CHAPTER 62: DOUBTS

Steven looked at Kieran with disgust in his eyes.

Of course, it was normal to feel fear when encountering the monsters in a realm for the first time.

But to boldly walk up to a senior awakened and request not only his own withdrawal, but that of the entire group? That was reckless arrogance—and it irritated Steven.

It wasn’t just Steven who was stunned by the request. Even Natasha and Henry were caught off guard.

But unlike Steven, they didn’t wear expressions of disappointment or disdain—only surprise.

’Did he see something that made him decide this?’ Henry wondered.

In the short time he’d spent with Kieran, he could already tell the guy wasn’t just brave and confident—he was also intelligent.

Whatever reason he had for making that call, it couldn’t be baseless.

Natasha seemed to think the same.

Anyone bold enough to speak to her so directly had to have some kind of backbone.

’Just what could make someone like him decide to quit the test?’ she thought.

Meanwhile, Steven’s condescending gaze stayed locked on Kieran.

’Does he think that just because he’s an SSS-ranked talent holder, he can throw out commands like some kind of leader?’ he scoffed internally.

And from the look in Steven’s eyes, Kieran could already tell—he was mistaking genuine concern for arrogance.

If even Alexa had been unsettled by the presence in the realm... how could the rest of them possibly stand a chance?

’Why do I always end up surrounded by idiots?’ Kieran thought, resisting the urge to sigh in frustration.

’Guess I’ll have to explain it to him.’

"Sir Steven, Stan and I sensed a very dangerous presence in the forest," Kieran said calmly. "We believe it belongs to a powerful beast. We suspect this realm is far more dangerous than expected, so for everyone’s safety, I thought it best to leave."

Behind him, Stan nodded vigorously in support, emphasizing just how terrifying the presence had been.

But Steven didn’t look convinced.

In fact, his expression grew even more disappointed.

"Just because you’re an SSS-ranked talent holder doesn’t mean every beast you can’t face is actually powerful," Steven said coldly, folding his arms. "If it was that strong, do you really think you’d have made it back here after seeing it?"

"We hid from it. It didn’t see us," Stan added, his voice trembling. "But we felt it. It was... terrifying."

The memory alone made Stan shiver. The presence of Castan

had burned itself into his mind.

Each time he thought about it, he could almost feel that oppressive gaze bearing down on him again.

Steven glanced at Stan with a smirk—and his disgust toward Kieran only deepened.

’He even dragged another awakened into his stupid imagination.’

He turned back to Stan, his tone suddenly softer.

"Don’t worry," he said with a fake, warm smile. "It wasn’t some terrifying beast. It’s just this newly awakened kid here—he thinks he knows everything and probably scared you with his nonsense."

He didn’t even acknowledge Kieran directly.

Kieran blinked, taken aback by the blatant disrespect.

"But Sir Steven, I’m sure of what I’m saying—" Kieran tried to insist.

"Enough!" Steven snapped. "If you want to run away like a coward because you saw some little creature, fine. I’ll tell you how to leave the tower. Just stop trying to mislead the others!"

His frustration exploded onto Kieran like a dam bursting.

"A dangerous beast? Please. You hid, and the beast didn’t even notice you? A real threat would’ve smelled you the moment you stepped into its territory and torn you apart!" he shouted, his voice rising.

"Let me guess—you didn’t even see it, right? And here you are, making wild assumptions? Mr. ’Dangerous Beast’? Don’t make me laugh!"

Kieran lowered his gaze, his fists clenched.

Steven wasn’t exactly wrong.

If it had been just a beast... it would’ve stayed on the hill, claimed its territory, and waited.

But it wasn’t a beast. It was Castan—and Castan was a king.

Would a king lurk around waiting for prey? Or stalk the forest like some aimless monster?

Of course not.

But Kieran couldn’t exactly tell them it was an elf.

He bit back the urge to punch Steven square in the face.

And he wasn’t the only one.

"This idiot... We should burn him," Alexa muttered darkly.

If it weren’t for Kieran’s presence, she’d have already sent the man into agonizing torment, then killed him once she got what she needed.

Kieran had actually been thinking about their safety.

And here was Steven, calling it misguided?

If Steven ever stood face-to-face with Castan, she was sure he’d piss himself in fear.

’No. It’s pointless,’ Kieran decided silently. ’I’ll just leave on my own.’

He didn’t have the time or energy to argue with fools—at least not right now.

