Chapter 75: On The Marvel Radar

The Next Day,

"NO!" Abraham shouted, frantically stuffing his bags while Father Sebastian struggled to hold him back.

"Seb, you're my closest friend, the last guy on this sh*tty rock who still believes in me, but I can't leave this world yet, I can't leave her." Abraham's eyes brimmed with immense sadness as Father Sebastian closed his own, weighed down by the moment.

"The Vatican is willing to grant you access to the vault if you assist in helping the Black Knight obtain mana-"

"Do you see this?" Abraham yanked down his shirt, revealing a massive, grotesque scar just above his heart.

"Does it look like I have any mana left?" Abraham snapped, his voice trembling with frustration. 

"Do you not understand-"

"I am not asking as Father Sebastian, but as your friend. Abraham, please help him." Father Sebastian shamelessly asked, leaving Abraham utterly baffled as he wiped his mouth, as if that simple gesture could somehow erase the shock.

"Why? Seb, you know he's not a good person, he doesn't deserve your kindness or any kindness whatsoever!" Abraham exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.

"It doesn't matter," Father Sebastian insisted, his voice steady with conviction. 

"God has chosen him, and I am here to carry out His will. Whether it leads to a better tomorrow or the destruction of it all, I will follow through." Father Sebastian After yesterday's events, Sebastian was certain his original hypothesis, that he was divinely chosen, was correct.

*Sigh*

Abraham dragged his aching bones onto a chair, burying his face in his hands. 

He couldn't wrap his mind around it since Ricky was everything a saint shouldn't be, yet somehow, for reasons beyond him, he had been bestowed actual holy power.

"After I teach him the basics, I'm out of here," Abraham declared, standing up as Father Sebastian smiled warmly at him, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Thank you Abraham."

Meanwhile at the training grounds,

"DAMMIT, I'M SORRY! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY IT?" Ricky shouted, swinging his sword as he vented his frustration at his sentient trench coat.

The trench coat extended its sleeve, revealing a slight rip, then pointed at Ricky and back at the tear, as if to emphasize the damage was his fault.

"I KNOW I DID THAT BUT I-URGH!" Ricky threw the wooden sword on the ground in frustration.

This trench coat was infuriating; every time Ricky tried to put it back into the inventory space, it would freak out the moment he pulled it out again.

Ricky actually listened to Abraham's words and tried to conceal the trench coat at first. However, when he began attempting to learn and use its abilities, the coat stubbornly protested after coming out of the inventory space and in the midst of the struggle, he accidentally ripped it while wearing it training.

"I think it's asking you not to apologize, but to heal it," Percival chimed in, glancing over as Henry picked up one of his cards, revealing a pair of threes. 

However, that was only partly true; the trench coat did want an apology, and it wouldn't accept any repairs until it received a reasonable one. 

"How am I supposed to do that, I can't sew?" Ricky said in a baffled tone, and he could've sworn the trench coat rolled its nonexistent eyes in response. 

The coat then began waving its arms around frantically, communicating with Ricky before eventually catching the attention of a nearby person.

"You probably need to heal it with mana, kid," Abraham said as he walked over from the side and the trench coat visibly relaxed and pointed at him, as if grateful for the suggestion.

"Hmmmmmm," Ricky mused, suddenly recalling the mythic magic core still hovering in his inventory.

"How did I even get this mana, or magic, or whatever you call it?" Ricky asked outright, his brow furrowed in confusion and Abraham scoffed in response, shaking his head.

"Listen, kid, it doesn't work like that. Either you've got it or you don't," Abraham said, pointing at him and shaking his head in exasperation.

"I don't know why Seb wants me to teach you about it, because I know for a fact that you don't have it," Abraham said arrogantly, striding over to a rock to take a seat.

"Honestly, in my view, your use of holy power is pretty useless if you can't use magic; it really dampens the potential you can obtain," Abraham yawned, leaning back against a nearby rock.

"But I literally have a magic core-"

"HA!" Abraham laughed heartily at Ricky, slapping his knee and wiping a tear from his eye.

"Back in the day I-what are you doing?" Abraham stood up, his eyes fixed on Ricky as a captivating circular object appeared in Ricky's hand, radiating such a mystic aura that it left him in awe, unable to fully comprehend its power.

Abraham knew deep down that he shouldn't underestimate Ricky, but his pride held him back from believing that Ricky could continue to defy his expectations. 

