Chapter 38 – Ripples of Power
The sun cut through the marsh fog the next morning, weak but determined. Golden rays glinted off the dewdrops that clung to every blade of grass and tangle of root. Birds chirped again. The world, it seemed, was trying to pretend that yesterday hadn't happened.
But Auther hadn't forgotten.
Veyra's bloodline had stirred. Elira had frozen when it happened. Even Lyra, bold as she was, had hesitated. And Auther—he hadn't been ready.
They all had their demons. But hers… hers could burn the world if it wasn't tempered.
"Alright," he said, voice calm but firm. "Let's move."
---
The trek back to the city was long but uneventful. No more mutant attacks. No more sudden bursts of latent power.
Veyra walked with quiet grace, her steps slower than usual but steady. The silver glow in her eyes had vanished. For now.
Auther watched her closely, noting every subtle shift in expression, every faint twitch of muscle. He didn't know what kind of bloodline she carried, but it wasn't something average. It had reacted to danger with an instinctive will to destroy.
Ancient. Raw. Unforgiving.
The kind of thing that got people killed — or crowned.
---
By late afternoon, the city gates came into view — towering iron spires that shimmered faintly with warding runes. The line of merchants, adventurers, and beasts of burden stretched long and loud, but the guards waved Auther and his team through the side lane reserved for registered Awakeners.
As they entered, the familiar hum of the city embraced them. Mana-powered lights lined the walkways, casting golden hues across cobbled streets. Market stalls burst with voices and color, while patrols of armored peacekeepers kept an eye on the crowds.
"We're reporting in first," Auther said.
Lyra groaned. "No food? No bath?"
"Nope. You can have both after we're cleared."
---
The Awakeners' Association building loomed like a fortress in the heart of the city. A monument of white stone and dark crystal, its entrance was flanked by guardian statues and glowing crests. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with mana — sharpened, professional.
Auther led his team through the atrium toward the mission desk.
A woman with half-moon glasses and sharp violet eyes looked up from a crystal tablet.
"Name and mission ID?"
"Auther Finn. Marsh Subjugation. Code 64-D."
She tapped her device. Mana flickered briefly, scanning him.
"Confirmed." She paused, eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced through the record. "You killed an E9-ranked mutant?"
"Yes."
"With just four party members? None of whom are above E5?"
"Yes," he repeated.
She raised an eyebrow. "That's… impressive. Especially for a first direct assignment."
Auther said nothing.
The woman finally nodded. "Reward confirmed. Two Minor Mana Crystals. One Skill Book. And a bonus: 10 Contribution Points for exceeding the threat expectations."
She handed him a small black box and a stamped crystal card. "Someone from Evaluation will likely be contacting you."
Auther took the items without flinching. "Understood."
As he turned to leave, she called after him, "Finn."
He looked back.
"Be careful. Eyes are always watching the ambitious."
---
Outside, Elira squealed when Auther handed her one of the mana crystals. "Seriously?! For me?!"
"You earned it," he said. "Everyone did."
Lyra claimed the skill book with a grin, already flipping through it as they walked.
Veyra, however, stayed silent, walking a few paces behind.
Auther waited until they were near a quieter alley before slowing his steps.
"You've been quiet," he said.
She met his gaze, but her face was unreadable. "Do you think it's dangerous? What's inside me?"
"I think," Auther said carefully, "that it's powerful. And if you don't accept it… it might hurt you. But if you do… it could make you unstoppable."
She was silent for a moment.
"Then I want to control it," she finally said. "Even if it breaks me."
Auther placed a hand on her shoulder. "It won't. You're not alone."
For a heartbeat, something flickered in her expression. Gratitude. Fear. Maybe both.
---
Later, as they regrouped in the inn, Auther sat by the window, watching the streets below.
Lyra and Elira were arguing over dinner choices again, their bickering surprisingly comforting. Veyra was upstairs, meditating, trying to feel the pulse of whatever bloodline coiled inside her.
Auther opened his system screen again.
[SP: 61]
The E4 kill had granted him a solid boost — twenty points at once. More than three kills at his rank combined.
He'd also noted the pattern now:
Same-level kill = +5 SP
+1 level = +7 SP
+2 levels = +10 SP
+3 levels = +15 SP
+4 levels or more = +20+ SP, scaling further with difficulty
The system had no personality, no advice, no guidance. But at least it was consistent.
He thought briefly about creating a new F-rank skill — something minor, maybe a dodge enhancement or sensory boost. But he stopped himself.
F-rank skills wouldn't hold up forever.
He needed to start saving for E-rank and above. His enemies were only going to get stronger.
Still…
He was curious.
Auther began sketching out the framework of a higher-tier support skill — maybe a passive buff to endurance regeneration or a battlefield awareness overlay.
The cost projections began stacking fast.
E1 skill draft (basic passive battlefield intuition): 80 SP.
E1 skill draft (mid-grade physical reinforcement): 95 SP.
E1 skill draft (mana-formed spectral clone): 105 SP.
He whistled softly. "Looks like I'm gonna need a few more missions."
---
A soft knock at the door interrupted his planning.
Veyra stepped inside.
"I felt it again," she said without preamble. "Like a pulse inside me. It's growing."
Auther nodded. "That's good. You're becoming more aware of it. Can you describe it?"
She hesitated. "It feels… ancient. Hungry, but not violent. Protective. Like it's watching everything I do."
Auther stood. "Then let's learn to work with it."
She looked up. "You mean—"
"We'll train. Start slow. Meditation, mana control, then sparring. I want you to learn to call on it — and put it back in the cage when needed."
A hint of relief passed over her face. "Thank you."
"No need," he said. "You're part of this team. I trust you."
She paused at the door before leaving.
"You shouldn't," she said softly. "You don't know what I really am."
Auther looked at her steadily. "Then show me. When you're ready."
---
The moon was high when Auther finally lay down. The sounds of the city below echoed faintly through the walls — laughter, footsteps, wind through the lantern-lit streets.
He stared at the ceiling, his mind whirling with possibilities.
They weren't just survivors anymore.
They were becoming something more.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, Auther felt it — that dangerous, thrilling pull of momentum.
He wasn't alone.
And he was just getting started.