God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.-Chapter 796: Vice and Virtue (3).

A man wearing leather armor rushed into the room.

He was of little consequence, but the surprised expression on his face made everyone turn their heads towards him.

"It’s the leader of the Golden Asura. He’s come back from the Second Trial!"

***

Walking down the streets of Valestorm, Cain didn’t know what to think.

The Evernight air was freezing.

Despite that, several mana lanterns hung from posts in almost every corner of every street, lighting the whole place up.

Standing under the lights were people trying to sell their wares to Hunters or Pilgrims passing by.

Most of what was being sold were mundane items that had been scavenged from rubble that were still useful.

Occasionally, there would be a useful trinket or a magically enhanced dagger or sword. But besides that, there was nothing of value.

However, this was all these people had.

So long as they could get a sale, they would be able to acquire mana shards which could then be exchanged for food, water, and resources.

Cain’s eyes were very sharp, so he was able to seeinto the dark parts where the light didn’t reach.

Looking at the giant figures and hopeless eyes within the shadows, Cain couldn’t help but feel sick in his stomach.

’The situation is yet to improve.’

He frowned, ’As long as we don’t take the City back from the Devils and get started on real progress, things will remain the same. And people will starve to death.’

Right now, to these ordinary people, the most important thing was to find sustenance.

Cain silently let out a deep breath of air.

His eyes steeled as he kept walking forward.

Now that he had ascended to Tier 2, he finally had the power to make some actual changes around here.

Alvi’s mansion was hard to miss as it was one of the only flamboyant places in the area.

When they arrived, the front gate was already crowded with a lot of people.

Roselle couldn’t help but chuckle nervously as they came to a halt,

"How uncomfortable..."

Loud, distinct murmurs came from the crowd, some of them worming their way into his ears,

"I can’t believe heade it back alive!"

"I truly thought he had been done in."

"Nonsense! He is the leader of the Golden Asura, comparable with the Mad Jackal and Gilead. How can he be killed so easily?! Didn’t I tell you all?"

Hunter and Dan broke away from the crowd. Walk-in towards Cain, Hunter’s brows couldn’t help but furrow.

He stared at him from top to bottom before saying,

"You look different."

Cain smiled bitterly, "I think I should take that as a compliment."

"It’s good to see you are still alive, Hunter." Evangeline said to Hunter, her voice lacking anything.

Hunter responded in kind,

"Congratulations on your ascension."

Cain grinned as he patted Hunter’s shoulder,

"Rest assured, your chance will soon come."

Hunter gave him a stare. Then his eyes narrowed,

"Somehow, I feel like you are setting me up. I don’t like it."

Cain chuckled.

Then his expression turned serious,

"How are all the others?"

Hunter answered quickly,

"The situation on Redscale is rather good. Steve is working his magic. Production of potions have increased. He said something about a breakthrough, but I guess that’ll be for you both to discuss later."

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Cain nodded, "That’s good then."

"The ship is docked safely, but the Mutant Creatures at the shore are becoming more aggressive and powerful."

Hunter’s eyes narrowed as he added,

"There have been repeated sightings of Tier 2 beasts recently too."

Cain sighed, "That is only to be expected."

Within the waters, Cain suspected there might as well have already been a few Tier 3 beasts, maybe even a Tier 4 abomination lurking in the depths.

In the end, one could only expect the worst.

"The teams Alvi and Gilead sent out there with ours have been of help too. So far, things aren’t going bad out there. If anything, I’d say it’s going great." Hunter said.

Cain smiled wryly, "Of only it could stay that way forever."

"I’ve already heard a few things. That Carrion and a few of his goons have ascended as well, right?" Evangeline suddenly asked.

Hunter turned to her and nodded, a look of surprise on his face,

"Yes. They caused quite a stir when they came back. They have also been causing a fair bit of trouble for us, but it’s nothing I can’t handle."

Cain’s brow shot up,

"Is that so... We’ve only been gone for two weeks and they’re all acting out. A reminder is needed."

