《Chaos Warlord: Reincarnated in Eldrich with the Devil System!》


 Chapter 1 1: Val, The Unfeeling!

    ?Year 1666, Victoria Kingdom, Outer Region, Ironspire Stronghold.

    In a certain cozy nook of Whitemore Manor, the warm glow from a steam-poweredmp flickered and died abruptly. Without any human intervention, windows flung open, revealing a quiet garden tucked away behind protective fences, speckled with a few trees, and a serene pool quietly nestled within.

    This humble pool seemed to be holding a mirror to the heavens, reflecting the magnificent sight above.

    The sky was painted with two moons, one as pure and bright as freshly fallen snow and the other, a deep crimson hue that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy as if it held some untold secrets.

    These otherworldly glows of the moons streamed through the open windows, flooding the room with a magical, silvery light. Amidst this ethereal illumination, the enchanting features of a youngd came into the spotlight.

    Thed, who seemed to be barely out of his teens, boasted a pair of dark, hypnotic eyes. His eyes were harboring a maic pull that could captivate anyone who dared to meet his gaze. A cascade of raven-ck hair hung over his forehead in a charming fringe, adding to his mysterious charm. His handsome features, a blend of sharp contours, amanding jawline, and high cheekbones, emitted an aura of unspoken authority. His thin lips and aristocratic nose lent him an aura that bordered on the divine.

    Every detail of his appearance seemed sculpted to perfection, as if he was handcrafted by the gods themselves.

    But beneath this wless exterior, there was an undercurrent of an unspoken darkness, mirrored in his emotionless stare that seemed eerily simr to the lifeless gaze of a corpse and an air of danger that seemed to shroud him in something that could only be described as utter madness!

    His presence, one could say, was akin to a bloodthirsty beast!

    A mere nce at him in this state, and one might think twice before daring to approach him. Those faint of heart could be sent running in fear at the sight of him.

    He was Val V. Whitemore, the second son of the head of the Whitemore Family.

    This was a side of him hidden away from public scrutiny. In thepany of others, he would don a mask of stoicism, his true self concealed behind a facade more suited to a socialite. He was alone at this moment, thus there was no need for pretenses, hence why his authentic self stood revealed.

    His striking good looks were entuated by his attire, which consisted of a sleek ck tailcoat, trousers that mirrored the coat, a crisp white shirt with its high cor and cuffs, a neat waistcoat, a delicately knotted cravat, and glossy ck leather shoes polished to perfection. His tailored ensemble exuded refinement and elegance, a stark contrast to his brooding demeanor.

    And, despite this calcted effort, the overall appearance seemed as natural to him as breathing. It didn''t make him seem pretentious.

    In this day and age, silk was a token ofvish luxury, savored only by society''s elite, yet, every inch of his attire was spun from the finest silk. It showcased that he had an extraordinary identity.

    It wouldn''t be a stretch to deduce that he hailed from an affluent family!

    Based on what he was wearing, it seemed as if he had just returned from a formal asion.

    And indeed, he had.

    With a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world, Val V. Whitemore mused,

    ''The Bloodline Awakening ritual, meant to be my springboard to greatness, ended up being the push that led to my downfall.''

    Today was a significant day for the Whitemore n - the crimson moon worshipping day. It was a day that marked the awakening of the bloodline of all 16-year-olds in the Whitemore family.

    The bloodline of the Whitemores could only be awakened using the witch''s potion.

    Potions in this world could be used to gain, awaken, or evolve bloodline.

    Awakening though was only possible for those who were descendants of bloodline users.

    The witch''s potion was infamous for its dangerous nature. It was only when the Whitemores turned 16, deemed mentally and physically robust enough to withstand its corruptive tendencies, that they could try to awaken as skill users. Even then, the path to sess wasn''t guaranteed, and failure spelled a fate worse than death.

    Thus, only when a Whitemore was 16 years old would they be allowed to undergo the dangerous ritual.

    There were indeed alternative potions that could bestow one with a unique bloodline and apanying skill, but for a Whitemore, such potions were a death sentence. Their own bloodline, dormant or active, would violently reject the new potion''s effects, resulting in a fatal explosion that would explode their bodies and also harm those nearby.

    Val recalled what happened today.

    After taking the witch''s potion, those among the Whitemores who were not able to fend off the potion''s corruption faced a horrific transformation.

    From humans, they transformed into creatures void of any semnce of humanity, only to be promptly killed by the bloodline users of the Whitemores.

    Yet, the ones who had sessfully resisted the potion''s sinister influence had their bloodline awakened, and they obtained bloodline skills, which resulted in their status in the Whitemore hierarchy skyrocketing.

    Val had also taken part in this year''s bloodline awakening ritual.

    Val, with his impressive track record in academics and athletics since a young age, was the golden boy of the Whitemores. Their expectations were high, fully convinced that he''d unlock some powerful skill indigenous to their lineage. After all, how excellent one was before awakening their bloodline determined how high their chances were of awakening their bloodline.

    However, destiny had a different script to follow.

    Despite Val''s years'' worth of best efforts, impable lineage, and the aid of the witch''s potion, he was met with silence from his own blood!

    Normally, a Whitemore would either awaken their whitemore bloodline or transform into a monster. But Val experienced nothing - no corruption or awakening - after taking the witch''s potion!

    A case like Val''s was really rare, unprecedented even!

    It left countless bewildered and disappointed!

    ''Talented young master falling from grace at the age of 16... this beginning is oddly familiar to the web novels I have read in my past life,'' Val thought.

 Chapter 2 2: Devilish Encounter!

    ?As one can already tell, Val was born with the memory of his previous life.

    He was a reincarnator!

    In his previous life, he was from Earth.

    Back there, he was a feared warlord, leading a vast army of mercenaries.

    He was living like a king when World War 3 started.

    With the onset of World War III, nations crumbled in quick session.

    Val was a ruthless and merciless man, and war times were extremely profitable for him. Yet, no matter how strong and great he was, he was still a mortal.

    A casualty of a nuclear explosion, he was sent spiraling into the afterlife!

    He thought, with his hands stained with the blood of both innocent and guilty lives, his eternal resting ce would surely be in the deepestyer of hell.

    But life, or rather the afterlife, threw him a curveball.

    Instead of a descent into hell, he found himself in the warm womb of a woman, reborn as a tiny embryo.

    Pushed into a new life from her sacred blossom, it took him a whole year to grasp the nature of his new reality.

    Here, bloodline users were revered, while ordinary folks were treated like dirt.

    Thus, aftering to this world, Val had always yearned for the status of a bloodline user, a position that would grant him control over his own destiny, but, being a Whitemore, he had to bide his time for sixteen long years to partake in the bloodline awakening ritual.

    The oue, however, was a p in the face!

    He was branded a normie, an individual incapable of gaining or awakening a bloodline, regardless of the potion used!

    Following his tumble from grace, his so-called friends cut all ties with him, his envious peers kicked him while he was down, and his father turned his back on him. Now that he was seen as a normie, Val received no aid orfort from him. Not that he cared.

    On top of that, the protection he had been receiving from the n since he was born has also been taken away.

    As of now, he waspletely vulnerable to the harmful elements of this strange world.

    "My life might be in shambles, but I''ve still got a lifeline to clutch at."

    He still had a way to salvage this situation!

    He was seated next to a desk. There was a worn ck book with a tattered cover and yellowed pages before him.

    This book seemed to have endured the passage of countless years and oozed a sinister aura, enough to unsettle most. Val, however, was impervious to its eerie ambiance, as if hecked the ability to feel fear, a result of his Unfeeling Trait.

    This ancient, dpidated ck book was a parting gift from his mother before she disappeared. As it seemed like nothing was written on it, the book was dismissed as useless by all but Val.

    For some inexplicable reason, only he could see and read the text inscribed within and on its cover!

    Its title was "Devil''s System."

    The artifact imed to endow its user with devilish powers, provided they were deemed worthy. However, to activate it, one needed to pay a steep price, which was half their sight.

    Such a peculiar condition made Val question the sincerity of the book. It seemed ludicrous enough to be a joke, so he never attempted to activate it. He was unwilling to lose half his vision on a potential wild goose chase.

    Now, however, the grim reaper seemed to be sharpening its scythe for him. As a normie, the protection of his family was no longer his to enjoy. This world was filled with a myriad of strange entities, and should he have the misfortune of encountering one, death was a guarantee.

    Thus, he urgently needed the power to protect himself from the harmful elements of this strange world that was so different than Earth!

    In the face of impending death, the choice to sacrifice half his vision to activate the artifact suddenly didn''t seem too hard. So, with a calm demeanor, he reached for his own eye.

    Pluck!

    With a sickening squelch, he plucked it from its socket, holding the bloody eyeball between his fingers.

    Blood streamed from the empty socket, but he didn''t flinch, nor did he scream. His face remained serene as if he hadn''t experienced anything. It was quite a horrifying and peculiar sight. In his previous life, he was known as Val the Unfeeling! He couldn''t feel pain or fear because of his Unfeeling Trait. At the same time, it was more difficult for him to experience other emotions aspared to an average human because of his Emotional Impairment Trait.

    These traits had carried on to his current life!

    He then ced his eyeball onto the Devil''s System. Immediately, a dark vortex materialized at the book''s center, swallowing his eyeball whole.

    As a result, the Devil''s System began to morph, transforming into an eye that floated into Val''s vacant socket, filling it. This new eye mirrored Val''s original one, yet it was far darker and seemed to harbor an immeasurable depth. Unless someone was scrutinizing his eyes closely, this subtle change would go unnoticed.

    "Ding," echoed the sound of a bell in Val''s ears. Just then, a semi-transparent screen materialized before his eyes.

    [Connection to Devil''s System: Established.]

    [Prove your worth to the Devil''s System.]

    [A trial has started!]

    [Survive for five minutes!]

    [Failure means termination of life!]

    [Seed and the Devil''s System is yours!]

    Just as he read thest line, the steam-poweredmp in the room, which had earlier switched off mysteriously, flickered back on, casting an uncanny light around the room.

    Val''s eyes instinctively moved towards themp, its brass foundation and ss shield gleaming under the light of the moons.

    A while ago, it had turned off on its own, and now it came back to life by itself too.

    Was it malfunctioning?''

    Val knew that that wasn''t the case.

    There was something else at y here, something sinister.

    His conclusion was proven true when themp''s light started shifting towards a sinister red hue.

    "Interesting," Val remarked, his tone unfazed.

    His gaze roamed around the room, alert for any potential threats. He was no stranger to this world where danger could spring up unannounced, a world teeming with devils and monsters. He had to remain vignt. Always.

    Suddenly, a series of knocks on his door interrupted his thoughts - a distinct ''ratatatat!''

    "Who''s there?" Val called out.

    The knocking persisted, bing louder, almost demanding. His frown deepened. "Speak up now, or you won''t like what follows. Who is it?"

    Still no answer. Only the relentless pounding against his door, almost as if by a formidable, non-human force.

    Val, unafraid, strode towards the door. Whatever awaited him, he was ready to face it head-on.

    However, as his hand reached out for the handle, a grotesque scene unfurled. The door seemed to bleed, turning a horrific shade of red as though blood was seeping through its grain.

    Any ordinary person would''ve recoiled in fear at this sight. Not Val, though. He just stepped back, not willing to stain his luxurious attire.

    Interpreting his retreat as a sign of weakness, tendrils of darkness began to sneak in through the door''s edges. Like a swarm of wriggling worms, they snaked into the room, then spiraled together to form a monstrous figure as tall as Val himself!

 Chapter 3 3: Against The Devils!

    ?A figure sculpted from pure darkness stood before Val V. Whitemore, its edges shifting and fluid as if ink bled into water. Its twin arms, sharp and deadly as a reaper''s scythe, gleamed ominously under the eerie redmp.

    Recognizing the creature, Val murmured, "A shadow devil, is it?"

    Born from the chaos and negativity saturating Eldrich, devils feasted on life force to strengthen themselves, eventually evolving into tangible beings capable of bringing physical harm. Normies feared such encounters, as their deaths were certain if they encountered one.

    "I see, so it''s you I must survive against for 5 minutes," Val mused, observing the threatening creature.

    Whoosh!

    In an instant, the room''s silence was shattered by the entity''s sudden attack. Its rapid, predatory movements blurred in the dim light as it lunged at Val. Despite the sudden onught, Val''sposure didn''t falter. His body, driven by a sharp survival instinct, dodged the lethal strike just in time.

    ''That was a narrow escape,'' Val thought, feeling the gust of the creature''s attack as he leaped back, just missing death by mere inches.

    A normie would have already shit himself if they were in Val''s shoes. However, Instead of fear, an adrenaline rush surged through him, focusing his senses further.

    Val''s nature set him apart from the norm. The absence of fear, while unusual, came in handy in such precarious situations. Where others would have been frozen in fear, Val maintained his calm. His clear mind and unwavering focus gave him an edge that others, be they normies or bloodline users, could only dream of.

    "There''s something odd about you. I can sense a hint of familiarity from you. It is almost as if you are not human but a devil in human skin." The ominous shadow devil uttered, seemingly detecting an inconsistency within Val''s being.

    "My mother had said worse," Val retorted with a detached tone, "She named me a Monster when I was but a toddler of three summers."

    "Monster or not, haunted by us, your doom is inevitable," the shadow devil articted, each syble brimming with an undisguised threat.

    Val cast a nce at the devil before shifting his gaze to the blood-red door. Piecing together the dialogue, he surmised that they were not one but two devils who hade to haunt him.

    His eyes lit up in realization, "Ah, you must be the infamous pair causing chaos within our stronghold."

    "Good guess. Now die!"

    The shadow devil, undeterred by Val''s dodging maneuvers,unched another assault, its relentless attacks barely leaving any room for him to sidestep. Nevertheless, Val met each onught with swift, graceful evasion, his movements as fluid as a seasoned dancer.

    His options for escape, however, grew limited with every passing moment, and he soon found his back pressed against the wooden frame of the chair next to the desk. His retreat path was blocked, leaving him with no choice but to face the encroaching threat head-on, or so it seemed.

    ''It can be used as a weapon.''

    Val swiftly assessed the situation, realizing the chair could be wielded as a weapon. He grabbed the head of the chair.

    With the chair behind him and his hands out of sight, the shadow devil remained oblivious to Val''s ns. Patiently, Val bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

    Seeing is believing. The Shadow Devil was certain that its prey was trapped. It lunged towards Val again, its razor-sharp arms ready to im their kill. However, Val had made his move before it even lunged at him. He swung the chair with all his might, the momentum boosted by his bodily force.

    The chair was made out of a cursed tree that had gained sentinent and was personally put down by Joshua. It was 20 times denser than normal wood. It was so heavy that if Val had been any weaker, he wouldn''t have been able to move it around!

    Bam!

    The thunderous sound of collision reverberated across the room as the chair met the shadow devil''s grotesque form.

    "Arghhhhh!"

    The creature shrieked in agony as it was knocked off its feet, falling to the ground. It was writhing on the ground when Val''s shadow fell over it.

    "You messed with the wrong guy."

    Bam! Ugh! Bam! Bam! Argh!

    Val renewed his onught, battering the downed creature relentlessly with the chair. Splintering wood and the creature''s torment-filled cries filled the room as Val rained down blow after blow on the Shadow Devil. He gave it no chance to recuperate or counterattack, beating it senseless.

    However, the chair crumbled under the intensity of Val''s strikes, leaving him with mere fragments in hand.

    The shadow devil, sensing the loss of Val''s weapon, mustered its strength, ready to counterstrike in this newfound opening, but then Val did something that made its blood run cold.

    Puchi!

    The sound of flesh being pierced rang out as Val, with a chilling calmness, impaled the remains of the chair into the devil''s shadow form. He withdrew the shards only to plunge them back in again, repeating the vicious cycle until the shadow devil disintegrated into thin, ck threads, leaving behind a sickening stench.

    "Seems like what I was taught in school is indeed true. Shadow Devils can be easily killed if they are spiked," Val muttered, casting an indifferent nce at the vanquished enemy.

    Victory, however, took its toll. Val''s body dripped with sweat, his clothes adhering to his body, and his hair matted with sweat, but he refused to show any sign of weakness. The appearance of vulnerability could be fatal as he was in the presence of an enemy!

    Slowly, Val shifted his gaze towards the bloodstained door.

    "Next, it''s your turn."

    He issued a threatening growl.

    As if reacting to his deration, the blood smeared across the door dissipated rapidly, themp''s ominous red glow subsiding and the room returning to normalcy.

    Val watched as the fearful Blood Devil that hade here to haunt him with the Shadow Devil retreated hastily. He thought that it must be a newborn and inexperienced devil, devoid of offensive or defensive capabilities, only having the ability to scare and trap the faint of heart. That is why the first thing it did after its formidable ally was defeated was run away.

    ''Lucky bastard.''

    He didn''t give chase, fully aware he couldn''t catch it.

 Chapter 4 4: Birth Of A Devil!

    ?[Ding! Dear Host, Congrattions onpleting the trial!]

    [You have gained ownership of the Devil''s System!]

    Ownership of the Devil''s System? He did expect this to happen after hepleted the trial, but it still felt surreal. This was a turn of events that could potentially change his destiny in this world!

    [Because of your exceptional performance in the trial, you have gained an additional reward.]

    [Please choose the type of devil you would like to be.]

    [Option 1: Shadow Devil.]

    [Option 2: Blood Devil.]

    A semi-transparent screen disyed the message, and Val''s lips curled into a smirk.

    "Seems like my efforts paid off."

    A short description of each devil was also provided.

    Shadow Devils were quite skilled at dodging or avoiding attacks. They''re better at this than Blood Devils. However, when ites to attacking or causing damage, Shadow Devils aren''t as good as Blood Devils. They''re somewhat weaker in their offensive abilitiespared to other devils. So, in a nutshell, while Shadow Devils are great at not getting hit, they''re not as great at hitting back as Blood Devils.

    Furthermore, Shadow Devils were weak to getting spiked. Blood devils also had a weakness. But it won''t manifest itself unless the blood bar drops to zero.

    Val scratched his chin, looking to be deep in thought. After taking his time to weigh the pros and cons, Val went for the second choice.

    Val chose option B because the side effects of bing a Blood Devil would only ur if his blood bar dropped to zero, unlike the constant side effects that came with bing a Shadow Devil.

    [The bloodline imntation process has started!]

    The air around Val seemed to grow a few degrees hotter as heat waves rolled off him. With his temperature soaring beyond what was endurable, his body felt as if it were ame, mimicking the symptoms of a raging fever, but Val stayed calm andposed.

    Most people in his ce would be shedding tears of blood or begging for an end to the pain, or even pleading for salvation. Val, however, did none of that.

    The reason was simple.

    He wasn''t experiencing the excruciating agony usually associated with bloodline imntation!

    After a few minutes, when a puddle of his sweat formed beneath him, his temperature returned to normal, and then a notification popped up in his vision.

    [Congrattions! You''ve acquired the Bloodline of the Blood Devil!]

    [New skill acquired: Blood Absorption!]

    [New skill acquired: Blood Maniption!]

    [New Trait Acquired: Nocturnal Vision!]

    Val''s eyes narrowed slightly as he read the notifications.

    ''Blood Absorption Skill and Blood Maniption Skill? I wonder what their limitations are.''

    Almost as if in response to his thoughts, a semi-transparent screen materialized in his field of vision, presenting detailed descriptions of his newly acquired skills.

    [Blood Absorption Skill: Can be used to absorb blood from others. If there''s any kind of resistance, the process will be stopped. The absorbed blood can be used to restore the Host''s HP bar or the Blood bar!]

    ''It''s useful.''

    Next, he delved into the information about the Blood Maniption Skill.

    [Blood Maniption skill: Can be used to gain control over blood whether yours or the spilled blood of your enemies. And allow you to shape, move, and solidify the controlled blood at your will. Provided that there''s no resistance, you can control anyone''s blood, even your own. Every droplet of the controlled blood will bend to your will instantly.]

    Val thought: ''The potential applications of this skill are limitless. But I can only use it in moderation. If my blood bar drops to zero, I''ll enter a bloodthirsty frenzy! And I don''t know what that would do to me, but it couldn''t possibly be anything good.''

    He didn''t bother checking the trait. What it did was evident in its name.

    It enabled him to see in the dark!

    After a moment, he thought about inspecting himself.

    ''Since this is a system, there should be a way to inspect my stats too, right?''

    ''What was the magic word?''

    ''Ah, yes! I remember.''

    "Character screen," Val uttered.

    Name: Val V. Whitemore

    Race: Half-Human, Half-Devil

    Age: 16

    ss: Blood Devil

    Level: 1 (0/10 EXP)

    Unawakened Bloodlines: Whitemore Bloodline

    Hidden Ailments: Whitemore Bloodline Suppression Poison

    Trait: Unfeeling (You''re unable to feel fear or pain), Emotional Impairment (It''s harder for you to feel emotionspared to the average human), Nocturnal Vision (You can see in the dark)

    Stats:

    ?Health Points (HP): 10

    ?Strength (STR): 10

    ?Agility (AGT): 10

    ?Stamina (STA): 10

    ?Reflexes (REF): 10

    Blood Bar: 100 units of blood

    Stat Points: 0

    Mad Points: 0

    100 MP=1 SP!

    Bloodline Skills:

    1) Blood Absorption

    2) Blood Maniption

    In this strange world called Eldrich, the stats of normies typically hovered around five or so. However, individuals who were unfit or overweight had lower stats, usually below 5. Furthermore, it was generally noticed that women had lower statspared to men.

    Despite the stark differences between this world and Earth, there was at least one aspect that remained unchanged �� Women being inherently weaker than men.

    For someone so young, Val''s stats were really high, but it wasn''t without reason. He had undergone rigorous training and pushed himself to his limits for more than a decade in order to achieve such impressive attributes. He had started training using the methods of his previous life as soon as he gained some privacy.

    There was no detail mentioned about the Mad Points except for the fact that a 100 MP could be converted into 1 SP. Val had to figure out how to get them through tests and trials.

    "What the��"

    When Val''s gaze fell upon the status screen, he was filled with shock.

    He was poisoned!

    Who could be behind such a malicious act?

    Val''s mind raced as he started to narrow down the suspect.

    Since Val couldn''t feel pain, he wouldn''t have noticed if he had been poisoned. Consequently, his father had taken precautions. Before it was revealed that he was a normie, the bloodline users of his n had safeguarded him. It seemed impossible for him to be poisoned, considering that even his meals were tested by someone to ensure their safety.

    The only opportunity for him to have been poisoned was during the distribution of the witch''s potions. To increase the chances of awakening the desired powers, one had to consume the entire potion alone, eliminating the possibility of poison checks, after all. So if anyone had ill intentions against him, they could take advantage of that opportunity to poison him. But getting poisoned was painful. That wasmon sense. However, because of Val''s innate trait, he couldn''t feel poison. So thatmon sense didn''t apply to him.

    This meant that whoever poisoned him knew that he couldn''t feel pain!

    Suddenly, everything started to fall into ce for Val.

    Although he had consumed the witch''s potion, he hadn''t experienced any effects.

    Why?

    Well, simply because he hadn''t been given the real witch''s potion. Instead, he had been administered something resembling it in looks but not effects.

    To dare to poison him in a public setting, the perpetrator must have known about Val''s inability to feel pain.

    Only a select few were aware of this secret. Among them were his father, mother, brother, and the family priest.

    His older brother was preupied with expanding his mercenary business outside the IronSpire stronghold. Thest time he was seen at home was 2 years ago. As for his mother, his mother had escaped from this ce a decade ago!

    ''Those two can''t be behind it.''

    ''And although Father is greedy, he wouldn''t risk harming a valuable resource like me. He shouldn''t be behind it either.''

    One more suspect was eliminated.

    The only remaining suspect was the ursed priest who had been hired by his father to "fix" his supposed defects when he was 6 years old. Of course, even he had failed in his attempts to "fix" Val!

    Val was certain that the person responsible for poisoning him must undoubtedly be the damned priest as he was also the one who conducted the bloodline awakening ritual and personally passed the fake "Witch''s potion" to Val and urged him to drink it with a smile.

    That daring bastard had poisoned him under the eyes of countless onlookers with a gentle smile on his face!

    ''I''ll kill him.'' Val raged.

 Chapter 5 5: The Head Butlers Notice!

    ?''But it will take some time.''

    The priest held a position of great respect within the Whitemore family, making it difficult for Val to openly use him. Mere words would likely be dismissed as desperate ramblings, resulting in punishment for Val himself. What he truly needed was tangible evidence. Without concrete proof, he couldn''t confront the priest or take any action against him.

    But what if the priest had been thorough with his scheme and no proof existed? Val possessed a talent for fabricating "proof" when necessary. The priest''s days were undoubtedly limited, for Val was determined to expose his deceitful actions and take his life in front of the masses!

    ''Foolish priest! Your treachery shall not go unpunished!''

    He seemed to have already decided how the priest would die.

    It would be a public execution!

    Rat-a-tat!

    A sudden, forceful knock on the door sounded, jolting Val out of his murderous thoughts.

    "Who''s there?" Val questioned, a mixture of annoyance and curiositycing his voice.

    "It is I, young master," came the familiar voice from the other side.

    Without hesitation, Val swung open the door, revealing themanding figure of Reginald Ashworth, the esteemed head butler of the Whitemore family.

    Reginald had sharp features, which were entuated by high cheekbones and a strong jawline.

    By just standing straight, he emitted an air of authority.

    His slicked-back ck hair and piercing gray eyes added to his formidable presence, and he epitomized the essence of a true gentleman as he was d in a meticulously tailored ck suit, crisp white shirt, and a sleek ck tie, he epitomized the essence of a true gentleman.

    Lastly, prominently disyed on hispel was the distinguished emblem of the Whitemore family--a silver representation of a horned deer.

    After the door opened, Reginald''s gaze involuntarily swept across the disheveled state of Val''s room, and a shocked expression made its way onto his face.

    "What has happened here, young master? Why is your room in such disarray?" he inquired.

    Val, shrugging as if it was no big deal, replied, "It is courtesy to a couple of unwee guests."

    "Unwee guests? What did you do about them?" queried Reginald.

    "Spiked one to death with the remnants of a broken chair. The other was so terrified to see its partner in crime die that it fled in a hurry." Val replied, shrugging as if it was no big deal.

    From Val''s nonchnt description of "spiking one," Reginald instantly realized they were dealing with devils!

    His eyes widened to the size of saucers!

    "To take down a devil without any special powers... that''s something else, young sir. You''re stronger and quicker than most people your age. Plenty of gifted folks would give anything for your physique. It''s a real pity you''re not a bloodline user. Just think of the possibilities..."

    "Let''s cut the chit-chat. Why are you here at this ungodly hour?" Val interrupted.

    "The lord wishes to see you," the butler replied, his voice tinged with solemnity.

    There was only one person whom Reginald referred to as "the lord." That person was the head of the Whitemore family and Val''s father.

    Val knew better than to keep his father waiting, so he responded promptly, "Very well. Lead the way."

    Val followed closely behind the butler as he led him to his father''s study. The butler opened the door and motioned for Val to enter.

    "Please, go ahead," the butler kindly said.

    "Thank you," Val replied with a grateful smile, stepping into the study.

    The study was filled with bookshelves stretching from the floor all the way to the ceiling, disying a colorful assortment of books in various shapes and sizes. And soft sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a warm and inviting glow on the beautifully polished mahogany desk positioned at the center of the room.

    Seated behind the desk was Val''s father, a man whose appearance was far from being ssified as attractive.

    His teeth were crooked and yellowed, peeping out beneath a neatly trimmed mustache, and eyesses sat lopsided on his nose, seemingly designed for just one eye.

    Except for the color of their hair and eyes, Val bore no resemnce to his father. That''s why it was obvious that Val''s impressive looks were a gift from his mother.

    "Sit down," invited Joshua, motioning towards the chair across from his desk.

    Val obliged, settling into the offered seat.

    "Now, do you have any inkling why I urgently summoned you?" inquired Joshua.

    "To be frank, I''m clueless." Val shook his head, a slight furrow etching into his brows.

    Joshua leaned forward, his eyes unblinking and intense. He then posed a question that jostled Val''s deepest memories.

    "Then, do you recall why I changed your name to Val when you were only three years old?"

    Val''s mind raced back to his early childhood, recalling how his mother had initially named him "Monster." It was only after he had made an effort to stand out from the crowd, walking and speaking fluently at an incredibly young age and surpassing his peers in every aspect, that his name was changed to Val by his father.

    "You envisioned bing a kingmaker," Val replied, "and saw the makings of a king in me. So you named me after King Valerius, the founder and the first king of the Kingdom."

    "But now that you haven''t turned out to be extraordinary like I have hoped, I don''t see how that destiny can be fulfilled," Joshua stated matter-of-factly, disappointment coloring his voice. "Therefore, I will reim your original name and revoke the privileges that you''ve been enjoying that came with being the second young master of the Whitemore family."

    He paused momentarily before continuing with an unwavering gaze, "From now on, you are forbidden to use the name Val. Instead, you will return to the name your mother originally gave you. Is that clear?"

    "Since you want it back, who am I to say no?" Val, now referred to as Monster once again, nodded in acknowledgment.

    Though it might seem that Val had a lot to gain by being proactive andying his cards on the table, that was actually not the case.

    Joshua was not only an inadequate father but also a suspicious and morally deranged individual with the blood of many innocent people on his hands. He hadn''t attained his position as the ruler of the Ironspire stronghold through peaceful means; rather, he had ruthlessly eliminated countless individuals to establish the dominance of the Whitemore family.

    Someone like him wouldn''t hesitate to steal his son''s good fortune.

    That''s why, to protect himself, Val chose to keep quiet and withhold any information about his recent experiences.

    He didn''t intend to hide his power for too long though.

    He had a way of fooling Joshua into believing that he had awakened the Whitemore Bloodline, but he needed to increase his physical strength in order to make that ne to fruition.

    As for how to do that, he had already thought of a n!

    He just needed to act on it.

    But as fate would have it, he was disturbed!

 Chapter 6 6: Sold To The Frontier 1

    ?"It''s good to see you being so obedient," Joshua said with a faint smile.

    "Is there anything else, Father?" Val asked calmly. It seemed like losing his identity and being betrayed by his father didn''t hurt him at all!

    "Yes, there is. You will be dispatched to the Northern Frontier by the end of this month," Joshua revealed, "So, I suggest you start packing your bags and be prepared."

    The Kingdom of Victoria was divided into three main parts: the Outer Region, the Inner Region, and the Divine Capital. The Divine Capital served as the residence for the Empress and the royal family. The Inner Region was regarded as the safest area for humans in Eldrich because there were no dungeons nearby. On the other hand, the Outer Region was scattered with strongholds, while the wilderness stretched between these strongholds, harboring dangerous dungeons.

    The Kingdom had its fair share of troubles.

    The Durcal Empire, consisting of Devils, posed the biggest threat to the Kingdom of Victoria.

    The Northern Frontier acted as the primary and most fortified line of defense against this formidable enemy.

    Skirmishes between the two forces were amon urrence in that region.

    It was considered to be quite a deadly ce where normies dying was amon urrence.

    Joshua didn''t know that Val had be a Bloodline User. In his eyes, Val was still a normie. Yet, he was sending him to the Northern Frontier. It was clear that he was so cruel that he would even send his own flesh and blood to his doom!

    "You are sentencing me to death!"

    Val roared in response!

    "A normie like me will undoubtedly end up as nothing more than cannon fodder in that ce. You''re tossing me into the jaws of death. Father, how could you do this to me?!"

    In reality, Val, with his newfound skills, could be considered a Bloodline User, and Bloodline Users can survive and even thrive in the harsh environment of the Frontier. Not to mention, the Whitemore might have a say in the IronSpire Stronghold, but they couldn''t push their weight in the Frontier. In that ce, Val could use his bloodline skills without holding back!

    For someone like him, surviving in the Northern Frontier wouldn''t be the perilous struggle he portrayed.

    There was an actual reason behind his act, though. He wanted to gauge the depth of his ce in his father''s heart. Based on the uing answer, he was ready to discard thest bit of filial piety he had for his father.

    Joshua was really a special existence in Val''s heart.

    To better understand theirplex rtionship, one must know about their past.

    Joshua found an injured and unconscious woman while he was returning home through the wilderness. At that time, no trains were established in the Outer Region. One could only travel by foot or horse-driven carriage. But Bloodline Users were faster than that, so they tended to travel on foot in urgent situations.

    He brought her home and saved her life.

    After recuperating, she wanted to leave, but Joshua forced her to stay. When she resisted, he forced himself on her.

    Val''s existence was the result of a painful incident��a rape. It wasn''t without a reason that his mother despised him. He was a constant reminder of her most painful memory.

    She, a woman of unparalleled beauty, was reduced to a captive breeder and kept confined within the walls of a mansion like a pet. She felt that she was losing her mind.

    And whenever she saw Val, she would take her anger out on him by cursing him.

    Val was a murderous spirit in a child''s body. So he ignored her. He didn''t know how to sympathize with her. After all, he was not a virtuous person himself.

    Nevertheless, he could recognize that his father was the one at fault.

    One day, when his mother pleaded with him, he made the daring decision to set her free. She ran away without looking back, leaving only an old, tattered ck book in his hand.

    For granting her freedom, Val faced severe punishment.

    He knew that he would be punished for saving her, but he still saved her. It was to repay her for giving him a second chance at life. She could have tried to kill the fetus when it was in her womb. She could have hurt him. She could have refused to let him drink her milk. But she didn''t do any of that. After being physically tortured by her captive for years, she only dared to curse him. And even her curses were quite childish. She was a stupid person that didn''t even know how to curse properly. Maybe she seeded in touching Val''s heart or he couldn''t stand her stupidity any longer that he helped her escape.