He gazed at the hovering core next to Ricky, a mixture of skepticism and curiosity in his eyes.

[Do you wish to merge Aetherial Nexus Core with your own heart]

[Yes/No]

"B-But even still, even if that is somehow a magic core to transplant it is utterly impossible with a body that cannot access magic-"

'Yes.'

The core slowly melted into Ricky's palm, and he felt it begin to course through his being. 

Abraham froze in place, stunned by something that should have been literally impossible, given all his years of studying core magic.

'This doesn't seem so-' Ricky thought to himself as he felt the core melt into a viscous form, being absorbed into his skin. It traveled through his bloodstream, making its way directly to his heart.

*THUMP*

Ricky immediately dropped to his knees as the Aetherial Nexus Core settled into his heart, his entire face reddening from the strain as the veins on his body buldged.

"I-I think I need some help." Ricky muttered in agony, the pain far surpassing anything he had ever experienced before, and he fell over onto his side.

Foam began to spew from his mouth as black ooze trickled from his eyes, nose, and ears, his body convulsing violently.

"YOU IDIOT!" Abraham finally realized what Ricky had just done and rushed to his side, pulling out seven vials filled with a sparkling blue liquid.

He opened Ricky's mouth and poured the pure magical energy into him, feeling it already soak into his core by the time it reached his tongue. 

Ricky's eyes flickered continuously until his consciousness gave out, his heart raging to the tune of a drum until a shockwave rippled out from him.

"Oh no." Abraham exhaled sharply, his eyes wide with fear. In a sudden, frantic motion, he crushed the remaining vials in his hand, spinning them in a circle. 

The shattered glass and their contents scattered through the air, a desperate attempt to fend off the escalating power radiating from Ricky.

'What the hell did you get your hands on kid.'

Meanwhile in the Otherworld,

The familiar and luscious silhouette of Morgan Le Fey jerked to the side as she stood up, advancing with graceful steps.

"My queen-" A necrotic butler hovered at her side, his voice low and unsettling as he inquired about her needs.

"Silence." Morgan waved her hand, causing the undead butler's mouth to vanish as she gazed out from her accumulated walls. 

Her eyes peered through the barriers that confined her, tilting her head in curiosity before a small, enigmatic smile graced her lips.

"Ready my chambers." Morgan turned to the butler, who bowed deeply before hurrying to carry out her commands as she then turned back, her focus sharp and intent.

"It seems that this new Black Knight is an interesting one."

Meanwhile In Transylvania,

Dracula hummed a tune as he poured a scarlet liquid into a wine glass, but suddenly, his head jerked to the side. 

His pupils dilated, and in an instant, his body vanished, reappearing above the castle walls with a sneer until the shockwave settled around him as he slowly stood silently.

"Baron Blood." Dracula uttered a low, ominous sound, his voice reverberating through the air as a figure appeared below him, kneeling in submission.

"Carry out the night raid."

Meanwhile In the mountains of Colorado,

"Agatha, did I do well?" A young witch scurried over to Agatha, bending down to observe the vial with wide, curious eyes.

"Oh child, how many times do I have to tell you not to use so much grass root?" Agatha patted the girl's head gently, and the little one sighed contentedly before scurrying back to join the other girls.

"Listen children, potion brewing-" Agatha was about to launch into a lecture when her eyes narrowed and she abruptly looked up.

"Patrice, inform the elder to lock down New Salem" Agatha's voice rang out, causing a teenage witch to show surprise. 

The girl quickly held out her hands, summoning numerous characters that materialized around her.

"Mistress Agatha, do you need assistance?" A young witch emerged from the nearby shadows, stepping up to Agatha's side, but Agatha shook her head, signaling her to stay back.

"No, stay here." Agatha spoke firmly as she conjured a portal in front of her, the swirling energy illuminating her determined expression.

"I need to see this anomaly for myself."

Meanwhile In Kamar-Taj,

"No, this-...this cannot be?" A bald woman opened her eyes, and as the necklace dropped from her neck, it snapped shut, encircling her with an air of mystique.

"Ancient one!" A sorcerer rushed into her chambers and bowed tentatively, but she raised her hand to silence him, her expression commanding attention.

