Chapter 220 Scriptum Noctis et Noxbreaker
Oris guided Kae through several alleys of the market, taking precise detours, avoiding zones that were too noisy or… too shady.
They finally stopped in front of a gigantic building.
Kae looked up.
— "…You really know this place well. And I don't know why, but that worries me."
Oris shrugged.
— "Of course. Old Baryon recommended this spot. According to him, it's the safest place to buy a weapon without getting cursed for free."
— "Without getting cursed for free," Kae repeated.
— "Yes, here at least, if you're cursed, you pay for it. Professional."
They stood before a massive weapons shop, its façade made of dark stone veined with glowing red metal.
Security runes were carved everywhere, pulsing slowly, as if the building itself was watching the passersby.
Above the entrance, a huge sign floated in the air, formed of incandescent letters:
⚔ THE ROYAL OBSIDIAN ARSENAL ⚔
Two colossal statues of ancient warriors framed the door, their blades pointed toward the ground, ready to animate at the slightest problem.
Kae whistled softly.
— "Okay… this is clearly not a discount store."
— "Obviously. Here, even the weapons judge you before letting you touch them," Oris replied seriously.
They stepped inside.
Inside
The interior was even more impressive.
A vast space stretched before them, organized in circular sections.
Racks of weapons floated in the air, held by magical fields.
Some swords vibrated softly, some almost whispered.
Others radiated such heavy pressure that the air seemed denser around them.
High‑rank hunters examined the weapons in silence, under the watchful eyes of heavily armed guards.
— "…Okay," Kae murmured.
— "Yeah," Oris confirmed. "Here, even sneezing too loud is suspicious."
They were quickly greeted by a young woman, elegant, perfect posture, immaculate uniform.
— "Welcome to the Royal Obsidian Arsenal. How may I—"
She froze upon recognizing their faces.
…Oris.
…Kae.
Her mind stalled for half a second.
No. No no no. These are hunters from the elite of the Northern Pantheon.
Breathe. Smile. Be professional.
She discreetly slapped her cheeks.
— "Professional. Professional."
Oris and Kae exchanged a glance.
— "…Is she okay?" Kae murmured.
— "No idea," Oris replied. "Maybe an excessive motivation rune."
The young woman straightened immediately.
— "F-for hunters of your rank, I'll personally take care of you!"
She signaled a colleague to take her place at reception, then invited them to follow.
— "Please, come with me. I'll show you our weapon classifications."
They advanced into a more restricted, heavily secured area.
Weapon Classification
The young woman pointed to several holographic sections.
— "Here, weapons are classified into five main categories:
1. Reinforced Standard Weapons
Excellent for A and S hunters. Durable, stable, reliable.
2. Resonant Weapons
Synchronized with the wielder's energy. The stronger you are, the stronger they become.
3. Runic Weapons
Engraved with active runes. Versatile, but require precise control."
Oris nodded.
— "Logical."
— "4. Abyssal or Astral Weapons
Crafted from rare materials. Extremely powerful, but temperamental."
Kae stared at the blades in question.
— "Those look… aggressive."
— "They are," the woman confirmed with a tense smile.
— "5. Unique Weapons
Rare pieces, often with a will of their own. They choose their wielder."
Oris grinned broadly.
— "My favorites."
Kae sighed.
— "Of course."
Weapon Presentation
The young woman activated a panel, making several floating swords appear.
— "For you, I've selected a few models compatible with your profiles."
She pointed to the first blade.
✦ Energy Flux Sword – "Vectra"
Channels the wielder's raw energy without overload.
Perfect for a user like you, Kae.
Kae examined the blade. The energy around him vibrated… but the sword remained stable.
— "Interesting," he murmured.
Oris smirked.
— "It survives. Good sign."
The young woman continued.
✦ Modular Runic Blade – "Scriptum Noctis"
Adaptive runes, modifiable as needed. Can amplify, engrave, and trigger temporary runes with each impact.
Ideal for an advanced runist.
— "She speaks to me," Oris said seriously.
— "She doesn't speak to you," Kae replied.
— "Not yet."
Then a final sword appeared, darker, heavier.
✦ Abyssal Convergence Sword – "Noxbreaker"
Absorbs, stabilizes, and resists unstable energy flows.
Supports very high‑level auras; the stronger the wielder, the stronger the blade.
