IN A DIFFERENT PLACE ENTIRELY…
"Three blue-masked assassins, including the enchantress and you, all failed to kill that little boy?"
Two figures wearing pale blue masks stood with fearful expressions as they listened to the voice coming from the token.
Jarvis bowed her head deeply. "I'm sorry, master. I have failed you…"
"Indeed you have. However, no one would have expected that boy to be holding so many secrets… hah. I'm truly interested in him now. I will send a few more blue assassins, and leading them will be Iron Hand."
"Iron Hand?" The other blue-masked lady, the enchantress, widened her eyes beneath the mask. "That's a purple-masked assassin. Master, are you willing? Your plans…"
It was obvious that the lady was reluctant to see the master go to such lengths.
"Don't worry too much about it. This is needed. That boy needs to die. I have an uneasy feeling concerning him. Be patient and stay where you are. Coming with the group is the tracker, who can find anyone's location."
"In the meantime, I want you both to sneak into the Axarel branch manor and try to steal one of the boy's belongings. When the tracker arrives, he can trace the boy, and he will be dealt with swiftly."
"Even the tracker?" Jarvis drew in a sharp breath, shocked that even the tracker was coming.
A sigh came from the triangular plaque, and then the voice continued speaking.
"That is for the best. For my grand plan, all abnormalities must be eliminated."
"Yes, master!" Jarvis replied.
"Yes, master!" the enchantress echoed.
The glow emanating from the plaque dimmed, causing it to darken.
…
Meanwhile, in another place, on the battlefield, a muscular man had just finished slaying a four-meter-tall bull with a massive steel sword.
Just then, a bird flew over with a letter in its claws.
The man frowned upon seeing the inscribed pattern on the bird. "This is a bird from the Axarel branch manor. What is it doing here on the battlefield?"
He was slightly stunned but reached out to the bird, plucking out the letter hanging from its claws before removing the stamp and proceeding to open it.
Just then, a flawless beauty not far away swiftly approached him, white-silver flames dancing around her as she reached her husband.
"Don? What happened?" she asked curiously, noticing the bird beside him.
Donald let out a breath. "I just saw this message from the family and was about to open it."
"A message from the family? Did something happen back home?" Anna asked, her tone filled with curiosity.
Donald shook his head, then glanced down at the words written in the letter.
After a short while, his eyes widened in shock. "What?"
Noticing the drastic change in his expression, Anna reached out and took the letter from his hand, her face showing clear worry.
After reading through the lines, her face paled instantly. "My son… a monster? This can't be real…" Her voice was shaky, disbelief coating every word.
Donald took a short moment to calm himself. "According to the letter, the Illuminati planned to assassinate him, enchanting everyone and causing our son to fall into a trapped encirclement. Only then did he reveal his beast bloodline…
"They also mentioned him colluding with the Illuminati. You should know that since our son is involved with the Illuminati, the information will reach the heads of the Axarel family, and…"
His voice trailed off as he noticed the tears streaking Anna's face.
"We just left for a few days… what happened? What exactly happened?" Her shoulders trembled in rage and helplessness.
Just then, a burly middle-aged man with a fierce expression and an axe on his shoulder swiftly approached the two.
"Annabelle, Donald. You both have been summoned by Dominic, the head leader…"
Donald's face turned cold and stern, while Anna remained frozen in disbelief.
'I–I won't let anything happen to my precious son, even if it means going against the family!' With that decision, she clenched her fists tightly.
'I can imagine how lonely my boy must feel now. Please hold on for a little while, Modret. Mother will come and save you soon!' Resolving herself internally, Anna finally raised her eyes, which were now filled with determination, toward the burly middle-aged man.
Thankfully, according to the letter, her son had managed to escape. Moreover, he had awakened an SS-rank ability!
The news was too much at once, crashing down all at the same time. It was unknown what the family might do to Modret now—would they see him as a threat? Or perhaps as an ally?
…
Meanwhile, close to the Celestial Gate, after picking up the pulsing green core, Modret felt a strange illusion cloud his vision.
The illusion tempted him to swallow the core. However, the moment it surfaced, he felt a burning itch in his hand, and immediately the illusion dissolved.
He held the green core, a strange feeling stirring in his heart.
"What exactly is this object?" he murmured curiously.
Axel, who was at a distance, approached and stared intently at the object in his hand.
After a short while, he finally spoke up. "I can't tell what it is…"
Modret nodded. "It's alright… with time, we'll gradually figure it out." After making that decision, he tossed it into his pocket, then turned his gaze toward the shimmering blue gate inscribed with all sorts of runes.
"Should we head inside?" He turned to Axel with a playful expression.
"Young master, you are still injured. Besides, that is too dangerous… and your other helper is almost as strong as us. I don't think it will make a difference if he goes inside in our place."
Modret's eyes lit with realization. Axel was right—Xara could explore the gate in their place.
With a smirk, he turned toward the snow-enthralled distance, where a figure gradually approached with two small creatures in hand.
Strings connected to his body tossed him forward before springing out and dragging him ahead again, causing him to move swiftly through the ice-filled expanse.
Just then, Modret's expression froze as the gate rippled once more—another figure with similar proportions stepped through the gate.
"This…" he muttered, slightly stunned.
...
Author's Note: Apologies for the long break! I'm finally back to continue the novel. With enough support, the goal is to reach 1,000 chapters! Please support me with golden tickets, power stones, and—most importantly—your gifts. Thank you all!