Chapter 50 - Path.

On the ship deck…

Stiles took a step back, noticing the change in his enemy's formation.

They had all the soldiers retreat to the back, forming a wall of protection for a female, who wore similar clothing to theirs, leaving two males at the forefront of the battle.

Stiles could not discern the reason for this sudden change. After all, the female was in no way special to his eyes.

'Is she the leader of this operation? If yes, why would she hide behind the human shield created by the soldiers? Or maybe she is just a weak aristocrat from one of the states…?'

Stiles had all these corresponding thoughts, adjusting his center of force to evade any attack they released.

Marcus, who had given the signal to utilize one of the formations he had proposed, clasped his palm to his chest, taking in deep breaths of air.

Just like Alastros, he didn't plan on forcefully breaking through the boundaries of his Ability, since he didn't wish for the stern warnings his mother gave him to come to fruition.

'I'll have to be careful… I can't let my Ability control me now, can I?' He thought in jest.

Marcus knew he was indirectly behind their current situation—at least, the whole situation pointed at that.

He was too greedy for achievement, insisting that they let him perform the ritual despite Alastros' experienced warning.

'I can't turn back the hands of time, so I'd rather defeat whatever monster came in the form of a human child…'

Like all the soldiers, he also felt the appearance of the being before him was just a ploy, making his scorn for demonic creatures increase…

'After this mess is over, I'll surely present the idea that Kynburgh might be working with demonic creatures… this would surely garner factions to our course—with no price in fact.'

The light sphere in Marcus' hand intensified, gaining a density that could pierce through matter.

The foggy substance was the first object of target for this light as it journeyed to Stiles, who flexibly avoided it.

The light was no different from the projectiles that were aimed at Stiles, only having a continuous connection to its source, leaving the ship in devastation.

Suddenly, the light transformed back to its spheroid shape, leaving Stiles in wonder about his enemies' next move, only to discover something amiss.

'The burly figure! Where is he…?!'

Stiles felt a sudden sense of doom as he hurriedly somersaulted from his position, a sharp, metallic object grazing his arm.

Despite the small area of contact, blood gushed from his arm, giving Stiles a prickly sensation.

For a while now, he had not suffered any physical injury, making the feeling a strange one for him.

'Seems my subconscious has a way of hardening my flesh… How bad am I?' Stiles thought as he looked at the assailant, who had a displeased expression. Probably due to his failed attack.

Though, he did not stop there, using the little force he could muster as his feet touched the ground to leap in Stiles' direction, his weapon length increasing.

'An artifact…?!'

Stiles had both seen and read about these unique items that possessed an Ability of their own, supplementing their bearers might.

'Too bad, I couldn't take some artifacts from my inventory…' Stiles recalled for a moment, before swiftly using his uninjured hand to touch the ship floor, immediately utilizing the balance to twist his leg, precisely colliding with the non-lethal part of the ax.

He had also used the force from the collision to propel his body backward, creating enough distance to catch a breath.

'Tsk. How can he be so agile… I can't even sense an ounce of his energy flow…'

Alastros and Marcus thought in annoyance, wondering how the demonic creature could perform such a feat with no clear use of an Ability.

What they did not know was that they could not sense something that didn't exist. At least, not at the moment.

Stiles could barely summon his energy, talk less of utilizing an Ability he didn't have any idea of. So he was simply relying on his superior physical prowess and training to outshine both Level 7 and 8 Ranker.

Alastros noticed a path to take off Stiles' head. But it was slim that he decided to bid his time, allowing Marcus to fire the ranged attack that he had conjured.

Fire, water, lightning—all of them in the forms of orbs, journeyed to their target, Stiles, who instead of feeling troubled, had an unperturbed expression, a smile almost creeping on his facial features.

Babump

Babump

'Is this truly the feeling of anticipation…? the feeling to truly want victory…? How terrifying…'

Stiles commented in his head, seeing how detrimental emotions were to any being.

They were like living creatures on their own—parasites would serve as a better depiction.

