Chapter 6: Selfish

Night, Family Dinner.

"Papa…"

"Hmmm, what is it? Dear, can you give me some more rice?"

"Can I go with you to the town with Mother tomorrow?"

Noah stopped his thoughts, Kiel continued eating, and Ava filled up Noah's bowl with rice.

Noah looked at Ame, "Why do you want to go there?"

'He didn't refuse outright, but he did not agree either.'

[He knows, Ame.] Kiel said as he took a bite of the dried herbs, [Father may act dumb, but he's smarter than most scholars. Besides, they haven't even allowed us to leave our home. They must have their reasons, and now you are asking them for something like this.]

Kiel explained.

"Mother, please pass the sauce."

"Here."

Ame was hesitant to continue, but she sent Kiel a sneaky look, [Help me, brother.], but she knew he could save her.

Kiel raised his head and sighed at the sight of Ame, [You only really ask of me when you need me don't you?] He complained but didn't bother arguing; he did say he'd do anything for them if they ever asked. That is what family was — or so he believed.

Kiel placed his bowl of rice down, "Don't worry about Ame, Father. I would be coming as well to look after her."

"Why?" Noah asked the same thing.

"We all know she's going to do something troublesome—"

[Hey!] Ame shouted in their minds.

Kiel didn't bother reacting.

"I'll be there, so she doesn't do anything that will incriminate her," Kiel said as he looked at the troublemaker that was his sister.

"You are talking as if I already allowed her to go already," Noah crossed his arms.

"Father, everyone knows you're going to allow her anyway, despite your words. You'll buckle, and then you'd give her the permission after she sheds crocodile tears." As he handed his bowl to Ava, Kiel said, "Mother, I would like to have another bowl, please."

"You make it sound like I dote on Ame."

Kiel and Ava stopped eating.

The mother-and-son pair looked at each other and then at Noah.

Both of them held questioning gazes.

They said nothing, but their points got across clearly.

"Wait, seriously, I do not dote on her... too much."

No one listened to his cries.

Noah looked over at Ava next, seeking a companion, but all that he got was a laugh, "I have no need to speak, right now."

This son of his was someone who seldom asked for anything. He never did anything against what his parents told him to do and

would only ever do anything if Ame was concerned.

Noah had no reason to forbid them from going. But he still didn't want to allow Ame to go.

Noah taught Ame to fight, and now she wanted to venture out. He was worried about her for reasons he could not speak out loud.

'Even Kiel is asking for it... and he doesn't even train nor wish for anything... ughhhhhhhh.' Noah felt conflicted.

Ava could only sigh at the plight of her husband, "Just let them go with me, Noah. It will not be a problem, and besides, according to your Family Contract, our children are not included in any prohibition."

"....Ugh, fine! I'll let you go."

"Really!?" Ame's eyes glowed, "Thank you, Papa!"

"But! Only if Kiel promises to make sure your sister does not wander off and attract trouble like when she wandered into the territory of a Stone Python and almost got swallowed whole."

"That was only one time~" Ame protested.

"I will protect her. Do not worry, Father."

"Mm."

Kiel assured Noah as the two of them ignored Ame's rambling.

Everyone returned to eating as Ame felt embarrassed. She returned to eating and soon enough finished. She never answered what she wanted to do in the town, but everyone was well aware.

While Kiel and Ame lay in the bedroom added to their home, Kiel asked, [Why do you want to go to Town?]

Ame opened her eyes, [I want my own Soul Beast and enter the second Realm of Cultivation; I cannot get what I want if I don't reach the second Realm. And though they wouldn't say it outright, they warned me sternly of the horrors I would come to. Vivid illustrations of what is to come if I decide to walk the path of a Cultivator. Our parents… do not like us cultivating even though they are cultivators in a high realm. I do not know what the reason is, but I can't stop... not yet.]

Like Kiel, Ame was seven years of age, but she pursued cultivation like a mad hound, unlike him.

Cultivation was split into several Major Realms and into Nine Sub Layers.

The First Realm was called the Consolidated Realm and was further split into three different Levels of Mastery:

The first to third level was [Martial Body], the fourth to sixth was [Martial Blood], and the seventh to ninth was [Martial Master].

These three created the Stages of the Consolidated Realm, and Ame had already reached the Ninth Level Martial Master Stage.

The First Realm of Cultivation could be pursued without a problem because it was a realm without particular requirements. One only needs to refine the body, bone, organs, blood, and the internal structure where the Soul-Beast resides.

Ame has already reached the peak of the first Realm.

She was getting stronger but was halted by the lack of a Soul-Beast.

