Chapter 10 — The Second Zenin
The thug stepped forward, Saying You Small Little Brats
Vaelrik said.
"Be quiet," he said calmly, voice sharp
"I'm not in the mood to fight here."
His eyes narrowed.
"Teach him a lesson," Thug said.
"Break his legs and hands. Take the money... and throw his body in the river."
First Zenin I Leave It To You, Vaelrik Said it.
Zenin stepped beside him, expression blank.
Understood, my lord... but I don't have a sword.
Vaelrik gave a short breath through his nose.
Then just beat them and take one.
He turned slightly.
"Zenin. Focus your aura into your legs and fists. Feel the mana in the air. Sense everyone nearby."
Zenin closed his eyes. His aura pulsed faintly.
"Thirteen," he said. "I can feel thirteen people."
Good. Vaelrik's voice was steel. Take a sword from one of them. Kill them all.
Without hesitation, Zenin rushed forward. In one motion, he struck a man down and yanked the sword from his falling body.
Throats opened. Limbs snapped. Screams cut short.
Within minutes, the ground was silent. Thirteen heads rolled across stone and dirt.
A survivor gasped, trembling. What the hell is this?! This isn't what we were told!
Vaelrik stepped forward.
You forgot to check who you were attacking, he said.
An S-rank adventurer.
His voice darkened.
And you're dumb enough to think normal people carry that much gold?
Tsk... forget this guy. Let's leave!
But, my lord, can't we at least sleep at an inn?
You killed twelve people. Guards will come. Escape before they arrive, Vaelrik said coldly, walking toward the mountain path.
Zenin grinned. Camping on the mountain is the best, my lord.
I know, Vaelrik replied. Now go. Make your second core.
Okay... Zenin nodded.
Morning
YEAAAHHH!!! Zenin roared. My lord I reached 2-star!
Ugh... cong...ratu...lations... "Vaelrik muttered, still half-asleep."
After a while, Vaelrik dropped a backpack in front of Zenin.
Here. This one's for you.
Zenin looked up. What's this, my lord?"
Vaelrik tossed him a pouch of gold. "5000 gold. From now on, you walk your own path.
Zenin flinched. Wait… you're sending me away?
No, Vaelrik said, turning away. I'm giving you a journey.
He paused. When you reach 5-star, come find me at the Engul Family.
Zenin opened the pouch. His hands trembled. But… why now? What about you?
Vaelrik didn't answer immediately.
Then, calmly, he tossed two small rings toward him.
A space ring. And a communication ring. You can call me anytime.
Zenin caught them and whispered, But why… why are you
"You know what they say... Vaelrik cut him off.
Curiosity killed the cat.
A moment of silence.
Zenin lowered his head. ...Understood.
Vaelrik turned to leave.
One last thing.
He tossed a sword to Zenin.
Use this for now. I'll give you a better one when we meet again.
Zenin caught the sword, holding it tight.
They didn't say goodbye.
Vaelrik walked east.
Zenin walked south.
Neither looked back.
But they both smiled… just a little.
Vaelrik and Zenin part ways
Vaelrik walked into a dusty trade street, quiet... too quiet.
Black market? he muttered. Tch. Filthy.
HEY! HE'S RUNNING! HOLD HIM!
A green-haired boy, no older than thirteen, dashed through the crowd with a girl slung over his back. Her face was pale. Dirty. Barely breathing.
He crashed into Vaelrik.
Sorry !, the boy gasped.
Before Vaelrik could speak, two men Come out from behind.
One Hold the girl by her hair, dragging her back toward the slave market.
The other raised a whip and *lashed* it across the boy's back.
STOP IT, Vaelrik said flatly.
The man turned. How dare you
He didn't even look at him.
Instead, he crouched in front of the boy. Hey. There more kids like you inside?
The boy nodded quickly. Y-Yes. Please… save my sister…
Vaelrik reached into his cloak and pulled out a high-class potion, tossing it into the boy's hands.
"Drink it."
He stood up slowly.
Aura surged around his body like a flame.
His eyes narrowed.
"Sword God: First Form Tempest Breaker."
In a blink, he drew his sword.
The first slash came faster than a heartbeat.
One guard's head rolled. The other tried to scream.
Too slow.
More guards came running.
Three minutes later, the market was silent.
The ground painted red.
Eighty Nine heads lay where men used to stand.
Vaelrik turned back to the boy. You're unfazed.
Ah… s-sorry, mister…
Vaelrik smirked. What do you wanna be when you grow up?
A swordsman… mister.
Hah… good answer.
He turned to the cages. Free them. All of them.
A man crawled out from the shadows, trembling. D-Do you even know who you're messing with?
Vaelrik didn't look at him. Don't know. Don't care.
Your whole family will be Killed!
Vaelrik's glare shut him up instantly.
You're using your tongue again, he said. Try your brain next time.
