Bastards Ascension: A Playground of Gods
Chapter 72: Getting to the first checkpoint

Chapter 72: Getting to the first checkpoint

As Kieran emerged from the crater, every eye turned to him.

Nasha stared at him as if she were looking at a god. Stan stood frozen, his mouth agape in disbelief.

And then there was Henry—stepping out from the shadows only moments after Alexa’s devastating blast had reduced Amaya to nothingness.

He looked around, confused. He hadn’t seen what exactly had happened, but the massive crater Kieran climbed out of spoke volumes. More so, the fact that he’d somehow broken free from the shadow prison the beast had trapped him in left Henry stunned.

’Did he defeat the beast? How?’ Henry thought, eyes scanning the scene again as if trying to piece together the moment he missed.

But one thing was clear. Judging by the looks on Nasha and Stan’s faces—even if Kieran wasn’t the one who landed the final blow—he had definitely played a part in Amaya’s defeat.

’Wow... he’s stronger than I thought. But his energy... wait! Why can’t I sense his energy anymore?’ Henry’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Kieran’s energy had completely vanished.

It was bizarre—unnatural. There was nothing radiating from him now... almost as if he were just an ordinary person.

’That doesn’t make any sense! What happened here?’ Henry questioned inwardly, but deep down, he knew he wouldn’t be getting answers any time soon.

Kieran noticed the stunned expressions on their faces and could only offer a sheepish smile.

’How do I explain that it was all Alexa’s power? She just had to overdo it...’ he thought, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

But there was no time to dwell on it.

He felt it—a presence.

Something was approaching the hill, and fast.

His expression shifted, serious now as he turned to the others.

"We can’t stay here," he said firmly. "Something stronger than that beast is heading this way. We need to leave. I’ll help you all locate your checkpoints—if we split up, we can get out of here faster."

His voice carried weight—commanding and composed. None of the others dared question it.

Even Natasha, the boldest among them, stayed silent. She stood up slowly, still shaken by everything she had seen.

So many thoughts clouded her mind.

’Is this the level of an SSS-ranked talent holder?’ she wondered, a chill crawling down her spine. ’No... even that can’t explain the power he unleashed. That wasn’t normal. That was something far greater...’

She looked at him, her eyes narrowing.

’Could he be... a Fashe?’

It was the only explanation that made sense now.

A Fashe—those elusive individuals who concealed their true strength to infiltrate lower-ranked realms. Known for their hidden motives, they often came in disguise for one purpose: assassination... or theft.

They’d wait, strike when least expected, and walk away with all the rewards.

Natasha shivered slightly.

She couldn’t measure Kieran’s strength.

And that terrified her more than anything else.

’There’s no doubt now—he has to be a Fashe. But what’s his plan?’ Natasha thought, her gaze lingering on Kieran as she joined the others.

Stan didn’t utter a single word as he stepped forward. Henry and Natasha walked alongside him, their minds spinning with unanswered questions—but neither dared to voice them.

They simply didn’t know how Kieran would react.

’I can only wait and observe...’ both Natasha and Henry came to the same silent conclusion as they gathered in front of him.

Kieran’s gaze swept over the three. With Steven gone, he knew he had their full attention.

"I’m starting to believe this is an S-rank realm," Kieran said firmly. "Which means we need to get out as fast as possible. We also need to warn the others before things get worse..."

His voice trailed off as he turned toward Stan, whose frightened expression betrayed everything he was feeling.

Of the three, only Stan had come face-to-face with Castan. He understood the gravity of the situation more than the others—and his body trembled slightly with the desire to escape.

"I’ll take him out first," Kieran added. "His checkpoint isn’t far from here."

He glanced at Natasha and Henry. "Are you both okay with that?"

Henry exchanged a look with Natasha, noticing the suspicion still flickering in her eyes. But she didn’t voice any of it. Instead, she gave a slow nod.

"If what you’re saying is true," she said, "then yes. We need to move quickly and alert the others—before something really bad happens."

Henry nodded in agreement.

Kieran didn’t waste time with words. His attention shifted back to the forest. A presence was drawing near—fast.