A Soul-Beast was what one would expect from its name alone; it was the Soul of a slain Beast. This Soul-Beast would be the crux of her future Cultivation, and Ame was trying to search for a beast that was compatible with her.

[It had already been a year since I asked for a Soul Beast, and they have given countless reasons why they couldn't give one to me. Too early, too young, that I am not ready, the weather to hunt is not acceptable, finding a suitable beast is hard, and so much more.]

Ame her lips in frustration.

[I'll get a Soul Beast, even if Mother and Father say otherwise.] Ame was determined to get what she wanted. Though she knew what she was doing was utterly selfish, Ame was prepared to be desirous to get what she wanted.

To succeed in cultivation, one must have a bare minimum of determination. A Cultivator must commit acts that would seem perverted to others, so they can ascend. To rise from the mundane and climb to the greatest path was what Ame wanted. She wanted to get revenge. To make those who took everything from her suffer. Ame may have been a mere thief in her previous life, but that life was hers… and she'll get her revenge no matter what happens.

'If you cannot get anything in return, then what is the use of getting revenge?' Kiel only saw the benefits and nothing else.

Revenge takes more than gives.

He had recalled trillions of revenge stories to try and understand Ame, but Kiel remained oblivious. He simply could not understand.

But, Kiel did not want to say anything to her, 'Just because I do not understand it does mean it is meaningless.'

[Well, if you had just told me earlier, I would have done something better.]

[It's okay... you've already given me enough.] Ame held Kiel's hand, [Don't worry, I'll come back as soon as I get my revenge.]

[...you can take your time.] Kiel said in their minds with a smile.

It was midnight, just after Ame fell asleep.

Kiel stood up from their shared bed. He stepped out of his room and passed his parents. His steps were so quiet, not even Noah or Ava felt his presence.

It may have also been because he had no worldly energy around him, but what mattered was that he managed to exit the room.

He reached the dining area and stood before the storage he had not dared open.

'Father told me not to come there no matter what, but I saw him store Soul Beasts here multiple times in the past. If I can take one from here, maybe... Ame wouldn't have to leave so soon.'

Kiel failed to understand why he would go as far as disobeying his parents' words to keep Ame here, but he acted before he could explain. He touched the door and tried opening it. There was resistance, but as he drew out the energy from the undying mastered intent, the door mysteriously opened.

Before Kiel was a well-lit storage room.

He had yet to enter, but he had already gotten a good look at what was inside.

On the three walls of the room were items and weapons that were hung meticulously. It was a black sword that radiated a dark aura, a golden furnace that housed that cerulean flame serpent, a crimson spear that hummed with thousands of writhing souls, a vermillion bow that felt cold to the touch, and so much more…

Kiel felt like he stood before a new world…

He looked ahead and saw an open chest that housed many glowing spheres about the size of an infant's fist.

He looked at the spheres and saw the tiny sealed beings inside; these spheres were souls of dead beasts.

It takes only a single step forward to get what he came for. If he does and presents it to Ame, he will stay longer, be with him for an extended time.

All he had to do was enter the room; Kiel could get one of those Soul-Beasts, but he chose to close the door.

He sighed and stepped outside for him to take a breath of fresh air.

As he inhaled and exhaled, Kiel looked up to the gleaming stars far beyond the heavens, 'Living… means letting others live.'

Kiel tried to get a Soul Beast because he didn't want to give Ame a reason to leave. If he could get her what she wanted, then why else would she go out?

In the end, the only thing he wanted was to protect the haven that was this home of his… however, if he actually does that… then, he would be keeping Ame from truly living the life she wanted to pursue.

'I will help her, but I shall not hinder the path she will take. This is her life. I cannot dictate what kind of life she should live… I have no right.' He decided to do what Ame wanted to go to the town.

The next morning arrived — the time for their little adventure.

Kiel left with Ame and their mother; with him, he brought three ordinary sticks.

While Ava drove the Oxcart, two tiny passengers enjoyed the ride.

"Mother, why are you and father so against us going to the town in the first place?" Ame asked.

"Because it is dangerous in the town, we are safer in our home, and we don't want our babies to be in danger. You are our treasures, after all," Ava answered.

"We have been attacked by a Lightning Qilin and a Raging Black Demon… if not for Father, we would have been in danger. Those two beasts are beyond… what was it again…?"

[Ascension Realm.] Kiel said while quietly waving around the clothed sticks he brought from home.

[I knew that.]

[No, you genuinely forgot. You're too excited, Ame.]

[...]

