The carriage that would take Axel to Sefa Castle had been prepared. Since the Kirmon family had a habit of not spending excessive money on items they considered unnecessary, they didn't have any directly owned luxurious possessions. So while the carriage was sturdy, it wasn't luxurious or flashy considering the family's power.
Axel had gathered his belongings and was waiting right in front of the Kirmon mansion. The only one who came to see him off—and the only one who defended him—was Halmin Joss.
Axel's sadness deepened because neither his father nor, especially, his mother not came to say goodbye. Halmin Joss grew increasingly upset and angry seeing him like this. He couldn't understand his sister's decision.
At that moment, a Kirmon family servant approached Halmin and began speaking with a bow.
Servant: Everything is ready, sir.Halmin: Which route will be used?Servant: Although no one would dare attack a carriage bearing the Kirmon family crest, our plan is to exit the central part of the 120-Degree Region as quickly as possible, move into the inner region, continue the journey from there, and then exit again from the far end of the central part.
Halmin rubbed his forehead with his hand.
Halmin: Why is Sefa Castle located at the far end of the central part…
He sighed.
Halmin: Anyway… Good thinking. Even if God Bragi's men wouldn't dare attack a Kirmon, a foolish person might try something. No need to take that risk. Use the safe route.
It was time to say farewell. Halmin sadly approached Axel, placing both hands on his shoulders.
Halmin: Don't break. On the contrary, get angry. Turn what you've experienced into rage. But don't get lost in that rage. Don't let it take control of you.
Halmin pulled Axel close and hugged him. As he hugged him, he secretly placed two items in Axel's pocket. Axel noticed, and just as he was about to say something, Halmin interrupted him, whispering so only Axel could hear.
Halmin: Shhh… be quiet. I'm not supposed to help you, but I couldn't let you go like this. Check these when you're alone in the carriage. I'm giving them to you because I no longer need them.
Halmin squeezed Axel's shoulders gently and ended the hug by pushing him back.
Halmin: Take care of yourself.
Axel bowed his head respectfully to his uncle.
Axel: Thank you… for everything.
Halmin smiled with a mix of sadness and happiness. Then he turned and walked back toward the mansion. Axel handed his suitcase to a servant and headed for the carriage.
Meanwhile, Axel's mother Queria Kirmon was secretly watching everything from her room window on the fifth floor. Darkin Kirmon was also in the room, leaning against a wall and watching his wife.
Darkin: Are you sure about all this? I can cancel everything with a single word.
Queria was looking at her son's sorrowful, slumped figure.
Queria: It's better this way…
She closed the curtain and looked at Darkin with a face that seemed ready to cry.
Queria: I'd rather have him hate me and live than die in the Tower.
Darkin approached his wife, gently cupped her cheeks, and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Darkin: It's just me here. You can cry if you want. You don't have to act strong right now.
With those words, Queria let go and started crying. She buried her face in her husband's chest. Meanwhile, Darkin was fuming with rage. He spoke to himself internally:
Darkin: (I promise you… The moment I no longer need them, I'll kill every family member who made you cry. They'll regret it.)
Tuld Kirmon was in his personal study room at the Kirmon family mansion. The desk was in the center of the room, facing the door.
At that moment, a man emerged from the ground like black smoke. He was dressed entirely in black, hiding his entire body and face.
Tuld Kirmon wasn't surprised. He seemed to have been expecting the man.
Tuld: Are the preparations complete?Man in black: Yes… The driver has been captured, and one of our men has taken his place. He'll follow the designated route to the inner part but will return to the central part earlier than expected. Our men will be waiting to ambush him there.
Tuld Kirmon laughed wickedly.
Tuld: Good… You may go.
The man vanished into the shadows. Just then, a woman's voice came from behind Tuld.
Woman's voice: Was this really necessary?Tuld (thinking): (I didn't notice her?)
Tuld quickly grabbed the dagger under his desk and, surprisingly agile for his age, leapt back into a combat stance—only to recognize who it was.
Tuld: Usy… What are you doing here?Tuld (thinking): (I could sense the movements of that high-level assassin earlier, but I didn't even notice Usy approaching… She really is one of the top 50.)
Usy didn't care much about Tuld. She spoke directly.
Usy: Look, uncle… I helped you with Axel because it had to be done. But this… what you're doing now is extremely dangerous. You don't want to be on my brother's bad side… Trust me.
Tuld laughed and began shouting.
Tuld: What do you know?! You don't have my experience! If I kill Axel and pin it on God Bragi, Darkin will lose it and start attacking everywhere. He'll go mad with rage. That's when he'll slip up—and when he does, I'll strike him down and claim what's rightfully mine.
Usy looked at Tuld in disgust.
Usy: You've disappointed me, Uncle Tuld. You underestimate my brother too much. I won't tell anyone about your plan, but I also won't help you again. Go die on your own. I'm not crazy.
Usy jumped out of the window and left the room. Tuld remained alone, seething.
Axel had boarded the carriage. He was alone inside. Aside from the driver, there were five Kirmon Guards accompanying him. All of them had seen the 20s of the Tower. There were gods and families who couldn't even imagine reaching the 20th floor of the Tower.
Axel remembered the two items Halmin had put in his pocket and took them out while alone. The item was a hexagonal prism. Axel instantly recognized it.
Axel: A… Ability Prism? These are…
Axel quickly wanted to inspect the abilities.
Axel: [Inspect]
[Inspect] was a system function, not an actual ability. Every system user had it. It allowed the user to examine items and display their details in front of them with system text.
Two horizontally stacked, translucent blue system texts appeared before Axel, explaining the two abilities.
[Mirror Phantom – Level 1/3][Active Ability][Cooldown: 1 Hour][Mana Cost: 10][Description: This ability creates a temporary clone that replicates your last attack, striking from the opposite direction. The clone disappears after executing the attack.]
Axel was stunned as he read this ability.
Axel (thinking): (This ability… When I saw the prisms, I was expecting a basic fireball or a low-tier passive, but this… This is one of the skills my uncle used back in his super rookie days.)
His face fell slightly.
Axel (thinking): (But it requires 10 mana… How can I use this when I only have 1?)
He didn't dwell on it and immediately looked at the second ability.
[Freeloader Mage – 1/1 Max Level][Active Ability][Cooldown: 1 Hour][Mana Cost: 0][Description: After using this ability, the next active skill used will cost 0 mana.]
Axel's face lit up with joy. His thoughts were scrambling in disbelief.
Axel: Whoa!!! What is this! With this skill, I can use [Mirror Phantom]!
For a moment, he became emotional thinking of his uncle.
Axel: Uncle… Thank you so much… I'll never forget this.
He immediately gripped the prisms in his palm and crushed them. The shatter sounded like breaking glass. The remains dissolved into blue smoke. Excitedly, Axel opened his status window.
[Name: Axel Kirmon][HP: 10/10][MP: 1/1]
[Endurance: 7][Strength: 7][Agility: 7][Dexterity: 7][Intelligence: 5][Wisdom: 6]
[Stat Points: 0]
[Active Abilities: (Mirror Phantom Lv.1) (Freeloader Mage Lv.Max)][Passive Abilities: None]
Axel smiled and looked out of the carriage, watching the road pass by.
Axel: I got the message, uncle… I won't give up.