Transmigrated with my corruption system-Chapter 56: Storm on the Horizon

As all these events unfolded, news of Ulric’s rise spread across Tempest City like wildfire.

Elsewhere inside the Silverblood residence,

a group of nobles stood draped in crystalline robes, staring at a shimmering portal at the center of the hall.

From it, rows of battered youths stepped out, their levels ranging from Level 1 to 5.

At the front stood a girl draped in a silver robe, with pale dark eyes and short dark hair. Her level exceeded the rest, making her stand out with her Level 9 aura. Fewer bruises lay across her body than the others, with a faint battle glint flashing in her eyes.

When the portal snapped shut, a middle-aged man slowly stepped out, walking forward and inspecting the rows of youths with an indifferent expression.

When he arrived before the girl, his eyes pierced through hers before a slow smile finally curved across his face as his head nodded gently.

"You’ve not disappointed me."

Hearing the words of praise, combined with the glint of pride flashing in the patriarch’s eyes, Lena couldn’t help but crack a smile, the pride raging within her surging to unimaginable levels.

This was just the beginning. So what if Ulric awakened an S-rank talent... it would still be trash in the hands of trash, just as she had left him. If her growth continued like this, maybe her father would see it as well and stop pushing for this marriage.

Just as she was sinking deep into her thoughts, one of her father’s trusted guards rushed forward, leaning into his ear, delivering important news in a hushed tone.

"Lord, urgent news! Our sources have picked up word that the young lord of the Greyson residence cleared the Wolf Den dungeon in one run. His rank now supposedly at Peak F-rank."

With her enhanced senses, Lena and a few of the elders and youths couldn’t help but pick it up as well.

A moment of silence passed before murmurs soon raged across the hall.

"T-this... I... I don’t understand," Lena sputtered, confusion plastered all across her face as her eyes blinked rapidly in shock.

The thought was just too absurd to be true.

But the figure before her didn’t share her thoughts, as the smirk slowly faded from his face.

Kaelith inhaled sharply, his expression growing more grave as a twinge of his aura slowly leaked out, silencing everyone in the room instantly.

The monstrosity of the talent... it was just as the tales foretold. He was naive not to have acted upon it sooner. But now he had learned from his mistakes.

Lowering his gaze, the warmth in his eyes fizzled out as his cold voice echoed to the girl before him.

"Prepare yourself. Tomorrow we head to the Greyson residence to amend your marriage."

"B-but..." Lena breathed, her mouth opening to speak, before snapping shut almost instantly after seeing the gleaming coldness in her father’s eyes. Once he made up his mind, there was no way to persuade him.

The conflicted glint flared brightly in her eyes before slowly dying out as she harrumphed. With all this news spreading around, her curiosity was piqued. She wanted to see what made him so different from the last time.

Maybe... she snarked, her fingers clenching tightly into fists. If he proved himself worthy of her... she might reconsider.

***

At another residence, inside a chamber almost fully shrouded in darkness,

the outline of a single figure could be seen pacing around.

The crest of the Red Streaks family barely visible on his chest as he held a scroll in his hands with a detailed message.

Multiple thoughts clawed at the back of his mind until his head finally rose, exposing the calculating glint in his eyes.

As he slowly murmured to the seemingly empty air, "The capabilities of an S-rank talent are more... terrifying than I expected."

Ascending from a regular awakened to a Peak F-rank being in a single day? He would have rather died than believed this kind of news before. But now it was carved into reality.

He thought he had more time. But if this were to continue, it wouldn’t be far-fetched if the youth’s rise would propel him into an overlord over the city.

Just as his brows furrowed deeper, a feminine voice echoed from the darkness in another corner of the chamber, making him smile slightly.

"Should we swear our allegiance to House Greyson?"

If it was before, this would have been the most feasible option. With a monstrous talent guaranteeing a bright future and a C-rank powerhouse overseeing his growth, there was nothing they could do to stop his ascension.

But now he had more news. The lord wasn’t as strong as he appeared to be. If this were true, it might change the entire course of their plan. Time to test it out.

Turning slowly, his head leaned toward the direction the feminine voice echoed as he ordered, a sly smile carving across his face.

"Prepare our forces in the shadows so they are ready to strike at a moment’s notice."

Before the words fully slipped out of his mouth, the voice echoed once more, causing his smile to widen.

"I already did."

"Good," the figure muttered, the smile slowly fading from his face.

"If their foundation is fragile, let my blade be the proof. That which shatters was never worthy to stand."

***

Elsewhere atop a huge building, a single figure stood bathing in the moonlight.

Draped in a silky white robe, she had soft dark eyes and silvery hair that flowed all the way to her knees like liquid moonlight in an enchanting display, framing a surprisingly beautiful face.

Almost giving the illusion she was a fairy. Yet even with all this, a troubled look was plastered across her face.

Her eyes stared into empty space, thoughts churning at the back of her mind,

only to be cut short as the sound of rushing footsteps echoed into her ears. She didn’t have to turn to know who it was, as a faint smile stretched across her face.

Walking forward was a girl draped in a grey robe with sharp dark eyes as she let out a sharp squeal when she approached the silver-draped figure.

"Look... look... Lady Elira, I leveled up to Level 15 in my second dungeon run! Aren’t I awesome?"

Looking down, the smile on her face widened as her hand stretched out to rub the girl’s head. Cheerful as ever, she mused, watching the girl melt under her grasp.

"You’ve done well," Elira finally muttered, before sighing heavily. "But I’m afraid time is not enough to see your rise."

"Is it because of the S-rank talent?" the girl muttered. She had heard the news spreading across the city.

Seeing Lady Elira turn once more, giving a look of approval, the excitement boiling deep inside her couldn’t help but surge as she gloated shamelessly.

"See... I’m also growing smarter!"

Nodding curtly, Elira suppressed the urge to pinch her cheeks as she retrieved her gaze, her form slowly walking forward, revealing the subtle curves beneath.

"Your fate grows even more elusive. I wonder what the future has in store for you."

As the words parted from her lips, the dark hue in her eyes vanished, turning into a pale bone white as streams of golden energy seeped from her being to surround her.

Then suddenly her head jerked up, staring directly into the moon as chants slipped from her mouth.

She could see it. Glimpses. Barely a few seconds later, a darkness rose, intertwining with the golden energy before shooting into her body.

Instantly after, dark veins spread across her hands, stretching all across her body before she suddenly dropped, her body convulsing rapidly.

Foam spread across her mouth, followed by blood slowly trickling from her seven orifices.

Seeing the sight, a glint of panic rushed across the girl’s eyes as she stumbled forward, kneeling before Lady Elira, trying to calm her.

A few minutes passed in this state before the black veins slowly receded from her body, the pale bone-white color fading as well to reveal her sparkling dark eyes.

Regaining her composure, Elira inhaled sharply, a terrified glint flashing across her eyes as she felt weakness drench her body.

Watching Lady Elira’s eerily pale face, the girl hurriedly reached out to cup her face in a supportive gesture before finally asking when she regained her breath,

"W-what did you see... Master?"

A moment of silence passed until Elira’s shaky breath stilled.

"Nothing... I saw nothing. His fate is hidden, but I saw glimpses of the future."

"A tempest shall rise, with the youth at its heart... yet an endless abyss waits to devour it all."

Seeing the girl blink rapidly in confusion, Elira managed a faint smile.

"This S-rank talent is not as simple as he seems. Perhaps it’s time we paid him a visit as well."