The White Napkin's Secret
"EHHH? What!" Celestia Ruth screamed, her usually composed face twisted into sheer disbelief, while her violet eyes widened with the glow of the floating soul band reflected in them.
"How… how is this possible?" she demanded, her voice shaking with both wonder and frustration.
Anos scratched his cheek with a weak smile, clearly just as dumbfounded. "Uh… I don't know, Mother."
His eyes turned to the white napkin still floating over his palm, its surface glittering very faintly. "When I tried to absorb that soul band of the slime, my napkin just… reacted. And then-it absorbed it on its own."
In fact, he couldn't tell why Endless Hunger had triggered. It acted instinctively and then swallowed the band like a wild beast taking down its prey.
The cold voice of the system echoed in his head.
You completed the first soul band quest.
[Rewarding a random skill…
[You have obtained: Alchemy]
'Alchemy?' Anos tilted his head, the look of puzzlement on his face. Now I can… make things?
Beside him, Celestia Ruth frowned deeply, her brows knitting. Something about this… isn't right. For years I've felt my son was different, touched by something beyond mortal rules. But this… this is abnormal even for him.
The softening in her gaze told of thoughts that whispered inward. No. Anos isn't abnormal. He's… destined. He'll stand on top of everyone, sooner or later.
She let her breath out in a soft sigh, her eyes falling on the glittering amethyst soul band, caught in the flowing grasp of the white napkin.
"Anos." Her voice quieted, though her heartbeat had quickened. "What is your first soul skill?"
Anos almost laughed at how his mother quickly recovered. That was quick. Still in shock a moment ago, already back to analysis.
"Mm. I'll show you." He lifted his hand; the napkin twisted grotesquely.
The fabric rippled, melting into itself in waves as if liquid. It stretched, flowing as water would through the air, its shape shifting with an ease that was unnatural.
"My first soul skill… Flexibility," Anos said.
The white napkin then coiled and bent itself in serpentine manner, changing into the semblance of a shining mini-lance.
This skill changes the nature of the napkin. It becomes fluid, agile, and can twist, stretch, and change.
Celestia Ruth's lips slightly parted. Her eyes followed every movement in shock from the graceful napkin. "A versatile ability… far more versatile than I expected."
But Anos was far from over. A light smirk played on his lips, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"Mother, punch it." He floated the napkin in front of his chest, its fabric aquiver with anticipation.
"Punch it?" Celestia Ruth raised a brow, her tone dry. "You are telling me to attack you?"
"Exactly." His grin broadened. "Don't hold back."
"Fine." She rolled her shoulders once and, without another word, launched a swift punch.
BAM!
Her fist connected—and the impact was swallowed into silence. The napkin soaked it all in, its surface rippling outwards like water, before settling again.
Celestia Ruth stiffened, still blinking. "Shock absorption." she muttered, her face scrunched in incredulity.
"Yep." Anos nodded, smug. "When it's in its Flexibility state, it reduces physical blows by absorbing shock. That slime earlier? My attacks were useless because of this same effect. Now… I can use it myself."
Celestia Ruth exhaled slowly. "Impressive. But what's the limit?"
"It only absorbs ninety percent of the shock," Anos admitted. "And only physical attacks. Energy-based ones-no chance. And the stronger the opponent, the less effective the absorption."
Still, Celestia Ruth beamed with pride.
Even with limitations, this is crazy. What others would discard as trash… he has turned into a weapon. Certainly, only my son could manage this.
"Want to see more?" Anos asked, his voice sly, raising the napkin high.
Celestia Ruth cocked her head. "More?"
He fisted his hand. The napkin grew, ballooning five times bigger, until it hovered above them like a pale blanket.
'So, for now, let it only grow this much,' Anos thought, concentrating his will. It twisted once more; the cloth contracted into a long, pointed lance.
"Let's push it further." His lips arced. Dark luster coated the napkin as he invoked Iron Skin.
The weapon shone, black and menacing.
"Strike."
The lance shot forward, tearing through the air like a cannonball.
BAM! CRACK!
The tree it struck didn't just fall; it exploded into splinters, sprinkling wood chips across the ground.
Anos grinned, lowering his hand. "Pretty good, right?"
Celestia Ruth's eyes locked on the weapon, her breath caught.
".Not good. Amazing."
She swallowed hard, still staring at the napkin.
To think a so-called trash martial spirit could hold such power… no, it's not the spirit. It's him. It's Anos. In his hands, nothing is worthless.
She turned back to her son, her heart swelling up with pride and warmth.
"Anos! How long have you been planning this?"
He chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Not long. Truthfully, I've just thought about it a few hours ago, when I woke the martial spirit up.
Celestia Ruth's heart swelled. A very rare smile crossed her face. He's my son. My miracle. My light.
She pulled him into her arms before he could react, embracing him tightly against her chest.
"Mother?" Anos blinked, taken aback.
"Just let me hold you for a moment," she whispered, tucking him closer.
".Okay."
He relaxed into her warmth, returning the hug with equal strength. Time seemed to stop around them as mother and son remained there, locked in an invisible bond that would not break.
For minutes they stayed that way, a tenderness rising between them seldom seen.
"Mother…" Anos finally murmured.
"Years…" Celestia Ruth whispered back.
BOOM!
The unexpected roar of an explosion shattered the tender moment, both their heads snapping toward the direction from where the blast had sounded.
A flash of irritation crossed Celestia Ruth's eyes as her lips twitched. Someone dare interrupt my moment with my son?
"Mother, let's check." Anos' eyes narrowed at the already glowing system map of red dots. "Five entities… cornering two others."
Her aura darkened, cold and lethal. "Let's go."
They ran quickly, flashes of shadow through the trees until before them lay the battlefield.
It was a woman, stood defensively, shielding a little girl, a sword clutched in her hand.
Five men, all clad in black outfits, encircled them.
"Four Soul Monarchs… and one Soul Sovereign." Celestia Ruth's voice was laced with icy disdain.
The scene before Anos's eyes flickered.
[Quest]
[Name: Save the Mother and the Daughter
[Objective: Kill the assassins (0/5)]
Descriptively protect the duo from the assassins.
[Reward: 20,000 SP, 1x Random Cultivation Art, 1x Random Pill Recipe]
"Gh… Accept," Anos muttered under his breath.
The assassins stirred. Then one sprang forward, fire flying from his hand as he reached out at the little girl.
"Eh, Mother—?!" Anos' eyes went wide. Celestia Ruth's figure blurred, then she was standing before the assassin, her presence suffocating him. "Who the hell are you?!" the assassin barked, voice cracking under her glare. Celestia Ruth's lips curled, the words cold and sharp as a blade. "Your worst nightmare."