Chapter 10 - The Elder Who Knew My Name
The gray-robed man was not Veyr.
He was worse.
My system identified him.
[UNKNOWN CULTIVATOR]
[Realm: ???]
[Threat: Fatal]
He looked at Sable.
"Interesting. The serpent accepted you."
Mira stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
He ignored her.
"Kai Renn. Son of Mara Renn. Born during the Red Comet. Spirit root misclassified by design."
My mouth went dry.
My mother had died when I was six.
"You knew her?"
"I killed her."
Everything inside me stopped.
He smiled.
Then my system flashed.
[FATE EVENT: REVENGE]
[Predicted outcome: Kai attacks in anger and dies in 8 seconds.]
I clenched my fists.
The man waited.
He wanted me to attack.
So I sat down.
His smile disappeared.
"What are you doing?"
"Defying expectations."
[Major fate deviation detected.]
[Reward: 50 Defiance Points]
Mira caught on.
She sat too.
The man stared at both of us.
Then laughed.
"Mara's son indeed."
He tossed the jar at my feet.
"Veyr does not know what your root is. He only knows someone pays well for failed roots born under red stars."
"Who?"
"Find me in Blackwater City."
"Why would I trust you?"
"You shouldn't."
He turned away.
"But if you want to save Jace Thorn, you have two days."
My heart tightened.
"Wait."
He looked back.
I asked the question that mattered more than revenge.
"What is my spirit root?"
His expression became serious.
"Not yours."
May you like
Then he disappeared.