’Whoever it is, they’re closing in. We need to start moving,’ he thought.

He was too drained to face another battle. The toll of wielding the blade earlier had left his body worn and heavy.

’It’s a good weapon, but I can’t keep using it carelessly at my current level...’ he noted, mentally marking the limits of his strength.

"Alright, let’s get moving," Kieran said, taking the lead.

Ahead, the dense trees opened into a set of caves. One of them drew his attention.

Within it, he sensed three figures.

They were young—likely tin-plated awakened. And none of them, from what he could tell, had reached senior rank.

’We’ll need to get them out of here, if this realm is truly S-rank. I should help them,’ Kieran thought, shifting direction toward the cave.

Without hesitation, the others followed, unaware that they were walking deeper into a realm teetering on the edge of chaos.

A few minutes after Kieran and the others had left, a figure blurred into existence on a tree branch overlooking the crater.

Her sharp gaze swept across the scene, calculating and alert.

She wasn’t alone—perched on her shoulder was a small monkey wearing tiny spectacles, its tail curled loosely around her neck for balance.

"Hm, the energy in the air... Aetheris was used here," the monkey noted, its eyes narrowed as it examined the gaping hole in the earth.

The elven girl said nothing, but her pointed ears twitched, straining to catch any lingering sounds in the wind. When she heard none, she let out a soft sigh.

Then she tilted her head and sniffed the air.

Her nose wrinkled.

Suddenly, her eyes widened.

"What is it, my princess?" the monkey asked, noticing the sudden shift in her expression.

"This scent..." she said softly, sniffing again to confirm.

"What about it?" the monkey pressed, raising a curious brow. It was rare to see the princess visibly startled.

"It’s Alexa. She’s back," the princess muttered, eyes narrowing with intensity. "Brother must’ve sensed it too. If she’s returned... then we might actually have a chance to break the seal on the gates!"

The light in her eyes flickered with sudden hope.

"Wow, this is wonderful news, my princess!"

"Yes," she replied, already shifting her stance. "We have to inform my brother immediately. And we can’t wait—send a scouting troop into the hill. I want the intruders captured before nightfall."

Without another word, she blurred forward, her form vanishing in a flash.

The trees stirred gently behind her as she bounded through the forest, leaping from branch to branch like a phantom. Her movements were fluid, graceful—almost weightless—as though she danced with the wind.

It wasn’t long before she returned to the city.

She landed softly on the rooftop of a tall building, her silver hair flowing behind her like a trailing ribbon. She paused for a moment, glancing over her shoulder toward the forest she had just left.

’After all these years... I wonder what brother will do. I just hope he doesn’t try that again...’ she thought grimly before refocusing on the grand palace ahead.

Without hesitation, she moved again—blurring across the rooftops with effortless precision—until finally she reached the palace entrance.

Her feet touched down on the polished marble tiles, a stark contrast to the chaotic wild outside.

Immediately, the two guards at the palace gates reacted, spears raised.

Two beasts emerged beside them, snarling protectively.

But the moment they saw her face, they froze.

Recognition dawned instantly.

Their expressions shifted and they dropped their weapons, stepping aside with synchronized salutes.

"My princess, welcome back!" they greeted in unison.

She walked past them without so much as a glance, her steps purposeful, her thoughts already racing ahead.

---

Meanwhile, Kieran and the others had already reached the area near the first cave.

With Kieran leading the way, no one questioned how he knew the direction—they were too overwhelmed with unanswered thoughts to ask.

As they arrived in front of the cave, Stan’s eyes lit up in recognition.

Hope flickered across his face.

"—"

"Yes, yes! This is it! I’m sure!" he exclaimed before Kieran could even say a word.

He jumped with excitement, barely able to contain the relief that washed over him. He could finally leave the realm.

Kieran gave a faint smile.

’This is good. We found his checkpoint quickly... and maybe we can help whoever’s inside too,’ he thought, turning his gaze toward the cave just as figures began to emerge. It seemed their voices had drawn attention.

But the moment the first person stepped out, Kieran’s expression changed.

His eyes narrowed sharply.

’Frank.’