Tower Ascension

"Why business? And, why her?" Camellia froze when Peter chose Anne for the business. From experience and qualification, she was more suited to be a CEO. After all, being CEO isn't an easy job.

"She is only temporary until father and mother wake. As for why we need to crush vampires economically otherwise Council won't support us. As for the business, it needs to flesh out but the rough idea is about the tool that can improve one's physical strength." Peter explains the plan that he drafted a few hours ago.

"Wait, a tool that can improve one's physical strength. Like really?" James didn't believe but he knows Peter rarely lies. At least, he doesn't lie in such conditions.

"That tool is me. My soul talent is not the physical power, flame, or armor, it's pretty unique. I can't disclose a lot but I am the tool that can help someone to improve their physical strength. Something that I can create can help you."

"So, for now, that will be our business. We can go deeper later. That's why I came to you, James. I need your help. Because alone? I can't do that. I need someone with a greater background. Camellia would a good choice unfortunately she can't get involved with me directly."

"That would endanger my family. Of course, either way, it will endanger my family but I need time. But this is the third step. We need to complete the first stage of the plan only then we can move to the second stage." Peter explained further.

Suddenly, he raised his head and looked at Jack "Can you contact Hao?"

Jack thought for a moment and said "I can contact him but it would be hard to get a reply. You know our relationship hasn't been fixed yet."

"Why Hao?" James looked at Peter and asked.

"Didn't I say we are going to assemble the old team together? What could be better than using an enemy?" Peter smirked as he replied.

"You son of.."

"Language!" Peter shouted when James tried to curse him. He knew why James got angry all of sudden. Hao was their early friend but he left the group the moment he awakened Platinum Rank Soul Talent. From that moment, they didn't bother contacting him even for a moment.

"But, will he accept?" Jack asked.

"Tell him, this will equal our deal after this." Peter already had a condition to convince him. Of course, there was a fifty chance that it wouldn't work. And, then he might have changed his plans for the second step.

"So, what will you do now?" James asked as he sighed over Hao's fact.

"I need to meet someone. Well, I am not sure whether I can truly meet him." Peter spoke as he turned at Anne and said "For now, stay with Camellia, okay? I have something to do."

"Alright, but don't keep me waiting!" Anne was still unwilling to let him leave but she got no choice. Just in a few hours, her perspective and knowledge have expanded.

"Aron, can you come out for a second?" Peter tilts his head and calls for Aron while walking out.

Aron looked confused but he still follows him out. They walked very far away from others.

Peter turns his head at Aron and said "Follow Jack! If you think something is wrong, then do what you need to do."

"Yes, young master!" Aron finally understood why Peter specifically asked for him. He smiled and nodded his head, after that he returns while Peter walked away. He went back to his home but when he stepped in, the music suddenly plays.

"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, dear!"

"This song brings nostalgic memories." A hoarse voice startled him. For a moment, his heartbeat reacted but soon calmed down.

"Yeah, I don't know whether to hate this song or love it," Peter spoke as he walked inside.

"You should love this. If you had cried, you, I, and your mother would've died." The man slowly walked into Peter's vision. He was tall, nearly seven feet. His body was muscular and his hair was brown. He had blue pupils in his eyes. He was wearing shorts and a half-shirt.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Peter knew he couldn't argue with that and accepted his love for this song.

"So, what made you leave me such message? I knew I would see you but when you failed to awaken, I thought our paths were separated." Nolan spoke as he looked at Peter.

"Well, I awakened so our path has collided once again." Peter shrugged his shoulders and answered.

"I can see that. Your body has grown strong. So, what soul talent did you awaken?" Nolan asked as he stared at Peter.

"That's the problem and exact reason why I called you." Peter didn't answer at once. He wanted to make Nolan feel little desperation.

"So, what do you want?" Nolan sighed and asked.

"I want to be your disciple." Peter's words surprised him. For one thing, disciple-teacher, there are very few with such relationship. Because they cannot improve, there was no reason to be someone's disciple.

"And, what does this have to do with your soul talent?" Nolan soon calmed down and asked.

"My soul talent is unique. It allows me to access something I call Mana Crystals from the dead body of the monsters. Sometimes these mana crystals not only contain mana but also unique talents. In my case, I have acquired flame, immense physical strength, and a beast armor."

"Of course, using all of these will consume my stamina. Of course, there is one thing that can be done with mana crystal. If we can merge mana with stamina, we can create a fluid known as IE. If we inject IE in someone's body, his physical body attributes will grow."

"I want to establish the business with this but you know how the council works. They will never allow someone from a poor background like mine to hold such power. They might even force me to work for them."

"Of course, I can grow stronger if I can increase my stamina. So, I am not only looking for support but strength, and being your disciple is the only way." Peter explained. He twisted many things and tried to make it as believable as he could.

Indeed, it was hard for Nolan to believe it but he was more interested in something else. He looked at Peter and asked "So, why tell me? Don't you think I can do the same thing as a council?"

"No! First, it is our relation. Second, you are already the strongest. And, I don't IE will be much of your help. Third, you are a good guy who risked his own life to save others." Peter shook his head and gave his reason.

"But, time changes people." Nolan continued.

"Time only makes obsession deeper," Peter spoke.

......….

For a moment, there was nothing but the music in the background. Nolan sighed and said, "Alright, but I want you to make me one promise."

Hearing his words, Peter nods his head.

"When it comes down to saving the world and your personal benefits, you must choose the former and save people." Nolan's words were full of his emotions and aura. He became the number one soul defender for something. And, it is to protect his people.

Hearing his words, Peter's expression darkens. He bites his lips and slowly walks near Nolan. He raised his fist and smashed it on his chest. After putting his head on his chest, Peter speaks "I almost lost my life. My sister didn't awaken and got trauma for days. My parents are in a coma. It's all because of my stupid reason to save people. And, you want me to make the same mistake."

Suddenly, a palm hold his head and Nolan spoke "I know it has been a hard day. When I decided to be a firefighter, my wife was against my decision. She said my life will be in constant danger, one small mistake and all of it will be over."

"But, I didn't listen to her. Six months later, I reached in front of the house full of fire. I broke in and search everywhere just to find my wife burned to death. I was late. I was devastated. When I became a firefighter to help people, I couldn't even help my own wife."

"But, I didn't stop being a firefighter. Do you know why? Because if I can save a hundred more people then I might overcome the guilt for not being able to save my wife. In our life, we can be a good guy or a bad guy. But, if you choose between one of them, you will never be a great guy."

"Be a backbone of your family, but also be a hero to other people. If you have a space in your shoulder for one more person, then don't back down. That space had the fate with one injured person. You came back from dead. Your obsession led you to fight death."

"And, now you are back, what do you think you should become? Remember, Soul Defender, never surrender! You are the true soul defender. Because you didn't even surrender to your death."

"So, Peter, tell me! What would you choose? A hero or a villain."

"Or, a great guy!"

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