Ame continued, "… Ascension Realm beasts, that's right, and we are still safer in our home?"

"My daughter, it is not only beasts that are dangerous, but also humans and other races. There are devious people in town, and they could hurt you very badly."

"Can't father just protect us then?" Ame argued, to which Ava failed to respond with anything.

Kiel was the one to come to his mother's rescue. "We can't go because our parents say so. Just be good and happy that mother supported you to go with her."

"That's right, good save my son!" Ava celebrated as she found solace in Kiel's words, "Now, Ame, stop questioning this great mother of yours, or I'll be turning the Ox to our home."

"…Okay."

Ame pouted, [Why did you stop me from digging deeper? We could have learned their secrets right then and there!]

[If you had continued, we would have only been shouted at. Besides, we know enough that it has something to do with Father's family. If we connect the dots with last night's slip-up, we can assume that they were exiled because of something. It may be because the main family did not agree with their relationship or thought we would be safer not living with the family.

[We can also place the fact that they are adamant not to make us cultivate to form the conclusion that if we try cultivating and gain mystical powers, it will only implicate us. Overall, it has something to do with Father's so-called Family Contract. Whatever it is, it is not something we should delve into without reason.]

Ame kept her silence at Kiel's words. She had nothing to say but the thought, 'Pitiful…', was kept to herself.

Her thoughts weren't directed to their parents' situation. No, it was more to Kiel.

She had lived a life of thievery, but at least she managed to smile and cry, and even simmering hatred on the back of her heart was proof of her life. Yet Kiel, this brother of hers, had nothing.

'He's supposed to be from the peak, and yet he has nothing… was he born with nothing to live for? Or is he someone who managed to live through life and arrived at nothing?' The only thing she knew about Kiel was that he was an empty man with empty goals and an empty soul.

This life was the only thing that he had; thus, he was pitiful.

They reached Lily Town and joined Ava in selling the weavings she had made to her usual store to have enough money and buy bags of rice, salt, and some more necessities.

Ame was fidgeting as she looked around the area. Kiel also noticed the surroundings and finally noticed that many people were gathering towards the central area. He was out of the loop of the situation. Then, he heard it, cheers coming from the middle of town.

"What's happening over there, I wonder?" Kiel asked himself.

"Oh, you don't know, boy? Today is the Ten-Year Youth Competition. Anyone below the age of 20 and have the cultivation Realm of Martial Master and below can join. The prize is a Soul Beast." said the old lady in the General Store where Ava went to buy salt.

Kiel looked over at Ame; she was looking towards the direction of the center of town.

He now understood.

Her eyes had a peculiar glint — she wanted to go there no matter what.

"Mama… please." Ame looked at Ava with pleading eyes.

Ame wanted nothing more than to go there and start her life as a True Cultivator once more.

Ava didn't even think about it and nodded, "Go on, just make sure not to hurt them too much. But, I still have many things to buy, so, Kiel, go watch over Ame. Tell me if anything goes wrong or if she starts anything, okay?"

"Mama, thank you!" Ame hugged Ava's legs as she quickly headed for the center of town to register for the competition. She didn't even wait for Kiel.

"Your sister is really energetic about this, isn't she?" a laugh lacking energy echoed. It was then that Ava handed Kiel a talisman she hid in the hems of her clothes.

The talisman was yellow, and the ink was red. It radiated with power, "Rip that if anything happens, and I will head to your location… tell her good luck."

Ava turned away, her eyes holding back tears. She was still against the idea of letting Ame walk the path of cultivation. But forcing someone away from taking what they decided upon was something Ava knew all too well. She didn't want to deny one of her dreams.

'...' Kiel did not say anything.

Soon, he was walking calmly towards the direction where Ame left to. While walking away, he felt a faint presence of people traveling in the shadows, 'Why are they hiding? Is something going on in the shadows of this town?'

He thought it would be interesting to know but disregarded the thoughts altogether. His steps resumed, and he reached the registration area for the Ten-Year Competition. Ame had already finished her registration and ran towards Kiel's direction when she suddenly bumped into someone dressed in inexpensive clothing.

"Ah, sorr-"

"Hey, you bitch, watch where you're going!"

It was a young man wearing a black, gold-embroidered robe. He had an entourage of three people, one with a muscular body, another with a round chubby build. The man with the muscular body must have been their guard… his strength was in the Half-Step True Spirit Realm.

"It's the Young Master of the Vollund Family. Is he trying to make trouble again?"

"Aiya, that lass is in trouble. The one who travels with the Young Master of the Vollund Family is an expert… should we call the guards?"

