Chapter 304: Ascendance (V)

Chapter 304: Ascendance (V)

Chapter 304

Ascendance (V)

Lear had come to learn a few things in the few days that he spent with the man called Cain--the latter was... difficult to keep up with. Not in the sense that he was quick in the places he had to go, but in that he was... too random. One day, they spent it completely rushing forward out of the Wilds and then, the next, they barely moved an inch, drinking and eating all day long.

Whenever Lear inquired as to why, the only reply he got was that lifes only worth living if you mix it up frequently enough. And frequently they did, indeed.

Today, as they were approaching the very edges of the Wilds, intending to cross over into the Crust, Cain decided they wouldnt do that today and would instead perch themselves atop a fairly large mountain, and just enjoy the view from the above.

As always, he started taking out cooking utensils and preparing a meal--it appeared to be some kind of a vegetable stew, today. A marked difference, Lear mused, from the meat-infused meals theyve been having every day. Cain poured each of them a cup of another sort of alcoholic beverage--Lear had noticed that the man was quite a connoisseur of booze, at least when it came to types--and leaned back on the fairly comfortable chairs, enjoying the light breeze, though not so much the view as it largely comprised of dust clouds.

Aaah, Cain sighed after taking a few gulps, nestling further into the chair. Leaving the Wilds. Its a big moment for me.

... youve barely been there for a few months, Lear scoffed. It was a big moment for me, someone who spent over a hundred and twenty years here. For you? Hardly.

Tsk, what do you know? Im a nomad! I go by the wind! Thats why its a big deal for me!

Ah, yes, of course, my apologies, Mr. Nomad.

Though the comment is dripping with sarcasm, Ill graciously accept the apology part of it and neglect to recognize the rest, Cain said, causing Lear to chuckle lightly Do you think its worth it? Cain asked suddenly.

What?

All this? he added. Literally being stuck in a world of perennial darkness for hundreds of years. For what? A modicum of strength that will likely be easily topped by somebody else.

Oh, wow, way to punch me in the gut.

Ha ha, I dont mean just you though. I mean everyone. Like the Tower. Dont get me wrong--Im beyond grateful for the fact that I no longer need to croak at the ripe old age of ninety with saggy balls and a list of issues so long you could write a novel about it, but its hardly free. I imagine many have died on your world as well, entirely unnecessarily.T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m

... yes, I suppose, Lear nodded. But the Tower wasnt necessarily the culprit. It simply... enabled the bad people to do bad things. My world... my world was in as much of a schism as you could get--inequality was ripe on every corner, streets were littered with corpses of the undesired, and few even mentioned them. And then... then the Towers came. Though they caused an influx of death initially, eventually, they reconfigured the world--you could, finally, grab your own fate and yank it by the balls. My people call it the Grand Awakening. The day our world was woken from the infernal slumber.

...

What? Not the answer you wanted? Lear chuckled.

No, not that, Cain smiled lightly. Its just... you remind me of my friends. You all see the best of that place.

And you dont?

Hm, Lear nodded. Maybe twenty, thirty years ago, some of us noticed a disturbance in Mana and went over to investigate. We found a treasure cloud, so to say, a natural phenomenon that signals the eventual birth of the treasure. From what I recall, it was somewhere in that direction. However, the cloud cant be older than half a century. Even if born, the treasure, at best, would just be some fruit that raised your stat by 1 or something.

Humph, what does a stupid human know?! Great Tegha wouldnt sniff something so stupid! Bleh, stop listen to him and go! Go before somebody else steals it!

Yeah, Cain nodded. Looks like many-a-soul are headed that way. Some are... quite strong.

Should we head over? This might be a good opportunity to head into the Crust, actually, while everyone is distracted.

Nah, I was never really the type to walk away from the treasure, Cain chuckled. Besides, I said they are quite strong. Not that they are really strong.

Oh? Theres a difference? two men began chatting through Mana as they took to flight, heading eastward.

Really strong means they have the ability to push me to my limits. Quite strong? They could maybe face some of my friends on a good day.

The journey wasnt terribly long, taking up only a few hours. However, by the time the two arrived, the place was already packed--there were over a thousand souls hoarded together within a valley steeped between two tall, sky-piercing mountains.

The valley itself was barren of life, covered in dirt and dust, with jagged, naked rocks protruding from the ground ever so often. Nary a few paid attention to the newcomers as it was likely an accustomed-to sight by now, with most focusing their gazes forward.

There, toward the very end of the valley, was a gaping hole, a plaque with a golden inscription hanging above it.

Oh? A trial type? Lear commented, stroking his chin. These are rare. No wonder it only took so little. Its just a gate, after all.

You ever went in one of them before? Cain asked.

A few, Lear nodded. They are similar to the trials inside the Towers, albeit with a higher degree of difficulty since theres no window telling you what things in there can do to you, so you mostly just have to figure it out blindly.

Hm, Cain nodded. So, now we wait?

It usually takes a while for the gates to completely coalesce, and if you go in before that, youll be stuck in a spatial storm that would rip you into shreds, Lear said.

Alright, Cain shrugged, looking around for a nice spot to rest--he saw a protrusion in the mountain side. Lets go there. Were yet to finish that scotch.

... Lear rolled his eyes but obeyed. Though nobody quite outright showcased their prowess, his instincts were remarkably calm--with the exception of ten or so souls, he was likely able to match others completely. As such, Cain was, possibly against all common sense and odds, the strongest person inside the valley at the moment.

The two settled on the protrusion, with Cain taking out the chairs immediately and filling up two cups before handing one over to Lear. Though they drew quite a few looks, as Lear didnt want any headaches, he maintained a slight aura around himself that let others know of his rough strength.

Hoh? Cain suddenly exclaimed, looking westward, toward the entrance into the valley. First big shot finally arrived.

... big shot?

One of those quite strong fellas I mentioned, Cain said, but immediately looked away, seeming disinterested. Lear, however, kept looking at the entrance and, some ten or so seconds later felt the approaching aura himself. His eyebrows immediately began to dance, however, his lips quivering as he glanced at Cain.

... quite strong? he mumbled, sucking in a cold breath. After all, the figure who was approaching... was one of the vaunted thrice-Awakened. And hes quite strong. Fuck, this guy...