    Anyway, he couldn''t feel pain so no matter how he was punished, it didn''t matter.

    Even if they deep-fried him, he would just yawn and die.

    At the tender age of six, he endured whipping and was locked away in a cell where he received no food. He nearly starved to death before his father ultimately rescued him.

    Val''s mother had escaped his clutches.

    A potential talented bloodline user, Joshua couldn''t afford to lose him too.

    Then for 10 straight years, this man had fed him, clothed him, and even taught him. From him, he had learned a lot of things. Joshua had noticed Val''s defects when Val was still a young child. He had tasked the private priest of the Whitemores to cure Val. When that failed, he taught Val the art of mimicking emotions. It was thanks to him that Val, who could barely perfectly express emotions, fooled those around him into thinking he was just like them. But he wasn''t. He was different, but because of his perfect acting, it had gone unnoticed so far. Except for himself and his father, no one knew that Val was a monster with the Unfeeling and Emotional Impairment Traits.

    He didn''t have a father in his previous life, but Joshua made him experience how shitty and great it was like to have a father figure in life.

    That''s why, even after what he had experienced so far, he still had onest bit of filial pity towards him. All of Joshua''s efforts had only managed to earn that from him. But that might cease to exist depending on how he is answered!

 Chapter 7 7: Sold To The Frontier 2

    ?"I''m sorry, but I have no control over this situation. It''s a direct order from the Queen herself,manding me to send one of my sons to the Northern Frontier. They im it''s to boost the soldiers'' morale, but I believe it''s just an excuse. Thest time I went to the inner region, I have happened to beat a bastard that dared to touch your sister inappropriately. To our misfortune, he turned out to be the son of a powerful inner region noble who had some sway in the Queen''s Court. Now they wish to demonstrate the consequences faced by Ounders who dare to offend the nobles of the inner region. They intend to make an example out of me by forcing me to sacrifice one of my sons. I''ve been torn between choosing you or your older brother. But because your value has diminished to nothing as you have turned out to be a normie, I have decided to send you instead of your older brother to minimize the losses," Joshua said honestly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

    Val scoffed at his father''s words, unable to contain his disbelief and frustration. "Diminished value? Is that all you see in me now, Father? Just because I don''t possess the same extraordinary abilities as my brother, you''re willing to throw me to the wolves, heh! I thought you were different, but it seems your loyalty lies solely with the whims of the nobles and their twisted sense of justice. You im to have experienced fatherhood, but all I see is a man who values power and prestige over the well-being of his own son. Well, if being a normie means escaping the clutches of your twisted world, then maybe it''s a blessing in disguise. I''ll show you that I''m worth more than you could ever imagine, with or without your precious bloodline."

    Val dared to speak his heart out because he knew his father wouldn''t dare harm him. After all, a son of Joshua was required to reach the Northern Frontier before the month''s end, and it wouldn''t serve any purpose if he were sent as a lifeless body or a crippled normie.

    Besides, If Joshua took offense to Val''s words, then he truly was nothing more than a pathetic individual and a sorry excuse of a father.

    "Do you me me?" Joshua''s gaze met Val''s, searching for any hint of me.

    Val''s response was an unexpected one.

    Heughed. Augh that started as a low rumble, slowly building in intensity, echoing in the cold, empty room.

    It was a bitter, hollowugh devoid of any joy.

    Hearing theughters, Joshia felt a chill creep up his spine.

    +5 Mad Points!

    An unexpected notification rang in Val''s mind.

    Why and for what did he get Mad Points? Wasn''t he just acting like a madman?

    At this moment, he realized that mad points could be gained by acting mad!

    "No, I don''t me you. The real culprit is this ruthless world, where us ''normies'' are cast aside like worthless trinkets." Once the echoes of hisughter subsided, he gave a response to his father, the hint of a bitter smile still ying on his lips.

    +5 Mad Points!

    Only a mad person would act like he was ming a person and the very next second say he wasn''t!

    Joshua had no response for him. He sat with his lips tightly pressed together, a droplet of sweat sliding down the side of his sideburns.

    "I''ll take my leave now, Father." Val excused himself.

    Slowly, he stood up, pushing his chair back in a deliberate, quiet motion. His figure straightened to its full height, casting a long, solemn shadow in the dimly lit study.

    After giving his father a disappointed look, he exited the study, leaving behind the old man contemting the choices that led to him bing estranged from his most beloved son.

    "I have made the right choice. Sacrificing a useless person is better than facing the ire of those bastards from the inner region." Joshua muttered under his breath as he sat with his legs crossed.

 Chapter 8 8: Eldrich! And The System That Grants EXP For Killing Monsters!

    ?Once upon a time, Eldrich was and not unlike Earth, marked by thriving empires, bustling churches, and flourishing cultures. All was normal until a disaster of unimaginable scale disrupted everything.

    However, everything turned upside down after one major event.

    Countless years ago, out of nowhere, a moon, glowing with a blood-red hue, emerged in the starry night sky. Since then, the world, as it had been understood, was no more.

    With the appearance of the Crimson Moon, the rules governing this world took an unsettling turn. The departed didn''t stay buried anymore, rising from their graves, ravenous for the living. They hunted down humans and animals alike ruthlessly. No matter how many they killed and devoured, their hunger remained insatiable, and they always roamed thend in search of more until they were out down once more!

    The appearance of the Crimson Moon didn''t just bring back the dead. It also led to the appearance of dungeons and devils.

    Against these monstrous threats, humans of days old didn''t stand a chance. Settlements fell one after the other at a horrifying rate.

    Humanity seemed to be doomed.

    Just then, a miracle urred.

    The first bloodline user appeared in Eldrich.

    The first Bloodline User''s power was beyondprehension; he exterminated the threats to his city like a butcher slicing through meat.

    He single-handedly defended an entire city from being overrun by the walking dead, mutated animals, and the devils!

    Stories of his heroic deeds spread far and wide, drawing people to him, people who were desperate for his guidance and protection.

    He showed them the way to acquire bloodlines free of charge.

    Bloodline userse into being when humans ingest a unique potion, which is a concoction brewed from the flesh, blood, and various parts of devils or mutated animals. Depending on their unique characteristics, bloodline users can be categorized into several types, such as Warriors, Spell Casters, Priests, and so on.

    A bloodline user would earn the title of Warrior if they boasted extraordinary physical strength. In the same vein, those with the ability to restore health or harness holy magic were aptly deemed Priests. Spell Casters, on the other hand, were bloodline users with the power tomand natural elements such as fire, water, earth, and so forth.

    Bloodline users were also categorized into levels, a system that ranged from the lowest, level 1, to the highest, level 10. This structure existed to help distinguish the capabilities and power of each bloodline user.

    The level of a user was determined by their strength, skill, and mastery over their particr characteristic - be it the might of a Warrior, the healing power of a Priest, or the elemental control of a Spell Caster. For example, a level 1 Warrior might possess strength slightly above the average human, whereas a level 10 Warrior would be a paragon of raw physical power, able to perform feats of strength beyond ordinaryprehension. With a simple, they could destroy mountains. And with a simple kick, they could separate seas. Simrly, a level 1 Spell Caster might be able to conjure a ball of fire or a small wave of water, while a level 10 could unleash elemental forces that can shape and reshape the world around them.

    After Valerius, the First Bloodline, made the method to be a bloodline usermon knowledge, the bloodline users multiplied, slowly but surely shifting the bnce of power against the nightmares of Eldrich and in favour of humanity.

    With the appearance of many bloodline users, thest bastion of humanity, the Valerius kingdom, was founded. Initially, it was named Valerius in honor of the first Bloodline User. Val''s name was inspired by him, as Joshua saw in Val the same potential as the first bloodline user.

    Over time, the kingdom passed through many hands.

    With every new ruler, it was given a new name.

    The current sovereign was Victoria. Thus, the kingdom was now known as the Victoria Kingdom.

    Originally, the kingdom consisted solely of the Divine Capital, but as the threats nearby the capital were neutralized, the inner region was established.

    After that, the nobles of the inner region and the affluent aristocracy, and the royal family of the divine capital coborated to set up fortified strongholds to provide protection to the ounders. When the number of these strongholds surpassed a hundred, the outer region came into being.

    Beyond the stronghold of the outer regiony a wild expanse, interspersed with what could be called remnants of human settlements that had fallen under the siege of the Walking Dead.

    Close to the IronSpire Stronghold, the shadow of one such forgotten settlement, now known as ShadowFall city, still lingered.

    Heavy, ominous clouds shrouded the sky, obscuring the moons from view.

    After sneaking out of the formidable stronghold known as IronSpire, a young man set forth towards the lingering ruins of what once was ShadowFall City. His hair, a rich, velvety ck, matched the dark depths of his eyes, lending him an air of striking handsomeness. He was wearing ck clothes. A scabbard was fastened at his side, cradling a sword, the hilt of which was sticking out and visible, suggesting readiness.

    Indeed, this was none other than Val V. Whitemore.

    Why, one might wonder, would he venture to ShadowFall City?

    He was going there to farm zombies!!!

    He had discovered that the Devil''s system bestowed EXP for defeating adversaries. This revtion came to him when he unintentionally stepped on an ant, extinguishing its tiny life as he was making his way back to his room post a conversation with his father.

    For killing an ant, he was rewarded with a mere 0.0001 EXP.

    Killing ants didn''t seem profitable.

    Thus, to gain EXP faster, he was going to the Shadowfall City to y zombies!

    ''How much EXP will I get from killing one zombie?'' Val wondered as he stepped into the forest that separated the Ironspire Stronghold from the remnants of the ShadowFall City.

 Chapter 9 9: Slaying Zombies In The Evernight Forest!

    ?The sprawling expanse of the Evernight Forest was partitioned into two distinctive parts - the inner region and the outskirts. Predominantly, the inner region was the territory of the formidable beasts that were above level 10, while the outskirts were home to those of levels 1 to 10.

    "Beast" was the term used for mutated animals.

    The beasts ranging from level 1-10 were considered equivalent in strength to level 1 bloodline users. Meanwhile, the beasts of levels 11-20 wereparable to those at level 2 bloodline users, and so forth. Every level of Bloodline User was further divided into three stages, Beginner, Advanced, and Peak. Val, who had just awakened the bloodlike of the Blood Devil, could be considered to be at the beginner stage of the first level.

    To reach ShadowFall Vige, Val only needed to traverse through the outskirts of Evernight Forest. He did not need to step into the dangerous inner region where the chances of level 1 Bloodline users dying were exceedingly high.

    However, that didn''t mean he was safe from being dealt the fatality card.

    There were instances when powerful beasts would venture out from the inner region to the outskirts in search of prey.

    Thus, he had to maintain a high level of alertness to his surroundings, and Val did just that.

    If he encountered a formidable beast, he was prepared to bolt at once!

    Engaging in a battle against a level 11 or higher beast as a level 1 bloodline user was simply an unfair fight, and such a battle was one that Val had absolutely no intention of fighting!

    The towering trees of the EverNight Forest, having never met the harshness of an axe, reached for the skies with their massive trunks. Their branches, like outstretched hands, wove together, creating a vast and dense canopy overhead.

    As the clouds drifted apart, one of the moons - a gleaming snow-white orb - came into view. But the dense canopy blocked this stunning sight and, along with that, most of the lunar light.

    However, through the asional gaps in the interwoven branches, soft beams of moonlight managed to prate, casting a serene glow upon the forest floor.

    Under this ethereal light, Val was bathed in a soft, luminescent sheen, the moonlight cascading over him like a gentle, silvery waterfall.

    Val moved briskly through the forest, yet his steps were eerily silent.

    This was possible because of a technique he had learned in his previous life. The name of the technique was Silent Steps.

    In his previous life, he had the misfortune of being born into a family of madmen. Finding out that he was unable to feel pain and fear, they threw him into the League of Shadows, an organization notorious worldwide for spawning the highest number of assassins, to be trained. At that time, he was a young child of only so many months old.

    Raised in an environment shrouded in darkness, he grew to be one with it, learning the art of assassination from his mentors, that were also his tormentors. He mastered what they taught him to the point where he even surpassed his teachers. After that, he turned on his creators.

    Using his skills, he eradicated every member of the league that stood on his path to power, ascended to its leadership, and secured his position as a warlord in the modern world!

    The forest floor was littered with fallen leaves and dposing organic matter. However, for someone like him, treading swiftly without a sound in a ce like this was as effortless as a leisurely walk in a park. He deftly maneuvered his way through the outskirts, careful to avoid stepping on the dry debris.

    Crunch!

    However, the quiet of the forest was abruptly shattered by a crunching sound, the clear sign of leaves being crushed underfoot.

    In an instant, Val''s hand was on his sword, the crisp, metallic whisper of the de leaving its sheath cutting through the tranquility of the night.

    Emerging from the veil of the trees, a group of four level 0 zombies staggered forward. Their rotting bodies were draped in ragged cloth, and their limbs were grotesquely misaligned. They were a horrifying mockery of the human form, their lifeless eyes vacant and their bodies misshapen.

    A foul stench wafted from them carried on a sudden gust of wind that blew forward, straight towards Val.

    The very next moment, Val''s nose crinkled in disgust at the vile odor that hit his senses.

    Their scent was reminiscent of pigs wallowing in their own filth for centuries!

    It was really hard to bear.

    If hecked the unfeeling trait, could feel pain and fear, and the full extent of his other emotions, he would have puked his guts out just like any other person if they were in his shoes.

    Thankfully, he was unordinary! Otherwise, he really wouldn''t have been able to stand this god awful smell!

    Gah! Gah!

    Grunting, the zombies shuffled closer to Val at the pace of a snail.

    Their slow speed and their specific movement patterns were a clear sign of their being level 0 zombies.

    Zombies, or ''the Walking Dead'' as they weremonly referred to by the inhabitants of Eldrich, were categorized from level 0 to ten.

    Level 0 zombies were the least threatening, possessing abilities below that of an average human and exhibiting limited intelligence.

    Level 1 zombies matched humans in speed but not in intellect.

    Level 2 zombies were more physically robust. Depending on the type of zombie, they might be faster, stronger, or more resilient than humans and even level 1 bloodline users.

    Zombies above level 2 were reported to possess supernatural abilities. They were opponents not to be underestimated. However, such powerful zombies were seldom encountered in thesends.

    In Eldrich, level 0 zombies were the easiest monsters to kill. Even a normie can kill them if they don''t let cowardice and disgust take over them. Val had studied in the most prestigious school of the IronSpire Stronghold. He had been attentive during his time in school. He had throughly memorized their attacking patterns and knew how to effectively handle them

    The bodies of the level 0 zombies were in various stages of dposition. Their mobility in particr was pathetic as their legs were close to rotting out, seemingly ready to copse under their weight at any moment.

    Tightening his hold on the hilt of the sword, Val waited for them to get close to him.

    Their w-like hands reached out, eager to grip his flesh, but a swift swing of his sword severed their reaching limbs.

    Thud!

    Numerous severed hands fell to the ground simultaneously.

    With a single stroke, the zombies were rendered handless.

    Upon losing their hands, level 0 zombies were known to lunge at their prey. Val knew what wasing as he had learned all about zombies in the prestigious school of the IronSpire stronghold.

    He had graduated from the school just a month before turning 16. So the memories of what he studied were still fresh.

    The zombies lunged at him with surprising agility. They performed this action 20 times faster than when they still had hands. This attack would normally catch ignorant fools off guard as they would not be expecting something that was moving at the pace of a snail to leap towards them with the ferocity of a tiger.

    Val, however, had anticipated it.

    He sidestepped, evading their onught with ease.

    Then he retaliated!

    One powerful sh and two zombies were instantly beheaded. Before their heads had a chance to hit the ground, Val moved swiftly to the remaining pair and swung his sword again. His sword cut through their decaying flesh effortlessly as if it were a hot knife passing through butter. Two more zombies were beheaded.

    Thud!

    Their bodies crumbled to the ground, yet the severed heads, once part of their bodies, were still functioning, their jagged and ck teeth gnashing and attempting to drag themselves towards Val.

    In this world, zombies didn''t perish from beheading. The key to their demise was the destruction of their brains!

    Puchi!

    A morbid game of poke began as Val jabbed the decayed zombie heads with his sword, one after another. From the holes he drilled in their heads with the help of his sword, ck blood sprayed in all directions like miniature geysers. But Val ensured that not a single drop of the vile liquid touched him with his unique ability to manipte blood.

    A few momentster, the heads stopped moving, a result of being repeatedly stabbed.

    Immediately, a system notification popped up before him.

    [Ding! You''ve defeated four level 0 servants of the Corpse Devil. You get +10 EXP.]

    Val''s eyes widened at the unexpected revtion from the system notification. Themon belief among the citizens of the Victoria Kingdom was that the horrid act of the dead turning into zombies was a natural phenomenon that came into existence after the appearance of the Crimson Moon

    However, this notification suggested otherwise.

    It attributed the existence of zombies to the workings of a devil known as the Corpse Devil!

    Val was caught off guard by this shocking revtion.

    He had also been living with the idea of the Crimson Moon being responsible for the birth of the zombies

    ''It was truly foolish of me to believe what I had heard from the mouths of the so-called specialist.''

    The thought that an entity called the Corpse Devil was behind this caused him to question everything he knew about the post-apocalyptic world he inhabited. The unraveling of such a disturbing truth added a whole new level ofplexity to the mystery surrounding Eldrich and what he knew about it.

    Val''s thin lips stretched back. A small smile was formed on his face.

    ''It will be interesting to explore the mysteries of this strange world.''

    That''s how he gained another purpose in life!

    To reach the second level, 10 EXP were required. Val had a little more than that, about 0.001 points more.

    Thus, he leveled up.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You have leveled up. You have reached level 2 from 1. You get +2 Stat Points, and a slight upgrade in your Blood Devil Bloodline.]

    [As this is your first time leveling up, you have gained an additional reward. Gained more stat points.]

    He had gained a several stat points. They were a valuable resource he could utilize to enhance his capabilities right away. However, he decided to reserve them for now for the right situation.

    After all, using them at the right time was better than using them randomly.

    For example, if he confronted a formidable opponent in the future, he could allocate these points ording to the adversary''s strengths. If speed was their forte, he would boost his agility using the stat points. If they possessed incredible strength, he would invest the points in his own strength, and so forth.

    ncing at his character screen, he noticed the addition of new text.

    [Current progress of the Host''s Level 1 Blood Devil Bloodline towards the next level: 20/100%]

    Just by leveling up once, his level 1 bloodline had experienced a 20% upgrade. He deduced that if he leveled up four more times, his Bloodline would advance to level 2, transforming him into a level 2 bloodline user.

    A satisfied smile graced his face as he murmured, "Great."

 Chapter 10 10: Farming At Night!

    ?Leaving behind the rotting, mutted remnants of the level 0 zombies that were exorcised at his hands, Val resumed his trek through the outskirts of the EverNight Forest, edging closer to the notorious ShadowFall vige.

    As he advanced, the shadows within the forest seemed to thicken, an all-consuming darkness swallowing the path before him.

    The EverNight Forest had earned its name for a reason. The towering trees growing in this forest formed a living barrier between the earth and the sky, blocking out the sun''s rays during the day and the moons'' silvery and bloody glows at night.

    Under their eternal shade, the forest seemed to be forever bathed in twilight''s mysterious glow. At some part of the forest''s outskirts, there were gaps in the canopies of the trees, allowing a pitiful amount of the light of the moons to seep in at this time of the night, But the part Val was currently treading offered no such luxury.

    He was in the harshest corner of the Evernight forest''s outskirts, a zone known infamously as the Devil''s Throat.  The terrain here was uneven, rough, rugged, and entirely enveloped in an abyssal darkness so profound that even discerning one''s hand before their face was an impossibility.

    In such an overwhelming darkness, most would sumb to suffocating terror. In blinding darkness, panicking was a man''s natural reaction, and the ensuing fear of the unknown would inevitably precipitate irrational errors, often leading to a premature demise.

    Val, though, was far from being a typical man.

    Although immersed within the inky depths of the Devil''s Throat, he remained unperturbed. His heartbeat kept its steady rhythm, his demeanor calm andposed. It was

    Actually, he was able to see clearly even in this environment!

    His uncanny ability to see in such absolute darkness was a result of the trait that he had acquired by bing a Blood Devil.

    It was called Nocturnal Vision. It allowed him to see clearly in the dark.

    It was a trait that proved invaluable in his present surroundings, but even without this advantage, Val would not have hesitated in venturing into the Devil''s Throat.

    After all, in his past life, Val was no stranger to the darkness!

    In his previous life, he had spent most of the first ten years of his life submerged in darkness. During that time, he had learned to breathe it, to embrace it, to be one with it. As a result, he ended up developing a special technique that allowed him to picture what was around him by relying solely on the echoes of his surroundings.

    With this technique, he had, on several asions in his previous life, pinpointed his adversaries, discerned their numbers, and struck them down, all within andscape devoid of light.

    Such was the dread-inspiring prowess of Val, the Unfeeling!

    This world was yet to witness it!

    The Devil''s Throat was infamous among the denizens of Eldrich for its high concentration of dangerous beasts and, in particr, an abundant poption of zombies as it was close to the ShadowFall Vige.

    And true to its reputation, the further Val traversed into this region, the more level 0 zombies he encountered.

    However, to him, these pathetic creatures posed no real threat.

    They were but fodder, stepping stones in his path to level up.

    *Whoosh!*

    His sword danced in his hand, whistling as it sliced through the air as well as rotting flesh with ease, severing zombie limbs and causing them to charge at him.

    This only made things worse for them.

    With a quick sidestep, he dodged their charge and quickly cut off their heads, then stabbed their skulls over and over until they stopped moving.

    It was clear that he was taking full advantage of their simple attack methods to the best of his knowledge!

    [Ding! You''ve defeated five level 0 servants of the Corpse Devil. As a result, you have gained +5 EXP.]

    After he reached level 2, the EXP yielded from level 0 zombies diminished from 2.5 to only one point. It was not hard to guess that the higher his level, the lower the EXP he would receive from those creatures who were lower level than him.

    This meant that these level 0 zombies might be redundant in providing him with significant EXP as he continue to level up. Maybe when he reach level 5, the value of defeating level 0 zombies would entirely diminish

    But for now, it was still good to farm them as they provided him with a good amount of EXP.

    ''At the rate I am earning EXP, it won''t take much time before I level up once again,'' Val thought.

    To reach level 3, he required 30 EXP. With the umtion of 5 EXP from his recent victories, he was approximately 25 EXP away from this goal.

    Gah! Gah! Gah!

    He just killed five but five more appeared.

    He charged towards them like a bull!

    *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!*

    The swings of his de were like an execution, a deration of death, ensuring the annihtion of each and every level 0 zombie in his path.

    At this moment in time, he seemed like a reaper that hade to pass judgment on these unholy abominations!

    [Ding! You''ve defeated five level 0 servants of the Corpse Devil. As a result, you have gained +5 EXP.]

    ''20 more EXP left to go,'' Val thought.

 Chapter 11 11: Uninvited Guests!

    ?Val was standing in the middle of the carnage he had caused. He was surrounded by the dismembered remains of level 0 zombies. Murky scarlet puddles oozed from the mutted bodies, forming dark crimson pools beneath them.

    Their blood was something he was skeptical about absorbing using his 1st Bloodline skill. It could be, after all, infectious. He didn''t know if absorbing the blood of zombies would transform him into one.

    Chances were that it might.

    Thus, he didn''t dare try it.

    The risk of absorbing the contaminated zombie blood held him back from absorbing theor yucky blood. The potential threat of infection or a far worse oue, such as transforming into a dreaded creature of the undead, prevented him from testing whether he could absorb zombie blood without side effects or not.

    The scent of the zombies'' rotten blood wafted through the air, permeating the surroundings and spreading throughout the Devil''s Throat region.

    This scent was an intoxicating lure to the malign inhabitants of the Evernight Forest - the Horned Rabbits.

    Stirred by the scent of blood that reached their sensitive noses, the Horned Rabbits arrived, lured from the depth of their dark burrows. Their mottled fur, varying from dark browns to unsettling grays, hinted at their adaptation to nocturnal hunts while their pointed horns glowed ominously in the dark. It was a wicked promise of the violence they were capable of.

    *Shaa!* *Shaa!*

    Standing roughly a meter high, each snarled fiercely, baring their razor-sharp canines in an intimidating disy.

    A horned rabbit was a beast that could go toe to toe with a Level 1 Bloodline User. A level 1 Bloodline User would never dare to confront a group of horned rabbits all alone. It was only a well-bnced triad of a warrior, priest, and spell caster, each honing their unique bloodline powers, that could stand a chance against such a formidable group,

    The audacious thought of a Level 1 Bloodline User confronting a group of Horned Rabbits alone wasughably absurd. These menacing creatures could easily overpower a novice Bloodline User!

    Their power levels varied between 2 to 5, with 5 being their uppermost limit. They couldn''t advance beyond this level unless their bloodline was purified. The purification of a beast''s blood was no easy feat, though. It required extremely rare treasures that were nearly impossible toe across in the Evernight Forest.

    At the sight of them, Val felt smug. A grin could be seen tugging at the corners of his mouth.

    "What a delightful turn of events! An EXP feast just walked right up to me."

    He was surrounded by the remnants of his prey, and their blood was a tool that he could use to do his bidding.

    The Horned Rabbits, oblivious to their impending doom, charged headlong towards Val, their insatiable hunger for human flesh blinding their judgment, making them throw all caution to the wind.

    Val remained still, calcting, allowing them to wander into his well-crafted trap, which was set within the circle of defeated level 0 zombies.

    As soon as they crossed the threshold, Val''s grip on his sword tightened while his other hand ominously hovered over the pools of blood beneath the lifeless bodies.

    "Blood Maniption!" Before the horned rabbit could even blink, Val''smand over blood took effect. Thick blood tendrils emerged from the corpseden ground, instantly entrapping the charging rabbits and throwing them into chaos.

    Seizing the opportune moment, Val, without hesitation,unched himself at the closest rabbit ensnared by the dark, pulsating tendrils of blood. His sword, like a silver streak, tore through the creature with brutal precision, a clean, swift plunge. In a fluid movement, he pulled his weapon free, giving the beast another dose of bitterness, pain pouring over it like rain.

    Thud!

    Unable to bear the pain, the rabbit''s life was extinguished, its gaze mirroring the lifeless zombies scattered around. A tangle of tendrils released their hold, allowing the lifeless form to slump onto the forest floor.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have in 1 level 5 Horned Rabbit. You get +3 EXP!]

    The blood tendrils wouldn''t keep them immobilized forever. He needed to kill them before they were freed. It was a race against time that Val had every intention of winning as he wanted to avoid a problematic battle that might force him to expend his valuable stat points.

    Thus, Val immediately turned his attention to the next rabbit immobilized in his trap. His sword danced through the air, glinting ominously before making contact with the creature''s neck.

    With a singr, clean sweep of his sword, Val separated the head of the horned rabbit from its body.

    [Ding! You have in 1 level 3 Horned Rabbit. You get +2 EXP!]

    Meanwhile, the cruel, inescapable grasp of the blood tendrils kept the remaining two rabbits in ce. Just before they could break free from the brutal vice of blood, Val was already on them, his sword shimmering dangerously in the light of their horns, reflecting the inevitability of their end!

    Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Facing the two-horned rabbits, Val made his devastating strikes. Two swift shes of steel sliced through the air, cutting through fur and flesh with gruesome efficiency. The powerful force behind each blow caused a spray of crimson to erupt, painting the forest floor a darker shade of red.

    [Ding! You have in 1 level 2 and one level 4 Horned Rabbits. You get +4 EXP!]

    The horned rabbits could decimate level 1 bloodline users. So how had Val killed them so easily? Well, the horned rabbit''s greatest strength was their agility. It was because of their extreme speed that it was hard for level 1 bloodline users to hit them or dodge their attacks. But Val had caught them off guard and immobilized them, rendering what they were proud of useless. That''s why they seemed so easy to kill when in actuality, they weren''t!

    "Blood Absorption." Val extended his palm towards the in rabbits, his fingers curled as if holding an unseen string. His normally white and smooth skin pulsed with a sinister red hue as the blood gushing out of the corpses of the horned rabbits began to quiver, drawing themselves away from the fallen bodies and towards his outstretched hand. They sank into his flesh.

    With each drop of blood of the fallen he drew in, the glowing intensity of his eyes deepened.

    His inky, ck eyes had turned crimson!

    They echoed the eerie dance of blood absorption, turning the grim battlefield into his personal banquet.

    [System Notification: Blood Absorption sessful! You''ve absorbed the blood essence of four Level 2-3 Horned Rabbits. Gained +120 units of Blood.]

    After the Blood Absorption ended, his eyes returned to their normal color, and so did his hand.

    His blood bar had decreased to 85 points after he used the Blood Maniption Ability to deal with the horned rabbits. Now, after absorbing their blood, it had gone above 200. It was great to see how much it had grown. With such a huge Blood Bar, he could use his Bloodline skill while feeling more at ease.

    Once again, Val refrained from absorbing the blood of the zombies, for it was widely known to bear an infectious quality.

    Should it stter onto one''s skin, a variety of oues might ensue.

    Depending on the strength of one''s immune system, such an event could lead to the manifestation of painful rashes or grotesque blisters that burst upon the merest contact, dispersing foul, yellow pus across oneself that is so putrid that it might disgust one to death. For those graced with robust immune systems, there might be no discernible side effects ofing in contact with a zombie''s blood.

    However, if this tainted substance were to be ingested, the likelihood of a horrific transformation into a zombie was rmingly high!

    Val looked at his character screen.

    Name: Val V. Whitemore

    Race: Half-Human, Half-Devil

    Age: 16

    ss: Blood Devil

    Level: 2 (19/30 EXP)

    Unawakened Bloodlines: Whitemore Bloodline

    Hidden Ailments: Whitemore Bloodline Suppression Poison

    Trait: Unfeeling, Emotional Impairment, Nocturnal Vision

    Stats:

    ?Health Points (HP): 10

    ?Strength (STR): 10

    ?Agility (AGT): 10

    ?Stamina (STA): 10

    ?Reflexes (REF): 10

    Blood Bar: 205 units of blood

    Mad Points: 10 (100 MP=1 SP!)

    Bloodline Skills: 1) Blood Absorption 2) Blood Maniption

    ''I''m quite close to leveling up.''

    Dealing with the group of horned rabbits hadted him 9 EXP. On top of that 10 EXP he had made before, that made a total of 19 points. He was just 11 points away from leveling up!

    He decided to get the remaining EXP by farming weak zombies in the Shadowfall Vige!

 Chapter 12 12: The Haunting Begins!

    ?The remnants of ShadowFall City stood only a short trek away from the grimly named Devil''s Throat Region.

    Under ordinary circumstances, it would require a mere quarter of an hour to traverse the distance on foot.

    As Val was sprinting, it took him about five minutes to reach it!

    It was an impressive feat that would have left many in awe if they had witnessed it, as not many could do it since they didn''t have the ability to see in the dark and weren''t fearless like Val.

    The ruins of what was once a glorious human settlement stood before him.

    Crumbling stone houses, with their moss-covered roofs and shattered wooden shutters, came into view. They lined the deserted, cobblestone streets.

    All over the ruins of the city, flickeringnterns hung haphazardly from rusted iron poles, casting an unsettling glow across the streets infested with zombies.

    A lone zombie wandered meaninglessly through the same deserted street as the one Val had just entered. Its back was to him, and thus it was wholly oblivious to Val''s swift but silent entrance into its territory.

    The sight of the hapless creature sent a predatory glint dancing across Val''s eyes. As silent as the encroaching darkness, he initiated his approach. He was like an apex predator on the hunt as he closed in on his prey.

    Low-level zombies were not known for their intelligence. They were known for relying heavily on their vision and hearing to detect prey.

    The zombie, with its gaze elsewhere and Val''s footsteps nothing more than whispers against the wind, remained blissfully unaware of its impending doom.

    Embodying the essence of the Grim Reaper himself, Val skulked ever closer to the zombie until he loomed ominously behind it. He towered ominously over the zombie, casting a shadow that cloaked the creature in impending doom. Even with his towering figure overshadowing it, the zombie continued its aimless wandering, its decaying mind incapable of perceiving the looming threat despite the obvious signs.

    After reaching behind the zombie, Val drew his sword from its sheath, its de glinting under the flickeringntern light. He raised it high into the air. The de was poised for the kill.

    Whoosh!

    After a moment, he brought it down swiftly. The sword plunged down, severing the zombie with a clean, brutal strike. The de bit into the decayed flesh with an unsettling ease, cleaving the creature from the crown to the pit of its being, rendering it into two grotesque halves.

    A stter of ck, putrid blood sprayed into the night, sshing on the pole and the deste cobblestone street as the two halves of the zombie crumpled to the ground, spilling their grotesque innards into a sickening heap.

    [Ding! You''ve vanquished a level 1 minion of the Corpse Devil. You earn +3 EXP.]

    This signified that Val had taken another step towards gaining power. He had 22 EXP in his possession. He only needed 8 more to level up!

    Wanting to farm more zombies, Val moved forward, heading deeper into the ruins of the ShadowFall City.

    Hepletely missed the fractures manifesting in the very fabric of existence just behind the rusty pole to which the flickeringmp was attached.

    Tearing through the fabric of reality itself, an entity of unearthly origins made its appearance!

    This being sported an unnaturallyrge nose, its face a perfect circle, and its eyes bulged horrifically from their sockets like grotesque orbs. Its skin, rather than the warm hues associated with human flesh, was eerily white, bearing a closer resemnce to a coat of fresh paint. Random, disturbing blotches sporadically peppered its face, causing its horrid face to be so horrifying that it would leave anyone who looked at it unsettled.

