Secure Warmth

For what may seem like only a few seconds passed, Elsa felt as if several hours had slowly trickled by. Her mind fuzzed over her decision to finally take the authentic plunge into the cultivation world.

Finally, after so much hesitation and steeling her mind, she took another human being's life. For the betterment of her own life, Elsa decided to take what she considered the cruelest route possible for the highest reward.

Staring over at Roaring Thunder's frozen corpse, she didn't even see any gore or horrific imagery.

There was only a large icicle sticking right through his heart.

Because of Elsa's Ice energy, Roaring Thunder's blood almost immediately froze over, making it a clean kill compared to Asher's matches.

Just looking over her actions, Elsa realized then, she would never forget this moment in her life.

In a harsh world like theirs, occurrences like this happen often. When a person faces off against someone with absolute power, they could do nothing but fruitlessly struggle until the end.

And since she's the one holding the absolute power this time, Elsa would be able to move on with her life without anything happening to her.

Conflicting thoughts like these scrambled Elsa's mind.

But before Elsa fell too deep in this rabbit hole, the whole audience erupted in an explosive uproar!

"That Ice! I've never seen Ice Magical Power being so powerful!"

"How could this just be the power on Early Stage Origin Tier?! Too terrifying!"

"And this is her first time too….could this just be a coincidence?"

While most audience members reveal in utter awe from Elsa's absolute power, some were legitimately questioning the timing of this match.

After all, not too long ago, a person codename Ghost went up to fight with an equally stunning performance.

Just like what Elsa did, Ghost also had one-shotted his foe in his second match. Moreover, there's also the plain fact that the first part of Elsa's codename is literally Asher's.

Everything just seemed to line up too well.

However, those same people still pushed down the thoughts of Ghost and Ghost Ice possibly having some relations.

Even with their amazing feats, Elsa's feats significantly outshines Asher in every way.

No matter how powerful he is, Asher is still just in the Early Stage of the Spirit Tier realm. Though there are rumors spreading around how he has an attack that puts him at Mid-Stage level, nobody could say for sure unless he actually fights a Mid-Stage warrior.

Now, comparing this to Elsa's one-shotting a Peak Early Stage Origin Tier cultivator, Elsa's feat remained at a far higher level.

To have this kind of prowess at the Origin Tier realm only means Ghost Ice talent goes up to unprecedented levels!

The sheer comprehension abilities needed to even achieve the Origin Tier realm are already insanely high. And controlling Origin Mana energy in battle took a tremendous layer of concentration that just wasn't present in the Spirit Tier realm.

But despite those challenges any Origin Tier warrior would face, Elsa seemingly has perfect Mana control and unimaginable prowess.

The most frightening aspect about her was the fact she didn't even need to bring out her Origin Aura! Moreover, Elsa utterly shredded Roaring Thunder's Origin Aura like it was just fragile glass.

There was no other word to describe Elsa other than absolutely terrifying.

At later stages of the Origin Tier realm, people could only wonder in fervent anticipation about how powerful Elsa would be.

Although, all of the audience's roaring excitement penetrating the atmosphere couldn't reach Elsa at all.

Actually, the audience's frantic reaction only made Elsa feel even more mixed about her kill. It truly was like the more utterly outclassed and helpless a person, the more entertainment these people will have.

Right then, Elsa's thoughts were interrupted again as the noble-looking announcer reappeared back on stage.

As he showed up just several feet from Elsa, he only took one brief glance at her. In the split second he looked at her, an expression of momentary apprehension crossed into his eyes.

While Asher could make the staff in this organization, show a particular interest in him.

Elsa had directly caused a slight amount of wariness to swirl in the announcer's mind. After all, that kind of prowess in the Origin Tier realm could not be underestimated no matter the stage Elsa's in.

Still, Elsa had only vaguely detected the announcer glancing at her, but before she could spot it, the announcer had already turned his attention back to the audience.

"In just one move, Roaring Thunder is dead! Ghost Ice is the winner, doing it in such a spectacular fashion!"

"Truly, Origin Tier fights are amazing!"

The announcer's words only caused the audience members to get even more riled up. On this day, another newcomer to the Burning Night Pit Organization would have their fame spread like wildfire.

"Fuu~."

Finally, after a few seconds, Elsa released a breath, allowing her body to relax a bit of her tension.

Elsa had then attempted to calm her thoughts, wanting to move past this moment already. But when trying to do so, a sickening feeling began to surge within the pit of her gut.

Killing to get ahead in life would undoubtedly be necessary. And yet, she just couldn't feel as calm and collected as Asher was.

Many mixed emotions began to surge to the surface of Elsa's mind, but right then, a familiar warmth flowed into her back. This time, Elsa truly felt her entire being relaxed under this familiar warmth.

