Chapter 24: "Waste body "

Garrick was also outside, leaving Kael alone. He had to participate in the plan as well—after all, he was a powerhouse, a Martial Master Realm being.

"That feeling of losing something when looking at the princess… What does it mean? And this strange sense of impending doom…? Will this plan fail, or will something even worse happen?" Garrick thought as he walked along the temporary battle line. Soldiers were running all around, each carrying out their duties, while his mind remained in turmoil.

Just then, he felt something and looked up.

"Rinugan…" Garrick muttered, closing his eyes. His vision changed as a small bird-like creature appeared in front of him at an incredible speed.

"Master…" Garrick called out. This was one of his master's skills, used to transmit messages. For her to send it now meant there was something urgent she needed to tell him.

"Master, what do you want to tell me?" Garrick thought as he grabbed the bird. Suddenly, a massive surge of information poured into his mind.

Glimpses of war flashed before him—scenes so brutal they left him stunned. But the most shocking were the images at the end. A headless body—his own. And worse… his master, dead.

A familiar feminine voice followed, confirming his fears.

"Garrick, a great danger is coming. I dreamt of this last night. As you know, we ancient warriors are no longer mere mortals—everything about us is extraordinary. This dream might be a vision of the future. My mind has been restless, so I'm heading toward you. In the meantime, trust no one, and always watch your back."

The voice was unmistakable. It was his master's.

Garrick stopped in his tracks, stunned. Coupled with his earlier uneasiness, the feeling of loss, and the growing sense of doom, he truly felt this vision might be real.

Clenching his fists, he made up his mind. "Master will be here soon. I should try to keep myself safe… but this is war. I can't back down now. The crown prince would likely kill me for it—or worse, kill my family. Besides, Commander Darius has treated me well. Apart from Master, he's the only mentor I've ever known."

"I can't let my family die. And I won't die either… no matter what."

Taking a deep breath, he considered the vision again. "But it seems we lost the war… I should warn the crown prince to be more cautious."

With that thought, Garrick hurried back toward Kael's tent.

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Inside the tent, Kael lay on the available bed, resting.

"A few hours left until the war begins… Garrick will die soon. Then, I'll finish this trial and move on to the next. Sigh… I feel nostalgic. I miss home."

Kael stared up at the ceiling of the tent.

"But I lived that life to the fullest. Now, it's time to live this one."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Kael…"

A soft, feminine voice cut through the silence, making his entire body tense.

Who is it? How did they get so close to me?

Kael's gaze swept the room, landing on the intruder. She held a strange stick-like object in her hand.

[All-Seer]

Name: Invble Stick

Effect: Grants invincibility for one minute (can't be detected by those less than a ancient warrior)

Rank: Semi-Ancient (half a step into the Ancient Warrior Realm)

"So, a weapon meant for an Ancient Warrior?" Kael mused, his eyes narrowing at Kim.

She had probably received it from her master—someone Kael had yet to meet.

"Kim, how did you get in here? And why are you here again?" Kael asked, feigning surprise.

Kim put away the stick and met his gaze.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is why I came," she said firmly.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what reason would that be?"

Kim hesitated for a brief moment before closing her eyes.

"I want us to consummate our marriage."

Kael blinked. "Huh? Where is this coming from? We're not even married yet."

"Wait… is this to make me protect your people? Or to reduce their casualties?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Kim nodded her head. "Yes and I don't want to follow my master. She wants me to leave with her tomorrow, claiming something unexpected has happened. But I know the real reason—it's because she heard about our upcoming marriage."

Kael smirked. "And?"

Kim clenched her fists, determination shining in her eyes.

"If my people are going to die like this, I want to protect them. The only reason I'm even her disciple is because of my rare physique. Normally, I wouldn't be allowed to engage in… such acts… until I reached the Ancient Warrior Realm. But I don't care about that anymore. My people can't die in vain."

She took a deep breath.

"So, I'm offering you my body. You'll grow stronger from the feedback of my special physique. In return, you'll help me protect them and win this war."

Kael stared at her for a moment before chuckling.

"Haha, that's cute, Kim. But no."

Kim's eyes widened. "Why?"

"Have you really thought this through? Leaving your master means losing the support of an Ancient Warrior. What happens to your kingdom then? Other kingdoms will see your kingdom as weak and send more soldiers. This war will become even more dangerous."

Kim's expression didn't waver.

"Good. Then we'll wipe them all out at once.".., Kim replied.

Kael studied her with mild amusement as she spoke . "You say that as if you actually care about the Ancient Warrior's support. But you don't. And your elder sister… she's from the Central Continent. With her in your family—and me present—who would dare challenge us?"

She crossed her arms. "So, I stand by my decision. Should I start?"

Kael was impressed. She was saying all of this so boldly, without fear. Even her embarrassment was kept in check.

He hadn't expected this level of resolve from her.

What he also didn't know was how long Kim had thought about this—how much she had mentally prepared herself. Ever since Kael's elder sister told her where he was, Kim had been thinking of ways to convince him.

She knew she couldn't offer him fame, wealth, or military power. But she could offer her body.

And with her special physique, that alone could give Kael—who was considered a "waste body"—a major boost in strength.

Of course, there was a catch.

The realm he would reach from absorbing her feedback… would be the highest realm he could ever achieve in his lifetime.

After all, he was a "waste body."

But Kim had no idea how wrong she was. Kael already possessed the Chaos Body, and through this war, he would grow strong enough to kill the Son of Destiny, completing his trial.

"That sounds enticing," Kael said with a chuckle.

"But honestly, I'm not interested. I need to finish this trial as soon as possible, and pleasure and work should never mix. I learned that the hard way," Kael thought, shaking his head.

"But Don't assume too much. Do you really think my elder sister would send people to help for nothing? Or that we're the only ones with connections in the Central Continent? Your master is a powerful deterrent, and if she tells you to leave, then leave already. You're practically useless in this war. As for your offer, under different circumstances, I might have considered it. But noon is approaching, and I need to finalize this plan—otherwise, your kingdom is as good as lost. I'd appreciate it if you either find somewhere to sit or just return to the kingdom and stop bothering me," Kael said, his tone dismissive.

Kim opened her mouth in shock.

She was stunned. Every word Kael spoke struck her heart without mercy, leaving her frozen like a statue.

"Crown Prince," a male voice broke through the tension. Kael turned toward the entrance, where the shadowy figure of a man stood.

"As you can see, I'm busy. Help yourself out," Kael said as he stood and walked past Kim toward the entrance.

"I'm... useless?" Kim whispered, her mind replaying Kael's words over and over.

"Oh, and remember what I said about brain over muscle sometimes? Yeah, that doesn't work for you because there's no brain up here—so just rely on your instincts," Kael added, pausing for a moment.

Kim's body trembled, but Kael was already gone.

"That should stop her from interfering any further. Good," Kael thought as he turned his attention to the one who had called him.

The voice and the silhouette were familiar. Kael knew who it was without even seeing his face—Garrick, his bodyguard and the Son of Destiny of this world.

"You called for me, Garrick? What happened?" Kael asked as Garrick greeted him with a formal bow.

"Crown Prince, I have something important to discuss with you," Garrick whispered, glancing around cautiously.

"And what is that?" Kael asked.

"My master is a Seer. She has seen the future... and we lost the war, Crown Prince," Garrick said.

Kael's eyes narrowed, momentarily stunned.

"I think that should be believable enough," Garrick thought as he studied Kael's reaction.

"Holy hell... his Ancient Warrior master is making a move," Kael realized.

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