Talent Swallowing Hero

In front of the City Hall, Golden Hawk City,

The open ground in front of the City Hall was filled with groups of humans, monsters and beasts.

However, no one tried to fight with one another as they were quietly waiting for the orders from their master.

“Let’s start the introductions.”

Looking at the crowd in front of the City Hall, Leo revealed a satisfied look as he pointed at one of the groups.

“I am Dominic, captain of the Golden Gaints mercenary squad and these 32 heroes behind me are my squad members.”

The introductions started with Dominic briefly introducing himself and his squad to the others.

“I am Flectcher, captain of the Silent Beasts squad and I have 33 heroes in my squad.”

“Daniel, leader of the Ethereal Blades. I am in charge of 32 heroes.”

The three young but powerful mercenary squads completed their introductions with a calm look on their faces.

“All the members of these three squads are rank 7 heroes and could even work together to kill rank 9 beings.”

“More importantly, they were once in the same situation as you are currently in and they didn’t give up hope no matter how difficult things became and eventually became advanced heroes.”

“Also, they have been following me for the last five years and went through countless trials and tribulations with me.”

“So, just because they were mercenaries, you don’t have to look down on them.”_.

After three squads under him finished their introductions to his citizens, Leo helped them understand how strong and important they were to him.

Since everyone in this world looks down on mercenaries, Leo didn’t want his citizens to do the same because Dominic and others were special to him, and he didn’t want anyone looking down on them.

‘What? They have been in the same situation as us?’

‘They have been following the city leader for five years and they have already become the advanced heroes. I wonder whether he can also achieve that feat.’

‘I don’t know about you, but I am not going to disappoint the city leader and work as hard as possible.’

The 112 citizens became more and more determined with each word Leo said and looked at Dominic and others with great respect.

“They will be guiding you until you become the advanced heroes. If you caught their eye with your talents, you will be recruited into their mercenary squads.”

Leo saw that his new followers were excited and ended his speech before saying, “So, work hard.”

“We will definitely work hard, City Leader.”

“Yes, City Leader.”

The 112 citizens roared in unison with great excitement.

“Good.”

Leo nodded and said, “Since you met my human followers, it is time for you to know about my monster followers and beasts.”

While saying that, Leo looked at the monster and beast groups standing along with the three mercenary squads.

“Kret, the leader of the Glacial Imps.”

Glacial Imps are humanoid monsters with devil wings and tails that like to fool around; however, when they were in front of Leo, they were obedient.

They have thick white-coloured fur, and they excel in using ice-type skills.

“Tasha, the leader of the Sun Nagas.”

Sun Nagas use the energy from the sun to increase their ranks, which could be considered cultivation; however, these Sun Nagas don’t have a cultivation technique.

Their bodies automatically absorb the sun’s energy on their own. All they needed to do was bask in the sunlight.

“Rok, the leader of the Fury Golems.”

The third monster/ beast leader was a humanoid rock and behind him stood 100 red-coloured rock men, waiting for orders from their leader.

They don’t have much attack power; however, their defense was excellent.

Soon, the three monster/beast leaders finished their introductions to the citizens.

At first, they were a little fearful; however, seeing how they acted respectfully in front of Leo, the citizens’ fear disappeared.

Moreover, Leo had already informed them that he had other monsters and beasts under his control that would become a part of this city.

Hence, they were mentally prepared for it and looked at the second shadow vampire standing behind Leo.

All the monsters, beasts and mercenaries, including the shadow vampire that toyed with scared them earlier, were standing in the open ground along with them; however, the second shadow vampire was standing behind Leo as he looked at them.

“You must be curious about him.”

Soon, Leo pointed at the shadow vampire standing behind him and introduced himself, “He is Victor, the Shadow Vampire King. When I am not around, he will be in incharge of this city.”

‘What?’

The 112 citizens were shocked at Leo’s words and looked at Victor, who had a cold face from beginning to end.

“Yes, Master.”

On the other hand, Leo’s old followers like Dominic and others didn’t have any problem because they knew how capable Victor was in leading their last tribe.

“Victor, you are no longer taking care of an old tribe; instead, you will be taking care of a special city. I have high hopes for you.”

Leo turned around and said, “I don’t care what method you use, I want these 112 young men to become the advanced heroes in a month.”

“One month?”

Victor frowned and was about to say something.

“By the way, all the citizens of this city will receive double experience points for the next one month. Dominic, Fletcher and Daniel, you need to use this opportunity to make your squads powerful. We don’t have much time.”

There were only five months left for the upcoming world assessment. So, Leo urged Dominic and others to start farming for experience points in the wilderness.

“Double experience points? Excellent. Don’t worry, Boss.”

Dominic and others assured Leo.

“Vitcor, take care of them.”

After finishing his words, Leo entered the city hall as he had a few more things to do inside the city hall.

“Dominic, gather your squad here.”

Outside the city hall, Victor started giving orders to everyone.

‘Sigh…brother has also reached peak rank 9 by staying in the wilderness. I can’t brag in front of him anymore.’

Vladimir didn’t dare to stay in front of his brother as he jumped into a shadow and silently hid in Leo’s shadow.

….

Inside the City Hall,

“City Leader, it looks like you will turn the floating city into a war city.”

The elf fairy flew around Leo and commented after seeing Leo’s army.

“I just want a powerful city and all its citizens to become supreme-ranked heroes. So, when there is an invasion or worldly assessment, my city should be able to protect itself.”

Leo wanted a safe place for his family and followers, and a powerful floating city was not a bad place.

Therefore, Leo empathized with creating a powerful city that could stop the upcoming world assessment on its own without relying on the other cities for help.

“I wonder if we fail the world assessment but survive, can I take this city with me to the other world?”

Leo was curious because he was more attached to this new floating city than the world he had lived in for the last 20-plus years.

[Detected the monsters and beasts in the city. Do you want to accept them as citizens?]

Just as he reached the city pillar, Leo saw a row of words appear on it, making Leo pleasantly surprised.

‘Yes’

[Congratuations to the city leader for accepting the monsters and beasts as your citizens. You will be rewarded with two new buildings.]

****

Next Bonus Chapter’s target:

1) An Inspiration Capsule, (or)

2) 500 Golden Tickets (445 / 500).