Chapter 29: Blossoming

Darkness bred beyond the reach of light, shadows drifting and swaying. In some secluded corners, the falling black fog was distinctly visible.

In such an environment, there was always an inexplicable sense of fear and oppression.

Perhaps it was for this reason that they needed to tell some explicit jokes while on patrol.

Though they might have appeared vulgar, there was a trace of clarity in their eyes, and their tense muscles indicated they remained vigilant, with at least half of their attention focused on their surroundings.

"Rod, do you think being born is a form of harm?"

After discussing the crystal ball, they shifted to other topics, chatting as comfortably as old friends.

Rod was taken aback, "Isn't birth a blessing of fire?"

Reslin chuckled, "That sounds a bit like the Bishop. They love to attribute everything to fire and blessings."

Egger adopted a serious tone, "May the flames purify my thoughts, may justice gather around your light like moths to a flame. Ahead lies the source of threat, for Royal City, for the Holy Fire, warriors! Charge!"

All three of them laughed, but Rod did not.

Reslin clapped Rod on the shoulder, "Let's not do any ideological education now, let's just talk about our feelings. Do you guys think being born is a form of harm?"

"Not really?"

"If I hadn't been born, I wouldn't have seen anything at all, right?"

Reslin laughed, "You guys had it good, both becoming Fire Holders by igniting your souls. But what if you hadn't ignited? What if you were eliminated in the first round of the Fire Trial?"

They all fell silent.

Reslin continued,

"Then wouldn't we be forced to live in darkness? Dwelling in the Outer City District, unable to afford a Big Spirit Lamp, unable to use good Fuel Element, the dim light in the house flickering like a candle in the wind, worrying every night whether the Fuel Element was enough to keep the Spirit Lamp lit, afraid of ghosts invading our homes, fearing mysterious infections or curses, day after day working in a factory, or crafting small items to sell, only able to stroll around the streets on Fire Day, but every item at the market too expensive to consider buying, and no girl paying you any attention. Dragging on till you're thirty without a wife, while your neighbors move to Upper City, living in big houses, lighting Big Spirit Lamps, one of their kids ignited eighteen Fire Sparks, all becoming Guardians, while you're still laboring in Lower City District."

"At that time, wouldn't you feel that being born is a form of harm? Would you resent your parents for giving birth to you without your consent?"

Imagining such a desperate existence, their faces turned gloomy.

"Think about it. If it were such a miserable life, why should I be born? Why come into this world? Why live a life of constant fear, a meaningless existence? Why would my parents dare to have me when they don't even own an apartment in Upper City? Some people have strong spirits, high Spiritual Vision, but I'm just a useless, unignited Stone Wood Core, what right did they have to give birth to me?"

Reslin paused briefly before continuing.

"Even if the Soul Fire had been ignited, where does that leave us? Once we step out of the academy, out of Royal City, we find the world outside is so brutal, always having to face monsters much stronger than ourselves, constantly afraid of the Black Fog's corrosion and infection, never enough medical supplies or support, the fire's light only enough to illuminate your feet, looking up only to see endless darkness, fighting day after day, battling countless monsters, with no end in sight, no hope, as your teammates die one by one, or mutate, or go mad, you too can't take it anymore, your mind gradually mutates, your soul gradually numbs, until one day, you too turn into a monster from the darkness."

"What do you think of such a life?"

A deathly silence fell over the group, as if even breathing had ceased.

But Reslin still maintained a smile, though his tone held a strange new element.

"No, I don't think so."

"Birth is a blessing. Despite the world being so dark, there is still a fire to light it up. Although my life is so tragic, I still have space to dream. The world is so beautiful, there will always be flowers blooming for me. If not, I'll bloom for myself, celebrating my own arrival."

The group was struck dumb for a moment, even halting in their steps.

Suddenly, Karamon cried out, "Woooo, that was so powerful. I've never heard something so empowering. I don't care about Donna anymore, I want a new life!"

Egger praised, "With that level of speech, have you considered a career change? Maybe you could become a Bishop."

Reslin laughed, "Don't say that. I can't stand the life in the Church. I'm just sharing my feelings. You know, from sixteen to nineteen, I was eliminated in the first round of the Fire Trial three years in a row. At twenty, the last year possible, I finally got through. Before that, I was confused and in chaos, but somehow, I made it out."

"Maybe there really is a blessing of fire. When I accepted all this, I managed to pass."

The group burst into applause, and Egger whistled, "Deservedly our leading striker!"

Perhaps the topic was not joyous enough, and it ended quickly; everyone started talking about lighter topics, like the top ten beauties in Royal City.

However, their level was rather low; their conversations circled around bust size, hip curves, and leg length, which were extremely vulgar.

Rod could not stand it anymore, subtly modified Fengyue Treasure, and shared it as a joke.

Thanks to his tough studies during this period and his superb linguistic talent, he had become fluent in the common language, using words that were both skilled and precise, creating a full scene that immersed everyone instantly.

At the climax, Rod cleverly inserted a "to be continued" to deepen their bond, making it easier for him to continue taking advantage of them next time.

Karamon suddenly wailed, "No more? Are you even human to stop here?"

The other two also glared at him, and Rod hurriedly explained, "I really can't make up more; I'm limited on inspiration, limited on inspiration."

The group then let him off, and Egger asked, "So what shall we talk about next? The unspeakable secrets of the King and his lovers?"

Rod was startled and asked in a low voice, "Aren't you afraid that the Internal Affairs Court will catch you if you discuss this?"

All three of them laughed.

"How could that be? The King himself has said it was okay."

"Even if the lovers are men, it's fine."

"Why would you think so strangely? The King's new laws have been in effect for over a decade now."

Rod quickly explained, "I have amnesia; I don't remember much."

Everyone was quite shocked, "You really have amnesia?"

Rod nodded, briefly shared his situation, but did not mention the specifics, only that he was attacked by a monster.

"So, I really don't understand anything; I am truly a newcomer."

Reslin mused, "Then why were you assigned to our team?"

Egger guessed, "Maybe it's a complement; all three of us have low Spiritual Vision, and we just needed a scout."

"Makes sense!"

Rod, not wanting to discuss those vulgar jokes anymore, quickly said, "You guys could explain the Tactical Positions to me, and what I should do so I don't lag behind."

This suggestion received unanimous agreement from the three, as teaching is naturally human.

Reslin said, "Tactical positioning is about distributing personnel in a way that maximizes combat effectiveness in a specific combat mode, generally divided into front, middle, and rear positions. In our squad, I am the front-line main defense, responsible for holding off the monster's charges at the forefront."

"Egger is the middle controller; his white smoke can lock down the monsters, restrict their movements, and assist us in attacking or retreating. This position requires a lot of intelligence, sadly he lacks it."

Egger jumped up and fiercely kicked Reslin's knee, "Nonsense! How many times have I saved you guys?"

Reslin ignored him and continued, "Karamon is in the rear support position, primarily healing us, adjusting and replenishing our Spiritual Energy. He is very fragile and needs our protection the most."

Karamon retorted angrily, "Where am I fragile?"

"And you, Rod, are the rear scout; your duty is to observe the entire battlefield, provide information on the monsters, offer warnings, and keep us from being ambushed by monsters."

Reslin suddenly turned around and swept out a lightning-fast horizontal strike, shattering a large dog that seemed to be made of shadows.

"Just like that."

Egger and Karamon immediately took their positions.

"Looks like we have work to do."