    It seemed to be dressed in ck, cloaked in the void''s embrace.

    In one of its gnarled appendages, it firmly gripped a broomstick, the symbol of its power.

    Its other hand held a wickedly curved shovel.

    If Val had seen it, he would recognize it as the manifestation of the hair-raising tale whispered around crackling fires at night to scare the children into sleeping!

    As Val proceeded deeper into the ruins, its monstrous eyes followed his withdrawing silhouette, its gaze filled with a bone-chilling malevolence.

    "I''ve finally found a mortal whose fear I can feed off of. It will be so much fun to hunt him down."

    Saying so, as abruptly as it had materialized, the Eldritch being dissolved back into the icy grip of the night.

    A silence swept over the city once more, erasing all signs of its chilling presence.

 Chapter 13 13: Misfortune Can Also Strike From The Sky!

    ?Standing in an inconspicuous ce and covered in the darkness of the night, Val took in the many streets of the city that was infested with crawling hordes of the undead.

    An almost endless sea of zombies swarmed these streets, each horde easily numbered in the hundreds!

    Strong as he was, taking on a small cluster of zombies was well within his capabilities.

    But a horde of this magnitude?

    That was beyond his current ability!

    He knew that engaging such a massive, rotten wave of the undead was a battle he could not win at his current capability level. He also recognized the inevitable fallout of igniting such a conflict: the ensuing ruckus would be a siren call to every corpse in the city, potentially even drawing the attention of the more formidable Level 2 zombies. It was an engagement he had no chance of surviving. That''s why he moved away.

    "I''m not strong enough to fight a horde of zombies. Best to steer clear from these streets for now," Val mused to himself.

    Heeding his own advice, he deliberately circumvented the streets swarming with zombies, opting for the path where he spotted a pair of zombies staggering about.

    Cautiously, he crept up to the back of these solitary walkers. One swift, brutal arc of his sword was all it took to sever their heads from their bodies, the grisly spectacle of their blood spraying into the air as a mess of flesh slumped to the ground. With swift follow-up strikes, he pierced their decaying skulls again and again, ensuring they were truly dead.

    [Ding! You killed 1 Level 0 Zombie and 1 Level 1 Zombie. You get +4 EXP.]

    Just then, two grotesque figures staggered out of the shadowy alley to his right.

    Gah~ Gah~

    They roared as they charged towards him.

    Their aggressive charge didn''t rattle Val.

    These zombies, clearly Level 1, were on par with humans in strength but significantlycked their intellect. Though they were as fast as an average man, they were no match for Val''s agility. He was faster than them.

    He smoothly dodged their wing attacks by dropping low.

    Their frantic swipes met nothing but air while Val''s sword swept through their legs. The very next moment, their legs detached from their bodies. With no way to support themselves to keep standing, the zombies toppled over. Their subsequent fall to the ground was apanied by a gruesome squelching sound.

    These zombies that were crawling on the ground without legs werepletely at his mercy!

    Val, wanting to conserve his blood bar, opted for a messy, primitive method to end them. He decided to finish them off without utilizing any special abilities so as to preserve his blood bar.

    Bam! Bam! Bam!

    Using the hilt of his sword, he hammered their skulls, the impact shattering the bone and sending viscera spraying. Their brains, the thing that kept them moving, transformed into a grisly paste under his blows!

    [Ding! You''ve killed 1 Level 0 Zombie and 1 Level 1 Zombie. You get +4 EXP.]

    A satisfied grin etched itself on Val''s face. He had been teetering on the edge of leveling up. Now, with the brutal end of these two zombies, he had umted enough points.

    He was ready to level up!

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have leveled up. You have reached level 3 from 2. You get +2 Stat Points, and a slight upgrade in your Blood Devil Bloodline.]

    He had been using the alleys to get around. This time too after killing the zombies, he entered an alley, which was squeezed between two long-abandoned stone buildings. The walls of the buildings, worn by time and decay, towered high, blotting out the moonlight, turning the alley into a chilling corridor of darkness.

    Whoosh!

    Val''s instincts honed by battle jolted him into action as the air pressure shifted rmingly. A dark shadow swooped down from above, but he sprang backwards in a blur of motion, narrowly dodging the falling object.

    Crash!

    The earth quaked as a two-foot-tall zombiended precisely where he''d stood moments before. From the point of impact, a spiderweb of fractures radiated, spreading all the way up to Val''s feet.

    He scrutinized the creature in front.

    Its grotesque form was an unsettling sight. It had a musclebound frame, and its hands were encased in reptilian-like scales, and veins as dark as pitch snaked over its grey, leathery skin.

    Val could tell that this was a Level 2 zombie, a monstrous foe that only those wielding Bloodline powers could tackle!

    Then, he saw the zombie crouching. What wasit up to?

    The next moment, his eyes widened.

    Whoosh!

    Lurching forward with frightening speed, the zombieunched a punch at Val.

    With icy calm, Val dodged, springing backwards as the scaled fist swiped through the air, smashing into the alley wall and leaving a crater in its wake.

    "That could have pulverized me," Val thought, adrenaline sharpening his focus.

    Taking down this behemoth without invoking his bloodline power would be an immense challenge. Add to that the risk of drawing a horde of undead to their location due to the sound of their battle, the stakes were perilously high.

    "I guess I have no choice but to go all out." Val said under his breath, bracing for battle.

    The very next moment, the zombie lunged forward.

    In response, Val flicked a finger over his sword, animating the ck bloodstains that had dried on its surface. Immediately, crimson tendrils burst forth, snaking around the beast and shackling its convulsing limbs mid-air.

    The zombie struggled fiercely against its bindings, but a contemptuous snort from Val saw the tendrils tightening, halting its thrashing.

    Seizing the moment, Val lunged forward, his de glinting ominously as he aimed it at the zombie''s distorted face.

    Whoosh!

    His de cut through the air, its high-pitched song echoing in the narrow alley. There was a moment of resistance as steel met hardened flesh, then the de snapped, victim to the corrosive undead blood and the tough hide of its foe.

    Simultaneously, the zombie managed to free itself from the tendrils of blood binding it, freeing itself from the restrictive grasp.

 Chapter 14 14: Ravengar, The Harbringer Of Doom! 1

    ?Annoyance flitted across Val''s features.

    The zombie wasn''t quicker, but it was undoubtedly stronger and tougher.

    To overpower it, Val swiftly allocated three points into Strength and three more into Agility.

    [Your Strength has increased to 13 points!]

    [Your Agility has increased to 13 points!]

    An intoxicating rush of power surged through his veins, an alien yet exhrating sensation that made him feel untouchable.

    With this, Val felt more confident about facing it without a weapon.

    With a savage growl, the zombie lunged again,unching a flurry of attacks. But Val moved with the precision of a martial artist, fluidly dodging its wild swings. Then, a well-ced stomp onto the creature''s knee shattered the bone, causing it to buckle. He followed up with a powerful punch that rotated its head a grotesque 180 degrees.

    Gahhhh!

    The zombie turned around and red at him with bloodshot eyes, bellowing in rage as it opened its mouth wide.

    The second its mouth opened up, Val was provided with the opportunity he had been waiting for.

    Blood tendrils with razor-sharp edges sprung from his palm, shooting into the creature''s gaping maw. While its exterior was tough, the inner cavities were vulnerable. Inside, the tendrils whirled around, shredding organs into pulpy mush. One tendril prated the roof of its mouth, impaling its brain.

    As a result, the roar faded to a gurgle, then silence, and then the once formidable zombie crumpled lifelessly to the ground.

    [Ding! You''ve defeated a level 2 servants of the Corpse Devil. As a result, you get +10 EXP.]

    "They say if there''s a hole, there''s a chance for a goal. Yet, no one tells you that beneath a hard exterior often lies a soft interior."

    A month prior to his graduation from IronSpire Stronghold''s most prestigious school, Val had thoroughlymitted to memory the contents of the revered tome, "An In-Depth Study of Monsters and Malevolent Creatures of Eldrich."

    Thatprehensive reference book detailed the vulnerabilities and strength of all Level 2 zombies, among other nefarious beings.

    Back then, many perceived his seriousmitment to memorizing such an extensive volume as excessive. Even his mentors advised him to rx, urging him to forgesting memories with peers before it was toote. Yet, he dismissed their suggestions.

    Firstly, he considered himself too mature to engage in the frivolous pastimes of his contemporaries.

    Secondly, he firmly held the conviction that knowledge equated to power and time had an unforgiving habit of slipping through one''s fingers.

    As a result, he made the most of his second life''s fleeting youth, dedicating himself to amassing as much information as possible regarding the bizarre world they inhabited.

    Indeed, the diligence he disyed in preparing for an uncertain future had proved invaluable. If not for his knowledge about level 2 zombies, he might not have defeated it so easily!

    Anyway, nothing less was expected from Val, the unfeeling!

    "Hmm�� what''s this light?"

    A glint of light was flickering from the open cavity in the zombie''s skull.

    Val''s interest was piqued.

    "Let''s see what it is."

    Using a blood tendril, he deftly extracted the source of the glimmer from the decimated zombie''s cranium. What he held was a gem-like object that resembled Topaz except for its unusual moldability. He could easily squish it between his finger. It was softer than boobs!

    No doubt, this was a Level 2 Zombie Nucleus!

    Zombies beneath this level didn''t form nuclei, but Level 2 zombies had a fifty percent chance of producing one upon death.

    Nuclei varied in type based on the type of Level 2 zombie, but given the topaz-like shape and soft texture, Val could deduce it was a Strength and Resilience Essence Nucleus.

    Such a nucleus would boost the body''s strength and resilience, providing amplified physical power and heightened resistance to damage. It would also reduce the likelihood of contracting any zombie-rted infections. However, absorbing the nucleus was no walk in the park�� it was a challenging process, and Val wasn''t in a position to undertake such an ordeal at present.

    Thus, he stowed the precious nucleus in the pocket of his ck windbreaker forter use.

    Then, Val stood up straight, his gaze lifting to meet the figure of a creature that seemed to have materialized from the shadows!

 Chapter 15 15: Ravengar, The Harbringer Of Doom 2

    ?It was swathed in tattered ck robes, its visage a sight so terrifying it could scare the living daylights out of anyone.

    When their eyes met, the figure''s lips stretched into a smile that was less of joy and more of insanity--a twisted delight sprung from derangement that would scar itself onto the memory of anyone who saw it. It was a smile that could freeze the liveliest of hearts and extinguish the brightest of hopes.

    This was Ravengar, the Harbinger of Despair. It was exuding a potent aura of malevolence and clutching a broomstick and gravel in its gnarled hands.

    Folklore told of Ravengar''s power to induce paralysis in those who feared it. It was also whispered that a single touch from this creature could sap one''s lifespan.

    "Caught you off guard, didn''t I?" Ravengar''s voice slithered through the air, confident in its assumption that it had startled Val.

    With its grotesque appearance, an unexpected encounter with Ravengar could set hearts pounding in terror hence why Ravengar believed it had achieved this effect on Val and expected him to be paralyzed with fear.

    What it was ignorant of, however, was Val''s Unfeeling trait, which barred him from experiencing fear or pain. Although it would have seeded in scaring anyone else with the same trick, it didn''t work on Val!

    ''Not really. You haven''t. But why should I make it obvious?''

    Val remained silent, his body unflinching, his expression unchanging. This led it to believe that it had indeed seeded in catching Val off guard.

    "I see fear has rendered you speechless. It''s time to im your soul!" Ravengar said menacingly, its voice a chilly whisper against the oppressive silence.

    With a swift move, it flung the broomstick towards Val.

    Whoosh!

    The stick''s spiked end whizzed through the air, homing onto Val.

    However, to Ravengar''s shock, Val, who should be immobilized, suddenly raised his hand. Blood erupted from his palm, wrapping around the broomstick and arresting its movement.

    "It''s my turn," Val retorted, redirecting the blood-wrapped broomstick back at Ravengar.

    Ravengar did not attempt to dodge. The broomstick shot right through it. It was a spectral being that was impervious to physical damage, but it could be affected emotionally.

    Its eyes, wide as saucers, stared at Val in disbelief. "How can you move in my presence?"

    Val''s grin was both cocky and confident as he replied, "A Ravengar''s trick can''t work on me. Ick the capacity to feel fear."

    Ravengar growled in response, "Then I''ll just have to beat you to death and see if you are truly fearless."

    Val knew that the Ravengar wasn''t stronger or faster than him. If it was, it wouldn''t have resorted to cheep tricks. But he also didn''t have a way to deal with it.

    So he simply responded by showing the Ravengar the middle finger and doubled it.

    "Who the fuck said I will be sticking around for you to try?"

    With that, Val sprinted off, the Ravengar hot on his heels.

    But Val''s speed was unparalleled; the monstrous figure couldn''t keep up.

    Val blitzed through thebyrinthine streets of ShadowFall City, plunging into the EverNight Forest, not ceasing his breakneck sprint until he reached the entrance of the IronSpire stronghold.

    Casting a nce over his shoulder, Val found no trace of the Ravengar. A sigh of relief escaped his lips. He swiped the back of his hand across his sweaty forehead. He didn''t possess the means to harm Ravengar, who was immune to all but holy or soul attacks.

    Thus, fleeing had indeed been the best choice.

    It was cowardly, but Val valued his life more than his pride. Not to mention, as long as he was alive, he would get the chance to take revenge. But if he died, everything woulde to an unfruitful end!

 Chapter 16 16: Captured!

    ?Approaching the Stronghold, Val noted countless tents clustered around its base. These makeshift homes belonged to those seeking refuge within the fortress but couldn''t reside inside due to strict regtions. Furthermore, If you are caught staying illegally in the stronghold, you will be thrown out, and inspection happens regrly, so there is no use sneaking inside.

    Dressed entirely in ck, face obscured by the hood of his windbreaker, Val cut an intimidating figure. The children frolicking around the slum area wisely steered clear of him.

    However, a burly thug, sizing up Val''s windbreaker, rose with the intention to rob him, only to be restrained by a more experienced crook.

    "Why?"

    The experienced crook''s response was simple: if you value your life, don''t bother him. Anyone who could roam among the undead at night and return alive is not to be trifled with.

    His keen nose had picked up the scent of the Walking Dead clinging to Val. That''s why he could tell that Val was returning from thend of the dead.

    It was still half an hour away from sunrise. At night, no sane person would dare to leave the protection of the stronghold. Yet, Val had done it. What did that make him? It made him a very dangerous person!

    "Thanks. You saved my life."

    After hearing what was said, the thug who had stood up to loot Val sat down.

    Val cast an indifferent nce at the thugs, causing a shiver to creep up their spines, but he didn''t do anything else. If these bastards had dared to trouble him, he would have killed them, but since they haven''t, he spared them.

    He took back his gaze and advanced to the Stronghold''s gates. When he left for the ShadowFall City, Val had nked over the walls to avoid being detained, but his entrance through the main gate didn''t go unchallenged.

    The guard on duty halted him.

    The guard scrutinized Val, asking, "State your name and purpose."

    In response, Val pulled back his hoodie, revealing his face. Recognition instantly dawned on the guard''s face.

    "Master Val, wee back," the guard said, immediately stepping aside to allow him entry.

    Val was ushered back into the stronghold, not with a weing party but a terse group from the Whitemore family''s private forces. They gripped him firmly and brought him back to the manor rather forcefully, signifying the seriousness and the gravity of the situation.

    The reason behind such urgency unravelled soon enough. His father, Joshua Whitemore, had deployed the bloodline users from the family to search for him after he found out that he was missing.

    Apparently, he had suspected that Val might attempt to flee from his responsibilities, leading to the family butler, Reignarld, checking up on him in the dead of night.

    Val''s absence in his room led to a full-scale search for him within and outside the stronghold.

    "Young master, you''ve stirred the ho''s nest this time. Master Joshua is livid," Reignarld informed him gravely.

    "No worries, Reignarld. His anger will subside soon," Val responded with unnerving calmness.

    Upon reaching the manor, Val was led into a familiar study where Joshua waited, his stern gaze heavy with unspoken questions.

    "Where have you been?" he demanded, his voice ringing in the silent room.

    "I was in the Evernight Forest, testing the extent of my newfound powers." Val replied calmly.

    Val dared to reveal that he had be a bloodline user as he had already increased his stats to a point where he could fool his father into believing that he had awakened the Whitemore bloodline.

    The Whitemore bloodline in the early stages, 1-3, only increased the body''s strength. The increase depended upon the quality of the bloodline. The higher the quality, the more powerful one would be, and the greater the chance that they wouldn''t fall to the corruption of the potions needed to reach level 4. When one reaches such a level with the Whitemore Bloodline, they would develop characteristics unique to the Whitemores.

    The deration dumbfounded Joshua. His jaws dropped, and his mouth opened wide enough for a fly to enter.

    He stammered, "You... you have awakened as a bloodline user? But that''s not possible..."

    Val replied in a unique way.

    Picking up a sturdy, metallic paperweight from the desk, Val casually exerted force, and the solid object crumpled in his grip as if it were made of tin foil. He tossed it onto the table, where itnded with a dull clink.

    "Do you still think it''s impossible?" he asked, grinning confidently.

    Joshua nced at the deformed metal, then back at his son, grappling with the reality of what he was seeing.

    His mind raced as he tried to make sense of this revtion, but only one thought came in mind.

    ''I fucked up!''

    ''I fucked up big time!''

    Joshua had already sent word to the Queen, dering that he would be sending his second son, Val V. Whitemore, to the Northern Frontier. This was no different than a pledge etched in stone, and it had been made even before Val had been privy to this impending assignment. Any promise once pledged to the sovereign was indelible, its withdrawal akin to an act of treason. In the kingdom''s unspoken rules, one could bear any disgrace but the stain of treachery. A man used of such a heinous act would inevitably face the sternest consequences, perhaps even meeting a premature end.

    Joshua harbored no intent to risk such dire consequences for Val''s sake, but a subtle wave of regret still seeped through his stoic exterior at the prospect of casting aside such a formidable asset.

    The ability to effortlessly shatter a chunk of metal, exhibited shortly after the Whitemore bloodline''s awakening, heralded a promising future for Val. Provided survival in the impending harsh realities, he was destined to ascend to a level 4 bloodline user without a hitch, so long as he managed to secure the necessary potions to fuel the evolution of the Whitemore Bloodline.

    That meant that Joshua had throw away an extremely valuable tool. What a great loss it was!

 Chapter 17 17: Raising A Butcher Knife To Gut The Priest!

    ?"So, you''ve awakened the Whitemore bloodline," he murmured more to himself than to Val, "But why wasn''t this detected during the awakening ritual? There was no sign of any sort of awakening then."

    Val seized the opportunity to nt a seed of doubt regarding the priest.

    "That''s because the concoction I was given wasn''t the witch''s potion," he said, feigning hurt.

    Actually, he desired to take revenge before he was sent to the Northern Frontie, but At the same time, he wanted to fortify his strength by advancing his Blood Devil bloodline to the second level. However, time, the eternal adversary, was not a luxury he could afford to squander on both endeavors. As such, in order to do both, he made the calcted decision to draw his father into this vengeful whirlpool. He will use his father''s help to get the priest executed.

    Joshua narrowed his eyes. "What are you implying?"

    Val had fabricated a story just for this moment.

    He exined to his father that the priest had given him a potion simr in appearance to the witch''s potion but with very different effects. It was a suppressant, designed to inhibit his bloodline, but it had provoked an unexpected reaction. His bloodline had fought back. He couldn''t feel pain, so he hadn''t known what was happening inside his body untilter that night when he woke up feeling strange and vomited ck blood. Although he was puking blood, he felt stronger than ever. That was when he realized what had happened.

    Half of what Val had said didn''t happen, but what he said was indeed possible hence why Joshua believed him.

    Val''s deration sent shockwaves through Joshua. He had sacrificed Val because he believed he was a normie, but now it turned out it was one big conspiracy.

    "I had really been taken advantage of!"

    His rtionship with his good son was broken and he had also agreed to sending a potential powerhouse to the frontline just because of a scheming bastard! It left a bitter taste in his mouth!! He couldn''t help but regret it!!!

    Joshua''s gaze rested on Val as he pronounced his thoughts, "That damnable priest... he ought to be damned if he has a hand in this."

    After a moment, he continued, "Our hands are tied in taking open action against him, as weck concrete proof and he is sheltered by the Church of Light, which holds great influence in the kingdom. Nevertheless, I will deploy my men to delve into this matter ndestinely. If we can unearth any damning evidence, we will seize him and deliver justice as per ourw."

    The Church of Light was born from the ashes of the apocalypse. It served as a beacon, a lighthouse in a world drowned in destion. Its teachings offered a strand of hope to those ravaged by the catastrophe, attracting the desperate and the deste into itsforting embrace.

    Its power and influence had grown exponentially over the years.

    Currently, it was the no.1 religion within the kingdom.

    "Gathering evidence might not be as arduous as you think. A simple investigation into the priest''s recent acquisitions might reveal if he has procured the ingredients necessary for a bloodline suppression potion. If such a trail exists, it would providepelling evidence against him." Val said thoughtfully.

    "That''s a good idea." Joshua seemed enlightened by this suggestion.

    He summoned his shadow guards and ordered them to make aprehensive report of what the family priest had done in recent months and gather dirt on him.

    Shadow guards were orphans that Joshua had taken in from the streets and trained to serve him. They were so conditioned that they wouldn''t hesitate to die for him or to kill whomever he ordered them to.

    They followed his orders without hesitation. Without dy, they set out to gather evidence against the family priest, disappearing from the study as silently as they had arrived.

    "If your allegations are true, my son, an apology is due. I''d be grateful for your forgiveness," Joshua said, a hint of remorse in his voice.

    "I''ll look forward to that, father," Val responded, his tone serious yet holding a hint of satisfaction.

    Next, Joshua asked, "Is there anything you desire, Val?"

    His gaze had softened. It was a sign he wanted to make amends as it had now be known to him that Val wasn''t a useless piece of shit, but a Bloodline User just like him. The least he could do was topensate for the tribtions his son had to undergo due to the ill intentions of the priest. Even now he failed to see that it was his fault!

    "For now, I''d prefer that you do not announce my awakening as a bloodline user to anyone," Val replied, catching his father off guard.

    "Why?" Joshua frowned, perplexed by his son''s request.

    Val''s eyes took on a steely glint as he stated, "I want to observe the true faces of those around me. If they know of my awakening, they will inevitably change their attitudes and start treating me better."

    "I see," Joshua responded, understanding Val''s reasoning. It was a wise move. Knowing who was truly loyal and who was a fair-weather friend was invaluable information. He felt a newfound respect for Val!

    "I also want the freedom to leave the stronghold as I wish. I want to train myself, so that when the dayes for me to leave for the Northern Frontier, I will be strong enough to defend myself," Val responded earnestly. "I hope you won''t deny me that. My survival depends on it."

    Joshua contemted Val''s request for a moment before saying, "Very well. You have my permission to leave the stronghold for training. However, you are to venture no further than the outskirts of the Evernight Forest. That is my condition."

    Val nodded in agreement, "I understand, Father. I ept your terms."

    With that the meeting between the father and son concluded.

    Joshua slumped back onto his chair, while Val stood up and exited the study.

 Chapter 18 18: Aurelia The Predator!

    ?After stepping out of the study, Val navigated a long hallway where he came across someone unexpected.

    Standing adjacent to him was his elder sister, Aurelia V. Whitemore.

    Doe-like eyes, thickshes, vibrant red lips and golden locks perfectly framed her face, and herplexion was as wless as porcin, free of any blemishes.

    She was dressed in a white dress that tastefully revealed one leg up to the knee and entuated her refined cleavage. And she was bathing in a ray of sunlight cascading through the window, looking no less alluring than a holy angel.

    The sight of her would cause many hearts to flutter, but Val only felt a wave of disgust.

    ''What the fuck is this pervert doing here?''

    Val great mood was ruined as his elder sister blocked his way.

    "Good morning, brother," she greeted him sweetly. Her smile, as bright as a morning sun, emerged as she noticed him.

    Val''s eyes twitched, hearing her sickingly sweet voice.

    "Why have you returned? And with whose permission? he inquired, his voice frosty and unweing.

    Many years ago, Aurelia hadmitted an unforgivable crime against Val. She had betrayed the little bit of trust he put in her because she was his sister in the most cruel way possible.

    The crime shemited was unforgivable.

    For her transgressions, she was exiled from Ironspire stronghold, stripped of the privileges that came woth being the only daughter of the head of the Whitemores, and forced to endure the humiliation of being a an outcast. She was left to the mercies of the outer regions, a realm known for its harsh conditions and rampant criminal activities. Those days were a living nightmare, a constant battle for survival for her.

    Her bad days didn''tst for long though.

    Joshua overlooked her crime and provided her with help. She was his only daughter. He couldn''t bear to see her suffer.

    He disliked her, but also loved her, and his love for her led him to arrange for her to have a ce in the inner region of the kingdom, where the conditions were rtively better, and where she could at least live with a semnce of dignity.

    His only condition? Aurelia was never to return to Ironspire stronghold unless Val forgave her. It was a fair condition given the gravity of her crime, and Aurelia had no choice but to ept it.

    It was really weird to see her here as Val hadn''t forgiven her!

    "I do not remember ever needing anyone''s permission to return home," she retorted arrogantly.

    "That day I think I made myself clear about you not setting foot in this house until I am here. Have you already forgotten it? Is that why you are acting out? Should I teach you again how to behave?" Val gazed at her coldly.

    Those who knew the Chaotic Warlord "Val the Unfeeling" knew that when he was looking at someone like that, it could mean only one of the following two thing.

    He was going to hurt them or he was going to kill them!!!

    "Can you still teach me a lesson? Don''t forget, I''m bloodline user and you''re just a normie. Father should value me more than you." Aurelia taunted Val.

    Joshua had two wives.

    His second wife gave birth to Val before running away. His first wife, on the other hand, had given birth to two children.

    One of them was Aurelia.

    After giving birth to her, Joshia''s first wife died, so he naturally developed a dislike for Aurelia, thinking that she was the cause of her death, but he also couldn''t bear to wrong or abandon her as she was thest gift left to him by his dead wife.

    Val responded dismissively, "That may be true, but putting you in your ce wouldn''t be much of a challenge for the servants and members of our family. Don''t forget you aren''t weed here. Neither our rtives nor the servants like you. Maybe I should go and inform them that you are bothering me and see what happens."

    Feigning innocence, Aurelia said, "Don''t be so harsh. I''vee all the way from the capital to assist you after hearing of your assignment to the Northern Frontier. You''ll regret it if you don''t listen to my proposal."

    "How can you assist when you''re the reason for my impending deployment to the Frontier?" Val retorted.

    "During my time in the capital, I''ve made some...connections," Aurelia began, her voice so sugary sweet that it disgusted Val. "I could use them to ensure you''re assigned to logistics at the Northern Frontier. Much safer than the front lines, don''t you think?"

    She had nothing to her name but her beauty. It was quite obvious how she had formed these connections that she was talking.

    Val felt even more revolted by her existence. As this womancked morals, he really wanted to smack her to oblivion, but he held himself back.

    "And is there a price for your ''help''?" Val questioned, skepticism clear in his voice.

    "There is." she replied.

    What she said next was as shocking as it was appalling.

    "Brother, I want you to have sex with me," she said, her tone entirely too casual for such a request.

    She wanted to fuck her own brother!

    In response, Val was blunt, "I don''t fancy used goods. There''s no way I am putting my stick in a hole that has been invaded countless times. Who knows what disease you''re carrying."

    Aurelia''s anger red at his tant rejection. "Trash, you dare disrespect me? I will teach you a lesson in the ce of our father so that you can learn to respect your elders!"

    With a single move, she covered the few steps of distance between them in an instant and with blinding speed, she attempted tond a punishing blow.

    To an ordinary person, her strike was so swift and brutal that they wouldn''t be able to keep with it.

    It meant that getting hit would be inevitable!

    However, to Val, it was as if in slow motion. He could see iting from a mile away.

    Sidestepping nonchntly, he watched as she stumbled and lunged at the empty air, losing her footing im the process.

    Capitalizing on her imbnce, Val, without holding anything back,unched a counterattack.

    He grabbed her face and brutally smashed her head first into the wall!

    Ugh!

    She groaned as she crashed into the wall. The impact left her disortinted.

    When her vision cleared up, she heard him say something that sent chills down her spine.

    "You''re the one who''s misguided and in need of a lesson," Val stated coldly, "Only the strong has the right to teach other lessons in this world. I''ll be personally teaching you what it means to respect the strong!"

    In her state of fear and shock, Aurelia quickly whimpered, "I''m sorry!"

    Val''s features though remained hardened. He was unimpressed by her apology.

    "You think saying ''sorry'' will cut it? No it won''t be changing anything. I thought you''ve changed. Clearly, you haven''t. It is clear that you''ve forgotten the lesson I taught you when you tried to rape me. But don''t worry. I will drive my lesson back into your head, sister of mine, so that you can get back to being clear-headed."

    Before she could protest, her head was violently struck against the wall, time and again!

    Bam!

    Bam!

    Bam!

    Ahhhhhh!

    As Val continuously smashed her head against the wall, she felt as if he would really kill her!

    She cried. Her wails of terror, sounding simr to a pig being ughtered, echoed through the corridor as blood trickled down her face.

    "Please spare me!" she begged while trembling like a terrified rabbit.

    What Val hated most were rapist, and she had proven herself to be one years ago when she tried to rape him.

    At that time he was only so old yet, she still dared toy her hands on him. It made her true nature clear to him. Although she had the face of an angel, her heart was that of a devil!

    He was young but it didn''t mean he had no way of protecting himself.

    Utilizing the experience of his past life and the little bit of strength he had gained thanks to training for several years, he easily ruined her insidious ns.

    He had been training ever since he turned 2, so by the time he was 9, he was stronger than pretty much everyone his age, and Aurelia wasn''t much older than him. Thus, he was able to flip the tables on her.

    After ruining her n, he retaliated, punishing her for her disgusting and revolting behavior, but he had spared her disgusting little life as killing her would''ve doomed her. After all, he needed to live under the roof of his father until he gained the power to protect himself, so he couldn''t do anything that would get him kicked out of the Whitemore family and the IronSpire Stronghold. The survival rate of a mere normie living without the protection of a stronghold was slim. His instinct didn''t allow him to sacrifice himself for revenge that he could take anytime. Crushing an ant like her was, after all, not a hard task!

    But now that he was a Bloodlime User, he didn''t need to put up with her digusting behavior.

    Don''t even ask for it!

    He wasn''t going to show mercy to a disgusting creature like her!

    "Of couse, I will, my dear sister. All I want is for you to live a long and miserable life," Val said emotionlessly and began the hammering!

 Chapter 19 19: Masive Surge In Mad Points!

    ?Val''s handsomeness was unnatural. Even when he was growing up, it was clear how attractive he was. Aurelia developed an intense urge to monopolize him, to have a taste of him. Such things were impossible between siblings, so she tried to force it. In the end, she failed to achieve her goal and also got kicked out of her home.

    Val thought that that would be the end of the matter, but she seemed to have a weird obsession with him. Maybe it was because he was too attractive. Although years have passed since theyst met, she still wanted to fuck him, her own brother!

    He felt so disgusted with her that he held nothing back as he attacked her. He continued his assault, brutally smashing her head into the wall again and again.

    She was almost rendered unconscious by his brutal onught. Since he was nothing but a sex toy in her eyes, he would also treat her like a broken thing that needed to be beaten to be fixed!

    +50 Mad Points!

    What he was doing seemed really crazy.

    Thus, he was rewarded a huge amount of mad points by the system!

    Amazing!

    Just as he was about to bash her head into the wall again, a cold voice rang out from behind him.

    "Stop it!"

    This sudden intervention came from none other than Joshua. Themotion had attracted him, and he was stunned and appalled to witness his children locked inbat.

    It was far from pleasant, especially when it was Val who was effortlessly overpowering his elder sister, Aurelia. After all, it once again reminded him that the person he had abandoned due to the schemes of a bastard was so much more than he could''ve ever thought.

    Catching sight of her father, Aurelia felt as if she had seen her savior.

    "Father! Save me! Brother... Brother is aiming to kill me!" Aurelia shrieked, her voice echoing throughout the hallway.

    "Bullshit!" Val spat, his eyes zing with contempt for her deceit. "I am only teaching you a lesson to fix your attitude!"

    Val hates being deceived. Anyone who had ever dared to make false ims to undermine him has met the same grim fate. If they were weaker than him, they were terminated immediately. And if they happened to be stronger, they were hunted down after he became stronger than them, and eventually, they met their doom at his hands!

    Aurelia had dared to spit lies in his face. He had no intention of letting this offense pass without consequence!

    Meanwhile, the father and daughter pair were shocked upon hearing his words. Who the fuck uses such brutal means to teach a lesson?!!!

    ''He''s lost his mind.''

    The same thought shed across both Aurelia and Joshua''s minds in response to his ominous promation.

    They finally understood they were in the presence of a madman!

    +40 Mad Points!

    "Goodnight, sister of mine."

    Saying so, with a final, ruthless push, Val shoved Aurelia''s slender body into the cold, stone wall of the corridor.

    Thud!

    The force of the impact sent an eerie crack echoing through the hallway as her skull met the unforgiving surface. A crimson flower bloomed from the back of her head, trickling down her golden hair and staining her white dress with an unsightly blotch of red.

    Her stunning features immediately twisted in a grimace of pain and shock. Her once lively doe-eyes zed over with mist, the light in them extinguishing almost instantly.

    Thest vestiges of consciousness deserted her, and her legs gave out under her weight. As a result, she crumbled to the stone floor. She was like an elegant, porcin doll that was shattered by the brutalities of reality.

