Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1791: Saeng Kaelthar [Bonus]

Saeng stood in silence over the coffin.

His wife.

Others used the words "other half" too lightly sometimes. When he used it, he well and truly meant it.

Sylas Grimblade.

It was a name he had heard in passing before. But he seemed to pass it more and more often. In fact, it probably wouldn't have been long from now that he targeted that region of the world once again.

But what was the ultimate result?

This was the Horizon of the Kaelthar, it was where they had laid their claim and staked their flag. But they kept losing to a child who hadn't even known what this world was.

Originally, Saeng hadn't cared much. He had sat upon the throne of Patriarch for so extremely long already. It was enough time to see the ebbs and flows of generations, enough time to understand that not every loss meant a win was out of reach, and not every win made you immune from a loss.

Remaining steady-handed and even-keeled, not taking risks that were outside his tolerable range, were all things that one might be able to say was the reason the Kaelthar were among the bottom rung of the Thryskai Mortal Clans.

But it was also the reason they were never so close to losing everything either.

He could face the loss of his son, the failure to promote to Demi-God, even the extinguishment of his foothold within the Warlord Sanctums with a calm gaze.

He had already lost more than most had ever had, and he had gained more in his lifetime than others could even begin to fathom.

But right this moment... in this very second right here...

He felt rage for the first time in a very long time.

It didn't take shape on his face. It hid like a shadowy darkness in the crevices of his nostrils and the arc of his brows. It festered and foamed in the depths of his eyes, darkening his irises.

However, his third eye remained tightly sealed, closing into such a fine and perfect line it was hardly noticeable at all.

Saeng exhaled. It was a breath he had hardly been aware he was holding at all, and yet it didn't come out in a rush or a huff. Slowly and even, it filled the room with a heat that felt as though it had come from the depths of hell.

And then he walked out, his expression unreadable.

...

Sylas didn't know what his actions had brought about. He didn't target the Kaelthar on purpose, he hadn't even known for certain that someone had the Dominus Paragon Title here.

These Titles weren't just about being relatively intelligent compared to everyone else, it also had to meet a certain standard as well.

As many flaws as the best Rune Master of the Leava Clan had had, he was still a man worthy of acknowledgement by the system. It was just that that didn't mean much to Sylas and his own goals.

However, as time ticked by, and no one came to attack or press Sylas, his eyes couldn't help but narrow.

Something was certainly wrong.

The reason he was still awake right now was because he was ready for an all-out assault by the Kaelthar.

For his plan to work, he had no choice but to snatch Primus Luminaria and Dominus Paragon. But he had also been aware that this would mean his name would be announced to the entire Sector.

There wasn't much that he could do about this, so he was ready for the worst-case scenario. If it approached down to it, he probably planned on making Germaine sacrifice herself.

Sylas was very used to having to sacrifice quite a lot in order to keep and maintain his gains. He wasn't used to giving up... nothing.

Well, he had given up a great deal of his rewards in order to gain progression for Reaper Sealwright in return, but compared to the value of the two Seals, Sylas couldn't bring himself to pity it too much.

But even after he finished scanning Salivar's body and understanding what he could in the short term... nothing happened.

Sylas realized that no one was coming. But in a rare moment, he actually couldn't understand why.

"Odd."

Sylas stared out into the depths of space, a hint of wariness forming within him.

Despite what it seemed, Sylas wouldn't label the Kaelthar as incompetent. Weakness and incompetence were not the same thing.

The Kaelthar were weak compared to the top three Thryskai Mortal Clans, so it was inevitable that their attempts to keep up with the latter would fall flat.

But Sylas couldn't help but notice something else about the Kaelthar. With the exception of Israeal, someone who was ultimately just an F-tier... Had they lost anyone valuable?

One might be able to make an argument for a certain arrogant self-proclaimed future Matriarch, but she was just a fiancée. She hadn't even married into the family just yet.

By comparison, the Sona and Buri had lost swaths of elite F- and E-tiers to Sylas.

'Cautious.'

When Sylas thought back to Israeal, from the perspective of the Kaelthar, it should have been a lock. Israeal was so much stronger than any F-tier Sylas had come across until that point. If not for the fact he was suppressed, Sylas would have certainly lost his life back then.

Of course, now was a very different story. But if he had died then, there would be no "now" to speak of.

'Interesting.'

That was Sylas' final conclusion. This matter... if the Sona and Buri really came, Sylas had a feeling that the Kaelthar would still be the greatest threat to him.

That wasn't just because they were in their home territory, but also because their leader was a wild variable.

In fact, Sylas couldn't help but wonder if Rhykan would be provoking the Sona and Buri to come here not just for the sake of dealing with him, but also in hopes that the Patriarch of the Kaelthar would also see the opportunity to deal them a devastating blow.

If that were to happen... the Purvon would have new competition.

"Turn the ship around. We're going to the Golden Grove."