"Good grief…" - A sigh, a cracked sound clangs from nowhere.
Domain Expansion - Aetheria stabs his arming sword straight to the shadow under him and starts controlling the space around by his Aura.
First, he unleashes his Aura outside, next, he interweaves it into the frame of everything - space.
Finally, he overwrites on it his own inner power to dominate the space all at once - totally erasing the shadow of Har.
Due to the difference of his shadowverse and normal domain materialized in the general space, it's quite difficult for Aeth to overwhelm this small realm by his domain. Yet, nothing is impossible, he just used a small trick to counter this problem.
First, let's talk about the core function and principles of shadowverse.
It is considered as an incomplete domain which needs to trap others via the shadow gates to drag them into the true shadowverse. So basically there must remain at least one gate in the general space (Aurorize - Great Dead Forest) right now because it's still an open dimension.
Focus on that shadow gate.
Now we move on to the domain of Aetheria. It's still an isolated realm to the general space until he opened it against the shadowverse of Har. Via that shadow gate, he overwrote his domain onto the general space, then using it as an intermediary to spread out into the shadowverse.
It requires a specific delayed process, however, it's worth it!
Don't look down upon the incomplete domain, even Aeth right now can't truly expand his domain completely. As a human in this recession era, having an ability to feel the concept of space is a blessing, let alone to have a domain very soon like Aeth currently.
That's why at the first second since he stepped in this shadowverse, Aetheria instantly determined that Har is a terrible threat for Ian in future.
So he must die here, right now!
Unfortunately, all Aeth can do is temporarily negate the shadow and jump back to the general space due to the special case. They both have incomplete domains, yet, he was inside the true existence of the shadowverse, not the materialized one in general space. That's why even in the best case, he would only be able to kill all the undeads and still have to escape.
His limited Aura doesn't give him that chance, however, within that scarce 2.18 seconds, he has already damaged Har seriously enough to force him stop maintaining hiding inside that shadowverse.
And with the advantage of 1.08 second leaving that dimension faster than Har, Aetheria has taken out one more epic item - a scroll of shiny runes.
It is swiftly activated, summoning three big magic circles of light elements. Non-stop, he chants three more spells in chains to make sure that Har won't have any chance to escape this fast trap.
Laser (spell lv4) - Light Boost (spell lv5) - Light Boost II (spell lv6) - chained.
Light is a photon, and it contains energy. Which means the spell casters can exchange it into other kinds of energy while keeping at least the basic function of light elements.
And Laser is one of them, it's a spell allowing the users to exchange light to heat then concentrate it at one point - burning everything.
Moreover, Laser still releases light outside, in other words, it counters directly the advantage of shadow that Har's been always abusing.
*Vroom* - Another epic item has been activated.
The coat of the magician - by wrapping objects inside it, they can be sent to the selected coordinates.
And guess who that guy is. Of course, another Aetheria - The Upper Moon.
"I told you you'd not prepared enough."
*Haha* - "But in this case, I just got a fun thing to tell you."
"Alright, later."
Even though Aeth just swiftly leapt straight toward them with his sword in hands, he's still slower than the space shifting. The two Irregulars have escaped with the loss of many epic items of Aetheria.
"..." - He observes silence, then he sighs.
At the end, even though he felt quite not good about this attack, Aeth still accepted it as his fault. He should've brought at least three legendary items from his base into this fight.
If it was true, none of them could escape soft and sound like that.
"Good grief, thank God that I'm rich." - He slightly seals the undead swamp and returns to the branch of The Holy Council. Today is actually his worst day ever.
After three hours missing him, the whole legion of thousands knights has tried to find him all around the green zone, but they have nothing but a rejection of Luna and Ian. They aren't allowed to go beyond the edge this time.
"Yo? How's it going?" - Ian suddenly asks.
Aetheria also appears behind the mist, "Not too good. He just escaped."
"Eh? Are you that weak man?"
"Shut up, you must fight him to have the true perspective. From now on, I'll train you more until you're able to escape from that guy."
*Silent* - Ian looks at Aeth with a serious attitude; his leader also looks at him with a look of confirmation. Ian takes it, he knows that he isn't strong enough to stay at the top of this continent. It's very normal and easy for him to accept the truth that he isn't strong enough, or even weak.
They also go back to their missions after all, it should be a nice day for them to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Yet, in the dark side, right in front of a statue, Aeth suddenly droops his legs down onto the floor in the confusion of all 12 Golden Knights.
The fact that there are 7 guys promoted from other branches to help Aeth in mission, but that's not the problem.
The true issue is right at his left hip, a dark smoke is overflowing madly via the black wound. Fortunately, he is blessed and healed right away after that. It's the reward of his efforts in protecting humans and his faith about the Holy Spirits in Heaven.
"Wait? Aeth, why did you have that kind of injury?" - Ian whispers.
"Of course from Ryun actually, so what do you think about the reason for my failed capture of him?" - Aeth obviously touches his hip with a healing spell to cure him a bit besides the effects of the blessing.
On the other dark side of this crownless continent, Har is laughing madly.
"What's wrong with him?" - Zela asks.
"How am I supposed to know?" - A random guy standing right next to her replies.
Aetheria says nothing, he brings him a cup of tea and asks for the process. He also takes a sip of that tea and slightly calms down. This is the first time that Hoshira is able to have that kind of peak fight with 100% authenticity. Besides the strange feelings while using power, that it doesn't give him a drained experience, he has surpassed everything including pain, fear, sweat, despair and even high.
In other words, he's high above heaven right now due to the stirring adrenaline inside his body currently.
"Hey, Aetheria. Do you know what I just stole from that guy?" - He slightly laughs and asks at once.
"Nope." - A short reply from Aetheria.
"Sinful Treasures. An ability related to the seven sins of mankind." - He says.
"Wait? What did you just say?"
"Seven Sins of Mankind." - Har presses each word.
Aetheria says nothing, he only stands up and goes into the secret room behind his office. He is looking for something, something that's really related to these words.
"It must be… here." - His hands stop at an aged book in the small box.
"Seven Sins…" - His eyes look straight at that book with a strange look.
He swiftly goes straight to Har, who is still sitting on the floor, his hands hold that book and give it to Har with a demand to ask him to read it.
[The Book of Seven Sins has been collected.]
[Analyzing…]
A familiar voice pops up inside his mind, surely it's the system which just went on vacation for a while.