    Shey there, slumped in an ungainly heap against the chilling stones, motionlessly.

    Seeing her like that, Joshua felt horrified.

    Was she dead?

    Had he killed her?

    "You... what have you done?" Joshua stuttered, his face a mask of shock and disbelief.

    "Rx. I held back. She''s not dead." Val retorted, nonchntly.

    "It doesn''t seem like it, you bastard!"

    Walking past Val, Joshua knelt down to check on Aurelia.

    Heaving a sigh of relief upon feeling her weak breaths, he turned his gaze back to Val

    "She''s your sister. How can you be so cruel to her?" Joshua said after hardly processing the situation.

    He didn''t like Aurelia, but that didn''t mean he was okay with seeing her dead or being killed by his own son in front of him. After all, she was thest present his first wife had left him! How could he ever feel at ease watching her die?

    "Aren''t you aware?" Val shot back, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice.

    Given Joshua''s abilities, he should''ve been able to discern the happenings in the corridor from his study.

    Therefore, he should be aware that it was Aurelia who was at fault.

    Her scandalous desire to sleep with her brother was undeniably repugnant, and her aggressive assault on Val when she didn''t get her way was simply unsolicited.

    Val had merely defended himself.

    Joshua was sane enough to recognize that Val wasn''t the one in wrong here. It was his only daughter who hadmitted a crime and was timely punished. She asked for it and she really deserved it.

    Deciding to treat the unfortunate event as an aberration, Joshua instructed, "Next time something like this happens, report it to me first. Don''ty a hand on your siblings."

    He was really afraid that this little bastard would kill his siblings just because he could and they offended him.

    Val responded dismissively, "Whatever you say."

    His voice dripped with detachedpliance, underlining the deep-seated resentment that pervaded their familial bond.

    After that, Val walked away.

    "Shadow guards," Joshua called out and several men in ck appeared around him instantly. "Tend to her injuries and send her back to the inner region. Make sure she understands that she is not to return home until Val is here."

    The shadow guards, well-disciplined and trained, responded immediately in unison, "As youmand, Lord Joshua."

    Meanwhile, Val returned to the seclusion of his humble abode and decided to put the 100 Mad Points he had gathered to good use.

    His fingers danced in the air as he manipted the system interface to exchange his Mad Points for a precious stat point.

    [Ding! Deducted 100 MP!]

    [Congrattions! You''ve gained +1 SP!]

    [SP may be allocated to any stat of your choice through the system interface.]

    Val rubbed his jawline thoughtfully.

    ''Where should this precious resource be allocated?''

    ''Let''s put it in stamina!''

    The question of ''why'' could be answered by a brief trip down memoryne.

    The haunting memory of his lethal dance with the beast Ravengar that had taken ce not too long ago was still fresh in his mind.

    The beast, impervious to his physical strikes and bloodline abilities, had proven too formidable an adversary, driving Val to a hasty retreat back to the fortified sanctuary of IronSpire Stronghold. If he had dared to engage in a futile fight, draining his stamina bar without inflicting any damage, he would have been too spent to escape and thus inevitably sumbed to his fate. The decision he made might seem hasty, but it was undoubtedly the best one.

    That perilous chase was imprinted vividly in his mind. Eachbored breath had been a battle in itself, his heart hammering a relentless rhythm against his chest, his legs bearing the weight of invisible chains, dragging him down as he propelled himself towards the stronghold.

    By the time he reached the majestic gates of the Stronghold, he was a hair''s breadth away from copsing in exhaustion. Right now, he was staying awake solely by relying on his impressive willpower.

    This encounter served as a wake-up call. It showed him the cruel reality of the treacherous Eldrich world where the ability to endure and oust was as critical as power and agility. Hence, he opted to utilize his hard-earned point to bolster his stamina. It was a strategic decision molded by lessons derived from past encounters and the primitive instinct for survival etched deep within his being.

    [A stat point has been consumed]

    [The size of your stamina bar has increased to 11 points!]

 Chapter 20 20: Absorbing A Nucleus!

    ?Next, Val''s attention was drawn to the windbreaker''s pocket where he had securely stashed away a treasured find: a topaz-shaped crystal known as the Strength and Resilience Essence Nucleus.

    This nucleus radiated a power that was both alluring and dangerous as he pulled it out from his windbreaker''s pocket. It seemed to be hypnotizing him into eating it, but he resisted it easily.

    Zombie nuclei were notorious for their corruptive force. The very act of absorbing one was a venture fraught with pain and terror. Sumbing to these overwhelming sensations could trigger a horrific transformation, turning the absorber into a monster themselves.

    Val, however, was born different than an ordinary man.

    Shielded by his unfeeling trait, he was immune to both pain and fear.

    Therefore, for him, absorbing a nucleus extracted directly from the brain of a zombie was not a daunting trial but rather a trivial task!

    Nonchntly, he tossed the Strength and Resilience Essence Nucleus into his mouth.

    With a swallow, it vanished down his throat

    Immediately, the system notification popped up in his vision.

    Just then, a system notification blinked into his vision.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have been sessful in absorbing 1?�� Strength and Resilience Essence Nucleus.]

    [As a result, your strength has increased to 16 points, and you have developed the Minor Corruption Resistance Trait!]

    "What exactly does this trait do?"

    Val opened his character screen and focused his eyes on his newfound trait.

    Instantly, an exnatory panel appeared before him.

    [Minor Corruption Resistance Trait: This trait offers minor resistance against the corruptive influence of devils, their creations, and items created by using them as ingredients. You have gained immunity against corruptive substances like low-low potions such as witch''s potions. You have also be immune to the virus of level 0 servants of the Corpse Devil!]

    A sense of satisfaction washed over Val.

    This new trait furnished him with a protective shield against zombies and low-grade potions!

    It was really extraordinary!

    Val''s stamina was really low. So after increasing his strength, heid down on the bed and fell asleep, but not before taking off his windbreaker. He didn''t change as he felt too tired to even move.

    When he woke up, almost 24 hours have passed!

    ''I must be really tired,'' he thought.

    Looking out the window, he saw the indigo curtain of the night retreating and a radiant blush spreading across the horizon.

    The first fingers of dawn stretched across the firmament, gently pulling the day into existence.

    A brilliant golden orb emerged, casting its incandescent rays over the awakening world.

    The sky, clear as a polished sapphire, greeted the dawn with a tranquility that seemed untouched by the peril of Eldrich.

    Val yawned as he bathed in the early morning light. This was one of those times when he looked genuinely peaceful.

    The ShadowFall City was not a safe ce to farm as there was a Ravengar there. Therefore, he decided to farm the Horned Rabbit of the EverNight Forest.

    His first stop for the day, however, was at the rustic butcher''s shop.

    A weathered sign, hanging precariously from a single rusty nail, creaked in the morning breeze.

    Cteak~

    The shop''s wooden door groaned as he pushed it open, stepping into the cool, slightly dank interior.

    "Wee, dear customer! What would you like today?"

    As Val stepped into the butcher''s shop, a hulking man, arms bulging like they had been chiseled from granite, weed him with a toothy grin, which was slightly obscured by a thick, grizzled beard.

    "I need a pot of chicken''s blood," Val said, his tone as icy as the morning chill. He slid a small bag across the counter, the metallic clink of coins echoing around the shop.

    The butcher''s eyes widened in surprise, his grin reced by a look of curiosity. "That''s a strange request. What do you need it for?"

    Val''s eyes met the butcher''s gaze unflinchingly. "I would suggest you stick to your trade and avoid questions that do not concern you. Or I might take my coins elsewhere."

    ''What a rude bastard.''

    Taken aback, the butcher raised a bushy eyebrow. He looked at the coins, then back at Val, silently questioning the audacity of this seemingly young customer, but recognizing the weight of the copper in his hand, he swallowed his curiosity, and his irritation.

    "Fine," he grunted, a hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes. He then reached under the counter to retrieve a pot, and filled it with dark, viscous chicken''s blood.

    The iron-rich scent filled the shop, hanging heavy in the air.

    Wordlessly, he pushed the pot across the counter to Val, tucking the bag of coins into his apron.

    With a curt nod, Val epted the pot and made his exit.

 Chapter 21 21: Hunting With A Tactic

    ?Holding the pot of blood, Val left the IronSpire stronghold and jogged towards his destination.

    On reaching the outskirts of the forest, Val twisted open the pot.

    The iron-rich scent of chicken''s blood perfumed the air, an irresistible call to the forest''s denizens.

    No sooner had the smell permeated the surroundings than horned rabbits emerged from their burrows, their noses twitching, taking in the bloody scent that filled the air.

    Their soft fur glistening in the early sunlight, the rabbits frolicked towards the source of the smell,pletely unaware of the impending doom.

    "There they are."

    Val caught sight of them in the corner of his eyes and immediately let his unique Blood Maniption Abilitye to the fore. Controlled solely by his thoughts, burst forth from his body, solidifying in mid-air into gleaming scarlet des.

    The crimson swords shone brilliantly in the morning sun. The beautiful yet deadly spectacle cast an eerie shadow over the peaceful forest.

    "The stage has been set. It is time for the theater to begin, time for me to stirke down my enemies!"

    In a split second, Val, with the precision of a practiced assassin and the ruthless efficiency of a warlord, released the blood des.

    Whoosh!

    The air whipped around as the swords hurtled through the tranquil atmosphere, their trajectory focused and their speed incredible. They were so swift that they seemed to distort the space around them, forming a crimson blur that was headed straight towards the unsuspecting rabbits.

    Caught off guard, the rabbits could do nothing but freeze in their tracks. Their tiny hearts pounded in their chests as the blood des zoomed towards them, each a harbinger of death.

    The crimson swords, with unerring precision, plunged into the rabbits.

    Standing on their hind legs, the poor creatures had no time to react as the des sank into their chests, tearing through their backs with brutal force.

    Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!

    The once quiet morning was now filled with the grisly sound of flesh being punctured, and the air was thick with the metallic scent of blood. The vibrant green grass of the forest floor was sttered with sanguine droplets as life after life was extinguished.

    And for each life taken, a chime echoed in Val''s mind, bringing with it pleasant news.

    [Ding! You''ve defeated a Level 5 Horned Rabbit. You get +3 EXP.]

    ��

    ��

    ��

    [Ding! You''ve defeated a Level 2 Horned Rabbit. You get +1.5 EXP.]

    ��

    ��

    ��

    [Ding! You''ve defeated a Level 3 Horned Rabbit. You get +2 EXP.]

    As one life after another flickered out under his brutal assault, Val''s experience points surged rapidly. However, his face bore no sign of emotion, save for a flicker of satisfaction, as the morning sun cast long shadows on his grim work.

    His butchery was merciless and efficient. From his relentless onught, many horned rabbits had perished, contributing a total of 34 EXP points.

    Coupled with the ten points left from farming the previous time, his EXP umted to 44!

    Basically, he was 6 EXP short of reaching level 4!

 Chapter 22 22: Mutant!

    ?After the massacre, the aroma of blood had intensified in the air, filling the tranquil forest with an ominous, iron-rich scent

    Drawn to the scent like a moth to a me, a unique and savage creature stirred from the deepest recesses of Evernight Forest. This was no ordinary beast; it was a formidable predator known as the Double-Headed Horned Rabbit. Its name was a perfect fit - it boasted two deadly, razor-sharp horns and a pair of eyes radiating an unsettling intelligence. Not to mention, standing at 1.7 meters tall and nearly just as broad, it was an imposing sight.

    Val''s eyes widened in surprise as he came across thd monstrous rabbit. The level of a Horned Rabbit was capped at 5. The only way it could exceed this limit was by evolving into a Double-headed horned rabbit - a feat possible only by consuming a rare evolutionary material, a precious find in the Evernight forest. This meant that this rabbit hade across a rare encounter in this forest. Val wondered if there was anything left or if it had eaten everything.

    ''It would be worth exploring its hideout after I am done with it,'' Val thought.

    Just then, a quest notification resonated in his mind.

    [Quest Activated: End of the Double Terror]

    [Task 1: y the Double-Headed Horned Rabbit]

    [Task 2: Find the habitat of the Double-Headed Horned Rabbit]

    [Task 3: Kill all the Horned Rabbit in that habitat if any]

    [Rewards: +500 Mad Points]

    The rewards were nothing short of tempting.

    Although this was a formidable challenge, Val readily epted it.

    The air in the forest seemed to solidify, a sense of palpable tension hanging heavy as the beast and the man faced off.

    Hugwahhh!

    Then, breaking the silent standoff, the rabbit bellowed a guttural, unsettling roar from both heads, its gaze radiating an intimidating disdain. Yet, Val stood unflinching before the behemoth. His response was an unyielding gaze, meeting the creature''s scornful eyes with a challenging stare. His voice echoed defiantly in the forest, "A double-headed horned rabbit? So what! You''re not strong enough to make me back down. Let''s see if your horns can match my steel."

    The taunt acted as the catalyst, setting off the rabbit''s fury. It hurled itself at Val, a whirlwind of fur, w, and sharp, deadly horns. But Val was far from helpless; he met the creature''s attack head-on with a powerful parry of his sword.

    ng! ng! ng!

    The forest was filled with a tumultuous mor as de met w.

    Val was surprised to see that despite its intimidating bulk, the rabbit was disturbingly agile. Its two heads moved in eerie harmony, coordinating a relentless, unyielding assault that kept his hands busy. He could only dodge. There was no time tounch a counterattack.

    In the heat of the battle, one of the rabbit''s horns found its mark, tearing through Val''s arm. Yet, Val barely flinched. Instead, a smirk spread across his face as his blood seeped onto his clothes. He was far from incapacitated - in fact, he saw his injury as an unexpected advantage. But to put this advantage to the best use, he needed to bait the rabbit to lunge at him again.

    In a baiting tone, Val taunted the creature, "Is that all? Come again."

    Foolishly falling for the ploy, the Double-Headed Horned rabbit lunged at him again, its intentions deadly.

    This time, however, Val was ready for it.

    With the use of his unique ability, he transformed the blood from his wound into a solid shield.

    Just as the rabbit''s horns were about to make contact, they were deflected by the blood-red barrier, sending the beast reeling back in surprise.

    Seizing this golden opportunity, Val sent his own blood slithering towards the rabbit. Like living chains or deadly snakes, they ensnared the beast, trapping it in a bloody vice.

    The beast was immobilized. Although it was resisting, it wasn''t able to break out of it. But it could be seen that they won''t be able to keep it trapped for long.

    ''I have to end it now!''

    Without wasting another moment, Val surged forward, his sword poised for the killing blow.

    Helpless and immobilized, the rabbit could only thrash futilely as Val''s de hurtled down.

    "DIE!" Val roared, his voice echoing through the forest as his sword punctured the creature''s flesh.

    The next moment, a gory mix of human and rabbit blood sttered onto the forest floor, marking the beast''s end.

    [Ding! Host, congrattions on defeating a Double-Headed Horned Rabbit, a level 6 monster! You get +10 EXP as a result, and an additional 6 points for killing a evolved beast for the very first time!]

    [System Notification: By massacring the Double-Headed Horned Rabbit, you''vepleted the first task of the End of the Double Terror Quest!]

    [Ding! Congrattions! You have leveled up. You have reached level 4 from 3. You get +2 Stat Points, and a slight upgrade in your Level 1 Blood Devil Bloodline.]

    His 60 points reduced to 10 as his level went up by one!

    ''Where should I put my stat points?''

    ''Should I improve my agility or stamina.''

    ''Why not both?''

    [Agility +1]

    [Stamina +1]

    He ended up investing the 2 points equally into his Agility and Stamina.

    He opened his character screen.

    Name: Val V. Whitemore

    Race: Half-Human, Half-Devil

    Age: 16

    ss: Blood Devil

    Level: 4 (10/100 EXP)

    Unawakened Bloodlines: Whitemore Bloodline

    Hidden Ailments: Whitemore Bloodline Suppression Poison

    Trait: Unfeeling, Emotional Impairment, Nocturnal Vision, Minor Corruption Resistance Trait!

    Stats:

    ?Health Points (HP): 10

    ?Strength (STR): 16

    ?Agility (AGT): 14

    ?Stamina (STA): 12

    ?Reflexes (REF): 10

    Blood Bar: 185 units of blood

    Stat Points: 0

    Mad Points: 0 (100 MP=1 SP!)

    Bloodline Skills:

    1) Blood Absorption

    2) Blood Maniption

    [Current progress of the Host''s Level 1 Blood Devil Bloodline towards the next level: 80/100%]

    Val felt excited. How could he not?

    After all, with just one more level up, his Blood Devil Bloodline would reach level 2 and, as a result, he would be a level 2 Bloodline User!

    That was quite impressive as it normally takes months sometimes even years to upgrade one''s bloodline from level 1 to 2, but he was about to do it in just day!

    If anyone happened to know about it, their jaws would surely drop to touch the ground!

 Chapter 23 23: The Cave

    ?"Time to feast!"

    A ghastly yet captivating spectacle was ensuring in the Evernight Forest.

    Blood seeped from the carcasses of horned rabbit, forming crimson pools mid-air before they morphed into ruby rivers that flowed seamlessly into Val.

    As soon as the blood became one with his body, he felt a surge of revival wash over him.

    A portion of the blood acted as a natural healer, mending his wounded flesh at a rapid pace that it left no signs of previous injury - not even a faint scar.

    The remainder fortified his blood bar. As a result, his Blood Bar brimmed with newfound power, its numeric indicator unting an intimidating 666 - a number that seemed ironically fitting for the potent devilish power hemanded.

    ''My quest is far from over,'' Val thought.

    Toplete the quest, he still needed to locate the habitat of the Double-headed Horned Rabbit and eradicate any potential threats there.

    The distinct footprints of the Double-headed Horned Rabbit presented him with an excellent trail to itsir. They were deeper and more pronounced than those of regr horned rabbits because its superior weight and size was superior to them.

    Val trailed these footprints of the Double-headed Horned Rabbit through the vast forest until he reached the threshold of a cavern.

    [System Notification: By massacring the Double-Headed Horned Rabbit, you''vepleted the first task of the End of the Double Terror Quest!]

    The inside of the cave was shrouded in darkness, imprable to the average eye.

    However, Val was no average human. His Nocturnal Vision Trait enabled him to see clearly through the darkness of the cave, revealing the cave''s inhabitants!

    The cave sheltered several horned rabbit offspring and their maternal figure. The presence of a few herbs nearby them piqued Val''s interest - these were Blood Purifying Herbs. Despite their inefficacy on Bloodline Users beyond the 1st level, they were an extremely valuablemodity in the Victoria Kingdom as they were capable of catalyzing the evolution of level 1 Bloodline Users without any risk of corruption. Why? It''s because they were one of the rare herbs that were free from any corruptive energy.

    Their vtility was not to be underestimated though. Only the robust and resilient bodies of Warrior-type Level 1 Bloodline Users could safely harness the herb''s energy. If someone without a robust, stronger than average body attempted to, the energy within the herb would explode them on the spot!

    The sight of these herbs suggested that the Double-headed Horned Rabbit had nned these herbs for his offspring''s evolution. Who knew that it would be hunted down and the hunter would give its family a visit? Now, Val was here, and it seemed like he was the one who was going to im the treasure!

    ''Let''s get to it.''

    Val stepped into the cave.

    Seeing him approach, the mother rabbit stood up protectively. Her offspring cowered behind her, their tiny bodies trembling.

    Val didn''t fall for their act.

    Despite their pitiful appearance, these creatures were not as innocent as they seemed.

    Their past was drenched in darkness.

    On an asion in the past, a hapless human had stumbled into this cave. The mother rabbit, her husband, and her children had attacked him. Together, they had torn the intruder apart, relishing the taste of human blood.

    The memory of that feast caused a sinister glint to sh in their eyes and their mouths to water in anticipation.

    They remembered how they had capitalized on the human''s inability to see in the dark, and now, they intended to use the same advantage against Val.

    Little did she know that Val was far from average, and the darkness that would''ve blinded even Bloodline Users was no hindrance to him.

    Silently, the horned rabbits crept up to him.

    Seeing them close in on him, Val subtly moved his hand behind his back.

    With a mere thought, blood spiraled out of his palm, forging a long, lethal de, concealed from the rabbits'' sight.

    ''Come. I will give you the darkest gift of life--Doom.'' Val thought.

    Just then, they pounced at him.

    In response, he grinned and unveiled his crimson weapon and brandished it with fatal precision.

    Given they were mid-flight, altering their position was out of the question.

    Dodging his deadly surprise attack was an impossibility!

    Whoosh!

    A swift, brutal sh of crimson disrupted the darkness. The rabbits, caught off guard, were cleaved in two, their remains plummeting to the ground in a gore-ridden heap.

    [Ding! With a swift stroke of your de, one Level 4 and 4 Level 1 Horned Rabbits met their demise. You''ve obtained +4 EXP.]

    [Ding! You''ve surmounted the final challenge of The quest "End of the Double Terror"]

    [The quest "End of the Double Terror" nowys in the pages of your past victories!]

    [You''ve been awarded +500 Mad Points for your exploits.]

    The mad points immediately metamorphosed into valuable stat points, a total of five were at his disposal!

    He reserved them.

    Val cast a nce at the lifeless rabbits, a peculiar and disturbing urge simmering within him. The insatiable desire to drink their blood began to w at him.

    "Blood absorption," Val vocalized, invoking his 2nd bloodline skill.

    As if heeding hismand, the blood from the defeated horned rabbits started to lift off from their bodies and seep into him.

    As he was not injured, their blood was directly added to his Blood Bar''s reserves.

    Its size increased to a whopping 800!

    Looking at his blood bar, Val felt stronger than ever.

    It was an amazing feeling, having so much blood that can be utilized as he wish.

    ''It''s time to reap the spoils of the battle.''

    With the threats to his life eradicated, Val redirected his attention to the Blood Purifying Herbs.

    He squatted, carefully plucking them, ensuring that they were harvested without sustaining any damage. Once he''d collected them safely, he nestled them securely within the confines of his windbreaker''s pocket.

    Then he stood up to leave, but a peculiar sight within the cave arrested his steps!

 Chapter 24 24: Stumbling Upon A Conspiracy!

    ?What he observed was reminiscent of a scene from a demonic rite �C a pentagram, carved with precision into the corner of the wall at the end of the cave. Although it was shrouded in utter darkness, he was able to perceive it clearly, courtesy of his Nocturnal Vision Trait.

    His gaze, brimming with a keen intensity, fell upon it.

    ''I am able to understand it?''

    Although the inscriptions ensnared within the confines of the pentagram were of an unfamiliarnguage, he was somehow able to understand what was written.

    ''Maybe it''s because of my bloodline that made me half a devil.''

    Val concluded that this pentagram was something only those with devilish origins could interpret, and with the blood of the Blood Devil coursing through his veins, he fell into this unique category.

    ''Let''s see what it says.''

    Deciphering the pentagram, he found out that it was a hidden mechanism that hid a great secret that would cause great harm to the IronSpire Stronghold and that it required a devil''s blood to be triggered.

    ''I am a half-devil himself. Would my blood suffice?''

    ''Well, It doesn''t hurt to check.''

    Val deftly sliced his skin open with a de forged from his own blood and smeared the vivid liquid leaking out of his wound onto the pentagram on the wall.

    Immediately, it pulsed with life, prompting the entire cave to tremble in resonance.

    Hiss!

    The wall before Val receded with a barely audible hiss.

    A concealed chamber was unveiled, and his attention was maically drawn to an altar situated at its center.

    It exuded an aura of antiquity and was adorned with intricate symbols. It seemed to be crafted from a smooth, ebony-hued stone, and it radiated an unearthly glow that cut through the shroud of darkness, illuminating the inside of the cave.

    The Roman numeral �C I �C was inscribed on its base.

    It signified that the altar would only respond to the touch of level 1 Bloodline Users. Anyone above that level wouldn''t be able to interact with it.

    "This is an entrance to a dungeon!"

    Surprise shed in Val''s eyes as he discerned its purpose.

    Dungeons, having surfaced globally over recent decades, all bore distinctmonalities. They were only essible via a teleporter, with a Roman numeral carved onto it determining the level of bloodline users permitted entry.

    The altar before Val was precisely one such teleporter. And the Roman numerical written on it showcased that it would only teleport level 1 Bloodline to the dungeon.

    Each dungeon housed a distinct quest that the dungeon explorers had to uncover themselves. Sessfulpletion of the quest would result in the dungeon vanishing, and the triumphant dungeon explorer being transported back to the entry point.

    An unattended dungeon would trigger a ''dungeon break'', causing a swarm of monsters to invade Eldrich.

    This event would typically spell disaster for any nearby strongholds.

    Dungeons also represented a lucrative source of resources. Monsters within differed from beasts in that they dropped cores upon defeat. Absorption of these cores enhanced one''s attributes. Furthermore, each dungeon housed a boss, the vanquishing of which might yield materials useful for evolution.

    The devil had woven a cunning spell of concealment around the dungeon for simr reasons.

    Firstly, the devil desired the dungeon for its exclusive use, hoarding the bountiful resources that resided within. Every dungeon was a treasure trove of rare and unique materials, beneficial for humans, devils, and also beasts. By sealing the dungeon in a way that only a wise devil like itself would be able open it, the devil ensured that it alone would reap these benefits.

    Secondly, sealing the dungeon served as an excellent camouge. The seal masked the dungeon''s presence, making it undetectable to any creature wandering through the Evernight Forest.

    Through this, the devil meant to incite a dungeon break, a catastrophic event that would unleash terrifying adversaries upon the IronSpire Stronghold, intensifying the peril faced by its inhabitants. If this were to happen, devils like it would find it easier to invade the stronghold and prey on its inhabitants!

    Even if one was fortunate enough to stumble upon this devilish seal, the ordeal of deciphering its enigmatic mechanics to unseal it would likely be a herculean task. There was no telling how long it would take before the seal could be broken, effectively ensuring the devil''s n went uninterrupted.

    However, the devil hadn''t ounted for one variable - Val.

    He had managed to break the seal and discover the entrance to the dungeon, and he might evenplete the dungeon, effectively ruining the n of the devil.

    Val wasn''t worried about encountering the devil that was behind this. The devil was most likely only as strong as a level 1 bloodline user or even weaker than one in terms ofbat. After all, only such a devil would want to horde a level 1 dungeon for itself. He was confident about crushing such a lowly devil with his fists alone!

    Val ran his tongue over his lips, his mind abuzz with thoughts.

    ''I must prepare before I tackle it.''

    Dungeons were inherently fraught with danger. Typically, a trio of bloodline users would dare to venture within - a warrior for defense, an offensive type for damage, and a healer for sustenance.

    However, Val was a unique case. His physical prowess surpassed that of a Level 1 Warrior-type bloodline user. His Blood Absorption skill afforded him superior healing capabilities, and his ability to control blood gave him an offensive edge over many at the same level as him.

    Basically, he possessed the capability to conquer a dungeon solo.

    Yet, he held back for the time being.

    The Blood Purifying Herbs he''d collected were still on his person, and a heated battle might damage them.

    Thus, in order to sort them out, he returned to the safety of the IronSpire stronghold.

    He set one herb aside for his personal use. Once he awakened the Whitemore Bloodline, he nned to use it to directly upgrade his Whitemore Bloodline to Level 2.

    As for the remaining two herbs, he intended to trade them.

    He could opt to vend them at the open market, but this would yield merely gold in return. Furthermore, it would also necessitate the bothersome task of actively seekingmodities that could be bartered for gold.

    Thus, trading the herbs for an item from his father presented a far more appealing and convenient alternative!

    ''Let''s go see Joshua.''

 Chapter 25 25: Trading With Joshua!

    ?Val knew his father''s routines like the back of his hand. At this hour, Joshua would be in his study, engrossed in his schrly pursuits.

    Walking down the familiar hallway, Val paused before the ornate door of the study, knocked lightly, and called out.

    "Father, may Ie in? I wish to speak with you."

    "Of course, my son. Please,e in."

    Joshua''s voice, steady and weing, responded affirmatively from within the room. Ever since he found out that Val had awakened as a Bloodline User, his attitude towards him has changed for the better.

    Val, however, didn''t care about it.

    For him, Joshua was just another stranger that he could benefit greatly from. The rtionship they had was destroyed the second Joshua confirmed that he was sacrificing himself for the family.

    Val pushed open the door and stepped inside.

    The study was a testament to Joshua''s love for knowledge a��� a room brimming with books and artifacts, softly illuminated by the gentle glow of a solitary deskmp.

    Like always Joshua was seated at his desk.

    "Val," Joshua greeted warmly, "What brings you here?"

    Referring to Val by his name carried a weighty implication; Joshua had extended an olive branch, restoring the name and privileges Val had lost. That''s how he, a man who had been in power in the outer region of the Victoria kingdom for years, did things. He didn''t ask if others wanted to ept his favors or not. He just forced them to ept it.

    What he couldn''tprehend was that the wounds were too deep, the trust too shattered.

    Val would not forget the abandonment he had suffered.

    There would be no forgiveness, no reconciliation.

    He made a silent vow to himself: anyone who betrayed him would be forever cast out of his circle, including his father.

    For now, he wanted to use him. That''s the only reason why he was willing to talk to Joshua. If Joshua was valueless, he wouldn''t hesitate to abandon him.

    Val, the unfeeling, had a strict code. He treated others just the way they treated him, and that was never going to change.

    Taking a deep breath, Val decided to proceed with the matter at hand. From within his pocket, he withdrew the Blood Purifying Herbs, setting them gently on the desk.

    "I believe you recognize these, Father," he said, his voice a calm sea of resolve.

    Joshua looked at the herbs, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. His experienced gaze recognized them instantly.

    "Blood Purifying Herbs," he acknowledged, "A rare find indeed. They can transform a Level 1 Bloodline user into Level 2 without any side effects. Their worth on the open market is about two to five times that of level 2 Bloodline evolution potions, and if put up for auction in the auction house of the inner region, it can be sold for up to ten times the market value."

    He raised his gaze to meet Val''s, curiosity twinkling in his eyes. "Where did you find them, Val? And why are you showing them to me? Are you nning to present them to me out of filial piety?"

    Val shook his head, a faint smile ying on his lips. "I found them on the outskirts of the Evernight Forest while training. And as for gifting them to you... I think we both know our rtionship isn''t at a stage for such gestures. No, I intend to trade them. I want ess to the Terrace of Corruption. In return, I will leave two of these herbs with you."

    Joshua''s expression remained impassive as he absorbed the words.

    The Terrace of Corruption was where the Whitemore Family stored all their cursed artifacts - powerful items crafted from the bodies of beasts and devils.

    Cursed artifacts were ssified into levels from rank-5, the weakest, to rank-1, the strongest. Rumors suggested the existence of special-grade and demonic-grade artifacts, but these were considered more myth than fact.

    The strongest recorded artifact stored in the Terrace of Corruption was rank-3. However, there were artifacts that were saturated with such potent corruption that no one had ever managed to wield them.

    Thus, their exact ranks remained an enigma.

    Val wanted a weapon potent enough to solo the dungeon he had discovered in the Evernight Forest. A cursed artifact would be ideal for this task. However, such artifacts were not avable in the IronSpire stronghold''s open market, his father wouldn''t allow him to go to other strongholds. Val was certain that if he was missing for a day, his father would mobilize the entire Whitemore family to capture him. As sad as it was, it was the reality.

    Thus, his only recourse was to trade with his father, leveraging the worth of the Blood Purifying Herbs he had found.

    It was a risky gambit, but if sessful, it would put him on a path to power!

    After a pause, Joshua finally replied, "Agreed. But you can only take one item from the Terrace. Also, you can stay there for no more than an hour. The force of corruption in that ce isn''t safe for humans, not even for Bloodline users. Once an hour has passed, I will personally ensure you are safely extracted."

    Val nodded, "I ept those terms, Father."

 Chapter 26 26: Teaching A Lesson

    ?Val made his way to the Terrace of Corruption.

    It was located several miles behind the Manor and encased within imposing, obsidian walls, far removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

    It was a ce as menacing as its name suggested.

    The entrance to the Terrace was blocked by stern-looking guards who stood vignt.

    As Val approached, one guard stepped forward, his stern gaze examining Val with a discerning look. "This isn''t a ce for normies," the guard snorted, unaware that Val was no longer a powerless individual but a Bloodline User.

    Inwardly, Val felt a sense of satisfaction. It seemed that Joshua had kept his word and maintained his secret well. Then he proceeded to face-p the guard that had dared to block his way.

    Reaching into his pocket, Val drew forth an emblem a��� a silver insignia adorned with the Whitemore family crest. The emblem was a symbol of authority within the IronSpire stronghold, allowing its bearer free passage anywhere.

    "If you dare to hinder my path again, it would be considered treason," Val warned, his voice cold as ice. "And you would be punished ording to the familyw."

    In the Whitemore family, the punishment for treason could be as little as getting caned till you''re crippled and as worst as getting executed on the spot. It depended on the severity of the crimemitted!

    The threat hung heavy in the air.

    The older guard, a man who seemed to be in his thirties, paled at the implication, stepping aside promptly. However, a younger guard, in his twenties, lunged forward, reaching for the emblem in Val''s hand.

    "You thieving brat!" he used, "You must have stolen it!"

    Val''s eyes narrowed at the insult, a sharp glint shing in her inky, ck eyes with immeasurable depths.

    How can a normie steal something from the Ruler of the IronSpire Stronghold?

    Even a level 3 bloodline user wouldn''t be able to do it!

    After all, that''s just how strong Joshua was. He could easily suppress level 3 bloodline users.

    Even though he was an Ounder, he could bepared to the well-fed Bloodline Users of the Inner Region!

