Chapter 82: Shadows in the Wake
The morning sun had barely cleared the canopy when Kael returned to camp, his thoughts lingering on Aelisa's haunting gaze and the cryptic power that pulsed beneath her teasing words. She wasn't just another woman drawn by his rising dominance—she was a sign. A whisper that the world beyond his current goals was watching, preparing, moving.
His wives were still asleep, wrapped in silken sheets and the echo of ecstasy. He didn't disturb them.
Instead, Kael sat alone by the edge of a crystal stream, allowing the water's cold clarity to ground his thoughts. His reflection shimmered with a new depth—eyes no longer just human, but reflecting molten crimson beneath.
[System Alert: Passive Trait "Crown of Dominion" detects spatial disturbance nearby.]
[Monitoring... No immediate threat.]
Kael sighed. "They're already watching me. Even before I reach Worldpiercer."
A few hours later, as the sun crested higher, his wives stirred and joined him, freshly bathed and dressed in traveling attire—each wearing their signature veil. Their divine beauty was barely hidden, but the veils kept mortal men from instantly collapsing under their charm.
Thalaria was the first to speak. "How far to the ruins?"
Kael turned his gaze eastward. "We'll reach the outer perimeter by dusk if we move steadily. That's where the trail of Nysera's hidden quest leads."
Valeria raised a brow. "The one with the five-day timer?"
Kael nodded. "Day two begins now."
They set out again.
By afternoon, the terrain grew more rugged—thick roots, uneven rocks, and the sound of distant growls. Kael's senses prickled. Emberfang, walking beside him, stopped suddenly.
The cub's eyes glowed—and for the first time, Kael felt a telepathic wave.
They killed her… made her fight for me... They tricked her...
Kael knelt. "Show me."
The memory surged into his mind.
Flashes of a colossal tigeress, divine in stature, clashing with another beast of similar might. Screams. Roars. The scent of blood. And in the shadows… humans laughing. Bandits. They had lured the enemy beast into her territory, forcing her to fight to protect her cub.
Kael's jaw clenched. "These same bastards are nearby?"
Emberfang growled.
Kael rose slowly. "Then we'll give them the mercy they deserve."
Minutes later, the group stumbled upon a clearing where a group of rough, armed men encircled a fire. They were loud. Filthy. And they had already noticed Kael's wives.
"Hah! Look at those eyes! You see the one in silver? Bet she's got a mouth like velvet!"
"Dibs on the one with the green trim!"
"They're probably rich nobles, traveling with their toy boy!"
Kael's gaze darkened, but he didn't speak.
He scanned them silently.
[Scanning Hostiles...]
Bandit Leader (Gorran) — Veinwoven Realm Tier 7/9
HP: 23,800 / 23,800
Strength: 188
Endurance: 174
Dexterity: 159
Bandit Warriors ×12 — Essence Drawn Realm 4–6/9
Strength Range: 80–130
Threat Level: Low
Pathetic.
He then turned to Emberfang, who stepped forward. His body began glowing.
[Flame Tiger Cub — Emberfang (Tier 4)]
HP: 7,800 / 7,800
Mana: 3,200 / 3,200
Strength: 311
Dexterity: 297
Ability: Blood Memory — Activated
Emotion Spike Detected — Grief Level: 82%
Kael stepped aside. "They're yours."
Flames burst from Emberfang's claws as he pounced forward like a divine comet.
The first three bandits didn't even scream. By the time the leader shouted for weapons, half his men were charred corpses. Emberfang moved like vengeance incarnate—each blow honed by memory and sorrow.
"Wait! PLEASE! We didn't mean—!"
The last three survivors crawled back, including the leader. Kael watched coldly as Emberfang ended them with one final roar.
Silence fell.
Then—
[Emberfang has fulfilled a blood-tied vengeance.]
[Evolution Triggered — Flame Tiger Cub → Infernal Flamebeast Cub (Tier 5)]
[Bond Strength: Deepened]
Emberfang collapsed for a moment, body glowing as bones and sinew twisted. Kael rushed forward and caught him.
The little beast whimpered softly—but he wasn't in pain. He was ascending.
Kael looked skyward.
"We move at dawn. But tonight… we honor his mother."
[EXP Gained from Battle: +4,000,000]
[EXP Gained from Sacred Union: +850,000]
[Total EXP Gained: +4,850,000]
[Current EXP: 49,822,850,000 / 58,982,400,000]
STATUS WINDOW: KAEL VIREN
System Level: 46
EXP: 49,822,850,000 / 58,982,400,000
Realm: Skyshatter Realm — Tier 9/9
HP: 75,800 / 75,800
Mana: 86,200 / 86,200
Stats (with buffs):
Strength: 870 × 2.4 × 2 = 4,176
Endurance: 820 × 2.4 = 1,968
Willpower: 845 × 2.4 = 2,028
Charm: 912 × 2.4 = 2,188
Intellect: 750 × 2.4 = 1,800
Dexterity: 850 × 2.4 × 2 = 4,080
Sin Points: 263,480,000 / 100,000,000,000
Sin Tier: Warlord Rank
SKILL WINDOW
Active Sin Skills:
• Sovereign Flame Crush [+]
• Wrathflare Lance [+]
• Flamebind Chains [+]
• Infernal Domain [+]
Passive Traits:
• Crown of Dominion [+]
• Sovereign Union [+]
• Nullfire Core [+]
Bloodline / Physique Traits:
• Carnal Sovereign Core [+]
• Sin Catalyst Matrix [+]
[Skill Upgrade Available — Spend Sin Points to enhance or evolve active/passive/bloodline skills]
[Bonded Partner Skills Eligible for Sin Point Upgrade]
Bonded Wives:
Selene — Skyshatter 9/9 (Moon/Shadow)
• Skill: Moonlight Weaving Lv 5 [+]
Evelyne — Moonglade 8/9 (Ice/Lunar Flame)
• Trait: Lunar Resilience [+]
Thalaria — Sunbound 6/9 (Lightning)
• Skill: Stormburst Wrath [+]
Nysera — Skyshatter 1/9 (Blood/Curse)
• Skill Insight: Blood Chains [+]
Valeria — Skyshatter 3/9 (Nature/Wind)
• Trait: Verdant Womb [+]
Pet Panel:
Emberfang — Infernal Flamebeast Cub (Tier 5)
Vira — Sky Serpent Hatchling (Tier 2)
Cultivation Realms:
Initiate → Essence Drawn → Veinwoven → Soulroot → Starforged → Sunbound → Moonglade → Skyshatter ← Current (9/9)
Next: Worldpiercer (Unlocks at System Level 47)
Heaven's Echo → Celestiaflame → Worldbreaker → Eternal Crown → Primordial Ascendant
Origin Flame (Locked)
Next: Chapter 83 — The Path of Flame and Blood