Bab 12: Recognising the ancestors

{The ruins of Phygria}

Lord Caerus or Star as he prefers to be called looked at the man sitting beside him. The man's eyes were also shut tight like his younger self-showing on the screen, and a wicked grin danced on his lips.

As time passed, instead of Zane getting envious of his younger self that was living a better, happier life. The opposite was the case. It was as if the large cloud of misery and depression that filled him that day was actually getting lighter. It was all too confusing.

Perhaps his knowledge of humans needs to be refreshed. Well, that was for another time. He needed Zane to be stimulated by the picture of the object of his obsession. Would he hate his younger self? Curiosity burned like flames in his heart and he smiled.

Contrary to his desires and wishes, the older Zane had no such thoughts. He had gazed at the sight of the man and burned it in his memory.

Obsession, resentment, guilt, grief...all kinds of emotions ingrained bone-deep danced in his eyes as he gazed at the man whose entry into his life has caused the track of his life to run on a downward spiral.

His father looked vibrant, powerful, alive. His body would surely be warm. The images of the man's weak ice-cold corpse in his arms filtered away like sand on a breezy beach.

He gently brushed off his sleeves, as if brushing away the dust that could not be seen. Everything was scattered in the time he brushed off his sleeves.

A sense of catharsis enveloped Zane's entire body. He felt light like a damp heavy log has been removed from his shoulders.

[Player Zane Black has levelled up]

[Would you like to leave the beginner area?]

[Yes/No]

Zane had never tried anything risky since his father died. He had lived his life cautiously, almost cowardly one could say but now ever with the god besides him, he did not hesitate to press 'yes'.

As his body disappeared, he could hear Star's enraged yet confused roar behind him.

He chuckled. Guilt demands punishment. Grief demands an end. If these two emotions pour at the same time, sometimes even the strongest minds snap and destructive tendencies may appear either inward or outward.

Likewise, even the happiest and the positive people have psychological limitations and the level of depression they end up immersed in is inconceivable. It is indeed hard to understand.

His father is alive, it might be in another time or even an Alternate version of his reality but his father is breathing and would possibly remain that way for a long time.

He had been punished enough. He had been on the edge on level 49 for a long time, he knew what was holding him back was purely mental.

Taking this long to reach level 50 brings shame to his title of the top ranker in CAT. The image of that cold, indifferent face flickered in his mind. Could he finally stand before him? Without guilt?

Star laughed loudly, his laughter was almost manically. A crazed look adorned his former kindly features. Fool me twice. Do I look easy to fool? Do you think I cannot do anything to you?

His anger filled gaze watched the screen before it faded away. Almost immediately, his features returned to the kind middle-aged man, making one feel like the previous scene was just imagined however his dark abyss like eyes had a hint of amusement and interest.

The mirror image of a hunter that has finally found the perfect prey. He knew he was not like other bound creatures, leaving the beginner area was a cup of tea for him.

A look and the modern sitting room returned to the cold stones of the temple. This was the beginning of the legend of the unlucky newcomer of the Intermediate level who nearly all of the dungeons he ventured inside mutated to a hell mode dungeon. But that is a story for another day.

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These events of the future were unknown to the young man mending the situation he caused.

When the system had called him out from that terrifying mess of emotions, he had noticed that he had just stood unresponsive for a while. He let an ashamed expression show on his face.

"Sorry, Brother Robert I was just a little bit overwhelmed."

"It is all right, you have not met the family head before?" Robert asked keeping his voice low on purpose.

Zane smiled at him in thanks for his consideration before a sad look flashed in his eyes, "Unfortunately, this would be our first time meeting, I am really happy to see him."

Robert looked at the boy who did not hesitate to pour out his heartfelt words. After quick scrutiny to ensure he was being genuine, a smile lit up his face as he gave a nod to Luca.

Luca moved closer to Zane, smiling happily, "Brother Zane looks happy, you are excited, right? Let's go and greet Uncle together." His little hands seemed to hold Zane tight as he innocently began to drag him to the head table.

Zane looked ashen for a bit before shaking his head in a way that seemed subtle to the people around him and removing Luca's grip from his hands.

"Is anything wrong? Brother Zane, you don't want to see Uncle? Are you angry with him for leaving you all these years?" Luca asked, his big grey eyes filled with curiosity but his voice was a little louder than it was supposed to be.

"Luca!" Robert reprimanded harshly, he took a glance around before looking apologetically at Zane.

