Ashe averted her gaze the moment Noah asked the question. Though she looked away, the emotions burning in her eyes—anger and sorrow—were clear to Noah. Watching the young woman he considered a daughter, Noah felt a sharp pang in his heart. He wanted to speak the truth, to bridge the gap created by years of silence, but as always, he found himself sighing in helplessness. Some misunderstandings were harder to fix than others.
"You are the only father I recognize," Ashe said through gritted teeth. "The moment he turned his back on my mother and refused to fight for her, he lost the right to call himself my father. I hate him. And I'll never, ever wish for someone like him to be my parent."
She turned to face Noah directly, eyes blazing. "Compared to you, he's nothing but weak. I despise people like him."
Noah exhaled deeply, his voice heavy but calm. "He is still your real father, Ashe. Even if you turn the world upside down, his blood still runs through your veins."
"But he's never proven it to me. He's never made me feel like he was my father," Ashe muttered, her head lowered. "He doesn't even know he has a daughter."
Noah fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "That's not true. If he only knew…"
"Then what is the truth, Father?!" Ashe's voice trembled with emotion as her fists clenched tightly. "No one ever explained why he abandoned my mother. Not even mother would tell me anything. What do you expect me to think?"
Noah knew exactly who Ashe meant by "they"—the higher-ups of the Vermillion Bird Family.
"I'm not a member of the Vermillion Bird Family, Ashe," Noah said softly. "So I can't speak for them. But remember this—your real father, Kiden Sylveria, is not weak. In fact, his talent far surpasses mine. If not for the support of the Royal Clan, I would've never caught up to him."
Noah's gaze darkened with conviction.
"I owe him my life. Even after repaying the favor he once asked of me… I still feel that it's not enough."
If Finn were to overhear this conversation, he would have been shocked beyond words. Noah Vildar was a member of the Royal Clan—and Ashe's true father was Kiden Sylveria!
Ashe was stunned by Noah's confession. That Kiden had greater talent than someone from the Royal Clan? That Noah owed him his very life?
Noah sighed again as he watched Ashe's troubled expression. "Put those thoughts away for now. Focus on your training. You have more talent than most of us older Adventurers, but you also have great rivals. Many gifted individuals have been born in this era. I don't know if it's a blessing… or an omen. But you are the future of this kingdom, Ashe. You must grow stronger, and you must gain real experience."
Of course Ashe already knew this. Arrogant as she was, even she could not deny the presence of many rising talents across the factions—young Adventurers like herself, nurtured and protected.
She bowed slightly. "Understood, Father."
She turned to leave, but Noah's voice stopped her.
"One more thing. Keep an eye on Finn Doria," he said with a faint smile. "Elder Marcus reported some… unusual things about that boy."
Ashe's brows furrowed. "Unusual? Maybe the only thing unusual about that guy is his thick skin."
Noah chuckled softly, shaking his head as Ashe finally exited the room.
--
The Next Morning — Inside the Myriad World Mirror
Finn continued his training, seated cross-legged amidst the dense aura of soulforce. The energy here was several times richer than the outside world, making it the ideal place for cultivation. He had access to countless resources, left behind by Kurt Bautista—treasures from his days in Rise of Gods. All Finn needed now was time… and focus.
He felt it—his soulforce coil was growing, expanding, thickening with power. This progress, he silently acknowledged, was all thanks to Kurt. Without him, Finn might still be the weakling he once was.
The Myriad World Mirror's interior was vast, an entire realm unto itself. Yet he dared not wander far. The last time he tried, he encountered a strange invisible barrier. He had attacked it, tried to force his way through, but it didn't even scratch. He eventually gave up and stayed in the safe zones, dedicating himself to training.
His eyes remained shut. But suddenly—he felt it.
A gaze.
He opened his eyes and looked toward the familiar presence. Sure enough, the small, black creature was there again, watching him silently from atop a stone.
No matter how many times it appeared, Finn couldn't get used to it. It made no noise, moved little, but its eyes—those golden eyes—were always fixed on him.
He examined it closely. Despite all his knowledge of Vicious Beasts, he couldn't identify it. It didn't even exist in the Rise of Gods game lore. It shouldn't be here, and yet—it was.
He had once tried to capture it, using his highest-tier Movement Skills. But it was hopelessly fast. Uncatchable. Eventually, he gave up.
Now, as he rose to his feet and cautiously approached, the black creature simply watched him in return. Unmoving. Silent.
They stared at each other. Both had the same golden eyes.
"…What exactly are you?" Finn asked with a furrowed brow, then shook his head. Of course it wouldn't understand. It wasn't human.
But if it truly was a Vicious Beast, it wasn't a normal one. It could pass through the mirror's invisible barriers like they were nothing.
Finn sighed and turned away, leaving the creature behind. He exited the Myriad World Mirror, the artifact shrinking back to its original form. He needed a break from training. It was time to get familiar with the Cloud Soaring Sect—and his new home within the Core Division.
Unfortunately, there was one problem: the only person he knew here was Ashe, and he wasn't eager to ask for her help again. Not with all the chaos she brought into his life.
His first destination: the Adventurers Skill Pavilion. He had to choose three Rank 5 skills—both to fulfill his role as a faction member and to avoid suspicion.
As he stepped out of his quarters, he noticed several core members emerging from their own residences. Whispers immediately followed him.
"Isn't that the new guy? I heard he got in because some powerful Adventurer vouched for him. So unfair!"
"I worked my butt off to get to Scarlet Gold Rank just to enter the Core Division. He's from some nobody clan—how'd he get help from someone influential?!"
They weren't even hiding their voices. But Finn didn't react. He kept his eyes forward, ignoring their jealousy and bitterness. Their opinions didn't matter.
Until he stopped in his tracks.
"…I don't know where the Adventurers Skill Pavilion is."
He frowned. In his haste to avoid Ashe, he'd forgotten to ask for a map.
With a sigh, he spotted a lone cultivator sitting under a tree. Hoping for some kindness, he approached.
"Good day," Finn greeted with a polite smile. "I'm Finn Doria, new here. Would you happen to have an extra map of the Cloud Soaring Sect? I'll pay fifty gold coins."
The young man, a 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank Adventurer, sneered.
"Sorry. No spare map. Try asking someone else. You're disturbing my meditation."
He had a map—Finn could tell. But like the others, he clearly resented Finn's sudden rise.
Finn grimaced, about to argue, when he sensed a group approaching.
Five youths. And their leader stepped forward with a confident smile.
"You must be Finn Doria?"
Finn studied him for a moment, then returned the smile.
"Yes, that's me. Can I help you with something?"
"Not really. I'm actually here to help you. Heard you're new. I can give you a full map of the Cloud Soaring Sect."
Though the young man's face wore a smile, Finn could sense it—an ill intent behind those words. Something dangerous was hidden behind that grin.