Finn lay sprawled at the bottom of a massive crater, his body resting atop soaked earth. The surrounding area was drenched, and his entire body was cloaked in a layer of glowing orange energy. It was a soothing warmth—gentle and comforting. Even though he had regained consciousness, he felt no urge to rise.
All over his body, his wounds and bruises were slowly healing, mended by the flow of royal orange energy.
"Finn… my child..."
A gentle woman's voice echoed in his mind—tender, loving, and filled with warmth. Finn couldn't explain why, but the words stirred something deep inside him.
He waited… hoping the voice would speak again.
But it never did.
Only silence followed.
Then, a familiar voice reached his ears, and his eyelids fluttered open. His vision was still blurry, but a glowing orb of light hovered near his face. Blinking several times, he tried to focus.
"Finn Doria," Sierra's calm voice called.
Finn propped himself up slowly, glancing around as if searching for someone. After a few moments of scanning the surroundings, he turned his confused gaze to Sierra and Little Black.
"I heard a voice… someone called out to me. Is there anyone else here besides the three of us?" he asked, perplexed.
Just moments ago, he had heard a gentle voice call him by name—and say "my child." In his entire life, only one woman had ever called him that: Olivia, the woman he had always known as his mother.
But that voice…
It clearly wasn't Olivia's.
So who had spoken to him?
"There's no one else here besides us," Sierra answered, her expression calm. "Why? Is something wrong?"
Finn caught a strange glint in Little Black's eyes and stared at him suspiciously. After a moment of silence, he shook his head and muttered, "Nothing. Maybe I was just dreaming… or imagining things."
But he knew the truth.
That voice had been real.
After speaking, Little Black lazily slithered up into Finn's thick hair again, curling up comfortably.
"Perhaps," Sierra replied. After a moment's pause, she added, "You pushed your soulforce too far again. Your body couldn't handle the overload, and you collapsed the moment you defeated your opponent. Still, I'm pleased to see your strength has risen once more. You're now a full-fledged 9th Level Profound Rank Adventurer. Soon, you'll step into the Sky Rank."
Finn's eyes widened at her words.
Only then did he notice the powerful energy surging through his body. He felt excitement bloom inside him—but it was quickly tempered by confusion as he looked around.
"What happened here? Why are we in the middle of a massive crater? And why is everything soaked?" he asked. "I remember I was about to lose… and then suddenly, a strange, overwhelming energy burst out of me. Did you help me, Lady Sierra?"
Sierra paused, her tone turning solemn.
"No. You're right—you were on the brink of defeat. I was just about to intervene and save you when… something extraordinary happened."
"…I think your real mother came to your aid and lent you her power to defeat your enemy. Even that sliver of her power nearly shattered my entire domain," Sierra continued, her voice calm but heavy with meaning.
"What?! My real mother?!" Finn gasped, stunned.
He frantically looked around again. "Where is she? I want to see her!"
"Don't waste your energy searching for her," Sierra said gently. "She didn't come here in person. She simply left a sliver of her power inside you—probably as a safeguard in case you ever pushed your soulforce too far. Fortunately, I managed to contain the destruction before it got worse."
'A mere sliver of power…?'
It had nearly obliterated this entire space, yet Sierra called it sliver?
Even a Sky Rank couldn't produce such devastation. The sheer depth and scope of the damage proved how overwhelmingly powerful the attack had been.
The thought made Finn shudder in awe.
"It's been hundreds of thousands of years since I became a spirit," Sierra said quietly, "so I don't know the current affairs of the realms. But I do recognize the force your mother came from… and it's far from ordinary."
"Can you tell me what that power is? Where it came from?" Finn asked, eyes pleading.
Sierra's voice softened. "I cannot. I have no right to interfere with your parents' will. They chose to send you to the Lower Realm for a reason. I must respect that choice—and keep what I know to myself."
Finn's heart sank. He knew she wouldn't tell him, but still… he had hoped.
He longed to know where he truly came from. It was one of the reasons he wanted to grow stronger—to uncover the identity of his real parents and finally piece together the shattered parts of himself.
Still, no matter how strong that desire grew, it wouldn't change how much he loved the family who raised him.
Creed and Olivia were his parents in every way that mattered. They had loved and protected him from the moment he could remember. They treated him like their own flesh and blood. To Finn, they would always be his true family.