[A legendary item has been found - The Book of Seven Sins.]
"A legendary item?" - He unconsciously shouts out.
Aetheria also asks, "What's wrong?"
*Haha* - "Not really, can I believe you?"
This a strategic question, even Yes or No will cause the same thought about his companion from Har. If they are really reliable, they will admit with confidence. If not, there must be a small expression going against their true thoughts.
But…
"Who knows bruh? Even I can't believe you. All that we're doing is caused by the benefits and our abilities. It's nothing but a contract, I won't…"
While Aetheria keeps yapping, Har just slightly smiles.
"That's enough, even if you choose to say Yes or No I'll keep it as my secret. Your answer just surprises me a bit."
"So what's the point?" - Aetheria looks at him.
"I have one thing that's called System."
*Silent* - While Har still thinks that they are surprised by his confession.
*Hahaha* - Aetheria laughs suddenly while others just freeze their expression after missing their conversation.
"I thought that it was something. I know about the existence of System(s)."
This time, Har is truly surprised. He wonders if this guy is a kind of player like him.
And then, when the thoughts are rising without stopping, Aetheria just reveals one more truth.
"We are considered as heresy just because of going against the faith of The Holy Spirits. Yet, we keep going till the end." - He takes a sip of tea.
"We learn and study about the essence inside humans, and its resonance with the essence in outer space." - He smiles.
"We want to know about those forbidden and forgotten godlike beings in the blank era, the ancient era and even the era of Chaos." - His smile distorts.
"And Systems are a part of our studying path about outer force in this universe." - His claim interweaves with his ego then all of them expand outside with the true aspiration of that being - Hex.
"So, do you want to bond with us?" - He aks.
"Sure." - A smile, Har has just figured out that this game is way more interesting than he thought it should be.
Day 98, dear Edel, today is the last day of their training here. I believe in their power, but it's hard to see through mankind. I beg you to bless them in heaven.
It's been a while since he stopped abusing writing diaries as the way to eliminate his emotions. Since that day they came into his life, it's changed again.
"How are you feeling, Kura?" - As usual, he disappears inside the shadow as a phantom and appears in that windy hill, where Kura always trains daily.
*Huff* - "As usual, I'm fine. How are you?" - He heavily puts down two small orbs on the ground after lifting them 2000 times from 5am for two hours.
Don't look down upon them, it's as heavy as a baby Wyvern for an orb like that, around 12 tons for each. And he's been lifting it for two hours, it's an improvement in his strength generally, that he can even dig an enormous hole though a big mountain with only his ten fingers.
It's not a fraud that says his strength is placed at the top tier of the whole 800 outsiders in this realm.
"You've grown so much in strength Kura." - The earl says.
"That's my honor to live here, my lord." - He replies while wiping away all his sweat.
The earl also nods, "Now, I'm going to give you the first mission."
Kura replies, "Yes, I'll complete it."
"Go back to Aurorize and make a league of at least 20 people. You must make sure that they are strong enough to accompany you."
"Sure, can I invite Torun and Hazen?"
"Of course. But!" - His last word immediately takes Kura's intention.
The earl slightly looks at him with a serious manner, "You must not be superficial and hurry."
"No, I won't."
"Moreover, you must not accept any demon or demon-like creature in your league."
"Sure."
"This time, the gap will be 3 years. After 3 years, I'll find you and make a challenge." - He slightly unleashes his Aura.
"If you all can surpass it, I'll lead you and your companions to that place."
The pressure is raised over and over until it's hard for Kura to move an inch, this is the very soon warning for Kura not to look down upon his mission. After a few seconds of testing, the earl is also ready to finish his declaration.
"Can I ask where it will be?" - Kura rapidly extends his question.
"Phelatusk, where you must be there for destiny." - He replies slowly but surely, and each word just brings the pressure up to another higher level.
"What is that destiny, is it related to the book?"
But this time, the earl just slightly shakes his head. Kura can't determine his answer, whether it's yes or no.
After a sigh, he gives Kura a hand sign for the goodbye. Following that action is his obviously evaporating in the air. Seems like the earl doesn't really want to talk about this topic of destiny.
Kura can easily find out the rejection in his eyes, yet, it will never be the reason for him to give up digging into the truth. Till the end of his life, he won't forget that promise.
Suddenly the orange sunlight gently touches his eyes from the far away horizon. *Whirr* - A wind also rapidly blows toward him as a farewell.
Kura also touches the grass below him, his eyes staring at the sun set as if he wants to carve it into his mind. It's been a while since the last day he's willing to stop for a while and look around himself a bit.
You're really close to it, Kura. He murmurs inside his inner world.
After a sigh, he also goes back to the castle, leaving there the fading sun and the shaky grass with the winds of the North.
However, when he lays his feet into the hall, Torun and Hazen are waiting here to meet him again after a month.
"Yo, I've heard about our mission." - Torun greets.
"Sup, how is it going?" - Hazen, the quiet guy, just asks.
Kura also smiles, "We will leave tomorrow. So take the last dream here."
"Alright."- Hazen disappears.
"See you tomorrow." - Torun also does the same thing.
"See you…"
Everything comes to silence again, Kura just walks straight to the bathroom with a towel. He wonders how his life has changed since he came to Aurorize.
He had lost everything and faced death to just get here with a new journey. He wonders why he had to go through this fate if that promise wasn't made.
*Aizz* - "All of nonsense…"
The steam floats all over the room and Kura just sits there, inside the large bathtub, with a glass of wine in his hand. His eyes silently pin at the second moon above his head as if he's looking for something, for something that he just lost in those bygone days.
On the moon, where the shiny light sparkles among a twinkle corner of this universe.
"They've arrived. Shall we…" - The entity wrapped inside the absolutely white aura slightly persuades.
"Not yet."
His black hair reflects the gleamy nebula and sways in the winds of the cosmos. Those two eyes mirror the dreams of the far behind ages.
He doesn't even look at that entity, just sitting there and murmuring the unknown song, "That day it crumbled…"
"The sky fell, on the broken earth and rivers…" - That entity continues.
The rhythm floats over the heart and mind, yet, it still disappears in the empty space around them, evaporating into the void and vanishing as the erased age.
Suddenly, another guy pops up behind them.
*Vroom* - The space and time are instantly isolated by a barrier, it seems like it's built up by that third entity. No one knows what they discuss, neither that guy's purpose nor his identity.