"I know, contact the Vatican and send assistance." The Ancient One rose to her full height as the numerous monks around her began to echo her words, their voices creating a resonant 

Clutching her eyes, she realized that the events she had meticulously planned for centuries had completely vanished in an instant. 

Over the last five years, the future had become increasingly skewed, distorting the timeline's primary trajectory, with only one clear factor emerging as the source of the problem.

"It seems that it is time to converse with Ricky."

Meanwhile In A Hell Dimension,

"Oh?" A figure shrouded in darkness spoke, gazing upward with a sly smirk that hinted at hidden knowledge and intentions.

"Well, this is interesting."

A few hours later,

Hours passed, and Ricky endured the most excruciating pain he had ever faced. Abraham had emptied over seventy-five vials into him before Ricky's skin began to regain some color. 

After carefully moving him to a bed, Abraham settled into a nearby chair, patiently waiting for Ricky to wake up so he could properly scold him.

*GASP*

"SMACK*

Ricky gasped for breath, but in the next second, Abraham slapped him sharply across the face. 

"Gross, what is that smell?" Ricky's face contorted in disgust before he realized it was his own body odor permeating the air.

"Where did you get that core?" Abraham asked, skipping the pleasantries entirely as Ricky let out a weary sigh in response.

"Listen it's not what it looks like-"

"No, it is." Abraham halted, his eyes widening with concern as he gazed at Ricky's heart, sensing something was profoundly wrong.

"Whatever you merged with is unlike anything I've ever seen. The purity of your magical power is even greater than what I had in my youth." Abraham informed Ricky, who instinctively touched his heart in response.

"Let's skip the usual babble of you being a brat about being right. So, where in the hell did you get it?" Abraham squinted, his gaze sharp and accusatory. 

Not even in his wildest dreams could he have predicted what Ricky had pulled off, no matter how prepared he thought he was.

"It fell from the sky." Ricky offered the lamest excuse he could muster, and Abraham's flat expression made it clear he wasn't buying it at all.

"....."

Ricky and Abraham exchanged blank stares, both wearing expressions of disbelief as Abraham shook his head, scratching his beard in frustration as he processed the situation.

"Whatever, you're going to die anyway, so good luck," Abraham said with a shrug, picking up his suitcase. 

Ricky flinched at the bluntness of his words, a mix of annoyance and concern flashing across his face.

"But I'm fine-"

"Yeah, for now. But when you merged with your core, you acted as a beacon, and while I managed to contain it to only earth, most of the world felt it." Abraham pointed at Ricky, his frown deepening.

"You don't get it. Magic is one of the most sensitive energies in the galaxy, and after you combined it with whatever that was, your syncing sent a ripple through that state of energy, completely skewing everyone's perception," Abraham explained, watching as Ricky's confusion deepened. It was clear he had no grasp of the intricacies of magic.

"They might not know where you are for now, but it won't take long. I need to be gone once that shit show starts," Abraham said, only for his body to be yanked back suddenly.

"Okay, listen, I get that it might've been a stupid move and I shouldn't have been so hasty with using the core, but now that I've got magic, aren't you going to teach me-"

"HA!" Abraham exclaimed with a short, ironic laugh, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Kid, even if I'd known, it wouldn't have stopped the powers invested in the world of magic from feeling that ripple." Abraham said, grabbing his head in distress as he gazed intently at Ricky's heart.

"Whatever that was, whatever you found, it shouldn't be considered or comprehended, but for some reason, it's now implanted in you." Abraham tapped Ricky's heart before shaking his head in disbelief.

"I can't afford to get involved in this-"

*RUMBLE*

The whole room shook violently, sending objects clattering to the floor. Ricky barely managed to steady himself as Abraham, his eyes wide with urgency, grabbed his bag and dashed out of the room.

"F*ck!" Abraham cursed under his breath as he bolted out of the room, suitcase in hand, leaving Ricky behind without a second thought.

"Dammit!" Abraham hissed in pain, nicking his finger on the sharp edge of the dress as a droplet of blood splashed onto the floor.

"Young Ricky, you must follow him now!" Alexander scurried over, and Percival nodded in agreement from the side. 

Meanwhile, the trench coat magically draped itself over Ricky, prompting him to look down and notice that the cut had completely healed.

"Oh so now we're buddies now-wait." Ricky stood up, a sudden realization dawning on him. 

"Where are Chores and Barko?"

