A week passed like a swift winter wind, leaving a lingering chill in its wake. James's daily routine was reforged by pain and merciless discipline.
Every pre-dawn morning, he would be the first to arrive at the training yard, and Brack would always be there waiting for him. The "horse stance" training that had once made him collapse in exhaustion in mere minutes, he could now endure for noticeably longer.
The muscles that had once screamed in agony began to adapt and strengthen, little by little. It was progress measured in sweat and pain.
But today, something was different. After the grueling physical training ended, Brack didn't walk away as usual. Instead, he called James over.
And that was the signal for the first theoretical lesson to begin.
"Do you know that just having a bloodline isn't enough?" Brack began, his voice gruff but filled with experience. "Many promising kids have died worthless deaths because they never learned to awaken the power sleeping within them. The key is the 'Awakening'—the first time that power is roused."
He paused for a moment, his sharp gaze seeming to pierce through to the secret James was hiding. "I don't know what you went through in Alvia, or how you killed those men in the forest... I don't care. But the fact that you're still standing here breathing means you might have already passed that first step, whether by luck or by fate."
"But remember," Brack continued, emphasizing James's current status, "'Awakening' is just opening your eyes to the world. Right now, you're just an infant. All this training is to build your body into a 'Vessel' strong enough to contain the power you've awakened and to prepare for the next step… which is Level 2: Fusing."
Brack's explanation was like a lightning bolt striking James's heart. A cold chill shot down his spine.
How could he know?
For the past several weeks, James had guarded the secret of his Void-Born Apex Bloodline as tightly as possible. He hadn't told anyone, not because he didn't trust them, but because he himself didn't fully understand this power. It was his final defense, a trump card hidden away for a world that could betray him at any moment.
The realization that the world-weary old bear, Brack, could see through his defenses with just that sharp gaze was terrifying.
But beneath the shock, a new understanding took root.
Brack's explanation made the purpose of this torturous training painfully clear. It wasn't just about building strength, but about preparing a 'Vessel' for a much greater power…
…
That afternoon, the weather seemed a little warmer. While James, Ann, and Liana were relaxing in a corner of the bar, Frey approached them with a friendly smile. He looked much stronger now after having rested.
"Are you all… free by any chance?" he asked. "I'm heading home now, but I need to stop by the market to buy a few things first. Some supplies for my mother and a few things for the kitchen. It looks like it might be too much for me to carry alone… could you guys come with me?"
Ann gave a small smile. "Your day off has come around again, has it?" she said, nodding quickly in agreement. She knew well that Frey went home every time he had a day off.
Liana agreed out of curiosity; she was beginning to get used to life in the bar. James nodded without hesitation. He saw it as a good opportunity to repay Frey's kindness and learn more about the city at the same time.
And so, the four of them set off for the market together. The atmosphere of Felnia in the afternoon was still bustling, despite the winter chill. But on their way, as they were about to pass the strong and imposing "City Garrison" building, a scene made them all stop in their tracks.
A small crowd of townspeople was gathered around something at the entrance. And amidst the crowd, the sound of a woman's pitiful, sobbing cry could be heard.
"Please, sirs! My daughter… my daughter has been missing since last night!" a middle-aged woman in shabby commoner's clothes was kneeling, pleading with two guards who stood watch at the gate with indifferent expressions.
"We're looking into it. Go home and wait!" one of the guards replied, his voice weary and annoyed.
James frowned. He scanned the area and used his heightened senses to catch the whispers from the townspeople standing nearby.
"So pitiful… this is the third one this month," an old woman whispered to her neighbor.
"Yes… I heard the two who disappeared before… never came back."
Those words made James's heart skip a beat. The leisurely atmosphere of their outing was instantly shattered. Frey's face was a clear mask of fear and pity, while Ann looked at the guards with displeasure in her eyes. As for Liana, her face turned pale instantly. The scene before them must have triggered her own terrible memories.
The rumors he had heard… they were no longer just rumors. They were the truth, happening right before their eyes.
James remained silent, his mind piecing together the whole story. He was the only one who had seen the "abnormality" in the form of a strange ritual before. And now he was becoming certain that the disappearances of these people were no ordinary matter.
He turned to look at Liana and saw the genuine fear in her eyes, a reflection of the terrible experience she had just been through. While she saw the tragedy before her, James saw the pattern of a larger darkness. And he realized… that right now, he was the only one who knew that Felnia's problem was far more complex and dangerous than anyone thought.
After standing still for a long moment, Frey was the one to break the silence, his voice trembling slightly. "We… should get going to the market."
No one said anything, but they all nodded and followed Frey in silence. The bright atmosphere was completely gone, replaced by a heavy silence and the thoughts swirling in each of their minds. They quickly helped Frey buy the necessary items—herbs for his mother and fresh ingredients for the kitchen—before helping him carry the goods deeper into a residential area James had never visited before.
This was the residential area for workers and common folk. The alleys were narrower and more crowded than the commercial district. Old wooden buildings were packed tightly together, with clotheslines holding old garments strung from one window to another. Though it looked poor and cramped, it had a vitality of its own.
Frey led them to a small wooden house, one that looked old but was surprisingly clean and neat. The faded paint on the door and windows had been wiped clean, and on the windowsill were a few small clay pots with some herbs planted in them. It showed the care and love the owner had for this place, despite not being wealthy.
"Thank you all so much," Frey said with a sincere smile. He opened the unlocked door. "Come on in. At least have a drink of water before you go back."
Before Ann could refuse, a small, bright voice called out from inside the house. "Brother Frey! Are you back!"
A little girl of about eight or nine, in a simple cotton dress, ran out from inside with joy. She had large, round eyes and an adorable smile, just like her brother.
Frey laughed softly, gently stroking his sister's head. "Yes, Lina, I'm back. And look who I brought with me."
The little girl looked at her brother's three new friends with curiosity. At the same time, a middle-aged woman slowly walked out from the inner part of the house. She looked weak and thin, but her eyes were warm and full of kindness.
"Thank you all so much, dears, for looking after Frey," she said with a smile. "Please, come in and have a drink of water first."
Seeing the family's kindness, Ann nodded. The four of them stepped into the small house, which, though cramped, felt surprisingly warm and safe.