Chapter 14: Finished Shopping
First experience of cultivation—didn't feel like one at all.
It just felt like a bad stomach ache and a wash of energy. That was all.
The aftermath of it? Just feeling a bit more refreshed.
Back in the game, when a character cultivated, it always seemed like their physical features would change, making them more attractive or powerful-looking.
But for Asher? Nothing.
No dazzling transformation. No newfound elegance. Just the same him.
He contemplated this as he placed his hand on the hilt of his scabbard.
After the shopping spree, he and Nimora had finally stepped out of the store—only to find that their carriage was gone.
No sign of their escort. No sign of their mother.
Certainly, she didn't care about babysitting anymore.
After all, they were exorcists—or at least, aspiring ones. And in the Exorcist Kingdom, there was no room for weakness.
Just brutality.
The only gain from this transmigration to being an exorcist is the power that comes with it.
Everything else is pure maltreatment.
While walking back to the castle, Asher decided to keep all the system stuff for later.
For now, he entertained himself by observing the city.
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At first, it was heavily populated, bustling with people. But as he moved closer to the castle, the number of people around him thinned drastically.
Why?
Because the kingdom was broken into three sectors.
The first sector—the populated side—was where the lowly civilians lived. It was the farthest from the castle, filled with non-exorcists, and for some reason, that's where Heummer's shop had been located.
The second sector, where they currently walked, was far less populated. This was where the exorcists lived—the middle-class, the wealthy, the influential. The city here was well-kept, but the people were fewer.
Then came the third sector—the royal castle, where the royal family resided.
A simple breakdown of oppression.
Just as Asher took in his surroundings, a voice suddenly rang out from afar.
"Lord Asher!"
The rude call forced Asher's attention toward the source.
A boy, dressed in clothing of the same quality as Asher's, stood at a distance. His short yellow hair, his fit stature, and the proud look he carried—it all resembled the same expression his sister used to look down on him with.
'I see. His family is highly praised in the kingdom. He's confident, too, to confront me like this.'
Asher merely waved at him from afar and continued walking, keeping a steady pace behind Nimora as she led the way without saying a word.
But then—
"Hey, weak lord! How dare you follow Lady Nimora from behind? Stop drowning her honor in your pitiful existence!"
Another boy, much closer, shouted at Asher.
And for some reason—he stopped in his tracks.
Head down.
'Are they trying to bully me?'
The first boy—Kavin—and the second, bulkier boy—Gilbert—began to close the distance between them and Asher, who stood there silent.
"What? Don't be pissed, horsewipe! What are you gonna do, tell your mama?" Kavin mocked.
They knew very well he had no connection to his mother, Melissa Vance.
And if they beat him up here, there would be no consequences.
But for now, they wouldn't go that far.
Not yet.
"He's scared already! Hahahaha!"
Gilbert laughed, reaching Asher first and slapping him hard on the back.
"We're not gonna hurt you, young lad. It's just friends being friends."
Asher still kept silent.
Kavin, growing bolder, draped his arm over Asher's shoulder, attempting to peer through his red strands of hair to see his expression.
"Don't worry, we'll let you off the hook if you help me get your sister, Asher."
His voice dropped into a whisper.
"Nimora is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, and I want to shoot my shot. As her brother, you should understand, right?"
Kavin pulled him closer.
"We even trained together a few times at the castle. I used to ask about you... until I found out you were a defect. Uhm... Honestly, life would be far better without you and—"
"—She's gone."
Asher muttered under his breath.
His voice was low, barely audible.
But Gilbert caught it.
"What did you say, runt?"
Asher slowly raised his head.
His expression twisted—his gaze filled with silent rage—as he locked eyes with Gilbert.
"Take your arm off me if you don't want to die."
Hearing the threat, the two boys burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha! He's telling us to back off!"
"Hehehehe!"
"..."
"What a low blow! Asher, I thought I said I call the shots around—"
Before Kavin could finish his words, Asher moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
In one swift motion, he grabbed Kavin's wrist, yanked him forward, and delivered a brutal punch to his face.
Crack!
The hit sent Kavin sprawling onto the ground, his nose instantly broken.
Gilbert, seeing this, reacted immediately.
He charged forward, using his large frame as a battering ram, attempting to slam Asher down.
But—
Asher moved again.
With an extraordinary sidestep, he let Gilbert stagger forward, missing completely.
'My physical stats are good.
My instincts are sharper than I thought.'
If this was back on Earth, he'd have been beaten to a pulp.
But now?
Gilbert growled, enraged by the humiliation.
"You brat—"
He turned to attack again—
And froze.
A sword was at his throat.
Asher stood dominantly before him, his blade's tip pressed firmly against Gilbert's neck.
A cold realization settled into Gilbert's heart.
If he had taken one more step, he would have died.
At this moment, Kavin had already stood up, clutching his bleeding nose.
"What kind of coward draws a sword for a fistfight?"
A small smile crept onto Asher's lips.
"The best kind of cowards don't waste time on battles. They fight wars."
His gaze hardened.
"Now get the hell out of here before I change my mind."
For a moment, they hesitated.
But the sword was a bigger problem than their pride.
Defeated, Kavin spat, "You win this one. But when we meet again, you'll regret tarnishing my honor."
With that, the two walked away.
But Asher?
He didn't feel pressured by their rivalry.
He had other things on his mind.
'So, the Beast Core I cultivated made me stronger... I could feel it in battle. But what are my limits?'
Asher turned, making his way back, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Kavin replayed the moment Asher hit him.
'I'm fast. Almost on par with Nimora. But how? I didn't even see the attack coming. Is this really the guy they called defective?'
***Author's note***
There will soon be significant time skips. Dealing with a child for long is let's say...
Cringe!
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