I Am Really The Best Anti Hero In Another World!-System Of Anti Hero!
Chapter 43 - Frozen Fire – Part 2

Chapter 43 - 43 - Frozen Fire – Part 2

[Frozen Fire – something that goes by many names – regarded as a curse by humans because it burns its bearer from the inside out, yet desired by beasts that wield flames as their primary weapon, since it can strengthen them immensely]

[It is a unique flame that is born exclusively in the bodies of the humans who best suit the beasts' method of cultivation – the only people capable of evolving by consuming the flesh of these creatures without any special preparation required]

'...So this flame is like the flames of phoenixes or dragons...? A beast's flame that isn't acquired by obtaining a specific lineage, but is born with a certain host... Shouldn't that make it even easier to control?'

[One must possess a lineage – any lineage – to be able to use this flame]

[People in the lower realms do not possess such knowledge, which is why they view this flame as a curse]

[But those born with such a condition in the upper realms are regarded as unparalleled geniuses; all they need to do is acquire a lineage to be able to harness it]

[Warning!]

[Beings with such a condition are typically sought after by the deities of the upper realms, for Frozen Flames can be transferred to another host if the original owner is still alive]

'...And if he dies...?'

[The flame vanishes along with its host and, at the same time, another is born somewhere within that realm – only one Frozen Flame may exist per realm]

'...So that's why the deities search for them in the lower realms... It's a treasure hunt.'

[Affirmative!]

'...This reaction of yours... Does it have any connection with the 'aid in the pursuit of power' tale...?'

[Affirmative!]

[Opportunities that are beyond the user's current knowledge should be reported and explained – encouraging them to seek these out is also one of the rules]

Seeing Noah lost in thought, the old man ventured to ask:

— You... do you know anything about this, young man...?

in a nasal tone—which Noah finds both disgusting and odd, knowing it's all pretense. He had seen such scenes too many times to be fooled by them.

"Perhaps... I'm not sure. It might be that I read something about it, or maybe not..."

"Really?! What did you read about? Can you tell me?!"

Even his enthusiasm was feigned—Noah couldn't quite pinpoint the reason. The story of Frozen Fire was partly true, yet he couldn't say to what extent. The old man before him was no ordinary person; he was far stronger than Arthur, the so-called general of the city—which raises the possibility that, despite being here, he might be from someplace else... perhaps an upper realm, who knows.

Something even deities seek—Noah wondered if the risk was really worth it. For something so rare and powerful, the answer came without hesitation:

'It's obvious that it's worth it.'

"I can tell you that Frozen Fire is, as far as I know, a flame that gradually consumes its bearer," he said, capturing the gentleman's full attention and interest. "But there's something that few know about it..."

The pause in his speech left the old man visibly agitated—making it clear that his interest was genuine after all. Yet Noah could feel intense, focused eyes from the surrounding crowd directed at him; people who were just as interested in his words as this man. And the fact that the old man hadn't noticed something so obvious led Noah to conclude either that the man was far more incompetent and inattentive than he had thought, or that all those people were on the same side.

"What is it?!" the old man exclaimed, agitated—as if every new piece of information were precious to him. "What were you going to say, young man?"

"...Ah, my apologies... I got lost in my thoughts," Noah said, offering a restrained smile that betrayed his nervousness. "Forgive me—the point I was trying to make is that what many don't know is there's actually a way to deal with this illness... and it's quite simple, really."

"Simple...?"

The old man noticed the sudden change in the boy—the shift in his facial expressions and even his body movements. His tense posture and limited gestures clearly signaled fear; yet the oppressive feeling still lingered, and that look—beyond the superficial and fragile façade—it seemed that not even Noah could hide his true self from the most perceptive of eyes.

"Well, yes, but... I don't think this is the place for us to discuss it, is it, sir?"

Glancing around, the man found himself facing an ever-growing crowd that kept swelling by the minute—many of them had no idea what the situation was about. They'd merely gathered where lots of people were and, like all the curious ones, stayed close to see what was going on—a reaction that snowballed quickly, from just a few to a multiplied mass in the blink of an eye.

The old man sighed.

"Yes, you're right..." he said as he gathered his things from the table. "Please, follow me, young man."

Noah walked a few paces behind him—but what bewildered him was that those observing their interaction didn't seem to follow the same pattern.

Fortunately for him, the old man headed in the direction Noah had already planned to take—northwest—combining business with pleasure. The man's caution was striking; Noah could swear that, for a few moments, he even saw the glint of blades peeking from beneath the old man's worn clothes—but the man did nothing throughout the entire way.

Even as they passed through the deserted street in the upscale part of the city and headed toward the forest gate, the old man maintained a solemn silence, lost in thought—perhaps contemplating ways to handle the boy in case he were lying, or so Noah concluded.

"Your outfit is completely at odds with the direction we're heading, sir... Are you sure you live around here?"

"...Not here."

The old man made no pause to enter any nearby houses and continued straight toward the forest—a decision that left Noah rather uneasy. After all, to be so at home in that place, the old man might be far stronger than Noah had imagined.

"Come a bit closer, boy. This area can be dangerous," the old man said as he glanced at Noah while drawing nearer, then continued:

— And I expect that whatever you have to say is true and worthwhile in the end. Otherwise...

A strange pressure suddenly arose around him—something different from the presence of the semi-dragon or the Stellar Demon Wolf—a feeling that was more... artificial than natural. It made Noah think that if that were truly all the old man had to try to threaten him, then in the end there wouldn't be any trouble at all.

He then smiled as he replied:

— Of course, don't worry... It'll definitely be worth it.