Yet, in the almost impossible chance, a meteor was crossing through that galaxy. In the short amount of time, the reflection on that celestial body was able to mirror his face dimly.
He has a white hair, he covers himself with a shiny but simple white outfit and he has the similarities of that guy, The God Slayer - Yujin.
*Gasp* - At the undefined location, a girl with long pink hair suddenly woke up with a start. She unsteadily moves her hands to touch the left eye with a frightening expression. Her staff also slightly trembles right next to her.
Observing that, she gently touches and caresses it with a solace.
"Don't worry Tiamyn, he won't harm us." - Following it, the staff slowly but surely stops shaking and immerses into its long dream again.
However, that girl still looks at the sky, her eyes staring at the second moon, the brightest one on the night sky, with a bouncing heart, she whispers.
"From the dust, we will raise one more time…"
"Breaking the sky above, tearing the ground under us as a clanging thunder…" - Seems like the boss of The Eclipsed Moon knows it too. He smiles in the darkness of Arezal.
"Hmmm…" - He looks at Aranta.
"Hmmm…" - He looks at Paragon.
"Hmmmmmm…" - He looks at both of them.
"Hmm…"
"Shut the * up Aryn." - The hunter sitting right next to him rapidly drives a punch straight to his head.
"Welcome, you are Aranta, right?" - She smiles at him.
"Yes I am."
"So I will begin with you first. I'm Marlin Rusoventy, tell me about yourself." - She puts her glasses on and spins the pen frequently and continuously with her fingers.
"I am just a normal guy with martial arts. I've cleaned 300+ dungeons with this guy." - He points to Paragon.
"Recently, we did a red dimensional rift in the west of Empire Cala. But somehow it has one more gate in Arezal, at the new branch of The Holy Council, you can ask Aetheria Grantey or Phoenix to check this information." - He drops a chapter of a book.
"Wo… wow…" - Surely, with that portfolio, she has nothing to reject him.
"Okay, now is your turn, Paragon." - She looks at him with the high demand. Obviously she is the kind of person who always wants to hear others' interesting stories instead of feats.
"Good morning, I'm Paragon. Surely all the dungeons that I cleared are just the same as his. We are looking for the chance to climb higher and higher in The Hunter Council for the better information network all around this continent at least." - Different from Aranta, Paragon has better communicating skills, yet, he is not that kind of braggart.
"Interesting." - She claps her hands for a bit, then she looks at him in a different manner. This time, her eyes reflect the color of Hex.
"Why are you looking for that kind of authority?"
*Ah* - "Nothing special, we're just looking for the one person."
"Ohh, who is he?" - "Yujin."
*Silent* - Surely she can't hear that name, "Excuse me, can you repeat it again?"
"His name is Yujin."
This time, Marlin can make sure that there's an unknown force deleting that name from her mind rather than Paragon's cheap trick to draw attention.
"Of course, you aren't able to hear that name. It also happens to others, that's why we need to do it by ourselves." - He continues.
"I see, you guys are approved. Here are your medals." - She slightly gives them two medals which stand for their Hunter Account.
"These things are your Hunter Accounts, based on the rank, you can access the higher information or not."
"I see, have a good day." - They both stand up and step out of that room.
While Marlin and Aryn just look at each other with a serious manner.
"Hey, why am I thinking of that guy?" - Aryn wonders.
"Same, they look similar to that guy."- Marlin replies with nothing but an agreement.
*Bling* - Paragon flicks that medal up and down, up and down. It's carved a large black "X" at the center, which proves their rank is the lowest of the Hunter System.
"Why do we just receive the lowest rank bruh? Why don't they just upgrade it for us instead of leading us to do it by ourselves?" - Paragon slightly complains.
"They are surely not paid for that kind of service." - Aranta replies.
"Nah, because we need to test you all first." - A strange voice pops up behind them
*Vroom* - Spell: Glass Dimension has been activated to trap both Aranta and Paragon into itself.
"Don't worry, it's just a test. There is a golem, do your best to take it down as fast as possible."
*Crack* - Plaz has been taken out and swung straight to it even before that guy finishes the introduction.
"Oh… are you really in that hurry?"
Record: 1st time - 1 hit - 2 seconds (Golem3)
"Seems like you are stronger than I thought." - He evaluates Paragon a bit, then summons one more Golem at level 7 instead of 4 as usual.
"It won't attack you, now give me your best…"
*Bang* - With the supersonic attack speed, he instantly rotates thrice in that moment and sends that Golem flying back five meters.
"Is it enough?" - "Sure, you've passed. Due to the rules, your rank is upgraded to the 5th one. Yet, it will also take you practical feats and actions to be promoted again. Good luck."
"Thanks then."
Aranta also performs as well as his companion, within two hooks, that level 7 Golem has been crushed into scraps of metal.
"Uh, do I need to pay for the damage?" - "Sure not."
That night, they just rent the room with two separated beds to sleep - preparing themselves before travelling to the West.
"Hmm? Does it grow?" - Aranta looks at Plaz.
"Sure, for some reasons, Plaz is evolving non-stop." - Paragon walks out of the bathroom while answering.
"I wonder if my gauntlets just can do that kind of evolution or not." - "Nah, surely not, Plaz is a living creature, unlike your ice weapons."
Paragon instantly wipes out that impossible scenario.
Yet, Aranta just keeps hoping, "Who knows, everything can be possible."
His companion says nothing, he puts on the clothes and takes a nice sleep instead of arguing with Aranta.
Meanwhile, in Arezal, there is a big training season for all the knights here. Of course, Aetheria already planned it when he was a Golden Knight, now all the roadblocks just evaporated away, so no one can stop him right now.
Welcome to the new branch of The Holy Council, here you can see, they are training themselves with smiles and tears of happiness.
Their schedule is really easy to work on. First, in the morning, they must wake up before dawn appears on the horizon, otherwise they will get some electric shocks for the warnings. Then they must get in line and maintain unleashing Aura outside for two hours or at least until they are drained.
After those two hours, when the sun has been in the sky for a while, they will have their rich protein breakfast and a short break in half an hour. At exactly half past seven, they are required to grab those rocks with at least 10 times their weights and run to the top of the nearest mountain via the prepared path. Aetheria is such a nice guy, so he just gives them the most three hours to get back to their positions.
