The Ultimate Skill System: Absorb, Upgrade, Create, Transfer-Chapter 41 - : Scars from The Past

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Agwil stood frozen, his eyes wide as he tried to process the scene unfolding before him. The once chaotic battlefield, filled with the roars and snarls of vicious demons, had fallen eerily silent.

The air, thick with the stench of sulfur and burning flesh, now carried a strange calmness. He blinked, as if trying to convince himself that what he had just witnessed was real. But no matter how many times he rubbed his eyes, the reality remained the same.

The ground beneath his feet was scorched and cracked, the earth still glowing faintly from the intense heat that had swept through moments ago.

The demons, once a terrifying force of destruction, were gone—completely erased. Not a single corpse remained, only the faint traces of ash drifting in the wind.

The massive lava line Keiran had created stretched as far as the eye could see, a jagged scar across the landscape that hissed and steamed as it cooled.

The sheer power of the attack was beyond anything Agwil had ever imagined. He had seen strong warriors in his time, but this... this was something else entirely.

Agwil's voice trembled as he finally found the words to speak. "What... what just happened?" he asked, his tone a mix of awe and disbelief.

He turned to Keiran, hoping for an explanation, but the man remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Keiran stood tall, his posture relaxed yet commanding. His face was calm, almost serene, as if wiping out an entire army of demons was nothing more than a mundane task.

Instead of answering, Keiran raised his hand, and the air around him seemed to shift. A dark, swirling energy began to gather, drawing in the lingering essence of the defeated demons.

The sky, once bright with the golden hues of the afternoon sun, darkened as the energy formed a massive black tornado.

It spun violently, pulling in the remnants of the demons before being absorbed into Keiran's body. The process was both mesmerizing and unsettling.

The black energy coiled around him like a living thing, and for a moment, Agwil felt a chill run down his spine. He couldn't tell if it was fear or awe, but he knew one thing for certain: Keiran was no ordinary man.

[You have received 60 Common Skills.]

[You have received 2 Uncommon Skills.]

Agwil stepped closer to Keiran, his mind racing with questions. "Who are you, really?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're not just a level 10 human, are you? Your level, your mana signature... it's all an illusion, isn't it?"

Keiran turned to face him, his gaze steady but unyielding. "Just as I said earlier," he replied calmly, "I am a hero."

Agwil's eyes widened as something clicked in his mind. He had heard tales of heroes—legendary figures who possessed unimaginable power and were destined to protect the world from great evils.

But he had always dismissed them as mere stories, fabrications meant to inspire hope.

Now, standing before Keiran, he wasn't so sure. The man's presence was overwhelming, not just in terms of power but in the way he carried himself. There was a quiet confidence about him, a sense of purpose that made it impossible to doubt his words.

Before Agwil could press further, the sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention. Greon and his group emerged from the forest, leading a group of rescued Cervitaurs.

The Cervitaurs, their faces etched with relief and gratitude, immediately rushed to embrace their loved ones.

Tears streamed down their faces as they reunited, their joy palpable. The forest, which had been a place of fear and danger just moments ago, now felt alive with hope and relief.

The Cervitaurs' antlers glinted in the fading sunlight, and their soft murmurs of comfort filled the air.

Greon, the Lionkin leader, approached Keiran and bowed deeply. "My lord," he said respectfully, "we've rescued the remaining Cervitaurs. The mission was challenging, but we managed to complete it without any casualties."

Keiran nodded, his expression unchanged. "Good work," he said simply.

Greon glanced around the battlefield, his sharp eyes scanning the area. "Where is the main force of the demons?" he asked, his tone cautious.

"I defeated them," Keiran replied, his voice calm and matter-of-fact.

Greon's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly composed himself. He turned to the village leader, who was bowing repeatedly, his voice choked with emotion as he expressed his deepest gratitude.

"Thank you... thank you so much," the village leader said, tears streaming down his face. "You've saved our people. We are forever in your debt."

Greon shook his head humbly. "I was merely following orders," he said, gesturing toward Keiran. "The credit belongs to our ruler."

Agwil, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward. "Forgive us for the harsh words we spoke earlier," he said, his tone sincere. "We were wrong to judge you based on the actions of others."

Greon smiled faintly. "It's alright," he replied. "The Lionkin have made mistakes in the past, and we are well aware of the hatred it has earned us. But we are committed to atoning for our sins. All we ask is for a chance to prove ourselves."

Agwil studied Greon's face, his expression softening. "You're Greon Alfira, aren't you?" he asked suddenly. "The son of Greindar Alfira, the last leader of the Golden Mane tribe."

Greon's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?" he asked.

Agwil smiled faintly. "I was one of the children sent to work in the mines," he explained. "I once met your father there. You look just like him, though your demeanor is gentler—more like your mother." His voice grew wistful as he continued. "She was one of the kind souls in that cruel place. She would sneak food to us children whenever she could."

Greon's expression softened, and he reached out to clasp Agwil's hand. "You would love to meet my sister, then," he said with a smile. "She looks exactly like our mother."

Agwil chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "I would like that," he said.

Keiran, who had been observing the exchange, finally spoke. "Then you can come with us," he said, his tone inviting but firm. "I am looking for subordinates I can rely on. If you're willing, you can join us and work for me."

Agwil turned to face Keiran, his interest piqued. "I am the strongest member of my tribe," he said slowly, "and even I cannot compare to the power of your subordinates. What could we possibly contribute to your forces?"

Keiran's gaze remained steady. "Your allegiance," he replied simply.

Agwil smirked, glancing at the other members of his tribe. They exchanged knowing looks, their thoughts aligned.

After a moment, Agwil turned back to Keiran and nodded. "It seems we will be coming with you, then," he said.