CHAPTER 67: BLADE AWAKENING.

Kieran stared at the man, unable to force a single word from his lips.

It only took a second for the man to realize.

Then he laughed—loud and deep, a sound that echoed through the void.

"Oh, that’s right..." he said, chuckling. "You’re definitely not Typhoon. No way I could’ve pinned him down this easily."

He smiled, seemingly amused by the situation, while Kieran could only watch helplessly.

’Damn it... If he wanted to kill me, I’d be ash already. What kind of power is this?’ Kieran thought, overwhelmed by the sheer pressure emanating from the man’s presence.

"But if you’re his son," the man continued, his voice growing solemn, "then we’ll need your help... All of us. We were fools to ignore his warning."

He sighed, as though burdened by memories and regret, then turned his eyes back to Kieran.

"I’ll grant you the aid of my weapon. Use it—kill him before he finds the others."

Before Kieran could even ask who he meant, a sharp, glowing chain shot through the darkness, tearing through space like a blade. It latched onto the man’s right arm.

Another chain followed, binding his left.

Kieran’s eyes widened as the man’s expression shifted—resignation flashing across his face.

"I suppose... my time is up," the man muttered. "My people will come for the sword, but if you truly are Typhoon’s son, none of them will succeed."

Two more chains whipped through the shadows, coiling tightly around his legs. Slowly, they began to pull him back—into the depths of darkness.

’Kill who?’ Kieran thought, his brow furrowed. There were already too many questions racing through his mind. Now, this mysterious god had added even more.

But something clicked.

’That sword... if it belongs to him, then he must be Gaza. Gaza—the God of War.’

As the last of the man’s form vanished into the void, the crushing weight that had paralyzed Kieran lifted.

His body moved again.

Breath returned to his lungs, and color rushed back into his surroundings.

The forest.

He was back.

The sword still glowed in his hand—radiant and alive.

Suddenly, a surge of energy poured into his mind—raw and powerful. But it wasn’t just energy. It was knowledge. Combat techniques, stances, battle instincts... all of it.

As though the sword itself was teaching him.

In mere seconds, Kieran absorbed what would take years to master. His muscles remembered, his mind understood. He could feel the rhythm of battle coursing through him.

But then his heart skipped.

He remembered the threat—the beast, Nasha, the others.

Eyes wide, Kieran spun around and scanned the forest.

Nothing.

No movement.

Not a single leaf rustled. Everything was frozen.

’Is it... the sword?’ he wondered, looking around in stunned awe.

"Yes, it’s from the sword," Alexa’s voice chimed in behind him.

Kieran turned. Her eyes were fixed on the weapon in his hand, glowing with astonishment.

Bright markings now pulsed across the blade, like golden veins alive with power.

She recognized it instantly.

’Gaza’s blade... How is that even possible?’ she thought, stunned by the impossible sight before her.

"How is it doing this?" she asked aloud, her voice low. "And why aren’t you frozen like the rest of us?"

Kieran glanced at her, the realization dawning.

’I’m holding the blade... maybe that’s why I’m unaffected. But what about her?’

Could it be because she was inside him—connected to his soul?

"Tch. Idiot," Alexa muttered. "I’m not affected because I’m a divine being. The sword... it’s a divine artifact. It’s reacting this way because it’s accepted a new master."

’But why? And how is Gaza’s sword accepting him?’ she wondered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her mind.

While she was lost in thought, something changed.

She felt it—not through sight or sound, but through the air itself. A subtle shift. A heaviness.

Fear.

"I think someone’s in trouble," Alexa said, turning toward the source.

’Took you long enough to figure it out,’ Kieran thought, amused.

Alexa still couldn’t detect the beast, but now that Kieran had brought her closer, she could feel Natasha’s fear—just faintly.

Kieran didn’t want to reveal his new abilities just yet.

"Who? Where are they?" he asked calmly.

"Straight ahead," Alexa replied, eyes narrowing.

Kieran didn’t need to hear more.

He turned toward the direction and spotted it—emerging from the shadows, the beast had begun its attack.

"I don’t know when you’ll decide to start time again," Kieran muttered under his breath, "but I guess I should be ready."

He exhaled slowly and lowered his stance.

Right leg forward, left leg anchored behind.

The sword aligned above his right thigh, its glowing edge aimed straight ahead.

And then—time resumed.

Kieran launched forward like a bullet.

Even he was surprised by his speed. The air sliced past him, cold and sharp.

In a flash, he closed the distance.

With one fluid motion, he pushed Natasha aside and intercepted the incoming strike. The beast’s razor-sharp claws met the burning edge of his blade mid-swing.

It was precise. Controlled.

The claws hissed through the heat—but they didn’t land.

~Clang

The sound rang through the trees like a bell of war.

But Kieran didn’t flinch. He stood tall, unmoved by the impact.

Across from him, Amaya’s eyes flared with shock.

She instinctively leapt backward, putting distance between them.

’I held back on that strike... but even then, he shouldn’t have blocked it so cleanly,’ she thought, staring at the faint chip in her claw. ’That sword... it’s too sharp.’

Her claws had been hardened—trained to pierce even enchanted armor. No regular sword should’ve damaged them without considerable force.

Yet Kieran’s slim, flaming blade had chipped them on first contact.

Behind him, Natasha stared at his back, wide-eyed.

’He came back?’ Relief washed over her. But it was quickly replaced by dread.

"That beast is too strong! It killed Sir Steven. You can’t fight it!" she shouted, her voice edged with desperation.

Kieran glanced back at her calmly.

"I did say the beast was strong, didn’t I?" he replied quietly.

And Natasha’s eyes widened as a realization struck her.

’He tried to warn us... He came to tell us about it. Did they escape from it the first time?’

She looked at Kieran again—this time, with new eyes.

’Just how strong is he?’

"And besides," Kieran added, his voice firm, gaze locked on Amaya, "I’m not Steven."

He stepped forward slowly, sword glowing brighter.

"For a beast, you’re awfully sneaky," he said, narrowing his eyes at her.

{Ding!}

{Champion-Class Beast Detected}

{Objective: Defeat the Beast}

{Rewards: Aetheris +200 | EXP +100}

{Note: System has detected signs of external Aetheris}

’Interesting rewards... External Aetheris? What does that mean?’

He pondered briefly, but there was no time to dwell.

Amaya’s demeanor shifted. Her curiosity had vanished.

This wasn’t prey.

This was a predator.

And a dangerous one.

"I was saving you for later," Amaya’s voice echoed directly in his head, low and cold. "But since you’ve stepped forward, I suppose it’s time. You’re the only one here who’s relevant anyway."

Kieran narrowed his eyes.

’Telepathy. So she can communicate mentally too...’

Then Alexa’s voice rang out in his mind, serious and urgent.

"Kieran, that beast is dangerous. It’s a Shadow Beast—nearly impossible to sense. Even I struggle to track them... but I can catch faint traces. Shadow Beasts are rare and incredibly difficult to defeat. Be careful. If things get out of hand, I’ll step in."

"Yeah," Kieran replied softly. "I’ll be careful."

’Besides... I can sense her.’