Chapter 110: Chapter 104: The Story
The whole family had a nice dinner. Even the babies didn’t fuss at all—until Zeke or Cass had to hand them to someone else, that is. Then they cried up a storm. It was funny, honestly, because they would stop crying as soon as Zeke and Cass took them back.
After paying the bill for the meals and leaving a big tip, they left. Once they returned home, Katherine put the babies to sleep and joined everyone in the living room.
She said, "So... tell me everything."
Zeke asked, "Right now?"
Katherine said, "Yes. Don’t think I didn’t notice what happened in the restaurant. What was that bloodlust?"
Cass said, "Even I’m curious about that. I saw something when we were in that weird place as well."
Katherine said, "You’re not one to talk, mister. At least Zeke was just exhibiting his killing intent. You, on the other hand, would have killed him right there and then. In a single move, no less. Not to mention, you perfectly hid your killing intent."
Zeke interrupted her and said, "Well, it wasn’t hidden."
Alexi, Leonel, and Dean nodded awkwardly.
Katherine said, "It wasn’t?"
Alexi said, "Not really. But maybe we’re just too sensitive to it because we’ve spent so much time on the battlefield."
Katherine gave him a side-eye and asked, "Oh, are you saying that I was just hiding in a lab while you were out risking your life?"
Alexi sweated immediately and replied, "Of course not. People like me would die if it weren’t for scientists like you."
Katherine just hummed as if she didn’t really believe him but was satisfied with the answer. Alexi secretly sighed in relief while ignoring the weird looks the other three were giving him.
Zeke used the skill Gemini Fusion Harmony to create a telepathic link with Cass. He could have just used a voice transmission, but there were too many powerful Players here that would definitely notice what he was doing. His way was much more discreet.
He said, "She has him completely wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?"
Cass replied, "I’m sure he did it willingly."
Zeke said, "True."
Katherine interrupted their little conversation by saying, "Speak. Cass, you go first."
Cass coughed and said, "So, when my Ascension Trial began, I was given the choice between two difficulties—Transcendent and Transcendent Primogenitor. I tried choosing Transcendent, but something called an Administrator intervened and forced me to choose the Transcendent Primogenitor difficulty."
The adults were angry, but Zeke calmed them by saying, "Don’t worry. I made sure that the fucker will pay."
Katherine said, "Zeke, language. We have babies in this house. Cass, continue."
Cass said, "Well, then I appeared on a deserted battlefield. My mission was to defeat all enemies, and there was no time limit, but there was no one there apart from me. Not even corpses. There were only weapons. I mean, cold weapons of every kind imaginable. And my skills and mana were sealed.
"At first, I waited for something to happen. But no enemies appeared. That is, until I accidentally touched one of the weapons. Then, an apparition that looked just like me manifested. It was holding that weapon, and it attacked me."
There was a surprised look on Dean and Leonel’s faces. They already had a guess where this was going.
Cass continued, "Anyways, I somehow killed the apparition, but then it suddenly divided into two."
Cass continued telling them everything that had happened in the fight against the broadsword-wielding apparitions.
He said, "Just when I thought everything was over and that I could return home, nothing happened. I waited and waited until I realized what ’all enemies’ meant. I had to do the same with every weapon. So I began fighting. With every weapon I defeated, I started mastering it. I don’t know how much time passed there. It could have been ten years or a hundred. I had completely lost track of time.
"But it became easier towards the end. I even created a skill. I call it the Death Point. Its whole purpose is to kill using the least effort and maximizing efficiency. What happened in the restaurant was more of a reflex."
Katherine said, "Oh, Cass. It’s okay now. You’re home and with your family."
She, Alexi, and Zeke hugged him. Dean, on the other hand, was flabbergasted.
He looked at Leonel and said, "Did he just say that he has mastered all weapons?"
Leonel said, "I thought I was the only one who picked up on that detail. These boys are becoming more and more monstrous by the day. I’m actually scared by the thought of the shock Zeke will give us if even Cass is like this."
Dean just nodded and said, "I hope my heart can take it."
The four of them broke the hug and returned to their seats.
Katherine said, "Zeke, now it’s your turn."
Zeke was about to begin, but Dean said, "Wait."
He went to the kitchen and got a few bottles of whiskey, a bottle of soda for Cass, and some glasses. Everyone stared at him in confusion.
He said, "I have a feeling that we’re all gonna need a drink for this."
Everyone was speechless... but they agreed with him. Storytime with Zeke was not for beginners.
Zeke said, "If you guys are done, can I begin?"
Katherine coughed and said, "Go on."
Zeke said, "So, something similar happened to me. I mean, with the Administrator and all. But he didn’t just intervene and make my choice. He talked to me. And almost led me to believe that it was wrong that I had changed our lives, or made the changes in the timeline.
"Then, I entered a World Gate."
Alexi asked, "A World Gate? In an E Grade Ascension Trial?"
Zeke said, "Yeah. Fu—cough—the idiot probably believed that I would die. Anyways, when I woke up, I was in a cave. Like a really dark cave. And in the body of a six-year-old."