Kae stared at it for a long time.
— "…That one."
The young woman swallowed.
— "Excellent choice."
Oris placed a hand on Kae's shoulder.
— "If it explodes, I'll write on your tombstone: 'He was right.'"
— "Thanks for the support," Kae replied.
Then Oris reached for Scriptum Noctis.
The blade vibrated violently… then stabilized.
— "Oh."
— "She accepts you," the woman said, surprised.
— "Of course," Oris replied. "I have natural runic charm."
Kae sighed.
— "Stop."
Kae stepped toward Noxbreaker.
As his fingers brushed the hilt, the air around them briefly exploded before calming instantly.
The blade absorbed the excess energy as if nothing had happened.
— "…Interesting," Kae murmured.
— "She likes you," Oris replied.
— "I don't care, as long as she holds," Kae answered.
The woman swallowed hard.
— "You just achieved two elite‑rank synchronizations… at the same time."
— "Yeah," Oris replied. "We do that often."
— "No," she corrected. "No one does that often."
Oris rested the sword on his shoulder.
— "Alright. How much?"
She announced the price.
Silence.
Kae blinked.
— "…That's expensive."
Oris nodded.
— "Very expensive."
They looked at each other.
Then Oris smiled slowly.
— "Question."
— "Yes?" the woman replied, wary.
— "Is there a 'Northern Pantheon' discount?"
She paled.
— "…I'll check with the manager."
She nearly ran off.
Kae sighed.
— "You're pushing it."
— "No," Oris corrected. "I optimize."
They waited a few seconds.
— "You know," Kae said, "in the end it was a good idea to come here."
— "I know," Oris replied. "I'm always right."
— "…No."
They burst out laughing.
And somewhere, far away,
Blackstar sneezed for no reason.
Chapter 220 — The Royal Obsidian Arsenal
Oris guided Kae through several alleys of the market, taking precise detours, avoiding zones that were too noisy or… too shady.
They finally stopped in front of a gigantic building.
Kae looked up.
— "…You really know this place well. And I don't know why, but that worries me."
Oris shrugged.
— "Of course. Old Baryon recommended this spot. According to him, it's the safest place to buy a weapon without getting cursed for free."
— "Without getting cursed for free," Kae repeated.
— "Yes, here at least, if you're cursed, you pay for it. Professional."
They stood before a massive weapons shop, its façade made of dark stone veined with glowing red metal.
Security runes were carved everywhere, pulsing slowly, as if the building itself was watching the passersby.
Above the entrance, a huge sign floated in the air, formed of incandescent letters:
⚔ THE ROYAL OBSIDIAN ARSENAL ⚔
Two colossal statues of ancient warriors framed the door, their blades pointed toward the ground, ready to animate at the slightest problem.
Kae whistled softly.
— "Okay… this is clearly not a discount store."
— "Obviously. Here, even the weapons judge you before letting you touch them," Oris replied seriously.
They stepped inside.
Inside
The interior was even more impressive.
A vast space stretched before them, organized in circular sections.
Racks of weapons floated in the air, held by magical fields.
Some swords vibrated softly, some almost whispered.
Others radiated such heavy pressure that the air seemed denser around them.
High‑rank hunters examined the weapons in silence, under the watchful eyes of heavily armed guards.
— "…Okay," Kae murmured.
— "Yeah," Oris confirmed. "Here, even sneezing too loud is suspicious."
They were quickly greeted by a young woman, elegant, perfect posture, immaculate uniform.
— "Welcome to the Royal Obsidian Arsenal. How may I—"
She froze upon recognizing their faces.
…Oris.
…Kae.
Her mind stalled for half a second.
No. No no no. These are hunters from the elite of the Northern Pantheon.
Breathe. Smile. Be professional.
She discreetly slapped her cheeks.
— "Professional. Professional."
Oris and Kae exchanged a glance.
— "…Is she okay?" Kae murmured.
— "No idea," Oris replied. "Maybe an excessive motivation rune."
The young woman straightened immediately.
— "F-for hunters of your rank, I'll personally take care of you!"
She signaled a colleague to take her place at reception, then invited them to follow.
— "Please, come with me. I'll show you our weapon classifications."
They advanced into a more restricted, heavily secured area.
Weapon Classification
The young woman pointed to several holographic sections.
