*Kaboom*

A loud sound echoed throughout the forest. But the force of the impact behind that explosion didn't affect the surroundings, the reason behind that was Shin using his Gravity control. With his ability, he managed to concentrate the destruction on their enemies.

Inaka was stupefied. What insane power. She believed that she was one of the strongest people after the awakening. She had leveled up and became a high ranker. But so what? her power was nothing compared to theirs.

After witnessing Shin and Alice's display of strength, she understood what true power was. Also, there's always someone stronger or better than you. Now she became even more determined to make them join the Shidou clan.

'If they can come on over our side. No one can stop us.' Inaka smiled thinking about the future where she will be the leader of their clan. With Shin and Alice, it was possible for her. But she had to win them over first.

With the death of their teammate's rest of the members of Steven's team got disheartened. They didn't have the will to continue. A single attack from Alice was enough to break their spirits. Although they gave up fighting, Shin wouldn't leave them. That would be stupid.

He controlled his knives with his ability and stabbed those dispirited mages with his knives. They were not strong enough to defend themselves. The knives easily puckered holes through their bodies making them lifeless. That was the end of them.

[You have killed 8 Awakeneds.]

[You have leveled up.]

[ +10 Bonus stats for leveling up.]

[Plunder activated]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Fire Ball(E)'.]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Pine Shot(F)'.]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Bullet bomb(D)'.]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Mana ball(D)'.]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Keen Arrow(E)'.]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Acid attack(D)'.]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Electro bolt(C)'.]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Water Shot(E)'.]

[You have absorbed a new ability 'Mind Control(B)'.]

[You have absorbed 12 Stat points.]

[You have plundered 8 'Memory cubes'.]

Shin's mouth was wide open in shock after receiving this good of a haul.

'...is this real?'

He rubbed his eyes to check again. Now he was sure that he wasn't seeing anything wrong.

He got 1 F rank, 3 E rank, 3 D rank, 1 C rank, and 1 B rank ability.

How awesome was that?historical

C rank was Electro bolt a lightning attribute ability. He was more than glad to have that, But that was not all. He got a B rank and that too a Mind control ability.

This made him almost jump in excitement. Although he didn't do that he was indeed excited. He wanted to try those skills out as fast as he can. But he had to control himself, He still hadn't learned them yet.

But he was curious about these memory cubes. He also got one from Jake but he was in a hurry to think about that. 'I need to check on that later.'

This made him calm down. He took a deep breath and turned to Alice, who had already turned back to her normal self.

Alice walked toward Shin but when she looked at him she noticed Shin turned his head and was looking in another direction.

She frowned thinking 'what could have made Shin interested enough to turn his eyes away from me.'

As she turned in the direction Shin was looking. She noticed a plumpy woman coming over in their direction while she was jiggling something and swaying her waist while running.

It was Inaka. She was running over in Shin and Alice's direction in excitement. Although Sophia was following her she didn't forget her manners and acted with grace.

Alice's mood worsened.

'This bitch. Is she trying to seduce my Shin with her excess body fats? What a dirty trick. Let's see what you want.'

She scoffed as she noticed Sophia behind Inaka. 'At least the other bitch has some manners.'

"What are you doing here?" Shin asked. He wanted to know the reason why she followed him. She even came to observe the fight.

Inaka didn't beat around the bush.

"I want to recruit you two to my family. I'll give you both a lot of benefits. Ways to get stronger which we have. Resources that will be a lot helpful to you two. Invaluable information. All the benefits you receive with a good salary too."

'This bitch is trying to take my Shin. Like I would let that happen. I should kill her.' Alice was about to make a move but then she thought of something and stopped.

'Shin hadn't replied yet. I should wait for his answer.' Alice then stopped thinking about killing. Her eyes which were about to turn red returned to normal.

Sophia's eyes widened in shock as he mouth was agape. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined for Inaka to make this bold of an offer. It was too good to be true.

One should know the benefits of the Shidou clan are by no means small. If Inaka is making such an offer. Even the elders of the family may get jealous and complain but it doesn't matter for her as long as she can get Shin and Alice. It was worth it. With this good of an offer, Inaka was sure no one would be stupid enough to reject it.

Hell, she had already planned the arrangements for Shin and Alice.

"I'm sorry. I can't join you." Shin said while shaking his head. Although it was a good offer, not for Shin. He doesn't need all that. It's not only about his ability. Which needs to be kept a secret. It's also related to his family. So even if he wanted to he can't do that. He isn't strong enough to face them. He joining the Shidou clan will be considered a betrayal. He wasn't ready for that.

Inaka was dumbstruck by Shin's rejection. This wasn't what she was expecting. What about her dream of becoming the family head? What about the Shidou clan becoming the strongest power?

Inaka was still in shock but she still turned to Alice as she asked.

"What about you? It's a great chance to turn your life around. You can get anything you want."

Alice was really angry at this woman. But she didn't show it and with Shin's rejection and seeing this girl's shocked face, she was laughing inwardly.

'Fufufu~ she got what she deserves. Who does she think she is trying to seduce my darling swaying those fat masses.'

'Oh, you want for me to join too. So she also wanted me. I see. Too bad it's won't work.' Alice scoffed at her inwardly.

'You want my answer? I'll tell you honestly.'

"I won't join too. My life is with Shin and he is the only one I want. So I'll follow him." Alice said the whole truth with confidence.

But in the heat of the moment, she didn't think of Shin, who was just beside her listening to her proud confession with an embarrassed face.

He didn't expect that. This was too sudden for him. Although he may seem like he doesn't care. When you hear something like that from a beautiful girl's mouth, who wouldn't be embarrassed?

And the girl who said all that was the same girl he had been thinking about these days. While trying to figure out his feelings.

Although Shin was red in embarrassment Alice didn't notice it. She also didn't find anything wrong with her words. She continued saying in a proud voice.

"So I suggest you should give up and don't come between us," Alice said as she grabbed Shin's arm with her own around it.

"I have seen a lot of characters like you in the romantic stories I read. Always come and ruin the good mood." Alice muttered softly as she scowled at Inaka under her breath.

Everyone heard that and thought. 'Maybe there was some misunderstanding here.'

Shin wasn't saying anything as he was embarrassed thinking Alice still hadn't noticed that she had already confessed to him. What should he say now?

While Shin was thinking about what to do about that now. Inaka came to her senses and shouted.

"Wait!!"

She came in front of them and asked again.

"Why are you guys rejecting this offer? There should be a reason, right? If you want we can talk about this again. I can give better terms and listen to your needs." Inaka asked with a desperate expression. All her calmness from before faded. This was the first time she was rejected so badly. Even after such good terms were offered.

Sophia almost had a heart attack. 'Better terms? Negotiation?' She had never seen her boss so desperate.

Shin's embarrassment faded away as he thought that Inaka won't leave them without giving her a proper reason and there was no reason to anger her. If she was like that stupid dog who sent men after us because he wanted Alice. He wasn't too sure about fighting such a big family yet. Shin sighed and turned to face her.

"You want to know why I rejected you?" Shin asked.

Inaka nodded her head. Of course, she was curious. There's no reason to reject her offer unless someone was stupid.

Shin wasn't blushing any more. His face was serious.

"Because I am, 'Shin Wolner'," Shin replied.