Born In Ashes: The Enigma
Chapter 52: A Dangerous Artifact

Chapter 52: A Dangerous Artifact

Once Zyrek left, Azrael and the others also returned to the living room.

Ashara immediately went to the kitchen upon returning, dragging Lia and a few other maids along to give her a helping hand.

"Dad, Gramps said he would place my gift in that place. What place was he talking about?"

Silas took a sip of the tea a maid had just poured for him and smiled.

"Actually, you’ve already been to that place."

"I’ve already been to that place..." Azrael raised an eyebrow in confusion, but soon recalled the painting where he had gone to retrieve the Fallen Star.

"Are you talking about that painting relic?"

"Hmm," Silas nodded. "Remember, I told you that the painting isn’t the only entrance to that place."

Azrael nodded in understanding.

"You mean Gramps also has something similar to that painting to enter that place."

Silas nodded, then shook his head.

"It’s not exactly a normal entrance, but it’s pretty much the same."

Azrael looked at Silas carefully and noticed he had no intention of explaining further, so he stopped asking and simply nodded.

He opened his status window and immediately saw the notification for completing the task he had received earlier.

====

(You have successfully completed the task)

(Reward: Shop and Inventory have been unlocked)

=====

---) Name: Azrael Thorne

---) Age: 16 Years

---) Level: 1

---) Status: Awakened

---) Source Core: Wind Souce Core (Complete your Eonrift Trial to activate the power of your source core)

---) Traits: Infinite Comprehension (Eternal Grade), Cold Blooded (White Grade—Evolvable)

---) Attribute: None

---) Rune: None

---) Substance: None

---) Title: ??? [Locked]

---) Bloodline: None

---) Strength: 20.3

---) Agility: 20

---) Stamina: 20.8

---) Cosmic Energy: 125 (+50 — due to 40% increase brought by Mid-Level Breathing Method) —> 175

---) Skill: Cosmic Energy Breathing Method (Mid Level)

---) Shop

---) Inventory

---) Task Points: 1045

=====

Azrael glanced at his information and saw that his status had changed from "Unawakened" to "Awakened," and his level had increased from 0 to 1.

There was no change in his stat points, but now that he had a source core, Azrael could control cosmic energy in a far more efficient way. He could also cultivate like normal apprentice warriors and increase his level.

Even though his stats remained the same, he estimated that his fighting ability had increased by at least 20%.

Because his Breathing Method was at Mid Level and there was already an energy pathway formed within his body, he now only needed to think in order to instantly utilize cosmic energy through any part of his body.

’It’s a pity that even my status window isn’t showing what kind of attribute I awakened along with my wind power...’ Azrael shook his head slightly.

’Well, I guess I’ll have to complete my trial and activate my powers before I get my answer.’

Azrael looked at Silas from the corner of his eyes and thought about the decision he had made earlier when Silas and Ashara were not present.

’I’ll talk to them about it after dinner.’

He was also curious about the shop function now available in his status window, but he decided not to use it yet.

His status window was different from that of others.

Although he had already confirmed that no one else could see the abnormality of his status window, he still didn’t dare to use unfamiliar functions like "Shop" in front of Silas.

"Brother, you must help me take revenge once you become strong."

As Azrael was observing his status window, Kael whispered to him in a mosquito-like voice.

Azrael felt helpless upon hearing Kael’s words and looked at him speechlessly.

This guy wanted revenge on Ashara just because she turned him into a fashion terrorist and dragged him out shopping to carry bags.

"Kael, a man must complete their revenge with their own power."

Since he had no confidence in helping Kael vent his frustration, Azrael decided to act like a motivational speaker and encouraged him to work hard to improve his strength.

Ashara was a Cosmic King, and Azrael didn’t know how long it would take to reach her level.

Silas, listening silently to the conversation between his two children, was left speechless by Azrael’s attempt to motivate Kael.

For some reason, it felt to him as if he were watching a con artist trying to fool a child.

Kael’s eyes burned with excitement after hearing Azrael’s words, and by the time Azrael finished speaking, Kael was already fully motivated.

"You’re right, brother! I was wrong to ask for your help to deal with that witch—I wi—"

Bang!

Kael was still in the middle of speaking when a slipper flew out from the kitchen like a homing missile and struck him squarely on the head.

"Call me Mom, you disrespectful brat!"

Ashara’s displeased voice echoed from the kitchen. She was genuinely annoyed that he had called her a witch.

Though she really was a witch, she still felt the need to teach him a lesson for speaking like that.

Azrael and Silas stared at Kael expressionlessly, who was now squatting on the ground, clutching his head, and staring at the slipper with horror.

Neither felt the slightest sympathy for him.

’Tsk... kid, there’s no need to say everything out loud. Some things are better kept in your heart.’

Both of them thought the same thing and silently decided to let him suffer a bit so he’d learn a lesson for the future.

"I didn’t know Mom’s slipper was an artifact. It flew just like a homing missile and hit me with pinpoint accuracy..." Kael muttered once the pain had subsided.

Silas rolled his eyes at Kael’s words.

"It’s just a simple slipper, you dumb son of mine. But whenever a mother uses her slipper to hit her son, it will hit him accurately—even if he hides in a different plane."

"Really?" Kael looked doubtful of Silas’ words and still suspected the slipper was an artifact.

Azrael ignored Kael’s muttering and looked at Silas with a smile.

"Dad, you’re talking like someone with a lot of experience in this area."

Silas’ face stiffened at Azrael’s remark, and his eyes lost focus for a moment, as though reminded of something from the past.

Azrael noticed that Silas’ eyes held many emotions—fear, joy, bitterness, longing, and more.

"What’s wrong, Dad?" He asked, confused by Silas’ strange behavior.

Silas closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath.

"Nothing. It’s just... only after losing something do we realize how precious it truly was."

Silas stood up and patted Azrael’s shoulder.

"Son, always cherish the people who care about you. Because sometimes, by the time you realize how important they are, it’s already too late."

With that, Silas left and went outside.

Azrael watched his father’s retreating back in silence and fell into deep thought.