    Yet, this guard was using Val of stealing something from someone like Joshua.

    It was a ridiculous usation!

    It was clear that this bastard of a guard was intentionally troubling him.

    He must''ve thought that he could bully Val as he was just a normie.

    Oh, how wrong he was!

    "Youck judgment," Val bit out, swiftly intercepting the younger guard''s outstretched hand. "And judgment-impoverished fools ought to face their reckoning."

    Without a shred of hesitation, Val executed a swift, brutal twist of the guard''s wrist.

    Crack~

    A sickening crunch echoed off the walls as the guard''s wrist snapped like a brittle twig, the bone fracturing and protruding through his flesh, creating a disy so grotesque that the onlookers'' stomachs churned.

    Uuuugggghhhh!

    The guard wailed like a pig being ughtered, his cry bouncing around the deste area like a misced echo. He folded onto his knees, his hand drooping like a sad, wilted flower from his arm.

    The air became heavy with the distinct smell of fear and... was that? Yes, that was definitely pee.

    Poor fellow had had quite the fright, it seemed, as a dark puddle started to form around his trembling knees!

    +20 Mad Points!

    The older guard, whom Val recognized as Guard Richard, swallowed audibly, felt scared for his life when he saw how maniacally Val acted in self-defense. His eyes widened to the size of saucers with fear and shock.

    +10 Mad Points!

    Richard stuttered, "Master Val, our intentions were not to disrespect you. We were merely... carrying out our duties. I hope you can forgive us."

    Richard''s gaze flickered nervously between the writhing form of his fallenrade and Val''s chilling expression. The young man on the ground was a ve that was recently purchased by the Whitemkre family, a green recruit named Terry. He had been tasked with the unenviable job of guarding the ominous Terrace of Darkness as soon as he was taught a minimal amount of etiquette.

    The Terrace was known to exert a corrupting influence on the minds of those who stood guard. There have been cases of guards being driven to madness by the force of corruption emanating from the terrace, their minds fractured by the malevolent power.

    Tobat this, the guards stationed there were rotated monthly, and only the greenest recruits or Level 1 Bloodline Users were assigned here - the reasoning being that if they were to be corrupted or driven insane, the loss to the family would be bearable.

    A tense silence followed the guard''s plea.

    Val''s frosty gaze rested on Richards whose usually stern expression was now reced with fear.

    "Carrying out your duties?" Val said after a moment, his words as sharp as a de. "Tell me, does your duty involve hurling unfounded usations andunching attacks without any evidence?"

    Val''s eyebrow arched in a silent expression of his displeasure.

    Richard replied, "I admit that Terry''s conduct was...uneptable. But you''ve already taught him a harsh lesson that he will never forget. So I hope you can find it within yourself to overlook this incident. It would be a gesture of immense kindness." He paused, then added with a small, almost imperceptible bow, "Of course, the final decision rests with you. Yourmand is ourw, Master Val. If you deem it necessary for further punishment to be enacted, we will carry it out immediately."

    As he spoke, Richard''s gaze was locked with Val''s. A silent plea was reflected in his eyes. It was a quiet request for leniency in a situation that had escted beyond their control.

    "I see no reason to end a life over such a trivial matter. Crippling him should be punishment enough. Consider yourselves fortunate. This matter ends here, but you best not speak a word of it to anyone else."

    His gaze bore into Richards'' as heid out his condition, a silent warning reflected in his stern countenance. The older guard could only nod in acquiescence, relief shing across his weathered features.

    Val then turned his attention back to Terry, his chilling gaze meeting the injured guard''s tear-streaked face.

    "Remember this well, Terry," he said in a voice colder than the wind blowing outside. It was May, but it was still cold in this area of the outer region stronghold, with rain and sometimes even snow falling from the sky. "You are but a ve to my family, and I am your young master. Showing some respect when you see me would do you well. Had you not attempted to belittle me, you wouldn''t have ended up in such a state. Take this to heart as a life lesson."

    "I-I will, Master Val," Terry said through gritted teeth, his piss pooling beneath him.

    To that, Val only had one thing to say.

    Fucking disgusting!

 Chapter 27 27: Acquiring A Cursed Weapon!

    ?"Open the doors!" Valmanded.

    "Yes, Master Val."

    Richard removed the seals on the entrance of the Terrace of Darkness before pushing open the heavy doors.

    Whoosh!

    Immediately, a gust of eerie ck wind rushed out, swarming around them like a swarm of spectral bats. Richard, along with the other guards, shivered as an innate fear surged from deep within their hearts.

    However, despite being in the same shoes as them, Val remained undeterred and unyielding in the face of the corruptive force of the Terrace.

    He fought it off with sheer will alone and confidently stepped into the gloomy environment of the terrace.

    Immediately, a monotone system notification rang in his mind.

    [Entering: Terrace of Darkness. Caution is advised due to high corruption levels.]

    Val heard the warning from one ear and let it out of the other. He ignored it. After all, because of his Unfeeling Trait, he was immune to corruption.

    Inside the Terrace, it was as dark as the abyss. A normal person would be blinded the second they step foot inside this ce, but that wasn''t the case for Val. Having the Nocturnal Vision Trait, his eyes immediately adjusted to the darkness.

    Everything shrouded in darkness became clear to him.

    As he ventured deeper into the Terrace of Darkness, he saw an assortment of cursed artifacts, some scattered on the ground, some disyed on dusty wooden shelves. Their tags showcased their ranks and effects.

    Val didn''t even bother ncing at the artifacts that didn''t look like a weapon. The thing is, he wasn''t looking for just any artifact; he sought a weapon, preferably a sword.

    Suddenly, a peculiar sight caught his eye.

    He noticed a sword pulsing with dark energy. Its resting ce was a small, isted pedestal at the far end of the room. The force of corruption emanating from it was discernible, thick and heavy, strong enough to drive the mentally weak to insanity instantly.

    Most interestingly, itcked a tag!

    This indicated that no one from the Whitemore family had managed to wield it, likely due to its immense corruptive force.

    "This is certainly more than a rank 4 cursed artifact," Val mused.

    In the Whitemore Family, the majority of Bloodline Users could only handle rank-5 cursed weapons.

    Joshua, the family head, had managed to control a rank-3 artifact.

    Even Val''s elder brother had subdued a rank-3 weapon like his father before he ventured out of the stronghold to form a mercenary group with hispanions, seeking expansion.

    Val was determined not to be overshadowed by them. Not to mention, he had obtained this opportunity in exchange for two precious Blood Purifying Herbs. He was determined to make the best use of this opportunity and obtain this weapon that seems to be above rank-4 no matter what the cost.

    His ambition zed like a fire in his heart, urging him to step forward in his pursuit of power.

    Approaching a cursed weapon that was literally leaking corruption was an impossible task for most individuals, but Val was far from ordinary. His unfeeling trait made him immune to the fear and pain that the force of corruption usually instilled in one''s heart and body!

    Although the sword was trying to corrupt him, he remained unaffected.

    Step by step, he approached the sword.

    He reached out, his hand wrapping around the hilt, attempting to pull it free from the pedestal.

    [Ding! Cursed Artifact submission in progress...]

    [The Cursed Artifact has started to resist!]

    The sword resisted, amplifying its output of corruption in response to his efforts to capture it.

    It was doing its best to harm him, but to its dismay, Val remained unaffected, as unmoving as a mountain. It seemed like even if the sky crumbled apart and fell, he would still not be terrified. It seemed like nothing in this world could make him feel fear or pain!

    "You''reing with me!" Val dered with an air of authority. With a firm and powerful tug, he pulled the sword out of the pedestal. Simultaneously, the aura of corruption dissipated as if erased by an unseen hand.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You have subdued the Cursed Artifact!]

    The weapon, now subdued, rested in his grasp like a docile pet, its former defiance reced by an air of belonging as if it had always been meant to be there.

    The next step was establishing a bond with the subdued cursed artifact.

    He knew that a bond between a bloodline user and a devil Knowing that a bond could be formed through a blood exchange, he pricked his finger, allowing a droplet of his blood to fall on the hilt of the sword.

    [Connection Established. You have be the owner of the rank-3 Cursed Weapon called the Aquarius Sword.]

    Immediately, a connection was formed between the two of them.

    The Aquarius Sword enhanced his Strength and Reflexes enhanced by 4 and 2 points respectively. It was as if the weapon had be a part of Val!

    Simultaneously, it transmitted a bunch of information directly into Val''s mind through the connection they shared.

    It was due to this that he discovered a unique trait of the Aquarius Sword.

    It held the ability to ingest liquids, only to expel them when it was full, expel them as concentrated, high-pressure arcs, potent enough to slice through steel as though it were mere sludge!

    Val smiled triumphantly, "I have gained another strong trump card."

 Chapter 28 28: A Crazy Surge In Mad Points!

    ?Having imed the Cursed Weapon, Val turned to exit the Terrace of Darkness.  However, upon reaching the door, he discovered it was securely locked.

    Val wasn''t taken aback by this minor inconvenience. He simply curled his hand into a fist, ready to knock to alert the guard outside that he was locked inside the terrace.

    He struck the door once.

    The knock was clear and resounding, echoing throughout the quiet, eerie space like a sentinel''s drumbeat.

    Wa! Mommy!

    The unexpected sound jolted the guards stationed outside. It was an unexpected interruption to the heavy silence that had previously reigned. It caused their hearts to pound rhythmically against their chests, each beat as loud as the knock itself.

    They were terrified. After all, Val had barely been inside for five minutes. An ordinary man would have hardly had time to even nce upon a cursed artifact, much less gain control over one. The notion that he could be ready to leave so soon was unfathomable.

    They couldn''t help but think that something otherworldly had caused that knock. The thought sent a chill down their cowardly spines!

    Richard gulped his fear and called out, "Who''s there?"

    His voice was wavering with tension, showcasing that he was as terrified as everyone, but even then he still dared to do what was necessary.

    "Who else could it be but me?" Val''s cool voice prated the thick door, tinged with a hint of amusement. "Hurry up and open the door, Richard."

    "Give me a moment, Master Val," Richard hastily replied, his trembling hands fumbling with the seal.

    Feeling guilty, others also joined in

    Under the influence of the corruptive force of the terrace, they had inadvertently locked Young Master Val within the Terrace of Darkness. The realization dawned upon Richard and the others, and their heart seemed to sink to their stomach!

    Their hands, now slick with sweat, slipped as they tried to break the seal.

    Finally, after a few tense moments, the door creaked open, revealing the young man.

    Val stepped out of the Terrace of Darkness, his hand gripping the hilt of an enigmatic sword that seemed to be pulsating with something sinister, a sheen of ck covering its icy, cold surface.

    A single look at it, and they were able to tell that it was a Cursed Weapon.

    The sight was astounding enough to make the jaws of the guards of the Terrace of Darkness drop. Not just that, but their eyes also bulged so wide that it seemed they might just pop out of their sockets with a simple pat on their back.

    They stared at Val in shock, their minds unable to process the surreal scene unfolding before them.

    The young man, who they once dismissed as a mere normie, was now holding a Cursed Weapon that not even the most talented youngster of their Whitemore family could wield without immense struggle.

    It was a sight they''d never expected to witness!

    "I...I must be seeing things," stuttered one of the guards, his hand aggressively rubbing at his eyes as if the act would erase the spectacle before him.

    "What on earth?" Terry eximed, his shock momentarily causing him to forget the throbbing pain in his broken wrist. His eyes almost seemed to bulge from their sockets as he gaped at Val in utter disbelief.

    Guard Richards, on the other hand, remained mute. His mouth hung agape, but words eluded him. He brought a trembling hand to his forehead, rubbing it vigorously as if the gesture could wipe away a troubling illusion.

    "You...you''ve..." Terry stammered, his shaky finger pointing at the sword in Val''s grasp. "How... that''s... that''s impossible! I must be hallucinating," he gasped, pping his own cheeks in a futile attempt to wake from what he hoped was a dream.

    Meanwhile, having failed to snap out of his supposed dream, Richard pinched his arm. The biting pain served as a sharp reminder of reality.

    "It''s...it''s real..." he whispered, mostly to himself, "...even the family patriarch needed five hours to subdue a rank-3 cursed artifact... but Young Master Val... he did it in mere minutes. How can that be?"

    +10 Mad Points!

    +20 Mad Points!

    +40 Mad Points!

    A pleasing alert echoed in Val''s mind.

    He realized that he can easily earn mad points by giving others a shock of their life. He decided to do more shocking deeds in the future!

    ''In their bewilderment lies my fortune.'' Val thought as a slight, icy smile graced his lips.

    As he smiled, a wave of chill went down the spines of the onlookers. They misread his expression, assuming he was upset about being locked inside. However, his glee was due to the rise in his Mad Points, which had now hit the hundred mark.

    He promptly exchanged them for a stat point.

    "Nothing is impossible for me." Val dered, his voice cool andposed, as he walked away.

    The guards, who were at a loss for words, were left behind. The entire event seemed to have struck them mute, their minds failing toprehend how Val had aplished such a feat of subduing a cursed weapon in minutes.

    "A mere youngster handling a Cursed Weapon with such ease... it''s unheard of. Is... is this the true power of the Whitemore bloodline?" the guards of the terrace stammered as they watched him go away.

 Chapter 29 29: Entering His First Ever Dungeon!

    ?Val returned to the sight of the dungeon entrance.

    There was a hollow indentation at the altar''s center, tailor-made to amodate a palm. This was the final piece of the puzzle - the trigger that will boot up the teleporter.

    Val ced his palm on the indentation.

    Vroom!

    In response, the teleporter hummed to life.

    The very next moment, he was enveloped in a strange energy.

    His senses were overwhelmed - a wave of disorientation swept over him as his mind spun wildly.

    His stomach churned with a nauseating sensation as if he was being flung through a vortex of space and time. Although he was a personcking the ability to feel pain, he could still experience nausea.

    After all, Nausea was a sensation or feeling of difort in the stomach and the sensation of an urge to vomit.

    This meant that it was not directly rted to the ability to feel pain but rather involved the interaction of various physiological and psychological factors.

    After a moment, the notification of the devil system rang in his mind

    [Ding! You have entered a level 1 Dungeon!]

    Just then, the sensations overwhelming him subsided.

    With his vision finally restored, Val found himself at the heart of an expansive forest.

    What he saw was a sight that would have rendered anyone speechless��a breathtaking disy of nature''s splendor.

    Towering trees, proud and majestic, reached towards the heavens, their canopies melding seamlessly with the horizon. The verdant sea of foliage stretched endlessly.

    Val took a breath and his lungs were filled with the crisp, pure air that carried the earthy scent of moss and wet bark.

    Although the serenity of this ce was unmatched, he didn''t lower his vignce.

    ''What a beautiful ce. Unfortunately, it''s a dungeon. And dungeons are full of danger. I can''t let my guard down.'' he thought as he cautiously scanned his surroundings with a scrutinizing gaze, looking for any sign of danger.

    [Ding!]

    Abruptly, a notification sounded in Val''s mind.

    [Dungeon Theme Identified - ''Ravenspine Annihtion''. Objectives: Eliminate 25 Ravenspine and their Chieftain. Destroy the dungeon core!]

    A wave of surprise coursed through Val, making his eyebrows shoot up in astonishment.

    Discerning the task required to conquer a dungeon was usually aplicated ordeal, an enigmatic puzzle to be solved amidst perilous confrontations. However, his trusty system had made it as simple as an evening stroll.

    His lips curled into a satisfied smile.

    ''This unforeseen advantage had significantly reduced the difficulty of the dungeon.''

    Crunch!

    Dry leaves were stepped on. Consequently, a sound was produced.

    It came from behind him.

    Immediately, he turned towards the source of the noise.

    His eyebrow raised as he see a muscr monstrosity that was standing on its feet like humans, but there was nothing humane about it.

    It was three meters tall and draped in vibrant, emerald scales. It held a club in its left hand and a mace in its right hand.

    ''Seems like it''s a meleebatant.'' Val thought after analyzing his adversaries. ''Good for me. I will take it out before it can get close to me.''

    Ruhakk!

    The Ravenspine let out a mighty roar before it charged towards him.

    Blood Maniption!

    With a mere thought, Val invoked his unique bloodline power. He raised his hand, and a surge of blood erupted from his palms, spiraling and shaping into a swirling orb of deepest crimson.

    It took the form of an orb, looking like a sinister projectile that was ready to beunched.

    The creation of such a powerful weapon wasn''t taxing, barely depleting his blood bar.

    "Die!" Val shouted, causing the Ravonsoine to flinch, as Val swung his arm in a swift, decisive arc.

    Instantaneously, the [Blood Orb] burst forward.

    Whoosh!

    It whizzed through the air and charged towards the Ravenspine at a velocity that left it no room to evade.

    Squelch!

    In the blink of an eye, the blood bullet connected with the Ravenspine, and a sickening, visceral squelch filled the air. The bullet, carrying untamed force, drilled a ghastly hole into the center of the creature''s scale-less head, which was the only weak point in its scale covered body. The wound was horrifically deep and wide. Blood gushed from the puncture in a violent torrent as the dungeon monster reeled backwards, finally copsing with a dull thud

    A notification chimed in Val''s mind.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host. You''ve defeated a level 1.6 dungeon monster. You earn +3.2 EXP.]

    He silently acknowledged the message.

    The ranking of dungeon monsters was simple. It was divided into ten distinctive levels, from levels 1 to 10.

    Each level was further subdivided into decimal points - 1, 1.1, 1.2, and so on.

    Level 1 to 1.9 were equivalent to level 1 to level 10 beasts.

    In a level 1 dungeon, the weakest monster would be a level 1.1 monster, while the strongest would be a level 1.9 monster.

    Val remained in his position. As the smell of blood spread, he knew more dungeon monsters would be attracted to this ce.

    As expected, after a few moments, he came across even more Ravenspines.

    Their grotesque, beastly faces were twisted with fury as they had seen how Val had killed their brethren.

    As they looked at Val, anger could be seen simmering in their monstrous eyes. If looks could kill, Val would have been shredded into pieces like cheese right there and then!

    Gugakkk!

    A deep, resonant roar burst forth from their throats, ripping through the tranquil atmosphere. It was a savage chorus that reverberated through the air and rattled in Val''s ears.

    "Fuck, these bitches are too loud," he cursed.

 Chapter 30 30: Val Vs A Group Of Ravenspines

    ?After letting out an uncanny cry, a rallying signal, perhaps, the Ravonspines began to charge towards him.

    While they were still closing the gap between them, Valunched another Blood Bullet towards one of the Ravenspine.

    The Ravenspines were intelligent monsters. They knew that if it hit their weak points they would instantly die thus they covered their weak point with their scale-covered ws.

    The bullet didn''t hit its intended target. It impacted against the ws of a Ravenspine. The impact caused it to stumble back a few steps, but that''s all. It easily shook off the assault and regained its footing. Its emerald scales bore minor scratches but were otherwise unscathed.

    A fleeting pang of disappointment crossed Val''s mind as he acknowledged the limitations of his [Blood Bullet] against these armored foes.

    These dungeon creatures are smarter than I gave them credit for. Time for a change in tactics,'' he thought.

    Seeing that they have covered much of the distance that separated him from them, Val stopped holding back. His blood reserve took a sudden plunge of 200 units as a brilliant stream of blood erupted from within him. It twisted and churned into a serrated torrent of lethal intent as it hurtled straight towards the foremost Ravenspine.

    A moment''s silence was followed by a bloodcurdling shriek as the blood torrent shredded the Ravenspine to pieces.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You''ve defeated a level 1.7 dungeon monster. You get +3.4 EXP.]

    Turning his gaze to the two remaining Ravenspines, momentarily dumbstruck by their leader''s gruesome demise, Val proimed, "Next, it''s your turn."

    Their moment of stunned inaction proved fatal.

    With a swift, practiced flick of his wrist, Val steered the swirling, torrential mass of blood, manipting it as if it were an innate part of him. He swept it horizontally, its razor-sharp edges transforming into an executioner''s de. In an explosion of bone-chilling sounds, the torrent decimated the remaining Ravenspines, reducing them to a spectacle of gory ruins.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You''ve defeated two level 1.4 dungeon monsters. You get +5.6 EXP.]

    In the wake of the brutal onught, only a single Ravenspine remained from the original group of five. Its spirit broken by the swift and ruthless annihtion of its allies, the creature turned to flee.

    "Think you can escape? Not on my watch!" Val roared as he conjured several crimson swords using his bloodline skill and send them after it.

    Thest Ravenspine cleverly utilized the dense foliage for cover, weaving in and out of the trees, dodging Val''s relentless ranged attacks.

    The creature exhibited a cunning intelligence that grated on Val''s nerves!

    Val clicked his tongue in frustration.

    ''Seems like I can''t avoid a little physical exertion,'' he thought as heunched himself into pursuit.

    Thinking so, he gave chase.

    However, despite his best efforts, he was failing to catch up with it.

    It was obvious that the fleeing Ravenspine held a clear speed advantage.

    The gap between them wasn''t narrowing; on the contrary, it was gradually growing.

    It was for times like these that he had saved his stat points.

    Frustration ignited determination within Val, and he allocated four of his stat points to agility and the remaining two to stamina.

    [Your agility has increased to 18 points!]

    [Your stamina has increased to 14 points!]

    Instantly, his movements became more fluid, and his speed skyrocketed. In a matter of moments, he bridged the gap between them, drew his sword out of its sheath that was attached to his side, and prepared to strike.

    The Ravenspine''s back was to him. It couldn''t see the attacking.

    With an effortless, swift motion, Val''s sword cleaved through the monstrous beast, splitting it into two symmetrical halves. The bisected remnants of the Ravenspine copsed to the forest floor with a faint thud.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You''ve defeated a level 1.7 dungeon monster. You get +3.4 EXP.]

    Val took a moment to assess his progress. The defeated group hadted him a considerable sum of around 15 EXP points, bringing his total to 30 EXP.

    There were 20 more Ravenspines and a chieftain still lurking in the dungeon.

    Val thought, ''If I can take them down, leveling up might just be in sight.''

    ''Before I set out to seek them out, there''s still something I need to do.''

    He walked over to the bisected bodies of the monster he had killed and pressed his cursed sword to the first half of the Green Devils'' remains. With a low sigh, the sword seemed to drink in the rich blood that oozed from their carcasses.

    [Aquarius has consumed the blood of a few dungeon monsters. The Rage meter has increased by 2/10th!]

    Once the rage meter was filled to its brim, he would be able to unleased Aquarius''s full might!

    Next, he focused on the other half of the Ravenspines. Using his Blood Absorption bloodline skill, he absorbed the blood that pooled around the dead dungeon monsters.

    The rich, potent life fluid was drawn into him, not only refilling his blood bar but also increasing its size.

    [Your Blood Bar has increased by 480 hundred units!]

    The system notification chimed to confirm the increase, disying a healthy 870 points in his Blood Bar. The count could have been higher had he not expended several hundred units while engaging with the Ravenspines.

    Lastly, he looked for the AGT, DEX, and STR type cores within the dissected remains of the Ravenspines.

    He found them embedded within their bodies, pulsing with residual energy.

    One by one, he carefully extracted them, storing these precious resources away in the pockets of his windbreaker for future use.

    After that, Val set his sights on the rest of the forest.

 Chapter 31 31: Dungeon Boss!

    ?

    In the Evernight forest, the towering trees seemed to hide a multitude of dangers within their shadows, and Val was eager to face them head-on so as to level up andplete the dungeon.

    He encountered four more groups of Ravenspine in session and used his bloodline ability to quickly decimate them with ruthless efficiency.

    As a result, he earned a lot of exp and a lot of things.

    Their cores were collected and stored with the previous ones.

    Their blood was distributed the same way, half to his sword and the remaining to his Blood Bar. As a result, the rage meter of Aquarius was full, and his Blood Bar has increased to more than 1000 points!

    After a while of wandering through the forest, Val stumbled upon a clearing.

    The center of the clearing held the attention-grabbing figure of the Ravenspine Chieftain.

    This was no ordinary creature, but a formidable behemoth standing at a staggering height of 4 meters!

    Its limbs resembled tree trunks in both size and strength, and it had a square, beastly face!!

    The pair of formidable teeth protruding from its lower jaw and the horn sprouting defiantly from its head added an intimidating aspect to its overall monstrous appearance!!!

    However, the most striking feature of the Chieftain was its skin color. Unlike the brown hues of its underlings, this monster boasted a deep, vibrant green skin. It also had no weapon. It believed that its ws were more than enough to deal with dungeon invaders like Val.

    "Arrogant," Val said. "Nothing less expected of a green devil."

    Val managed to immediately identify the creature as a Green Devil because knowledge about it was taught  to every Whitemore at a young age as its heart was a key ingredient in the formtion of the Witch''s Potion

    Actually, consuming its heart directly could, awaken one''s Whitemore bloodline, but it also carried a substantial risk.

    Its heart was filled with a terrifying amount of corruptive force. The act of consuming it directly could backfire on the consumer, transforming them into a monster.

    In the expanse of the clearing, Val''s predatory gaze collided with the Green Devil''s menacing stare, igniting an intense atmosphere as if sparks were flying between them.

    Wasting not a moment, he lunged forth, his sword singing through the air and charging towards the Green Devil''s weak point in a deadly arc.

    However, despite its colossal stature, the Green Devil moved with remarkable agility, bracing itself against Val''s attack.

    ng!

    The echoing ng of his sword against the monster''s natural armor reverberated through the clearing, shockwaves of the forceful collision rippling outward.

    Utilizing the backward thrust from the blocked strike, Val deftly dodged the counterattack, the Green Devil''s w swiping through the air where he had been just moments prior. Its w barely missed by a hair''s breadth!

    Evading the deadly reach of its w, Val retaliated swiftly, his sword whistling through the air to strike at the creature''s midsection. From the exchange just now, Val had already learned that it wouldn''t be easy tond a blow on the Green Devil''s weak point so he attacked another ce. However, his attack found no purchase, repelled by the formidable natural armor of hardened green scales. His sword bounced back from the ineffective attack, leaving the Green Devil unscathed.

    Unfazed, Val continued his relentless assault, raining blow after blow on the monster. The Green Devil matched his ferocity, countering his attacks with powerful swings of its ws. Attacking and parrying, the twobatants danced around each other in the clearing like fatal enemies.

    Amidst the tumult, the Green Devil found an opening, darting within Val''s defenses. Its wed hand struck like lightning, shing towards Val. Reacting with a fighter''s intuition, Val manifested a shield of dense, condensed blood to block the iing attack. The sheer brute force behind the beast''s attack, however, shattered his protection instantly, and its venomous ws dug into his arm with ruthless precision.

    The monster''s eyes gleamed with joy as it expected Val to crumble under the pain, to be incapacitated and helpless. It seemed to revel in Val''s impending downfall, already envisioning the delicious agony that would ensue and the opportunity for a lethal strike.

    What it didn''t know was that none of what it was thinking was going toe true as Val couldn''t feel pain!

    Val disyed not a flicker of pain or fear, even as the beast''s talons tore into his flesh. Rather, he perceived an unforeseen advantage in this predicament.

    This was the best chance he could ask for to counterattack. After all, with the Green Devil''s w lodged in his flesh, it was immobilized, unable to evade the counterattack he was about to unleash!

    Summoning his strength, Valunched a powerful kick at the momentarily incapacitated creature.

    "???"

    The Green Devil''s anticipated victory turned into a shocking surprise as Val''s counter was nothing short of unexpected. Its ws were still deeply embedded in Val''s arm, thus immobilizing it and making evasion impossible.

    Bam!

    A resounding reverberation rang out as Val''s boot connected with the creature''s midsection. The force of the kick sent the Green Devil careening backward, its enormous body flung through the air like a leaf in a storm, causing it to crash to the ground a significant distance away,

    "Hmm? What is this?"

    A brief flicker of confusion crossed Val''s face as he nced at his wound that was caused by the Green Devil.

    His senses were dulled by his body''sck of pain response, and he hadn''t realized that he had been poisoned by the Green Devil''s attack until he saw the physical evidence. His blood, tainted and ck, oozed from the wound and the surrounding skin had begun to disy signs of necrosis. The potent poison was spreading rapidly from its initial point.

    Seeing this, Val''s mind clicked into overdrive, knowing that every passing second was crucial in such a dire situation.

    ''There''s only one way to stop it.''

    Swiftly, he gripped his sword tightly in his uninjured hand and swung it down, severing his poisoned hand to stem the rapid spread of the toxin. His mutted limb fell to the ground.

    Then, he focused his gaze back on the Green Devil, who was still struggling to regain its footing from the brutal kick that sent it reeling backwards.

    "You are fucked!" Val said in a low, husky voice.

    The loss of his hand had thoroughly angered him!

 Chapter 32 32: Unbelievable Revelation!

    ?

    "You are fucked!" Val said in a low, husky voice.

    The loss of his hand had seemed to thoroughly anger him!

    Channeling his rage into power, Val sacrificed as much as needed from his Blood Bar to form several colossal tendrils of blood.

    "Apprehend it."

    With a thought, hemanded these bloody appendages to constrict the Green Devil.

    Guhaakk!

    Caught in the ensnaring tendrils, the Devil roared in fury, its massive body straining against the blood-formed bonds, but the grip on it only intensified as it struggled, the crimson appendages coiling tighter around its limbs, neck, and midsection, leaving it thoroughly immobilized.

    As he watched his opponent thrash helplessly, a wicked grin split Val''s face. His foe was at his mercy, with no room to dodge what wasing next.

    "Rage, Aquarius!" Val''s voice echoed through the clearing, and the sword in his remaining hand vibrated in response, a tangible aura of power surging from it.

    Holding the sword above his head, he watched as the de gleamed, bathing in a vibrant crimson hue. Then, after a moment of bated breath, he brought the sword down in a decisive, powerful arc.

    Whoosh!

    A high-pressure arc of blood immediately erupted from the de, slicing through the air with ruthless efficiency.

    This blood guillotine cut through the Green Devil as easily as a heated de passing through a b of butter.

    As it passed through the Green Devil, drawing a bright red line across the monster''s body.

    There was a moment of silence, then, with a sickening squelch, the Green Devil''s body split into two, its left half parting from its right.

    A spray of blood erupted from the division as the two halves copsed onto the forest floor.

    The dull thuds of their fall resounded in the clearing, marking the end of the gruesome duel.

    [Ding! You''ve defeated a level 1.10 dungeon monster. +8 EXP.]

    With this, his EXP had reached a whopping 94 points. He was only 6 points away from levelling up!

    Immediately after that, Val activated his Blood Absorption ability, drawing upon the blood of the Green Devil to heal himself. The blood from the monster flowed towards him like a crimson river, sinking into his severed arm. Slowly but surely, his missing limb began to regenerate, each drop of the monster''s blood feeding the growing flesh, muscle, and bone.

    All of its blood was used to heal himself.

    After that, Val approached the severed half of the monster. His eyes fell upon its heart. The heart was as small as a pebble but radiated intense heat. It was surprisingly small given the creature''s massive size.

    He extracted it.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You have obtained the Green Devil''s Heart!]

    A wave of anticipation coursed through Val as he held the heart of the Green Devil in his hands.

    "This is all I need to awaken my Whitemore bloodline."

    However, the excitement was tempered by a harsh reality: the Whitemore Bloodline Suppressing Poison that was coursing through his veins. The scenario he told to his father was something he had fabricated. It had not actually happened.

    The poison that the priest used to poison him was still suppressing his innate bloodline, and unless it was purged from his system, attempting to awaken his Whitemore Bloodline would only be a futile act.

    He wasn''t the best student in his school for nothing. He had studied harder than others. He was well aware of the risks associated with consuming the heart of the Green Devil under such conditions.

    Thebination could potentially exacerbate the effects of the poison, and there was also a chance his body might reject the Evolutionary Material entirely.

    Basically, before absorbing it to awaken his innate bloodline, he needed an antidote that could clean his system of the Whitemore Bloodline Suppressing Poison.

    Thus, he could only put it aside for now. He stowed it away in the pocket of his windbreaker, where it continued to emanate afortable warmth.

    Val then turned his attention to the dungeon core.

    It was located in the creature''s brain, housed within the skull''s protective casing. The core was a crystalline sphere, the size of a small apple, glinting with a deep emerald light.

    He gingerly extracted it.

    Then, without further ado, he applied some force and crushed it!

    Suddenly, a new notification popped up in Val''s vision.

    [Ding! Host, yourmendable feat of conquering the Level 1 dungeon has not gone unnoticed. The World''s Will has acknowledged your efforts and shall bestow upon you a well-earned reward afterputing the contributions you''ve made inpleting the dungeon.]

    This abrupt system prompt momentarily stunned Val, catching him off guard.

    The implication was indeed astonishing, something that vehemently contested his prior understanding of Eldritch.

    The reality, as Val hade to understand, was that the world was a sentient entity. It had a spirit, a conscience, and it didn''t like getting invaded, which happens when dungeon breaks ur.

    In a bid to motivate its inhabitants to confront more dungeons, thereby preventing otherworldly forces from invading its soil, it would reward those who sessfully pacified a dungeon.

    This truth, however, was closely guarded, its knowledge intentionally shrouded from the eyes and ears of the average individuals - the normies. Even if you were a bloodline user, unless you had directly encountered the World''s Will, this secret would not be told to you.

    It was such a well kept secret that Val, despite his academic prowess and numerous interactions with bloodline users who hadpleted dungeons, had never stumbled upon this truth.

    It was only now that he was finding out about the world being alive and having a soul.

    The revtion was earth-shattering for him, but it only shocked him slightly.

    First of all, because of his emotional impairment trait, he could hardly feel intense emotions.

    Secondly, there were dungeons, devils, and even mutated beasts in this world, so it wasn''t hard to digest that the world had a soul of its own and was alive.

