Selena lifted only one finger to block the Essence javelin. That was all she needed.
Michael breathed heavily. His hair stood up to its end, and he broke into a cold sweat. Using the Major Seals was draining. Even though the Wolf Curse and World Serpent chose to help him, they didn’t even consider giving him some of their curse power. Michael had to use the bits of curse power that naturally accumulated within active Seals to unleash the Major Seals.
Fortunately, that worked out better than expected. He was drained, but his entire being was overflowing with power – until he threw the Essence javelin, that is. He deactivated the Cursed Seals and Serpent Seals right away. Simultaneously, Michael stopped utilizing Foundation Break and his other Soultraits. He was drained of curse power, and energy, and he didn’t have much lifeforce left either. Foundation Break drained too much at the highest level.
Michael didn’t want to stay in the arena forever. He had no problem staying in the Nest, but it had been too long since he heard from the others. He had yet to call Alice, and Michael wished to spend more time in his territory. Michael wanted to observe them as his territory expanded in Paradise Valley and the Untamed Jungle.
Fortunately, the intent channeled into the Essence javelin was enough. Michael had a premonition when he saw Selena lifted only one finger, but the situation turned out better than expected. The Essence javelin pushed forth even after colliding with Selena’s finger. Selena raised one eyebrow in slight surprise and channeled more energy through her fingers to resist the Essence javelin.
The Essence javelin destroyed everything in its path, but it stuck in one place when Selena tried blocking the attack a little bit harder. The Essence javelin burst apart as Selena’s pressure erupted. The presence of the strongest entity in the Nest whipped out. It struck Michael, forcing the Rookie High Awakened to his knees. Michael’s head was about to smash heavily on the floor when Selena retracted her pressure.
“Oopsie,” Selena exclaimed, sticking out her tongue when Michael raised his head. He was about to glare at the Nest Leader when he saw her finger.
“Damn,” Eren exclaimed from their side. He appeared next to Selena, his eyes locked onto her finger as well. “You succeeded.”
A tiny, insignificant scratch adorned Selena’s smooth and once-unblemished finger. The scratch was far from enough to make her bleed, yet…Selena’s defense was…scratched.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough to say that Michael breached the Nest Leader’s defense.
“Monster,” Eren murmured, unable to hide his disbelief. He was shocked to the core.
“I expected nothing less,” Selena responded calmly, but she turned her hand to look at the tiny scratch for a long time. A myriad of thoughts flashed through her mind. The corner of her lips curled upward.
“You passed the initial test with flying colors,” Selena announced once she managed to organize her thoughts, “You’re a member of the Nest now, officially. The rules and guidelines, and whatever can be acquired in the library. Or you can ask Evee. She’ll probably help you.”
Selena’s attitude didn’t change much. She was still nonchalant. However, Eren could tell that the Nest Leader was more interested in Michael than before.
“How about selling me some Soultrait Symbols?” She asked in a light tone. Still nonchalant, Selena glanced at Michael, who got up just now.
“So…I’m a member of the Nest now?” Michael asked, glancing over to Eren. The Commander was more reliable and serious than Selena. Asking Eren was better than relying on Selena for information.
Eren nodded, but he was absentminded. He was more interested in hearing the answer to Selena’s question than introducing Michael to the Nest’s customs.
Michael noticed that and sighed deeply.
“Can we take care of the Soultrait business a little bit later? I have yet to talk to my friends, check on my territory, and inform others that I’m doing fine,” He asked, only for Selena to nod nonchalantly.
“Just come to me when you’re done. I’ll buy whatever Soultraits you have to offer. Don’t worry, I will be generous.”
That being said, Selena left. She disappeared from the arena, leaving Michael alone with Eren.
“You did a exceptional job. I don’t recall the last time someone managed to escape the Leader’s tortuous training so quickly,” Eren praised Michael, who smiled subconsciously. Eren remained serious and shook his head lightly, “But you wasted several hundred Imperial Coins to scratch her. It’s an amazing feat that you managed to take her by surprise, but I’m not sure if it was worth it.”
He tilted his head, “But then again… You will make more than enough money from selling your Soultrait Symbols. Since you uttered that you have hundreds of Soultrait Symbols, I guess Imperial Coins are not as valuable to you.”
He shrugged and turned around to leave, “Take care of your friends and the people you hold dear. Most Curse Users don’t live long lives. As long as you live without regrets…you can die without regrets as well. Not that you should die, though. Make sure to survive. We require someone like you…now more than ever.”
He was left alone before Michael could inquire what Eren meant about the last part. Eren disappeared.
[We were already aware of the high mortality rate of Curse Users. It’s not exactly something new.] Danny said, but he fell deep into his thoughts.
“The last bit was weird. They require someone like me. But I’m not that strong. Or do they mean someone who can provide them with Soultrait Symbols? A few powerful Soultraits are probably enough to elevate Selena’s combat prowess to a new height. She is already incredibly powerful, but with a few more Soultraits, she would probably be at the pinnacle of the cosmos.”
[In the first place…I would like to know how robust Selena is compared to the powerhouses of the Supreme Human Alliance. If all members of the SHA are like Bloodhound, we won’t have many issues, but if there are dozens of people as powerful as the Nest Leader, we’ve got some issues.]
Danny sounded worried, but Michael didn’t feel the same. The Nest survived for a long time. They must have various means to protect this place.
The World Serpent surfaced in Michael’s mind.
[Don’t forget that there are more factions spread throughout the cosmos. Both the Nest and the Supreme Human Alliance are only two out of a bunch of powerful factions. Even if the Nest ranks rather low among them, that’s mainly because the Nest focuses on exorcising Curses. They’re also quite powerful, but the Nest’s numbers are the most significant reason for their low ranking.]
Michael had more to ask, but the World Serpent departed his mind once again. A sigh escaped his lips.
‘Why is everyone running from me?! All I want is some answers!’
It was frustrating, but Michael wasn’t annoyed for long. He was ready to return to the Origin Expanse at last. He was waiting to utilize the Expanse Prism.
Alice must be waiting for him.
He retrieved the Expanse Prism to activate it, but Michael saw quickly that it didn’t work. He scrunched his nose deeply and panicked for a second before he realized that it was only obvious that the Expanse Prism wouldn’t work in the Nest.
‘They block most communication channels. Safety and such.’ He uttered in his mind, trying to reassure himself.
The Runic Gate opened before him at will.
Michael looked at it and smiled faintly.
It was time to return to the Origin Expanse.