Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1540 Their Turn

Elara bounded into Sylasʼs embrace like a tiny, tenacious koala clinging ever tighter. Had she been any smaller, he could easily picture her joyfully wrapping herself around his head—since even now, she had jumped so high that her legs curled around his triceps instead of his waist.

Sylas shook his head with a quiet smile as he caught her. Seeing her like this was all the confirmation he needed that his family was thriving.

Not that there was much doubt of that.

Once Sylas assumed control of the Golden Grove, he had woven a network of connections between his domain and his father-in-law, the Memory Merchant, and his own father.

This triumvirate coordinated closely, steadily narrowing the gap between Earth and the vast beyond so that the divide was no longer as daunting as it once seemed.

In fact, this alliance had brought surprising benefits to the Golden Grove. Earthʼs evolutionary phase—and the Groveʼs status as a Summoned World—meant it generated an abundance of rare and valuable items.

Both his father and father-in-law were savvy enough to discern what should be transferred and what ought to remain concealed. They carefully funneled resources to the Grove that were a notch or two above the usual standard, ensuring the gift was substantial but never overwhelming.

At the same time, with Sylas firmly at the helm, the Golden Grove had no incentive to betray his family, creating a stable and trustworthy partnership.

Besides, with the enormous profits Sylas had amassed through his wagers, even without his relatives’ contributions, how could anyone rationally betray the golden goose for a mere golden egg?

The contract Sylas had sealed with the Memory Merchant—all those years ago when he first trapped the enigmatic figure in a binding deal—also paid dividends. Because of that pact, the city enjoyed unprecedented access to a vast array of Skills and Gene Skills. And this was before factoring in Nathan and the legacy left by Archibald.

Old Brama had already familiarized the Golden Grove with mechatronics and related branches of Rune Mastery, making Nathan the ideal ally for them.

Although Nathanʼs rank was still within the F-tier, his Profession came by chance through Archibald, a man who had conquered the Split Realm and ranked just below Sylas himself. Archibald had long held first place on a seemingly insurmountable Legendary Dungeon.

While Sylas didnʼt know the exact nature of Nathanʼs Profession, he was certain it was top-tier—significant enough that Archibald deemed it indispensable to bequeath it before his demise.

Old Brama could well be the mentor Nathan needed, but it was also likely that Brama himself would gain more from the arrangement than Nathan would.

Yet, as seamless and promising as their progress had been, it now felt as though everything was on the verge of shattering.

”Alright, alright, Elara, let your brother go.”

”No,” Elara responded firmly without sparing a glance.

Isolde appeared slightly helpless. Gray strands had crept into her hair, but an inner light still marked her smile, a testament to a life suffused with quiet contentment.

it simply wasnʼt the flawless life she had envisioned.

Sylas could never recall a time when his parents didnʼt place kin above career or ambition. They had prospered, sure, but could have easily become just another pair of billionaires competing with Grimblade heirs if they had sacrificed the principles they clung to.

Though her life was peaceful, Isolde resented the long stretches without seeing her son. She understood he needed to carve out his own path eventually, but having cherished having him home daily for twenty-six years left her spoiled.

Now, separated for so long, she felt as if a vital piece of herself was missing. And she wasnʼt sure when her little girl would be ready to step into the world beyond their home. Elara might have been a mirror image of Sylas, if not for her brighter, wilder spirit. But a mother knows her children best.

There was a latent restlessness deep within both Sylas and Elara—a hunger that, once sparked, left them insatiable.

Sylas had long wrestled with boredom until finally encountering something that stirred him enough to pursue it relentlessly.

Elara was somewhat shielded from such restlessness, sheltered beneath Sylasʼs protective shadow. She adored her brother and harbored no wish to compete with him. But what if that changed?

Seated in their opulent living room, living a life fit for royalty while most others on Earth struggled merely to survive this brutal, survival-of-the-fittest era... Isolde felt as though the delicate balance holding her perfect family together might collapse at any moment. Tears welled up as she watched the siblings cling to each other, knowing deep down that the past was already out of reach.

Cassarae slipped silently to Isoldeʼs side and enveloped her in a tight embrace. The two women said nothing, but shared an unspoken understanding of Sylasʼs fate.

“Itʼll be alright,” Cassarae whispered. ”Heʼll make sure of it.”

Isolde forced a smile, eyes shimmering with sorrow.

She did not want her son to bear that burden alone. Had it been her husband, she might have found it easier to accept—but even then, she wished neither of them to face such a weight.

Perhaps selfish, but all she longed for was for the world and its dangers to leave them in peace. Why couldnʼt things revert to the way they were before?

She also understood exactly how Sylas would answer that hope.

The peace they had known was possible only because their ancestors had fought tooth and nail for it.

Now the torch passed to them. It was their time to fight.