Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 40: Ashen Ruins Awakening

Night slowly descended over the Ashen Wildlands.

Dark clouds covered the sky, allowing only faint moonlight to pass through. The burned forest stretched endlessly across the horizon like a graveyard of blackened trees. Ash drifted through the air like gray snow.

Aether walked calmly through the silent land.

Beside him, the Flame Sovereign Pup moved with alert steps. Its golden eyes scanned the surroundings carefully, and small flames flickered along its fur.

This place was dangerous.

Even the beast could feel it.

Occasionally distant roars echoed from deeper parts of the wildlands—monsters claiming territory or hunting prey.

But Aether did not slow down.

Because the energy he had sensed earlier was growing stronger.

Somewhere ahead...

Something ancient was calling.

---

After several hours of travel, the burned forest began thinning.

The ground changed from ash-covered soil to cracked stone.

Then Aether saw it.

Ruins.

Massive stone structures stood broken and scattered across a large valley.

Collapsed towers.

Shattered walls.

Ancient pillars half buried in ash.

Even though centuries had passed, the architecture still carried a majestic aura.

This had once been a powerful civilization.

Now it was nothing more than a grave.

Aether stopped on a nearby ridge overlooking the valley.

The Flame Sovereign Pup growled softly.

It could sense monsters moving within the ruins.

But that wasn’t all.

At the very center of the valley stood a massive stone temple.

Unlike the surrounding ruins, this structure remained mostly intact.

And from inside it...

A faint pulse of mysterious energy spread across the valley.

Aether’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"So that’s the source."

But as he observed the area, something else caught his attention.

Movement.

Several campfires burned around the outer ruins.

Groups of people had already arrived.

Aether sighed softly.

"So I’m not the first."

---

The valley had become an unofficial exploration camp.

Adventurers, treasure hunters, and beast tamers had gathered around the ruins after sensing the unusual energy.

Three main groups could be seen.

The first group wore academy uniforms similar to Aether’s.

Second-year students from another branch academy.

The second group consisted of professional adventurers. Their armor and weapons looked well-used, and several powerful beasts rested beside them.

The third group stood slightly apart.

Their clothing looked expensive and refined.

Noble faction tamers.

Aether studied them carefully.

He could feel strong beast auras coming from several members of that group.

Which meant one thing.

Competition for whatever lay inside the temple would be fierce.

---

As Aether descended toward the ruins, several people noticed him.

One of the academy students approached.

A tall young man with short black hair.

"You’re from the Northern Academy branch?"

Aether nodded.

"Yes."

The student introduced himself.

"Rylan."

He glanced at the Flame Sovereign Pup and raised an eyebrow.

"That’s quite the beast."

Aether remained calm.

Rylan continued speaking.

"Looks like we’re all here for the same reason."

He pointed toward the temple.

"Something awakened inside that ruin two days ago."

"Everyone wants to know what it is."

Another student joined the conversation.

"But no one has been able to enter."

Aether tilted his head slightly.

"Why?"

Rylan pointed toward the temple entrance.

A faint glowing barrier covered the doorway.

"Some kind of ancient protection system."

"We tried forcing it open."

"It didn’t work."

Aether looked at the barrier.

Strange runes flowed across its surface like liquid light.

Ancient magic.

Very powerful. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

But something about the barrier felt unusual.

He could feel a strange resonance with it.

Almost like the barrier recognized him.

---

Suddenly a loud voice echoed across the valley.

"Move aside!"

Everyone turned.

The noble faction group had stepped forward.

Leading them was a young man wearing elegant silver armor.

His expression carried obvious arrogance.

"I am Lucien Valcrest."

"Second son of the Valcrest family."

The adventurers nearby exchanged uneasy glances.

The Valcrest family was powerful.

Lucien continued.

"This ruin clearly contains a rare beast or artifact."

"And as the most capable tamer here..."

He smiled confidently.

"I will claim it."

Several people frowned at his arrogance.

But none openly challenged him.

Lucien walked toward the temple entrance.

His large armored wolf followed beside him.

"Let’s see what this barrier can do."

He raised his hand.

His beast charged forward and struck the barrier with full force.

A loud explosion echoed.

The barrier flashed brightly.

Then—

The wolf was thrown backward.

Lucien stumbled as well.

The barrier remained completely unharmed.

Several adventurers laughed quietly.

Lucien’s face darkened.

"This damn ruin..."

---

At that moment something strange happened.

Aether stepped forward.

He approached the barrier slowly.

Rylan immediately warned him.

"Careful."

"That thing repelled everyone who tried."

But Aether continued walking.

His Flame Sovereign Pup followed quietly behind him.

As he reached the entrance, the glowing runes reacted.

The barrier flickered.

Everyone stared.

Lucien frowned.

"What’s happening?"

Aether extended his hand.

The moment his palm touched the barrier—

The runes moved.

Not violently.

Not defensively.

Instead...

They slowly parted.

Like a door opening.

The barrier dissolved into light.

Silence fell across the valley.

Everyone stared in shock.

Lucien’s eyes widened.

"How did he do that?"

Rylan looked equally stunned.

"That barrier rejected everyone..."

"Except him."

Aether himself was slightly surprised.

But deep inside, he understood the reason.

The mysterious energy within him—the power connected to his previous life and soul—was resonating with the ancient ruin.

Whatever force protected this place...

It recognized him.

---

As the barrier disappeared completely, the temple doors slowly opened.

Ancient stone mechanisms echoed through the valley.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

A cold wind blew outward from the darkness inside.

Then a deep voice echoed through the ruins.

Not human.

Not beast.

Ancient.

"Those who seek the inheritance..."

"Enter and face the trials."

Golden symbols lit up along the temple floor.

Five glowing platforms appeared near the entrance.

Rylan whispered nervously.

"Trials?"

Lucien smiled again.

"Good."

"That means only the worthy will obtain the prize."

He stepped forward confidently.

"I will pass whatever test this ruin has."

Several adventurers and students stepped forward as well.

No one wanted to miss this opportunity.

Rylan turned to Aether.

"Well..."

"Looks like things just got interesting."

Aether looked toward the dark temple interior.

The mysterious energy inside had grown stronger.

But its nature was still hidden.

Even he could not fully understand what awaited them.

Yet one thing was certain.

The ruins had awakened.

And only a few among them would reach the end of the trials.

Somewhere deep within the temple...

Something ancient waited.

Watching.

Waiting.

Choosing.

And slowly...

Its attention had already begun focusing on one particular person.

Aether.