This requirement is good for their training, they must run back to the branch with those rocks while unleashing their Aura - Ignite.
*Ignite: it is one technique of Aura using. Basically there are two usages, bursting Aura like Luker is one of them. And the last option is covering their bodies with Aura, but it's different from the protection of Guard, Ignite second usage is supposed to waste their Aura faster.
It's used to increase their maximum Aura amount naturally through practicing, not for attacking or defending.
Consequently, after those three hours, they must be very tired. Aetheria is a nice guy, as I said, he gives them another thirty-minute break and fast recovery. At exactly half past eleven AM, they are going to do some free muscle training. It just likes normal things, such as dead lifting, squatting, and pushing up…
This stage will last for three more hours, until they are exhausted again.
At half past three in the evening, they must do their best to fight against twelve Golden Knights until the sun set is over. During this period of time, each guy has an hour to rest or have food. Whatever they do, they still have to surpass 14 hours in training. Of course, due to the fact that Aetheria is such a nice guy, also very rich, he is fine with the cost of 4000 rewards for each knight under his authority if they finish those 14 hours.
"Sir Aetheria." - Luna calls him.
"What's wrong?"
"Not really, I'm just here to thank you for your gift." - She smiles.
"What are you talking about? I do not remember that I gave you something."
*Haha* - "You are bad at lying to others."
She knows it, she knows that Aetheria didn't just give up buying that potion, but also mobilized his personal doctors, alchemists and priests to cure her sister. It's such a dream that Luna witnessed her goal being fulfilled just in one night. It's even more precious than any gift she had received before.
"Anyway, thanks for your kindness." - She slightly bows her head down a bit while doing the standard ceremony of a knight.
"How is your sister right now?" - He asks.
"Eh? Why are you paying so much attention to my little sister? Am I not that pretty?" - She teases.
"I'm not joking. I want to make a deal, I know that whoever survived through that curse won't be able to mobilize their Aura or mana anymore." - He looks at her while taking out a legendary item and an epic item.
They are all the alchemist products that can solve her sister's problem. She knows that her time has come. Luna instantly rushes straight into his body and acts spoiled.
*O~* - "Is it for me?"
"As I said, Luna, I'm not joking." - Aetheria glances straight at her.
"Sorry." - She instantly moves back to her own position.
Observing that, he keeps going, "I give you two choices, if you choose the epic item, I won't require from you anything. But, if the legendary one is selected, I want you and your sister to be my direct inferiority."
*Crasp* - Her left knee swiftly downs on the grass under herself, she also takes out her staff and stabs it through the ground. This is how a knight of The Holy Council makes a promise of honor and glory.
"I, Luna, and my sister, Lisa, will obey you until our last breath." - She instantly chooses the legendary item.
Althysk potion III is considered as a semi-epic item, and Luna hasn't even seen a legendary item as close as this time before. Obviously, selling both herself and her sister can't even buy it, let alone to obsess one with that kind of cheap price.
"Wise choice. I give you all three months, you must train her to at least the basic level." - He orders.
"Yes sir."
Then she also moves back to her office and leaves there a lonely silhouette. But it's fine, Aetheria is already fine to be alone like this. Moreover, it's even the best time for him to look around, though each swaying grass under his feet, each silent tree in the forest, each wind passing through him and each star sparkling in the night sky.
Then he suddenly speaks up, "Done?"
"Ye." - A reply clangs from his back.
It's Ian, who just wiped out three rank 5 dungeons today. His hands are dyed in the red color of blood and doom - the evidence of his slaughtering.
"What are we going to do next?" - He asks.
"Not yet, take your time to rest. We'll move on tomorrow." - Without a look at Ian, Aetheria still keeps staring at the starry night sky above his head.
"I see, good night."
"Good night."
Seems like the era has changed. He thought.
Different from two days ago, Aeth can make sure that Ian's Aura has become more delicate and denser. It's even recorded when he unleashed it unconsciously, which means Ian is now way better than himself two days ago at least twice.
You always surprise me, Ian. Aeth evaluates silently in his mind, he knows that he must be stronger to lead his guy even higher.
He is just like that, looking at the sky and wondering about the future. When the moonlit clouds float over his head, he's still sitting there, when the moonlight has gone, he still immerses his mind into that sky.
Yet, until it starts breaking apart, Aeth no longer stays calm anymore. He instantly takes out an arming sword and a shield, preparing for the sudden attack.
Back to the castle, when the dawn hasn't risen. Kura just sits on his bed and looks at the twilight horizon far away through the open windows. The cool winds slowly touch his face as if they want to embrace Kura forever. It's weird to say that, but he is really feeling the emotion of sadness and losing from those inanimate objects.
However, everything must come to its end. When the sun rises is when he leaves this place for the next journey of his life.
*Kek* - The familiar sound of the old door silently clangs in the hallway, Kura knows that it's time to do the last greetings to all the people in this castle.
"Oh, I thought that it was still night." - Hazen slightly pulls his door backward.
"Good morning." - Kura replies.
"Good morning, where is Torun?" - Hazen asks.
"Here." - A voice appears at their backs.
"What are you doing? Trying to kidnap some children?" - Kura laughs.
"Shut up, I just tested my new spell."
"Sir, the breakfast is ready." - Two maids delicately extend their greetings to our outsiders.
"Oh Layla, I'll miss you." - Torun shakes her hands.
She smiles slightly, "I'll miss you all too."
After all the farewell, they walk down to the hall, where the earl and Uruta and Elya are waiting.
"Welcome, my champions." - Daluka smiles.
"Good morning, my lord." - Kura bows his head and gently puts his hand over the heart. Meanwhile, his companions are also doing the same thing. This is their last day here, they want to end formally as the way they did before.
Nevertheless, unlike their actions, the table is filled up by the laughs and joys. They all enjoy the food, drinks and share their stories as a casual meeting.
This is the last gift of the earl to Kura. He realized that sometimes he can stop for a bit and look around. Kura has been rushing so fast that he even forgets what he has in present. They don't say anything, yet, they all know each other's intentions. That's the last lesson he can teach Kura.
He just smiles and looks back to the bygone days with Edel, in the field full of the sunflowers and the sunlights of the sun rise. It has a color of yellow, orange and a little bit of golden reflections.
"Time's up. It's time for you guys to step on the next journey." - The earl puts an end into this melody without any hesitation. He is the only one here who worries the most for them, yet, the birds must learn how to fly and they must land their feet onto their own roads.