 Chapter 33 33: Level 2 Bloodline User

    ?

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. After realizing that you have soloed the level 1 dungeon, the Will of the World has rewarded you with the Body Strengthening Manual!]

    The manual consisted of several postures, executing which would enhance one''s physical capabilities.

    It was a rarity that was hard toe by in the outer region of the kingdom. Maybe only the young masters hailing from noble families of the kingdom''s inner region might have ess to such a technique.

    "It''s amazing."

    Val felt d to have obtained such a spectacr reward.

    Just then, a horrifying notification sounded in his mind.

    [The dungeon has started to break!]

    And then... He saw something even more horrifying happening.

    Suddenly, cracks appeared in the sky above him. It seemed like the sky itself was about to fall and crush the world under its weight!

    Val knew why this was happening. The dungeon core supported the existence of the dungeon. Once it''s destroyed, the dungeon would also cease to exist.

    Where is the exit?

    It was mentioned that once a dungeon waspleted, an exit would open up.

    Val searched for it.

    [The Will of the World has opened a way out of the dungeon. Please use it to get to safety!]

    The Devil''s System notified Val.

    At the same time, a crack opened up in the fabric of reality nearby. Val sprinted towards the gaping rift as fast as he could, diving in just as the sky crumbled apart and fell down, disintegrating the dungeon.

    [Ding! You have been teleported out of the dungeon!]

    The sensation of teleportation was as disorienting as always, but Val managed to regain his footing quickly.

    When his vision cleared, he found himself back in the secret chamber of the cave that was located in the Evernight forest.

    Venturing outside, he spent some time hunting local beasts local to the outskirts of the forest in order to get the remaining EXP to level up. While doing so, he realized that the EXP level 1 to 10 beasts used to give him when he was a level 1 bloodline user had decreased by half as he had be a level 2 bloodline user.

    As he killed another beast of the evernight forest, he gained thest remaining point to level up.

    "I have done it!"

    He felt a surge of aplishment as his EXP bar hit the maximum limit of 100.

    Immediately, a notification of his system popped up before him.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have ascended to level 5 from level 4 Bloodline User. You have earned +2 Stat Points and your Level 1 Blood Devil Bloodline has been upgraded slightly.

    [It has reached maturity!]

    [It has been upgraded to level 2.]

    [Congrattions, Host on bing a level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline User!]

    These were followed by another system alert.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! With the evolution of your Blood Devil Bloodline to Level 2, you have obtained a new Bloodline Skill: ''Blood Rush''. This skill allows you to double your speed for a cost of 1 unit of blood per second.]

    Val smiled, ''My life in Eldrich is indeed getting more intriguing by the minute.''

    Returning to the secure confines of Whitemore Manor, Val retreated to his room, ensuring the door was locked securely behind him.

    Pulling the collected cores from the folds of his windbreaker, he analyzed them. Some of these cores promised an increase in strength and stamina, others boasted a boost in dexterity and agility.

    He sat down on his bed cross-legged.

    After that, he started consuming them, one after the other.

    As he absorbed the cores, a flurry of system notifications appeared before him.

    [Your Strength has increased to 22 points!]

    [Your Agility has increased to 23 points!]

    [Your Reflexes have increased to 15 points!]

    [Your Stamina has increased to 17 points!]

    Afterwards, Val made a conscious decision to invest the stat points that he had gained by reaching level 5 into Ref. It raised to 17 points, matching his stamina.

    The Ref stat yed a crucial role in determining how swiftly and effectively he could react to iing attacks. A higher Ref meant that he could evade attacks more easily, respond quickly to unpredictable movements, and generally exhibit improved control over his physical actions.

    Earlier, when Val had shed with the Green Devil, his reflexes had been his weakness. It was the primary reason the Green Devil had managed tond a sessful blow. But now, with his Red elevated to 17 points, Val was confident that if he were to engage in battle with the Green Devil again, the fiend would struggle tond even a single hit on him.

    He scratched his chin, thinking, ''My overall performance in a fight would undoubtedly be significantly better aspared to before, thanks to my upgraded Reflexes.''

    ...

    Later that night, afterying down on his bed to sleep, Val thought, ''I can''t sleep.''

    Val, having augmented his stamina with the cores of dungeon monsters, found himself neither tired nor sleepy.

    His new energy levels left him restless, so he decided to take a stroll around the manor.

    To his surprise, while he was strolling through the dark, moonlit corridors of the mansion, he encountered his father, Joshua, whose eyes lit up at the sight of him.

    "Val, I''ve been looking for you," Joshua said, his eyes betraying a serious demeanor.

    "Father, why have you been looking for me?" Val asked, furrowing his brow.

    Why was this old fox looking for him sote at night?

    Joshua inhaled deeply before revealing, "We found evidence of our family priest, Bartholomew, poisoning you during the bloodline awakening ritual. He''s currently locked in our private jail. You can decide how to deal with him."

    Val''s mood improved for the better as he heard the news.

    "The local church allowed this to happen?" Val queried, surprise creeping into his voice.

    "They did dare to argue, but I gave them a clear warning. In the face of a powerful bloodline user like myself, they were deterred," Joshua said, a fierce glint in his eyes.

 Chapter 34 34: Giving The Priest A Visit!

    ?

    Usually, Joshua wouldn''t try to pick a fight with them and even give in to their demands, but today, they had gone too far.

    They tried to protect a criminal that ruined his rtionship with his youngest son.

    He didn''t hold back and struck them so hard that they flew out of the Whitemore mansion andnded on the doorsteps of their church that stood opposite the mansion.

    Seeing that the ruler of the Ironspire Stronghold dared to bully even the member of the church, the crowd that had gathered to protest and demand the release of Bartholomew immediately dispersed.

    They were cowards.

    Theycked the guts to sacrifice themselves for the sake of someone else.

    "The members of the Church of Light are really cowardly, abandoning theirrades to wolves just because they felt threatened," Val scoffed. "But I expected this of them."

    But then his expression turned serious. "The local church might kick up a fuss about this. They might even bring the bigwigs into the picture. Do you have a n to deal with it?"

    Joshua gave a reassuring smile, "I''ve already forwarded the evidence of Bartholomew''s crimes to the Queen. The audacity of the Kingdom''s foremost church and its officials has been a thorn in her side. She dislikes them both. This could be her chance to teach them a lesson. Surely, she wouldn''t let it slip from her hands."

    Val couldn''t help but admire his father''s shrewdness. Instead of waiting for their enemies to escte the situation, Joshua had beaten them to the punch. He was really an old shrew. "Father, you''re brilliant. You''ve pre-empted them instead of reacting to their moves. I must learn from you."

    Naturally, Val didn''t consider Joshua his father, but he still needed to make use of him so he couldn''t let his true feelings out, and his emotional impairment trait was being quite helpful in this situation.

    Without it, maybe he would have already cursed Joshua for being a shameless and narcissistic bastard that''s so fucked in the head that he can''t see his mistakes.

    "There''ll be a wealth of wisdom waiting for you when you return from the Frontier," Joshua told Val.

    Val grimaced inwardly at his words.

    ''Hell no! Once I leave this stronghold, I don''t want anything to do with this crazy family.''

    But externally, he maintained a pleasing facade, "Of course, Father. Your guidance is invaluable. I look forward to learning from you upon my return."

    Seeing how good his child was behaving, Joshua became more fond of Val. He totally overlooked the matter of him nearly killing his daughter some time ago.

    After a moment, Joshua, with a heavy sigh, asked, "Falling victims to Bartholomew''s schemes, I wronged you. How can I make amends?"

    Val responded, "I need a purification potion to remove the remnants of the poison from my bloodstream. It has been causing some issues. It almost hindered my bloodline upgrade to level 2. If left unchecked, it could pose bigger problems."

    Obviously, Val was lying. He was yet to awaken his Whitemore Bloodline, but his high stats and the bloodline skill that doubled his speed could make a convincing performance of a level 2 warrior-type bloodline user.

    Joshua''s eyes widened, surprise evident on his face. It had only been days yet Val had already advanced to the second level of Bloodline User. His speed of advancement was really unrivaled!

    "You''ve already advanced to the second level?"

    "Yes, I have."

    Joshua concluded this must be due to the Blood Purifying herbs Val had been taking.

    "Alright, I will have the head butler purchase a purification potion from the auction house for you. You will have it within days, I promise." With a smile, he replied to Val.

    Val nodded, "Thank you, Father. I appreciate it."

    The night was still young.

    Val decided to pay a visit to Bartholomew.

    Departing the manor, he strode northward. The private prison of the Whitemore family was stationed at the outer reaches of the northern estate privately owned by his father.

    Night in the stronghold was tranquil, thendscape bathed in the luminescent and equally eerie glow of the moons. The stars above flickered gently as if keeping a silent vigil.

    Val approached the private prison, and the gaze of the two burly guards stationed at its entrance swept over him.

    They were d in Whitemore family''s uniforms, armed with halberds that glinted under the lights cast by the moons in the starry night sky.

    "Evening, Master Val," one of them said, tipping his helmet slightly in acknowledgement. The respect in his voice was clearly audible, a result of Joshua''s explicit instructions.

    Joshua had already alerted the guards here that Val would be giving the prison a visit and that they should treat him with respect.

    Val nodded at them. "Open the gates, I have a visit to make."

    "Right away, Master Val," the second guard replied. He stepped forward, key in hand, and unlocked the massive gates of the prison using the key.

    There was no attempt to block Val or question his intentions. His entrance was as unhindered as walking into his own home.

    Once inside, he navigated thebyrinth of cells until he came upon Bartholomew''s.

    The man in question was huddled in the corner of the dimly lit cell.

    But sensing Val''s arrival, he made an effort to look at him silently.

    "So you''vee."

    "Why did you do it?" Val asked, standing adjacent to the iron bars of the prison and casting a nce at Bartholomew.

    Bartholomew averted his gaze, maintaining his silence, refusing to utter a single word.

    "Keeping mum will do you no good," Val admonished.

    "I am a priest of the Church of Light! You can''t harm me," Bartholomew retorted defiantly.

    "No, you''re just a sinner," Val retorted dismissively before turning to the nearby guard, "Bring me the tools."

    "I''ve heard and will obey."

    At hismand, the guard hurried away, quickly returning with a cartden with a variety of instruments �C sharp, serrated, and cruel.

    cing the cart within Val''s reach, he unlocked the door to Bartholomew''s cell and backed away respectfully, maintaining a safe distance from his young master and his soon-to-be victim.

 Chapter 35 35: Getting The Truth Of His Vile Mouth!

    ?

    In the span of a breath, Val pushed the cart into Bartholomew''s cell.

    Disyed on the cart were a variety of intimidating tools such as a plier that reflected the cold light of the prison, a knife that boasted a cruelly jagged edge, a glowing red-hot iron rod, and countless other tools, each crafted with the purpose of extracting truth from stubborn mouths through pain and terror.

    With an indifferent gaze, Val looked at Bartholomew.

    The man who once stood tall and proud as the pastor of the Holy Church of Light local to the IronSpire Stronghold was now a pitiful sight.

    His once-white robes were now dirtied and worn, turning an unfortunate shade of gray. His rounded belly stuck out like a sore thumb, and a scruffy stubble scattered over his double chin. His eyes, squinting with fear, darted between Val and the terrifying cart that had been wheeled into the cell, as he shook like a leaf in the wind.

    "W-what are you going to do to me?"

    "Isn''t it clear? I''m going to force the truth out of you!"

    Val reached for the plier.

    Bartholomew''s eyes grew wide with fear, his body starting to tremble uncontrobly.

    "You... You''re bluffing! You''re just trying to scare the truth out of me. No sane person would dare harm a priest of the Church of Light. Who would risk incurring divine wrath for such a petty cause?"

    Clearly, Bartholomew had underestimated Val.

    In his previous life, Val was known as the Warlord of Chaos for a reason. He was a cruel and talented man with mastery over countless skills, and one of his more chilling talents was his expertise in torture.

    His reputation preceded him - he was notorious for breaking the most stubborn wills, for making the most resilient speak.

    He was a legend in the underworld for such unsavory matters.

    "Your God means nothing to me," Val stated tly.

    A God that allowed its name to be used by a useless piece of shit tomit atrocities against the innocent was worthless in his eyes.

    The God of Light could rot for all he cared, and if it dared to interfere in his affairs, he wouldn''t hesitate to burn down the church nearest to his location!

    "Now, listen closely, Bartholomew," Val said, his voice echoing menacingly in the eerie silence of the Whitemore Family Private Prison. "I''m going to use this plier to pry off each of your nails. Then, I''m going to pour salt onto your fresh wounds. You''ll experience pain like never before. And if that doesn''t break you, I''ll use every single instrument on that cart there, one by one, until you''re begging to tell me everything. The sooner you start speaking the truth, the sooner your agony ends."

    Bartholomew chuckled, dismissing Val''s words as empty threats.

    However, hisughter ceased abruptly when Val, with an unnerving calm, gripped the plier and ced it on Bartholomew''s nail.

    Then, Val yanked the plier that was gripping Bartholomew''s nail forcefully.

    This forceful action ripped the nail from Bartholomew''s finger!

    What followed was Bartholomew''s screams that echoed off the stone walls of the prison cell.

    Val, unfazed by Bartholomew''s cries, asked, "Are you ready to talk now?"

    "I am innocent!" Bartholomew wailed, tears of pain streaming down his face. "I have done nothing to deserve such cruelty!"

    Val paused and looked at Bartholomew, his expression as cold as a winter storm.

    "The clues all point your way," he said to the priest calmly. "Evidence doesn''t lie, Bartholomew, but people do. If you value your life, start speaking the truth."

    Since Bartholomew continued to be stubborn, Val decided to push further.

    One after another, Val tore off Bartholomew''s nails with the pliers.

    As a result, the priest was in so much agony that he cried his heart out, yet he held onto his im of innocence.

    Seeing that Bartholomew wouldn''t break, Val picked up a container of salt.

    The tiny white grains sparkled eerily in the dim prison light.

    He sprinkled the salt onto Bartholomew''s wounds like a chef seasoning a dish. The moment the grains made contact with the raw, open wounds, Bartholomew''s pain intensified. He howled, the sound simr to a pig being led to ughter. At the same time, a foul smell filled the air as Bartholomew soiled himself in agony.

    "I''ll talk! I''ll talk! Please, no more torture!"  Bartholomew cried out.

    His previous life of luxury andfort, a life he''d known because of his inherited wealth, hadn''t prepared him for this kind of torment.

    His resistance crumbled under the burning pain from the salted wounds.

    Val stared at the broken priest and said, "Then speak."

    His voice was calm, but it was amand, not a request. He was ready to hear what Bartholomew had to say, ready to uncover the truth.

    Bartholomew sobbed as he prepared to spill his secrets.

    Not wanting to experience the torture again, he told Val everything he wanted to know.

    Bartholomew was the son of the former pastor at the local Holy Church of Light in IronSpire Stronghold.

    He had used his father''s influence to take his ce after his death.

    Pastors were supposed to be holy individuals, chosen by the Holy God of Light, and given a Holy Potion that made them priests with a Holy Bloodline.

    However, Bartholomew wasn''t holy at all!

    Even as a child, he knew he was different than others, more sane people.

    He had a dark hobby.

    He liked to prey on innocent young victims, doing unspeakable things to them before killing them and hiding their bodies where no one could find them.

    He continued this wicked hobby in secret, even after he became the local church''s pastor.

    Unfortunately for Bartholomew, his dark secret was discovered by Amadeus Mozart, a nobleman from the kingdom''s core region.

    Amadeus was part of the Prime Minister''s influential group, and he used his discovery to manipte Bartholomew in order to harm the Whitemores.

    Amadeus was upset with Joshua, who had protected his daughter from the unwee advances of Amadeus''s son. Even though he forced Joshua to send one of his sons to the dangerous frontlines via the Queen''s Court, his fury didn''t lessen. His precious son, who he had raised with care and love and never harmed had been hurt, and someone else was to me. He wanted revenge. He wanted to spill blood!

    So, Amadeus plotted an borate scheme to get back at Joshua.

    He chose to target Val, Joshua''s son as Val was rumored to have a pure Whitemore Bloodline. He wanted to cut off the good fortune of the Whitemores by getting Val killed.

    With Bartholomew''s help, Amadeus swapped Val''s potion with a poison that would prevent Val from awakening his bloodline. He knew that Joshua wouldn''t care much for a son who was a normie, a normal person with no special abilities and that he would choose to send him to the Northern Frontier over his other more capable son.

    Normies were often sent to the frontlines as foot soldiers, where they were seen as nothing more than expendable cannon fodder.

    The mortality rate of normies in the Northern Frontier was the highest!

    Amadeus wanted Joshua to suffer the pain of losing a son as he felt that that was the only way he would be able to avenge his son.

    Upon hearing Bartholomew''s confession, Val''s eyes flickered.

    "You can rest assured, Bartholomew. I''ll make sure to return this favour to Amadeus soon," he said, his voice as chilling as the frosty air in the prison.

    Bartholomew: What the fuck? He wronged you and forced me to wrong you! Why are you telling me to rest assured? Crazy bastard!

    The words that were said next sent a shiver down the priest''s spine.

    "For now, let''s settle the score between us."

    With those words, Val proceeded to ruthlessly pummel the priest with the piler.

    Ughhhhh!

    Bartholomew''s screams echoed through the prison.

    "Why? Why are you doing this? I''ve already told you everything you wanted to know. Please spare me." Bartholomew wailed amidst his sobs.

    "I am doing it just because I feel like it, you damn pedophile!" Val spat back, his blows aimed to destroy every inch of Bartholomew.

    Under the relentless assault, Bartholomew''s features began to contort grotesquely. It was as if he was receiving a brutal form of stic surgery for free.

    By the time Val had finished with him, Bartholomew was beyond recognition, his face so battered that even his own mother wouldn''t be able to identify him.

    Val returned to his father, recounting the tale of Bartholomew''s confession. Joshua listened intently, a slow grin spreading across his face as the story unfolded.

    "Good work, Val," he praised, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "You have done well."

    That noble from the inner region had really humiliated him, but now he had gained a chance to get back at him. Naturally, he couldn''t wait to fuck him up!

    He swiftly used a unique artifact to forward Bartholomew''s confession to the Queen herself.

    In the kingdom, long-distancemunication was made possible through cursed artifacts.

    These objects bore a striking resemnce to the phones Val knew from his previous life.

    However, obtaining one of these devices was a very difficult task, particrly for those living in the outer regions.

    In the kingdom, Ounders were heavily discriminated against, and those folks from the inner region and the divine capital don''t trade with them if they have better options.

    They believed with a rather disturbing conviction that they were superior to Ounders.

    Thus, getting such items was a difficult task for Ounders, even if they were wealthy.

    Joshua being in possession of one such long-distancemunication cursed artifact showed how capable he was.

    "Joshua, why on earth are you bothering me at this ungodly hour? This better be worth my time!" The Queen sounded annoyed.

    Joshua grinned, "Your Majesty, you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not just calling to ask for your favorite color or your preference between cats and dogs."

    The Queen retorted, "Very funny, Joshua. If I recall correctly, you''re the dog lover, not me. Now spit it out. What''s so important?"

    Joshua had a lot of dogs.

    All of his shadow guards were his dogs!

    "Well," Joshua started, trying to suppress hisughter, "I havee across information that you may find... intriguing. It involves a priest from the Church of Light and a n to hurt one of my boys, a scheme set up by one of the Minister''s minions."

    Silence lingered at the other end of the line.

    The silence stretched until the Queen finally replied, "Go on, Joshua. You''ve caught my attention."

    Finally got the Queen''s approval!

    Joshua grinned as he ryed Bartholomew''s confession through the artifact to the Queen. It was the grin of a man who knew he held the winning hand.

 Chapter 36 36: Start Of The Destined Execution!

    ?

    "Very well, Joshua. Your evidence seemspelling. But for formality''s sake, this matter will be brought up in tomorrow''s court before we decide what to do with the sinner. Until then, hold your actions. I don''t want to hear about the priest being killed before the verdict is passed."

    The response from the Queen was swift and favorable.

    "I understand, Your Majesty," Joshua said.

    Seeing how he was able to so easily connect to the Queen and even joke with her, Val recognized his father''s true identity. ''He must be her dog.''

    The Queen''s dogs were people who had sold their loyalty to the Queen.

    They acted as her eyes, rying important information to her every now and then so that she could have an upper hand against her opposition in the court. The Queen was a woman and the case of a woman ruling the kingdom had never happened in the past. Many were against her and her rule. She needed to guard herself against them. And thus, she didn''t hesitate to interact with ounders, giving them a chance to serve her in exchange for benefits.

    ''He isn''t as simple as I thought,'' Val realized.

    .....

    The next morning, the matter was brought up in court.

    The alleged noble, Asmadeus, was quick to distance himself from the situation, vehemently denying any involvement.

    "I have no part in this scandal," Asmadeus insisted. "This priest has falsely used me, and for tainting the honor of a noble, I demand that he pay the price with his life!"

    The Church of Light remained ominously silent throughout the proceedings, not uttering a word to protect the criminal within their ranks.

    They really had no face left.

    "Then it will be as you said. Let the court be adjourned!" The Queen said.

    The Queen, despite her tender age, was not a pawn to be trifled with; she was astute, cunning, and full of guile.

    Her objective was not to single-handedlybat the two towering factions that influenced her kingdom: the predominant religion and the Prime Minister along with his powerful allies.

    Rather, she intended to carefully sow the seeds of discord, creating bad blood between these powerful entities.

    She wanted to sit back and let their shes shape the politicalndscape.

    Her n was shrewd!

    She understood that a direct confrontation would be risky and potentially self-destructive. So, she chose the path of the puppeteer, manipting the strings behind the scenes.

    By subtly instigating a rivalry between the religious order, which was the heart and soul of the kingdom, and the politically entrenched Prime Minister with his various cliques, she aimed to benefit from their downfall.

    Indeed, there was no better n than this.

    To secure her position, there was no need for her to be at the forefront of the battlefield.

    She had many loyal subjects at her disposal, like the ambitious Joshua, who sought her favor, who yearned to ascend the kingdom''s hierarchy.

    These individuals, eager to please and hungry for power, were more than willing to do her bidding for her despite the risks involved.

    She knew that their unquestioning loyalty and ambition would serve as her weapons, her tools to influence the bnce of power. Thus, she was exploiting these opportunists of the outer region of her kingdom to pit the strongest two factions of the kingdom against each other.

    Through this, she was setting the stage for her own ascent to uncontested power!

    News of the court''s ruling arrived at Whitemore Manor through the Queen''s assistant.

    Joshua ryed the information to Val, his smile turning even more profound.

    "The ball is now in your court, Val," Joshua dered. "The priest''s fate is entirely in your hands. No matter how you choose to end him, you won''t be held ountable."

    A chilling smile spread across Val''s face as he received the news.

    "Prepare for Bartholomew''s execution immediately," he ordered. "I will behead him publicly."

    The promation echoed through the halls of Whitemore Manor. There was no trace of mercy in Val''s voice. His decision was final.

    Within the hour, the grounds were prepared. A tform was erected, and a crowd began to gather. At the center of it all, Bartholomew was led to the block, his body trembling, and his face pale.

    The crowd fell into a hushed silence as Val appeared, his stride steady, his gaze unyielding. In his hand was a glinting de. It was clear that he was here to execute the priest of the local church.

    "You can''t do this!" A woman''s voice rang out. "A servant of God mustn''t be harmed! If you dare to make a mockery of him in public, the wrath of the divine will be upon you!"

    Val''s eyes moved across the crowd and stopped on the ignorant woman.

    "Tell me, what would you call a person who abuses their authority, granted by God, to hurt the very people they serve?" he asked her.

    Before she could reply to Val, "Butcher," a burly man, well-known in the vige for his work in the local butcher shop, called out, "Such a person is a sinner!"

    "And what would you call a man who poisons the youngest son of the very family he serves out of his own greed?"

    The butcher''s face turned grave. "A devil," he replied, "the lowest of the low. After all, A snake that bites the hand that feeds it can not be considered a human! It can only be a devil in disguise."

    "But what does that have to do with the priest being executed?" the woman asked.

    "Well," Val continued, "this priest before us, Bartholomew, is guilty of both these sins. He used his position to prey on innocent people, he even tried to poison me. By the grace of the God of Light, I was able to take the necessary steps to save my life. God helped me survive so that I can expose his wickedness to the world and punish him ordingly."

    Val believed that since he was speaking to maniacs, the only way he could get his meaning across was to speak theirnguage, and as expected, it was working.

    At Val''s announcement, a figure concealed under a thick cloak shouted out from the crowd, "Where is your proof?"

    Val''s sharp gaze was immediately drawn to the outburst.

    The hooded figure hastily lowered his head under the intensity of his stare.

    Despite the hood concealing his face, Val could still discern the man''s identity. The timbre of Elias''s voice, the certain slump of his shoulders, the fearced defiance he''d always exhibited��it was unmistakable.

    Elias was one of his cousins. The same one who used to follow him around like a chick trailing after its mother until the day his status as a Normie was revealed.

    From that day, the cousin had abruptly cut ties, distancing himself from Val and refraining from any contact.

    After not contacting him for days, he came to backstab him. What a guy!

    Val couldn''t understand why Elias was making things troublesome for him. He had never wronged the guy and actually taught him quite a lot of thing during the time when he was following him.

    ''Maybe this is human nature to kick someone when they are down.'' Val sighed in his heart.

    "Who said there is no proof?" Val countered, as he signaled to a guard standing on the perimeter. He wasn''t a mere guard. He was one of his father''s shadow guards!

    With a nod, the guard strode up onto the stage, a sealed parchment in his hands.

    The seal bore the emblem of the Royal Court, a mark that was recognized and respected by all present.

    If not for the kingdom, how would they survive in this harsh and unforgiving world? So the citizens of the kingdom truly respected and loved it. Anything validated by the Queen''s court was considered to be as valuable and truthful as the word of god!

    Whatever was written inside it would determine whether Val was in the right or not. It would also decide the priest''s fate!

 Chapter 37 37: Executing The Priest

    Under the attentive gaze of the crowd, the guard broke the royal seal and carefully unfolded the parchment.

    The parchment contained an ount of Bartholomew''s sins, validated by the Queen''s Court.

    It detailed how Bartholomew had looted the dignity of young devotees and ckmailed them to keep quiet and if that didn''t work, he killed them and threw their corpses in the forest for the wolves to eat. He only targeted orphans who had no one to look out for them.

    There was also a detailed ount of how Asmadeus found out about his crimes and instead of having him apprehended ckmailed him into administering a deadly poison to Val so that he can take his revenge against Joshua. The Queen might''ve taken Asmadeus''s side in her court, but that didn''t mean it was because she believed his nonsense. She knew he was behind it. But she didn''t act against him as she didn''t want to start a fight with her minister. However, she was quite angry at him. Thus, she didn''t hesitate to smear his name with shit. If he ever dared toe to the outer region of the kingdom, he would be in a world of hurt!

    "These are all the crimes he hasmitted."

    After the guard read aloud the contents of the parchment, the crowd fell into a stunned silence. The reality of the situation struck them with the force of a thunderbolt. The usations leveled against their pastor, a man they had held in reverence, were not baseless, as it was validated by the Queen''s court!

    People stared at Bartholomew, their eyes filled with a mix of anger, disgust, and betrayal.

    Some who were ardent supporters of the priest looked as if they were on the verge of tears. Even those who had questioned Val''s words before had their objections silenced by the stark reality unveiled before them. It was like a cold ssh of water, shattering their illusions and dragging them into the harsh reality.

    And just like Val had intended, the image of Bartholomew the people of the Ironspire stronghold held in their minds had been shattered, reced by the visage of a devil in a priest''s guise.

    Internally smiling and outwardly exposing a cold look, he said, "A man can only descend to such depravity if he''s possessed by the devil. I will do the God of Light a favor, and exorcise this demon."

    With a final, contemptuous look at the trembling priest, Val raised the de high above his head. The sun gleamed off the steel, casting long, dreadful shadows on the priest.

    "Please... spare me." the priest begged him.

    This will be thest time it would be begging in this life.

    Val brought his lips closer to Bartholomew''s ears and whispered, "No, I won''t. Fuck you and the god that did nothing when you abused the authority he had granted you to ruin young lives. Fuck you both."

    Bartholomew looked at him with bulging eyes.

    Devil!

    Val was the Devil they had been warned about.

    But before he could make this knowledge public, Val silenced him forever.

    He brought the de down with a swift, unerring motion, severing the priest''s head from his body!

    [Ding! You''ve killed a level 3 Priest. You get +90 EXP.]

    [By killing the servant of god in broad daylight, you''vemitted an atrocious act!]

    [You''ve been granted +500 Mad Points]

    It seemed like killing God''s servants was really beneficial!

    ''What a bountiful harvest. Maybe I should look for more bastards like these and deal with them in the same way.'' Val chuckled to himself and then returned home.

    The day was slowly surrendering to the embrace of the evening. It was a magical hour when the vibrant tapestry of daylight intertwined with the serene allure of twilight.

    As evening approached, the air grew crisp and cool, and the skies adorned themselves with a breathtaking palette, as if a celestial artist had brushed fiery strokes of orange and red across the western horizon, blending harmoniously with the gentle hues of red, blue and purple that heralded the approaching night.

    In this breathtaking moment of transition, Val stood at the edge of the Whitemore Manor''s training grounds, the Body Strengthening manual in his hands.

    His eyes roamed over the detailed sketches and meticulous instructions they held. It was instructed that each posture mentioned in the manual only be practiced under the embrace of the evening sun otherwise there would be no benefit and one would only be wasting their time.

    "Amazing," Val whispered to himself, awe-struck by the knowledge held within the manual.

    The manual''s text promised that practicing these specific poses under the twilight glow would lead to significant enhancement in one''s abilities in a matter of minutes. This synergy of twilight''s sun rays and the unique postures could result in a notable increase in a bloodline user''s strength and speed.

    Val was enticed by the prospect.

    He stepped in into the Whitemore Manor''s training grounds to begin training.

    Unbeknownst to Val, trouble was out to get him!

    Lurking in the corner of the training ground, shaded by towering oak trees and seated on weathered sandstone benches, Elias watched Val with a hawk-like gaze filled with envy.

    Elias was a broad-shouldered man with an angr face, hawk-like eyes, and a perpetual sneer on his lips. He was dressed in a typical bloodline warrior''s garb, a tight-fitting vest highlighting his muscr frame, and loose trousers designed for ease of movement.

    There were a lot of things he hated, and one of them was Val.

    He was gued by an intense inferiorityplex when it came to Val.

    Before the revtion of Val''s bloodline status, he had been the darling of the Ironspire stronghold. He was the golden boy whose praises echoed in every conversation, whose aplishments were the standards against which others were measured, including Elias.

    Elias''s parents were no exception. They too had fallen under Val''s charismatic charm, oftenparing Elias to him and hinting that Elias should strive to be more like Val.

    As if this wasn''t enough, in the past, Elias had to watch the girls he fancied flock to Val, using him as a messenger to deliver their love letters to Val.

    The sting of these experiences had always gnawed at Elias, fuelling his inferiorityplex and transforming his dislike for Val into a deep-seated hatred.

    "Ah, how the mighty have fallen," Elias murmured to himself, a smirk of triumph ying on his lips. "Val once hailed as the golden boy, is nothing more than a mere normie now. His gleaming reputation? Tarnished, faded like old rust. And here I am, a Level 1 Bloodline User. Suddenly, I''m the one standing above him, not the other way around."

    A gleam of maliciousness sparked in Elias''s eyes.

    "This... this is the divine retribution I''ve been waiting for, my chance to finally suppress him and show the world who is superior between us. I won''t let this opportunity slip away. Not in a million years."

    A cruel smile crept onto his face as he left thefort of his seat in the training ground that was in a secluded corner, striding purposefully towards Val.

 Chapter 38 38: Showcasing His Poweress

    ?

    Before the priest''s punishment was carried out, the matter of Val being poisoned was indeed brought up, but it wasn''t explicitly stated that the poison used was the Whitemore Bloodline Suppressing poison.

    This meant that most still saw Val as a defect, a normie.

    The fact that Val was a Bloodline User was privileged information known to only a select few, and Elias was not amongst them!

    His understanding of Val was still stuck in the past. Ignorant of the fact that Val was a level 2 Bloodline User, an entire level above him, he still perceived Val as a mere normie.

    That''s precisely why he, a mere level 1 Bloodline Warrior, had the audacity to target him, a Level 2 Bloodline User!

    "Well, well," Elias'' voice rang out in a condescending drawl, his eyes glinting with cruelty and overflowing with jealousy as he caught sight of Val. "Isn''t this a sight? Our dear Val, attempting provocative yoga moves beneath the setting sun. It''s quite the performance." He paused dramatically, a malicious smile ying on his lips. "Tell me, Val, have you decided on a new career path now that you''re destined to be nothing more than a normie? Is your new profession the world''s oldest? Should we henceforth refer to you as ''Val the Harlot''?"

    Without skipping a beat, Elias continued his verbal onught, "I''m curious, Val, do you cater to men? There''s quite a sizeable crowd at the IronSpire stronghold who''d generously pay to see the once-glorious star of IronSpire stronghold bend over and present himself. The spectacle of IronSpire''s golden boy reduced to such a level... wouldn''t that be a sight for sore eyes?"

    Elias''s words were intentionally designed to provoke, to belittle Val''s status as a so-called ''normie'', a term used to mock those who didn''t possess the extraordinary abilities that set apart the elites of their society.

    The insinuations were crude, intended to hit Val where it would hurt the most - his pride and dignity.

    "This is hrious," a few onlookers chuckled, finding amusement in the spectacle.