His eyes turned back to scan the crowd.

He saw Alvi alongside his son and a few others standing there, looking at him with strange expressions.

He couldn’t help but chuckle as he took a step forward,

"Old man, are you that surprised to see me?"

Alvi’s already grim face turned even darker,

"You rascal! Do you want me to die if a stroke or something?!"

Although he said that, his furrowed brows and the creases on his forehead had relaxed. He was relieved to see Cain back in one piece. His investment had paid off, it seemed...

Cain shrugged, "I’m sure what will get you isn’t a stroke."

"To think you would still be alive. I have to say, Cain. I am—"

"Shut it."

An intense, absolutely oppressive aura slammed into the backs of almost every individual around.

Some doubled over, while others simply staggered.

Regardless of their reaction, they had been affected.

The only ones that remained completely unaffected, were those Cain had not targeted, and the four girls standing beside him.

Cain glared at the man that had just spoke,

"I am not in the mood to hear any convoluted bullshit. Right now, I’m only interested in what Alvi has to say. The rest of you can leave. We have important things to discuss."

"But we are all partners here. Don’t you think it would be a bot unfair of—"

"When you are needed, your presence will be requested. Until then, go make war preparations. There is a high chance this barrier will soon go down."

They exchanged glances, unsure of what to do. Alvi waved his hand,

"You all heard clearly, didn’t you? I don’t think there’s anything left to say."

Since there weren’t a lot of people, they were quick to dislerse and head back to their own places of dwelling. Most of them held high positions within the Iron Beetle, so their accomodations were not shabby as well. At least compared to the general populace.

Once they were the only ines left, Cain gave Alvi a smile,

"It’s cold out here. How about we head inside?"

***

"I see. So that is what the Second Trial is like..."

Alvi stared at the young man seated beside his entourage in front of him.

He still couldn’t quite believe his eyes.

The young man had changed quite a bit.

He had become much more handsome and vibrant.

His voice had gotten deeper, and there was a sparkle in his dark eyes. Like the stars hanging in the empty reaches of the void.

There was also something else that was different. Something he didn’t quite understand.

But he felt it very clearly.

If Carrion had changed after his trial, then he could say that Cain had undergone metamorphosis, turning into a different being entirely.

Upon hearing a brief summary of what he had been through, he couldn’t help but feel concerned,

’Are they still human at this point, to have survived something like that?’

Jack couldn’t help but chuckle,

"How interesting... I wonder what kind of trials I will face."

Cain smiled at him calmly,

"How about you go together with Hunter? I don’t think he would mind the help, and it will serve you better to have formidable allies in the trial."

Hunter nodded, "I don’t mind him."

Alvi wore a wide grin on his face as he stroked his beard,

"Hmm... That sounds like a good idea. I believe we will have a lot of Tier 2 fighters on our side in no time. Surviving the storm of black will be much easier by then."

Cain’s expression darkened a bit,

"So tell me, Alvi... I’ve been briefed on our current situation, but I’d like to hear a few more details."

Alvi nodded, "Gilead is currently taking the second trial alongside his team. Hopefully, he should be back soon. Right now, we’ve done all we can to keep the barrier standing in his absence. As long as it remains, things will not get significantly worse."

Cain was silent...

Alvi cleared his throat and continued,

"In your’s and Gilead’s absence, Carrion has pulled a large number to his side. He also said he and his people will be acting in solidarity from now on because of what Gilead said on that day."

Cain huffed, "Carrion is of little consequence. I am only bothered by what actually matters."

Cain folded his arms,

"Right now, our greatest form of protection is the Dome. So long as it stands, we will be secure."

Alvi nodded, "Yes. So we should focus on getting more mana cores and keeping the Devils away from the—"

A nasty, wicked grin spread across Cain’s face,

"Which is why, I will be deactivating it soon."

Silence...

Alvi’s eyes widened as he stuttered,

"W-what did you say?!"

Cain shrugged, "I said I’m going to get rid of the Dome."