Rioneed: VRMMORPG

Ibro didn't show any emotions on his face until this man spoke. Ibro then asked coldly:

"You heard of me? that's good, then what is your name?"

The man didn't seem to be offended with Ibro's tone as he replied:

"I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Randor, the head of the Glotary family."

Ibro didn't show any change over his face while he said:

"I'm honored to meet you, Mr. Randor. It's quite something to build this successful family. Did your assistant brief you about my offer?"

Although Ibro's words were respectful, his tone wasn't. He treated this man as a traitor to be sure of his safety. Any misstep would endanger his life, so it was better to be rude than sorry. 

The man, though, didn't seem to be annoyed with Ibro's tone and way of addressing him as he replied:

"Yes, he told me about it. He said this was a rare item that he never saw. May I see it?"

Ibro handed the rune simply to him. there was a connection between himself and this rune, so he could detonate it anytime he wanted if he felt any danger. 

Randor accepted the rune as he paused for a second, his face features showed surprise looks with some fear and doubt. 

These mixed expressions disappeared the next moment it appeared as he cleared his throat while observing the rune. He then commented:

"This item is indeed unique. Tell me, king Ibro, are you the one who made it?"

Ibro nodded his head calmly while he kept his vigilance. Randor asked again while faking his observation to this rune:

"Do you have more of them? It would be nice to sell a patch of this unique item."

Ibro snorted coldly as he replied:

"Sure, I have a ton of it. how much do you want, mate?"

Randor's eyes shone for a second then he looked again, faking his focus over this rune. Ibro knew that he discovered his identity the moment he held that rune in his hands. 

That slight change of his expression wasn't groundless, it was due to his system telling him about this rune nature. Ibro then decided to face this man directly, as he didn't want to waste his time playing silly tricks. 

If this man was his enemy, then he should just kill him right here. If his enemies were lurking in this place then it would be better to eliminate their threat early on. 

If this auction was a trap then it was best to destroy this trap in its cradle. Randor asked again:

"I think I might hear Ashley mention it before, she said that this was something dangerous and risky to deal with. She even compared it with a death trap that people might fall into while they were ignorant about."

This was Ibro's time to be shocked by Randor's words. That system holder was using the Ashley code perfectly. This was the code that Oya had used before and was a legend back in his previous life. 

Ibro's mind froze for a second before it worked again perfectly. He tried to find a link between the two, Oya and this Randor, but he couldn't. 

He restrained himself with difficulty from asking this system holder directly about this matter. What Randor tried to convey to him was simple, as he meant what came after the word ' Ashley'. 

That was the secret behind Ashley's code. Ibro then tried to calm his disturbed heart and trembled mind while replying plainly:

"This Ashley seems to be wise and experienced. Can I meet and discuss some important matters with Ashely or she prefers to remain secretive?"

Ibro tried to convey his message to him, as he asked indirectly about the ability to meet and discuss with Randor about the questions in his mind. Randor replied calmly without a second thought:

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Ashley disappeared from our world a long time ago. She had some secrets and fears, so she preferred to disappear and live in seclusion. You won't be able to speak with her or meet her."

"How unfortunate for me and her, as I believe Ashley and I have something in common," Ibro tried to press moreover this subject, after all he wanted to know how this system holder who worked with fiends knew Ashley's code. Randor replied plainly as if he wasn't interested in this subject:

"That's a shame, as far as I know, there is nothing in common between you and Ashley. Ashley was once unique, but she suffered some hardships which turned her into a useless person. 

Ashley decided to seclude herself away from everything, even if she accepted her enemies' offer. I advise you, king Ibro, not to look for Ashley, as you will only find trouble not answers."

Ibro didn't retreat from his attempts to dig this man's secrets as he asked:

"Then, tell me my friend, how can I know the answers to the questions regarding Ashley? I want to help Ashley and rescue her if possible."

Randor sighed as he said:

"I just told you, king Ibro, that you can't meet or help Ashley. She had escaped and disappeared, and what remained from her right now is just a small thread of her life force. She is like a living dead if you know the term."

Before Ibro could ask anything more, the system said to him:

'This man is about to die, his life force was depleted and I guess I know the reason behind it. he must have fought a huge battle with the demons and that Gorat and he lost. 

Although he managed to harm that Gorat, he lost most of his life force doing this. It's a crazy way to do this, but it seems to be slightly effective against the demons and fiends.'

Ibro didn't understand the system meaning as he asked for further information:

'What is this life force? Can I help him to replenish it?'