The Poet's System
Chapter 77: Short Journey

Chapter 77: Short Journey

"I suppose you’ve already spoken to my Ren," Alucard said, his expression unreadable.

"Ren?"

He finally turned to Daylan, confusion flickering across his face. "Ranveer. Pry."

Realizing who he meant, Daylan gave a quick nod.

"Good. I can only cover for you for so long. Finish your task before it finishes you." With that, he turned and walked away.

All the while, Pry remained silent, asleep on Daylan’s shoulder.

"Pride City, huh?" Medora said as they waited for the carriage.

"I don’t think we’re getting into the city,"

Daylan said, glancing at the map they’d been handed earlier. He pointed at a forest near Pride City.

"He said there’s a swarm of A-rank demonic monsters out there. We take them down, and we officially become Divine Arches."

It wasn’t long before the carriage arrived. They climbed in, and without delay, it rolled off toward the east.

The best way to reach Pride City—especially the forest Daylan and Medora were headed to—was by sea.

However, because of Daylan’s strained relationship with the ocean, they decided to travel by land instead.

The journey would likely take two days, assuming they didn’t run into any trouble. At least that was what they recorded.

As the carriage rolled along, they spotted a few red dragons soaring overhead. Each powerful beat of their wings sent gusts of wind sweeping across the ground, yet the citizens remained unfazed—as if it were something they experienced every day.

Their eyes didn’t linger on the sky for long; something in the movement of the citizens caught their attention. Everyone seemed to be heading in the same direction—toward the church.

"Will they all fit into the church?" Medora asked, glancing back.

Daylan simply shrugged, his eyes scanning the crowded street, mildly annoyed by how it robbed the city of its usual serenity.

It didn’t take long for them to leave the city behind. Ahead stretched a quiet, neatly paved road, the carriage rails gliding gently along its surface.

Pry woke up in less than an hour, leaped onto the seat, stretched, and then gave herself a quick shake. "How long was I out?"

Medora turned to her in shock, nearly jumping out of her seat. Daylan burst into laughter. "This is the Ascendant of Pry—the one who placed Dexter’s soul in me."

Medora stayed confused, her eyes still fixed on Pry.

"She isn’t a cat. I’m not exactly sure what she is, but she’s not that. And apparently, her human name was my Ren."

Daylan turned to Pry. "Care to explain?"

"How dumb are you?" She shook her head and gave an annoyed chuckle.

"The only person who gets to call me that is Alucard. Call me Pry—not Ranveer, and definitely not Ren."

"You’re in a relationship with Captain Alucard?"

Medora finally spoke, her expression puzzled.

"How does that matter?"

Daylan turned to both of them, his expression even more confused. "Is that true? And Dora, how did you know?"

Both Medora and Pry shook their heads in disbelief.

"The driver will take you to meet someone," Pry said. "It won’t take more than a day to get there. However, he’ll return and report that you were taken by the demonic monsters."

"Is this the person you mentioned earlier?"

"No. This person will prepare you both for what lies ahead. But the time you’ll need will depend on how well they can help you improve."

"Why does the driver have to lie about us being taken?" Medora asked.

"Because that’s the only way to ensure Daylan finishes this task—and keeps his position as a Divine Arch. You, however... no matter how strong you become, you’ll still have to return to the Royal Capital."

Pry stretched lazily. "The person you’re meeting holds a higher status—someone even your fellow Divine Arches would bow to.

So make sure you don’t disrespect him... No more talking. Being in this cat’s body is exhausting."

She turned to Daylan and leaped into his arms. "We’ll talk again once you get there," she said, then fell asleep.

"What are they preparing you for?" Medora asked quietly, concern evident in her voice.

"A chance to get my father out of the Nether. I don’t even know exactly what they’re preparing me for. She just said I’d have to meet someone I’d love to meet—but I don’t know who."

This was a line worth crossing—not just for Daylan, but for Medora as well. She understood the weight of it—the burden of carrying someone or something always in the back of your mind. If done right, this could help Daylan feel like his family was whole again.

She didn’t bother asking any questions—just stared at him as he braced his hands against the cat. She knew what to do, so she did it. She broke the heavy silence with cheerful conversation.

Their talks went on for hours, and before they knew it, an enormous presence began looming over them. At first, it was faint—but the closer they got, the heavier it became.

It demanded their full attention, but the driver seemed unfazed—as if it was a presence he was used to.

"Is this the person who’ll be training us?" Medora asked, her body trembling at the presence alone.

"I think so."

The driver turned to them with a smirk. Daylan and Medora exchanged glances—was he laughing at their reaction or just glad they were still breathing?