You MONSTER, You killed my comrades."l
Vaelrik looked down at the bodies. Ask yourself… who's the real monster here?
You sell your own kind. How low have you fallen? Or did you never have shame to begin with?
Making other people live in hell is easy for you. But when it's your turn
Vaelrik stepped forward, voice cold.
You cry. You beg. Funny. Shamelessness… it's a skill. Not everyone masters it.
He raised his blade.
Let me send you to where your friends went.
NO Please, I beg you, I'm begging
Those kids begged too. You didn't listen. You gave them hell in this world.
Vaelrik turned to the rescued kids.
You want me to leave him alive?
The kids shouted: *NO*
Vaelrik raised an eyebrow. Heh.
He turned away. Run.
W-What…?
I said run.
Ah—thank you! The man scrambled, sprinting into the woods.
Vaelrik watched… then vanished.
*Slash.*
His body dropped. Head rolled across the leaves.
"Vaelrik, how many people are there?"
The green-haired boy stood beside him, quietly.
"Sixty-two, mister."
"Gender?"
"Forty-two females. Twenty males."
Vaelrik nodded. Wait here.
He pulled out a small black stone the emergency signal his father had given him long ago.
He crushed it in his hand.
A rift split open in the air. Big enough for one man.
From the rift stepped a man in a black coat.
Dumen. The First 9th Circle Mage.
His father.
You remember us, huh? Dumen said, voice steady.
You know how worried we were? You were ten when you left.
The kids stared in shock.
A noble…?
Vaelrik kept his gaze low. I'm not coming home.
You are now.
"Dumen. Barrier."
A flash of light surrounded Vaelrik.
He tried to push through.
But it held.
Why... is it so hard to break?
Dumen grinned. "I'm the first 9th-circle mage, you brat. You think a mere child can escape my bindings?"
Vaelrik growled. My adventure's not done.
Yeah, well, you're coming home. Oh and who are all these kids?
They were being sold as slaves. I killed the slavers. These kids are free now. Can't we take them in?
Dumen paused. Looked at the blood. The bodies. The frightened but free faces.
...Heh. Just like your mother.
He raised his voice.
Alright. Everyone—follow us.
Back at the mansion
AHHH! My baby!
Vaelrik's mother ran straight to him, hugging tight.
You've become so thin! Didn't you eat at all?!
Vaelrik sighed. ...Enough to stay alive.
She turned to Dumen.
Honey, go Cook something for him. Right now.
Dumen Sweating. Ask the servants. That's what they're for.
She glared. They'll take forever. You're a 9th-circle mage you can cook faster than all of them.
Dumen scratched his head. But my dignity as a—
What will dignity do? My son hasn't eaten properly in years!
Fine.
He began cooking using magic.
Few minutes later, a feast was ready on the table.
Vaelrik sat and ate quietly.
...Ugh... my belly. Ate too much… hard to breathe now.
Later that evening, Vaelrik asked a maid
Where's the green-haired boy?
The maid guided him to a guest room.
Vaelrik stepped in. The boy stood up immediately.
Young Master
What's your name?
Ashen
Pfftt... where do you learn that?
The Maids Taught Me Before You Came.
You want to work for me?
Yes, young master. I'll do anything
Would you become my Second Zenin? Swear loyalty to me. Only me
Yes, young master
Use 'my lord' instead
...Understood, my lord
I've got 3 questions
Yes, my lord?
Would you take orders from the Emperor?
No, my lord
Why?
My loyalty belongs to you. You're the one who saved me
Vaelrik's eye twitched. What about God?
No
Why?
I begged them. Again and again. Just one miracle to save my sister. They never came
Maybe I was the miracle
Really?
Just kidding
...Understood, my lord
"Vaelrik Thought: He Is serious as hell."
We leave tonight at 2 am.
Vaelrik handed him a space ring, a communication ring, and a robe
Wear this. Pack everything
At 2 am, they stood near the estate wall
A 4th-class barrier? Vaelrik muttered. Tch. He really thought I'd stay
What now, my lord?
Nothing. My father underestimated me
Vaelrik focused his aura and tore through the barrier
If it was 9th-circle, maybe I'd stay home like a good son
They disappeared into the night
Morning screams echoed through the mansion
KYAAAAA! YOUNG MASTER'S GONE!
In Vaelrik's room, a folded letter lay on the table
Father. Mother.
I'm leaving again.
Don't search for me.
I'll return when I'm 20.
With my Second Zenin.
There's a letter for sister too. Check her desk
Dumen held the letter, silent. A tear slid down the corner of his eye
Stella... yo
u should've placed a 9th-circle barrier
He clenched the letter in one hand
A servant ran in
My lord… Lady Maira ended the engagement. She said it was a mistake. She's dating the Crown Prince now
Dumen didn't respond
He just stared out the window
Where Are We Going My Lord
For Now We Will Stay At City
Sleep For Tonight, I Will Give You Something Tomorrow.