For the first time, a trace of Isaac’s force seeped out, and Asher felt as if the weight of the world had fallen on his shoulders. Almost instantly, web-like cracks started spreading almost everywhere in the room, radiating from Isaac’s feet!
“Isaac!”
Lord Winter’s furious bellow shattered the tension and the overwhelming force vanished. In an instant, Isaac seemed no more than an ordinary recruit in his early twenties.
In terms of looks, Asher looked older than Isaac and truth be told he had thought that Isaac was Lord Winter’s relative.
But after witnessing that raw display of power, his perception began to shift.
“You must be wondering why we need troops if we have such a powerful knight by our side,” Lord Winter said, a faint chuckle escaping his lips.
Clearing his throat, he continued, “Isaac might be able to eliminate imperial and ancient knights, but there are powerhouses out there who are capable of eliminating him the moment they discover his existence. He’s our last resort.”
‘He can slay ancient knights!’
Asher’s eyes shook, disbelief etched on his face. He was sitting in the same room as someone who was close to the level of the Awoken Ones.
Could this mean that Isaac was a knight at the Exalted rank? Or was it perhaps just a step away?
Whatever rank he might have, one thing was certain—Isaac could kill Black Rose with a single punch!
Isaac, seemingly indifferent to Asher’s thoughts, sat down and turned his head away.
“If you’ve come without a soldier,” Lord Winter asked, “what do you hope to offer us?”
“Myself,” Asher replied confidently. “For now, I am all that’s available, but when the time comes, I shall call for my men.”
Lord Winter stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Alright.”
After a brief exchange, Lord Winter dismissed everyone except Isaac.
“What is it, my lord?” Isaac asked his tone cautious.
Lord Winter’s eyes flickered with intensity as he recalled Asher. “It’s him.”
“W… what?” Isaac stammered.
“He’s the one in the vision. That boy is the bearer of the Kryos talent.”
(A/N: Kryos is greek for frost.)
“What!” Isaac’s eyes widened to their limits. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but he knew that Lord Winter would never joke about something so grave.
“You mean that boy possessed a Sixth Star Zenith talent!” Isaac asked, pointing at the door.
“I don’t know for certain yet,” Lord Winter admitted, “but he is supposed to possess it.”
While they discussed in hushed tones, Asher was led to his quarters in the castle. The moment he walked in, a notification popped up.
[New Quest: Defeat the convoy of Rat beastmen heading for Winter Stronghold and not die in the process. Duration 3 hrs. (0/1)]
[Reward: Awaken a random talent.]
A map materialized in his vision, highlighting a red dot slowly inching towards his location.
Asher clenched his fists. More than anything, all he needed was a way to enter the spirit world and search for Sirius.
And maybe—just maybe—awakening a second talent would help.
His first talent had allowed him to connect with his ancestors, who were able to guide him and lend him their strength. While it was invaluable, it didn’t directly grant him powers like other talents.
However, it was powerful because he could channel the talents of his predecessors—a potent but indirect gift.
But… there was hope. A second talent could change everything.
Without even hesitating for a moment, Asher spun on his heel and left the room. His strides were long, covering as much distance as he could with each step.
Servants and soldiers were puzzled at the newcomer’s attitude, but Asher didn’t pay them any heed.
The clock was ticking!
Finally, Asher walked out of the castle, his ears catching the rhythmic clanking of a blacksmith at work. By the beam of the forge stood Moses, leaning casually but alert.
“Where are our horses?” Asher asked.
Moses turned his head to the left. Asher followed his gaze and spotted Bezerk and Stark, their mounts.
Without a word from Asher, Moses mounted Stark, following close behind. Though confused by Asher’s urgency, he had to make sure his lord wasn’t left unguarded.
“Where is he going?” Isaac murmured as he watched from the castle.
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“I have no idea,” Lord Winter replied with a shrug. “But he’s a lord—you can’t order him what to do.”
Isaac’s jaws tightened. “He clearly said he didn’t come here as a lord. Going out this late could mean his death!”
Lord Winter chuckled weakly. “If he is truly chosen by I Am to be the next bearer of Kryos ‘The Snow Wolf,’ he won’t die. But if he isn’t…” Winter sighed, his voice heavy with resignation.
“…then he has just made the most foolish decision of his life. Watch him.”
Isaac closed his eyes and when he opened them, they glowed a pure orange, encircled with black rings.
Swoosh!
Massive black wings erupted from his back, their span so big that it would trail behind him even when folded. If one took a close look, they would discover that the ‘fur’ that usually covered Isaac was gone!
With a single leap, he soared into the night, vanishing from the view.
…
Gallop! Gallop!
Asher and Moses charged through a wide snow path flanked by dense bushes. The hooves of their mounts sank into the freshly fallen snow, leaving a long trial that could be traced to the Winter Stronghold.
Asher slowed Bezerk and finally brought him to a halt at the edge of a cliff. Moses followed, his gaze drifting downward. Below, he saw a carriage making its way along the path, escorted by men in black armor.
The torches mounted on the carriage illuminated their figures, revealing grotesque knees and beast-like feet of the armoured men who looked like human knights.
They also wore black, rat-shaped masks!
At first, Moses was confused but after connecting the dots, he realized that these people weren’t humans!
“My lord… these aren’t humans. They are beastmen.” He whispered.
“I know,” Asher replied grimly.
After dismounting, Asher crouched near the cliff, while his hand slowly wrapped around Euodias’ handle.
“12 guards,” Moses whispered. “I don’t know how many are inside the carriage.”
Asher nodded, his gaze sharpening. “You take the six at the back, I’ll handle the six at the front. Watch out for the carriage.”
Moses gripped his haze tightly and nodded.
With a single, fluid motion, Asher leaped from the 14-meters cliff and unsheathed his sword mid-air before unleashing a heavy downward strike.
Thud!
He cleaved one of the armoured guards into two and landed on both feet. Borrowing the momentum of his landing, he burst forward, cutting through two more in rapid succession.
Boom!
An explosion erupted from behind him, thanks to Moses who threw a ball of flame that engulfed two beastmen, leaving their charred remains in its wake.
The remaining guards unsheathed their swords and raised their shields to form a defensive line.
Moses twirled his axe with a smirk.
“Come on!” he taunted before stepping forward into the fray.