On a certain afternoon.

At a bar inside the City of Trade, Nerkia City.

The merchant, Zenon entered the bar with a dejected mood. As he opened the door, the bell placed above the door rang, notifying the owner that a customer had arrived. 

"Welcome... Oh, it's mister Zenon. Come in and sit."

"Owner, give me the usual drink."

Zenon says lightly, before he looked for a comfortable position to sit.

The owner of the bar, Ferlbond, nodded and replied.

"Okay, wait for a bit."

Ferlbond's hand swiftly took various bottle of liquids in the cupboard and began to mix them in one cup.

Meanwhile, Zenon sit on the seat near the window, watching the scenery of the busy road of the prosperous Nerkia City. He silently lit a cigarette and took a deep sigh. What he smoked was not the cigarette, but sadness.

"I'm such a fool."

Once again, Zenon took a deep sigh.

♦♦♦

 

Now that he think again carefully, there was no need for him to use Teleportation Gate.

At that time, he did not have any wagons or anything outside his inventory to bring with. A single Town Scroll of Nerkia City should be enough to teleport him along with his inventory. But unfortunately, his mind was in chaos back then and that makes him spend  1.000.000 in vain.

Thankfully, he was swift enough to recover that loss.

After several twists and turns, he somewhat managed to finish his chain quests. The important letter has successfully delivered due on time, and he received  500.000 as his reward. With money in hand, Zenon bought a new wagon with three times better capacity than his previous wagon, as well as two new horses.

Then, he contacted the Adventurer Guild and make a commission to high-leveled Players to retrieve his goods at the canyon where he was previously dead. In fact, the location of the scene was not too far from Nerkia City and can be reached in about two hours.

Zenon and the Players he hired arrived at the scene quite fast. During the way, a lot of spiders attacking, but all of them successfully countered by the Players. Soon, he found the remains of his wagon and salvaged what was left inside. Fortunately, most of it was left untouched, except for the consumables.

A few of the weapons and armors have some damage on them, but it can be easily repaired. Some of the Players he hired even bought a few of his goods on the spot. Zenon also took the advantage of the opportunity to buy the loot from the monsters that those Players killed, especially the hateful spiders with a low price.

Those spiders after all, was high-leveled monsters he wouldn't have the access under normal circumstances. Their venom, Virulent Tarantula Venom was highly potent and Zenon had experienced it beforehand. This venom undoubtedly can fetch a very good price in auction amongst Assassin classes.

♦♦♦

 

The poison, 10 bottles of Virulent Tarantula Venom has been sent to the Auction Hall, and other loots has been submitted to his guild. All that left for him is just waiting. The total profit estimated from them was enough to fill up his previous losses, with some surplus.

However, Zenon was still unable to bring himself to be happy.

"Stephanie..."

But no matter how much profit he gains, it can't bring his beloved horse back.

Stephanie is dead, lost forever.

The new horses he had bought were better breed than Stephanie. Their stats, stamina, and speed exceeds Stephanie in any way. However, compared to Stephanie, they were arrogant and hard to please. There was not a single trace of loveliness in them.

Looking at them only makes Zenon's heart feel empty.

As promised, he had bought the best grass once he arrived at Nerkia City. The best grass raised by best premium fertilizer (cash item). Animals who eat that grass will gain a lot of EXP and granted temporary various stat boosts for a long time. However, the one who should've given that grass was not there. Instead, it was those new horses he bought that eaten it.

'Why it's you who eat that grass? It should've my gift for Stephanie...'

When Zenon saw those horses happily eat the grass, for some reason he had the urge to chop their head off.

The reason why he don't was because those horses were quite expensive to buy. It would be unreasonable to waste them off just because of an impulse. Not to mention, his affinity to horses would've declined if he were to do that.

While Zenon was engrossed in his sadness, Ferlbond finished concocting the drink. 

"Here is your wine. Nature's Bounty."

As he said that, he presented a transparent wine glass filled with glittered three-colored liquid.

Three colored liquids refuse to mix with each other as if they were water and oil.

This beverage made in pousse-café style, was also one of the signature dishes of the Ferlbond's bar. Its refreshing and unique taste was very popular with the residents of Nerkia City, both Players and Natives.

"Thanks."

Zenon took the wine and gulped it down, without even bothering to savoring the taste.

