NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Ardoner
[Prepare for Appraisal…]
Will found himself in an endless void, surrounded by glowing, golden star-like figures that floated gently above him. A dense, silvery mist coiled beneath his feet, rippling with each step he took. Despite the emptiness, an overwhelming sense of calmness settled within him.
The sight was nothing short of majestic.
'This feels like the Sefirah Castle… eerie and mysterious. Is this my soul sea? I like the vibe here—feels like a perfect spot for a leisure walk.'
And so, with a wry smile, Will strolled forward, his eyes fixed on the ethereal stars above, which formed faint constellations that shifted as if alive. The mist thinned as he walked, revealing water beneath his feet, its surface trembling softly with each step.
The tranquility shattered as a voice—neither kind nor cruel—spoke from the void:
[Aspirant, your trial is over.]
The mist swirled violently, and shimmering golden words began to materialize before him.
[A Lost Soul wandered through the abyss, void of emotions and purpose. Transported into a world of madness and chaos, you defeated desires and sins with your own hands. In your final moments, under the weight of despair, you called for help and were answered by an Unknown Entity.]
Will raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting as the display continued.
[You have shattered the Seven Cores of the Giant of Chaos.]
[The chains of self-doubt have been broken.]
[You refused to surrender to despair.]
[You have faced your failure and risen stronger.]
'Yeah, I guess I did all that,' Will thought, suppressing a grin.
The voice grew deeper, its tone resonating with power:
[Two beings stir in the void beyond existence.]
[You have defeated Awakened Beast, Pride.]
[You have defeated Awakened Monster, Gluttony.]
[You have defeated Awakened Monster, Envy.]
[You have defeated Awakened Demon, Wrath.]
[You have defeated Awakened Devil, Greed.]
[You have defeated Awakened Tyrant, Lust.]
[You have defeated Awakened Terrors, The Three Sins of Despair.]
The mist around Will pulsed like a heartbeat, glowing faintly.
[You have achieved the Impossible Outcome.]
[Final Appraisal: Beyond Compare. Your efforts and sheer determination have been acknowledged.]
Will grinned, pride swelling within him.
"That's what I thought," he muttered under his breath.
The voice thundered one last time:
[Dreamer William Hernandez, receive your boon!]
[You have been bestowed a True Name: Bound by Desires.]
'Bound by Desires…. That's an impressive naming sense…. But why that?" Will couldn't help but wonder—Why his named seemed like he was being enslaved?
But regardless, he got what he deserved.
[Your Aspect is ready to evolve. Evolve Aspect?]
Will smirked. "What kind of question is that? Of course, evolve it!"
[Dormant Aspect Lost Soul is evolving…] [New Aspect acquired.]
A surge of energy coursed through Will as golden runes spiraled around him, etching themselves into his soul.
[Aspect Rank: Divine.]
[Aspect Name: Ardoner.]
Will summoned his runes, eager to inspect his new power.
Aspect: [Ardoner]
Aspect Rank: Divine
Aspect Description: [You are a bearer of memories, bound to the ever-turning cycle of emotions and the hunger for connection.]
Innate Ability: [Heart's Resonance]
Ability Description: [The soul resonates with the emotions, desires, and memories of those around you. By channeling this resonance, you can strengthen bonds with others, momentarily sharing their burdens or amplifying their resolve.]
Will grimaced as he read through the runes.
'So… I'm supposed to "connect" with people and soften my heart? Is the spell telling me to start empathizing with everyone?'
He sighed.
'Great. Just what I needed—a magical therapist nagging me.'
The spell wasn't finished.
[The First Seal is broken.]
[Awakening dormant powers.]
[Aspect Ability acquired: Mental Link.]
Aspect Description: [You possess the extraordinary ability to forge a telepathic connection over vast distances, allowing you to communicate thoughts and emotions with others regardless of space.]
'Telepathy?' Will's eyes widened. 'Now that's practical! No more worrying about people overhearing private conversations.'
But then his gaze fell to his next entry—and his blood ran cold.
But then his gaze fell to his next entry—and his blood ran cold.
[Flaw: Devil's Curse]
Description: [A cursed blessing that binds the bearer to relentless whispers of their impulses and deepest desires making them do it.]