In a small room near the servants' quarters, Chores and Barko lounge comfortably, flipping through the stacks of literature that Father Sebastian had provided. 

Though friends and associates of Ricky, they had been asked to remain patient while he faced his trials, a request they accepted with enthusiasm. 

The atmosphere was thick with the scent of old pages and the low hum of conversation, as they discussed the various stories and theories they encountered, eager to absorb the knowledge that surrounded them.

"Do you think Slick passed?" Barko glanced up from the worn, little book as the rumbling persisted.

"Probably," Chores agreed, turning the page.

"Should we-"

*Sigh*

"Yeah probably."

*RUMBLE*

As Ricky dashed out of the room, he saw that Abraham had vanished down the hallway and without hesitation, he turned back to retrieve Alexander.

"Have you lost his tail!?" Alexander asked, scurrying onto Ricky's shoulder as Henry perched on his head.

"Yeah I-wait." Ricky's gaze dropped to the small speck of blood, his eyes widening and without hesitation, he reached into his inventory and pulled out an orb.

(Legendary Item) Seeker's Orb: This orb will reveal the whereabouts of any being with a single piece of hair, drop of blood, or anything that might pertain to the being's anatomy.

Ricky rushed over, opening the orb just in time to catch the drop of blood before it hit the ground. 

A brief flash lit up the orb as the blood was absorbed, but instead of the usual darkness, an arrow appeared, pointing in a specific direction as a smile spread across his face.

"Let's go find the gang first," Ricky chuckled darkly, his eyes flickering toward the sword resting nearby as a devious thought crossed his mind as he stared at it.

"Oh, that's cool." Ricky said as the sword suddenly flew into his hand at the mere thought of it. 

Percival, standing nearby, looked startled but remained silent, continuing to observe.

'Kill~' A voice echoed in Ricky's head as he sighed softly, slipping into the iconic Black Knight armor and pulling out his gauntlets. 

The whispers of his past killings had grown more intense, gnawing at his mind and each time he tried to block them out, the sword vibrated violently in his hand, its resentment palpable, as if punishing him for ignoring it. 

Percival had once advised him to let the sword in, to build a so-called 'connection' with it, but the idea unnerved Ricky more with every passing day at something being lodged in his head alongside the system.

But at a certain point, he realized that true growth also required him to step outside his comfort zone, so he made the decision to start doing just that and dropped the barrier around his mind.

As Ricky sprinted out of the building, his pupils trembled in shock and all around him, attacks rained down, yet a dome-like structure shielded the area, deflecting the onslaught.

"HOLD THE LINE, WE MUSTN'T LET THESE MONSTERS INTO GOD'S HOUSE!" A priest screeched as multiple glowing crosses appeared, their light intensifying just as the dome began to flicker under their radiant assault.

It was then, as a golden flare shot into the sky, that Ricky truly grasped the horror of what a night raid entailed. 

Hordes of ghouls, numbering in the hundreds, surged toward the dome in relentless waves. 

Their grotesque forms were twisted and decayed, with rotting flesh hanging from their bones, eyes glowing with a feral hunger.

As they clawed at the holy barrier, their long, bony fingers scraped against the surface, leaving behind trails of ichor and grime. 

The dome flickered and shimmered under the onslaught, but the relentless assault only intensified. 

With each futile swipe, the ghouls were engulfed in searing light, their bodies bursting into flames. 

They screamed in agony, the sound a horrifying mix of wails and gurgles, as they were consumed by the fire, turning to ash and cinders.

Yet, even as one fell, another undead creature took its place, undeterred by the fate of its predecessor. 

The ground was littered with charred remains, but the relentless tide of the undead surged forward, their ranks never seeming to diminish.

"CHILD!" Father Sebastian rushed over to him, and Ricky turned his gaze to the side, spotting Chores and Barko trailing behind.

"Oh thank god yo-"

"!" Father Sebastian grabbed Ricky, his eyes widening in shock as he halted his line of questioning.

"Listen very carefully to me, this is of the utmost importance." Father Sebastian's words flowed with a calm clarity, providing a soothing counterpoint to the chaos of war.

"What is going on!" Barko shouted, his voice rising above the cacophony as he stared at the relentless attacks hammering against the dome, panic etched across his face.

"You need to find Abraham and leave this place immediately. Do not trust or speak to anyone until you are beyond the bounds of these sacred grounds. Do you understand?" Father Sebastian's words were shocking, leaving Ricky bewildered as he tried to grasp the urgency behind them.