"Thanks for everything, my lord, Elya and Uruta." - This time it's still Kura, he stands up and does what he must do.
On the contrary, Hazen and Torun just do it in their own ways. They are not the kind of people who always behave formally as Kura.
Within the smiles on their faces, the space just crack eventually until the three outsiders stand on the undefined flow. It crosses through the shiny dimension and leads them back into Aurorize via the gate.
And that's how they appeared through the broken sky above Aetheria's head.
"Who are you?" - The Diamond Knight asks them.
"We are outsiders, and we are looking for some strong companions." - Kura honestly answers.
Aetheria also recalls his weapon and shield for a peaceful talk, "I see. Are you all in a hurry?"
"Not really." - Hazen replies while stepping ahead. Seems like he wants to fight Aetheria for warming up.
"Can I ask for a favor?" - Hazen looks at the strange guy in front of him.
"Sure." - Aetheria already knows that guy's intentions.
"It is just a small and friendly performance." - Hazen declares.
"Of course, I am Aetheria Grantey, the leader of this legion."
"I am Hazen, just an unemployed guy."
*Quack - Quack* - The crows escape from the Great Dead Forest for their lives, and that movement just wakes Ian up from his dream.
"Welp, another day."
*Crack* - Something is cracking.
"Huh?"
*Bang* - The shockwave swiftly passes through his face with a loud explosion. Instantly, he notices that it's the consequence of Space Breaker. And with this power…
"Aeth?" - He wonders.
*Vsh* - Ian instantly opens the windows and leaps straight to the battle field, it's located near the edge of the Green Zone and Grey Zone. It's quite far for a step, but the total is only ten seconds to get there.
"Oh… Torun?" - "Ian?"
They both realize each other instantly.
"What's going on?"
"Don't worry, Hazen, one of my companions, just has a duel with your leader." - Torun takes out a bottle of wine and three glasses.
Surely Kura also jumps into this small drinking party.
"Dude, for real?"
"Sure man, this guy even drank with me before asking my identity. " - Torun tells Kura their old story.
*Haha* - "We even consumed hundreds of alcoholic drinks inside my pockets until we realized we were set to be each other's fateful enemy in that deadly game."
*Haha* - They keep drinking while Hazen is trying to block all the strikes from Aetheria.
Even though he isn't known well in close range fighting combats with bare hands, yet, Aeth is still able to overwhelm Hazen due to his better Aura output. They all cover the bodies with the protection of Aura to reduce the damage, not increasing the damage.
Nevertheless, it still hurts Hazen after taking one strike directly.
*Gasp* - "Why are you so strong?"
"Obviously I practiced martial arts for three years, perhaps my fighting style just overwhelms yours while combining with my advantages of better Aura output." - Aetheria replies while rushing straight toward Hazen with another strike.
"You don't even drop a sweat, stop lying to me man." - He dodges that strike and counters Aeth with an elbow slash at his chin.
After defending thrice, Hazen has already been able to land one attack on his opponent. Yet, they don't rush, they all step backward until the distance between them is approximately five meters.
*Whirr* - The winds pass through them and reveal their own Aura overflowing in the air. Seems like they have brought this fight to another level.
"This time it'll be about Ignite technique." - Aetheria declares.
"Bring it on."
*Thud - Thud* - Two fast jabs straight to Hazen's face have been released by Aetheria. He also moves his legs to aim for a kick at his belly.
Observing that action, Hazen swiftly dodges aside and counters him with a fast punch from his right fist.
Yet, it's not fast enough to make Aeth have a harsh time. It only takes him another second to grab and block Hazen's right arm for his next movement.
Aeth swiftly trips those two legs all at once to break Hazen's balance while knocking him down after a fast re-fixing of his feet positions.
"It's over."
"F*, that's too fast bro." - Hazen gives up, he realizes that he can't beat this guy.
"You're good, but not enough. Do you guys want to train with me? I'm looking for some reliable guys to back up this legion whenever we're in danger.
"I think you should ask Kura instead, I have no idea about our journey. He's always a formal guy except when he behaves casually in private places. So I think you can try to persuade him, especially when Torun and Ian just know each other. It'll be very probable."
"I see, let me try." - Aeth cleans himself with spells and walks toward them.
"Are you Kura?" - He looks at the white hair guy with a blindfold on his face.
"Yes, I'm Kura. I've heard about your dialogue, it's my honor to be here until we find out our next location." - He replies.
"Great, so Ian." - Aeth looks at his heavy drinker.
"Yes sir."
"Guide them around our places and prepare three rooms for our guests." - He orders.
"Sure." - Ian rapidly lets those red wine flow through his mouth and throat in a second and stands up for his mission.
"Let's go." - "Alright."
"Sir!" - All the legions rapidly run toward Aeth and get in line. Obviously they are ready for the next training day.
"Good morning my guys, now start your training day with two hours here and have breakfast as usual. Yet, today we have some new guests, so I will let you all observe some advanced techniques and duels. One more time, I don't want to grow 4000 bandits, I want 4000 well-trained knights." - He declares.
"YES SIR!" - Their responses echo around the empty place and the mist of early autumn.
*Phew* - Lisa sits on the ground after those two hours of training.
*Ee~* - Her hot left cheek is invaded by the cold of the drink. Luna, her elder sister, just sits there and pinches those two little soft pink cottons while giving her a can of soda.
"How is your day my baby?"
*Ew~* - "Stop teasing me, I'm an adult already."
*O~* - "Anyway, you are still my little sister after all."
*Ble~* - She sticks her tongue out a bit like a cat as a bit of protest.
"Seems like you're really enjoying this place, Lisa." - Ian pops up behind them.
"Yo, where's it?" - She looks at him.
"Here." - Ian takes out a lollipop.
"Yay."
"Why are you here, Ian?" - Luna wonders.
"Ah, I just finished touring our new guests all around this place. Now I'm free, just be here to let you know that at nine o'clock, Aeth wants to meet us."
*Eh* - "Are you allowed to say his name like that?" - Luna just asks out of politeness, everyone here all knows that the relationship between Ian and their leader isn't normal.
"Don't look at me with that face. It's just a shortened term to call him, and don't use it normally, otherwise he will beat your *ss."
*Haha* - "Why does it sound like a s*x joke instead of a warning?"