Zane's head was a little down and the tip of his ears was suspiciously red. Was he feeling embarrassed? Just this little thing and he was already feeling embarrassed. It seems this cousin of his has thin skin.

"It is alright, Brother Zane. It is just I have read the Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior by Martins and the Art of Etiquette by Parry Poe and both insist that if an illegitimate child is called to recognize his ancestors, he should not hurry to greet his relatives but wait to be invited to pay his respects."

A loud laugh came behind them; a tall, burly boy soon flanged his hands over Zane's shoulder, "As excepted of a top-ranked student in CAT, he doesn't even let off etiquette books."

"Brother Zane is really smart" Luca praised his eyes filled with admiration.

"Thank you" Zane accepted his admiration, any more modesty would seem fake.

Seeing the way, Zane accepted the praise, a grin threatened to tear the boy's face, "Seems like you are confident in your intelligence. My name is Kendrick, you can just call me Ken. I am your fourth…fifth, just know I am one of your many cousins." His voice was overly familiar but not irritating. Zane glanced at Robert.

Seeing the look, Robert smiled, his anger at being ignored faded slightly, "Zane, this is Kendrick Valois, he is the son of Uncle's third cousin, and he is also a student at Amherst College though he is in the logistics and support department."

"Hey! Stop saying it like being in the logistics department is a crime. Zane our department is really chill, you will enjoy it."

Robert snorted elegantly if it was possible. It looked like there was a bit of bad blood between the two which was reasonable as they were age mates that had to fight over resources.

During their discussion, they did not notice a tall, black-haired woman in red kimono whisper something to the family head. Andre's brows furrowed as disappointment and sadness danced in his heart.

His father was not coming neither was Xavier; the butler had claimed that there was an 'emergency.' Which emergency required his father to attend personally?

He glanced faintly at the boy that standing with his nephew, bright-eyed and laughing with joy. Would his eyes one day dim just as his own once did?

Resolve can come at any time. Andre had not yet talked to his illegitimate son neither does he know anything truly about this boy but as the fatherly feelings bloomed in his heart, he resolved to protect this boy to the best of his ability. With that in mind, he used a mind connect skill to give his butler, Juno, a set of detailed instructions.

Juno didn't twitch as he received the instructions; he just quietly stood beside his master. After 10 minutes, he looked at his Atlas showing a rare panicked look which he quickly put away. How the old foxes could miss it? He whispered something in his Master's ears and then proceeded to call Zane.

"Young master, please this way" Juno respectfully said.

Zane followed his steps measured and his face calm despite the quickening of his heartbeats. Meeting Andre de Valois face to face, he bowed his head slightly and said, "Good evening, father."

Andre looked him up and down, his grey eyes projecting a chilling atmosphere, "En. My son, youhave grown up well."

There was no extra ceremony, no head patting or kowtowing to the ancestors. With these two sentences, the recognizing ancestors' ceremony for illegitimate children was over.

Well, there was the writing of the name in the family register and the greeting of all the elders present but none was held as the family head left abruptly.

"Brother Robert." Zane said, his tone was a bit lost and confused was the ceremony meant to end that quickly.

Understanding Zane's fears, he quickly consoled, "Actually, I heard that something important happened. One of the Rank 7 green dungeons mutated suddenly, The Kano way dungeon, I guess grandfather and uncle needed to be there personally before it is snatched away."

The Kano way dungeon. Its mutation was noteworthy; it evolved straight to a Rank 9 red dungeon. The only thing was that this particular dungeon mutated two months ago. Just how much did his future self miss?

"While…What?"Zane wanted to evade his gaze but endured and maintained eye contact feeling extremely guilty as if he was afraid of being seen through.

Robert chuckled. This his cousin, he seems pretty calm but when it comes to things concerning his uncle, he becomes unnerved easily, "You should not think too much," He added gently.

Once, the elders were gone and the younger ones sent back, it felt like all hell broke loose.

The resplendent light turned dim and changed to red, purple, blue and green. The music became faster and more frenetic, the bass of the music was strong and the beat made people's eardrums as well as the floor thump. There were more and more people crowded onto the dance floor.

Many people wanted to introduce themselves. Each one toasting one cup after another. Zane had no fear as he drank the wine, he made sure to refuse any of the heavy ones with an embarrassed grin that he was not of age.

Of course, socializing, exchanging contacts and listening to gossip was a must. It was a successful night. He must have earned over a hundred Intel points.