Ziusudra—
Hearing that name, Rovi was genuinely surprised.
This was the immortal who'd survived the legendary Great Flood of Mesopotamian mythology, who had lived since then secluded in Kur—the Netherworld. Even in the Epic of Gilgamesh Rovi remembered from his past life, it was Ziusudra who, in Gilgamesh's final years, had revealed the existence of the herb of immortality, setting the king on his desperate quest for eternal life.
Yet, from Ziusudra's perspective, this encounter was inevitable.
Indeed, he had been quietly waiting all along for Rovi to leave his house.
Just like Gilgamesh, Ziusudra—the hermit who had witnessed the collapse of ancient civilization in the catastrophic flood and inadvertently gained immortality—also possessed a very special kind of "eye."
He could perceive the threads of "destiny" within a person.
Such threads defined one's origin and their endpoint—while the origin was fixed, the endpoint could shift unpredictably.
In simple terms, these endpoints represented critical trials a life would encounter, life-threatening ordeals.
If one survived, their thread would lengthen again.
"But you possess no such thread."
An old, hoarse voice drifted through the occasional dust carried by the wind, landing softly in Rovi's ears.
"You have no destiny thread," the old man repeated calmly.
"Though I've never seen someone like you, I've heard of your kind from the gods themselves. Long ago, there was another without destiny who appeared during the Great Flood I lived through."
"He built an ark, safeguarding the last embers of human civilization. He was the savior amidst destruction, named 'Napishtim'—the flood itself was named after him."
"And now… I see clearly that the 'fate' of annihilation has once again settled upon everyone here—except you."
Ziusudra, the raggedly dressed elder with a gaunt frame, stood quietly in the shadowed street corner, observing Rovi carefully.
Rovi silently pondered.
He knew his lack of a destiny thread was probably due to being a transmigrator, but there were things he couldn't openly discuss.
Instead, he merely asked, "What exactly is this catastrophe?"
"I do not know," Ziusudra shook his head. "Perhaps it's the punishment already cast down by the gods—the strongest divine beast and demonic beast. Or perhaps a greater calamity…but that's unlikely."
Indeed, deploying both Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven simultaneously was already the gods' maximum current interference.
Though incomparable to the Great Flood of Napishtim's time, it was still sufficient to devastate the Mesopotamian plains, causing another era of broken civilization.
Anything greater would require the gods themselves descending fully into the mortal world once more.
Or perhaps even the return of ancient, primordial beings—
The odds of such events were minuscule.
"So, you're here to protect me?" Rovi raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Yes." Ziusudra replied without hesitation, his voice low and solemn. "I am one who has persisted through countless ages. I vividly remember the desolation left after the world was cleansed…"
"And I do not wish to endure it again!"
Rovi thoughtfully stroked his chin.
For most people, the name Ziusudra was merely a mythical figure associated with immortality. Indeed, even in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Ziusudra was an elder who granted knowledge of eternal life to the aged king.
But to Rovi's eyes, Ziusudra might also represent a far older identity—the oldest Assassin.
In the Type-Moon mythos, one who once stood atop the Assassin class as a Grand Servant—King Hassan—had appeared under the name "Ziusudra" in Gilgamesh's time.
Though that had been within a historical Singularity...
Still, Rovi couldn't help but connect the dots as Ziusudra described his own abilities, deepening his suspicions.
That was why, upon meeting, Rovi invited him to his residence to further discuss things privately.
"But I don't need your protection."
After a brief moment's thought, Rovi rejected the elder's offer outright. "I have already become the [Key of Heaven]. You must know this."
"I'm certainly aware of that divine artifact's power," Ziusudra nodded slowly, not denying Rovi's claim, yet still persisted gently, "but no one is without weakness, not even you—or the King of Uruk, or that divine clay-being."
"And I can safeguard these weaknesses."
"When destiny's endpoint appears, none escape the toll of the Netherworld's bell—"
Damn, he really is King Hassan!
Rovi's suspicions were instantly confirmed.
Even if he wasn't literally the Grand Assassin himself, this Ziusudra was undoubtedly closely tied to that legendary figure—his very existence matched too closely!
As someone desperate for a heroic death, Rovi absolutely couldn't let this man "protect" him.
Yet judging from Ziusudra's unyielding attitude, dissuading him directly would be futile. After a quick moment of thought, Rovi quickly formulated a plan.
"I don't need your protection," he repeated firmly, "but since you insist—then, I'll entrust you with a task!"
He spoke seriously, "Soon, I'll travel to a city-state located north of Uruk. Go ahead of me, clear out potential threats beforehand."
In fact, Rovi planned to head elsewhere entirely.
He merely needed a reason to send Ziusudra far away…
"And remember," Rovi added firmly, "be discreet."
Beneath his ragged black robes, the elderly man bowed his head, pulling up a worn and tattered hood, his shadowed face emitting a low, hoarse response: "Rest assured. Having lived this long, I know exactly what to do."
This immortal hermit, occasionally stepping out from the Netherworld over the countless years, had weathered untold storms and brought death more than once.
He required no detailed explanation—he had his own methods for protecting his charge.
Satisfied they'd reached an understanding, Rovi offered a small smile.
He doubted Ziusudra truly failed to realize Rovi was intentionally misleading him—but since the elder chose to accept this arrangement anyway, Rovi saw no need to press further.
As long as they stood in two separate lands, whatever Ziusudra did would have no direct effect on Rovi.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Ziusudra-san."
Ziusudra responded with a faint nod, though deep within his dark, unreadable eyes flashed a hint of ghostly blue fire.
"I will depart immediately." Ziusudra inclined his head respectfully, turning slowly to leave.
"I'll await your good news," Rovi called after him, watching the elder disappear into the street.
Leaving the shadows behind, Ziusudra moved through the crowded city streets, mingling amidst sunlight and shade.
Though his pace appeared leisurely, he swiftly navigated through the crowds.
Passing street corners...
Exiting city gates...
Stepping onto the barren plains northward… the old man's silhouette gradually grew tall, enveloped in ominous black armor. An enormous, iron-black greatsword wreathed in ghostly blue flames emerged silently into his palm.
He made no attempt to conceal his presence.
This was Ziusudra's method of protection.
"Those who seek life shall find death; those who seek death shall find life. The end of death lies in an instant's crossing, while the fate of life hangs in a moment's decision."
"Rather than fearing kindness, fear the blade."
"Rather than fearing the blade, fear its authority."
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T/N: AHHH OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN!!!