"Shut up, make it normal, no dirty thoughts, okay?" - He smiles.
"Alright, let's move on." - Aetheria says it out loud. *Vsh* - Both Ian, Torun, Kura and Hazen suddenly appear right next to him.
"They are our new guests except Ian, they are stronger than you all, so if you want to have a training duel with them, you guys can ask them. Don't miss this opportunity." - Aeth introduces each guy except Ian.
"And now, I will show you some advanced techniques while dueling with each of them. First, Hazen is a striker who prefers hand combats, I won't use weapons this time, it will only be a hand duel."
Hazen also steps out and mobilizes his Aura around himself for protections - Guard. So does Aetheria, he also uses Guard this time while others instantly move back to leave a space for their fight.
As usual, Hazen moves ahead with a hook to the opponent's left ribs when he widens his two legs.
Aetheria also lowers his left elbow down to block that strike and does one fast jab into Hazen's face for a quick counter.
*Thud* - It's heavy as hell, based on the previous experience, he instantly recalls the right hand for a block. Yet, he also gives up his chance to land a strike.
Another fast uppercut has been thrown straight to Hazen's chin when he is still hesitating.
Pulse has been activated, Aeth swiftly unleashes a big amount of Aura straight to Hazen's belly - sending him flying backward ten meters on the ground.
"This is one of Aura techniques, Pulse, allowing you guys to unleash a specific amount of Aura in a specific range. Breaker is also related to this technique by itself, moreover, based on your blessed elements, the range and damage are defined differently." - Aeth throws a healing potion toward Hazen while explaining to his guys.
"Sir." - One of his knights speaks up.
"Go on."
"How can we determine our blessed elements?"
"That's a good question, but it's not time for you all to check it yet. Practice the normal steps first, then you will find out by yourselves. Don't worry, we actually have a specific way to check it too." - Aeth calmly tells him not to hurry.
"Yes sir."
"And now, Torun is a manipulator, also a mage, for all of you who want to learn magic, just look at him for examples." - Aetheria points to the second white-haired guy at his back.
"Good morning you all, I can't claim that I know many things, but I believe I can still help you in training spells." - He smiles and steps forward two steps from the back.
"Woohoo!* - The crowd instantly acclaims him.
*Clap* - "I'm blessed in Manipulation and Emanation elements, which means I can do this."
He moves his Aura into the two first fingers and easily changes its shape to anything he wants, a bubble, a number, a circle or even a small animal like rabbits.
"Furthermore, I can release it outside by activating Pulse." - After that, he splits it and pushes it toward in the form of an orb.
"Aura always evaporates in the air, keep it in mind, so as a manipulator, I need to concentrate it, split it and make sure that the amount of loss is limited at the minimum." - He moves his fingers and that orb moves correspondingly due to the drawn trajectory.
"Yet, it doesn't mean that you should maintain it for too long in fights. Actually, you must set the goal of killing or defeating opponents as your first priority. If they die already, everything's done, right?" - He moves his hand to change its form to a hand and flinches a pink cheek of a random girl.
"Different from others, manipulators can indirectly change the shapes and forms of their split Aura. However, you guys can maintain one last connection to it like this." - He shoots a thin string straight to the Aura hand and repeats all the previous actions.
"If manipulators are skilled enough, they can indirectly do these kinds of things in their minds, no longer need to move fingers or hands like me."
"One last thing, you all can mobilize both Aura and mana at the same time. But it requires you guys a little bit of trying." - He obviously extends his Aura outside. It has a 70% transparent opacity green color as a crystal.
"As you all know, Aura is saved in heart as usual to easily move it all around ourselves through each beat. Yet, it also limits you in saving other energy in the same place. That's why I came up with some techniques and ways to achieve this goal." - He is smiling and others are really listening to him, which proves that he's good at teaching.
"First, if you are bound with Emanation or Manipulation, it's easier for you to directly mobilize the mana in the air. But it's also a limit that you can't fight well in a place lacking mana or full of stained energy."
"On the other hand, you guys can also try to switch circulating between Aura and mana in your blood veins. Yet! I suggest you not to do it too fast, avoid blowing up yourselves." - Torun also sets an example for them by mobilizing his Aura and mana in different groups of blood veins.
"Due to my strategy, I always cast spells through my hand signs or directly transfer them to my staff, so I usually focus on the blood veins in my two arms and hands. But don't forget to save half of them to use your Aura, otherwise you will lose the chance to use Guard." - He keeps explaining and others keep listening.
"Nevertheless, if you can concentrate mana directly in the air, you can cast spells directly outside of your bodies. Yet, I'm practicing that kind of technique too, so I prefer saving a specific amount of mana inside my brain first."
"Sir!" - The girl that he pinched her cheeks swiftly speaks up.
"Go on."
"So how can you mobilize your mana from brain to your hands while not using the blood veins? In case that we're in danger not to decrease our Aura output." - She asked him a question.
"In that case, you should burst your mana through your bones." - He smiles.
"Bon… bones?"
"Yes, besides their mana resistance, bones are still good weapons for you to transfer the mana to them. Let's make an example, you can release your mana by bursting them inside your bones near the joints like elbows and knees for an unpredictable strike. Nevertheless, you shouldn't abuse it, bursting mana like this can cause a high pressure on your bones, do it wisely if you don't want to break yourself." - He pinches her cheeks again.
"On the contrary, if you mobilize mana to your hands and start bursting it later, you will have mana to cast spells. Or you can choose to transfer it from your bones to the staff and cast spells, whatever you do, just abuse it wisely for some precious chances to kill your enemies."
*E~* - "Stop pinching them."
"That's all for today, see you guys later." - He evaporates the Aura hand and returns to his place.
"Fine, next is Kura, he is a specialist, which means he can use six elements of Aura all at once - Singularity element."
*Woohooo* - This is the first time they've heard about this kind of power, they can't imagine how strong Kura should be while controlling six elements at the same time.
"It's my honor to stay here and make a speech. First of all, I am Kura Cylia and I am a specialist. I think I should explain to you all our six elements of the Aura system instead of going too fast about my power." - He stands up and steps ahead.
*Woohoo*
"First, Manifestation, if you are blessed with it, you are called manifestors. Its basic feature is temporarily creating anything with a specific amount of Aura, and to maintain it not to disappear, you will need to pay a small cost per second to do it." - He materializes a dagger and covers it inside his Aura.
