Kael looked at Damon's headless corpse, a brief moment before noticing his bruised fists, which were bleeding, but his expression remained indifferent.
With the body covered in blood and fragments of brain mass, he approached the skeleton of the six-armed Demon Wolf. There were several objects scattered next to the corpse.
One of them caught his attention: the Zu.
It was dull black and the size of a grape. It was shaped like a small, smooth sphere, with purple spots and a pair of tiny, tightly closed eyes.
So this is the Zu of the famous Bloody Wolf...the one that made history on the Northern Border.
He held it in his hand; he didn't know what kind it was. In this world, Zu contains the essence of the origin of heaven and earth, so there are millions of them.
But not everyone can manipulate them, because you need to have talent for it.
Those who could do it were called Zu Masters. In addition, the Zu are divided into six aspects: attack-defense / movement-healing / research-storage.
Like magic, which is also divided into six aspects, but with the difference that the Zu are living creatures.
Kael, in his past life, was also a Zu Master, but his talent was insufficient, and he could not pass Rank 9. So he abandoned that path and strengthened himself using mana, like everyone else.
But talent was not a problem for him now, because he had plenty of it.
In this life, he would take both paths.
Kael cheered up a little at the thought of his future: traveling this world, without any restrictions, doing whatever he pleases while pursuing his goal: the Divine Throne.
He repressed his smile. It was not the time.
He turned his attention to the other objects. He inspected them calmly: a mask made of gold coins held together by red thread; a sword made of black coins of the same style; a bag with a hundred mana stones; and a second Zu, stranger, more... mysterious.
Kael looked at those items for a moment. Finally, he only took the two Zu and the bag. He could not take the sword or the mask: they were too conspicuous, difficult to justify.
Then, a window appeared before his eyes.
[Do you wish to use the Zu ███ Black?]
[Yes/No]
Kael's eyes narrowed. The system offered him to use one of the Zu immediately.
Looking at it, Kael realized that one of the two Zu's was for single use. That made him pause. Thinking.
The Zu that looks like a smooth sphere, which was used by the Bloody Wolf, covers two aspects: attack and defense.... But this other Zu, I have no idea what type it is, and the system is suggesting I use it.
The fact that the system was recommending he use it now made him suspicious. What was so special about this Zu? What was it supposed to do?
Kael looked at him coldly.
I don't like to trust things I don't understand.
He remained silent, immersed in his thoughts. He did not know what effect it would have if he accepted. But there was one thing he did know clearly:
If the system suggested it... It's for a reason. And usually, that reason benefits me.
After an avalanche of thoughts, Kael came to a conclusion. Although he was not satisfied with this, he agreed.
Ding!
[Has decided to use Zu ███ Black]
The second Zu, similar in appearance to a black-skinned worm, with strange silver signs and tentacular reliefs, began to stir. As if awakening from a long sleep, its milky white eyes slowly opened.
Kael watched him carefully.
Already activated, the Zu gently detached itself from his palm. It crawled up his arm, reached his mouth... and entered.
It descended to his stomach and vanished in dark smoke.
Then, Kael's body trembled.
An instant later, countless tentacles sprouted from his mouth.
...
Two days later, on September 25.
Rain was falling on Kiran Mountain, forming large puddles in the streets of the city. Children, running to and fro, stepped over them carelessly, splashing water everywhere.
The peasants, returning from their work, wore straw or bamboo hats. Some pulled their donkeys, while others were accompanied by their faithful dogs.
Despite the downpour, the streets bustled with activity. Stalls of food and sundries lined the streets like a festival.
It was all due to the arrival of the head of the Medici Clan.
"Did you hear? They say the patriarch is coming in person," murmured a tea seller to his customer.
"Yes, but what will become of Kael?" asked the other, lowering his voice. "No one knows where he is."
"Bah, that doesn't matter anymore," interrupted a woman from the neighboring stall, drying a bowl with a rag. "Today is a day for celebration, not rumors."
Meanwhile, back at the Medici mansion.
The atmosphere was thick, as if the air weighed twice as much. The ebony columns reflected the faint light of the fire stones. The lunar marble of the dais glittered, but its coldness was no match for that of the man seated on the throne.
Zephyr Medici didn't move a muscle. He didn't need to.
His presence alone was enough to freeze the murmur in the room.
The knights were standing tense. The wives kept their eyes lowered. The young clan masters, the heirs, stood erect, their backs straight, mimicking the dignity they believed they had. All except one.
Kael.
Zephyr glanced around the group. He counted mentally. One. Two. Three... The youngest was missing.
His eyebrow rose just barely. Just enough to send a clear message: he had noticed the absence.
Then he looked at the woman who had been his. Alessia.
She was devastated.
Eyes dull. Droopy shoulders. Life drained from her face. The kind of expression that only fear... or loss can produce.
He understood immediately.
It had happened before. Brothers against brothers. Mothers weeping in silence. It was the natural cycle of a powerful house.
He had killed two of his brothers before reaching his position. And his father had not shed a tear.
Zephyr was no different.
His voice suddenly rang out, firm.
"Where is my last son?"
The room shook.
The fourth young master looked down. The sixth lady pursed her lips. No one dared to speak.
Zephyr looked at them all with the contempt he reserved for the weak.
"Dead?" he muttered, not asking, but stating the obvious. "What a waste."
He moved his fingers on the arm of the throne, slowly, as one who weighs the lives of those before him.
Alessia looked at him spitefully. It was almost funny to her. So broken. So human.
He, on the other hand, felt nothing.
Or so he thought... until a presence in the air, barely perceptible, made him turn his head towards the big gate.
BANG!