Chapter 20: Chapter 20- Freak (Part 1)
Chapter 20- Freak (Part 1)
In the next several minutes, the jet took off from the airport and eventually settled in the beautiful blue sky. The weather was warm and sunny, and the vision was clear with no big clusters of clouds anywhere around them.
The flight attendants served the two drinks and snacks to enjoy the ride. Zen spent that time staring through the window at the view of the capital disappearing behind them as they moved into the vast greenery beyond.
The capital was surrounded by a massive forest that stretched for hundreds of kilometers in every direction, and it was considered the biggest forest in the country.
’Now that I think about it... This forest has so many secrets that will only be discovered years down the line. If I remember correctly, they discovered an ancient temple around here that had some very strong runes and other treasures hidden within it. There are also very strong beasts lurking around.’ Zen thought to himself.
Around the globe, places like that are called ’Legacies’, left behind by people from thousands of years ago. Traces of how humans were and how truly terrifying the world was back then. Those awakened were few and far between, and so beasts ran rampant across the globe, decimating entire populations of people often.
Yet, ironically, those times created some of the most prominent legendary Hunters to ever walk the earth. Those same hunters founded the four pillar clans and many other strong clans that still exist to this day.
’I’ve always been very interested in that period of time. The wars, the scale of destruction, and even the way things transpired... It’s better than any movie.’ Zen mused.
"It will be at least another 12 hours before we get to our destination, so you should get comfortable," Cipha said as she looked up from her book. "If you want to watch something, the TV is there."
"Mhm, thank you. I’m just watching the outside world for now." Zen replied. "It’s calming..."
"It is." She replied as she looked outside.
Beneath them, the forest stretched into the distance. The green canopy covered every single inch of it, hiding whatever lurked beneath under its veil. However, it was easy to see silhouettes flying above the forest. Birds, and even other beasts with wings. Fanged eagles, grey hounds, and other giant birds were the peak predators of the sky.
However, since they usually fly several hundred meters above ground at most, they don’t pose a risk to the airplanes flying thousands of meters above that.
The only true beasts that could pose that risk don’t exist around there.
Time slowly passed, one hour, then two, and then three. Everything was quiet and peaceful, almost... too peaceful.
Zen knew that the chances of anything bad happening were very small, but for some reason, he just couldn’t rest easy. He didn’t know why, but he was fidgeting in his seat. Something told him things weren’t going to be that simple. That was how his life had been so far, and that is what he usually would expect, no matter how flawless everything seemed.
’I need to calm down and focus. I can’t bother myself with what could happen. I will deal with things as they come.’
With that, he randomly grabbed his phone to check social media. He hadn’t done so this entire time. However, the moment he opened it...
"What..." Zen muttered.
The first post he saw had Cipha’s face plastered on it with a big headline. ’The Heavensoul prodigy with the unrivaled talent.’
"... Here we go, it has already started." He said as he turned the phone to Cipha. She stared up and squinted her eyes subtly.
Zen then flipped the phone around and scrolled down. Every single post he saw was about Cipha; it was on every news outlet.
’Breaking news: Heavensoul heir awakens into an S-Rank.’
’The highest potential in the history of the world.’
’Heavensoul speaks out about their rogue heir.’
And all kinds of other wild titles filled his timeline like nothing else. Calling this ’global news’, was an understatement. It was like the entire world was set on fire.
"It just got revealed, and everyone is going crazy everywhere," Zen said. "It’s almost like... Hm?"
As he scrolled down a bit further, he finally saw another post.
’Mysterious awakener with quirky powers’
Then, he saw a picture of himself plastered on the screen.
"Where did they even get this pic from? I don’t remember taking it." He said as he blinked confusedly.
"There is no point in worrying about this. We were bound to make world news today. People give S-Rank awakeners all the attention."
"It’s still very odd to see. Now everyone will know our faces wherever we go." Zen said as he curiously grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. Immediately, he was welcomed with the same piece of news being aired on TV.
News anchors talked excitedly while reporters were trying to fetch any piece of news wherever they went.
"I doubt they know where we are, right?" Zen asked.
"For now, probably not. But, soon enough, they will track the jet and figure out where we’re going. That’s for normal people... The clans, however..." Cipha said as she closed the book. "They all know where we are right now."
"..." Zen’s expression darkened slowly as he nodded his head. "We need to be very careful while moving around. Especially when we are trying to scout individuals... We will definitely have rivals, and people who want to either scout us or kill us."
"Speaking of that," Cipha said. "May I ask you something slightly personal?"
"Hm?"
"May I know what your abilities are? If you aren’t comfortable with that, then no need." She said.
"No, it doesn’t bother me." Zen shrugged. "I can tell you."
"What?" Cipha raised her eyebrows. "You’re not even hesitating?"
"Why should I? We are partners now. You need to know my abilities, and I need to know yours so we can work better together."
"..."
Cipha was completely flabbergasted. How could he trust her this easily? They barely met yesterday.
’I can’t tell if he’s naive or just... odd...’
So far, Zen kept subverting her expectations again and again. He was the first person she had ever met whom she couldn’t truly predict or understand. He was simply far too mysterious and intriguing.
"Actually, I need to tell you a secret." He said. "Something that I can’t tell anyone else."
"What is it?"
"Well, um, how should I say this?" Zen rubbed his chin. "When I awakened yesterday. I received two core runes instead of just one."
"..." Cipha froze in her place for a second, as if her mind didn’t register what he said. Then, she snapped out of it and blinked. "Pardon me?"
"Yes, two runes. One is called Bloodmancy, and the second one is called Tower of Athilium."
"... What?" Cipha leaned in with wide eyes. "Two core runes? That... That shouldn’t be possible. The body can’t handle two runes upon awakening; that is too much... That... Are you sure?"
"Yes. I have already experimented with both, and they’re... very peculiar. Especially the second one. After using it yesterday, I was able to rank up within hours."
"..."
At that moment, for the first time in her life, Cipha’s mind... was truly shattered.
