It was as if Finn had been doused with ice-cold water by the words he had just heard from Creed. Never in his life had he expected to hear such things from the man he had always known as his father. As he looked at Creed's face, he felt an unbearable tightness in his chest. Still, he tried to stay calm, and in a steady voice, he asked,
"Father… what are you saying?"
He was confused by Creed's words. Even though he had heard them clearly, he was desperately trying to convince himself that his father was only joking.
Creed forced a pained smile and began to speak in a complicated tone.
"I still remember it clearly… more than sixteen years ago. The day Olivia was about to give birth to our first child, Family Head Neleos and my younger brother Altair were here. We were all happily waiting for the birth of my firstborn, but that joy turned to sorrow when we learned that the baby Olivia delivered was already lifeless."
Finn could see the grief in Creed's eyes as he recounted the memory. He stayed silent, listening intently.
"According to the midwife, the child's body was too fragile, and it couldn't survive long after birth. Rain was pouring heavily that day, as if the heavens themselves were weeping with our family. We knew there was no hope of saving our child. Just as Family Neleos was about to leave, a mysterious man suddenly entered our home. He wore a black cloak and a golden mask. In his arms was a sleeping infant."
Creed paused for a moment and looked Finn directly in the eye before continuing.
"And that baby… was you, Finn. Even though the rain was pouring hard outside, neither of you was wet. Family Head Neleos and I were about to attack this stranger who had barged into our clan's territory, but before we could even move, we both fell to our knees, seized by a fear deeper than anything I had ever felt in my entire life. Only Olivia—still clutching our lifeless child—was unaffected, though she continued to sob."
"Never have I felt that kind of terror. In that moment, I thought it was the end for all of us. But then the man spoke. I still remember every word he said."
"He told us that my wife and I were to take in the child he carried and raise him well. We were all stunned and couldn't believe what he was saying. We asked him why, but he never answered directly. He also said that apart from the higher-ups of the Azure Wood Family, no one else must ever know that you were not truly our child. He reminded us that when you came of age, we would be obligated to tell you the truth. He said he was watching from the darkness—and that he would always be watching over us."
"He didn't wait for us to agree. He placed you in my arms and vanished right in front of me. Then he took our lifeless child from Olivia. He walked slowly out the door, and I followed him, trying to get my son's body back. But when I stepped outside, I was stunned by what I saw."
Creed shivered as he spoke, as if he were reliving the cold terror.
"He flew up into the sky—and disappeared!"
'Flew?' Finn thought, shocked.
From what Finn knew, only Sky Rank Adventurers possessed the ability to fly. Could this mysterious man who had left him with the Azure Wood Family have been that powerful?
"Father… do you think he was my real father?"
Even though it pained him and he didn't want to believe it, Finn couldn't stop himself from asking.
Creed looked at him and forced a sad smile.
"We don't know. Aside from what he said, he never told us anything about who you really are. All I saw was the name and surname embroidered on the cloth that was wrapped around you. That name was… Finn Silva."
Finn Silva?
"We discreetly tried to gather information to see if any family named Silva existed in this kingdom, but we never found anything. And because we feared that man might destroy our clan, we did exactly as he ordered. We raised you and cared for you as if you were truly ours. And I want you to remember this, my son: even though we do not share blood, to me… you are my son."
Finn was frozen, an immense sadness filling him.
He fell to his knees before the man he still considered his father, tears brimming in his eyes.
"Father! Even if I am not your real son… for the past sixteen years, you treated me as more than your own child. You raised me, clothed me, taught me, and protected me. I am so grateful that I was blessed with parents like you. I will never forget that. I don't care if we are not blood-related, if your blood doesn't flow in my veins. If you'll allow me… can I still call you my true parents? Can you still see me as your real son?"
Creed was stunned. He had never expected those words from Finn. He couldn't help but smile. He placed a hand on Finn's shoulder.
"Just earlier, your mother was begging me not to tell you the truth—she was so afraid you'd come to hate us and go searching for your real parents. But I never imagined this would be your reaction. You've truly grown up."
They both knew that even if Finn still considered them his parents, it wouldn't change the fact that someday he would wish to find out where he really came from.
Creed took a deep breath and finally spoke again.
