I Am Really The Best Anti Hero In Another World!-System Of Anti Hero! novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43 - 43 - Frozen Fire – Part 2

[Frozen Fire – something that goes by many names – regarded as a curse by humans because it burns its bearer from the inside out, yet desired by beasts that wield flames as their primary weapon, since it can strengthen them immensely]

[It is a unique flame that is born exclusively in the bodies of the humans who best suit the beasts' method of cultivation – the only people capable of evolving by consuming the flesh of these creatures without any special preparation required]

'...So this flame is like the flames of phoenixes or dragons...? A beast's flame that isn't acquired by obtaining a specific lineage, but is born with a certain host... Shouldn't that make it even easier to control?'

[One must possess a lineage – any lineage – to be able to use this flame]

[People in the lower realms do not possess such knowledge, which is why they view this flame as a curse]

[But those born with such a condition in the upper realms are regarded as unparalleled geniuses; all they need to do is acquire a lineage to be able to harness it]

[Warning!]

[Beings with such a condition are typically sought after by the deities of the upper realms, for Frozen Flames can be transferred to another host if the original owner is still alive]

'...And if he dies...?'

[The flame vanishes along with its host and, at the same time, another is born somewhere within that realm – only one Frozen Flame may exist per realm]

'...So that's why the deities search for them in the lower realms... It's a treasure hunt.'

[Affirmative!]

'...This reaction of yours... Does it have any connection with the 'aid in the pursuit of power' tale...?'

[Affirmative!]

[Opportunities that are beyond the user's current knowledge should be reported and explained – encouraging them to seek these out is also one of the rules]

Seeing Noah lost in thought, the old man ventured to ask:

— You... do you know anything about this, young man...?

in a nasal tone—which Noah finds both disgusting and odd, knowing it's all pretense. He had seen such scenes too many times to be fooled by them.

"Perhaps... I'm not sure. It might be that I read something about it, or maybe not..."

"Really?! What did you read about? Can you tell me?!"

Even his enthusiasm was feigned—Noah couldn't quite pinpoint the reason. The story of Frozen Fire was partly true, yet he couldn't say to what extent. The old man before him was no ordinary person; he was far stronger than Arthur, the so-called general of the city—which raises the possibility that, despite being here, he might be from someplace else... perhaps an upper realm, who knows.