Read Novel Full Chapter 429: Goal
Chapter 429: Chapter 429: Goal
Chapter 429 – Goal
Kaden’s eyes were closed, his face still twisted in pain even though no pain existed inside Death’s space.
However, the feeling of having his soul shredded by bare hands seemed to linger inside his mind, causing him to uncontrollably shiver.
The phantom pain was agonizing, and Kaden needed a couple more times to make his brain realize that this was nothing but the past; that now everything was okay.
And fortunately, time was the one thing he didn’t lack inside Death’s space.
So he closed his eyes, regulating his breath over and over again, trying not to forget the pain, but to accept it within him; to get used to it.
In the process, Kaden took the time to think about everything that had happened since the moment he came back to Fokay.
At the beginning, he only wished to find Rea and ponder why his uncle wished to kill her and eventually protect her, for that was the least he could do.
In a twist of fate, they met each other in Silver City and took the way up to this bloody bridge.
Everything had happened in a haze, Kaden being pulled away in some direction he had no idea about. A direction where the only thing in his mind was...
’...what was even on my mind?’ Kaden wondered in a haze, thinking of his goal.
He just realized that he had been very lackluster on this journey, going only with the direction of the wind without controlling anything.
He was only reactive, not proactive.
It was bad. It was very bad.
He did want to help Rea in her plan and even get payback on that Whimpering Saintess, but all of these were just side quests he would have done if time was not scarce and opportunities presented themselves.
Now, with silence all around him, and with time halting completely, Kaden’s mind seemed to free itself completely from the influence of the world.
He could allow himself to think deeper and refresh his mind about what his goal was. Without that, he would continue to walk mindlessly.
So what was his pursuit?
Since the beginning, it was strength, Kaden knew. The strength to protect himself, the strength to protect those he cares about, the strength to save those he deemed worthy.
’Yes... it was my goal all along,’ he mused, drifting slowly through the groundless realm of Death, ’and even my new myth, The Burdened, didn’t change that fact. I need to be strong to be able to bear the burdens of others.’
Otherwise, he would undoubtedly collapse under the weight of them.
And realizing this made him remember his bloodline and the dead god of death.
Nocthar wanted him to gather all the Aspects of the god in order to make his bloodline complete. Kaden was not thrilled by that fact, not knowing what that man had in his head, but now he was beginning to see that he must.
Not to follow the order of Nocthar. But because he would need the completeness of his bloodline to go even further, to get stronger.
’But I will attract those who killed the god to me and my family.’
It was the price.
And now Kaden wondered if it was worth it. He didn’t know, but there was one being who could advise him.
"Tell me, Death, is it worth the price?"
He needed not explain. His first, and ever, companion knew the mind and feelings of his Host.
[All powers have a price.] Death said, his voice something Kaden almost missed. [You know it, don’t you, by now?]
"Yes."
[And also, the matter was never about whether the power is worth the price, Host. The matter is whether you can escape your Fate.]
"What do you mean?"
[Your bloodline is scattered into three pieces, and whoever did it wanted everything of the god completely obliterated. However, even though you have been divided, you are still very much alive. And one of you might grow to gather all the Aspects together.]
Death paused, then slowly, [Just like you.]
"So you mean..."
[They will come back to finish what they have started. And you wouldn’t wish to be found incomplete at that time.]
Kaden fell silent, the words of Death ringing inside his mind continuously, understanding dawning upon him.
He truly had no choice since the beginning, hadn’t he?
Just like always, he found himself on a road he never asked for, yet still had to stride forward in order not to be killed, and for his family to be safe.
Every single time, and Kaden was getting exceedingly weary of it.
However, it didn’t matter, truly, how he felt. The fact remained he needed to walk this path. But just like always, he would walk it in his own way.
Sighing, Kaden reorganized his thoughts, crystallizing what he needed to do.
He was left with the second Half-Aspect of Death, the second Half-Aspect of War, and the full Aspect of Blood.
He knew where the Aspect of Death was, in the hands of The Witch. And Kaden knew the dungeon of The Witch thanks to Kol’Riku.
As for the Aspect of Blood, Kaden had his own idea. The most likely position would be in the Ocean of Blood, beside the River Kingdom, where a clan called Bloodborn lived.
It was information given by The Will long ago when he succeeded in his quest to become an Intermediate-rank being, and now Kaden realized why The Will had given it to him.
’Did It know all of this since the beginning?’
Maybe yes, maybe not. It didn’t matter.
It only left the War Aspect. For now, he had no idea where it could be. However...
’Death and Blood. I have now my next focus, my next goal.’
After these two were obtained, he didn’t believe the War Aspect would elude him for long.
Power begets power.
And Kaden chillingly realized that these words could also be a way for whoever was responsible for the death of the god to locate him more easily.
Then again, ’No choices. Let’s just walk. Let’s just do what we need to do and take care of whatever happens.’
If he stopped because of fear, he would doom himself and his family.
Knowing his next destination, Kaden’s mind returned to his current situation.
And at that,
DING!
[You have died. At which point in time do you wish to revive?]
"Just before the start of the battle. And as for what I wish from him..."
There was truly no need to think deeply.
"...runes. I want something about runes. It can be a trait, skill, knowledge, or whatever. Is it possible?"
[For such specification, the cost will be far greater.]
"Take it."
[Understood.]
Next,
[You have been killed by the Wisp of Consciousness of the Forbidden Alchemist.]
Kaden’s lips twitched at this.
[You have gained a physical Constitution: Runic Body.]
[Runic Body: A body made for runes. Your skin, muscles, and bones can hold runic inscriptions and activate them at will. Your comprehension and talent for runes are among the best.]
Kaden smiled softly at this, already thinking of the numerous things he could do with it. But he still needed to learn how to inscribe runes.
Once he got that skill... he would have another new way to get stronger.
Satisfied, Kaden parted his lips:
"Revive me, Death."
[Cost: 15000.]
Tick—!
—End of Chapter 429—