— "Here, weapons are classified into five main categories:
1. Reinforced Standard Weapons
Excellent for A and S hunters. Durable, stable, reliable.
2. Resonant Weapons
Synchronized with the wielder's energy. The stronger you are, the stronger they become.
3. Runic Weapons
Engraved with active runes. Versatile, but require precise control."
Oris nodded.
— "Logical."
— "4. Abyssal or Astral Weapons
Crafted from rare materials. Extremely powerful, but temperamental."
Kae stared at the blades in question.
— "Those look… aggressive."
— "They are," the woman confirmed with a tense smile.
— "5. Unique Weapons
Rare pieces, often with a will of their own. They choose their wielder."
Oris grinned broadly.
— "My favorites."
Kae sighed.
— "Of course."
Weapon Presentation
The young woman activated a panel, making several floating swords appear.
— "For you, I've selected a few models compatible with your profiles."
She pointed to the first blade.
✦ Energy Flux Sword – "Vectra"
Channels the wielder's raw energy without overload.
Perfect for a user like you, Kae.
Kae examined the blade. The energy around him vibrated… but the sword remained stable.
— "Interesting," he murmured.
Oris smirked.
— "It survives. Good sign."
The young woman continued.
✦ Modular Runic Blade – "Scriptum Noctis"
Adaptive runes, modifiable as needed. Can amplify, engrave, and trigger temporary runes with each impact.
Ideal for an advanced runist.
— "She speaks to me," Oris said seriously.
— "She doesn't speak to you," Kae replied.
— "Not yet."
Then a final sword appeared, darker, heavier.
✦ Abyssal Convergence Sword – "Noxbreaker"
Absorbs, stabilizes, and resists unstable energy flows.
Supports very high‑level auras; the stronger the wielder, the stronger the blade.
Kae stared at it for a long time.
— "…That one."
The young woman swallowed.
— "Excellent choice."
Oris placed a hand on Kae's shoulder.
— "If it explodes, I'll write on your tombstone: 'He was right.'"
— "Thanks for the support," Kae replied.
Then Oris reached for Scriptum Noctis.
The blade vibrated violently… then stabilized.
— "Oh."
— "She accepts you," the woman said, surprised.
— "Of course," Oris replied. "I have natural runic charm."
Kae sighed.
— "Stop."
Kae stepped toward Noxbreaker.
As his fingers brushed the hilt, the air around them briefly exploded before calming instantly.
The blade absorbed the excess energy as if nothing had happened.
— "…Interesting," Kae murmured.
— "She likes you," Oris replied.
— "I don't care, as long as she holds," Kae answered.
The woman swallowed hard.
— "You just achieved two elite‑rank synchronizations… at the same time."
— "Yeah," Oris replied. "We do that often."
— "No," she corrected. "No one does that often."
Oris rested the sword on his shoulder.
— "Alright. How much?"
She announced the price.
Silence.
Kae blinked.
— "…That's expensive."
Oris nodded.
— "Very expensive."
They looked at each other.
Then Oris smiled slowly.
— "Question."
— "Yes?" the woman replied, wary.
— "Is there a 'Northern Pantheon' discount?"
She paled.
— "…I'll check with the manager."
She nearly ran off.
Kae sighed.
— "You're pushing it."
— "No," Oris corrected. "I optimize."
They waited a few seconds.
— "You know," Kae said, "in the end it was a good idea to come here."
— "I know," Oris replied. "I'm always right."
— "…No."
They burst out laughing.
And somewhere, far away,
Blackstar sneezed for no reason.
Chapter 221 — The Price of Power
A few moments later, the young woman returned, accompanied by the store manager.
A well‑dressed man, his gaze tired but professional.
He bowed respectfully before the two hunters.
— "Welcome… it is an honor to receive you. Normally, we never give discounts, but for hunters of your rank…"
He paused dramatically.
— "…I will grant you an exceptional reduction."
Inside, the manager was crying.
They will ruin me. I know it. I feel it.
But outwardly, he wore a perfect smile.
— "Both weapons together normally cost 48 million thunes."
Kae blinked.
— "…"
— "With the 50% discount, that will be 24 million thunes."
Kae slowly turned his head toward Oris.
His look clearly said: Do we rob him now or later?
Oris noticed immediately.