"But this-"

"Ricky, the Vatican harbors deadly foes within its walls just as much as it does outside," Father Sebastian warned, his voice low and urgent. 

Chores narrowed his eyes, scanning their surroundings before noticing the numerous priests watching them with sidelong glances, slowly encircling the two as Ricky's confusion slowly turned into a squint.

Father Sebastian's hands trembled on Ricky's shoulders, a sign of his growing unease.

"Slick, we need to go." Chores said, stepping to Ricky's side as more eyes began to turn in their direction, the weight of their scrutiny palpable in the tense atmosphere.

"Descendant, you need to run right now," Percival whispered urgently as Ricky glanced at Father Sebastian, and in that brief moment, they exchanged a silent understanding through their eyes. 

Without hesitation, Ricky sprinted backward, just as Father Sebastian slammed his hand down, releasing a large puff of smoke that billowed around him, obscuring the growing danger and providing Ricky with a momentary shield to escape.

"GET HIM!" Priests yelled in alarm as Father Sebastian's hands ignited with holy light, illuminating the darkened space. 

Suddenly, ropes of radiant light shot out from his fingertips, slicing through the air toward the encroaching threats, creating a barrier that glimmered with divine energy.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS FAHTER-SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" A priest shouted, but before he could finish, his body disintegrated into black ashes, a chilling testament to the overwhelming power unleashed in the room. 

Father Sebastian's face went pale, the shock of the violent transformation leaving him visibly shaken as he realized the gravity of the situation.

"The Vatican has truly been infiltrated." Father Sebastian spoke, his voice steady despite the chaos, as the smoke cleared to reveal him standing defiantly in front of the corrupted members of the holy church. 

Their forms twisting and malevolent gazes stood in stark contrast to his unwavering resolve, a beacon of righteousness amidst the encroaching darkness.

"Give us the Black Knight, Father Sebastian, or we'll be forced to unleash the gifts our masters have bestowed upon us," one of the priests sneered, revealing sharp fangs that glinted menacingly in the dim light. 

Father Sebastian's eyes hardened, turning icy as he prepared to stand his ground against the sinister threat before him.

"Never."

*RUMBLE*

"Slick, where are we going!" Barko shouted from behind Ricky, who stood resolute with Chores by his side, both ready to confront the unfolding chaos.

"Wherever this orb says!" Ricky urged him to stay focused as Alexander glanced at the orb, his expression shifting as realization dawned on him.

"Young Ricky, the arrow is slightly pointing down!" Alexander gestured toward the orb, and Ricky stared at it in confusion until, without warning, it suddenly pointed backward, illuminating a path they hadn't noticed before.

"What the." Ricky halted, watching as the arrow in the orb slowly shifted to point forward again as his gaze dropped to the ground, where faint markings hinted at an unseen path ahead.

"Is he-"

"Descendant, channel your magical power along with the ebony blade and condense it into a slash," Percival instructed as Ricky grasped the sword tightly, closing his eyes to focus, feeling the energy surge within him as he sought to unite his magic with the blade's dark essence.

The dormant magic power within his heart responded to his call, surging through his arms and into the blade. 

Ricky could feel the energy intertwining with the sword's dark essence, creating a palpable force that thrummed with intensity, ready to be unleashed.

The magical energies resonated with the properties of the ebony blade, harmonizing into a single potent force as Ricky swung his arm downward. 

The air crackled around him, charged with anticipation, as he prepared to unleash the concentrated power.

*Whoosh*

With a single, powerful slash, the ground before him split apart, creating a large crevasse that revealed a hidden tunnel beneath. 

"Holy sh*t." Ricky pondered, his gaze fixed on the sword as he felt its weight and power in his hands as Percival stood nearby, arms crossed.

"That's why it's wise to listen to your elders and not toss them into strange dark places," Percival remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice as he nodded toward the crevasse, emphasizing the lesson behind the chaos.

"Here ye." Alexander chimed in with a grin, adding to the banter as Ricky grabbed Barko and leaped into the hole, with Chores following closely behind.

"Oh Abraham~" As Ricky landed in the hall, a menacing laughter escaped him from behind, echoing through the dark space and in the distance, he caught sight of Abraham.

"You little brat!" Abraham gnashed his teeth in frustration before continuing to run. 

