Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2848

Christopher said, "Years ago, you invited me to seal that boy's energy core and planted this seed of trouble. But I've been watching all these years for how this consequence would manifest. Now, although the full karmic retribution hasn't completely surfaced yet, I'm taking precautions and preparing to personally settle this debt."

Guillermo snorted. "Andrew has most likely already left Holtrien and entered the outer territories."

Christopher shook his head. "To me, it makes no difference. The world is vast, and I can go anywhere I please, can't I?"

Guillermo narrowed his eyes. "You’ve never made a move unless there was profit involved. You didn’t leave the mountains just to deal with Andrew, did you?"

Christopher smirked. "Of course not. I also came down for you."

"For me?" Guillermo frowned. "What could I possibly have?"

Christopher smiled faintly. "You’re about to die. I calculated it."

After that, he turned and walked away.

Guillermo stood frozen, as if someone had dumped a bucket of icy water over him. If anyone else had told him he was about to die, he would have laughed and dismissed it, because countless people cursed him daily and wished him dead.

He had played Holtrien like a giant chessboard for years, and everything had long seemed steady and unshakable, so how could he possibly die?

Yet, Christopher was different. That old monster was someone Guillermo feared. And when Christopher said something, Guillermo had no choice but to believe it.

"Looks like I need to speed things up," Guillermo muttered under his breath.

…

Three days later, Andrew had already crossed East Azure Gate and stepped into the lawless frontier beyond. It was almost impossible to describe the size or boundaries of the outer territories.

Any region on the globe that was not governed by a country, that existed in sheer chaos, was considered part of it.

A massive sword rested on his shoulder, and it was hard to tell how long he had been walking when the sun finally began to set. Ahead of him, the view finally shifted from endless dunes to something different.

A desert city appeared on the horizon. It was worn-down, yet glowing with lights, crowded yet strangely layered and alive.

Andrew stood on a sand dune and looked at it for a long moment before stepping forward again, heading toward the city.

City of Hope.

That was its name, poetic and ironic at the same time. Beneath the name, this city born out of chaos was engulfed in darkness and bloodshed.

As the wind carried the familiar stench of disorder, Andrew pulled down the black cloth covering his face, revealing a genuine smile.

A place this chaotic felt like home to him again. It felt as though he had returned to the life he once led within the organization.