NOVGO.NET Chapter 462: • Shadows of Authority Part Two
Chapter 462: • Shadows of Authority Part Two
Alister’s stern expression softened, a warm smile breaking through as he stepped closer. “Ease up, Silvyr. No need to be so stiff every time you see me.”
Silvyr flushed, his green hair swaying as he nodded quickly.
“U-understood, my lord,” he stammered, straightening with a look of relief and embarrassment.
Alister sighed, shaking his head fondly, then gestured to Arden and his team members. “Heal these humans. They’ve taken a beating, and I need them in one piece.”
Silvyr turned to Arden and his team, his yellow eyes softening with focus. “Yes, my lord,” he said, his voice steadier now. He raised his staff, the vines pulsing brighter, and waved it in a gentle arc.
A wave of green light cascaded over the guild like sunlight filtering through leaves. Wounds knit closed, bruises faded, and broken bones snapped back into place with faint pops.
Gina’s arm realigned, her gasp turning to a sigh of relief; Marcus stood taller, his ribs whole; Jarek flexed his leg, stunned as it moved freely; Logan stirred, his arm restored; Warner’s shards spun smoothly again; and Rainer rolled his shoulders, pain gone. Even their mana surged, a warm pulse filling their cores, leaving them revitalized.
“Holy shit,” Gina breathed, flexing her arm. “I feel… better than before we even got here.”
Warner stared at his shards, now gleaming. “That was… instant. Some of our wounds were quite serious… What kind of healing power is that?”
Alister stepped forward, patting Silvyr’s head with a gloved hand, mussing the green hair and dislodging a flower.
“Good work, Silvyr. You can return now.”
Silvyr blinked, startled by the gesture, but a shy smile spread across his face, his yellow eyes bright with the joy of being praised.
“U-understood, my lord,” he said, bowing deeply before stepping back through the golden portal, which snapped shut behind him, leaving a faint glow in the air.
As the light faded, Marcus turned to Arden, his voice low. “You really screwed up not recruiting him back then, guildmaster. Look at that—two summons, one a walking storm, the other a healer who fixed us in seconds. That healing power was at least SS-rank, and the fact that dragon knight is also soloing the boss—it might be of the same rank, if not higher.”
Arden sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, his scavenged blade now feeling heavier. “Can you blame me? His terms were… half-impossible. Well, more like completely illogical. Who agrees to something like that?”
Alister heard their little chat but decided to ignore them. He waved them forward.
“Enough reminiscing. Let’s move.” He strode ahead, leaving the guild to follow, their awe at his summons—and his presence—lingering.
…
Their pace was far quicker now. They reached the gate of the dungeon, beyond the cliff and blood swamp.
Alister stopped before it, his long black coat swaying in the faint wind. He stared at the portal, golden eyes narrowed.
Arden and his team halted behind him, their breaths catching at the sight of the dungeon’s gate.
Warner leaned toward Arden, his voice a low whisper. “What’s he doing, just staring at a closed portal? Think he’s got a plan?”
Arden’s gaze didn’t waver from Alister, his expression skeptical but curious. “Might not stay closed for long,” he murmured.
Gina’s eyes widened. “Wait, you think he’s got a way to open a dungeon portal? That’s… insane.”
Marcus snorted, folding his arms, a grim smirk on his lips. “A dragon knight who can solo an SS-ranked dungeon boss, another who heals mortal wounds in seconds—what’s stopping him from having one that cracks open gates? At this point, I’d be shocked if there’s something he can’t do.”
Warner chuckled darkly. “Bring back the dead, maybe.”
Marcus let out a low, humorless laugh. “Good point.”
Alister, seemingly oblivious to their murmurs, pulled off his gloves with care, tossing them aside.
He flexed his hands, and scales erupted across his skin—white and gold, shimmering like molten metal, claw-like tips glinting in the crimson light.
Gina gasped, stepping back instinctively. “What the…?” she breathed, her eyes locked on to him.
Alister approached the portal, his scaled hands hovering over its center as if gripping something invisible.
He pressed his claws against the rippling surface, the air humming.
“Void Rend,” he said, his voice a low growl. His claws dug into the portal—SCRAAAAPE—sparks of crimson and black mana bursting outward like shattered glass—CRACKLE. The gate groaned, a deep RUMBLE shaking the ground as Alister’s muscles tensed, his scales flaring brighter.
Arden’s grip tightened on his blade. “I guess it makes sense then,” he said, almost to himself.
“What does?” Marcus asked, glancing at him, brow raised.
Arden’s eyes narrowed, fixed on Alister as the portal began to split, a thin tear forming under his claws. “Mr. Summoner over there… he might not be completely human.”
Marcus turned back to Alister, watching as the tear widened, Alister’s claws pulling the portal apart like fabric, revealing some rays of light beyond.
“I see your point,” Marcus said, his voice low with awe. “His feats are… something else. But you’re forgetting there’s another monster walking in human flesh, one that is even more monstrous.”
Arden let out a dark chuckle, shaking his head. “You mean the Union President.”
Marcus nodded, his smirk fading.
“Rumor going around says Alister might be his son.”
Arden sighed. “Heard of that, but seems really unlikely. Remember, he was looking for a guild to recruit him back then. If he were, I doubt he’d need to do that.”
Marcus sighed, though his eyes stayed sharp. “Yeah, I know.”
Alister turned his head slightly, his slitted eyes glinting. “Get ready… You’re leaving—now.”
Warner hesitated, leaning toward Arden. “He’s really doing it…”
“Opening a sealed gate like it’s nothing. You sure we’re following the same guy you tried to recruit?”
Arden’s jaw tightened, his gaze flicking to Alister’s scaled hands. “Not sure of anything anymore…”
“But he’s our way out.”
Gina stepped forward, her usual bravado tempered by caution. “So, what, we just… walk through this?” She gestured at the gate.
Marcus smirked, nudging her. “Unless you wanna stick around for round two with the Emperor, yeah. Let’s go.”