By then, it was almost evening, but before long, they spotted a mansion in the distance—clearly the place they were meant to be.

They were glad to have arrived, yet the intensity of the aura showed no sign of fading.

The mansion blended Renaissance and Victorian elements. Its exterior was built from grey stone with beige accents, featuring large, elegant windows—many topped with graceful arches. Tall trees surrounded the estate, adding to its stately presence.

The entrance featured multiple arched doorways, with a prominent central one framed by wide stairs that welcomed visitors.

At the top of the stairs stood a young boy, roughly the same age as Zira, with white hair.

He wore a white shirt and black pants and greeted them with a warm smile.

As they neared, he hurried over and opened the door. Daylan and Medora exchanged confused glances. Was he the one they were supposed to meet? Yet, they couldn’t sense any aura from him.

He bowed his head. "Hi, I’m Asaemon. I’ll be taking you to the master."

Oh, it’s not him.

The driver carried their luggage inside as they followed Asaemon down the hallway.

The stone walls felt cold and sharp, but multiple windows let in views of the forest and greenery outside, bringing a surprising warmth to the mansion that stood isolated in the middle of nowhere.

Before long, they arrived at the living room. The space was surrounded by multiple windows, but its focal point was a fireplace, roaring with an endless fire.

To their left stood a library, and before a desk sat an old man with a long white beard and hair. Though his beard and wrinkles marked his age, his body and presence told a different story.

The moment he spotted them, he rose to his feet and approached. "You’ve arrived," he said with a smile. His voice was deep and heavy.

He gestured toward a few gray sofas arranged at the center of the room. "As for the overwhelming aura—you’ll get used to it soon, trust me."

Both Daylan and Medora nodded in unison before taking their seats, and Asaemon did the same.

"I hope Ranveer has told you everything already."

Daylan shook his head. "She’s still sleeping."

Asaemon smirked, rose to his feet, and picked up Pry. "Well, either way, her mission is done for now."

Daylan’s expression darkened. "Her mission? Do you know about me too?"

"That doesn’t matter right now. What matters is that you train to the best of your ability—so you can master your system."

"My system?"

She slapped his forehead in disbelief. "I guess she didn’t tell you that either."

"She also said I’d have to meet someone of interest."

"Well, she wasn’t wrong." He shrugged, and then his expression darkened. "Most of what you’ll learn here is known by only a few humans."

Both Daylan and Medora nodded.

"Each trial a person faces somehow sets their future in stone. If your worth artifact isn’t strong enough, it reflects your value as a human. The stronger it becomes, the more your value increases.

The same goes for Luck abilities—if they’re weak, even a single gust of wind can kill you. In short, you’re useless. But the stronger they get, the more they act like armor, helping you survive the most crucial moments."

Medora cast curious glances around, realizing this truth went beyond mere abilities, while Daylan simply listened.

"However, having a fate ability is a double-edged sword. If you don’t truly understand it, it can work against you.

The moment you gain the ability, your fate is already written—your desires and will don’t matter unless they’re part of that script.

That’s why it gives you tasks: it already knows what will happen next and steers you toward a path it wants you to follow."

It paused for a moment. "Don’t get me wrong—unless you’re the devil incarnate, whatever task your system gives you is for your own good. But that doesn’t mean you have any say in your life as a human, does it?"

Daylan began playing with his fingers and shook his head.

The man gestured for Asaemon to get to his feet. "Who you see at the moment is Asaemon." Asaemon removed his shirt, and suddenly, two curved horns appeared on his head, and his body was also covered in sea-blue circle tattoos.

"And now, this is Spirit." Asaemon then transformed.

Daylan remained calm and unfazed, beginning to grasp what the man was saying.

"Spirit is Asaemon’s ability—its true name and form. To hold your destiny in your hands as a fate ability user and to fully harness its power, you must make it submit to you. In time, it will reveal its true name, and you will become one with it."

"If I’m understanding you right, I have to fight my ability and win? How’s that supposed to save my father?"

"You already know how strong your ability is firsthand, so I don’t need to tell you... which also means you know exactly who you’re up against."

He glanced outside for a moment. "It’s getting late. You kids should sleep. We begin tomorrow."

Both Daylan and Medora rose to their feet as Asaemon started to show them their rooms.

Before Daylan could leave, Medora turned back. "What’s your name, please?"

"Oh, sorry about that. I am the Blind Prophet."

Daylan’s expression darkened. "Aren’t you the writer of The Chaos Serene? One of the Vital Five?"

The Blind Prophet smiled. "You’ve read my book? I’m honored."

"But I thought you were actually blind."

"Yes, I am."

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