Chapter 145: A Flame Worth Dying For

The two Star Marks on the back of Jet’s left hand were still unfamiliar enough to catch his attention whenever he reached for something.

He had spent part of the previous evening testing his improved strength, and although his movements had become considerably faster, he was beginning to adjust to the changes.

However, his advancement to 2-Star had also brought another matter to the forefront of his thoughts, one he had been considering ever since discovering the awakening requirements of his remaining Divine Runes.

Jet sat beside his bedroom window, examining the information displayed before him. Among the ten Divine Runes he possessed, only the Eight-Armed Asura had awakened.

The others remained sealed, their extraordinary abilities inaccessible until he fulfilled their respective conditions. Fortunately, he had recently discovered something that might allow him to awaken a second Rune much sooner than expected.

[Ilios — The Undying Sun]

[Rank: SSS]

[Status: Sealed]

[Awakening Requirement [ II ] : Fire-aligned Origin Treasure]

Jet studied the final line thoughtfully. Origin Treasures were among the rarest resources available to Awakeners, possessing extraordinary concentrations of elemental energy.

Unlike ordinary Mana Crystals, which could be obtained by hunting Mana Beasts, Origin Treasures formed under exceptional circumstances and were frequently discovered in some of the most dangerous locations on Earth.

Even wealthy Guilds couldn’t simply purchase them whenever they wanted. Whenever an Origin Treasure appeared on the market, competition between powerful organizations often drove its price to astonishing levels.

Some were never sold at all, instead becoming treasured possessions of influential families or being reserved for particularly talented Awakeners.

Fortunately, Jet remembered something from his previous life.

Several years after the Second Red Moon, news had spread concerning the discovery of an extraordinary Fire-aligned treasure within a volcanic mountain range east of Zenith.

The discovery had attracted considerable attention, particularly after reports emerged that the treasure contained an exceptionally pure concentration of Fire Mana.

Several powerful organizations had competed for ownership, and the eventual transaction had involved an enormous sum of Union Dollars.

Jet couldn’t remember every detail of the incident, but he remembered the mountain range and the circumstances surrounding the discovery. More importantly, the treasure shouldn’t have been found yet.

"If the information hasn’t changed, it should still be there," Jet murmured, closing the interface.

He had already checked the available geographical records, and the volcanic region remained accessible through several established transportation routes. Reaching the mountain would require entering dangerous wilderness territory, but the opportunity was too valuable to ignore.

There was, however, one important matter he needed to consider.

Secrecy.

Jet glanced toward the door before returning his attention to the information on his communication device.

The Palladium Fruit expedition had taught him a lesson he wouldn’t forget anytime soon. Twenty-nine people had entered that expedition, and despite the Red Seal oath, information concerning the fruits had somehow reached individuals willing to murder everyone connected to the survivors.

Their enemies had even targeted Inez and Frey’s family.

Jet trusted Adesewa, Cassian, and the others, but trust didn’t mean he needed to share every secret he possessed. The fewer people who knew about the treasure, the smaller the possibility of that information reaching someone dangerous.

Besides, explaining why he knew about an undiscovered Origin Treasure would raise questions he had no intention of answering.

He closed his communication device and stood.

His decision was made.

---

Adesewa was reviewing several documents when Jet arrived at her office later that morning. The investigation into the assassination organization was continuing, and although Corvin’s capture had provided valuable information, identifying the individual responsible remained difficult.

Jet could see several photographs and financial records spread across her desk, but he didn’t ask about them.

"Jet, come in," Adesewa greeted him, placing her pen aside. "How are you feeling after yesterday’s advancement?"

"Pretty good, Captain," Jet answered, taking the offered seat. "I’m still adjusting to the increase in strength, but everything seems fine."

Adesewa smiled approvingly. "That’s good to hear. You should spend the next few days getting accustomed to your new capabilities. There’s no need to rush into another difficult fight."

Jet nodded before explaining why he’d come. "Actually, Captain, there’s something I wanted to discuss. I have some personal business outside Zenith, and I’d like to leave for a few days."

Adesewa raised an eyebrow. "Outside Zenith? Where exactly are you planning to go?"

"Toward the eastern territories," Jet replied. "There’s something I need to take care of, and I don’t think it’ll take particularly long."

Adesewa studied him for several seconds. "Does this have anything to do with the people hunting us?"

"No, Captain," Jet answered, shaking his head. "It’s something personal. I just wanted to let you know before leaving."

She leaned back in her chair, considering his request. Under ordinary circumstances, she wouldn’t have questioned an Awakener wanting to travel. However, their current situation was anything but ordinary, and Jet remained one of the assassination organization’s targets.

"You’re aware that those people haven’t stopped looking for us," Adesewa reminded him. "Corvin’s capture weakened their operations, but we haven’t eliminated the organization. Traveling alone carries risks."

"I understand," Jet replied. "I’ll avoid attracting attention, and I won’t be staying in any major cities longer than necessary."

Adesewa regarded him thoughtfully before sighing. "You’re eighteen, Jet. I can’t keep you locked inside this base indefinitely, and I know you’re capable of making your own decisions. Just don’t underestimate the danger because you’ve recently advanced."

Jet smiled. "I won’t, Captain."

"Then keep your communication device available whenever possible," Adesewa instructed. "And if you encounter anything suspicious, contact me immediately. I don’t want another situation where we have to search half of Zenith to find you."

