Chapter 99: Be Careful In The Future
{Name: N/A.}
{Rank: S-Rank.}
{Species: Harpy Eagle.}
{Agility: 200,000.}
{Energy: 300,000.}
{Defense: 100,000.}
{Health Point: 500,000.}
{Physical Attack: 150,000.}
{Magical Attack: 150,000.}
{Skills:...}
{Stealth: Turn invisible to anything 50 meters away, and completely invisible to any creature lower in rank.}
{Talon Clutch: Grab a target with its talon, which caused blood loss. Caught target loss 10,000 health Points every second.}
{Apex Screech: Let out a screech which stun all enemies 100 meters away for ten seconds, no matter their rank.}
{Predator Vision: Has the ability to see in the dark, and can also locate all treasures 100 meters away.}
{Feather Shield: Create a shield made of feathers which have 1,000,000 durability.}
{Macabre Feast: Fully Restore Health, and Energy by eating dead creatures.}
{Sonic Flight: Agility, and flight speed Increase by 500%.}
"This guy has all the abilities needed, from stealth, attack, defense and even scout... And I am pretty sure its stats and abilities will improve if it reaches SSS-RANK." Asher slowly nodded his head, his mind already weaving this terrifying apex predator into his future battle plans. He walked towards his vast bed and lay down on it, letting the hum of his newly acquired divine skills settle deep into his veins.
"I should get some sleep, I am pretty sure this party won’t end smoothly, there will surely be people looking for trouble." He said, closing his eyes as the weight of the day’s endless calculations finally caught up to him.
"I just need four hours rest."
___
[Awakened Association Headquarters.]
"Sir, why did you simply go with his demands?" Zion asked, standing rigidly before Daniel’s polished obsidian desk, a deep, rebellious frown on his face.
They were the supreme police force of all Awakened, the very shield and sword of human society—so why submit to an arrogant kid? His rigid sense of justice demanded to know why they were bending the knee.
Daniel pushed a classified, red-stamped file towards him without saying a single word. The suffocating gravity in the older man’s eyes made the air in the sterile office feel incredibly heavy.
".....?!"
Zion’s frown deepened at the dismissive action, but he still picked it up: "This?"
As his eyes scanned the paper and the unbelievable intel within, he was suddenly stunned speechless. The very foundation of his worldview cracked.
"Yeah, Aetheldawn is indeed the fifth Ancient family... Do you think our Association has any power to order an ancient family?" Daniel asked, looking up at him with the weary, hollow gaze of a man who had seen too many graves dug by foolish pride.
"Um... This? Then why are the other Ancient Families after them?" Zion asked, looking up at him, his righteous anger rapidly melting into profound confusion.
"The ancient families never said that, they simply asked us to locate this family." Daniel pointed out, resting his heavy jaw on his intertwined fists.
"Wait, you mean?"
"We don’t know what they are thinking, they might be looking for Aetheldawn to invite them into their circle, or to form an alliance. Anything is possible... The reason everyone thinks they’re after them, well... The ancient families’ reputations aren’t good to begin with." He exhaled softly, the tyrannical, blood-soaked history of the world’s absolute elite hanging on his next words.
"Because of this unknown variable, I had to submit, and agree to his request... Right now, our Association can’t do anything to him." He said bitterly.
"But?!! What if he goes on a rampage or something like that?" Zion asked, smashing the files furiously onto the table.
"I am 100% sure he has something to do with what happened in the fair some days back!! I even saw him there!" He yelled, his desperate need to protect the innocent raging against his political chains.
"So what?!! We can’t do anything about that... If he does go on a rampage, we will send words to the other Ancient Families, and they’ll handle everything... I already sent words to the Ancient families about his whereabouts." He placed both palms flat on the table and forced himself to relax back into his leather seat, projecting a calm he did not feel.
"For now, we wait and see how everything turns out."
Zion stared at him for a long while, the muscles in his jaw ticking rapidly, and finally sighed helplessly: "I will secretly watch him."
He turned around and stalked towards the door in simmering anger.
’Ancient families. Ancient families! Because of the word Ancient, they’re now above the law! If I have a chance, I will punch one in the face and run away!’ he thought with gritted teeth, loathing the untouchable nobility that ruled their reality from the shadows.
"Zion."
He stopped in front of the door, looking over his shoulder at Daniel.
"You should never hit anyone from any Ancient families, including the Aetheldawn... If you do that, it’ll be considered a treason, which will not only lead to your death, but everyone around you... I mean, your parents, siblings, and friends, with their families, everyone who knows your name will disappear; no matter how you hate this, you should never raise your hand on anyone from these five families, Even if they irritate or anger you, go with it! Do you understand?" He asked, staring at him with a deadly, serious expression.
This wasn’t a reprimand; it was a desperate plea for survival against a terrifying force that eradicated entire bloodlines as easily as breathing.
Zion nodded his head with clenched teeth, the horrifying reality of the Awakened hierarchy finally settling into his bones: "I understand, Sir." He said, opened the door, and walked away.
Daniel exhaled sharply, relaxing deep in his seat as the door clicked shut. He remembered Asher’s bold, terrifying words of taking control over Vaeloria. He had deliberately hid this part in his message to avoid an immediate bloodbath, but if the Ancient families sent representatives to the city, it would be a catastrophic disaster, even to him.
"In the party, I will see how it goes... Asher Aetheldawn, what a mysterious man.... every detail pointed you as a Starfire, but you are actually the descendant of an ancient family. What a strange world." He closed his tired eyes, pondering the ancient meaning behind that very name—a noble dawn, threatening to rise and burn away the established order.
"I will watch and see how you face the storm heading your way, I just hope the innocent people won’t get dragged into this... But If you do succeed, you might be of help."