Return Of The Talentless Bastard

They stood over Kage, frozen—stunned by what he'd just said.

"Big words from someone who can't walk another meter. Why don't you worry about yourself?!" Isolde glared down at him with open contempt.

Kage smiled gently, settling into place with Bei cradled in his hands, eyes drifting shut.

Haru stared, torn—caught between instinct and uncertainty. Kaito watched with empty eyes, his mind already calculating:

'The lady's rude, but she's right. Anything lurking in the Silent Grove has a 65% increased chance of coming for us. Brother Kage's breakdown has demoralized many—73% probability the group fractures, everyone left to fend for themselves. When that happens, running is optimal. But waiting here for brother Kage? We're exposed. A whopping 90% increased risk.'

Talia turned to the others, her back to Kage.

"You can all go. I'm staying with Kage. I don't abandon friends—it goes against everything a forgesmith stands for. Every steel has its uses, even the defected ones. As great forgesmiths, it's our lifelong mission to help every steel reach its true potential." She thrust a finger toward Isolde's face. "What I'm saying is, unlike you—I'M NOT GIVING UP ON MY FRIEND."

Lian Feng stood with his hands at his sides, an amused smile playing at his lips as he watched Talia. Then he turned to Isolde and the others, cupping his hands respectfully.

"This young lady speaks truth. I cannot abandon someone I've fought beside." He bowed slightly. "We shall meet at the gate of seven bridges."

Isolde scoffed.

"Good—don't be sentimental like these fools. The examination encourages cooperation, not weakness and gullibility. Choose wisely."

She strode forward. Three boys fell in behind her. Shen, the monk, hesitated—then followed. Kaito bowed to Kage before joining them, and Haru reluctantly trailed after Kaito, leaving only Marcus, Lian Feng, and Talia with Kage.

Once they'd gone, Kage looked at the three who remained and shook his head.

"You three... staying with me changes nothing. You won't get any rest here. Haven't you noticed the forest dragging at your feet?"

Lian Feng's eyes narrowed.

Talia gasped, thoughtful. Even Marcus looked like he understood.

It was something they'd all felt but dismissed—too subtle to matter, too constant to acknowledge. The fatigue had simply weighed heavier on Kage, his body already failing him.

Lian Feng's eyes widened in realization.

"Oh! So that's why you're—"

Kage's frown cut him off, cold as a blade's edge.

"It's stupid to wait around. You'll only tire faster."

Lian Feng studied him, curious.

"If that's true, then why refuse my help? Why insist on resting?"

Kage answered, his face like forged iron—unyielding.

"The girl spoke truth. I'm dead weight. Given the circumstances, everyone will feel fatigue pressing in faster than normal. For me, it's multiplied. I know how to handle myself."

Lian Feng held his gaze for several moments. Then he shrugged.

"Well, if you won't leave with us, we won't leave you. Right?" He glanced at Talia and Marcus.

Talia grinned, practically vibrating with enthusiasm.

"YES! Kage, we move together, we stick together!"

Marcus smiled, warm and genuine.

"I'm with brother Lian. Sorry if—sorry, I mean, I want to help too. Sorry if that sounds foolish."

Kage couldn't deny his confusion. These people weren't thinking straight. He'd only seen behavior like this from a distance—in books, in stories. Even Lian Feng, who'd always helped others... that was a facade, wasn't it? A front to meet expectations, not his true nature.

There was so much more to Lian Feng than met the eye—a complicated box hiding countless secrets. Secrets that made Kage decide it would be best if Lian died, especially when their hidden truths began to clash like blades in the dark.

'But this boy with the big body and the Emberforge girl—what's their problem? What do they gain from this? We're in an Impure situation, and they choose to be stupid? Don't tell me they believe the power of friendship will save us. Because that would be pitiful. They'll never realize I led them to their own deaths.'

[The Wolf of the North is flabbergasted at your thought pattern]

[The Heretic Inquisitor of Eternal Truth laughs]

[The Wolf of the North says there are people who genuinely want to help you and want nothing in return. He says the forgesmith girl is a good person]

Kage shook his head.

'I can understand that children do not grasp the fundamental law of survival, but are you truly advocating for them, Elder Wolf, or are you trying to ridicule me?'

He averted his attention from the sovereign gods and focused instead on the three standing around him. He was silent, his expression calm and cold as forged iron.

He shook his head.

"Pull me up."

Lian Feng and Marcus immediately helped him to his feet, and soon they were on their way—Talia practically glittering with enthusiasm as they walked.

With the information Kage had shared, he'd at least expected the forge girl to be conservative with her stamina. But either his words had fallen on deaf ears, or she was too simple to grasp what needed to be done.

The more they walked, the more exhausted they became. Kage pointed them toward a different route—one that might lead to an area with an open canopy. His suspicion: the air here was too heavy, too unnatural. The large oak trees were drinking in their natural air, hoarding it to fuel their own robust growth.

If they could reach somewhere where the canopy thinned, they'd be able to rest under fresh air—air that hadn't been swallowed by greedy roots and ancient bark.

This, of course, had been a plan he'd reserved for himself alone. But because of their stubbornness, they would benefit from it. Kage would've loved to ditch them right now—but their help served him, and because of that, he didn't mind.

'I need to get the worm at all costs! Thankfully, Elder Inquisitor is willing to help me!'

That was reason enough for quiet joy. But even thinking it, Kage's face remained cold and unchanging—laughing only within himself, not letting it leak through the cracks.