This warm energy was so gentle to her, caressing every inch of her body in a kind and caring manner as if it was her lover. Without even much thought on her part, Elsa simply followed her instincts on who was providing this warmth.

And, of course, the warmth was coming from Asher. His hand was glowing in calm, soothing blue light as he pointed it straight at her.

Though she couldn't see his face, Elsa just knew Asher had that usual calming smile of his.

Crossing gazes with Asher for only a second, Elsa remembers she's not alone. Even if she couldn't so readily accept killing someone, Asher is and would always be right there to comfort and support her.

Feeling far better now, Elsa tossed her gaze right back at the announcer. She felt some intrigue from the way the announcer was quirking his eyebrow at her, obviously questioning her brief, strange actions just now.

However, Elsa didn't provide any explanations. Instead, she simply nodded at the announcer, signifying she was ready to go.

The announcer quickly let go of his questions and told Elsa, "Come with me. For a first-timer, you will need to be registered. Furthermore, your rewards will be outstanding because of your splendid performance."

After saying this, the announcer promptly began to walk off stage, with Elsa following right in tow.

The two had quickly reached the exit corridor, and the announcer passed right past Asher. Still, the announcer didn't even question Asher's appearance here as if he already knew they were an unofficial team.

He simply continues to slowly trail to the record room, not even giving Asher a passing glance.

When Elsa started walking by Asher, she appeared to be calm and upright, as if the previous match didn't affect her at all.

To anybody else, Elsa's reaction would just seem normal. But Asher knew something was up. Without seeing her expression or even using his Aura Sense, he could just feel Elsa wasn't in the right state of mind.

Then, without caring that the announcer was only several feet ahead of them, Asher pulled Elsa into a gentle hug.

"You…"

Initially, Elsa appeared as if she was going to raise a complaint.

But when feeling Asher's warm arms cradle her waist from her back, she nearly collapsed into his embrace. There was a certain feeling only Asher could provide her.

It was the feeling of absolute security.

Even though Elsa is significantly stronger than Asher, she still felt safe, warm, and protected within his arms. All because Elsa knows she can pour out her true feelings to Asher, and he would always be there to console and connect with her.

"I must say, you were amazing. I, for one, got tingling chills watching you fight. But more importantly, how are you holding up?" Asher asked in a soothing tone of voice.

For a brief moment, he shot his eyes forward, only to see that the announcer was seemingly, patiently waiting for them.

However, Asher didn't focus on the announcer for long as he felt Elsa release a huge breath.

Elsa tried to keep her voice calm when speaking, but there was still a slight shaky aspect about it.

"I….I don't know what to feel. Asher….I'm sorry. You were so calm about everything and still so calm now. And yet I…."

Before Elsa continued on, Asher gave her waist a gentle squeeze, prompting Elsa to leak a small sigh of content and pulling her soft body closer to him.

Asher didn't hold any lustful or perverse thoughts as he pulled Elsa closer.

Even though her body felt heavenly, Asher only felt gentle warmth spreading in his chest. The feelings that he shared for her made it feel so soothing to simply hold Elsa in his arms.

And without Asher even being aware of it, the pleasure energy within his veins began to slowly stimulate. Then, just going off his natural instincts, Asher started to speak in a warming tone.

"Elsa, remember what I said? Don't put this kind of pressure on yourself. Like I said, all you need to do is at least knock them out, and it would all be good. Initially, I only assumed that killing would give us more rewards. And though it appears as it does, you don't have to force yourself to do it. In any case, your rewards will be amazing enough for just being a powerful Origin Tier cultivator."

Elsa didn't react for a minute, letting Asher's words slowly stew around in her mind.

Really, despite how proud and self-dependent she is, Elsa found it impossible to deny that relying on Asher helped significantly in stabilizing her mental state.

If he wasn't here, Elsa knew she would not have this feeling of incomparable warmth after such violent events.

"Asher….I....I-I mean, thank you for this."

From behind her mask, Elsa's face burned with intense heat!

She realized she got too swept in his momentum and nearly let out immensely embarrassing words. At lightning speeds, she shot her hand towards her chest, wanting to calm her rapid heartbeat.

'Oooh~.'

Asher suddenly heard Yuki's melodic voice echoing out in his mind as if she already knew something.

For his part, Asher did just barely catch that Elsa was seemingly going to say something else.

But since it was the appropriate time for that kind of talk, he didn't press on it. Moreover, Asher also felt his heart slightly speed up and some heat on his cheek from thinking about what Elsa would've said.

Forcing down his rising emotions, Asher told Elsa, "R-right. Now cmon, we have you rewards to claim."

"Mnh…."

Elsa only gave a small grunt of agreement, heavily preferring to not talk now less she wants to end up stuttering on herself.

Right then, the announcer who stayed still throughout that interaction suddenly began moving again without a single word. Asher and Elsa silently follow behind, and their hands were connected with each other.