Ascension of the Nephilim

KACHINK! KACHINK!

Two black chains struck the tall part of the tree, and a figure swooped down from the great heights.

The chains unlatched themselves from the tree at the highest point of the fulcrum swing right before it would pull the figure upwards. The effect was that the figure began to fly and summersault in midair.

The chains whirled, but it did not coil or tangle the figure or strike any nearby branches as if it was alive.

Kyros landed on another tree branch and ran, jumping from one part of the tree to the other. Soon, he approached a high cliff, and Kyros allowed himself to fall the great distance as he prepared to whip his chain to catch him and swing him around.

The speed, height, and taking advantage of these swings allowed Kyros to move nearly three times faster and had very little consumption on his stamina.

Kyros kept using his swings with such precise and detailed movement as he would wall-run on the side of rocks while swinging, jumping through obstacles, and using the dark energy in his chains to cause the chains to coil up, pulling him closer.

"This is so amazing!" Kyros laughed as his body did a 360-degree flip right before whipping his chain to another tree.

Kyros had gotten used to using the chain mechanism that he acquired from Dryklash. Dryklash used it as a whip weapon that could resist his Balefire strikes. As such, the chains were made from one of the hardest orc steel. And this steel was strong enough to be used for such extreme actions.

Kyros even harnessed the dark energy of his Dark Cloak to coat his entire arms and legs, which were now sticking to the trees and helping him keep his balance.

With that traveling style, Kyros reached the higher parts of the mountain. He was headed to the inverse location of where the Temple would have been if it was in the Airom Logat.

"Are we there yet?" Calaminus asked.

"No, Calaminus. Go back to sleep." Kyros shook his head as he heard Calaminus ask him again.

It was then that Kyros received several notifications.

---

Martha Steele has acquired the Path of Molding.

Martha Steele has acquired the Path of Foresight.

Fate Challenger job acquired.

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Diana Steele has acquired the Path of Combat.

Diana Steele has acquired Fate Challenger job.

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Hunter Steele has acquired the Path of Combat.

Hunter Steele Path of Combat has increased by two levels!

Hems Steele has acquired the Path of Combat.

Hems Steele Path of Combat has increased by two levels!

Hemsey Steele has acquired the Path of Combat.

Hemsey Path of Combat has increased by two levels!

Scarlet Steele Path of Foresight level increased by two levels!

Avary Steele has acquired the Path of Combat.

Gregory Steele has acquired the Path of Combat.

---

"As expected." Kyros smiled as he read the notifications.

"Looks like Martha is the better teacher. Avary and Gregory only increased by one level."

"No. Aunt Martha's the one losing out here. Mom has the Path of Molding. She knows what she's doing."

"But Martha awakened the Path of Combat and Foresight together. Doesn't that mean she's more of a genius?"

"No. If that were the case, the Steele family would have had my uncle leading and not my dad. Of all the three, the most important is Foresight. But the most useful is Molding. Combat is individual strength. Molding is what saved and sustained the Steele family all those years in my past life. It was what helped me get over my wildness and made me the filial kid that is hell-bent on saving them in this life."

"You mean your mom is still in the lead in terms of potential?"

"Yes. I have an understanding of their potential in achieving Fate Challenger.My mom is still trying to understand the Path of Combat. My aunt took a very primitive route. But whatever mom learns will be something that the family can later practice. Just watch. I am sure that Scarlet, Avary, and Gregory will be the first to become Fate Challengers. The three H will be stagnant in their growth in the Path of Combat and will even have a harder time learning Foresight and Molding. But those three kids will have them soon."

Kyros latched onto a tree and could see a large number of dead orcs.

All their bodies were dried up.

"Looks like I'm on the right path..." Kyros smirked as he saw it.

Kyros then began to follow the path of the dead.

Meanwhile, the orcs that fought against Martha and the group were starting to retreat.

The fight was shocking, that the orcs had no choice. If they stayed, they could face elimination.

The three knights were wounded and stabbed, but they kept recovering! With an archer as support and the poisonous attack that killed the skilled magis, the line of defense collapsed, prompting the leaderless orc to flee. They move away on all directions.