    Rudely interrupted from his training, Val turned to look at Elias with an iprehensible gaze and said calmly, "You shouldn''t have said that, Elias. I will make you regret every word you just uttered."

    Elias closed the gap, stopping just in front of Val. "Really? And how exactly do you n on doing that? How can a puny normie like you pose any threat to a Bloodline warrior like me?"

    Pa!

    In response, Val''s hand cut through the air, delivering a resounding p across Elias''s cheek. The sound echoed across the training ground, capturing the attention of everyone present.

    Immediately after, the onlookers directed whispers of mockery at Elias.

    "Haha, did you just see that? Elias got pped!"

    "He''s a bloodline user and still couldn''t dodge a p from Val? What a disgrace to our ranks!"

    "Who knew that a mighty Bloodline Warrior could be humiliated by a normie? This day will go down in history!"

    Because of one move from Val, Elias became the butt of everyone''s ridicule.

    Val''s single p had managed to puncture his inted ego in front of the entire crowd.

    "You dare?!" Elias bellowed, his face reddening with anger.

    Val didn''t answer with words. Instead, his hand shed out,nding two more sharp ps on Elias''s cheek. The force behind his blow was so heavy that Elias stumbled and nearly fell.

    "Since you dared to disrespect me, naturally, I dared to p you." Val retorted after pping him not once but twice.

    Driven by humiliation and fury, Elias screamed, "Argh! I am going to kill you!"

    Immediately after, heunched himself at Val, fist clenched and ready to strike.

    His fist shot out like a hurricane. However, Val merely tilted his head to the right, and Elias''s fist missed him entirely.

    Then, in a blink of an eye, Val''s hand moved with the swiftness of a striking viper, delivering ten rapid ps, each onending with more force than thest.

    Elias did try to fight back, but every time he attempted to retaliate, Val''s ps threw him off bnce, leaving him disoriented and reeling.

    The first few hits knocked Elias''s teeth loose, sending them flying. The following ones distorted his features until his face resembled a baboon''s red butt.

    Under Val''s relentless onught, Elias''s face ballooned out, taking on an almostedic appearance.

    Everyone in the training ground watched as his tenth p sent Elias crashing to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut off!

    Seeing him lying motionless on the ground, Val surmised that he had pped Elias into oblivion. Well, who told him to mess with him in the first ce? He had no one but himself to me for this.

    The echo of that final p was followed by a pin-drop silence that swept across the training ground.

    The spectators, all of whom had been spectating their fights with a mixture of disbelief and amusement, suddenly found themselves grappling with a shocking reality.

    A burly man stood with his jaw dropped so low it looked like it might detach from his face. A nearby woman''s eyes bulged in disbelief, looking as though they might burst from their sockets at any moment. A teenager who had been in the middle of a jest froze, his mouth forming a perfect ''O'' of shock, while a veteran bloodline warrior stared at the scene with wide, unblinking eyes, as if he had seen a ghost.

    They were so shocked because it was believed to be impossible for a normie to cause harm to a bloodline user, let alone defeat one.

    What they had just witnessed though hadpletely shattered their preconceived notions.

    Val had aplished the impossible or so it seemed!

    Anyway, someone who was considered to be a normie has beaten a level 1 Bloodline Warrior. If this isn''t madness, then what is?

    As a result, Val received a notification from his system:

    [Mad Points increased by 25 due to shocking the crowd by overwhelming Elias!]

    The sight of Elias lying on the ground and the expressions of the dumbstruck crowd had clearly made quite an impact.

    [Mad Points increased by 30 due to surprising the crowd by defeating Elias!]

    Val smiled. The reaction was even better than he had expected.

    [Mad Points increased by 20 due to the disbelief of the crowd at seeing you aplish the impossible]

    With each shocked gasp, each widened eye, each drop of the jaw, his Mad Points shot up.

    By the time the crowd''s initial shock had subsided, he had umted dozens of Mad Points!

 Chapter 39 39: Massive Surge In Strength!

    ?

    After his victorious face-off with Elias, Val sensed a great amount of hostility directed towards him.

    ''Who got butthurt by my victory?''

    Slowly, he turned, his gaze seeking out the source.

    Three figures were sauntering towards him, their arrogant demeanor echoing their lofty status within the Whitemore family.

    Val''s eyes narrowed as he recognized them �C Gabriel, Lucius, and Cyrus, the infamous triplets of the Whitemore family.

    Each one was a mirror image of the other, their androgynous features making them almost ethereal in their beauty. They could easily be mistaken for girls, if not for the harsh expressions and menacing eyes that reflected nothing feminine.

    "Val, you were too heavy-handed."

    "You''re really cruel. You could have easily ended the fight but you just had to disfigure him."

    "You''ve overstepped your bounds!"

    The triplets admonished Val in unison.

    The way they bore down on him was a clear sign of their intentions. They hadn''te to exchange pleasantries with Val. They were here to teach him a lesson.

    He also didn''t give them any face. His gaze raked over them rudely as he retorted, "he spat out, "Funny, I don''t recall hearing any of you step up to defend my honor when Elias was dragging it through the mud. At that time, were you all too upied with sucking each other off to utter a single word in my favor?"

    His words were barbed, designed to provoke, and they struck the trio like a thunderbolt, their faces reddening in a mixture of rage and mortification.

    Lucius, usually calm and collected, unsheathed his sword from its scabbard with a violent swipe. He shouted at the handsome young man opposite him, "Enough, Val! You''ve gone too far!"

    His voice reverberated like a p of thunder.

    Val retorted swiftly, "Isn''t that what they always say when the truth bes too bitter to swallow? It seems the rumors about you three have more than a grain of truth."

    The rumors painted them as perverted devils with unnatural sexualities. Of course, it was a lie spread by their haters. But because they looked feminine, many thought otherwise. It was their sore point and anyone that dared to speak about this matter in their presence was beaten up.

    Incensed, Gabriel gave themand. "Get him!"

    Val, however, looked anything but threatened. With a smirk ying at the corner of his lips, Val baited, "Sure,e at me. Even I want to see the renowned unity and strength of the Whitemore Triplets in action."

    As he spoke, Val activated his Blood Rush Skill, and his speed doubled instantly. The world around him seemed to decelerate. The triplets were swift like wind, but they seemed to be moving at a sluggish pace in his eyes.

    The tripletsunched themselves towards Val, their swords raised and their movements synchronized. To the spectators, the triplets might''ve resembled tigers pouncing on their prey, but to Val, they were as threatening as garden snails.

    Whoosh!

    Their swords cut through the air, aiming for him, but with minimum effort and impable timing, Val nimbly sidestepped their attacks, dodging each of their attacks by a hair''s breadth.

    His actions were a stark demonstration of the disparity in their skills. There existed at least a chasm between them, and without crossing it, the triplet had no chance ofnding a blow on him, much less winning against him!

    The triplets raged as they felt that he was making a mockery of them.

    "How dare you make fun of us!!"

    "I dare. What can you do about it?"

    The triplets, renowned in the Whitemore family for their unity and skill, seethed in frustration.

    The humiliation was evident in their heated res and gritted teeth and their actions as they escted their onught. They were desperate to salvage their pride, tond at least one strike on their agile adversary.

    Yet, every swing of their swords met only air, every lunge was a moment toote.

    Theirbined efforts proved to be utterly fruitless against Val''s nimbleness!

    Val, watching their futile attempts, could only shake his head in disappointment.

    So, this is the best you''ve got? Honestly, I am disappointed," Val''s words dripped with disdain, adding fuel to the triplets'' rage. The expressions on their faces, contorted with exertion and fury, twisted even further.

    "Big talk, Val, but all you''ve shown is how well you can dodge, just like a rat!" Cyrus spat, his eyes gleaming with resentment. "We bet you can''t evennd a single blow!"

    Val chuckled, his gaze full of amusement and a touch of condescension. "Well, it seems you''ve misunderstood. I''ve been merely been ying with you, gauging your abilities topare it with my own. After all, one needs to know where they stand, right?"

    His smirk widened as he continued, "However, I''ve seen enough. I now know where I stand, and it''s a peak you won''t reach anytime soon. It''s about time I put an end to this charade, just like I did with Elias."

    He didn''t give them a chance to respond.

    Springing into action, he covered the distance between himself and Gabriel in a blink. His fistnded a powerful punch square on Gabriel''s face, breaking teeth and sending him spinning in the air.

    Before Lucius could react to his brother''s plight, Val turned on him. A swift, precise kick to Lucius''s chest catapulted him backward. He was like a rocket as he was off lifted off his feet and flew backward, breaking through several trees lining the training ground and losing consciousness.

    Finally, Val turned to Cyrus, who was rushing at him with his fist outstretched.

    With perfect timing, Val met Cyrus''s punch with his own.

    Crack~

    Argh!

    The echo of the crunching bones reverberated in the silent training ground, followed by Cyrus''s ear-piercing scream of agony.

    The crowd watched in shocked silence as Val single-handedly defeated the Whitemore Triplets. If they harbored any doubts about him being a Bloodline User before, they were obliterated now.

    Not to mention, they doubted if he was just a level 1 Bloodline User. After all, he had defeated three level 1 Bloodline Users simultaneously with ease!

    They were convinced that either the bloodline skill he had awakened is crazily strong or he is a level 2 bloodline user!

 Chapter 40 40: Training!

    ?

    They also had to question their understanding of Val.

    They knew him as a sweet and sensible kid, someone who was hard toe by in Eldrich, but the Val they had seen today was pretty cruel.

    They didn''t know that Val was the reincarnation of a Warlord from Earth. After all, He had been acting like a gentleman since he was born in Eldrich as even a level 1 bloodline user could sweep the floor with him, but now that he had be a bloodline user himself and his father needed him more than ever, he had stopped holding back and revealed his true face that struck fear in the hearts of his enemies!

    [Ding! Congrattions Host. For putting the triplets in their ce, you have gained a few dozen Mad Points!]

    Val''s lips stretched back into a smile, but it was so weak that it could barely be discerned.

    Defeating the Tripletsted him +25 Mad Points!

    He now had a total of 600 MP. He decided to decide what to do with itter.

    ''Let''s train.''

    Having dealt with the unsavory interruption, Val returned to the task he had set out to aplish: executing the postures depicted in the Body Strengthening Manual.

    The manual was a mix ofplex and simple poses, pushing the limits of flexibility and strength. However, thanks to Val''s rigorous training regime since childhood and his naturally high stats, he found himself able to perform these poses with rtive ease.

    His body contorted and twisted into angles that seemed to defy the natural human anatomy.

    Then, he swiftly transitioned into a quadruped stance, akin to a beast ready to pounce.

    Fluidly and seamlessly, he transitioned from one posture to another, each movement performed with precision and grace, demonstrating his exceptional physical control.

    As a result, an invigorating surge of energy coursed through him, making him feel lighter as if he could leap into the sky.

    This energy wasn''t confined to merely giving him a sense of euphoria. He could feel it seeping into his skin, invigorating his muscles, and fortifying his bones. It was as if he had tapped into an infinite source of power that was revitalizing every inch of his being.

    Val could undoubtedly feel himself growing stronger by the second!

    Half an hour after Val immersed himself in practicing the Body Strengthening Manual, a notification from the system sounded in his mind.

    [Your strength has increased to 25 points!]

    [Your agility has increased to 25 points!]

    A grin spread across his face, satisfaction glinting in his eyes.

    The results far exceeded his initial expectations!

    ''Sadly, I won''t be able to benefit from it again.''

    Despite the pleasant rush of improvement, Val was mindful of one crucial detail.

    The Body Strengthening Manual had its limitations.

    It was an excellent guide to building one''s physical stats from scratch, but it came with a clear ceiling: it could only raise one''s Strength and Agility up to 25 points each.

    Now, having reached those limits, the manual had effectively exhausted its usefulness for Val.

    Basically, he could no longer rely on it to further increase his Strength and Agility.

    This posed a problem, but not one without a solution.

    The Manual might have reached the end of its utility for Val, but it could still be a valuable asset to others!

    ''This is a case where something I deem, useless holds tremendous value in the eyes of others.''

    Recognizing this point, Val made a decision.

    He was going to put the manual up for auction.

    The best venue for this, he knew, was the uing auction held within the IronSpire Stronghold.

    The event was to be conducted by none other than the Starlight Auction House. It was one of the most reputable establishments in the Victoria kingdom with an expansive reach, and it was renowned throughout the threends of humans, operating numerous branches. One of these branches was within the IronSpire Stronghold.

    The Starlight Auction House was not only known for its exquisite and high-end ambiance but also for its experienced auctioneers who managed the trade of the rarest and most sought-after items. Its reputation attracted a diverse clientele, from wealthy high-borns to ardent collectors, all in search of precious treasures and exotic artifacts.

    Val saw this as an opportunity, the perfect tform to capitalize on the value of his Body Strengthening Manual.

    A treasure of this sort, unearthed from a dungeon, would surely catch the eye of many bidders at the Starlight Auction House!

    It was honestly the best strategic move to maximize the potential of his newfound asset.

    ''Nothing left to do here. My stamina bar is also quite low. Let''s just sit back and rest for the day.''

    Val have aplished what he''d set out to do at the training ground, so he returned to the sanctuary of his room within the IronSpire stronghold.

    His Mad Points had been racking up steadily through his efforts, and he now had an impressive 600 Mad Points at his disposal.

    The time hade to put these to good use!

    Navigating through the interface of his Status Screen, Val selected the option to trade his Mad Points for Stat Points.

    His umted Mad Points rapidly dwindled as he made the transaction, leaving him with six new Stat Points.

    He didn''t hesitate in his decision on how to distribute these points as he knew he needed to enhance his reflexes and stamina if he wanted toplete his dream of being an all-rounder and be more resilient in the battles that he might fight in the future whether against devils, humans, beasts, or the walking dead.

    Three points went into each of these stats, improving them from their previous values.

    [Your REF has increased to 20 points!]

    [Your STA has increased to 20 points!]

    A wave of power flooded Val as he felt the tangible effects of his improved stats.

    His senses sharpened, and the world around him seemed to slow slightly, every sound and movement more noticeable than before. His endurance too, surged with this improvement,

 Chapter 41 41: Trouble Knocks On The Door!

    ?

    It was the 28th of May.

    On this day, the world had veered away from its typical routine.

    The usually radiant sun was nowhere to be seen, obscured by a sinister veil of roiling ck clouds. As a result, it was as though all colors had drained, reced by an eerie spectrum of greys and cks.

    And honestly, it looked like a scary picture from a dark storybook.

    This view was so out of the ordinary that it sent an involuntary shiver down the spines of all who beheld it, whether they were the humblestmoner or the most esteemed nobility.

    Today, they all knew, was the day they dreaded the most!

    In themercial section of the Stronghold, a baker stopped kneading his dough when he caught sight of the eerie spectacle in the sky.

    "By the gods," he muttered, "it''s an Eldritch day."

    It was easy to recognize an Eldritch day. After all, when an Eldritch day came, the sky over one''s head would be swallowed by ck clouds and day would look no different than night.

    An Eldritch day was a rare and feared event.

    It was a day steeped in superstition, and it was widely epted as a harbinger of ill fortune, and its arrival would cause the ones that were experiencing it to tread with utmost care.

    "Last time I dared to work even on this day to feed my family, I was struck by lightning. If not for the grace of a missionary, I would''ve died. This time I won''t repeat my mistakes."

    The baker closed the shop and ran back home to cuddle with his busty wife.

    Over at the smithy, the cksmith ceased his hammering as he noticed the strange signs in the sky. He was familiar with them and he knew what they announced.

    "Never a good sign, this," he grumbled, removing his sweaty cap and scratching his head. "Last time we had an Eldritch day, my forge fire wouldn''t light. It''s useless to work on this day. I am better off just resting and waiting for the day to pass."

    A group of children was ying in the only park that was built in the IronSpire Stronghold using bloodline skills when they noticed the growing darkness in the sky.

    The oldest girl looked back at the children with a grim expression, "Remember the stories Grandpa told us about the Eldritch days? We better go home if we don''t want to get kidnapped by devils."

    The children nodded. They parted ways and scrambled back to their homes.

    At the IronSpire stronghold, a knight of Joshua saw the darkening sky from a tower. He yelled, "Sound the bells! Alert the stronghold! An Eldritch day is upon us!"

    Hisrade, an older knight of Joshua, looked at the sky and sighed heavily. "Let us hope this day passes without incident. Prepare the men in case of any unforeseen events and tighten security at the premises."

    The Ruler of the IronSpire Stronghold watched the dark sky from the balcony of his Manor and chuckled, "Should I just blow it away?"

    As the stronghold faced this scary sign, life went quiet.

    Everyone in the IronSpire Stronghold paused their daily jobs and waited for this spooky day to pass.

    The busy markets and streets became empty, looking like a ghost town. Children weren''t ying in the streets and the park, the soldiers of the stronghold weren''t training on the grounds, and even the servants of the manor stopped their work.

    Normally, Ironspire Stronghold was a ce full of life, but on this Eldritch day, it was silent and still, as if time itself had stopped.

    Deep within this stronghold, ensconced within theforting solitude of his room, Val sat engrossed, his eyes roaming over the Whitemore Bloodline Upgrading Recipes.

    These precious scrolls were bestowed upon him by Joshua after his transformation into a bloodline user and they held the secrets to upgrading one''s Whitemore bloodline to the astounding fourth level!

    Val was so engrossed in memorizing these scrolls that he failed to notice the gloom that had cast its veil over the world outside his window.

    The insidious shadows, the uncanny darkness that had descended - he was oblivious to it all.

    He didn''t know that an Eldritch day had already dawned!

    Creak~

    The tranquility of Val''s secluded world was disrupted when the door to his chamber swung open, and someone familiar strode in. It was Joshua, the patriarch of the Whitemore family. His eyes quickly scanned the room andnded on Val, relief washing over him.

    Val was also looking at him, wondering why he had so rudely broken into his room. Does he regard his privacy as a mere joke?

    "Are you nning to head outside?" Joshua asked, his brow wrinkled with concern.

    Val, slightly puzzled by the unusual inquiry, replied, "I''m thinking of training in the forest onest time before I am sent to the frontier."

    "Val," Joshua''s voice hardened with urgency, "I advise you not to venture outside today."

    "Why?" Val''s eyebrow raised in question, his curiosity piqued by the peculiar caution.

    "An Eldritch day has arrived," came Joshua''s answer, his face grave.

    Val, initially nning to head out to the Evernight forest to farm beasts for EXP after memorizing the recipe of the potions needed to upgrade his innate bloodline, decided to heed Joshua''s advice. Though he had a skeptical bend of mind, he hade to realize that in this world, where men, monsters, and devils shared the same reality, superstitions often held an unsettling grain of truth.

    They were more often true than not!

    With a curt nod, Val acknowledged, "Very well, Father. I''ll heed your advice."

    "Good," Joshua said, and with a final nce at Val, he took his leave, closing the door quietly behind him.

    Val, now alone, walked over to the window. He look outside the window and saw an unsettling spectacle. Dark, swirling clouds nketed the sky, blocking out the sun''sforting warmth.

    These clouds, their shapes, and shifting patterns, their eerie aura - it all felt like a harbinger of a storm, a sign of an imminent chaos.

    Something within him told that it was just the calm before the storm, and whatever wasing, he needed to brace themselves for it.

    "Whoever troubles me, I will respond to them with an iron fist!" Val proimed.

    Under the somber sky of an Eldritch day, a mor suddenly arose near the gates of the IronSpire Stronghold.

    An impressive cavalcade moved through the tents of the illegal immigrants outside the Ironspire Strongholds and approached its sturdy, catching the attention of the guards stationed at the entrance.

    At the heart of this imposing procession was an elegant carriage, its opulence hard to miss, even from afar, was steadily approaching. Its polished ebony wood shimmered faintly under the obscured sunlight. Gold filigree work traced along its edges, and a distinctive insignia adorned the door - a silver mountain peak etched against a background of royal blue.

    This was the well-known mark of the Kendricks, lords of the SilverPeak Stronghold, a human settlement neighboring the IronSpire Stronghold.

    The approaching carriage snapped the guards at the IronSpire gates out of the eerie stillness. One guard, a burly man with a grizzled beard, stepped forth and raised his hand to halt the entourage of Lord Kendrick.

    As it was so dark that even the glow produced by their torches only slightly brightened their surroundings, they weren''t able to see the middle carriage. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have bothered halting them. After all, it was a well-known fact that Kendricks were good friends of Whitemores, their friendships as deep as the ocean''s depth!

    "State your purpose!" The guard stationed at the gates of the Ironspire stronghold barked.

    A small viewing window on the driver''s box of the frontmost carriage slid open. A man of rather in features peered out. His face was nondescript, with round, forgettable eyes, and a balding head revealing a shiny crown, yet it was clear that he was not someone ordinary because of the way he was dressed. He was dressed in the attire of a servant, donning a well-fitted ck coat and trousers. His outfit waspleted with a pristine white shirt and a neatly tied bowtie, with intricate silver embroidery.

    "Ry this to your lord," he said, his tone resounding with an undercurrent of arrogance and amusement. "The ruling family of the SilverPeak Stronghold requests an audience with him."

    Caught slightly off-guard by the promation, the guard stiffened. He was just an ordinary soldier, but even he understood the gravity of this situation. Visitors from the SilverPeak Stronghold didn''t make impromptu visits, especially not in such a grand fashion. Not to mention, he believed that only people with ill intentions would visit others on an Eldritch day. There was definitely something wrong with this. He definitely couldn''t allow them entry without Lord Joshua''s permission. But he also couldn''t offend them.

    "Understood, sir," the guard replied, his tone carrying a hint of apprehension. He gave the ordinary-looking gentleman a curt nod as he said, "Please wait here. I will ry your message to the lord immediately."

    Then, the guard turned to deliver the message, leaving the distinguished guests at the gate.

    As he disappeared from sight, a man stepped out of the carriage in the middle of the cavalcade. The man had a round face that was pocked with the faint marks of aging and dominated by a pair of steely eyes. His looks were framed by long silver hair that shone under the sunlight, and he was dressed in richly embroidered robes that screamed nobility.

    This man was Lord Kendrick.

    He adjusted his doublet and looked upon IronSpire Stronghold, a subtle smirk ying on his lips and a malicious glint shing in his grey eyes.

    It was clear that he wasn''t here for a friendly visit, far from it!

 Chapter 42 42: The Guests

    ?

    The guard of lowly standings couldn''t directly meet the lord of the IronSpire Stronghold.

    He passed the news to the head butler of the Whitemore family.

    The head butler then send him away and strode into the manor, entered Joshua''s private study, finding his lord engrossed in a parchment of affairs.

    Clearing his throat, Reignarld announced to Joshua, "My Lord, an envoy from SilverPeak Stronghold requests your audience. It is Lord Kendrick himself, along with Lady Adelina Kendrick."

    Joshua looked up from his work, surprise evident on his usuallyposed face. "The Kendricks?" he frowned, a faint trace of confusion on his otherwise stoic face. "At this time? And on this day? Either it''s urgent or they don''t mean well."

    Eldritch Day was a time shrouded in superstition, believed by themon folk to be an asion when only foes would dare darken your doorstep. The stunt pulled off by the Kendricks deeply disturbed Joshua, instilling a sense of unease in Joshua''s heart.

    Reading Joshua''s furrowed brow, Reignarld ventured cautiously, "Should I turn them away, my Lord?"

    The Kendrick family might have arrived uninvited, seeking amusement, but it did not necessarily mean the Whitemores were obliged to satisfy their whims.

    They could just deny them entry!

    "We cannot afford to risk our alliance with the Kendricks over petty superstitions," Joshua admonished.

    The Kendricks were far from strangers to the Whitemores. They were the rulers of SilverPeak, a stronghold neighboring Ironspire. The alliance between them had spanned over two decades of prosperous business dealings.

    This bond had its foundations solidified when Joshua, in a time of crisis, lent his aid to Lord Hamilton Kendrick, saving his life.

    To express his gratitude and cement their alliance, Lord Kendrick had proposed a betrothal - his daughter, Lady Adelina, was to marry Val of Whitemore. It was a pact that promised shared fortunes and an intertwined destiny for both the powerful families. Being buisness minded and greedy, Joshua epted the proposal without even asking for Val''s consent.

    If this union of Val Whitemore and Adelina Kendrick happened, the alliance between the two powerful families would be strengthened even more, allowing for mutual prosperity.

    Thus, despite being caught off guard by their abrupt visit, Joshua could not simply turn them away.

    He couldn''t deny the significance of their bond and the future it held.

    So, despite the oddness of their unannounced visit, he decided to entertain them.

    He wanted to see what they wanted and react based on that.

    "Grant them entry." Joshua ordered.

    Reignarld bowed respectfully, "As youmand, my Lord."

    Following his orders, Reignarld ordered the gatekeepers of the stronghold to let the entrouge of Lord Kaldrick in.

    From there, he personally escorted the distinguished guests to the grandest chamber of the manor.

    This chamber was a symbol of the Whitemore''s wealth and taste - filled with expensive art, luxurious furniture, and exquisite decors. A chamber of such grandeur was reserved exclusively for the most distinguished guests of the Whitemore lineage. They were brought to this ce because Joshua was still treating them as valued guests, but that might change soon depending on how they behave.

    Ensconced in a plush chair, Joshua watched as the party of five entered the grand chamber.

    The first to draw his attention was Lady Adelina Kendrick, a woman whose beauty was the stuff of legends and who was betrothed to Val. Next was her father, Lord Hamilton Kendrick, a man whom Joshua held in high regard as a friend.

    Alongside them was a young man of notable charm. While he wasn''t unattractive by any means, whenpared to Joshua''s son, the difference was evident. Val''s handsome features simply outshone those of this young man.

    Trailing behind him was his attendant, cloaked entirely in an attire as dark as a moonless night.

    Thepany was also graced by a Queen''s Guard. This guard, though serving a role akin to Joshua''s, which was serving the Queen with utmost loyalty, held a position less esteemed within the kingdom. For, unlike Joshua, who was a lord of one of the hundred strongholds of the kingdom, this individual was merely one of the Queen''s manybat ves.

    As tradition dictated, they exchanged salutations and pleasantries.

    "Lord Kendrick, Lady Adelina," Joshua sai. "It''s a pleasure to wee you to Whitemore Manor."

    "The pleasure is ours, Lord Joshua," Lord Kendrick replied.

    Lady Adelina offered a gentle nod of acknowledgement.

    Among the esteemed guests, there was a face unfamiliar to Joshua. This man, despite being a stranger, had arrived in the same carriage as the Kendricks.

    "And who might this gentleman be?" Joshua inquired, gesturing towards the unfamiliar face.

    "Ah, allow me to introduce you," Lord Kendrick replied. "This is our distant cousin."

    The young man nodded at Joshua and introduced himself, "I am Seraphim Stroud. I''ve heard quite a bit about you, Lord Joshua, and I must say that seeing you today, the rumors don''t seem to be off the mark."

    The name ''Stroud'' struck a chord in Joshua''s mind. He knew the Strouds were one of the thirty great noble families of the inner region.

    To meet a member of such a distinguished family was indeed a rare urrence.

    Joshua couldn''t help but wonder what circumstances had brought this distant cousin of the Kendricks to his doorstep, but he didn''t voice out his thought so as to not offend the other party. He could sweep the floor with this brat, but the consequences of such an action wasn''t something he wanted to afford. Moreover, he was treating him with utmost courtesy in order to avoid unnecessary troubles.

    "The pleasure is all mine, Seraphim," Joshua responded, "I didn''t realize my grandeur was such that even a Stroud couldn''t remain ignorant of my name. But it''s always satisfying to know that one''s reputation precedes oneself, don''t you agree?"

    ''Narcissistic bastard,'' Seraphim thought internally but outwardly he showed a smile and agreed with Joshua''s narcissistic words, "I do."

    As the pleasantries waned, Joshua got straight to the point, "May I know what brings you to our humble abode so unexpectedly, Lord Kendrick?"

    Seraphim thought: ''Humble abord, my ass! This ce seems even more well-decorated than my room.''

    "Joshua, we''ll discuss the matter at hand once Val joins us. It involves him too," Lord Hamilton Kendrick replied, an enigmatic smile ying on his lips.

    In response, Joshua turned towards his reliable butler, Reignarld Ashworth. "Reignarld, please bring Val."

    "Understood." Reignarld bowed to him and left the room in search of Val.

    Finding Val was not a difficult task for Reignarld, who had been serving the Whitemore family for years. He knew Val''s habits like the back of his hand. He knew that everytime an Eldritch day would arrive, Val would go to the rooftop terrace and gaze at the omnious clouds in the sky as if trying toprehend the odd phenomena.

    "Ah, there he is," Reignarld muttered under his breath as he spotted Val on the terrace, just as he''d expected.

    "Master Val," Reignarld began, delivering the unexpected news. "The Kendricks have honored us with an unanticipated visit on this ill-omened day and are requesting yourpany." Pausing for a moment, he leaned in to add, "They''re apanied by a young man who appears to share a close rapport with Lady Adelina. Seems like your suspicions might have some weight."

    "If what I suspected proves true, I will deal with them ordingly." Val replied calmly.

 Chapter 43 43: Plan Worked!

    ?

    Without further ado, Val trailed behind Reignarld as they descended from the terrace towards the grand chamber, his expression a tranquil mask.

    As he made his way in, Val surveyed the gathered guests with a gaze of scrutiny before finally resting his gaze on his fiancee, Adelina Kendrick.

    He had to say Adelina was undeniably a vision of ethereal beauty.

    She was a living masterpiece that would make artists weep in despair. It was impossible to draw her on a piece of paper.

    Her face was a perfect blend of symmetry and grace, with sparkling snowy white eyes and rosy lips that were perfectly sculpted into the shape of a cherry.

    Her figure seemed to be the creation of a divine as it was generously sculpted and adorned with curves so alluring that it would light the fire of lust in the coldest of hearts.

    Her hips were wide and broad and tapered into a willowy waist that screamed fertility and an ability to bear healthy offspring for her future husband.

    The dress she wore seemed as though it was woven with magic. The bodice clung to her curvaceous upper body, entuating her slim waist and adding an extremely sensual definition to her shapely figure. The skirt flowed like a waterfall, ring out dramatically, adding to her alluring aura. Thece patterns weaved intricately on her dress along with the extravagant embroidery of the dress glimmered under the chandelier''s soft light, amplifying her regal appearance.

    She exuded such a charm that it stirred a response even from the Chaotic Warlord Val, the unfeeling, whose heart was stoic as a granite wall.

    The response was so little that it was almost nonexistent, but it spoke volumes.

    What beauty had he not seen in his past life?

    However, he could swear she was the most beautiful of them all.

    The purity of her Kendrick bloodline was apparent in her ethereal beauty.

    Furthermore, her bloodline was so pure that despite being Val''s age, she had already upgraded her bloodline to the second level and be a level 2 bloodline User.

    She didn''t merely have a face and a body that could cause kingdoms to crumble; she was also incredibly talented.

    She was a deadlybination of beauty, big boobs, and brains!

    Consequently, she was esteemed not just in the ounds but also in the privileged circles of the inds and the divine capital of the kingdom. Women of such striking beauty were a rare sight in this world, and those who could pair it with extraordinary talent and big boobs could be counted on one''s fingers.

    Such women were considered priceless treasures, the epitome of perfection, yearned for by many but obtained by only a lucky few.

    And this precious jewel had been pledged to Val, a man who, in the public eye, had failed to awaken his bloodline and was a normie, a disgusting creature that shouldn''t be allowed to breed.

    This was bound to arouse jealousy andpetition.

    ''It''s such an absurd match. She''s a star that could outshine the sun and he... He is a mere pebble. Being his fiancee is an injustice to her radiance.''

    Seraphim couldn''t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

    He thought it to be an immense waste to pair such an exceptional woman with a mere normie who was also an Ounder.

    ''Such a talented and beautiful person is meant for someone who''s equal to her in every way, someone like me. After all, if she gets together with me, she''d have a king, but if she gets together with a loser like him, she would only suffer a loss. As a man, how can I let this happen? I must do something to break them and im her as my own.''

    The people present were unaware of Seraphm''s disgusting thoughts. He was like a bastard lusting after a soldier''s wife.

    Val looked at his fiancee with a smile he had faked on his face. She watched as a light smirk graced Val''s face as heplimented, "Adelina, your beauty has only grown since ourst meeting."

    She looked more like a woman who had undergone a thousand stic surgery. She was indeed beautiful but she had gone too far in amplifying her innate gifts using magic and other stuff that could enhance one''s beauty.

    She appeared unnatural at least to Val''s eyes, and it disgusted him.

    He wasn''t the only one disgusted.

    His pleasantries were met with a frosty re from Adelina.

    This was the first time she had looked at him rudely ever since they were engaged.

    They were engaged when they were still children by their fathers. Since then till now she had always fawned over him. When she was a kid, she wasn''t this beautiful. It was clear to him, given their shared history, that this radiant beauty she now possessed was not entirely natural. It was achieved through unnatural means.

    Anyways, throughout their shared history, she had always gone out of her way to serve him, hoping to capture his affection.

    However, his responses to her advances had been consistent and disappointing.

    He didn''t love her and he was mature enough to tell that she didn''t love him. It was merely amercial marriage that the Kendricks were desperate to realize. Besides, she was upon him by the person he hated the most.

    Thus, despite her relentless and desperate attempts, she had failed to win his heart.

    There were no benefits he would gain from marrying her. The only ones who would be benefitting from this marriage would be his father and his father''s friend.

    Therefore, he never yed along with her.

    Now it seemed like it wouldn''t be necessary!

