Chapter 290 - 289:Ascension Tests
Chapter 290: Chapter 289:Ascension Tests
"Ha... Haha..." it came out before I could stop it, and before I knew it,
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!" I was already hollering like an asylum patient.
What a riot!!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" The thought only made me laugh even harder.
"Big brother? What’s wrong?" Little Lucien’s voice snapped me out of my mad hollering as I looked at the kid,
"Nothing little man." Lowering my hand from his head, I lifted him up, and placed him gently atop my head.
I looked back at my reflection.
The Crimson and Black devil was still there.
Still contrasting sharply with the blinding brightness of Lucien’s light.
But this time, it didn’t feel as heavy.
If this devil was what this little man had translated into the term "hero" then it is worth it.
It is absolutely worth it.
"Big brother is fine, little man. Big brother is absolutely fine."
Once again the thought resurfaced.
If this devil could keep my family and loved ones safe, then so what if the world sees me this way?
So long as that image remains in the heart of my loved ones, in the heart of this little child, then it is worth it.
"Okay big brother, if you say so." The little guy chirped as he settled fully on my head.
"What now? Lucien still feels energized!!!"
"You don’t tire easily do you?"
"Hum. Hum." He nodded vigorously.
"Alright then, how about coming with me to see the old man?"
"Old man?"
"Yes. A very grumpy old man."
"Eyy?? Lucien doesn’t like grumpy old men."
"Me neither little man, me neither."
Saying so, I let my perception bleed into the atmosphere as I informed the girls of my exit, before space folded and then,
WAP!
My figure was gone.
......
Instructors’ wing..
Valen’s cottage..
Space folded and my figure materiliazed like it had always been there.
"Took you long enough."
"Haaa... old man, why am I not surprised that you knew I’d be coming?" I sighed, not even fazed.
"You and your father are alike, you seem to find some weird delight in annoying me."
"Heh! Valen is acting cool again."
"Leave the old guy, he needs to farm aura every once in a while."
"You call someone else old like you’re not an old guy yourself."
"Ack... Dakota!!!"
Hearing the familiar squabble, I turned, just in time for a black and red blur to launch itself straight into my embrace,
"DANTEEEE!!!!!!"
"Heh! Aunt k, it’s not even been that long, miss me this much already?"
"Sniff... sniff... Haaaa.. you have no idea.." she replied after sniffing my entire body.
"Big brother!! This sister is weird!!!" Lucien’s surprised voice immediately silenced the entire place.
....
....
"A... demon?" Hearing that familiar voice, I turned, just in time to catch aunt v, her cold black eyes staring death holes into Lucien’s little frame.
I could feel the little man retreat at the stare, his little frame trembling slightly,
"It’s alright little man..." I brought my hand down on his head, giving him a reassuring pat, "I’m here..", that seemed to work as he nodded and stopped trembling.
"Hmmm?" I could see the surprise visible in the eyes of everyone present, even valen, that expressionless old man wasn’t exempted.
"Dante...". Aunt V called out, I could already infer her questions without her even saying anything.
"Haaa... it’s a long story aunt v.."
"Then summarize it for us." Dakota.
I looked around, all eyes were on me, specifically on the little guy atop my head, whose eyes were now devoid of any fear and were just looking around, his childish curiosity returning in full force.
"That’s much better.."
I smiled, "well, this is what happened...."
.......
.......
The silence that followed was heavy.
Aunt V, Tian, Aunt K, and Valen, all their expressions had gone totally somber.
"His name." Aunt V’s cold and emotionless voice echoed through the quiet like a reaper’s call.
"Huh?"
"His name. The pig that did all of that. I want his name."
"I already made him pay thoroughly aunt v."
"It’s not enough. This goes beyond just one filth, it affects the entire Draken ancient family, it seems that snake has let things fester even more."
"Hmm... what do you plan on doing?"
"I plan on sending a message, now, give me his name."
I looked into those cold black jewels that were brewing with murderous intent, and I couldn’t help finding this side of hers absolutely magnificent, so, I shrugged and then,
"Caris. They called him Caris Von Draken."
"Caris. I know that filth’s family. I guess they no longer have any reason to continue existing." Saying so, she took a single step as space cracked and she stepped through, the crack closing sharply behind her.
"Hmm... you guys don’t think..."
"Heh! It’s exactly what you’re thinking Dante." Aunt K laughed.
"Haaa... so much for keeping our heads low until he’s ready." Tian sighed.
"It is inevitable, such filth goes against everything that fool had taught her, and considering her own experience..." at the old man’s words, the entire group fell silent once more, leaving me confused.
"What experience?" I asked.
"You’ll have to ask Raven herself."
That answer didn’t soothe me one bit.
"Seems I was right." There indeed was something I was missing.
Crrrack!!
Before I could continue my thoughts, space fissured and cracked as a figure stepped through.
Clawed hands dripping blood, four draconian horns curling out of her head, a magnificent pair of pitch black draconic wings behind her, aunt v stepped out of the space crack, her entire form radiating such an intense murderous intent that the entire area felt like it’d been plunged into the deepest abyss.
I hurriedly shielded Lucien before the feeling could creep up on him, but it wasn’t needed as the aura disappeared, and along with it, Aunt V’s transformation.
The scent of fresh blood lingered around her for a fleeting moment before even that vanished.
"How many?" Valen asked.
"His entire lineage has been wiped from the face of this planet. I shall not allow the possibility of another one like him to be born."
"And they just let you get away with that?" Dakota sneered.
"Heh! That spineless snake isn’t capable of doing anything without my pathetic father curtailing his stupidity."
"Ha! So much for an ancient family. To allow such a stain on their name. Regulus would be disappointed." Tian laughed.
"They won’t let it go, raven, you just painted a target on our backs, especially his.." the old man suddenly pointed towards me.
"Especially with his trip to the abyss coming up."
The words made my thoughts stop.
"Abyss? Trip?" I finally took my heated gaze from aunt v’s beautifully murderous figure, turning towards the old man.
"What’s this about a trip to the abyss old man?"
"Hmmm? Oh, that. I wanted to wait for later but now is a good time as any to inform you."
"Inform me of what?"
"Of the upcoming Supreme Sanctum ascension tests that will be taking place within the abyss."
"You’re not saying..."
"Tell me, Dante."
"How long do you intend to remain the strongest frog in a well?"
I kept quiet at that question, my excitement slowly bubbling up, as my eyes remained fixed in the old man, waiting. Waiting for his next words.
"It’s time you stepped into the real world."
"Finally..."
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A/N: finally! We’re getting to the abyss arc, hoo... don’t get too excited.
Anyways,
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Thanks for reading..