Rushing forward, Ricky erupted into laughter, effortlessly closing the gap between them and just as he caught up, Abraham instinctively pushed him away, a look of urgency on his face.

"Seb told you about this route, right? Damn it, I knew being his friend for forty years was a bad idea," Abraham sighed, glancing back at Ricky before his gaze shifted to Chores and Barko, who were following closely behind.

"Oh, I forgot about you two," Abraham said, his voice laced with mild exasperation as Chores and Barko exchanged weary glances. 

Sighing in unison but nodding, knowing all too well that this kind of oversight was typical for them.

"And what's your deal? Are you still upset about me leaving you for dead that one time?" Abraham teased, pointing at Ricky with a dramatically exaggerated grieving expression.

"I'm sorry, happy!?" Abraham feigned his deepest apologies, putting on an earnest expression, but Ricky maintained a plain, unamused look.

"No you're not."

"Ok, I'm not, but I already apologized so does it really matter?" Abraham's expression turned serious, his demeanor unforgiving as he glared at Ricky. 

But Ricky, undeterred, patted his shoulder reassuringly, a hint of camaraderie breaking through the tension between them.

"Let's go." Ricky gave a thumbs up, but Abraham sighed, grabbing his necklace and shaking his head in response.

*SIGH*

"Come on, I guess." Abraham beckoned to them, starting to jog out of the tunnel.

"So, what did I end up doing?" Ricky asked, but Abraham responded with a fit of hysterical laughter, the sound echoing through the tunnel.

"You somehow managed to provoke monsters and demons into actively attacking the most holy place on Earth, which I have to admit, is an achievement in itself," Abraham said to Ricky, laughter still in his voice. 

Chores facepalmed in disbelief, shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation.

"Slick, we were gone for like two days, what did ya do!" Chores yelled at him, making Ricky cough and hold up a finger.

"It was an accident-"

"HA! YOU LITERALLY DID IT TO SPITE ME!" Abraham yelled back, and Ricky's eyebrows twitched in irritation, a mix of frustration and amusement flashing across his face.

"ALRIGHT, FINE! IT'S MY FAULT! I'M SORRY FOR DOING IT OUT OF COMPLETE SPITE! IS THAT WHAT ALL OF YOU WANT TO HEAR?!" Ricky shouted, his voice echoing off the tunnel walls as his exasperation bubbled over.

"YES!" Everyone in the hall, including Henry, nodded in acknowledgment as Ricky frowned.

"So what now?" Ricky turned to Abraham and asked, but Abraham merely scoffed in response.

"What else, we get out of here." 

2 hours later,

*Huff*

*Huff*

*Huff*

"Father, Kamar-taj wishes to-"

"Allow access, we need their help." Father Sebastian wiped the sweat from his forehead, turning back to face the remaining priests. 

Around him lay dozens of corrupted clergy, a grim testament to his solitary battle against a small army. 

In the next moment, portals flickered into existence, and a group of monks emerged, led by a particular woman. 

She surveyed the chaotic scene, her sharp eyes assessing the damage and the urgency of the situation.

"We are pleased that Kamar-Taj is willing to assist in our most trivial of times." Father Sebastian smiled at the Ancient One, who raised an eyebrow at the surrounding corrupted priests..

"This is-"

"Do not fret, it happens to all places once in a while." The Ancient One raised her hand, gesturing with a fluid motion that strengthened the barrier in an instant, reinforcing the protective shield around them.

"The pope?" The Ancient One inquired, her voice steady and probing, as Father Sebastian scratched the back of his head, a sheepish look crossing his face.

"Of course, he's deposed." The Ancient one sighed as she looked around to see the numerous creatures attacking the barrier.

"Where is he?" The Ancient One sighed, her gaze sweeping across the scene to take in the multitude of creatures relentlessly attacking the barrier, their twisted forms clawing at the shimmering shield with ferocious intensity.

"I don't-"

"Where is Ricky Luciano?" The Ancient One squinted, her tone laced with a knowing authority that made Father Sebastian fall silent, realizing that she was fully aware of the dire situation at hand.

"So, you sent him off." The Ancient One sighed, pointing decisively as five monks rushed past her, sprinting in the direction Father Sebastian had gone.