— "What? I'm not a monster who ruins an honest merchant."
He calmly placed a hand on the manager's shoulder.
— "We are elite hunters. We earn more than enough. There's no need for a discount."
The manager froze.
…What?
— "Do you prefer I pay in cash or virtual?" Oris added.
The manager took two seconds to react.
It was the first time in his career a hunter refused a discount.
— "C-cash… if possible."
— "Perfect."
A runic tattoo on Oris's forearm began to glow. A space rune.
He placed his hand in the air.
Reality tore slightly, revealing a dark, deep storage space. Oris plunged his arm inside and pulled out a massive bundle.
48 million thunes, perfectly aligned.
He placed them on the counter.
The manager swallowed hard.
— "Th-thank you… truly."
— "You're welcome," Oris replied simply.
Once the formalities were complete…
Kae retrieved Vectra and placed it on his back. The blade vibrated slightly, as if recognizing its new wielder.
Oris, meanwhile, took Noxbreaker, weighed it.
— "Perfect," he murmured before storing it away.
Kae turned to him.
— "I have a question. Old Baryon… is he really an expert in runes? Can he do what you do? Alter reality itself?"
Oris thought for a moment.
— "Not exactly."
He crossed his arms.
— "I have innate runic compatibility. My body and mind can withstand runes engraved directly on me. Most people wouldn't even survive that."
— "You mean… explode?" Kae asked.
— "Vaporize," Oris corrected.
"Important nuance."
Kae nodded.
— "I also have an instinctive understanding of primordial script. I don't read runes. I understand them naturally."
— "While others…"
— "Must study, recite, analyze them for years. For me, it's like breathing."
He paused.
— "And above all… I have tolerance for the inversion rune. Most users can't even approach it without dying."
— "So Baryon…"
— "Uses runes differently. Through objects, scrolls, artifacts. He is skilled… and mysterious."
Oris smiled faintly.
— "Maybe he's capable of incredible things. But directly affecting reality like me? I doubt it."
Kae nodded.
— "I understand better."
— "I've known him for a long time," Oris added.
— "Before the events?"
— "Long before."
Kae looked around.
— "That explains why you know this place by heart. Well… now that everything's settled, let's head back to the guild."
— "Yeah," Oris replied.
"Before Blackstar decides to drop on us for fun."
---
Meanwhile — Blackstar's side
Blackstar slowly sheathed his Astral Eclipse blade.
— "Good. Aeris, we're going back."
He turned slightly.
— "King Azevran Tempesthorn. You're coming too."
The blade brushed once more against the king's throat.
— "Only because you'll be useful to Aeris. Otherwise, I would have already eliminated you."
The king began to sweat heavily.
Blackstar slowly withdrew his blade…
before dissolving the remaining energy into the atmosphere.
— "Alright. Let's leave."
He opened a portal with a simple gesture.
— "To the guild."
The portal closed behind them in heavy silence.
Chapter 222 — The Return of the Hunters
Seline, after absorbing the yin and yang energy of the portal, felt the flow dissipate. The light faded slowly, like a flame being blown out.
She rose calmly… and saw Kronn.
Standing.
Eyes closed.
Asleep.
— "…"
— "He'll never change," she murmured.
The yin‑yang mark on her forehead vanished in a faint glow.
— "Alright, Kronn, let's go back."
No answer.
— "Kronn?"
Still nothing.
— "Seriously… he's such a pain."
She sighed, rubbed her forehead, then approached him.
— "Fine, this time I'll take us back to the guild."
She reached out to grab him, ready to accelerate—
But suddenly…
Her feet left the ground.
— "Huh…?"
Before she understood, Kronn, still asleep, had lifted her and placed her on his shoulders as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
— "NOT AGAIN—!!"
Too late.
KABOOM.
Kronn vanished in a deafening roar, charging at full brute speed toward the guild, leaving behind a corridor of shattered air.
— "I SWEAR WHEN YOU WAKE UP I'LL—!!"
But the wind drowned out her voice.
---
On Dervan and Veyra's side.
They calmly stepped out of the portal.
Veyra was talking.
Again.
— "You know, I was thinking that sanctuary wasn't so bad after all, except for the undead, and the traps, and the creepy atmosphere, but—"
— "…"
— "Are you listening?"
— "A little."
— "Liar."
