Ascension: Cursed Blood-Chapter 45: He Doesn’t Care

Some would consider Zoran cruel to pounce on a monster on newcomers, but weren't they already Keepers?

If a youth found the Ascension Rune and didn't have the bravery to deal with a simple Tarnished monster, then he was just lucky in the Astral Dimension with the starting conditions.

The Ascension Rune wasn't an indicator of strength. It only indicated that the Tainted had found its Codex and had become an Awakened.

Nothing more or less.

What mattered in reality was the path Tainted had traveled through to his Rune Brand.

Step.

Kain stood in front of Grim Seeker, who like an obedient hound, waited for a command from the man beside him.

"How do you make him fight?" Kain asked. "It doesn't look like you tame it."

Zoran waved his hand. "I don't need to keep him on a leash to make him fight. Fear is enough. Killing the weakest is his way to survive, and you're the weakest."

"One minute, right?"

"Yeah." Zoran shrugged as he began the countdown.

The Grim Keeper lunged forward, the monster extended its paws wanting to sink its sharp claws into Kain's chest like the youth before it.

'I can freeze him, but I've used my Codex before,' Kain pondered before stepping aside.

Claws swept before his eyes.

Thanks to his little experience and one of his Traits, he kept his cool, dodging the Grim Seeker's desperate attempts to hurt him time after time.

Kain didn't try to attack - it wasn't his job to win.

'Oh, that fool has learned something,' Morbia muttered inwardly, seeing a shadow of herself in his movements. 'There's still a long way to go, but the Grim Seeker sure won't get him if he keeps up this pace.

Suddenly, Kain's eye caught on Zoran's movements - he was about to stop the timer.

Abruptly, Kain shifted forward, plunging his fist straight into the Grim Seeker's belly. His punch made the monster flinch, just for a second.

Its jaws were ready to crack Kain's skull, but the man in the white robe had already tossed the monster aside.

Time was up.

"Nice moves, rookie. Stand beside me." Zoran shouted. "You're the first of five!"

Kain looked around, there were still twelve people left and only four seats.

Well, Kain only had an interest in one candidate, Morbia.

Not because of their history or any feelings. No, neither one, much less the other, he cared about.

'Her Codex, her Order... She hadn't wanted to show it in the fight against Sylvia, and she wasn't likely to do so now. But, at the Faint Chasm, she won't be able to hold back anymore, right?

Kain narrowed his eyes.

'I have to see it.'

Bam.

The broad-shouldered young man knocked the Grim Seeker to the ground, nearly disarming the monster. Soon, he stood next to Kain.

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The third was an agile girl with short green hair. She was almost as tall as Kain, though he was above average for a man.

"That's it..." Vetra muttered, joining them.

There was only one seat left.

It was at that moment that Morbia stepped up against the Grim Seeker.

Kain knew what would happen next and she did not disappoint. It didn't take her a minute, she discouraged the Grim Seeker from fighting with a few painful grabs.

"Alright, that'll do too," Zoran beckoned her. "Now we have five, thank you all, anyone who didn't make it through go to bed."

He meant it.

"Wait! This is some bullshit!" Sylvia exclaimed, she was at the end of the line. "I didn't even get a chance to try it!"

Josh, the joyful guy stepped forward. "Yes! Me too! I realize seats are limited, but give us a chance! The Grim Seeker is no match for me!"

Despite their fiery speeches, there was no hope in their eyes that Zoran would agree.

He wasn't a cruel head, but kind was hard to call him as well. He wasn't interested in the problems of some youths. He had a job to do.

"Hmm? You want in on this, too?" Zoran glanced at them.

"Yes!"

"Please!"

Zoran shrugged.

"Alright."

Shock reflected on Sylvia and Josh's faces. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"W-What?" someone in the crowd exclaimed. "You said yourself there were only five seats! They didn't even fight the monster!"

"Then let us go too!"

"We all want to go on the expedition!"

Zoran scratched the back of his head. "Nah, you've already refused, unlike them. I take people not because they can survive a minute against a weak monster, but because of their willingness to fight. That's it, the recruitment is over. Follow me."

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Zoran dashed forward.

Kain's eyes followed him.

Were Zoran's actions illogical?

Sure, he seemed to have simply forgotten about the number limit and that a fight was needed. Not to mention that it was initially an unfair test since the Grim Seeker was getting weaker with each fight.

"There are only two options here. Kain wondered.

Either Zoran was a genius and this was all a plan to prepare the youths and all the decisions had been made in advance.

Or he just didn't give a fuck.

Kain paused. 'Looks like he's just doing his job. Being head of a fortress puts a lot of responsibilities on you, right? Honestly, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.''

The few Keepers that remained in the fortress for the patrol took the youths to their rooms.

The others, led by Zoran, approached the elevator at the edge of the slope - a massive, steel platform moving up and down a wide shaft, six string-like ropes providing stability.

"Georg, show our youths our gifts." Zoran snapped his fingers.

The large man nodded deeply and brought out a massive box. Under the lid lay more than a dozen different weapons - each an artifact.

"Take one at a time. This is unnecessary junk from the warehouse, so use it, but you'll have to return it all after the expedition." Zoran waved his hand and headed for the platform.

Georg, Lurra, and the other Keepers set off after him.

"Move aside!" Sylvia exclaimed, rushing to her weapon. "The best artifact goes to me!"

Each took a weapon, especially Josh and Sylvia, they were like children at a fair.

Morbia took the same black sword as the first fight, Kain chose something new, a dagger with a red curved blade.

'Given my ability, I'll have to stay close to enemies to be effective,' Kain inwardly muttered, examining the dagger.

He was already on the platform.

'I must find my fighting style and...'

Kain looked down. At Zoran's command, the elevator came into motion.

Deep below, at the very bottom of the abyss, thick streams of darkness emanated, there were no runes, but every Keeper could clearly sense that this place did not come from their world.

'This is a great opportunity.'