Behind him, Stan hesitated. He wanted to speak up too.

The presence he’d felt back there... it was too terrifying to be a mistake.

But... could he really contradict a senior?

Stan clenched his fists tightly.

’Should I say something?’ he asked himself, caught between fear and truth.

"...."

"Sir Steven, please just tell me how to leave the tower," Kieran said, his tone calm but firm. "Since you all doubt my perception, I won’t waste any more time here."

Just as Steven opened his mouth to respond, Kieran cut in again, preventing any snide remark.

Steven scoffed.

"Hmph... At least you know when to admit you’re wrong," he muttered. "To leave the tower, just return to your starting point. Once you’re there, the tower system will appear again and give you the option to exit."

With that, he turned and walked back to his seat, his expression relaxing slightly. Venting his frustration on Kieran had helped lighten the burden on his shoulders, if only a little.

"Very well. Thank you, sir," Kieran said politely before turning to leave.

He had barely taken a few steps when a quiet voice called out behind him.

"Please... can I follow you back?"

Steven looked up, eyebrows furrowing in disappointment when he saw Stan standing hesitantly.

’He’s still scared, even after I reassured him,’ Steven thought, shaking his head.

"There are no penalties for leaving the tower," he said aloud, his tone flat. "But you’re likely to be sent back for a repeat. Leaving now would be pointless. It’s better to finish the trial in one go and get it over with."

Stan stood frozen, unsure.

’I’ll have to come back and repeat?’ he thought, casting a nervous glance at Kieran. He was torn—should he stay and risk facing that terrifying presence, or trust his instincts and go?

Kieran noticed the boy’s struggle but didn’t waste time waiting. Without hesitation, he turned and headed into the forest.

’I know what I sensed... it’s better to repeat than to die on my first try,’ Stan resolved, clenching his fists. With that, he quickly ran after Kieran.

"Sorry if I’m bothering you," Stan said as he caught up, his voice low.

Kieran glanced at him, slightly surprised.

’He chose to trust me over a senior awakened... That takes guts,’ he thought, a hint of admiration in his gaze.

"Don’t worry. Let’s get out of here," Kieran replied with a small, reassuring smile as he led the way.

He had no intention of turning back. Whatever was in that forest, it wasn’t something he wanted to stick around and argue about.

’I just hope nothing happens to those two,’ he thought, glancing briefly over his shoulder at Henry and Natasha.

He didn’t have any deep attachment to them, but they were the only ones he’d interacted with so far.

Still, his gaze didn’t linger. Without a word, he disappeared into the forest’s shadowy depths, Stan close behind.

Henry and Natasha sat in silence, quietly absorbing everything that had just happened.

Neither had spoken during the confrontation, but now a strange feeling settled in both their chests—an uneasy tension that wouldn’t go away.

’Why does it feel like he was right?’ Natasha thought, her expression unreadable as the disturbing sensation churned within her.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling.

It wasn’t just Natasha. Henry also wore a disturbed look as he stared in the direction Kieran had disappeared.

But his worry stemmed from something entirely different.

’His energy... it increased so much in such a short time?’ Henry thought, deeply unsettled.

Before they entered the tower, Kieran’s aura had felt like a dragon—wild, powerful, threatening to devour everything in its path.

But now... it was no longer just a dragon.

It had become something far greater.

A torrent of chaotic forces surged around him, all contained within a single body.

Henry couldn’t believe what he had sensed.

’I doubt they met any monsters—he is the monster!’ Henry thought, a bead of cold sweat trailing down his temple as the memory of Kieran’s overwhelming energy came rushing back.

It wasn’t just strong—it was raw, untamed, and terrifying.

"What? The two of you want to follow him too?" Steven asked, irritation in his voice as he noticed the pair still staring after Kieran.

"No, sir."

The response came instantly, both Henry and Natasha snapping out of their thoughts and turning to face him.

"Good," Steven said, trying to lighten the mood. "Was starting to wonder if you both sensed that ’dangerous beast’ too."

He gave a small laugh, hoping to brush things off with a joke—but neither of them laughed. Their gazes were locked on him, stiff and unblinking. Their expressions had turned pale, frozen, as if petrified by something unseen.

"What?" he asked, frowning at their reaction.

Then he felt it.

A shift in the air—something moving behind him.

His body froze.

Slowly, almost unwillingly, he turned his head.

And then his eyes met it.

A pair of bright, glowing sapphire eyes.