The sky darkened for a moment and the blinding light from the sun disappeared.
Frederic looked outside of the window and at the canopy, his mouth half open.
“When it rain, it fucking pours.”
Although it was still far away, an ominous crimson light akin to a falling meteor was approaching the Sunken Metropolis.
“You two will stop it. The rest will help me.”
Alexia wasted no time and started ordering them around. Even Edward and Katrina obeyed her without objecting.
Edward Orland and Frederic Whitefort hurried to the roof of the hotel whereas Celestia, Katrina, and the Talking Sin moved Zeke’s body to the bed.
“I need him awake.” Solemnly said ‘Alexia’ as she signaled the two women to do something. While Katrina stood there, not knowing what to do, Celestia walked to the unconscious Zeke and viciously slapped his face multiple times.
She even grabbed his collar and shook his body back and forth. Fortunately, her attempts worked and Zeke’s eyes fluttered before opening.
“Ugh…”
He groaned and looked around, still processing what was happening. Seeing Celestia, he was momentarily shocked but he quickly remembered what had occurred.
“There’s no time to think.”
Using John’s body, ‘Alexia’ put both of her hands on top of the Death Rune and started releasing a swirling gust of black-colored energy.
“Absorb everything and do not resist.”
Zeke gulped down some saliva and nodded his head, looking a bit frantic. He didn’t know what was happening, but the red light shining across the whole city was a clear indication that it was yet another tribulation.
“I, Alexia Mary Ba’al, swear to not harm my Zeke Orland. Do you agree to be my host?”
“...”
“Don’t just nod. I need a verbal agreement. Do you agree?”
“Y-yes!”
Right after he said that, Zeke felt an influx of an unfamiliar and overwhelming energy invade his body from the Death Rune. For a couple of breaths, he couldn’t breathe as a massive burden spread across every corner of his body.
Although it disappeared quickly, he was left sweating profusely.
“Now, do exactly as I say. Direct whatever Aether you have left to your heart. You need to burst it.”
“What?”
“Stop mumbling and do it!”
Zeke closed his eyes and, with difficulty due to the exhaustion and over-exertion he had done earlier, channelled his Aether and, like an unstoppable wave, it crashed into his rapidly-beating heart.
He felt a sharp and intense pain in his chest as his weakened heart couldn’t stand the pressure. However, ‘Alexia’ intervened and enveloped the heart with the black-colored energy from before.
Zeke let out a pain cry before falling down.
“Hey!”
Celestia softly shook him but he didn’t wake up. Still, she could feel that his condition had significantly improved. The only frightening sight was his left arm, which was still a mess of blackened skin and scorched bones. It was a miracle that he could use.
On the Roof
“You’ll protect this place and I’ll take care of the meteor.”
In response, Edward let his actions speak. Large waves of water poured down from his open hands and cascaded below, enveloping the whole street in a huge bubble.
Still not satisfied, Edward conjured a large shark made of translucent water and sent it at the bright and flaming meteor closing in.
Simultaneously, Frederic removed his bracelet, which caused an invisible and dangerous pressure to emanate from his body.
He took a deep breath before looking upwards and clenching his fist. He performed a punch toward the ‘tribulation’, but the moment he extended his arm, the space shattered like glass and the meteor disintegrated into innumerable tiny pieces.
The shark sent by Edward flew in the air, swiftly swallowing the debris and disappearing thereafter.
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“That tired me out.”
Frederic held his chest and gasped for breath. Although what he had done looked simple, he still got rid of the massive meteor with one strike.
It was a clean sweep that left that resulted in no collateral damage.
“Go check on your brother. I need to rest.”
Frederic sat on the ground and e put back the bracelet. As for Edward, he silently gazed at the vagabond before hastily rushing to the room.
…
A bit later
“The longer you stay here, the worse it will be for me. I’m here only as a witness.” Commented Frederic as he shooed all the guests.
“Zeke is gonna be alright. I’d even say he benefited greatly. And you…”
Surprisingly, he directed his gaze to John, who was dejected after losing the Talking Sin.
“Take this. It’ll help you a lot.”
He threw an old pocket watch to the youth, who instinctively caught it.
“This is?”
“It’s called the Voice of God. It’s a 4th-grade Artifact.”
“What?! That’s the Voice of God?” Edward stared at the watch in stupefaction.
“Stop shouting in my ears and get out. All of you.”
The irritated Edward glared at Frederic before leaving along with Katrina.
“S-sir… but why?”
“You helped Zeke this time. Aren’t you also a student of Erys? With this, you wouldn't notice ‘her’ absence. Furthermore, I wouldn’t want you to hold a grudge against Zeke.”
“You really do value him, huh.” Commented Celestia as she inquisitively stared at the eccentric man. He went as far as handing out a priceless 4th-grade Artifact to John just to avoid any possible trouble? Even if he was generous, it still seemed strange to her.