"This isn't about him-"

"Of course it is, do you paint me as a fool?" The Ancient One shook her head, walking in front of Father Sebastian with a determined stride, her presence commanding attention as she moved forward.

"Do you realize how special that mere teenager really is?" The Ancient One asked, her curiosity evident as Father Sebastian glanced down at the ground, contemplating her words with a heavy heart.

"I understand he's taken the mantle of the Black knight but after we find him, I will be taking him back-"

"I apologize, but that won't be happening," Pius said, stepping out of the nearby building. 

The Ancient One turned to him, a fake smile plastered on her face, masking the tension in the air.

"Pope Pius, it is-"

"The Black Knight is a position under the Vatican. You may converse with him, but any attempts at forceful subjection will result in the deterioration of our treaty," Pius said, his voice clammy as he raised his hand. 

Suddenly, the barrier glowed intensely, and a cacophony of screams from the damned echoed around them, filling the air with a chilling urgency.

"You do not know what he is capable of-"

"Maybe not, but I assure you it would be better for him to remain under our care rather than with someone who only thinks of themselves," Pius concluded, his tone final as the Ancient One recognized the weight of his words, aware of the underlying implications in their conversation.

"Very well, I'll relent." The Ancient One beckoned to him, turning around to give him a sidelong glance, her expression revealing both intrigue and caution.

"For now."

Meanwhile at the end of the tunnel,

"A boat?" Ricky asked a question, only to see Abraham sprinkling some dust over it, instantly turning it invincible with a flourish of his hand.

"This is where we part ways-"

"I've never seen an invincible boat before." Ricky spoke first as he stepped into the boat, and in an instant, his form vanished, becoming invisible to anyone who might have been watching.

"Slick, you disappeared!" Barko let out a gasp of amazement, realizing that this feat seemed to defy all known science, leaving him in awe of the mysterious powers at play.

"No way!" Ricky called out as he jumped off the boat, his form becoming visible once more to their surprised eyes.

"Can you-"

"Invisible, not invisible, invisible, not-"

"GOD DAMMIT, JUST GET IN!" Abraham shouted as he forcefully pushed Ricky into the boat, everyone following suit and scrambling inside. 

Once they were all settled, Abraham shoved the boat into the river, finally letting out a sigh of relief. 

He gazed up at the vibrant flashes of color lighting up the night sky, a stark contrast to the chaos they had just escaped.

"You want some advice that you'll never take?" Abraham leaned back in the boat, letting the tension of the moment wash away, while Ricky removed his helmet and ran a hand through his tousled black hair, feeling the cool breeze on his scalp.

"Why not." Ricky echoed the sentiment, taking on a similar posture as he leaned against the side of the boat, facing Abraham with a relaxed demeanor.

"Just leave all this behind and move to a place like Iceland. Sure, there are Nordic vampires there, but they're the weakest group, so you'll rarely run into them," Abraham suggested, taking a swig from his flask, a hint of humor in his tone as he envisioned a quieter life.

"I really don't think it would matter, since wherever Slick goes, trouble seems to follow," Chores chimed in, shaking his head with a small sigh following it. 

It was a familiar refrain; every time he was with Ricky, he found himself knee-deep in the trenches of chaos.

"What's your deal, Abraham? Every chance you get, you always talk about leaving this all behind to live a peaceful life. Why can't you just do it?" Ricky asked, watching as Abraham closed his eyes and took another drink from his flask, seemingly lost in thought.

"Because that's all I want," Abraham replied, screwing the cap back onto his flask before tucking it away in his coat. 

"All I ever wanted was to be free, to live on a random farm and tend to my crops," Abraham said, his fingers skimming the surface of the water. 

"I wanted to raise a family and live a life of peace." Abraham sighed lightly while looking up, the flashes of light illuminating his face, a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounded him.

"But you became a vampire hunter-"

"No, I was born a vampire hunter; I didn't get a choice." Abraham closed his eyes tightly, trying to block out the screams that echoed relentlessly in his mind.

"Oh, come on. Isn't that what free will is? Everyone has a choice." Ricky said, gesturing toward Abraham, who scoffed in response

"When I was four, I had already killed my first vampire, and by the time I was sixteen, I was leading the entire Van Helsing family," Abraham bragged, prompting Ricky to tilt his head in curiosity.

"Where are-"

"They're all dead." Abraham gestured with an ironic smile, scratching his scruffy beard as if relishing the memory with an ironic sad smile.

