Ash was looking at them with a confused expression, unable to associate both of them in a single frame. How were they related to each other?

But as his mind wandered through possibilities, he noticed their facial features. Big eyes, long sharp noses, and facial symmetry—there was a similarity in their faces.

"You are her uncle...father..." Ash paused, gauging their reaction.

"Father... Nice to meet you, lad." Luther extended his arm.

Ash shook his hand out of respect, but inside his Assassin's mind had already begun working. The way Luther defended his decision not to share his true profession in front of the Commander…

Did Jessie tell him about his gun and everything? If yes, then did he see potential in him—and were they trying to rope him to their side to use him later?

Seeing his suspicious gaze, Luther backed away slightly.

"I have no bad intentions. The decision is still yours," Luther said, trying to come clean. But Ash wasn't convinced.

He didn't want to show it on his face, so he just smiled. "Sure, I believe you."

He needed other ways to uncover the truth. Even if they wanted to use him... they would need him alive until he grew strong enough to support them. He wouldn't mind working with them if they paid enough and let him operate on his own terms. Otherwise, he trusted his Assassin skills to survive.

For some reason, the man didn't look convinced by his words.

"I don't want any confusion. Where we are going is the safest place on this earth. Some of the strongest people alive reside there.

They are very particular about their bloodline, trying to keep it pure—and extremely belligerent toward outsiders. If you know what I mean," the man said hesitantly.

Ash just looked at him plainly. Of course, Luther was talking about Jessie and her future. But did he really care? No. At least, not right now. She wasn't important enough for him to concern himself with such things.

"So are you implying I shouldn't go?" Ash asked.

"No… no, you misunderstood me. I was the one who asked her to bring you. We have knowledge of the previous Ascension Trial, and I am sure it will help you greatly.

What I'm saying is—we'll introduce you as her servant. I can pass you off as a new household servant there, and after that, we can decide our next move."

"I asked her the same thing. What's in it for me? And why only me?" Ash pressed, coming to his main question.

"What you have is opportunity… to enter the trial well-prepared. Knowledge, power, and more. You wanted to learn the runic language… you'll find the forbidden knowledge of runes there, if that's enough reason for you." He paused, hesitating on the second question. He didn't want to reveal Jessie's title.

"As for why you? That's something we're also searching for answers to. Please understand—there are things that cannot be explained. Just like we can't prove that tomorrow the sun will rise, despite knowing it will."

"Okay! I'm in." After a long back-and-forth, Ash finally agreed.

He had stretched the conversation intentionally so they would feel like he did something for them, not the other way around.

"Well, the place we need to go is far from here. Our ride is ready near the southern gate."

Ash nodded, He had gotten what he wanted—answers or at least enough to form a picture.

The streets grew quieter near the southern perimeter of the city. only a few government banners flapping lazily in the wind.

Waiting at the gates was something that didn't belong to the city at all.

A carriage—dark wood reinforced with runes carved into its frame. Its wheels weren't ordinary wood but obsidian cores glimmered faintly.

The horses harnessed to it were no normal horses—they were lean with scales and faint blue smoke hissing from their nostrils, their eyes glowing in the dusk light.

Ash stopped. "Those aren't horses."

"They're Mist Steeds," Luther said, patting one lightly. The beast exhaled in annoyance. "Rare creatures, They feed on mana and will carry us faster than you can imagine."

Jessie climbed in first casually as though she'd done this a hundred times. Ash followed ducking into the enclosed carriage.

The inside was confortable but clearly built more for function than luxury.

Once the doors shut, the outside world began blurred. The Mist Steeds moved silently, hooves barely making contact with the earth. With every step, they rose several feet into the air, and the city vanished quickly behind them.

To an outsider, it would look only like a cloud of mist travelling through the sky at rapid speed.

Ash sat inside, growing annoyed at the biting silence. Jessie wasn't as cheerful as she had been in because of her father or the anticipation of arrival

'Fuck it,' Ash thought, pulling a box from his pocket.

He slowly opened the lid with anticipation—finding a crystal inside.

For a second, his hopes sank. But then he caught Luther's amused reaction. Light returned to his eyes, If this man found it amusing then it had to be something valuable.

Ash turned the crystal in his hand, the light bouncing inside like trapped lightning.

[Common Glyph Seed Acquired. Insert consciousness to learn Eight Basic Runes.]

"What is this?" he asked flatly. He wanted to see if Luther had any useful knowledge about this seed.

Luther leaned back, smirking. "It's a Glyph Seed. A basic one.

If you have the patience and of course, the talent you'll begin to see the foundation of runes. Don't worry lad If you fail, it's not everyone's cup of tea."

Ash narrowed his eyes. "So it's a puzzle."

"A nice way to put it," Luther chuckled.

Ash didn't respond. He pressed the crystal between his palms and closed his eyes letting his consciousness slip inside.

The darkness of his mind rippled—and then, the world unfolded.

Eight gates appeared before him, floating in the void.

Each one enticing him to enter.

Ash stepped towards one of the gate and entered.

There— a strange character hung in the air, awkward, as though mocking him. He stared intently trying to deduce its meaning but all he saw were lines folding into more lines, patterns contradicting themselves, broken logic. His mind grew dizzy after only a few minutes.

But then—he felt something. A faint pull. Luck. It was weak, almost imperceptible, but it was there—guiding him toward understanding the rune.

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