The Crack In Heaven [A LitRPG Progression Fantasy] Chapter 10: Chapter 10: The Unseen Ledger

Read chapter 10 of The Crack In Heaven [A LitRPG Progression Fantasy] by Adamus_Auguste on NovelPedia.

Chapter 10: The Unseen Ledger A coincidental increase? Kael gulped, the sensation like acid on raw stone. Why after three days at 0.5%? Why suddenly 4.5% more stress on his anchor? An event must have triggered it, and the only thing he could think about was his discussion with Arthur. Did the sick man put stress on his anchor, or was it his own perception of Arthur that did? Perhaps because his sunken face reminded him of his mom's before the same illness took her. There might be other reasons, reasons that eluded him. After four days, the stress value remained stable, strengthening his suspicion that increases weren't coincidental. Arthur had mostly remained in his room during that time, too. What if Arthur knew about truths, noticed he had awakened endurance, and took him to the grave one silent step after another? Kael glared at Arthur's door, his grip tightening on his ledger. Somehow, the shadows seemed deeper. As he did, the man limped out, weak, coughing. He dragged himself to the rock at the table, his back hunched forward, his sunken eyes barely focused on Kael. "I've never seen someone heal as fast as you did. Odd, but good, son." Kael clenched his right fist—the one broken by the creature—now strong enough for him to use with marginal discomfort. If the corrosion should have marked him, his pale skin showed none of it, while the wound at his side only gave him phantom tickles whenever he thought about Tovin. "You won't ask how?" Kael narrowed his eyes, his voice as blunt as his question. Arthur tilted his head. "Good rest, food, and youth, I guess? Or do you want me to believe the gods embraced you in their mercy, that they diverted their attention from whatever made them blind to this god-forsaken place to help you recover faster? No, Kael. I think bread and safety helped you heal faster. And that we, descendants of slaves, endure much better than the scums they lumped with us." Does he really not know, or is he acting stupid to fool me? I can't tell... In any case, I'm not risking my anchor. With a shrug, he turned toward the door. "I guess so." Els nodded beside him with an expression of forced care about the mystery of his healing. Then, her facade collapsed as she filled the silence with her soft, eager voice. "It's nice that you recovered in time for the harvest festival. Let's go before we miss the priests' parade." Kael stood up, but Arthur shook his head. "Seen it enough for two lifetimes." He leaned toward Kael. "What will you do now?" Kael paused, silence thickening in the room for a heartbeat. Then, he spoke without turning. "Revenge. I don't want the Ragged Crown to knock on your door if things go wrong, so I'll get by on my own." "You're leaving—" Els' green eyes widened. Arthur interrupted her. "I don't know if I'll still be around next time you visit, so let me wish you luck and may the gods bless you with a path to Veston. Enjoy the festival, children." "I don't need blessings from gods," muttering, Kael left the old shack, his ledger pressed against his chest, and a steely glint in his eyes. Arthur had a month or two left, a thought that saddened him as much as it compelled his leave. He didn't trust the man, or anyone, for that matter. The wintry wind blew scents of frozen decay and soot. Snow wasn't white in Ashcoil Row, nor anywhere in the slums, but here it was worst; a damp grey as if even nature was too poor to wear its colors. A tap on his shoulder made him turn toward Els. She munched on her lips, her fingers tightening on his shirt. Her mouth opened, then closed, before she ended up sighing. "Dad... No, he's right. If you're not returning, let's enjoy the festival. You'll pay me back later, of course." She fished inside her basket, and four copper coins glinted on her palm. "Or we can try to sell your oh so precious book. You can keep half the earnings." "Yeah, sure. I guess you'll take the other half for your deep wisdom?" Kael rolled his eyes. "I'm not selling it." Els slammed her scarf