She looked at him, smiled, then asked:
— "Do we rush to the guild or not?"
Dervan shrugged.
— "Up to you."
— "Perfect."
She snapped her fingers.
Gravity around them was nullified.
The two began to float gently, rising into the air.
— "There, see?" she said, stretching. "Might as well enjoy the scenery."
Dervan, hands in his pockets, looked at the sky.
— "…Acceptable."
— "Wow. Compliment validated. Day complete."
---
On Harlan and Nyss's side.
They stepped out of the dimensional portal.
Harlan spoke in a neutral tone:
— "I freed that king from his suffering. Without pain."
Nyss nodded, sipping calmly.
— "Clean. Efficient. I like it."
She smiled.
— "Alright, let's head back to the guild. This time, you take us."
— "Very well."
Harlan, hands in his pockets, opened a perfectly stable dimensional portal.
— "After you."
They entered calmly.
---
At the guild.
A portal opened.
Blackstar, Aeris, and Azevran appeared.
Blackstar stepped forward.
— "Portal complete."
Lysandra, already seated, looked up.
— "You're back, Blackstar."
Then she turned her gaze to Aeris.
— "I can sense you've progressed. I suppose your experience was… formative."
Aeris lowered his head slightly.
— "Yes… it was beneficial."
Lysandra then looked at Azevran.
Her gaze darkened.
An invisible pressure fell across the room.
— "And him?"
Azevran swallowed.
— "I am Azevran Tempesthorn, king of the Storm Wardens. I am here to help Aeris master his new powers."
Silence.
Then Lysandra sighed.
— "Since Blackstar brought you… I suppose you're not a problem."
She stood.
In an instant, she placed a hand on Azevran's shoulder.
— "But if you scheme anything…"
Her aura rose a notch.
— "…it will end very badly for you."
Azevran thought instinctively:
She's fast.
Lysandra smiled.
— "I know."
She released the pressure and sat back down.
— "Alright. I trust you, king."
Azevran remained still for a few seconds.
— "…Noted."
Another portal opened.
Nyss and Harlan appeared.
— "Yo, everyone," Nyss called.
"And him, who's that? I don't know him."
Aeris answered timidly:
— "That's Azevran. He's going to teach me to master my powers."
— "Oh! Great!" Nyss said.
"So tell me… are you strong?"
Harlan sighed.
— "Stop, you're tiring him. It's obvious."
The door opened.
Oris appeared.
— "Interesting," he said, looking at Aeris.
"I see you're determined to reach rank S."
Kae arrived behind and placed a hand on Aeris's head.
— "Don't turn into this walking scam."
— "WHAT?!?" Oris protested.
"I bought you a weapon!"
— "And you nearly robbed the store."
— "I PAID. IN CASH."
The door slammed open.
BAM.
Veyra entered.
— "Dervan and I are back. Portal cleared. Easy."
Dervan walked in behind her, hands in his pockets.
— "Confirmed."
Lysandra smiled.
— "You're almost all here."
Suddenly—
— "LET ME GO!!"
— BOOOOM.
A human‑shaped hole appeared in the wall.
Kronn had just crashed, still asleep.
He was carrying Seline on his shoulder.
He set her down gently.
— "I HATE YOU," she muttered, cursing him in every known language.
Kronn didn't react.
He was still asleep.
Standing.
Lysandra pinched the bridge of her nose.
— "Why… does no one use the door?"
Seline sighed.
— "It's Kronn."
Kronn yawned.
Then continued sleeping.
Silence.
— "…"
— "…"
— "Well," Veyra said. "At least everyone's alive."
Blackstar crossed his arms.
— "For now."
Chapter 223 — Guild Hall in Chaos
A strange silence settled in the guild hall.
A silence…
broken only by Kronn.
He was snoring.
Standing.
Arms crossed.
As if it were perfectly normal.
Seline, arms crossed as well, glaring:
— "…I swear, if anyone says again 'he's cute when he sleeps,' I'll sing off‑key on purpose."
No one dared to answer.
Lysandra pinched the bridge of her nose.
— "Alright. Since everyone is finally here… more or less… let's keep it simple."
She turned her head slightly toward the wall behind Kronn.
— "Can someone explain why there's a person‑shaped hole in my wall?"
Veyra raised her hand, smiling innocently.