"Cause of the amulet-"

"Because of Dracula. Look, I don't want to talk about it, so can you just drop it?" Abraham held up his hand, pulling out the flask once more to begin his night of drinking.

"Come on, I feel like it's a good story-"

"Good? Do I look like I ended with a f*cking happy ending?" Abraham let out an ironic laugh, gesturing toward himself.

"Now that you mention it, you do look like a washed-up drunk living off your glory days," Ricky joked, and Abraham raised his flask in a toast to that.

"Amen." Abraham sulked backward as he spoke, and just as Ricky was about to respond, Chores shook his head, signaling him to hold back.

"Fine, I'll let it go for now." Ricky shrugged as Abraham gazed into the distance. 

They sailed across the river, reaching the docks in the dead of midnight and as Abraham disembarked from the boat, the rest of the gang followed suit.

"Alright, this is where we part ways-"

"Nope, teach me magic." Ricky spoke up, feeling lost amidst the newfound forces he had acquired. 

After pressing Percival further, he learned that the only magic he knew involved the sword and even then, his magic knowledge was minimal at best as his entire life was focused on his swordsmanship.

"Kid, I'm not teaching you, I got a mission-"

"How about this: I'll help you kill vampires, and in return, you teach me magic," Ricky proposed suddenly as Abraham scoffed at first but then paused, realizing just how powerful Ricky had become.

"Hmmmmm." Abraham rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he made his way to a local tavern. 

Meanwhile, Ricky discreetly plucked the ring from Alexander's waist and slipped it back onto his own finger.

"I'll think about it."Abraham yawned, and Ricky nodded in response, his gaze shifting upwards to the night sky, where stars twinkled like distant promises against the dark expanse.

'Status'

[Status]

Name: Ricky Luciano

Titles: Deadbeat, Royal Thug, Prodigal Son

Age: 15 

Born: October, 27, 1918

Race: Human

Strength: 34 (Lower realm of Superhuman strength)

Stamina: 30 (Lower realm of Superhuman.)

Vitality: 38 (Lower realm of Superhuman.)

Agility: 28(Above peak adult male)

Dexterity: 32(Lower realm of Superhuman strength)

Intelligence: 7 (You've grown but that doesn't mean your not an Idiot)

Mana: 30 (Lower realm of Superhuman.)

Charm: 31 (Your charm is at the peak of humanity and at the cusp of superhuman)

Appearance: 32 (A superhuman appearance that transcends humans.)

The implementation of the core hadn't just granted him magic; it also purified a portion of his body, which had been tarnished by his reckless consumption of alcohol and neglect. 

In a way, it even enchanted him on several levels, enhancing his physical condition and resilience in ways he had never anticipated.

'How come the stronger I get, the more exhausting life becomes?' Ricky thought, closing his eyes. 

The boat glided over the water, following a steady course until it finally arrived at the bustling docks of a coastal city before walking to the nearest inn.

"Hello, do have a reservation-"

"Where's your guys bar?" Ricky turned to the man with the pencil-thin mustache, who looked a bit taken aback by the question.

"Over there-"

"Thanks." Ricky thanked the dock worker with a warm smile, then hurried over to the boat.

"How much for two rooms?" Chores inquired, pulling out a small bag filled with currency he had exchanged from the Vatican.

"One hundred Lira." The man spoke, and Chores nodded as he handed over the money, receiving two keys in return. 

Abraham got a room as well but didn't linger to chat; he simply headed up the stairs while Ricky was handed his first drink.

"Have you ever heard an American saying that it's better to drink with a stranger than to drink alone?" Ricky asked, lifting his glass as he leaned over to flirt with the only girl at the bar.

Her black hair cascaded down her back, a single white stripe running through it, perfectly aligning with her ocean-blue eyes as they turned toward him.

"Is that so?" The woman smiled warmly, her red lips curving into an inviting arch.

"Slick, your room key." Chores placed the key in front of Ricky, who pocketed it before strolling away with Barko.

"Is that your name, Slick?" The girl tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and asked.

"That's what people tend to call me, but you can call me Ricky. The more important question is, what should I call you?" Ricky extended his hand, and she smiled warmly in response.

"Agatha."

*DING*

Author's Note: I'm trying to fix my sleep schedule and just didn't feel like doing anything yesterday, so here are both chapters combined into one.