The three H stood amidst the many bodies of orcs that they had killed. They were stabbed, smashed, and beaten. But despite their horrifying appearance that would have surely led to their death, the three warriors kept their sword stuck on certain orcs and was slowly being fed. When they found the strength, they began to bite as it was faster and more efficient to drain the blood of the dead orcs.

Martha casually walked in the middle of the battlefield and carefully observed the battle.

"There were several opportunities that you guys failed to took. If you did, this battle would have ended twelve minutes earlier." Martha began.

"I wouldn't have the need to shoot twenty or so arrows if you did that. But of course, your Path of Combat has just awakened. How was it?"

"I could see where my luck was in the battle. If I went this part, I felt like... I could win." Hems began.

"Same. I had a feeling of what I should be doing to fight. In fact, there were times when I could see different paths to survive." Hunter answered.

"Really? For me, it was different. I know which of the orcs could die. So I went to attack those who it thinks would die." Hemsey answered.

"So that's why you kept attacking those I attacked... You were the most out of synch, but it seems that you awakened another part of the Path of Combat."

"Sorry, my Lady." Hemsey chuckled.

"No. It's my fault. I am too weak that I could only think of this way to awaken it." Martha sighed.

"Lady Martha... I am so sorry."

"For what?" Martha asked.

"I realized now that you had this when you fought. It seems... You lived quite a painful life..." 

Martha was stunned. But then she chuckled.

"I guess you guys can somehow understand what I've been through." Martha laughed as he stabbed a Blood Sword down on a Captain to absorb their blood.

"Hmm... Lady Diana should also be making a killing now. But none of us have increased in our levels after killing all of this. It seems that leveling up will be more difficult from now on. And here I thought my problems with money would be over." Martha laughed.

"Lord Kyros told us to increase our strength without leveling up. Now I know what he meant. No wonder Lord Aron is so strong. His power in the Path of Combat should be so high..." Hunter recalled. 

"Indeed. How many of those Lizards did he defeat back then? He was also the one who helped us maintain the defensive line despite being under-leveled compared to those monsters." Hems pointed out.

"How strong is my husband compared to me?" Martha couldn't help but ask.

"I would not know, my Lady. You are part of the Coven now. You also leveled up. So I can't say for certain which would win if the two of you fought."

"I see. I guess, for now, my competition and rival will be Lady Diana." Martha laughed.

Suddenly, Martha received a DM from Scarlet.

"Lady Martha. Do you know the Swordcrest family of the Addorant kingdom?" Scarlet asked.

"Of course. The Swordcrest is very much associated with my Bowheart family." Martha answered.

"Do you know of a young noble in that family that goes by Mechiel?"

"Mechiel Swordcrest? I have met her. She is the dotted daughter of the disowned knight-turned merchant, Vallen Swordcrest."

"Thank you, Lady Martha. We found her here. We will send an update on the GC in a bit." Scarlet replied.

Martha was stunned at Scarlet's reply.

Her expression turned sad as she sat down.

"Lady Martha?" Hems asked.

"If Mechiel is here... Then that means! Lord Vallen! You're gone..." Martha sighed.

"I vow to protect Mechiel for your kindness to me. Your memory will not fade, Lord Vallen." Martha vowed.

In the outpost...

Diana continued to ask Mechiel about the details of who she was.

"And what's the name of your father?"

"Vallen Swordcrest. But he's..." Mechiel could not continue. Her eyes began to tear up. She was trembling, and her body could not help but shiver as it tried to turn back.

Diana and the three nobles were silent. They knew that her father could be among the burned corpse they found. When they were talking, they noticed how Mechiel sat in a position that avoided the direction of where the burnt corpses were.

"I see. Scarlet? Have you confirmed with Lady Martha?" Diana asked.

Scarlet nodded.

"Lady Martha knows her."

Diana finally smiled and sat down.

"I see. Thank you for telling me all this, Mechiel. I am relieved." Diana smiled.

"Relieved?" The young girl called Mechiel asked.

"Relieved that I won't have to kill you." Diana smiled.

"Kill?!" Scarlet, Avary, and Gregory exclaimed.