'So, he is considered an expert.' Kiel managed to grasp people's views, and the level of experts in this place was really low.

The Young Master Vollund's expression was painted red as he glared at Ame, "You commoner, do you not have eyes!?"

Kiel saw Ame's smiling face change three times over; it first turned sour, furious, and then innocent before finally facing the three.

With her most innocent of faces, she captivated the heart of the young Master as she spoke, "I apologize for my actions; please do not punish this young girl."

She pleaded with an effeminate voice. The Young Master of the Vollund Family saw this and smiled ear to ear; he liked the sight of this cute lass bowing her head. He wetted his lips.

Ame thought this would be enough; however, she was not aware that this Young Master was a man with a sick nature.

"Raise your head, beautiful swan." With slimy hands, he attempted to touch her face. He was creepy, and the moment he came closer than an inch away from touching Ame, the reincarnated Thief finally failed to control herself.

BAM!

Her palm flew straight and crashed into the Young Master's chest.

"Young Master!" his subordinates cried aloud.

The Young Master failed to anticipate such force from Ame and rolled on the ground like a beaten dog. He tried gathering his breath only to find it challenging; through the gaps of his teeth, he shouted, "Get that BITCH!"

The man with the muscular body did not hesitate to make a move. It was clear he had done this many times over — to a child no less.

"You should be honored to be touched by the Young Master." The bootlicker guard shouted as he charged towards Ame.

Ame saw the strength of the burly man and simply harrumphed. She would have been scared if he had a Soul Beast, but luckily, he did not.

Taking note of this unhindered reaction to such an order sickened Ame to the bone, "You disgust me."

Ame drew the power of her refined body, and then, as she took a deep breath, her palms heated, "Shouldering Blast Palm!"

Bam!

Black flames erupted from her palms and the burly man was blown backwards and crashed into the chubby subordinate of the Young master. When all calmed down, a dark handprint was left on his chest. The man felt his body smoldered from the inside out.

"You will not die, but you will suffer for an hour." Ame was just about to raise her head when she heard Kiel speak inside her head.

[Do not raise your head, Ame. You have kept your head down since this whole debacle, so no one should be able to know who you are. Escape before things go sour. And find a way to change your clothes.]

Ame listened and realized this fact. She could hear the guards approaching the scene of the crime, and half a breath after, she jumped to the side and went through the alleyway to escape. No one would be able to catch that sneaky thief of a sister of his.

[Thanks, brother.] Ame said as she laughed.

Kiel made a subtle smile as he heard her words. He did not leave the scene, as he stood there watching the pervert be helped by the guards, only to raise a ruckus…

"Get away from me! You slow fuckers! The perpetrator had already gotten away!" he roared as he frantically swung his arms against the guards. He then looked around and saw the people sneering in his direction, "What the hell are you looking at!?"

With his words, everyone turned to the side, but their snickering continued unhindered by his words. Gritting his teeth, he turned to the fatty who did nothing, "Dammit, you useless piece of fat, slap that useless guard awake! We are leaving! Just wait till my father hears of this; I'll find that little bitch!"

He was humiliated by a mere child! He will return this favor several folds later on.

He left without bothering to accept the guards or anyone else's help. Fatty tried assisting the Young Master only to be slapped on the back of the head, and as for the guard, he limped away. Following them despite the pain.

The Young Master walked away, trying his best to leave the place, and as he wanted to escape the scrutinizing eyes of the lowly people, he turned to the alleyways for cover.

Moving through the alleyways, he was headed to his carriage. After turning three or four times, he finally found the last track, only for a boy to block his path.

The boy was standing in the middle of an alley staring at the three men with one hand holding something clothed on the side while the right was holding a stick.

The body showed them an unimpressed expression. The boy took three steps and raised the stick in his hand.

The Young Mater got irritated, "Get out of the way, you br—" his words couldn't be completed as the Young Master looked down and saw a hole in his chest.

"Huh?" he questioned, failing to understand what happened as blood flowed out of the hole.

The other two shivered at the sight of this. A thought appeared in their heads, "Death!" They would die if they did not run.

They turned their backs against the kid, leaving the dying, and that would be the biggest mistake of their lives.

They heard a single tap, and then, their heads exploded to bits, their brain matter splattered, tainting the walls of the alley.

The stick in the boy's hand then turned into dust.

'This is my limit, I suppose.'

The boy then rummaged around the dead body. He found money and maneuvered around the alleyways, and exited somewhere far away.

[Ame, where are you? I'm going to bring you clothes.] Kiel left to buy clothes for his sister.

As such, the liability of Ame being troubled disappeared.