The Forsaken Heir's Ascension-Chapter 168: Saint level Assassin

Alex’s eyes turned bloodshot.

His heartbeat thundered like a war drum. His jaw clenched as he gathered what strength he had left.With a roar of willpower, he forced all five of his wood-elemental circles to activate at once.

Golden-green light exploded around him, bathing his body in its warmth.

The energy surged through him like a tide of life—meeting the invading blue aura head-on.The two forces clashed inside him in a silent battle.

Bit by bit, the cold invader was melted, dissolved by the purifying nature of wood essence.But the cost was heavy—All of Alex’s elemental energy was consumed.

Finally...The pain stopped.

Alex gasped, chest heaving, and collapsed back into the snow.His muscles relaxed, his body trembling from exhaustion.He looked up—Selene was right above him, tears still falling freely, her lips trembling.

He smiled, eyes soft despite the pain, and raised a shaking hand to touch her cheek."I’m okay, Sel..." he whispered.

Selene wiped her tear-filled eyes, trying to compose herself, then smiled.

Without warning, she threw herself onto Alex’s chest."Oof!"

Alex let out a breathless grunt as the air was knocked from his lungs.

Selene instantly backed away, her smile vanishing. "Are you still hurt?!"

Alex chuckled, wincing slightly but keeping his tone light."No, I’m not... but you’re a little heavy for me."

She rolled her eyes, pouted, then gave his shoulder a light slap. "Idiot."

He laughed softly and slowly stood, brushing the snow off his clothes.

But the warmth quickly left his face. His expression turned sharp, eyes scanning the horizon with focused intensity.Selene stood beside him, following his gaze."He got away... Did you see who it was?"

Alex shook his head, his jaw tightening. "No. He was too fast... But the aura that entered me from his dagger—"He clenched his fists, remembering the pain."—it was more dangerous than any poison I’ve ever encountered."

Meanwhile, far above them, hidden in the white silence of the frozen canopy, a shadow perched atop a snow-covered tree.

Shrouded in darkness, the figure sat motionless.Only his glowing blue eyes shimmered through the veil of frost and shadow.A low growl rumbled from his throat."How did he survive... the aura of a Sage?"His voice was guttural.

"Not even I—at the peak of Saint level—can endure that without falling."His glowing eyes narrowed, focusing on Alex in the distance.

"This mission... just became much more difficult."

Meanwhile..

Far from Alex and Selene, on the outskirts of the Frozen Hell, a hidden threat stirred.Deep within the belly of a colossal ice-covered mountain, a cavern yawned open like the mouth of an ancient beast. Inside, in the pitch-black dark, something awoke.A pair of glowing golden eyes blinked into existence—followed by a glimmering grin of sharp, white teeth that flashed ominously in the shadows.

A whisper echoed through the cavern, soft and chilling:"So... you are already roaming in the Frozen Hell."

Nerzalia, stepped out of her lair. With a single beat of her wings, she rose into the air—her form slicing through the icy wind as she flew, heading toward the direction of Alex and Selene.

Meanwhile...

Alex and Selene treaded cautiously across the vast snowy plains, Hati padding silently behind them.Their muscles were tense, eyes sharp, scanning every ridge and drift. The snow crunched faintly under their boots.

Hati’s ears twitched. His nose lifted to the wind, sniffing. He growled low, alert and wary.

The outskirts were dangerous enough—monsters roamed freely, and now an assassin had marked Alex. Every step forward felt heavier.Eventually, they reached the edge of the plains.

In the distance loomed a thick line of gnarled, towering trees—the Dark Forest. The canopy was so dense that sunlight barely touched the snow within. A place far more dangerous than the plains.They halted.

Should they enter now? Or rest and recover before braving its shadows?Alex looked at Selene. She gave a small nod, her expression calm but resolute.He turned his gaze upward, scanning the nearby mountain slope. A cave jutted out from the side, circular and dark, the ice around its entrance oddly smooth, like it had been carved or melted clean.Alex pointed toward it and whispered, "Let’s move there."

Their stomachs growled, hunger gnawing at them, but they ignored it. Safety came first.Together, they made their way toward the base of the mountain, heading for the cave that watched them like a hollow, frozen eye.

The sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the sky in hues of crimson and violet. Shadows stretched across the icy landscape like creeping tendrils of dusk.Alex conjured shadow daggers—one in each hand, and two more at his feet like cleats.

Crunch!

He pierced the sturdy ice wall and began climbing slowly, anchoring himself with each careful stab.

Above him, Selene moved with ease, shaping steps out of ice beneath her feet as she leapt upward with grace.

She smiled down at Alex as she reached the ledge—twenty meters above the ground—where a man-sized cave entrance waited like a mouth in the frozen cliff.

Alex rolled his eyes at her display.Show-off.

Hati bounded after Selene, leaping up the ice steps with surprising agility. When he reached her side, he looked back down at Alex—tail wagging, eyes proud.

Alex reached the cave shortly after, panting lightly.

Together, they entered the cave.It was cold and dark. Jagged ice spikes hung from the ceiling near the entrance like the fangs of a sleeping beast. They crouched low and moved carefully inward.Inside, the cave floor transitioned into dry, uneven stone. The walls were rough and half-covered in thick sheets of darkened ice.

Only a faint twilight glow crept in from the entrance.

Finally, they sat down—exhausted. Their breaths escaped in puffs of fog.

Selene raised her hand, and spikes of ice rose from the floor to seal the entrance behind them.

Anyone trying to climb up would have a rough time—and those spikes would ensure they’d be heard long before they made it through.

Then, Selene reached into her bag and pulled out yellow light stones. She put it on the middle of cave ground casting a warm glow throughout the cave.

Alex took out from his spatial ring a bundle of well-cooked meat skewers—cold now, but still edible.

He handed some to Selene and tossed one to Hati.

They ate in silence, each chewing slowly, recovering strength.

Afterward, they leaned against the cold stone wall. Eyes heavy. Limbs aching. The cave was quiet.

But not for long.

Hati’s ears twitched.

His body tensed.

Alex’s eyes opened slowly, catching Selene’s gaze—those pale blue eyes already wide and alert.

She gave him a small nod.

Then, both of them closed their eyes again, steadying their breathing, playing the part of resting travellers.

Waiting and listening quietly.

For the assassin to make his nextmove.

Hati, catching on, followed their lead—closing his eyes and pretending to be asleep, his breathing slow and steady.

Alex, eyes shut, spoke inwardly to himself:I don’t want to kill him... not yet. I want to know who’s behind this. I’ve erased all traces of my connection to the Veylor Clan. So who’s this determined to see me dead? Someone powerful enough to send a Saint-level assassin after me?

Crunch!

A faint sound echoed through the cave—the unmistakable step of someone entering.The man, still cloaked in darkness, crept cautiously inside. His blue glowing eyes darted around the cave.He spotted both teenagers lying motionless, seemingly asleep.

A quiet sigh escaped him.

Confident, he crept closer, dagger gleaming in the dim light.

He loomed above Alex and raised the blade, aiming it precisely at Alex’s neck.

A sinister smile crept across his face.

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