indicating the child to leave the room.

The 'En' of Jon watched the entire thing in silence.

"I'm surprised." Rewen exclaimed.

"No, I'm surprised. To think a man like you is terrified of poison."

Rewen shrugged. "Do I look dumb? Anyways, get to the point. I don't have all day."

"What do you want to know?"

"I want to know the location of the cannibals. As if you didn't know that already."

"You must first answer some of my questions if you want to know that."