Chapter 1334: Interested

Masner had just informed him of everything that occurred with Atticus and Kale.

Count Thane had heard the chime that signaled the challenge and knew exactly who was fighting. But he disdained attending such a menial battle, even though he had been curious.

"The Verge interfered?"

Everything Masner had said was shocking, but to the Count, nothing was more surprising than the Verge himself interfering.

It meant he had been watching.

’What is the interest in this god?’ Count Thane couldn’t help but wonder. The Marquis was interested in him, and now the Great Verge? A being that was quite literally their god?

"Yes. He gave Atticus the right to decide his opponent’s life and death."

"And yet... he still killed him?"

"Yes." Masner couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh. Now he was starting to pity Atticus.

Though the Burning issued by a Count made basically half the Redflames on the Verge his enemy, it was nothing compared to the enemy he’d just made in Kale’s father.

Now this wasn’t just duty, it was personal.

A Viscount was not someone Atticus could handle.

"I wonder what’s so special about this god," the Count said aloud, and Masner understood the sentiment.

Thane shook his head a moment later. There was no use trying to see through the will of the Verge. That was above his level.

"The Viscount won’t let this slide."

It was shocking Atticus had been able to defeat a Baron like Kale, but a Viscount was another breed entirely.

"He should deal with this," he said, glancing toward Masner. "In the meantime, report everything he does to me."

"Is that an order?"

The Count frowned. "We might be old friends, but you should learn your place."

The temperature in the hall spiked, smoke rolling off the Count.

"First the Marquis, and now a star. I want to know what’s so special about this child. Will you follow my orders, or do I get someone else?"

"Hrek!"

Masner struggled to withstand the raging heat. His entire body was drenched in sweat that evaporated just as fast. His water will did very little to help.

"Y-yes, Count Thane." He quickly bowed.

"You may leave."

As the heat subsided, Masner turned and left in haste.

Unfortunately, such was the reality for the weak in the middle planes, there was no choice but to fall under the whims of the strong.

...

Atticus walked calmly through the halls of the Willhall.

But unlike before, there were no jeers, no disdainful glares, no one even pointed. As he walked, the people simply stared.

In the middle planes, word spread at lightning pace. Members of the same faction could communicate through their wills.

When one witnessed a scene, it was very likely the entire faction knew.

He had only just concluded his fight seconds ago, but the whole Willhall already knew the result.

A god who had only just arrived today, defeated a Baron ranked god with 15 worlds under his belt.

Not only that, though he had the power not to, he still killed him.

Such ruthlessness.

Their expressions as he passed were filled with shock and bafflement.

Many would have expected Atticus to be smiling. His plan had worked, after all. From the looks he was getting, it was obvious the other gods would think twice before messing with him now.

Better yet, it was already taking effect. He’d passed by numerous gods and yet none had approached him or dared challenge him.

It was good news.

Yet, there was a frown on Atticus’ face.

’I can’t feel his world.’

He had just killed and absorbed Kale’s will. He’d expected to feel Kale’s world, no matter the distance.

But he couldn’t feel a thing. In fact...

’His will was... smaller than I expected.’

Atticus furrowed his brows. Just what was going on? The will he absorbed didn’t feel like the will of a god. It felt like he’d just killed an ordinary person with a large will.

First it was the lack of a world, and now this.

’Did I miss something?’ Atticus wondered.

He reached the end of a hallway and turned, only for his gaze to land on a figure he didn’t think he’d meet again so soon.

"I see you went ahead and became popular on your first day," Masner said with a smile. The aged man held a book in his arm, titled The Secrets of Plane Will.

"That’s just how it turned out." Atticus made a mental note to check that book out later.

"Of course, of course. You’re more powerful than I expected. To think you’d defeat a Baron..."

Atticus didn’t respond. Instead, he silently stared at Masner.

’Something’s different.’

Atticus was far too perceptive to miss something like this. When he first met Masner, the man only wanted to complete his duty of welcoming him to the Willhall.

But now, the light in his eyes had changed.

’He’s interested in me.’ Atticus realized. Whether it was good or bad, he didn’t know.

As a default, he decided to assume it was bad.

"I was just lucky," Atticus said carefully.

Masner laughed. "I don’t think luck had anything to do with it."

An awkward silence followed when Atticus said nothing. Masner cleared his throat and leaned in.

Atticus had to remind himself that it was impossible for him to attack in the Willhall. He relaxed slightly.

"Another word of advice. The Viscount, the father of the Baron you killed, will most likely come for you. You better do your best to prepare."

Atticus narrowed his eyes. Kale had mentioned it during the fight, but he hadn’t cared then.

’A Viscount.’

He recalled everything he knew about them.

"Why are you helping me?" Atticus finally asked, glancing toward Masner, who looked taken aback by the question.

He shrugged. "Because you’re in a pitiful situation."

Atticus stared at him in silence.

’I can’t trust him.’ he finally thought. But he still decided to ask the one thing bugging him.

"I killed that god... so why can’t I feel his world?"