'Shit! What the fuck am I going to do with a Flaw like this?! If I think about it, this flaw will just act on its own accord with my impulses! What if I saw someone right at the edge of a Cliff?…. I'm going to push them no doubt!'
Then he spoke again, this time more anxious.
"If I really want to punch someone and I know of its dire consequences, then , I'm really going to punch them. My planned social status is going to be doomed!"
The Spell again, Spoke up again.
[Wake up, Bound by Desires!]
The eerie space disappeared, sending back to the police station.
…..
Back in the City of Pitoa
Andrew trailed the two figures—Zott and Derrick—from a safe distance. They were on their way to meet someone named Demitra. It was smarter for him to keep out of sight; confrontation with someone stronger than himself wasn't just risky—it was outright suicidal.
Still, blending into the bustling streets of Pitoa wasn't exactly difficult for Andrew. His dark skin and muscular build drew less attention here, a place with people from all walks of life. At the edge of his vision, he saw Zott and Derrick duck into a secluded alleyway.
'Gotcha.'
He slipped through the crowd, weaving between vendors and civilians, before scaling a nearby rooftop with practiced ease. From there, he crouched low, watching the scene unfold.
Zott and Derrick stood around aimlessly.
"When do you think Demitra's showing up?" Derrick muttered, already bored. "Why can't we meet him at his place instead?"
Zott grabbed Derrick's arm before he could take a step away. "Are you out of your damn mind?! He'll kill you if you leave!"
"Kill me? For what? Demitra seems like a decent bloke—rational, even. You're overreacting."
"No, you idiot! He told us to wait here. Did that punch from Brutish Knuckles knock all sense out of you?"
Up on the rooftop, Andrew shook his head, annoyed.
'Were these two dropped on their heads when they were born?'
Their bickering was starting to feel more like a comedy skit than a criminal operation.
But then, another figure arrived.
The newcomer moved like a shadow, his wiry frame slipping through the narrow alleyway with agility. His face was hidden beneath a mask, his presence cold and calculating. Everything about him screamed 'professional killer.'
Andrew tensed, instinctively lowering himself further into the shadows.
The two stooges straightened up immediately.
"Demitra! Good to see you," Zott said, waving awkwardly.
The masked figure didn't respond to the greeting. His voice was low and sharp, cutting through the air. "Where the hell have you two been? Do you have the goods?"
Zott scratched the back of his head nervously. "Uh, well… we left it in the sewers."
"Why?" Demitra's tone grew even darker.
The two visibly quaked under his gaze. Zott stammered out an explanation, his words tripping over each other.
"T-the guards were chasing us! We did what you told us—we stole the goods—but we had to ditch them! We were gonna get them back, I swear!"
"Then why are you wasting my time? Retrieve it. Now."
The two stooges didn't need to be told twice. They stumbled over their feet, nearly falling in their haste to run off.
"Useless." Demitra's muttered disdain carried in the silence that followed.
Up on the roof, Andrew's mind raced. From here, he had two options.
He could follow Zott and Derrick, wait for them to retrieve the goods, and ambush them when the time was right. It was the safer play, but it could take hours—time he didn't have.
Or he could follow Demitra now and find an opening to strike. It was riskier, far more dangerous, but if he succeeded, it would cripple their operation.
He exhaled slowly. The dangerous path was also the quickest—and this might be his only chance to eliminate Demitra.
Andrew summoned his runes, letting their familiar glow light the edge of his vision:
---
Name: Andrew Harkon
True Name: —
Soul Core: Dormant
Memories: [Sea of Nothingness]
Echoes: —
Attributes: [Man of the Hunt], [Feral Command]
Aspect: [Huntsman]
Aspect Description:You are a hired mercenary who kills for a price. A lone weapon that never wavers from its tasks.
---
He tightened his grip on the handles of his twin blades. They were simple—ordinary—but deadly in the hands of someone like him.
Demitra moved away from the alley and disappeared into the crowd. Andrew blended into the masses, masking his presence and suppressing his killing intent. His eyes never left his target.
'This is it,' he thought. 'This is gonna be a shit show.'