Even if he learned who his birth parents were—no one could replace Creed and Olivia.
"…Even if I can't reveal your origin," Sierra continued, "I can give you one clue. Your clan does not exist anywhere in the Lower Realms."
Finn's breath caught in his throat. Sierra was finally giving him something.
"Not in the Lower Realms? Then… could they be in the Middle Realms?" he asked.
"You'll learn the truth when the time is right," Sierra replied.
"My father—Creed—told me my real name is Finn Silva. Could Silva be the name of the force I came from?" Finn asked hopefully.
Sierra fell silent. After a long moment, she finally answered.
"Silva…? No. I don't recall any great power or force bearing that name. I've never heard of such a name among the realms I know."
Her voice sounded confused, and Finn noticed her expression shift.
Even the Fire Phoenix herself… didn't know?
'Then who… am I really…?'
"Don't let your origins trouble you for now," Sierra said gently. "You've completed my trial. You're free to leave this world whenever you wish. But before you go, I have something for you."
Two objects appeared in front of Finn, and he quickly caught them.
[Teleportation Stone]
Unique
Can be used once
A strange voice echoed in his mind, revealing the item's details.
He looked down at the unusual stone and the small bottle resting in his palm.
"I cannot pass my power to you, due to your special existence," Sierra explained. "But I can give you these. Though both items can only be used once, they will be of great help. The stone will return you to this place in case your life is ever in danger. What's amazing is—it works even from the Upper or Divine Realms. I've given your little companion a stone as well, so you each have one. But remember—only you can use it. If anyone else touches it, it will instantly turn to ash."
Finn's heart raced with excitement. More treasures added to his arsenal—and ones that could save his life!
The small bottle beside the stone was also useful, especially for someone still in the Profound Rank like him.
He stored the two items into his interspatial ring, then gave Sierra a respectful bow.
"Thank you, Lady Sierra. I'm truly grateful. I don't know how I'll ever repay your kindness. If there's anything I can do to help you—!"
He paused, a thought flashing in his mind. He drew in a deep breath and looked at Sierra with new resolve.
"Lady Sierra… is there a way for you to gain a new physical body?"
Sierra was silent. Her spirit flickered faintly as if caught off guard by the question.
"A new body…?" she murmured, stunned.
After a long pause, she finally sighed. "Even if there were a way, you don't yet possess the power to help me."
"I may not have the power now," Finn said firmly, "but one day I will. When that day comes, I'll find a way to help you. For now… please stay inside my Myriad World Mirror until that time comes."
Little Black suddenly opened its eyes and shot a sharp glare at Sierra. Finn didn't notice—Little Black was still perched in his hair.
Sierra let out a long sigh and spoke softly.
"Even if I wished for it, your desire is unlikely to come true. I cannot leave this world—this has been my home for countless ages. And more importantly, what of the generations of young adventurers from your little kingdom? If no one oversees this place, no one will be able to open the portal here."
Disappointment clouded Finn's expression.
Sierra was a Divine Beast—her guidance and power would have been invaluable. Even as a spirit, she was still far stronger than any Legend Rank.
If only he could acquire a strength beyond even Legend Rank… protecting the Azure Wood Family would no longer be a distant dream.
But since Sierra had a purpose here—one she could not abandon—he had no choice but to respect it.
"If that's your decision, Lady Sierra, I won't insist," Finn said with a regretful but understanding smile. "But if someday I find a way to give you a new body… I'll wait for the portal to open again and bring you the good news."
Sierra fell silent again. She could feel the sincerity in his voice. Ashe had told her almost the same thing before she left—and hearing it once more stirred something like warmth and longing inside her ancient spirit.
"I will look forward to that day, Finn Doria," Sierra replied quietly.
She took another deep breath and continued, her tone turning grave.
"I must also warn you: once you reach the Upper Realm or Divine Realm, you must be careful with the Myriad World Mirror. Many powerful beings dwell there. They will instantly recognize a divine artifact when they sense one. And if they discover you possess such a treasure… they will stop at nothing to take it from you. Divine Artifacts are among the reasons wars erupt between the strongest powers. Even those who dwell in the Divine Realm will not be able to resist the urge to claim it."
