Genetic Ascension novel Chapter 2410

Chapter 2410: Offer

Januar watched Ekear in silence for several seconds after asking his question, seeming to enjoy the way the older disciple’s expression had gone still. Ekear had managed to keep most of his reaction buried, but the slight tightening through his shoulders was enough to make Januar’s smile widen.

"You don’t need to look at me like that," Januar said, leaning back as though they were discussing something far less dangerous. "If I wanted to expose you, I wouldn’t have bothered coming here first."

Ekear’s gaze sharpened. "Then what do you want?"

Januar chuckled and tapped a finger against the side of his typewriter. "You Nethum are always so suspicious, which is funny considering how often your Clan expects loyalty without giving anyone a reason to offer it."

Ekear’s expression shifted slightly at the wording, but Januar didn’t give him enough time to settle on what bothered him about it. The historian continued speaking with the same careless tone, each sentence revealing just enough to make the next one more difficult to dismiss.

"You aren’t the only one carrying Nethum blood, and you certainly aren’t the only one who remembers things you shouldn’t."

For the first time, Ekear’s control slipped.

Januar laughed softly at the reaction. "There it is."

Ekear stared at him, searching his face for some sign that this was another joke, but Januar looked far too amused for that. More importantly, something about the way he spoke about the Nethum was too familiar, not like an outsider discussing a God Clan from a distance, but like someone complaining about a family he had already grown tired of.

"My path back to the God Plane has been irritating enough without them," Januar continued, resting an elbow against the typewriter. "Then they expect me to toil, sweat, bleed, claw my way back up, and when I finally return, I’m supposed to help raise the Clan another level as though they spent all this time making things easier for me."

He shook his head slowly, looking almost offended by the absurdity of it. "Why would I do that for people who make my life difficult at every turn?"

Ekear’s eyes narrowed. "If you’re really who you’re implying you are, then you should know what happens to traitors."

"Traitor is such an ugly word." Januar smiled. "I prefer someone with priorities."

Ekear’s Will began to gather around him, subtle enough that an ordinary person might not have noticed it, though Januar clearly did. Rather than react with caution, he looked even more entertained.

"I have no interest in helping the Nethum climb higher when I could spend that same effort breaking free of them instead." Januar’s gaze moved over Ekear once, almost lazily measuring him. "And you might make a useful little pawn for that."

"I won’t."

Januar laughed.

Ekear’s expression darkened further. "You think knowing something about me gives you control?"

"No, that’s where you’re misunderstanding things." Januar stood and brushed off his trench coat before lifting his typewriter. "You think far too highly of yourself."

Ekear said nothing, but his Will grew heavier.

Januar only waved a hand. "You’re not even on Sylas’ level, so how exactly did you convince yourself you’re on mine?"

Ekear’s gaze turned cold enough that the air around him seemed to tighten, but Januar had already started walking away. There was no curse left behind, no restriction settling into his body, and not even a threat that Ekear could point toward and prepare against.

"Do whatever you want from here," Januar called without looking back. "Fight me, run from me, improve yourself, gather allies, betray the Nethum, serve them faithfully, it makes no difference."

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