— "Technically, it's an alternative entrance."
— "Technically," Lysandra replied without looking at her, "it's a bill."
Oris looked Kronn up and down.
— "Honestly… sleeping while walking, smashing through walls, carrying Seline like a sack… He's overpowered even outside combat."
Seline:
— "Want to try? I'll lend him to you for five minutes. Then you'll cry."
Oris:
— "No thanks, I still have a minimum of dignity."
Aeris, standing a little apart, watched the scene wide‑eyed.
— "Uh… is it always like this at the guild?"
Kae calmly placed a hand on his head.
— "No."
He paused.
— "Sometimes it's worse."
Azevran, arms crossed, observed everything carefully.
— "Interesting… Such a concentration of power… and yet no respect for architecture."
Lysandra fixed him with a look.
— "Welcome to our home."
At that moment, Kronn moved.
Everyone tensed instantly.
He took one step.
Then another.
— "NO NO NO," Seline murmured.
— "Too late," Dervan said calmly.
KRRRASH.
Kronn sat down.
On the main strategy table.
The table split in two.
Total silence.
Nyss, leaning against a pillar, clapped her hands.
— "Impressive. Even asleep, he targets critical points."
Harlan nodded.
— "Natural precision."
Lysandra:
— "…I'll pretend I didn't see that."
At that moment, a guild guard near the entrance approached, staring at the broken table.
— "Uh… Lady Lysandra… do we need to file a report for—"
Nyss smiled.
Too much.
She vanished for a fraction of a second…
and reappeared behind the guard.
— "Boo."
The guard flinched, raising his arm to protect himself…
Then *poof*.
The guard's arm was gone.
Silence.
Total.
— "…"
— "…"
— "…"
The guard looked at his shoulder:
— "WHAT?! MY ARM?!" he shouted.
Aeris: — 😨
Seline: — "NYSS?!"
Nyss made the arm reappear in her hand
and used it to tap Kronn's head.
— "Knock knock."
Kronn groaned in his sleep.
— "…Mmh… five more minutes…"
Everyone froze.
Before anyone could react, Blackstar appeared behind Nyss.
— "Return it."
Flat tone.
Cold.
No discussion.
Nyss raised her hands.
— "It was just to test something."
— "Now."
POUF.
The arm reappeared exactly in its place.
The guard looked at his arm, pale.
— "…I… I'm taking a leave."
He ran off.
Silence.
Blackstar, arms crossed, still behind Nyss, said:
— "Nyss."
— "Yes?"
— "Do it again… and I'll erase you."
Nyss smiled.
— "Message received."
Lysandra sighed deeply.
— "Alright. Quick debrief before someone else loses a limb."
She snapped her fingers.
— "All portals have been neutralized. No major incidents."
Her gaze slid to the wall, the table, the cracked ceiling.
— "Relatively."
Veyra smiled.
— "Easy mission."
Dervan:
— "Acceptable."
Oris:
— "Profitable."
Kae:
— "Noisy."
Seline:
— "EXHAUSTING."
Aeris hesitated, then:
— "…Formative."
Azevran smiled faintly.
— "This is only the beginning."
Lysandra straightened.
— "Very well. Rest for everyone."
She looked at Aeris.
— "Tomorrow, training. With him."
She pointed at Azevran.
Aeris swallowed hard.
— "Yes ma'am…"
Oris clapped his hands.
— "Alright! Who's hungry? After a day like this, I've earned the right to raid the cafeteria."
Kae:
— "This time, you pay."
— "I always pay!"
— "In psychological trauma."
At that moment…
Kronn stood up.
Everyone held their breath.
He opened his eyes.
For one second.
— "…We arrived?"
Seline shouted:
— "YES! TEN MINUTES AGO!"
Kronn blinked.
— "Ah."
He yawned.
— "I slept well."
Lysandra turned toward the exit.
— "Disperse before something else explodes."
The group split up, between laughter, jabs, and fatigue.
Aeris, walking beside Azevran, looked up at him.
— "…I think I chose the strangest guild possible."
Azevran answered calmly:
— "No."
— "The most dangerous."
At the back of the hall, Oris shouted:
— "KAE! IF YOU TOUCH MY SWORD I'LL CURSE YOU!"
— "TRY ME!"
Kronn yawned again.
The guild returned to its usual chaos.