"In this world, even if lesser Adventurers see it, they won't know it's a Divine Artifact. They will think it's just a rare armament. But you must never allow just anyone to enter the mirror. That alone could bring about your ruin."
Finn nodded solemnly.
He already knew this in his heart—and understood the gravity of what Sierra was saying.
"Thank you for the reminder, Lady Sierra," Finn said. "From now on, I'll keep everything I need stored in my interspatial rings so I don't have to open the Myriad World Mirror unnecessarily."
When he finished speaking, he focused his mind and began to open the Myriad World Mirror. Minutes passed as he worked through the process—until, at last, the mirror opened.
Little Black awoke at once, sensing the familiar energy. Without hesitation, it leapt inside ahead of Finn. The sight caught Finn off guard for a moment, but he quickly smiled wryly and shook his head.
He left the mirror open, stepping inside with Sierra.
The moment they entered, the lush, vibrant world within spread out before them—full of rich energy and breathtaking scenery.
"Truly remarkable," Sierra murmured as she floated in the air. "This space… it's as vast as an entire world. Where did you come by a Divine Artifact like this? There are only five known divine artifacts across the universe—and I know each one. But the artifacts you possess… I am unfamiliar with them."
She hovered near three objects wrapped in violent energy.
Finn didn't answer. He remained silent, busy gathering up his treasures.
Hours passed.
At last, Finn had collected everything he needed. He turned and faced Sierra, regarding the glowing orb with calm determination.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay here instead, Lady Sierra? This place isn't so different from your domain. You could establish a territory here," he offered with a hopeful smile.
Little Black, watching from the side, narrowed its eyes at Sierra again—and Sierra only sighed, shaking her head.
Unable to convince her, Finn finally led them both out of the mirror, leaving Munting Black alone inside.
"Lady Sierra," Finn said quietly, "I've completed your trial. There's no longer any reason for me to remain here."
Indeed—he needed to return to the Azure Wood Family.
"Very well," Sierra replied. "I shall return you to your small kingdom."
Her light grew brighter, her power gathering to transport him. But just before she began the process, Finn spoke again.
"Lady Sierra… there's something I wish to ask you." His voice was softer, almost hesitant.
"What is it? If it's within my ability, I'll gladly grant your request," Sierra said.
"…Do you have the power to locate an Adventurer?" Finn asked, his expression deadly serious. His gaze held a quiet, unshakable resolve.
Sierra was surprised by the intensity in his eyes.
"I do," she answered after a moment. "But my power only extends across your continent. And I'll need something that bears their aura to pinpoint their location."
A knowing smile curved Finn's lips. He reached into his interspatial ring and pulled out an ordinary earring, still stained with a trace of dried blood.
"Will this suffice?" he asked, meeting Sierra's gaze meaningfully.
"It will," she said.
The earring vanished from his palm in an instant. A brilliant radiance flared, enveloping the entire area for several long minutes.
When the glow faded, Sierra's voice returned.
"I have found the Adventurer you seek. What business do you have with them? The owner of that earring… is only a 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank. They're hiding away in an isolated village."
"Hm? Scarlet Gold Rank?" Finn's eyes gleamed with a cold amusement. "So the old man has advanced his rank. I never would have guessed… he'd crawl off to some remote backwater to hide."
He looked up, his voice cool and measured.
"Lady Sierra… can you bring me close to his location?"
Sierra didn't answer with words. Her entire form simply blazed with radiant light again.
White luminescence wrapped around Finn's body, beginning with his fingertips. He stared at the glow, unblinking.
"Until we meet again, Finn Doria," Sierra whispered.
"Until we meet again, Esteemed Sierra," Finn replied.
A heartbeat later, his body dissolved into light—and disappeared.
When he materialized, he stood in the middle of a dense forest.
Finn looked around. Nothing but trees and undergrowth surrounded him. A slow, cold smile spread across his lips.
His terrifying presence rippled outward in an invisible wave. The Vicious Beasts lurking nearby felt it instantly—and fled in all directions, terrified.
This was the first time a being of Finn's strength had ever set foot in this place.
"I've returned…" he murmured. His golden eyes glimmered with chilling promise. "And now—it's time for me to collect every debt owed to me. Starting with you… old man."