Divine Beast Ascension

A simple flick. That’s all the man did. He flicked one of the incoming fists without batting an eye or missing a beat.

CRASH!

Propelled across the room, Zelsh was thrown into the desk in the corner, destroying it with ease. The crash landing left Zelsh with a sore arm and a sore back from the impact of the flick and the fall.

“Is that enough for you?” the man asked, preparing to a two-fingered flick as he sauntered toward the fallen king cultivator.

“... What plane are you?”

“Oliver won’t fight, and you won’t mention anything interesting about him to anyone, including the prefecture lord. You understand what I’m talking about, right? Or do I need to get specific?” asked the man, calmly placing his two-fingers against Zelsh’s forehead. “I would dare you to attempt it, but provoking you would only force my hand further.”

.....

“I get it, I get it... But does accepting this come with an explanation?”

“Partially.”

“Then go on. I’m all ears!” Zelsh laughed nervously, feeling the man’s fingers moving toward Zelsh’s temple.

Showing a slender smile, the man sighed, “That boy is a key part of my own plans. Whether you and he want that doesn’t matter. What matters is that he grows to become a serious threat in the mortal championships and that you don’t show him off too soon. You’re not to give away any info about Oliver until he earns a spot on the roster for the prefecture qualifier. Understood?”

“Definitely. Now can I get up?”

“Sure.” That man stopped squatting and even helped Zelsh up to his feet. “I’m not your enemy. I’m an ally. Believe what you want, but that’s the case and it won’t change no matter what you try. It’s best that you just do what you can within my reasoning. Step outside of those bounds and you may find your entire territory in ruin, and I won’t be the one responsible.”

“What do you mean? Are you threatening me or not?” questioned Zelsh.

“I’m not threatening you. I’m forcing you to act in a way that won’t draw the attention of the real threat. Now, I should be off. I’ve got many things to keep track of and you’re the person I’m least worried about, if I’m being honest.”

“Really? Don’t take me too lightly–”

“You’re straightforward in thought and action. Even when you try and scheme, you’re thinking is linear and easily seen through by someone knowledgeable. That’s the sort of mindset that won’t let you derail from something after you’ve made up your mind. Or have I failed to make a deep enough impression on your mind...”

“I’ll cooperate, but an explanation would be nice!” Zelsh shouted, teasingly complaining.

Chuckling again, the man shrugged, “You’ve already figured out one thing about Oliver. Though you wouldn’t want to learn too much about him, otherwise you’ll be dooming yourself... It’s best that you just do what you were originally planning, minus the meeting with the prefecture lord and letting him fight in public before the qualifier.”

“But that could–”

“It would only complicate things and push things along faster than Oliver can handle. Don’t ruin everything. I would consider threatening you myself, but any mistake this far in and you’ll rile up someone far less reasonable.”

“Who?”

“Either act within the guidelines I set, or I’ll be forced to adjust the plans with you excluded.” The man turned away but didn’t start walking just yet. “That may seem nice at first, but that would bring doom to your family faster than I can throw you. Is that clear?”

“Yeah...”

“Also, I know it’s obvious but I’ll say it anyway. Don’t mention my existence to anyone. You’re the type of person to mention our conversation to others explicitly because I didn’t warn otherwise. So consider yourself warned, don’t talk about me. Do that, and your territory will be wiped out before the real threat has a chance to reach your borders...”

The man’s figure suddenly blurred, fading out of existence as he walked toward the door.

“I’m always watching... Remember that...”

It had been quite a while since someone had left Zelsh speechless. But how could he not be left confused and stressed about the unexpected appearance of such an existence? Without a means to even gauge the man’s strength, all Zelsh could do was be walked on and used as a pawn. Even the prefecture lord didn’t treat Zelsh so lightly. Yet there was no doubt in Zelsh’s mind that the man was beyond his comprehension, not after taking hit after hit without so much as tilted his head... And being read like an open book left Zelsh wanting to laugh and mock himself, getting mentally outmaneuvered before the conversation had even begun.

Scratching his bald head, Zelsh sighed to himself, “What have you gotten yourself into this time...”

Glancing at the splintered pieces of what was once a desk, he shook his head. Zelsh didn’t bother doing anything about the mess. Instead, Zelsh decided to brush himself off and exit the room, saving the mess for another day. Menial chores were the last thing he wanted to do at the moment.

The rest of the night was spent visualizing the imminent events of the next day and how he might somehow get by without consequence. It would be difficult, but Zelsh was forced to bank on being an unofficial favorite of the prefecture lord. That was key to his plan and only the beginning of his problems.

Zelsh was also left with untamed curiosity by everything else the man had said. His mind was scattered trying to piece together theories for anything the man had mentioned. Who or what was the threat the man had talked about? Why would someone so strong be so invested in a nameless, young adept, even if he showed potential? And though not presenting Oli to the prefecture lord somewhat made sense to Zelsh after the conversation, it would only prolong the encounter. And the longer that encounter would be prolonged, the more difficult it would be for Zelsh to explain in front of the prefecture lord.