Jet chuckled. "Understood."

After exchanging a few more words, he thanked her and left the office. He appreciated that she hadn’t insisted on accompanying him or demanded an explanation for his personal business.

Adesewa had spent decades working with Awakeners, and she understood that people sometimes had matters they preferred to handle privately.

Jet intended to make certain her trust wasn’t misplaced.

---

Inez was considerably less enthusiastic about his departure.

"You’re leaving again?" she asked, sitting on the edge of his bed while watching him arrange several belongings inside a travel bag. "But you only just got better."

Jet glanced toward his sister and smiled reassuringly. "I’m fine now, Inez. I’m only going away for a few days, and I’ll come straight back when I’m finished."

Inez hugged her stuffed rabbit against her chest. "You said you’d come back before, and then those bad people came."

Her words made Jet pause. He understood why she was worried. The attack on their apartment had frightened her badly, and although she had gradually become more comfortable at the concealed base, she still disliked being separated from him.

Jet sat beside her and gently placed a hand on her head.

"I know you’re worried," Jet replied softly. "But Adesewa and the others are here, and Nadia will be staying with you. I’ll call whenever I can, okay?"

Inez looked up at him. "Promise?"

"I promise," Jet answered, offering his little finger.

Inez immediately hooked hers around it, although her expression remained serious.

"And you have to bring me something," Inez added after a moment. "Something nice."

Jet laughed. "So that’s what this is really about?"

"No!" Inez protested, puffing out her cheeks. "I just want a present."

"All right, I’ll find you something," Jet replied, smiling as she finally relaxed.

He finished packing shortly afterward, taking only the equipment and supplies he considered necessary. His Ironbound Castellan’s axe and Vorpal Blade were in hia inventory.

By the time he was ready to leave, Nadia had arrived to accompany Inez downstairs. She listened as Jet explained that he would be away temporarily, then assured him that she would look after his sister.

"Just make sure you come back in one piece," Nadia remarked, folding her arms. "Inez has been through enough already."

"I intend to," Jet answered, giving his sister one final hug.

---

Jet departed Zenith later that afternoon aboard a regional transport heading toward the eastern territories.

He had deliberately chosen an ordinary passenger service rather than arranging private transportation, reasoning that traveling among dozens of other passengers would attract considerably less attention.

The journey carried him through several populated districts before the surrounding landscape gradually changed. Towering buildings gave way to smaller settlements, agricultural zones, and stretches of fortified roadway connecting humanity’s inhabited territories.

Beyond those roads, however, the world looked very different.

Vast forests stretched across the horizon, interrupted by rocky hills and abandoned structures partially reclaimed by vegetation.

Occasionally, Jet spotted the remains of old highways disappearing into the wilderness, their surfaces cracked and overgrown after decades without maintenance.

Before the First Red Moon, many of these regions had been ordinary countryside. People had traveled freely between cities, established farms wherever the land permitted, and constructed settlements without worrying about supernatural creatures appearing beyond their fences.

Fifty years later, that freedom had become a luxury.

Humanity had rebuilt much of its civilization after the Great Collapse, establishing fortified cities, organized territories, and transportation networks protected by Awakeners. Nevertheless, enormous portions of Earth remained outside effective human control.

Those territories belonged to Mana Beasts.

Jet watched the passing landscape with considerable interest. During his previous life, he’d rarely traveled beyond protected settlements. As an ordinary human without a Divine Rune, venturing into the wilderness had been an unnecessary risk, especially when he had Inez depending on him.

His circumstances were different now.

He possessed the Eight-Armed Asura, had successfully advanced to 2-Star, and carried weapons capable of threatening creatures that would have terrified his former self.

However, he wasn’t foolish enough to believe those advantages made him invincible.

As the transport continued eastward, the distant outline of a mountain range gradually emerged beneath the afternoon clouds. Several peaks rose above the surrounding forests, their dark slopes extending toward a region where volcanic activity had once shaped the landscape.

Jet recognized the general formation from the geographical records he’d examined.

He was getting closer.

---

By evening, Jet had reached the final settlement along the established transportation route. Beyond its fortified perimeter, the roads became unreliable, and commercial passenger services no longer operated.

He purchased a few additional supplies before leaving through one of the settlement’s guarded exits. The guards briefly examined his Raider identification and the two Star Marks on his hand before allowing him to pass.

Outside the walls, the atmosphere changed immediately.

The distant sounds of vehicles and crowded streets gradually disappeared, replaced by rustling vegetation and unfamiliar cries echoing through the forest.

Jet followed an old service road for some distance before turning toward a narrow trail leading into the wilderness. The volcanic mountains remained visible through occasional gaps in the trees, providing a useful reference as he continued eastward.

He had traveled for nearly another hour when he noticed something unusual.

The surrounding forest had become strangely quiet.

Jet slowed his footsteps and glanced toward the trees. His improved Perception allowed him to distinguish faint movements among the branches, but whatever had caused the silence remained hidden.

Then a heavy cracking sound came from the undergrowth ahead.

Jet stopped and placed his hand on the hilt of the Vorpal Blade.

Several bushes trembled violently, followed by the unmistakable sound of something large moving between the trees.

A moment later, an enormous creature emerged onto the trail, its powerful limbs crushing the vegetation beneath its weight.

Jet stared at the beast standing before him.

It was his first encounter with a Mana Beast since advancing to 2-Star.