Seeing how Zenon drank it like mineral water, Ferlbond couldn't help but twitch his eyes.

'Hey mister? Can you at least properly savor its taste for a bit?'

This wine was made by Ferlbond with a total of 20 different ingredients, each of which is of the best quality and processed to the best of his ability to achieve taste perfection, using the skills of his Chef and Brewer subclasses.

It could be said that Ferlbond was very proud of his creation. But now, he felt like giving the best wine to a pig.

Ferlbond resisted the urge to show his displeasure, especially after he saw the merchant's sad expression.

'Ah, it's one of those things again, huh?'

Zenon's eyes are the eyes of someone who lost their beloved. Ferlbond had seen a lot of those eyes.

His bar is located in Nerkia City. This city is not just an ordinary city, but a trading city, and is also a trading center between the four great nations. 

1. 1. Rosenweil Kingdom from the West;
   2. Camuria Republic from the South;
   3. Croissa Kingdom of Beastkin from the East;
   4. and Gemmerio Empire from the North.

Ferlbond's bar has received many visitors of various races and Jobclass from those different nations. From a loli Human to a bewitching Elf, from a fluffy Beastkin to a full armored Draconid.

His eyes had been used to see various situation regarding his customers. Zenon was just one of those situation.

With an understanding look, Ferlbond took something from the drawer, an antique music player artifact. Using it, he played a melancholy music with a low voice, just enough to be heard by Zenon. He didn't make the voice louder, since there are other customer in the bar.

"Young lad. Although I didn't know what carnage you have experienced, but you have to be strong."

The serene atmosphere of the music unexpectedly blended well with the chatter noise in the bar.

"Thank you, owner. I'm fine now. Ah, can you give me another glass?"

"As you wish."

Ferlbond concocted another glass of Nature's Bounty and presented it to Zenon.

Zenon took another gulp and says his thanks. His expression looked better. Although he still feel sad about the loss of Stephanie, but now he can let her go and move on. And the loss of  1.000.000, he decided not to think about it again.

He then sweep his hand through the air and browsed the forum.

Zenon let out a smile. His sadness and depression instantly gone after reading the topic messages. At least there are others who suffered a disaster greater than himself.

Black Phantom... The God of Destruction, The Walking Calamity.

An unknown Player shrouded in mystery. Many alias has been given to him(?), but nobody knows his true identity. The only thing people knows about him is that he is undoubtedly a Player of the spellcaster class.

"Genesis is one of the top 10 guild in the Japan Server. To think they were powerless against Black Phantom..."

As one of the top 10 guilds, Genesis Guild has a massive power. It is said their guild leader, Leon had became a high-ranked member of the Light Church, and even receive a nobility title from the Rosenweil Kingdom.

Not only that, they have thousand of members and dozen of 3rd-tier jobclass players, with seven crazy strong players on the top. They are called the Seven Stars, and their name has been resounded through the Rodinia continent. Even if people didn't know their face, at least they know the names.

Due to this influence, they can act unscrupulously like a tyrant in the Southern region of Rosenweil Kingdom.

And such a guild is still defeated senseless.

"How much a monster is this Black Phantom?"

Zenon's hand browsed another topic.

Another of Black Phantom's victim. But unlike before, he did not feel any slightest condolence.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen."

Zenon can only shakes his head.

He remembered the time where he had a transaction with this guild, especially the leader. Their leader has the will of iron (stubborn) and the mind of a fox (slick). He craftily threatened Zenon and haggled the price too much, causing him on the brink of red.

Zenon had no choice except to bite the bullet, because at that time Stellar Wing Guild was capable of invalidating his Trade Permit.

Now, he can be thankful to his decision back then to migrate into Rosenweil Kingdom. At least, Genesis Guild's rule can still be considered good and fair. The security is good and no player dared to do PK in their territory.

'Krome Pass is located at Gemmerio Empire territory. In the future, I should refrain from visiting that place.'

With that note in mind, Zenon took another sip of the wine. He felt very refreshed. Now that he cleared his mind, he had the room to appreciate the taste of the drink.

"This wine's taste seems more delicious than what I remembered."

The other's misfortune tastes like a sweet nectar!

Looking at Zenon who seemingly released from his burden, Ferlbond couldn't help but let out a smile.