Re:Awakening with Ultimate Power as a Cosmic God
Chapter 60: Ch 60: A Hint of Trouble - Part 1

Chapter 60: Ch 60: A Hint of Trouble - Part 1

Malrik adjusted the strap of his cloak as they walked, then turned to Nova with a playful tone.

"You want to watch me and the others train again today? I promise to yell at them extra hard for your entertainment."

Nova smirked faintly.

"Pass. I’ve had enough of watching amateurs swing sticks at each other. I’d rather look around a bit."

Malrik’s smile thinned.

"Nova, you do realize by now that the whole city probably knows what you did yesterday."

Nova kept walking. NovelFire

"Let them talk."

"I’m serious. The nobles, the priesthood, even the merchants—you shook something deep when you walked through that temple barrier. People don’t like it when someone challenges the divine order they’ve built their lives around."

Malrik said, falling into step beside him.

Nova stopped at a corner where the path branched off toward the central plaza and glanced sideways.

"If some idiot wants to offer up their life to prove a point, I’ll be happy to make it swift for them."

Malrik let out a breath, halfway between a sigh and a laugh.

"At least pretend to take it easy on the ignorant fools."

Nova raised an eyebrow.

"Are you saying that for my sake... or because you’re afraid I might do irreparable damage to Callex?"

That brought a pause.

Malrik’s footsteps slowed slightly as he turned his gaze ahead. His usual teasing demeanor faltered for just a second.

Then he smiled—a small, almost sweet one. It was the kind of smile that didn’t reach the eyes.

"Don’t say scary things like that. I meant what I said—I’m worried about your safety, Nova. This city isn’t kind to outsiders, even those touched by the gods."

He said gently.

Nova didn’t respond immediately, but he didn’t look away either. The silence between them pulsed with unspoken questions neither of them felt ready to voice.

Malrik suddenly perked up, changing the subject with practiced ease.

"Tell you what. How about you come hunting with me today? There’ve been some monster sightings beyond the southeast cliffs. It’s good sport—and might help clear your head of all this nonsense."

Nova gave him a long look.

"You think I need a distraction?"

"I think everyone does. Even someone like you. Besides, you’ll get bored wandering these streets. Might as well kill something that deserves it."

Malrik replied lightly.

Nova gave a soft chuckle and adjusted the blade at his side.

"Fine. Lead the way. But if it turns out to be a waste of time, I’m blaming you."

"Oh, I wouldn’t dare disappoint. Just promise me you won’t level the forest if things get dicey. And if you do decide to take care of...minor inconveniences, just dispose of them as well."

Malrik said with a wink.

"No promises."

The two left the cobbled roads of the inner city and headed toward the southern gates. Guards stepped aside quickly as Malrik passed, offering salutes.

Some eyed Nova warily but said nothing. Whispers trailed in their wake—half awe, half fear.

The city walls slowly gave way to wild hills, and the worn dirt path beneath their feet led into a dense, emerald forest.

Birds called overhead, and wind rustled through thick canopies as sunlight danced across the overgrown trail.

Malrik pointed at a ridgeline in the distance.

"We’ll head toward the eastern rise. Last night, a patrol spotted corrupted beasts near the old ruins. With any luck, we’ll catch one before it makes its way into town."

Nova followed without hesitation, his gaze scanning every movement in the trees.

"What kind of beasts?"

"Nothing too dangerous... usually. But lately, something’s been stirring them up. I’ve had more reports of mutation, even among lower-ranked creatures. But lately, there have been more annoyances showing up as well."

Malrik said, though his tone wasn’t entirely reassuring.

Nova’s eyes narrowed.

"You think it’s related to the aether imbalance on the planet?"

"Wouldn’t surprise me."

Malrik moved a few branches aside and stepped onto an elevated clearing.

"But no one’s admitting anything. Not even the priests. Everyone’s scared, but they’d rather cling to rituals and hope the gods fix everything for them."

Nova looked up at the clouded sky.

"They won’t."

Malrik smiled again—gentle, worn.

"You really don’t believe in gods, do you?"

"I’ve seen enough to know better. Gods are not the solution to everything, and they don’t care about anything but their own goals."

"Then maybe you’re just what this place needs."

Nova tilted his head.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

But Malrik just turned and kept walking, calling over his shoulder.

"Come on, Nova. We’ve got monsters to find."

And maybe, somewhere in those woods, answers.

______

The forest was quiet—too quiet.

Leaves rustled underfoot as Nova and Malrik walked through the thick underbrush, their boots pressing into the soft mossy floor.

Aether stirred faintly in the air, clinging to the bark and branches like a living fog.

Nova didn’t miss the subtle footsteps echoing a second too late behind theirs.

They were being followed.

He tilted his head slightly, catching the reflection of faint movement in a puddle beside them. At least three people, maybe four. Untrained in stealth—but determined.

He glanced at Malrik, who continued walking casually, eyes on the trees ahead as if nothing was wrong.

Of course, he noticed.

Nova’s lips curled into a subtle smirk.

"We should split up."

Malrik raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop.

"Oh? Spotted something special?"

"You could say that. Not that I’d share. I plan to savor this one."

Nova replied calmly.

Malrik laughed under his breath.

"Selfish. But fine. I’ll head east. Try not to cause too much destruction."

"No promises."

Nova said, already veering off the path.

Malrik waved a lazy hand and kept moving without looking back.

"Good luck, then. Try not to get eaten."

Nova slipped between the trees, moving silently. He didn’t rush—he wanted them to follow. Let them feel bold. Let them believe they had the drop on him.

Then, he’d make them regret it.

He slowed his pace just enough for the pursuers to close in, his senses sharp. A branch snapped.

A whisper too loud. Their aether signatures flared as they tried to suppress them, but Nova caught the vibrations like ripples in water.

Amateurs.

He stepped into a clearing and waited, standing in full view, arms loose at his side.

The bait was set.

Now let the hunt begin.

Nova’s sudden disappearance sent a ripple of unease through the group trailing him. One of them cursed under his breath, eyes darting between the trees.

"Where did he go?"

Another shifted nervously.

"Did he see us? I swear he was looking right at us—"

"Shut it. Stick to the plan. We don’t need to fight him ourselves. The beasts will do the work."

The leader snapped, voice low but firm. His eyes were sharp, fixed on the direction Nova had vanished into.

The others hesitated, glancing at each other.

"You sure about this? He doesn’t seem normal."

One of them whispered.

"None of them are. But nothing walks away untouched from a gnasher horde. Once they catch his scent, he’s done for. All we have to do is clean up what’s left."

The leader replied.

Still uneasy, the group moved to the edges of the forest clearing. They unlatched the heavy cages hidden beneath brush and illusion runes.

Low, guttural growls erupted from within as the monsters inside stirred. Teeth gnashed. Claws scraped metal.

With a hiss of aether, the cages were released—four mutated monsters bursting into the forest, their noses catching the faint scent of Nova’s trail.