"Otherwise it will be like this." - He flicks it vertically up to the sky, and when it goes beyond the edge of his Aura, the dagger instantly evaporates.
"Keep in mind that the exchanged Aura to materialize this dagger won't be given back to me after its evaporation. So don't try to do something weird and waste your Aura."
"For the next one, I prefer moving it clockwise. It's called Amplification, they are actually called amplifiers, yet, they prefer enhancers for a better appellation. It allows you to have a denser Aura while compared to others, which means your attacks are way more heavier. However, it's too simple, so it's easier for you to counter too. Yet, you must know that beneath the absolute power, you might not stand a chance." - Kura moves the Aura to his right hand and slightly swings it ahead.
*Bang - Whirr* - A small explosion is made when Aura overflows through his fist into the air, this is the power of a strongman.
"The fact that a specialist like me can only use other elements with a specific ratio 100 - 70 - 50 - 30. Which means I shouldn't face an enhancer directly without my special ability."
"Sir!" - "Go on."
"Can we really have a chance to be specialists through practicing, or bound with Emanation or Manipulation?" - The guy in the corner asks.
"You have nice eyes, but unfortunately no. It's only known as a 6 elements system for specialists. Otherwise, it's only considered as a five-element system for normal Aura users. Specialists have been determined since their birth."
Surely that guy just gets disappointed.
"But don't worry, you can defeat a specialist too."
"For real?"
"Sure. Specialists are bound with the specific ratio of power, so you can base on them to find out their weaknesses. Furthermore, they have some weird abilities, so you just need to knock them out before they can do anything. Moreover, if your maximum Aura output just overwhelms theirs, it's an absolute win for you. Even more, their abilities aren't that overpowered, they are set with specific limits in order to exchange for that kind of power. So avoid helping them meet their abilities requirements and that's all."
"Yes sir."
"The third one is called Emanation, it is like what Torun just showed to you all, so I won't waste our time on it again. Yet, there's still one more detail that I want to add. Emanation is called emitters, but they prefer being called projectors instead. And projectors are related to mages due to their far range attacks."
Kura also concentrates his Aura into hands and shoots it forward, incredibly that it lasts for 20 seconds with the total distance of over 21 miles with the speed of mach 5.
"Because Emanation and Manipulation are two of the closest elements of my six-element Aura system, I can control it better than Amplification or Manifestation. Nevertheless, I can't win against Torun in his field, as the fact that I can't win against any kind of Aura users while only using one element. This is also a basic limit of specialists." - He controls and changes the shapes of the Aura bubble inside his hands for a quick example.
"And now we're moving to the last one, Alteration. They are simply called alterers and they have an ability to change the quality and the nature of any objects. The examples to support my arguments are waters and their Aura."
"Like… they can change their Aura to any kind of element, right?" - One random guy asks.
"Sure, that's one way to explain their basic power." - Kura swiftly shows them as usual.
He moves the Aura to his hands and links them together, "I can change this part to lightning."
*Rrrt* - The between part of these two hands instantly shines a blue light, it's his own lightning while exchanging the Aura as an alterer.
"I do not prefer using this kind of power too much, but I don't want to waste my talent too. So I tried to exchange it for lightning, in order to stun my enemies by shock to buy me some chances to do other things. However, you can pay a specific amount of Aura to temporarily change the taste of the water."
"Can I use it to make iron to gold?" - One girl asks. Surely she wants to be rich.
"No you can't. It's related to the alchemist field, if you want to exchange materials to other materials, you need to use the alchemist circle techniques to do it. Yet, their rules have two forbidden sins, first, you can't make gold by alchemist techniques, secondly, you can't use humans as the cost for your exchanging."
*O~* - She gets disappointed, "I thought that I could be rich fast."
"In your dream you will have it."
"And that's all I want to extend in my speech, thanks for listening." - Kura keeps his back straight and puts his hands behind formally.
*Woohoo* - They all clap their hands enthusiastically for that excellent lesson. If they don't exactly admire that face, they won't believe that Kura is just a young guy with this much knowledge.
"Ian! Ian! Ian! Ian!" - They shout his name madly.
"What the…?" - He looks at Aeth.
*Clap* - "It's not a chance for you all to ignore practicing. Ian also has nothing to share with you all. On the other hand, you guys won't be able to achieve that kind of power. Get back to your work." - He steps ahead and leads all his guys back to training after an hour of listening.
"Thanks for helping me." - Aeth says to them.
"You're welcome, it's just a fair trade." - Kura replies.
Then Aeth points to Ian, "I heard that you're finding companions, I will let Ian join your legion, but I need you all help me purify The Holy Council first."
"It's a complicated problem, even though I want Ian to join us. Yet, helping you go against one of the three big forces is out of the question." - Hazen responds.
"I know, but I only need you all to help me in the shadows. If we just fail, bring Ian with you guys and run away as far as possible." - Aeth persuades.
Hazen and Torun say nothing, they only look at their leader and wait for the next guidance.
*Sigh* - "Fine, but in that case, I'd like to rescue you too. And you all will need to accompany us."
"Deal." - Their hand shake has told everything.
"When will we do it?" - Ian asks.
Aeth looks at him for a bit and slowly ends up with one date, "On the night of 12/24, we will generally kill all those disgusting priests and the pontiff."
"Wait. Aren't they supposed to be nice and kind guys?" - Torun wonders.
"It's not like the set up in some novels, Torun." - Aeth replies with determination in his two eyes.
"They used to be helpful people, yet, since the day that pontiff took office, everything changed. Do you know about Irregulars?" - Aetheria keeps talking.
"What do you say?" - Kura, Hazen and Torun both look at him with a serious manner.
"Seems like you all know those beings."
"I see. So you mean that the pontiff was infected or even replaced by an Irregular, and those priests just had the same treatment, right?" - Kura claims.
"Of course, and I even doubt that some of our legions are infected too. Unfortunately, we have no solution about finding those impostors." - Aeth says.
"Fine, we will help you. And I hope that after this revolution, whether we win or lose, I want Ian and you to accompany us." - Kura presses the rewards.
"Sure."
"He has already prepared everything." - A priest announces it to the pontiff.
"Great. Investing in him isn't a bad choice."