Stiles wanted to relish that feeling, but he knew of the consequences… he had read too many books to not know where it led.

Eventually, it would slowly consume who he truly was. Part of this theory was embedded in him by his mother, who could somehow understand his emotions.

Stiles dug his foot into the ship's floor, his malicious gaze suddenly scanning through all individuals on the ship deck.

At that moment, the barrier of the foggy substance didn't matter as sweat trickled from the soldiers' faces, not excluding Marcus and Alastros who felt a heavy pang in their hearts.

"Fire!"

Marcus ordered with red eyes, his rationality slowly evading him. It was like he had been dragged into an unending nightmare—one with only his inner demons as a company.

Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!

All soldiers emptied their shells, screaming at the top of their voices to prove their undying determination to live.

But before this awakened Nephalem, their attempt was futile as Stiles easily evaded those attacks, sprinting for Alastros, who appeared to be closest at the moment.

"You demon!" Alastros yelled, swinging his ax forward and uncontrollably. It was clear he had been affected psychologically by Stiles's glare, which proved how weak his mental fortitude was—Instead, how strong Stiles's glare was.

'I have to do something…' Marcus, who was still at a safe distance from Stiles, thought in trepidation.

"Laire!" Marcus called out to the female soldier, doing his best to hide his voice trembling. "Put all you got into amplifying my Ability."

Saying this, he once again clasped his palm.

'I hope you can determine what is needed of you, Alastros—no, Captain Alastros.'

Having those thoughts, Marcus broke through that threshold that he had been taught to observe ever since he understood language… 'I'm sorry, Mom… I failed you…'

"I wish to gain your powers, My Friend," Marcus muttered under his breath, awaiting the reply in suspense.

[Are you sure…? Your body is too weak.] The autonomous voice that he was so familiar with spoke out.

"Your support is all I need to overcome the hurdles of life, My Friend."

[Is that so… then, take it all…]

Marcus felt his bones crack at the sudden change. His body was foreign to his mind as he could hardly move at will.

'Abilities are truly dangerous… Even if I survive this, there is a high chance I won't be myself anymore. Instead, my mind would get infested by a Nature Spirit… how tragic…'

Marcus scoffed at his situation, multiple elements circling him. He felt like some superior being as he stared down at the demonic creature that pushed him to the edge.

Swoosh!

Swiping his arm in a frontal motion, a huge gust of wind was created, followed by water—It collided with both allies and foes.

Since he had lost his sense of control, Marcus could only make do with the current progress…

Alastros, who got swept along with Stiles, finally had some sense of clearance, noticing the decision the Prince of Xadora kingdom had taken.

'How brave of him…'

As a Ranker, Alastros knew of the negative sides of these seemingly superior gifts—one that he became scared of after experiencing it for himself.

'Experience truly is the best attribute… Still, it doesn't change the outcome of situations like this…'

[Path to destroying this monster.]

He thought, also getting rid of the shackles, allowing the negativities to kick in.

Slowly, his view widened to a vast expanse. And standing there were numerous figures, their facial features similar to the demonic being they were battling.

The figures disappeared and appeared like an unsteady force with the ability to threaten reality.

[You see it right.]

A voice came from behind, causing him to jolt in fear.

[They are the only ones that can end me. Still, the chances of that happening are so slim that even your broken Ability can't tell.]

'Who…?!'

"W-who are you?!" Alastros echoed out his thought, scared of the unknown force that existed in this plane of existence as him.

"Stiles—correction, Emperor Stiles…"

***

Good day, Readers.

Author here~

I'm writing this note to inform all readers to this point that chapter 51 would be placed behind a paywall.

I want to thank all individuals who have read till this point in my novel... I truly appreciate it.

I also wish that you guys would accompany me on this journey despite the sudden change. As for my top supporters to date, I thank you from my heart. I want you to know that whenever I felt like quitting, your comments, reviews, power stones, golden tickets, and gifts gave me the zeal to drive forward.

Thanks once again.