The roar of an ant went unnoticed in the gathering of elephants.
—
"Did I say something funny?" Kim Jun sounded almost like he was speaking to himself.
He blinked, swaying back and forth as his attention shifted to Liam. There was anger in his eyes, suppressed by confusion. Kim Jun's interest in Liam's identity had been piqued.
"Who is this?" Kim Jun's voice was low, carrying a tinge of suspicion.
Lia's frown only deepened, but she didn't bother to talk. A soldier whispered into Kim Jun's ear, and the suspicion in his eyes vanished in an instant—replaced by shock.
"Hold on, he's him?!" Kim Jun blurted out.
His doubtful glare on Liam remained as he argued silently with the soldier. After a minute or so of whispered exchanges, the soldier stepped back and Kim Jun was left standing in the center of the room, his attention fixated on Liam alone.
"You are the pioneer ascendant I've been hearing about?" he asked directly now.
Liam, on the other hand, was silent—rolling strings of noodles on his chopsticks with childish enthusiasm. It was almost as if he didn't notice Kim Jun.
"Yummy!"
Liam exclaimed after swallowing. The genuine smile on his face in this situation left everyone confused. Even Lia thought he was too relaxed for this embarrassing situation.
"Did he not hear me?" Kim Jun asked the soldier.
Calmly, Liam wiped his lips with a napkin before shifting his amused attention to the drunk Asian.
"Yes. Yes I am," he said with a weird smile.
On Kim Jun were several dark runes, each pulsating with strong energy. After experiencing this with Professor Brighton, Liam had come to the conclusion that the intensity of a seal was directly proportional to the intensity of the crime.
The murder seal on a man who had killed only one person would not be as intense as that of someone who had killed ten people.
Rape, murder, bribery, and so many more... Who is this adventurous lil' fella? Liam was intrigued.
To actively participate in so many crimes and still walk free, he had to be related to someone of high political standing.
"Oh, he heard me," Kim Jun muttered almost absentmindedly.
He promptly wiped his palm on his shirt before staggering toward Liam like a drunk fool and sticking out his hand for a shake.
"Kim Jun. Governor Jun's only child," he introduced himself proudly.
For a moment Liam's eyes dilated in shock and his mind raced.
Governor Jun.
How could he not know the name of the man who had managed to remain the governor of the western province for 20 consecutive years?
This was his son?
Now it makes sense. Liam's eyes narrowed, but he still shook Kim Jun's hand.
"Liam Wilfred," he said softly.
Kim Jun grinned excitedly, lacking the fury he initially started with. Leaning in closer, his eyes darted around as if to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
"Your curse hasn't been revealed yet and everyone is waiting. Knowing who I am, you know I hate waiting..." Kim Jun began speaking while Liam listened attentively, even nodding occasionally.
"So... I was wondering if you could give me VIP access to that information..." Kim Jun's tone was more demanding than requesting, but Liam didn't mind.
This kind of behavior was expected of Kim Jun's status.
"Enough!" Lia's yell instantly stole everyone's attention.
For a moment, Liam, Kim Jun, and the soldiers stared at a fuming ascendant who had lost her patience with Kim Jun.
Under everyone's gaze, she stood up and walked to Liam's side of the table. Without hesitation, she grabbed Kim Jun by the hand and pulled him away, leaving the room with him.
Liam's eyes trailed their movement while he ate quietly. Staff and soldiers were stuck between begging and apologizing, which he found especially amusing.
Several minutes passed, and Lia returned with an apologetic look, but Liam didn't lift his face to meet her gaze. He focused on his food until she sat back down, then spoke.
"You finally take a boy out, and it's to the last place you spent with your ex," Liam joked while slicing through a large piece of steak with uncanny focus.
His tone was laced with amusement, but his visage was cold and detached, leaving Lia confused on how to respond. She pondered in silence for several seconds before speaking.
"We never dated. It was just a one-night stand. He just can't seem to get that through his thick skull," she countered.
A small smile broke Liam's cold face, and he tossed a piece of meat into his mouth. She watched him chew with excitement, acting like this uncomfortable conversation wasn't happening.
But why am I so nervous to clear the misunderstanding? It's not like we're dating or something. What the heck— we even met today! Lia reminded herself.
"What normal human would forget an ascendant boyfriend or girlfriend? We're a rare commodity. This reaction should have been expected." Liam shrugged while playing with his salad.
Lia admitted this with a nod. Who wouldn't want to be the one person who could get into the pants of a man or woman capable of fighting angels and participating in the Armageddon Games?
Their vital role in the society coupled with the fragility of their existence would naturally keep whoever they decide to get with thrilled and excited in the relationship.
She had only hooked up with the governor's son out of boredom. He was the governor's son, and he was good-looking, so why not?
But now she couldn't seem to shake him off. Texts bombarding her line every day. She kept blocking his number, but he kept getting new ones and creating new emails to reach her.
Lia was truly embarrassed by today's encounter and wanted to put an end to it. She raised her gaze only to see Liam staring at her intently while still playing with his food.
His eyes were blank and his smile looked empty. It felt as if he had foreseen she would make a request soon.
This... this person... Lia mumbled internally, filled with confusion.
The instincts of a Hunter-curse wielder were said to be second only to those of a Prophecy-curse wielder. She could hear her guts scream danger each time she met his gaze, but that was what fueled her curiosity.
What kind of predator could threaten another predator?
What kind of person was Liam to make her feel unsafe?
She was stronger, much more experienced, and had even risen to the 8th step of the Tower of Heaven. Yet this kid—who had only learned his curse's name today—was keeping her on her toes.
"I need your help..." Lia admitted reluctantly.
She watched as Liam's small smile bloomed into a wide grin. He casually nodded and gestured for her to continue.
"I can't do anything about Kim Jun because of his status. However, I can shatter his dreams by dating someone..."
"And that has to be someone he can't bully with his status..."
"An Ascendant!" they both said simultaneously.
Liam leaned back and rubbed his chin while nodding. Their thoughts were clearly aligned, and he had no problem helping Lia with this small issue—if she was willing to repay his kindness.
He raised one finger and said shamelessly, "One condition."
Lia nodded casually, as if she already expected that.
"Of course."
"Good. Then I want you to be my personal instructor in the art of mysticism during the duration of our false relationship." Liam didn't hold back.
Ruth wanted him dead, and Jackson Bridge had a cautious nature that would naturally reflect in his mysticism skills. What he needed was someone like Lia—a hunter, bold but also cautious.
Someone bold enough to traverse the deadly fields of mysticism with him.
Among all the older ascendants in the western province, she was the best choice for him.
However, this request was met with a deep frown and clear signs of hesitation.
"Shouldn't you wait six months like others?" Lia's voice was laced with unwillingness.
Liam shook his head.
"That is my condition," he said firmly, offering no explanation.
Lia fell silent again, troubled. She pondered for a while under Liam's patient gaze and eventually let out a defeated sigh.
"Fine. But only if you agree to follow my instructions and move at my pace," she demanded sternly.
"Sure," Liam agreed without a thought, his face calm but excitement bubbling inside him.
Now he had a physical and spiritual trainer to occupy his time for the next three months. After that, he knew the chaos that would befall Lanista would be overwhelming.
He needed to get himself as ready as possible before the war.
With that, no other words were exchanged. They focused on their meal, occasionally stealing glances at each other—wondering what came next now their lives were intertwined.