Chapter 821: Emptiness (Ko-fi Bonus )

Chapter 821: Emptiness (Ko-fi Bonus Chapter)

The enormous black wolf gave a low huff when he saw Adam’s sudden reaction. Then, his eyes flashed with warmth, and he leaned into the embrace.

“I’ve missed you, too, Adam.”

The next moment, a gray light flashed and Valerian appeared beside the two. The moment the young dragon’s gaze landed on the giant black wolf, he screamed excitedly.

“Blackie! Blackie!” The little guy ran circles around the two in an extremely happy manner. “It’s me! It’s me! Did you miss me?!”

The wolf fondly gazed at him, recalling the times he used to tease him back in Moon City. Blackie lowered himself and nudged his head agianst the young dragon.

“You have grown as well, Little Valerian,” he said with a warm smile. “And yes, I have missed you dearly.”

“Myu!” Valerian was so happy to reunite with Blackie that he couldn’t stop licking the latter’s cheek.

Out of all the beasts he had known growing up, Blackie was undoubtedly the closest to him.

Seeing the two interact with one another, Adam couldn’t help but smile. When he turned to the giant black wolf, his smile turned wry.

Before Berger had gone into isolation to advance to the Mana Core Rank, Blackie had always appeared as a small black puppy with a mischievous air around him.

But since the gnome had gone, Blackie’s demeanor had changed. It was almost as if he was forced to grow up.

No, to be more precise, he returned to how he used to be. It was only when Berger was around could Blackie act like a frivolous little puppy.

But things had changed now.

Adam watched from the side as Blackie and Valerian conversed with one another. He didn’t interrupt them, no matter how eager he was to learn about Berger.

He knew how close the two were. Valerian treated Blackie no different than family, and Adam didn’t want to come in the way of their reunion.

The youth turned towards the deeper part of the cave. A pair of towering stone doors occupied the other end of the cave.

All sorts of intricate runes were carved on the doors, each lined with precision. From beyond them, Adam could sense an immense surge of dense, roiling mana pressing against the threshold.

The energy fluctuations coming from within were undoubtedly stronger than the Mana Vortex Rank! However, they were not quite equivalent to the Mana Core Rank. Not yet.

Sensing this, Adam couldn’t help but frown.

Old man… What’s taking you so long?

It had been over a decade since Berger had entered solitude in order to attack the Mana Core Rank. However, he had still not succeeded.

Adam couldn’t help but become anxious at this development.

What if something happens to him?

What if he fails?

What if…

“You do not have to worry.” Blackie’s calm voice drifted into his ears, gently assuring him. “Have faith in Berger. He will succeed.”

Adam took a deep breath and forced a smile. “I know… I know he will. It’s just…” He deeply looked into the wolf’s dark eyes and asked, “What’s taking him so long? Is it his old age?”

Although it was true that advancing earlier meant fewer problems during future breakthroughs, it still shouldn’t have taken Berger this long.

This could only mean that there was another underlying problem preventing him from advancing to the Mana Core Rank.

Blackie heaved a soft sigh and explained, “Old age is a part of it, yes… but real reason lies in the deep wounds he’s carried through the years.”

Berger’s life before he arrived at Moon City had always been a mystery to Adam.

When he had met Krummor Grimriver a few years back, the latter had mentioned something about Berger being involved in a great battle in Europa.

After that battle, Berger had left behind everything and moved to the Ulier Continent. He chose the Southern Federation as the place to retire and live out the rest of his remaining days.

That was all Adam knew. So when he heard Blackie mention the deep wounds that Berger sustained, he couldn’t help but ask, “Is it related to the battle in Eurorpa?”

“You know about this?” Blackie was a little surprised. As far as he knew, Berger had never told the youth about his past.

“Not really.” Adam shook his head. “I met a Warden from the Brotherhood a few years ago, a dwarf by the name of Krummor Grimriver. He mentioned to me in passing, but that was all he told me.”

Blackie remained silent for a long time, seemingly thinking of where to even begin. Several minutes later, he spoke, “Berger is originally from the Europa Continent. He was a rogue Magus, a wanderer, before he joined the Twilight Brotherhood.”

The wolf’s expression turned downcast and he continued, “He had a wife and a son…”

Adam interrupted him with a shocked look on his face. “Old man had a family?!”

Then, it suddenly dawned on him, and his body couldn’t help but tremble. “Wait, Blackie… What do you mean he had… Are you telling me they…”

The black wolf nodded. “Yes. They have already passed away.”

His dark eyes flashed with ferocity, and he continued, “They were killed by Berger’s enemies. Even though his wife and son were mortals with no mana coursing through their veins, his enemies killed them regardless.”

Adam was thunderstruck by this discovery. But soon, the shock was replaced by anger.

Unprecedented anger!

Blackie continued, “To avenge his family, Berger waged a brutal, blood-soaked war against his enemies. Several members of the Brotherhood stood with him in that madness.

“In the end, he succeeded. Those responsible for the murder of his loved ones were wiped out. But even then, nothing changed. The anger remained… so did the emptiness.

“It was during that final battle that he suffered wounds so severe that they nearly claimed his life. With his vengeance hollow and his body broken, he vanished from Europa and quietly came to Moon City, leaving everything behind.”

Adam clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.

He couldn’t believe that the old man, who looked after him in his youth and taught him so many things about magic and herbalism, had such a tragic past.

“The dwarf you mentioned, Krummor, also participated in that bloody battle,” Blackie added.

Adam remained silent for a very long time, the weight of this information settling deep within his chest.

A slow and burning rage welled up inside of him, directed squarely at those who had taken everything from Berger.

“Just what kind of despicable people would do such a thing?!” He spat through gritted teeth. “To go after his family who didn’t even practice magic…”

“These people are the worst of the worst, ruthless, depraved, and willing to do anything to achieve their twisted goals,” Blackie muttered coldly.

He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice low and grim, “In fact, from what I have recently uncovered, their wretched claws have already sunk deep into the Ulier Continent.”

Adam’s expression darkened, shadows flickering across his face. “They’re here?”

“Yes.” Blackie gave a slow, solemn nod. “And I believe you’ve already encountered them.”

Adam froze, his breath catching in his throat. A dreadful thought emerged in his mind, and when he spoke, it was filled with disbelief.

“…It can’t be,” he softly muttered.

Blackie’s next words were like a hammer blow to his chest.

“It is the Cult of Bones.”

2/4 Bonus Chapters. Enjoy!

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