CHAPTER 266: LURING

Before, when Adyr showed them Presence, they hadn’t questioned its source. It hadn’t seemed tied to any particular path, almost as if it were a completely independent ability on its own.

For this very reason, Adyr had refrained from revealing Malice as well. That ability was fundamentally tied to the destructive, corrosive nature of the Nether path. Similarly, Gaze could be seen as connected to Ignis, the path of movement, with its ability to glimpse the future, if only for a brief moment.

Among these, Grace was closest to Astra, but someone knowledgeable and questioning could easily see that this ability encompassed all four paths: Astra, Aether, Nether, and Ignis.

While Adyr thought about how a reasonable explanation could shift their perspective without blowing his cover as an Astra path practitioner, Liora began speaking instead, offering her own explanation.

"The Gods, the creators of everything, are beyond our understanding. And it’s clear that the bloodline talents awakened by those who carry their blood should be equally beyond our comprehension." She spoke with intensity, her eyes piercing Adyr’s face, looking deep into his eyes as she went on.

"That’s right. How can we judge a God’s power with so little knowledge?" Mirela added energetically, standing firmly behind her sister’s words. The others nodded subtly, agreeing with her statement.

Adyr couldn’t help but think: Are they too naive or just brainwashed by their beliefs?

A third option crossed his mind, but considering it now would be of no use, so he let it go and allowed them to convince themselves.

"Lady Liora, do you believe you can fight Collossith with the help of this ability?" Lucen broke the brief silence, his tone almost as if trying to change the subject.

Liora paused for a moment, crunching through the last of her biscuit. "I can’t be certain, but I have a high chance. Physically, I’m not far from Collossith’s level. In fact, I’d say I’m slightly superior. The only issue so far has been the Spark’s innate damage reflection, but now, with this healing ability, if my body can overcome that drawback, I believe I can overpower it." After a quick analysis, she shared her thoughts.

"Also, don’t forget my healing skills on top of that. If we can elevate your regeneration, absorbing only a little more than the damage you take, that would mean victory for you." Mirela added, supporting Liora’s conclusion.

With that, the group’s spirits lifted. It really seemed like Liora could win the fight. But there was still one major problem.

"How do you think we can force Collossith out of its hiding place to face us?" Malrik asked, his voice skeptical, searching for a deeper solution.

Collossith’s massive body was just the effect of another innate skill; its actual size was no larger than the palm of a hand. The real issue lay in its habitat. Buried meters beneath the ground, it typically remained dormant unless it was time to feed. Forcing it out of its hibernation to fight would require more than just strength—it needed a different plan.

The solution to this problem came once again from Adyr, uncertain yet with a tone that suggested promise. "Maybe I can make it feel threatened using my other ability, Presence, to force it out of its territory."

They already knew that Adyr’s Presence could project two types of auras. Lucen had experienced his bloodlust firsthand when Adyr first awakened this ability.

Even though they were Astra path practitioners, and the Velari race was known for its compassionate and kind-hearted nature, this didn’t mean they were immune to other emotions. They, too, could feel anger, and it wasn’t surprising that Adyr could project this emotion with his Presence.

Collossith, though not known to be one of the territorial Sparks, was an entity of such immense power and rank that the possibility of it responding to bloodlust and anger with an aggressive defensive reaction was highly likely.

"That can work," Liora said, her eyes fixed on Adyr as she processed the solution, finding herself caught in a silent dilemma, struck by the unexpected nature of it all.

He’s like a high-ranking Spark on his own.

While practitioners like her spent years searching for Sparks to acquire new skills, Adyr’s innate abilities were something entirely different. It was a true marvel, a clear testament to how extraordinary bloodline talents were.

"Okay, I guess we’ve come to an agreement to accept the mission to subdue the Collossith." Liora snapped out of her daze and mental whirlwind, smiling as she spoke, then turned to Malrik. "Malrik, go inform King Vale. We need to notify the public to prevent any panic about Collossith’s sudden appearance."

Malrik nodded seriously. "Understood."

Liora then turned to Mirela. "You find a safe location, somewhere far from the city or any settlements—somewhere that won’t be affected during the fight."

Mirela gave a silent nod, a small smile on her face.

Finally, Liora addressed Lucen and Adyr. "We don’t have much time. Tomorrow morning, we need to be at the market square to hear the Wanderer Merchant’s speech. We can’t afford to miss it. So, if you don’t have anything urgent, let’s get to work."

"I don’t have anything more important than this," Lucen said, his voice calm.

"I’m ready when you are," Adyr added, flashing a smile.

With that, the movement began for what would become the largest event ever to take place in the Velari Kingdom—an event that would likely be recorded in the history of the entire Outer Region.

—

"This is where Collossith disappeared last," Lucen said, floating above on his large, white bird, pointing to a hole on the ground below.

The hole was about 10 to 15 meters wide, but as one looked closer, the diameter narrowed the further it went underground. In the end, it shrank to just a few centimeters, suggesting that as Collossith burrowed deeper, its massive body gradually compressed into a smaller form, likely to fit into its resting space.

"Do you know how deep it goes?" Adyr asked, raising an eyebrow, his arms crossed as he scanned the hole in the ground with sharp eyes, standing atop Liora’s cloud.

"I’m not sure, but it should be very deep. Collossith usually lives in layers of solid rock," Lucen replied, sharing what he knew.

Adyr’s Presence spanned a wide area, but even he wasn’t sure if it could reach that deep. It wasn’t just the distance that troubled him; the thick layers of earth between them could disrupt its effect.

"Do you think it will work?" Liora asked, noticing his thoughtful expression, unsure of the limits of his ability.

"We’ll see." Adyr smiled, then leaped off the cloud, landing gracefully by the edge of the hole with a soft thud.

"This might feel a little... unsettling, so don’t blame me." Adyr gave Lucen and Liora a quick apologetic glance before turning his gaze back to the hole.

Let’s see what my limits are now.

His eyes darkened for a moment, and within the depths of his pupils, countless galaxies seemed to quietly flicker before twisting into chaotic motion. The ground beneath his feet trembled as a powerful aura began to radiate from his body.

His bloodlust, channeled through Presence, dove deep into the hole, heading toward the monster lying below.