Boom!
A muffled sound echoed as Verrigan's fist seemed to hit something—someone—but there was clearly nothing there.
Yet with that muffled impact, the black shadow that had been pursuing them suddenly halted, freezing in place without warning.
Rowe was taken aback.
Immediately after, the surrounding darkness receded like a retreating tide, and the distorted shadow of the yin-yang face twisted and vanished.
"You found me?" a surprised voice sounded beside him.
Rowe's heart jumped. He turned his head sharply and saw God King Kuer standing there, casually catching Verrigan's fist with one hand.
The pointer of Holy Light glowed, unwavering, pointed directly at Kuer.
"A-Allfather…" Rowe stammered.
Kuer released Verrigan's fist and calmly asked, "How did you find me?"
Rowe quickly forced himself to calm down and organize his thoughts.
It was obvious now—the yin-yang face was just an illusion created by Kuer. While Rowe fought against the illusion, Kuer had been secretly observing. He was probably testing Rowe's strength... although it was also possible that he was evaluating him for the upcoming Hunting Festival.
Given that Kuer possessed Tier 3 divine power and the full backing of Asgard, he was a peak existence in the universe. There was no way Rowe, on his own, could have detected him.
But the Holy Light Pointer could.
Glancing at the glowing Holy Light pointer from the holy deed, Rowe thought silently: This God King must have committed a lot of shady deeds in secret... No wonder he's the God of Fear.
Thinking back, it was probably Kuer's divine power at work during the battle earlier—Rowe had felt an unusual, overwhelming fear several times, something he struggled to resist.
His thoughts raced, but he couldn't find a truly convincing excuse. He could only say, "I… I just had a feeling that someone was nearby. I didn't expect it to be you, Allfather."
Kuer frowned slightly, falling silent as if weighing the truth of Rowe's words.
After a long moment, he smiled and said, "Even though there was an accident, you did not disappoint me. You are better than I expected."
"Allfather flatters me." Rowe bowed humbly.
Kuer continued, "Your light magic is very unusual. I've never seen anything like it. Where did you learn it?"
Rowe repeated the story he had fabricated earlier.
"The magic book your father picked up? Where exactly did he find it?"
"In the Atrium," Rowe replied, sticking to the fabricated backstory. "In a country called Maya."
"Maya… I see," Kuer mused. "The Mayans were a powerful kingdom in the Atrium. But later, most of the Atrium fell under the rule of the Egyptian tyrants. Even now... that troublesome fellow still holds influence."
Egyptian tyrant?
Rowe blinked, a thought flashing through his mind. Could it be Apocalypse?
After a brief pause, Kuer added, "You call it 'luck,' but I don't think so. Mastery of magic depends heavily on talent. To learn this level of magic by yourself proves you are a genius."
"What amazes me even more," he continued, "is that despite being a mage, your melee combat skills are exceptional. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but your combat skills surpass those of most warriors in Asgard."
Of course, Rowe thought privately. I'm a paladin, not a mage. Paladins are melee fighters!
Kuer locked his eyes on Rowe and asked, "You must have dedicated a great deal of effort to close combat. Tell me—why do you seek power?"
"Allfather, with all due respect," Rowe answered honestly, "I don't believe one needs a reason to desire power. It is natural for everyone to crave it. Only those who don't crave power would need a reason to explain why."
Power in this world was akin to wealth or influence in his past life—indispensable. No one ever thought they had too much.
Kuer chuckled. "Well said. Desire for power needs no justification."
He took a step closer, his presence almost oppressive. "Now, I offer you an opportunity. Take a soul oath of absolute, eternal loyalty, and you will become a member of the Heavenly Hammer."
"Heavenly Hammer?"
Kuer nodded. "It's a team I recently established. Its members are young, talented Asgardian elites—just like you. Nuer and Gusi are already part of it. They are my students, and my most trusted companions."
Rowe hesitated, then politely declined, "I fear I'm not worthy of such an honor, Allfather."
Naturally, he had no intention of accepting.
Kuer would one day be sealed away by Odin. If Rowe joined now, he'd risk being trapped alongside him for thousands of years.
Moreover, judging by how the Holy Light Pointer reacted, Kuer had definitely committed heinous crimes.
While Rowe did not see himself as some great saint—often feeling rather vulgar, in fact—he still had no desire to align himself with an outright villain.
Kuer's brows furrowed slightly. "Do you know why I sought you out personally?"
"Because of... the Hunting Festival?" Rowe guessed.
"No." Kuer shook his head. "It was because of Urer's recommendation. He told me you were outstanding—and you are. You are more than qualified. Do you think the King of Asgard misjudges easily?"
Rowe remained silent.
Kuer pressed further, "You hesitate because of Nuer and Gusi?"
"A part of it, yes." Rowe admitted honestly, "But not only that. Even before the Hunting Festival, Gusi and I were not on good terms. Nuer and I have had our conflicts too."
"I think it's a matter of nature. It would be difficult to work together. If I joined the Heavenly Hammer, there's a high chance of internal strife."
Kuer said nothing for a moment.
He could feel Rowe's inner resistance. As king, he could not stoop too low to persuade, and so he simply said, "It's a pity. But I believe in time, such grievances will fade."
"I hope so," Rowe replied politely.
Leaving the palace, Rowe let out a long breath.
Finally out of that oppressive atmosphere.
Being near Kuer was suffocating—an emotional depression constantly pressing down on him. It was no wonder Odin would eventually overthrow him. The God of Fear carried an aura of dread so tangible it was exhausting to be near.
Yet as Rowe walked away, a strange thought crept into his mind.
What if I had accepted? If I became part of the Heavenly Hammer—the villainous group doomed to be sealed away for thousands of years... what would my life have been like?
...
Returning home, Rowe crouched at the door, gazing at the Lightning Tree he had planted long ago.
Under his careful care, it had managed to survive and had recently begun to bear fruit.
Unfortunately, as he had anticipated, the Lightning Trees outside of Thunder Valley—whether Southern Orange or Northern Citrus—produced only tiny, thumb-sized fruits. They carried barely any electrical charge and were useless as medicinal ingredients for a talent potion.
Clearly, if he wanted something truly valuable, he would have to venture into Thunder Valley itself.
Thinking of Thunder Valley, Rowe's expression shifted. Reaching into the Sanctuary space, he pulled out an object..
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