Very soon, everyone but Frederic left. Zeke was sound asleep but otherwise healthier than ever.
Time passed and by Sunday morning, Zeke woke up from his slumber. He had been resting for close to a day and when he woke up, Frederic was scribbling on his notebook while enjoying the cool night breeze.
“Welcome back.” He said while chuckling. “How do you feel?”
Zeke stretched his limbs and checked himself but found no peculiarity.
“Quite good, actually.”
[User: Zeke Orland]
[Race: Human]
[Level 10 (12/190 EXP)]
[Strength: 153]
[Agility: 139]
[Aether: 144]
[Fortitude: 34]
[Paths: Martial Arts (1/12) inactive | Voltage Body(1/44) | Groundbreaker (1/32) inactive- Sreyzhan Rune (1/9) | Inexhaustible (10/10) | Pain-junkie (1/9) - Death-Walker(1/100)- Shooter (1/15)]
[Skills: Fists of Fury(Proficiency 100%) - Aether Control(Proficiency 100%) - Voltage Zap(Proficiency 100%) - Spark (Proficiency 60%) - One-star Side-kick(Proficiency 100%) - Life Motus(Proficiency 100%) - Voltage Arrow (Proficiency 100%)- Rune of Death(85%) - Sreyzhanian Arts(40%) - Drain Aether(0%) - Overdrive(30%) - Surge of Pain (100%) - Body Damage(60%) - Self-Injection(20%)- At Death’s Door(5%) - Firearm Proficiency (29%) - Sharp Sight (20%)]
[Survival Skills: ‘Voltage Rune’ - Voltage Conduit(Proficiency 100%) - Fatigue Abstinence (100%) - Call of Honor(10%) - Ancient Elven Tongue (10%) - Cycle of Life and Death - Call of Loyalty(0%) - The Reaper(33%) - The Talking Sin (???)]
[Available PE: 109]
[Available Skill Points: 1]
[Available Paths of Extinction:
Pyromancer Path (5 PE)
Hydromancer Path (6 PE)
Electromancer Path (10 PE)
Fighter Sub-Path (2 PE)
Pugilist Sub-Path (4 PE)
Blood Heart Path (20PE)
Aeromancer Path (8 PE)
Cryomancer Path (10 PE)
Besides getting the two new paths ‘Aeromancer’ and ‘Cryomancer’, Zeke had the mysterious ‘Talking Sin’ skill, which lacked any explanation. Still, he was aware that ‘Alexia’ had replaced his heart and managed to save him from a possibly fatal backlash.
In addition, his stats had increased by a significant amount, which elevated his dampened mood.
“If you’re well enough to sit up, you’re well enough to talk.”
Frederic motioned to the seat in front of him while taking out a burger for his guest to eat. Zeke didn’t say anything, he first filled his empty stomach and listened to the vagabond recount the events of yesterday.
Special Agents had come to question all the residents of the hotel about the conspicuous and blinding meteor that appeared out of nowhere. Fortunately, Frederic wasn’t implicated in their thorough investigation and was left to his devices.
“And that sums it up. You turned out to be quite the handful.”
“Thank you for your help. Although, to be honest, that happened because I followed what you said.”
“You… can’t you just be grateful?”
Seeing the youth give him a strange look, Frederic scratched his head and crossed his arms sulkingly.
“Okay okay! It was a slight mishap on my part. I still don’t know why the backlash was so intense, but you survived. However, you have to be ten times more careful since you killed the Ambassador. No doubt will all three Departments be looking for the perpetrator. In fact, leaving for the Empire would be the wisest choice.”
“I can’t just run away anytime something happens.”
“You do realise you’re not immortal, right? Yes, you can grow stronger extremely quickly, but that isn’t enough. There are some real powerful people out there. The Nezulian Republic, especially, doesn’t lack manpower. While the Empire focuses on the Blessings of the Divinities and their knights, and the Witch Association focuses on their talented witches, this nation has technology and an absurd amount of Special Agents. It’s literally the worst place to be right now.”
“...”
Zeke sighed but didn’t argue back. He had nothing convincing to say back, and regretting his actions wouldn’t change anything. Even if the Ambassador was a kind soul, Zeke had to kill him to survive. That was all.
The guilt and self-doubt will wash away with time, or so Zeke forced himself to believe.
“I’m here as your associate. I am ready to step in and help when things get rough, but I only do that when I’m certain of my survival. If things get really messy… I’m out. After all, I have as many enemies as you do, if not more.”
“I understand. Now, can you tell me about the Paths of Extinction System? I want to know more.”
Upon hearing this, Frederic Whitefort smiled and nodded his head. After isolating the room using an artifact, which he should have done earlier, he cleared his throat and began.