Chapter 64: Ch 64 : 197 Talents

"If both of you went to Veridia, what if the Corrupting Hand attacks us?" Vel, the leader of the elves, leaned forward, his voice a low, resonant murmur that betrayed a deep and strategic concern. He wanted Anaske to remain in the Realm of Advancement at all costs. As This human was the sole S-Grade powerhouse in the entire Cosmic Empire, and without him, their cities would be left defenseless against the ever-present threat of a demonic assault. "I understand your concern, Vel, but you also know the difficulty of the breakthrough from C to B," Anaske replied, his voice firm but laced with an emotional undertone. "My father is the first among us to break the limits of our innate talents, and I will not risk him having any mishap." Anaske’s plea transcended politics; it was a matter of family. He spoke with a raw honesty that had earned him the respect of the leaders. They had fought and bled together, building their empire from the ground up, and their trust was forged in the crucible of battle, not in political posturing. "Your points are both valid, and I give my vote to Anaske," Jasper, the gruff leader of the dwarves, said immediately, which was a common occurrence for all present. Vel shot him a dry look. "Just go to your smithy, you’re always eager to finish our meetings anyways." "We can’t stop Thalorax from leaving, as a breakthrough is not something that could be stopped, and Anaske’s reasons are equally compelling," Eira, the leader of the Fairies, spoke up, her ethereal voice a gentle counterbalance to the tension. "So, what is your suggestion, Eira? I don’t think you would bring up a problem without a solution." Vel replied, hopeful that Eira would’ve a solution. Eira offered a solution that sent a ripple of debate through the council. "We could just ask the demigods for help." "Are you forgetting the decree of the gods?" Anaske repeated the clear and absolute law they all lived by. "The gods have decreed that with the emergence of S-Grade powerhouses, they will only fight against demigods of the demonic race." "I know that," Eira chuckled, a delicate sound like the ringing of a silver bell. "I was just joking. We should ask for Morticia’s help." "A demon?" Vel’s voice was filled with skepticism. He was worried about the loyalty of Morticia, who had only recently joined their ranks. "Even the gods have given her a chance, why shouldn’t we, the life forms, give her one?" Eira reasoned with a serenity that calmed the tense atmosphere. Fairies are born with the power of light and the ability to see the good and evil in beings. Eira saw no evil nature in Morticia. Eventually, after a heated debate and a democratic vote, Eira’s suggestion won. The decision was made: both Anaske and Thalorax were approved to leave, with Morticia designated as the temporary guardian of the empire. The next day, both Anaske and Thalorax stepped through the shimmering portal that connected the Realm of Advancement to Veridia. The air felt purer, cleaner, a stark contrast to the demon-tainted atmosphere they were used to. They parted ways, with Anaske heading to the Northern Continent, the home of the humans, and Thalorax going to the Western Continent, the domain of the Dragonborns. Anaske arrived in the grand human capital, a city that looked like a marvel of engineering and magic. Its walls, with a beautiful marble sheen, were strong enough to withstand the force of an S-Grade powerhouse, and the city itself could house over a million people. The moment Anaske stepped into the city, the entire population understood who he was. For the youngsters, he was their hero, the one who had led the humans to their greatest heights. He was the leader of the Cosmic Empire, a mythical figure brought to life. Due to the time difference, many of Anaske’s friends now looked old, and some had even passed away. The new generation only knew him through the system’s social media applications. When he saw his father, Thorn, a lump formed in his throat. His father looked much older and wiser, his face etched with the lines of time. They spent precious moments explaining the situation of their respective realms. The information on the system was often elusive and simplified for the masses; only those who fought the demons could truly understand the grim realities. Suddenly, Thorn’s body began to burn, and a sensation of pure energy coursed through him. He knew exactly what it was. "The breakthrough," he whispered. Anaske, understanding the gravity of the situation, immediately helped him to the nearest empty cliff. A breakthrough was an incredibly sensitive process that couldn’t be disturbed, as it could cause a backlash that would kill the person. Thorn sat cross-legged on the hill, his eyes closed. He immediately tried to control the burning sensation according to the techniques he had received. A breakthrough to B-Grade usually took a minimum of one day and a maximum of three to four. Many demigods of Veridia and the surrounding areas came out of their hiding to keep an eye on this monumental event, the first of its kind in Veridia. Slowly, the first day passed. The breakthrough was near completion and required only a slight push. But just then, a cold, mocking laughter echoed across the sky. The sound was filled with so much malevolence that it seemed to twist the very air. Every demigod came out from hiding, immediately surrounding Thorn and Anaske. Nova, sensing the immense spatial disturbance, teleported instantly to the location. The space above the cliff ripped apart, and a figure, radiating pure menace, descended into the atmosphere of Veridia. Upon his arrival, the air around them felt tainted and heavy with demonic energy. The pressure he exerted surpassed all the pressure combined from the other demigods present. "Hello there," the figure said, his voice echoing in the minds of every living being. "Let’s introduce each other first." Thorn felt his ears burst from the sheer pressure of the voice, and the breakthrough failed, causing a catastrophic backlash that threatened to tear his body apart. The human demigod, in a panic, used every elixir and herb he had to stabilize Thorn’s condition. All the demigods present looked at the demon in horror, their expressions a mixture of fear and dread. Sunny, who was currently checking the God Chat, was jolted from his peace. He immediately used his God’s Eye to see the details of this new threat, and his own mind was hit with a shock he hadn’t felt since his Godhood started. "197 talents?" Sunny’s mental voice was a stunned gasp. He didn’t even need to look at the name or the details of the talents; the sheer number was enough to make him understand the magnitude of the threat this demigod demon posed.