"Finn, my son… now that you know you have no blood ties to the Azure Wood Family, you don't have to involve yourself in this conflict. All this is my fault, and I am prepared to face the consequences. It seems you are the reason behind the alliance with the Golden Lion Family. I want you to ask them for help to leave this kingdom—to live somewhere peaceful and safe. Build a family of your own. My only request… please, take your little sister with you. I want her to have a chance at a quiet, peaceful life. I want her to have a family of her own someday."
Finn was shocked by his father's wish. He hadn't expected him to want Finn to flee from the Azure Wood Family's troubles.
"But Father! I am a member of the Azure Wood Family, and I will never run from this! Someday, when I am strong enough, I will take revenge on all those who oppressed and tormented our clan!" Finn protested firmly. He looked Creed in the eyes and spoke with resolve.
"Besides… don't you want to avenge the one who killed Uncle Altair?"
"To avenge Altair?" Creed shook his head slowly. His voice turned heavy.
"We still don't know who was truly responsible for my brother's death. Ten years have passed, and we have yet to achieve the justice we long for. I think… it may be impossible now."
Finn saw the hopelessness in Creed's eyes, and it pained him to see his father's spirit fading.
"Father… I know who poisoned Uncle Altair. And when I was at the Institute, that same person tried to kill me—but failed," Finn declared solemnly. He didn't explain what had happened or how he survived. He didn't want to burden Creed with more worries. Besides, his survival was tied to his own secret.
"They tried to kill you too?! Who was it?! Tell me!" Creed shouted, rage boiling over.
When Altair died, Creed and the entire Azure Wood Family had grieved deeply. Not only was Altair kind-hearted and always ready to help, but he was also the most talented Adventurer their clan had ever produced. He had been their only hope of rising beyond mediocrity. All of their dreams and ambitions had died with him.
And now, the same culprit had tried to kill his son—Creed couldn't contain his fury.
"It was an Inner Instructor from the Institute—Old Man Xuan. He was at the 9th Level Gold Rank. After he tried to kill me, he was sent on a mission. According to the Institution Master, it was the Black Tiger Family who ordered Xuan to poison Uncle. The Institution didn't act because the Nine Ice Family threatened them." Finn clenched his fists as he explained.
Creed's face darkened at once.
"The Black Tiger Family and the Nine Ice Family… again! But… as much as I want revenge, with the current strength and influence of our clan, it's impossible. We can't even stand against the Black Tiger Family alone—how much less the mighty Nine Ice Family?" Creed shook his head bitterly.
He wasn't belittling their clan's strength—but it was the harsh reality that their ordinary family couldn't contend with Aristocrat and Noble Clans.
"Father, for now the Azure Wood Family isn't strong enough to fight them. But in the future, with these… I am certain our clan will grow powerful," Finn said confidently.
He took three interspatial rings from his pocket and handed them to Creed.
"What?! When did you acquire such valuable interspatial items? Don't tell me… did that mysterious man appear to you?" Creed asked, shocked at the sight of the rings.
He couldn't imagine how his son had come by them. To him, there was only one explanation—that these treasures came from the same mysterious man who had appeared years ago.
Finn shook his head gently.
"For now, I can't say where these came from. It could cause even more trouble. Father, please look inside these rings. I'm certain they will help our clan."
Creed nodded and took the rings. He understood what Finn meant, so he didn't press further.
He quickly examined the contents of the first ring—and his jaw nearly hit the floor.
"What… what are these?! Hundreds—no, thousands—of bottles of pills!" Creed exclaimed, trembling with shock.
It was the first time he had seen so many pills in one place, and he didn't recognize a single one. He had never used any pills before, so it was no surprise he had no idea what they were.
"Father, these treasures are all types of soul-enhancing pills. Inside the ring, there's a list describing their effects. With these, I guarantee that within a few years, our clan will be one of the strongest forces in the kingdom. But… we must keep this a secret to everyone. If word gets out, countless greedy Adventurers will come to steal them. I'm entrusting you to distribute them wisely," Finn explained with a smile.
Creed was nearly drooling and swallowed hard as Finn spoke.
He moved on to examine the second ring—and almost dropped it.
"So many gold coins! Hundreds of thousands… no, millions?!" he blurted out, unable to contain his excitement and disbelief.
Even Noble Clans rarely possessed such wealth.
He turned to the third ring but hesitated, his voice uncertain as he asked,
"My son… what's in this last ring?"
Finn gave him a meaningful smile.
"Two hundred different grades of Common Armament… fifty different grades of Rare Armament… nine different grades of Excellent Armament… and one Low-tier Epic Armament."