The next couple of days passed by quickly. My mood was ruined a bit by the news of the kidnapping, but I made sure to enjoy the feast properly with my clan members. Turns out a few of them could handle cooking but a good amount of it was brought it from that free City we first found ourselves.

  I had no idea what anything was, but I made sure to try as many things as I could. Unfortunately I didn’t find anything akin to spaghetti. I didn’t think about my parents much these days, since I had already grown used them not being around even before the Tutorial, but some days I missed them a little bit more.

  Anyway, Izanshi had not begun her breakthrough like I thought she would by now and I learned it was actually going to take longer to do so. It was likely because she had not gained the necessary understanding by her own merit and instead used a treasure.

  Apparently, that was normal.

  She only stopped her meditation to greet me when I got out from my own breakthrough, and she went right back to it. Hopefully she can be successful soon. Though the thought of relying on her and Lidaz and possibly even Rellia to protect me from Immortals really wasn’t sitting well with me.

  It was already upsetting me to get saved from that rat bastard, then having my flames pushed back by that bald, black scaled mermaid man, then having my people forced to their knees, and who knows what else is going to come my way.

  There had to be a way past this.

  I’ve been told enough that reaching the peak wouldn’t be hard for me and it would simply require time and effort. I don’t lack effort, but I can’t seem to get enough time. I refuse to believe there isn’t a way around that.

  Maybe some treasure to speed up time around a certain area. Maybe some type of chamber to go train for where a year would pass inside and a minute passed by in real life. Perhaps one of those minor world things I used to read about where time moved at different speed inside from outside.

  There had to be something.

  It was these thoughts that plagued my mind right up until a small group from the High Flame Sect arrived at our gates. One of them was an Immortal and even I could tell he was stronger than Lidaz but he did not act like it.

  Instead he calmly greeted our people and allowed himself to be led through our gates and to a room in which we could meet. Pleasantries were exchanged and before we were seated at the same time.

  Myself and that lone Immortal. The others he brought with him were all Nascent Soul and stood to his back, while for me both Vrusha and Lidaz were in the room.

  I thought he would question the fact he was talking to me instead of Lidaz but he showed no reaction to it.

  “I will get straight to the point if you do not mind.”

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  I nodded at him and he continued.

  “The High Flame Sect would like to officially request your partnership in retrieving a treasure. It is guarded by a truly powerful beast and thousands of her spawn. We do not fear killing the beast, but a fight with it in its current positions risks the treasure we seek.

  “We are asking if your people are willing to help us either lure it away from the treasure or work to kill it where it is while we receive the treasure. We are willing to pay a significant sum for your efforts and part with many of the materials gathered.

  “All we ask for is sole possession of the treasure in question.”

  Perhaps if I was a greedy man, I would’ve pressed him for more information regarding the treasure and what it was, but honestly, I don’t care. Payment and materials along with building what could be at least a positive relationship with another force is good enough for me.

  I don’t really care about making friends but I’m not sure arrogant that I can’t see the benefits of having friendly relations with the groups around you.

  “That works with me, let us know when and where you want to carry out this operation and we’ll be there.

  “Lidaz, I leave this in your hands. Take the entirety of the Black Dawn with you and ensure the reputation of this clan is handled properly. Burn it all.”

  After saying that I stood up and left and I could hear Lidaz immediately take over the conversation from that point while Vrusha fell in step behind me.

  ‘Forgive me for overstepping Patriarch, but is everything alright?’

  It was Vrusha’s voice. I guess he could tell I was more than a little annoyed. Perhaps I should be going to the fight with the High Flame Sect myself but the thought of the reality of the situation simply angered me even more.

  The Vice Sect Master described the beast as powerful, which meant it was on the same level as an Immortal. Which meant without significant assistance from the Eternal Flame I would once again be useless against such a creature.

  I’m tired of it.

  There was part of me that understood that in a way these thoughts of mine were of ignorance and twice as much arrogance, and ten times the amount of impatience attached to it all. I was already basically guaranteed to reach the peak, yet here I was complaining that I can’t fight things that were all likely hundreds of years older than me.

  If given the same amount of time I would be far stronger than I am now, I am sure of it.

  But fuck it all. I don’t give a damn. I am sick and tired of having to depend on others to fight my battles for me.

  ‘No need to apologize Vrusha, I am fine, but there is something I must handle. Ensure I am not bothered until I emerge from my meditation room.’

  ‘Understood Patriarch.’

  On that note I walked into the meditation room, took a seat, calmed myself down and closed my eyes to focus.

  It’s about time I used my racial qualities to the fullest. I’ve already been told plenty of times about who I am and how I can communicate with Chaos and how it’s supposedly my ‘actual’ parent.

  So if there’s anyone whom I can ask for help regarding my time issue, then I would hope something as old as the damn Multiverse can help me.

  Alright.

  ‘Azh’Kharel can you hear me?’

  There was nothing for a while, and just when I was getting ready to ask again, that same voice that has always felt like it belonged to true member of my family could be heard in my mind.

  ‘You called for me child?’

  ‘Yes, I did. I want to know if there is a way to accelerate time to allow for more efficient training. I do not fear problems coming to my doorstep, but I despise being too weak to make a difference simply due to a lack of time.’

  The voice chuckled, and to me it sounded like a grandpa watching his grandkids take their first step or something like that.

  ‘I see child, and I would expect nothing less from my kin. Even time can grow chaotic, and it knows better than to apply order where it does not belong. Do not fret child, one of your siblings will soon visit.’

  And with that last line the voice faded away and its presence left.

  Even time can grow chaotic huh?

  I suppose that counts for something when chaos itself is the one saying it.