Chapter 165: The Second and Third
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
But for Zane, his last refuge turned out to be his ring of all things.
In the properties, it was written that the Key would take the user inside itself, and that darkness Zane saw could only be explained with this.
And the fact that the Memory Key had been merged with the Flame Ring, it only made the key’s work easier.
Zane added one and one and came to a conclusion.
After the merge with the Flame ring, the key overpowered the ring and became the owner of the space inside the ring. As a result, Zane figured out what happened to him.
I was sucked inside the ring.
[ That is possible. ]
That is the only possible answer.
The system said nothing and Zane carried on.
The key itself said it would take the user inside itself. And it did. And now that the key is merged with the Flame ring, the ring with storing ability, means I was stored inside it as well. Get it now?
[ Yes. You are so smart. ]
Zane laughed.
The system acted sarcastic but he knew it also agreed with his idea.
Though, as he dwelled deeper in this idea, he encountered another question.
If I was inside the ring then why didn’t I see the gold Lumens inside it or any other things?
[ Maybe because the key isn’t that strong yet? ]
It’s possible. And more than that I am glad that I made Xavier my Ashbearer, otherwise there would be no ash to touch.
The system said nothing.
Zane had already told the system how he escaped from the space. But if the topic was in the air...
I should create more escape doors.
His lips curled up.
Show me the possible candidates for Ashbearers.
The system presented another window.
[ Jammy the Janitor. ]
[ Hena Myreth ]
[ Tesla Jacardi ]
[ Draxus ]
Zane’s brows shot up.
Even Tesla is here? I didn’t know he also qualifies for it.
The man had saved his life but that didn’t change the fact that he was hesitating to fight. Also, he makes animal noises to Milo.
Shaking his head, Zane made his mind on some other people.
Make Jammy and Hena my Ashbearer. Second and third.
[ Confirm your decision. ]
Yes. I am sure. Make them.
[ Command Registered! ]
[ Command Accepted! ]
[ Please Wait... ]
Zane waited.
He already knows how the process went.
He had already gone through this with Xavier.
A mark would appear around his wrist or something like that and a thin red thread with four knots would appear inside his mind.
I wonder how much loyalty Xavier has now?
Leaving Xavier, he darted his gaze at Jammy and Hena, watching to see their reactions the moment the system would finish its work.
[ Ding! ]
It came back.
But Zane stared at Jammy and Hena only.
[ SUBORDINATION ESTABLISHED ]
[ Subject: Jammy (Alias) ]
[ Current Rank: Coal-Bound (Rank 1) ]
[ System Synchronization in progress... ]
[ System Synchronized with the Host and the Subject. ]
[ Removing physical fatigue... ]
[ Correcting minor injuries... ]
[ Binding Completed! ]
[ Subordinate Bonus: +10% to all Physical Stats when within 50 meters of the Host. ]
Jammy twitched.
Zane saw that and sensing the gaze, the janitor also darted his eyes at him.
Following Jammy, Hena flinched and her eyes jolted at Zane as well.
The reason for that was because she also went through the same thing as Jammy.
[ SUBORDINATION ESTABLISHED ]
[ Subject: Hena Myreth ]
[ Current Rank: Coal-Bound (Rank 1) ]
[ System Synchronization in progress... ]
[ System Synchronized with the Host and the Subject. ]
[ Removing physical fatigue... ]
[ Correcting minor injuries... ]
[ Binding Completed! ]
[ Subordinate Bonus: +10% to all Physical Stats when within 50 meters of the Host. ]
Both Jammy and Hena stared at Zane and Zane simply smiled.
He showed no emotion on his face that would expose him to his current actions.
He again focused on the road with the other people behind him.
Activate Trait Siphoning for both of them to me. They are stealing strength.
[ Trait Siphoning Activated! ]
Zane instantly felt the changes.
This effect allowed him to get 10% of his subordinate’s strongest stat.
His lungs became bigger and his heart beat faster, feeding strength in his veins.
So I got stamina from Hena and strength from Jammy. Not bad. Show their information. And also tell me how the Ashbearers rank up? I never asked you that.
[ All your Ashbearers will start from the lowest rank which is 5. To rise in rank, they have to kill people, do something that would help you greatly. Save your life from absolute death. Basically anything that shows their loyalty towards you and puts their life at risk will make them rise in rank. But they will only rise in rank after their loyalty for you is 100%. ]
Hmm? Then Xavier should have reached the next rank by now?
[ No. At that time, his loyalty towards you wasn’t 100 but the moment he fought that Enforcer Varikh, his loyalty reached hundred, he got a mark on his wrist and now if he did the same thing he did in the Cathedral again for you, he will surely rise in rank. ]
Zane raised his brows.
He got a mark?
He jerked his head at Xavier’s right wrist and the gray mark was really there. Like a bracelet.
But it was thinner than the one on Zane’s hand.
Zane looked at his own mark and that’s when he almost shouted.
He swallowed his voice.
What happened to my hand?
The previous round mark around Zane’s wrist had now changed shape.
From the boundary of the mark, the shapes of flames formed. As if the mark was crawling out of it.
[ You just made two more Ashbearers. The mark simply underwent a change. ]
... Alright. Just show me Jammy and Hena’s details.
The system didn’t make Zane wait and presented the requested windows.
[ Subject: Jammy (Alias) ]
[ Current Rank: 5 — Coal Bound ]
[ Final Rank: 1 — Ashbearer ]
[ Loyalty: 99% ]
[ Subordinate Bonus: +10% to all Physical Stats when within 50 meters of the Host. ]
[ Soldiers Under Their Phalanx: 0 ]
———
[ Subject: Hena Myreth ]
[ Current Rank: 5 — Coal Bound ]
[ Final Rank: 1 — Ashbearer ]
[ Loyalty: 89% ]
[ Subordinate Bonus: +10% to all Physical Stats when within 50 meters of the Host. ]
[ Soldiers Under Their Phalanx: 0 ]
——
Zane read the details but before he could even reach Hena’s information, his breath stopped at Jammy.
His loyalty is ninety percent towards me?
Zane glanced at the smoking Jammy and gulped.
He doesn’t want to marry me, right?
