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Chapter 601: Setting the Stage

Seeing almost all of the original members of his team travel together was bound to garner attention. It was up to him and the others to remain calm in the face of said awe and gossip.

To avoid leaking confidential details of their experiences to the public, most of their journey happened silently.

In the meantime, Kieran thought about ways to train Fiend\'s Carnage. Simply utilizing it in battle would contribute to a precipitous rise in effectiveness, but Kieran wanted more.

He coveted the path of mastery and wanted to travel it. Something told him having an early mastery — even if incomplete in the eyes of a true Master - aligned with the principles of the Awakening. The Trial shed light on the topic, but it avoided going into great detail.

It wasn\'t tasked with shaping his Awakening but with evaluating how much his character had been primed.

Soon, they arrived at the Godhand Bazaar, and the crowd standing before its illustrious, ornate doors stepped aside. After giving them a wide berth to walk two or three abreast, the throng answered in murmurs, and Kieran spared them glances and approving nods.

Then, Kieran flagged down Milana after entering.

The executive clerk tasked with overseeing most of the transactions and discussions occurring on the first and second floors answered posthaste, hurrying up to him.

She gave a polite bow, fixed her glasses, and put on an attentive expression, "Yes, sir?"

Kieran chuckled at her tense shoulders, noticing her nervous ticks happening at once. Though experienced, it was clear she had some trouble standing before the Adept version of Kieran.

\'Learning to control this gaze should be moved up on my list of priorities.\'

Though the Old Myths were seemingly unaffected by his gaze, which was understandable given their vast abilities, others weren\'t so fortunate. The weaker someone was, the more intense an effect he had on them.

"At ease. I\'m not here to criticize your performance. I\'ve come to ask if you could fetch us some refreshments? Food and drink?"

Stores like this didn\'t usually have access to refreshments or grub, but Milana stressed the importance of niceties and aimed for an amicable environment where a deal could be brokered in a serene and relaxing space.

As such, the Godhand Bazaar allotted a portion of its funds to hiring Chefs. Not just for outside perusers but for their production team as well.

Ensuring the Forgers, Alchemist, Enchanters, Tailors, and what have you were well-fed and comfortable was a priority.

"They\'ll be with you shortly, sir," Milana answered. She looked around between Altair and the others, giving them brief smiles before focusing on Kieran again. "Where shall I have it brought?"

"The top floor will suffice," Kieran answered.

Moments later, he was striding toward the steps, and everyone else followed. As he curved the winding shoulder of the staircase, Kieran caught a glimpse of Bastion motioning something to Milana, perhaps pantomiming to bring extra drinks.

With their Adept bodies, ascending the flights of stairs were effortless, arriving at the top within seconds. It could have been faster had it not been for the design of the stairs. Its winding nature didn\'t allow one to bound up the stairs without ramming into the railing.

Entering the large conference room on the uppermost floor, everyone took a seat, including Kieran, who grabbed his chair from behind his grandiose desk.

Not long after they sat and stared at one another, silver trays of food and drinks were delivered to the conference room. A glimpse told everyone the food was freshly made, consisting of roasted meats, starches, and vegetables that filled the air with tasteful aromas. The drinks were simple: either juice from fruits around Xenith or water.

The mood was lighthearted, and everyone reached for their share of food and refreshments while Kieran lounged in his chair, staring at Altair.

The gaunt young man stared back, squinting at some point.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I know that look... you want me to go first, don\'t you?"

Kieran smiled. "Won\'t you do us the pleasure?"

Bastion gorged himself on the roasted meats, spiced oils dripping down his mouth as he voiced his assent. Everyone subconsciously distances themselves from him as morsels of food spewed from his mouth.

"Yeah, underboss. Get to telling us a mean story. I want to hear all about your Advancing."

Alice frowned and rapped Bastion\'s shoulder. "Close your mouth when you\'re eating, gods! You\'re already back to your boorish ways."

Bastion reddened, a hint of embarrassment shading his features. It had been so long since Alice chastised him that he forgot she prioritized etiquette.

Altair sighed and shook his head.

"On one condition."

Kieran raised a brow, implying that Altair voiced the condition.

Altair\'s gaze swept over the room. "Everyone that is an Adept and has faced an uncommon Advancing with unique experiences must share theirs as well."

It wasn\'t an impossible ask.

Kieran had never wanted to pry into the happenings of his teammates, but learning more about their experiences could help him create a tailored regimen for each of them. The more he thought about it, the more Kieran felt inclined to agree, but he couldn\'t decide alone.

He looked to Ezra first.

"Are you open to that?"

Ezra nodded silently, and Kieran moved along. Before Kieran could ask the other holder of a Legendary Class - Bastion - he bellowed across the table.

"Count me in! I love story time. It reminds me of my abuela reading me stories in my youth."

Aside from these four, Kieran wasn\'t sure if the others endured an Advancing with significant meaning. If his suspicions were correct, then the depth of one\'s Advancing was determined by their Class. The lower the rank, the less intense the difficulty.

In that same vein, the rewards had to be similarly lackluster.

Gathering himself, Altair scooted in his chair, clasping his fingers, and released a breath while tentatively looking around. "Brace yourselves... you\'re in for a ride. A dark ride."

"Oooh, scaryyy," Nemean teased, leaning in to show his deepening interest.

Altair smirked, his deep silver eyes darker and more ominous than usual. They glinted in the dark, something domineering and controlling brewing until it gripped everyone\'s attention. \'Oh? Since when did Altair become such an animated storyteller?\'

Kieran could feel what Altair was doing, for his senses were keener than they used to be

thanks to his Type, Titles, and a number of other advantages.

Altair was expertly setting the scene by way of his acquired abilities. If he was going to tell the story, he would do it properly so that they experience the emotion in each word.

Slowly, a tide of deep, tenebrous shadows spilled from his body, expanding to encroach upon the entire room and envelope everyone.

A chill insidiously followed the darkness, suffusing the room with its gelid presence. Some paled, and others shivered, watching as their breaths condensed into clouds of gossamer-

white.

"Darkness, my old friend, come alive to help me tell a gripping tale. A tale of misfortune, loneliness, and solitude. It all begins with the life of a small boy, a lone child. One not like the rest, and so he became the lone one."