He sits on the golden chair, at the top of the stairs. His head wears a crown of authority and faith, his shoulders are covered by the golden and white sacred vestment. The tunic hidden inside it is even carved full of high level runes, all of them interwoven into each other and form an appearance of a high and holy pontiff of The Holy Council.
But his smile doesn't match the theme, it looks more like a grin, or even a smirk. The more bizarre thing is all the torches inside his room are all blue, the color of water, rivers, oceans, sky or even ice. Yet, in this case, it stands for the hellish power from that isolated dimension.
"Shall we begin, my holiness?"
"Not yet, we must make sure that there is only doom and despair at the end for them." - The high pontiff rejects his priest.
"All for your glory." - Then he formally walks out of that room full of coldness.
*Haha…* - The grin within, a whisper and an evil thought growling from the depth inside his throat. His smile is not good at all.
"You shouldn't…"
"You shouldn't let that guy leave, poor knights."
Among the darkness, where the blue fires are all gone, the two shining lights reflect from his eyes. Those claws have been too sharp to be held back.
*Gulp - Gulp* - At another graveyard, Har is still farming some corpses here to make his second shadow beast perfect. It's so sad to say that he's explored all the local battle fields just to realize that he just needs more and more to satisfy that monster.
Thankfully this graveyard was used to bury some elite knights and mages in the past, until it got infected 200 years ago.
On the other hand, it is considered a singularity right now, especially a special threat.
"Too slow, too slow…"
"Tada! Guess what I have for you." - Zela "attacks" him from behind.
"Whut?"
Then his eyes open wide while looking at that item. It is a ring made by black wood and amethyst as its core. But it's not the problem, the true matter is its dark Aura overflowing through that gem. It's not an aura concentrated by others or nature, it's actually an Aura of one's ability or power.
"What is that?" - Even Har is shocked with that pressure.
Even though he is experiencing everything via the XP-600, Hoshira is now synchronous with the virtual game up to 97.8% in general. It's just a cunning to say that he feels nothing right now from that ring. Without a touch and within a look, Har is already aware of its power.
"Don't look so serious Ryun. It's a gift from Aetheria, he told you to wear it, then you'd find out its function."
|You've found a legendary item.|
|Scanning…|
|[Ring of Greed] - the ring was made by the wish of a grand thief 100 years ago.|
|Stats: Locked.|
|Ability: The Bag of Alaron.|
|Function: Achieve any kind of attack or power into a private dimension. Reactivate to unleash them (Note: you can't copy or duplicate them in this process.)|
|Ability: The Deceiver (locked)|
Har stares at it for minutes to find out the new strategy after equipping this item. Meanwhile, the System also tells him that he must sacrifice one of his abilities to unlock its second power. Obviously it isn't a good deal for him right now.
In general, The Hand of Thief is what made him this dangerous, Shadow Gates is too suitable for Necrosec while Fake Hands allows him to do some trick to bait enemies. After all, none of them should be sacrificed except Puppet Manipulation.
It's also the ability that Har hasn't abused so well up to the present time. Unlike summoning beasts or unpredictable techniques of Shadow Gates, it only helps him to control some undeads at the same time.
Even though he can indirectly use other abilities while controlling those undead, their powers are just obviously reduced by half. It's not too overpowered, yet, it still has some advantages that Har doesn't want to sacrifice Puppet Manipulation right now.
So that's why he came up with saving it and sacrificing some of the next abilities stolen later. Just in case that you all think that you can outsmart this game by sacrificing an easy and weak ability to that ring. You are actually misunderstanding this world, equilibrium is set on the top. That is also the reason why Har finds his next prey to hunt right now.
"Zela." - "Hmm?"
"Do you know any beast or human that possibly has an ability of thunder?"
"That's hard to say. Let's see… hmm… besides some really strong alterers who focus on the lightning element, we only have ten species left. But seven of them just got extinct through the flow of time." - Zela takes out a book and swiftly gives him three pages.
"The first one is called Nume, it's a kind of small bird living in herds. It also has an incredible speed, yet, it isn't that fast compared to the two species left. But it's the easiest one to catch." - Zela surely leads Har to tame this kind of bird instead of those two species.
"I don't want to. I need the strongest." - Obviously, with the immunity in pain and resettable gameplay, Hoshira cares not about failures and deaths.
*Uhhh* - "Are you… sure?" - "Of course I am, give me the information. I'd like to hear your voice instead of reading."
*Jezz* - "Don't say that to me."
She strokes her hair, "Let's see… It's called Lezoan. Known for its big body and strong muscles bound with lightning since birth, it can really use that 200kg of meat to give you a hard time."
"Don't worry, I'll win." - He said.
"Oh sure, always like that. It's located in the highest mountain of the East. Can only be found in that ice continent. Don't mess up, it's known as the king of the sky in this era lacking dragons. I suggest you finish at least your third beast to start taming it." - Zela tries to persuade that stubborn guy.
"Don't worry, I'm strong enough to win against it." - He smiles, confidently.
*Brrr* - "I told you not to mess up. Actually you can win it in a single duel, while putting aside other disadvantages of coldness, you might not stand a chance beneath their king." - Zela still tries.
"King?" - That word has stirred up his interest.
"Don't look at me like you can win against it. Jezz, their king has lived for hundreds of years. Even a flap can burst you miles away."
"Ye ye ye, I know it. Don't worry, I am a strategist." - He points to himself with a confident manner.
"Oh, is that so?" - On the contrary, Zela just looks at him with the look of judgement. Obviously she can't believe him.
"Whatever, seems like I need to go on my trip to another graveyard, he is going to be perfect soon."
"How many more do you need?" - Zela asks.
"About two hundred elite corpses. It would be faster if Necrosec didn't absorb their soul fragments, feeding it is like filling an abysmal hole." - He sighs a bit.
But Har knows that Necrosec is his last trump card besides Shadow Gates, all the souls are still hidden inside those two orbs. He smiles, he wonders what it should be if he released all the souls outside in a city. It'd be faster for him to finish the second beast and gain at least two million fresh souls for his staff. Yet, he isn't strong enough to escape from the big three forces.
"Good grief, life isn't easy."
"Found you." - A silhouette silently approaches him with a bloody spear in his hand. While Zela is confused, her head has been taken down within a slash.
Non-stop, the blade keeps cutting straight to Har's neck without giving him a chance to load the situation.
*Splash* - That head is taken down easily.
A roaring growl slowly but surely clangs over from his throat in the low-pitched, "Die."