    "Val, I did note here for casual chatter," Adelina retorted, her voice slicing through the tense silence like a sharp knife, intending to stab Val, but there was no response from him.

    He looked at her from the high ground and smirked widely.

    It was as if he was a watching a show!

    Val said, "I think you''vee here with a sinister agenda. Am I right?"

    The Kendricks'' expressions shifted at his words.

    Detecting the sudden change, Joshua turned towards the Kendricks and queried, "Is that true?"

    Cornered by Val''s usation, Adelina chose to reveal her true intentions. "Since you''ve already deduced it, there''s no point in concealing it any longer. I want to annul our engagement, Val."

    The atmosphere became frostier when Adelina voiced her intention to break the betrothal.

    "Is this decision rooted in Val''s inability to awaken his bloodline? Is he, being a ''normie,'' the reason behind your actions?" Keeping hisposure, Joshua sought rification.

    Lord Kendrick and Adelina exchanged a nce, before Lord Kendrick admitted, "Indeed, Joshua. It is as you say. We cannot allow Adelina to be betrothed to someone who cannot awaken their family bloodline. Our family''s lineage is too precious to be diluted at the hands of a normie. I hope you understand."

    ''Fools.'' Joshua cursed them in his mind.

    Val had disyed that he had awakened as a powerful Bloodline User to the Whitemores by defeating four of his cousins, who were all at the first level.

    Every Whitemore had bore witness to his prowess, one that towered over amon level 1 bloodline user.

    Joshua who had seen him sweep the floor with the triples of the Whitemore knew that he was even stronger than a level 2 bloodline User. He attributed it to his strong bloodline, which caused him to awaken a powerful movement-type skill when he upgraded it to the second level. Oh, how wrong was he. With just a few words from Val, his misunderstandings had deepened. He didn''t know that Val had the Blood Devil Bloodline coursing through his veins.

    Anyway, every Whitemore knew that Val wasn''t a normie.

    Nheless, at Val''s behest, Joshua had ensured that this news remained strictly within the family bounds.

    He had even issued a stern warning, proiming a strict penalty for anyone who dared to divulge the secret.

    Additionally, the absence of efficient andmonly avable long-distancemunication devices meant that even if the information did leak, it would trickle slowly throughout the kingdom.

    As a result, it could take weeks or maybe even months before the neighboring strongholds could catch a whiff of Val''s extraordinary strength.

    Basically, Val''s true potential was a secret closely guarded by the Whitemores.

    Therefore, no one outside their family was aware of his true prowess!

    This was done in order to see the true faces of the people acquainted with Val. He wanted to know how others such as his fiancee and his soon to be father-inw would behave when he was at his worst.

    And it was working as he had expected!

    It really helped him avoid a pitfall this time.

    Adelina was a beautiful woman, but her soul wasn''t. Her interior was rotten. She was a materialistic person, who wouldn''t hesitate to abandon a 12 year long rtionship just to get with someone who could provide her with more.

    Basically, she was a woman meant for the streets who had hidden her rotten heart under the mask of utter beauty and almost trapped Val.

    However, with his deep and scheming mind, Val had uncovered what she was really like and a breakup was imminent!!!

 Chapter 44 44: Believe Me, One Word Is All I Need To Humiliate You!

    ?

    A storm seemed to gather in Joshua''s eyes as he confronted the Kendricks. "I once saved your life, Hamilton. It was you who proposed this betrothal, and I, respecting your wishes, agreed. Now, it is you again, who wish to end what you started. Do you take the Whitemores for a joke?"

    "That''s not the case and you know it," Hamilton said.

    "Who are you bullshiting!" Joshua thundered.

    "Father, there''s no need to let your blood boil over this matter," Val interjected calmly, his demeanor as chilly as his words. "If a woman isn''t willing, I have no desire to force her to force her to be my wife. But let''s make this clear - it is the Whitemores who are ending this engagement, not the Kendricks. And the repercussions of this decision is also something only the Kendricks will bear."

    Joshua''s eyes red with agreement as he responded, "Val is right. If the Kendricks wish to end this engagement, the repercussions will fall upon them." He turned his gaze onto Lord Hamilton and Lady Adelina, and spoke in a firm voice, "This includes returning all that the Whitemores have bestowed upon your family as part of this union."

    The Kendrick daughter and father duo''s faces contorted with displeasure. They didn''t want to return the bridal price the Whitemores had given them. It was an amount that they had already grown ustomed to possessing.

    Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Val noticed a sudden movement from a guest who had been sitting silently since the start of the verbal confrontation between the Kendricks and the Whitemores.

    Seraphim, who had been rtively quiet up until this point, had swiftly removed one of his gloves. He coiled his arm and with a flick of his wrist, sent the glove slicing through the air towards Val. It happened in a blink; the distance between them vanished as the glove hurtled through the chamber at an astonishing speed.

    Dodging, at this range and speed, was indeed out of the question. However, Val was far from defenseless. As if on its own ord, his hand shot out to intercept the flying glove, snatching it out of mid-air with a precision that left the room in a stunned silence. This was a result of the extraordinary reflexes that came with an impressive score of 20 points in that particr attribute. His body had moved before his mind had even registered the action, an instinctive reaction driven by heightened reflexes and agility that was superior to it. If his agility was less than his reflexes then he would have failed to grab the glove and it would have pped his face!

    Shock washed over Seraphim''s face as he stared at the glove now nestled in Val''s hand. At this sight, his eyes widened in disbelief and his confidence took a hit.

    "Impossible!" he finally managed to stammer out, his voice trembling with disbelief. "You''re a normie. How could you react that swiftly?"

    Augh broke out, the sound flowing like a hurricane. All eyes swiveled towards the source and found Joshua, his face adorned with a knowing smile.

    "You underestimate my son, son of Stroud," he calmly addressed the baffled man, "He has always been physically exceptional since birth. He is capable of performing a thousand push-ups in one sitting. Catching a glove? That''s hardly a feat for him." his words, although spoken lightly, held a certain weight, as he indirectly reprimanded Seraphim for hisck of knowledge about Val.

    "Do you understand the implication of what you just did?" Seraphim asked Val.

    Val shook his head. He was clueless about the traditions of the Inders.

    "By grabbing the glove I hurled at you, you have just epted my challenge," Seraphim rified.

    "And why, exactly, should I fight you, just because you wish it?" Val retorted.

    "It''s thew," Seraphim shot back.

    "Is that so?" Val countered, his voice full of skepticism.

    The Queen''s guards confirmed, "It is, indeed, and defiance can lead to severe penalties. Since I am coincidentally here, I won''t sit idly by if the kingdom rules are dishonored."

    Joshua, sensing the gravity of the situation, advised his son. "Val, no matter how much you despise being forced into an unfavorable fight, you should y along."

    Val and Joshia both understood that the odds were stacked against Seraphim.

    After all, he was a mere level 1 Bloodline User and still very young. His experience in battle was likely minimal.

    Inparison, Val had single-handedly defeated four level 1 bloodline users, making Seraphim seem inconsequential.

    He was far stronger than Seraphim no matter how you look at it!

    However, the people instigating the fight seemed oblivious to this fact, pushing for the duel without hesitation.

    What puzzled Val the most was that Joshua was also secretly pushing for the fight. He was making hand gestures to tell Val that he must ept the fight at all costs.

    Val knew Joshua well and was aware that he only ever made a move if it was profitable. His push for the duel suggested that there could be potential benefits from this confrontation.

    Encouraged by this notion, he decided to participate in Joshua''s game.

    Moreover, a certain arrogance about Seraphim had irked Val, and he found himself eager to strip him of that self-satisfied smirk. Even if he couldn''t fully understand Joshua''s motivation, he was more than willing to take on the young, inexperienced Seraphim.

    "Why do you want to fight me?" Val asked.

    Seraphim stood up from his seat, taking a step towards Val. "Ady''s dignity is her most valuable asset, and in the case of ady like Adelina, it is even more precious. I can''t stand by and watch you tarnish it by being the one to break the engagement. It should be her decision, not yours. You are just a damned normie, a waste of space!" he said, his voiceced with mockery.

    "So, you''re nothing more than a simp, then," Val retorted with a taunting smirk. It was a jibe, crafted to undermine the motive behind Seraphim''s actions.

    "What does that mean?" Seraphim demanded, taken aback by Val''s unfamiliar term.

    The term was met with simr confusion from the others. It was evident that the term ''simp'' hadn''t yet found its ce in this world.

    Seeing their confusion, Val simply shrugged. "You wouldn''t be able to grasp it. Hence, I won''t bother exining. It would just be a waste of my precious time."

    Seraphim''s eyes shed with a dangerous gleam, his pride stung by the clear mockery in Val''s words. Although the word ''simp'' was unfamiliar, he understood it was nopliment.

    "You... how dare you insult me? Do you even know who you''re talking to?!" Seraphim roared, losing his cool.

    "Yes, I do. I am talking to a simp," Val retorted with a straight face.

    His answer ignited a ripple ofughter in the room.

    Joshua and the Queen''s guards, forgetting all decorum, erupted into heartyughter.

    Even Adelina, though trying to maintain the picture of a perfect woman in Seraphim''s mind, couldn''t resistughing. She hurriedly covered her mouth with her dainty gloved hand, but the telltale tremors in her shoulders gave away her suppressed chuckles.

    And then, there was Lord Kendrick.

    Poor Lord Kendrick!

    Struggling valiantly to retain his noble dignity, his face transformed into an amusing spectacle. His cheeks puffed out, and his eyes watered as he strived to keep hisughter in check. He resembled a chipmunk hoarding nuts, battling constipation at the same time.

    This all added up to make Seraphim feel embarrassed. Being made fun of by everyone in the room, he felt like he was going crazy.

    +50 Mad Points!

    The battle hadn''t started, but Val was already profiting!

 Chapter 45 45: Duel Of Honor!

    ?

    Feeling humiliated, Seraphim''s face turned as red as a steamed crab. However, despite the waves ofughter crashing around him, his pride wasn''t about to go under.

    "I''ll teach you a lesson during our duel, Whitemore." He sneered at Val, his voice full of ire.

    As the head of the Whitemores, Joshua swiftly stepped in to set things straight. "A duel of honor allows for terms to be set," he noted, turning towards the Queen''s guard. "As is tradition, it would be best if these terms were set before the battlemences."

    Nodding at his words, the Queen''s guard turned to the challenger and the challenged, "Gentlemen, what are your terms?"

    Seraphim, still seething, was the first to respond. "If you lose, Whitemore, you will allow Lady Adelina to break this engagement gracefully."

    Val, unfazed by Seraphim''s demand, came up with his own terms. "And if I win, Seraphim, I want you to cease interfering in our matters. Also, the Kendricks will have to abide by our wishes in this matter, with no questions asked."

    The Queen''s guard then turned to Lord Kendrick and Lady Adelina, "Are you in agreement with these terms?"

    Lord Kendrick and Adelina, after a moment of contemtion, nodded in approval. "We agree to these terms."

    The Kendricks had agreed to the duel''s terms with a certain sense ofcency. They firmly believed that Val, who was to their knowledge just a normie, stood no chance against Seraphim. After all, Seraphim was a level 1 bloodline user, endowed with the illustrious bloodline of the Stoud family. This lineage came into existence when the Strouds battled and defeated Agni, the Lord Of The Fire Devils, using his body parts to establish their own bloodline.

    How could a mere normie ever hope to rival such a potent force? This duel, they believed, was already won.

    The announcement of the uing duel spread like wildfire.

    Whitemore family members and the entourage of the Kendricks were quickly drawn to the training grounds, where the duel of honor between Val and Stroud would be held.

    "I heard Master Val and an inder hailing from the Stroud family are going head to head. Is that true?" asked one bystander.

    "Indeed, it is," replied a Kendrick. "Strouds wield the formidable bloodline of Agni, bestowing them with powerful and deadly fire skills. As easy as breathing, they can summon me! The origin of the Whitemore bloodline is shrouded in mystery but it''s said to grant strength augmenting skills. It''s nothing specialpared to the Stroud''s that lets you wield the forces of the elements. Poor Master Val... He''s like amb to the ughter."

    Shocked gasps punctuated his revtion.

    Every onlooker that wasn''t from the Whitemore family thought that Val was done for.

    The Whitemore triplets, Gabriel, Lucius, and Cyrus, however, wore smug smiles.

    "Seraphim is going to get wrecked," Gabriel smirked confidently.

    "Isn''t he?" Lucius chimed in with a grin.

    Lastly, Cyrus nodded in agreement, "He definitely is."

    A man who was earlier singing praises for Seraphim and undermining Val, turned towards the triplets, incredulous at their audacity. It was the Queen''s guard. He wasn''t rted to Seraphim by any means but he had seen the kid in action a few times so he knew that someone with Whitemore Bloodline wouldn''t be in his match, not in a million years!

    The triplets'' blithe dismissal of Seraphim''s prowess drew a skeptical retort from a Queen''s guard, "You lot are out of your minds. A normie doesn''t stand a chance against a fire mage."

    "He isn''t a normie," blurted out the youngest triplet, earning him a sharp smack from his brothers. "You can''t just spill our secrets to outsiders!"

    "Oops, my bad!" he quickly apologized, covering his mouth with his hands.

    The Queen''s guard was surprised by the unexpected confession. He now believed that Val had awakened his "Whitemore" bloodline and was thus a warrior, but even then, he believed that Val would lose miserably, that he wouldn''t be able to put up a fight against Seraphim Stroud.

    "Even with the power of the Whitemore bloodline, he is no match for Seraphim Stroud. I mean, what can a warrior even do against a fire mage? History tells us that low-level warriors have never won against fire mages because fire mages turn them to ashes before they can even get close to them. I am an experienced guy. I don''t see him winning in any scenario."

    At this, the triplets shared a knowing nce and chuckled, making the guard frown in confusion.

    "How can a fire mage win if he can''tnd a hit?" Gabriel retorted.

    "And how can a warrior lose if he can dodge all attacks?" added Lucius.

    "What do you mean?" The guard was puzzled.

    "Just watch the duel, you''ll understand," the eldest triplet advised, leaving the guard in curious anticipation.

    The training ground became a stage, and the opponents took their ces. Seraphim''s gaze was aze with hostility as he stood across from Val.

    "I''ll reduce you to nothing but ashes," Seraphim sneered.

    His hands, held forward in a striking pose, lit up suddenly. The very air around him seemed to shift, heat waves rippling outwards as a captivating dance of fire started around his fingers. Threads of flickering mes danced, twirled, and twined, weaving a tantalizing spectacle of deadly beauty.

    As the fiery ballet continued, they merged, coalescing into a radiant, fiery red sphere that pulsated with raw, destructive energy, instantly increasing the surrounding temperature by several degrees.

    This incandescent fireball, seething and crackling, was held captive within Seraphim''s deft grip. Its restless mes licked the air eagerly, anticipating the release, yearning for the destruction it was destined to cause. In a fluid movement, Seraphim swung his arm, and the fireball wasunched forward, bing a zing projectile of wrath, aet of death that cut through the air and hurtled towards its target - Val.

    Val stood at the receiving end of this devastating attack, unmoving and calm. His face, bathed in the glow of the iing fireball, remained a picture of tranquility. It was as though he was a statue, an enigmatic figure untouched by the threat of imminent incineration.

    No one could tell what he was thinking. No one could understand why he was so calm in the face of death. Joshua, as well, failed to see through him.

    Only Val knew that this attack was so pathetic that he could dodge it while yawning.

 Chapter 46 46: Duel Of Honor 2

    ?

    ''If I want to avoid a confrontation with Joshua, I must deal with Seraphim just as how I dealt with Elias and the triplets.''

    Val knew he couldn''t use his Blood Maniption or Absorption skills in this battle. After all, out of all his abilities, Blood Rush was the only one that didn''t have distinctive traits that could expose him as a non-Whitemore Bloodline User. Using any other skill would be akin to setting himself on fire as it would be the same as revealing that he had a different bloodline than the Whitemores. A lot of trouble woulde his way if he did that, trouble that he wanted to avoid at all cost. So, for this battle, he resolved to keep things under wraps and rely solely on his Blood Rush skill.

    "Watch out!" The spectators eximed, their eyes widening to the size of saucers as they watched the fireball released by Seraphiming close to wiping out Val. The smile of victory had already appeared on Seraphim''s face.

    In response to the impending threat, Val activated his third Bloodline Skill.

    The voice of his system echoed in his mind, [Bloodline Skill: Rush activated. Your Agility has increased to 50! You will lose 1 unit of blood until the skill is deactivated!]

    As the fireball bore down on him, Val remained as still as a statue. Yet, within his seemingly motionless form, an incredible transformation was taking ce. The moment he activated his Bloodline Skill, a surge of energy, akin to a bolt of lightning, raced through every fiber of his being. It was as though he had transcended the realm of physical limitations, his senses heightened to an extraordinary degree. His perception of the world around him warped, everything appearing to be moving at a cial pace. His body felt as light as a feather, and speed that could put a cheetah to shame thrummed in his veins.

    In a heartbeat, Val''s form blurred into a streak of lightning, his movement a blink-and-you-miss phenomenon. The onlookers, their hearts in their mouths, could only register a fleeting blur before Val was standing at a distance from his original position. It was as though he had teleported, his astonishing speed rendering him nearly invisible to the naked eye.

    Simultaneously, the ming missile, deprived of its intended target, roared past him, harmlessly exploding on the spot where he had been standing just a fraction of a second ago, the ground cracking and getting scorched and the dust rising, coloring the air brown.

    A gust of heated wind blew across the training ground, bringing with it the acrid smell of charred grass.

    "He... he dodged it! B-but... how?!!!"

    "It''s as if he teleported!"

    "I had my suspicions, but it''s confirmed. Master Val isn''t a normie! He is a bloodline user. And he might not just be a level 1 warrior.''

    "Still it doesn''t make sense. There''s no bloodline skill in the Whitemore skill tree that lets a low-level warrior move that fast."

    Their mouths agape, the spectators were left dumbfounded, their minds struggling toprehend the incredible feat they had just witnessed.

    "Impossible! No low-level warrior can move that fast!" Seraphim, too, was taken aback, his fiery sneer reced by an expression of astonished disbelief.

    As for Val, he stood at his new position, an aura of calm still enveloping him, as he turned his indiscernible gaze towards his dumbfounded opponent.

    "It''s not possible for you to burn me to ashes. After all... you''re pathetically slow." Val scoffed, his words slicing through the tense atmosphere like a razor-sharp de. It was a tant jab at Seraphim''s ability and a taunt of his apparent superiority.

    His audacious words stung, digging into Seraphim''s ego and inming his temper. Every syble was a calcted jab, intended to provoke and incite. A heated opponent was easier to control and defeat than a wise and cool-headed enemy. Val wanted to anger him to death!

    An animalistic growl of frustration tore its way out of Seraphim''s throat as he snapped back, "I''ll make you eat those words!"

    With a violent thrust of his arms, a flurry of fireballs sprang to life around him. Each orb was a swirling mass of searing heat and bright light, casting sinister shadows that danced erratically across the training ground. Each thrust of Seraphim''s arms sent another fireball flying towards Val, creating a deadly barrage that filled the gap between them.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Every ball of fire whistled as it tore through the air, each one a harbinger of destruction on a collision course with Val.

    But Val was no longer there. With a speed that defied belief, his figure flickered and vanished, leaving a momentary afterimage in his wake. Each fireball detonated against the ground where he''d been standing moments before, their detonation sending up plumes of scorched earth and smoke.

    Yet, as the smoke cleared, it was apparent to the onlookers that Val had once again evaded damage. He moved with an agility that was otherworldly, his body weaving through the onught of fireballs as if he was conducting an intricately choreographed dance. His movements were fluid and precise, each step calcted and executed with wless uracy.

    "Your fireballs won''t even touch me. They''re pathetically slow. You might as well be tossing snowballs." Val taunted calmly.

    "I''ve been holding back!"

    Unwilling to admit his inferiority, Seraphim attacked again. However, his fireballs seemed to move in slow motionpared to Val''s lightning-fast reflexes.

    Val remained unscathed as he maneuvered his body with impressive speed, veering out of the course of the fireballs that rocketed past him, their radiant heat singing the air around them.

    All the while, his eyes never left Seraphim''s, a clear message in their steely depths - ''Your best isn''t good enough.''

    The spectacle unfolding before their eyes left everyone present utterly awestruck. Val''s disy of agility and speed was far beyond what they had expected. It defied everything they knew about the Whitemore bloodline and the limitations of a low-level warrior.

    "I''ve never seen a low-level Whitemore move like that before," one of the spectators murmured in disbelief. "His bloodline must be impressively pure to manifest such speed and agility."

    His words were heard by the Kendrick''s father and daughter pair.

    ''We have lost a gem!''

    They felt immensely regretful!

 Chapter 47 47: Duel Of Honor 3

    ?

    The Whitemore triplets turned towards the skeptical Queen''s guard, a smug look of satisfaction spread across their faces. "See, this is what we were talking about," they chorused, their earlier words proving prophetic.

    The Queen''s guard, his earlier bravado crumbling in the face of Val''s impressive performance, could only mumble weakly in response. "It must be some trick... it has to be... Seraphim''s attacks are lightning fast. They can''t be dodged by a low-level warrior so effortlessly... not unless..."

    He trailed off, a realization dawning on him. "Unless he has achieved the same level of physical fitness as a beast! You need to be an all-rounder to do that. He must''ve trained his body and honed his senses to perfection. Yes, that must be it!"

    "Is dodging all you know?" Seraphim shouted at Val, his voiceced with frustration and disbelief.

    "I was just figuring out the best way to dodge your fireballs, mate. Now, I think I''ve got it," Val shot back, his voice brimming with confidence.

    And with that, he sprung into action, darting through the storm of fireballs with incredible speed and precision. His movements were so swift and smooth, it was as if he was simply weaving through slow-moving obstacles. Within a blink of an eye, Val was standing right in front of Seraphim, casting a long, ominous shadow over him.

    Seraphim''s eyes widened in sheer terror. He was a fire mage. He could obliterate enemies from a distance, but this close, he was as vulnerable as anymon man.

    After all, it wasmon knowledge that while low-level fire mages do have an upper hand against low-level warriors, this rule only applies when there is a distance between them. Close up, without any room to maneuver orunch an attack, a fire mage is nothing more than amb waiting for the ughter.

    Basically, in this moment, Seraphim was themb and Val was the wolf baring his fangs.

    "Wait, let''s talk thi-"

    As Seraphim opened his mouth to utter a plea - perhaps to ask for mercy, perhaps to halt the fight - it was toote.

    Bam!

    Val''s fist mmed into his guts with such force that it lifted Seraphim off his feet, his voice choked in his throat, unable to form words. The blow sent him reeling upward, his body a helpless ragdoll against the sheer might of Val''s strike.

    But just as Seraphim started ascending to heaven, or perhaps the afterlife, Val firmly gripped his ankles. The momentum of the punch hadn''t waned yet, and with a swift and brutal move, Val began swinging Seraphim around like a piece of wet cloth!

    Bam! Bam! Bam!

    Val''s raw strength was on full disy as he swung Seraphim around like a ragdoll, the brutal momentum hurling the Inder into the ground repeatedly. Each impact resonated with a sickening crunch, signifying that the bone-crushing force behind the onught was really breaking bones, breaking bad!

    All eyes were on Val, the supposed ''normie,'' who was beating a fire mage in the same way as one would wash dirtyundry. The very idea was unthinkable, yet they were witnessing it with their own eyes.

    The robed servant, cloaked entirely in ck, stepped forward, his voice cold as he spoke to Val. "Enough," hemanded, his toneced with a warning, "Let Lord Seraphim go."

    Seraphim, trying to muster some semnce of dignity despite his disheveled state, chimed in weakly, "You better do as he says, Val. My servant, Caelum, is a Rank 5 bloodline user. One of him is enough to raze your entire Whitemore family to the ground."

    "Do as he says."

    "Don''t escte the matter."

    The Kendricks advised.

    Val ignored them and looked directly at Joshua, who looked back at him with a proud gaze and smirked. Words didn''t need to be exchanged for Val to understand that Joshua was telling him to do as he liked. Whatever happens after that, Joshua would take care of it.

    "Okay. I will let you go."

    As if moved by the threat, Val let go of Seraphim.

    A grin appeared on Seraphim''s face.

    But what happened next wiped it off his face and shocked everyone present!

    Val, with a swift, powerful kick, sent Seraphim''s battered body flying back towards Caelum. Seraphim hit the ground hard, his body twitching before hey eerily still.

    "Here I let him go, Caelum," Val stated coolly, dusting off his hands.

    Caelum''s icy gaze shifted from Seraphim to Val, the anger simmering in his eyes now a roaring inferno.

    "You dare to harm Lord Seraphim and even disrespect me! You will pay for this insolence!" he hissed, his hands and feet morphed into that of a werewolf, ws bursting out and shredding his shoes as fur sprouted from his skin.

    "I''ll rip you apart!"

    With a predatory snarl, he lunged at Val. The sheer force behind hisunch left deep indentations in the ground, akin to a beast pouncing on its prey. In an instant, he was upon Val, his w threatening to rip apart his neck.

    Val tried to dodge, but the stark difference in their strength was evident. A Level 2 Bloodline user simply could not evade a Level 5 warrior with such ease. Even though he leaped back with all his force, creating a massive gap between them, Caelum''s attack seemed unavoidable, as Caelum covered the distance faster than it was creatdd!

    The fatal swipe of Caelum''s w was mere inches away from Val''s throat when suddenly, a figure appeared between them.

    It was none other than Joshua Whitemore, the patriarch of the Whitemore family.

    In his hand, as dark as the night, he caught Caelum''s wed hand, stopping it mere millimeters away from piercing Val''s skin.

    Caelum''s icy re intensified, his animosity toward Joshua evident in his predatory stance. "This meddling of yours will lead to strife, Joshua. Are you so audacious as to risk conflict with the Strouds for this mere child?" he said. His words carried an ominous undertone, a thinly veiled threat that cut through the tense silence.

 Chapter 48 48: Joshuas Humble Reply!

    ?

    Joshua, however, was unfazed by the threatening aura Caelum exuded.

    His stern gaze met Caelum''s icy stare with a steadfast defiance.

    "Strouds? I couldn''t care less about them. Their name isn''t enough to threaten me," he retorted nonchntly. "Not to mention, if they dare find faults with us Whitemore for this matter, they''ll experience the wrath of a high-ranked Bloodline Warrior. And you should be worrying about yourself than others." Joshua''s voice was filled with the unyielding resolve characteristic of the Whitemore n, an outer region noble family of warriors. "A mere servant thinking he has the right to harm the son of a noble. This is a transgression worthy of death."

    Joshua turned towards the crowd and asked, "Isn''t that right?"

    His words were followed by a silence, one that beckoned a response.

    All eyes turned to the Queen''s guard who had been observing the spectacle in stunned silence.

    "Huh? You are talking to me?

    He blinked, seemingly taken aback by the fact that Joshua''s direct question was meant for him.

    "Who else do you think can verify my im?" Joshua said.

    Immediately, the Queen''s guard became a mess of thoughts, internal turmoil, and dread.

    ''Motherfucker, Why are you dragging your father into this? Did I offend you in my past life, you fucker!'' his mind screamed, but he knew he had to y the role of a willful sacrifice.

    After all, it''s not like he could stay silent. He was a Queen''s guard, a person who representated the Queen''s authority. If he stayed silence, he would be undermining the Queen''s authority, and that might cost him his job or maybe even his life!

    Basically, silence, in this situation, was not an option for him!

    Clearing his throat, he straightened up, meeting Joshua''s gaze with newfound resolve. "Indeed, Lord Joshua. ording to the ancientws of our kingdom, a servant attacking the child of a noble, regardless of the region they hail from, is a grave crime punishable by death. The Queen, the high council, and I stand by your actions if you decide to execute him."

    Joshua turned to Seraphim''s servant and grinned, "Time to meet out your punishment."

    Caelum was taken aback, barely having time to register the forting danger before the tables turned on him.

    A surge of formidable strength erupted from Joshua, resulting in a sickening snap.

    Crack~

    Caelum gasped in pain, nearly pissing his pants. His w-like hand... It was shattered!

    The spectators flinched at the gut-wrenching sound of bones breaking.

    But Joshua wasn''t done.

    "No one threatens my son in my presence!" His voice echoed like thunder, a father''s fury incarnate.

    In a disy of overwhelming might, he flung Caelum into the air. He followed up with a powerful punch, striking Caelum''s midsection.

    The impact was so colossal that Caelum exploded into a shower of blood and flesh.

    The gruesome spectacle was apanied by shockwaves that rippled through the air.

    The spectators shielded their eyes from the resulting dust and debris, the raw disy of power leaving them in shock and awe.

    The punch was so damn powerful that it dispersed the ominous clouds that had gathered in the sky, the eerie Eldritch phenomena vanishing as the sun made its appearance. The brilliance of the sun spilled onto the stronghold, casting long shadows that seemed to mark the end of the troubled times haunting the Whitemores.

    "Was he always so powerful?"

    "He had been hiding his true strength from the world all this tims. He had really fooled us all into believing he was an intermediate-rank warrior when in actuality, he was a high-ranked warrior, capable of pulling off stunts akin to a miracle!"

    The onlookers stood in awestruck silence, eyes wide as the reality of what just happened sunk in.

    The level of strength the Ruler of the IronSpire Stronghold had disyed was beyond anything they could have ever imagined. Joshua had just disyed a level of power that could alter the very environment itself. The mere force of his punch had scattered the ominous clouds and brought the sunlight back. That was simply... unreal!

    Only a high-ranked warrior can pull off a stunt like that!!!!

    Meanwhile, Val watched in awe as his father''s strength unfolded before his eyes.

    ''So, this is what a high-rank bloodline user is capable of? It''s as if they can manipte the environment around them just by exerting their power. How incredible is that!''

    His heart throbbed with an intense desire to achieve this level of power.

    There hasn''t been a lot of things that have managed to interest him in his previous life, and in this life, although he was curious about a lot of things, they weren''t exciting enough to make his unfeeling heart beat like crazy.

    It felt as if he have found a reason to live.

    Joshua had always been reserved about his true strength. Val and everyone else knew him as a rank-5 Bloodline User, yet the disy of power he''d just witnessed surpassed what he had imagined was possible for someone of that rank.

    It became clear, not only to him but also to the entire crowd, that Joshua wasn''t bullshitting when he revealed his greatness to the sinful servant. He had indeed attained the status of a high-rank warrior!

    Each ss of Bloodline Users was split into four ranks: low-rank (levels 1-3), intermediate-rank (levels 4-6), high-rank (levels 7-9), and unrivaled rank (level 10).

    From what Val and the others had witnessed, Joshua must at least be a high-rank warrior, a rank 7 or above!

    No sane person would want to offend a high-rank warriors.

    While the Strouds might''ve several high-rank bloodline users, even they would have to think twice before seeking trouble with the Whitemores.

    After all, killing was easier than saving!

    A high rank warrior could decimate an entire family with just a punch.

    If Joshua escaped their onught, then they would have to constantly worry about his retaliation and their lives would be hell.

    Unless they had a n to kill him that would 100% work, it was unlikely that they would trouble him over this matter.

 Chapter 49 49: Shifting Blame!

    ?

    Not to mention, neither Joshua nor Val were in the wrong in this matter.

    The instigator of the whole dispute was Seraphim. In a bid to impress a woman already betrothed to another, he challenged someone whose true capabilities he underestimated. He not only failed to win over the woman, but also suffered a resounding defeat, getting his ass handed to him in public.

    It was nothing less than a self-inflicted humiliation!

    And then there was Caelum, a mere servant who dared to plot the assassination of a noble''s son. But his ill-conceived scheme backfired, and he paid the ultimate price.

    Basically, they reaped what they sowed, facing the consequences of their misguided actions.

    If the Strouds were audacious enough to target the Whitemores over these incidents, they would have to confront the stern judgment of the Queen, a judgment that could be as deadly as the executioner''s de!

    Back in the training ground, Joshua turned his gaze to the Kendricks, his eyes as sharp as a hawk''s. The fierce intensity of his gaze made the Kendricks visibly ufortable.

    He pointed towards Seraphim''s unconscious, battered form and said, "I''m leaving the fate of this boy to you. I suggest you utilize whatever healing resources you have to ensure his survival, unless you want the Strouds'' wrath directed at you."

    Hamilton Kendrick balked at the statement, defensive anger shing in his eyes.

    "Why the hell would we be targeted? We''ve got nothing to do with this mess!" he retorted.

    Joshua scoffed at Hamilton''s feigned ignorance. "You know exactly what you did wrong. Trust me, it won''t take much to uncover your role in all this. A little bit of poking around is enough to reveal that you groomed the Stroud and his servant into helping your daughter break off the engagement with my son and fighting for your sake. If not for your meddling, Caelum would be alive and Seraphim wouldn''t be a breath away from death''s door. It''s pretty clear where the me lies. Even I can see that. Do you think the Strouds won''t be able to?"

    "Moreover," Joshua continued, his tone adopting a condescending air, "considering that I am a high-ranked warrior and was in the right to kill Caelum for his audacious actions, and Val merely defeated Seraphim in a fair duel, the Strouds don''t have a legal reason to take up issue with us. If they dare to cross their boundaries, they will make a formidable enemy out of the Whitemores and be brought to the Queen''s court where "justice" always prevail. Just to avenge the death of a mere servant, I don''t think they will be willing to take so many headaches. But the same can''t be said about you, Kendricks."

    He gave them a knowing smirk as he said, "After all, you Hamilton, the lord of the kendricks, are only a level 5 bloodline user. The Strouds have servants as powerful as you! If something happens to their son, they''ll have a perfect excuse toe after your sorry ass. If you value your life, and the lives of your loved ones, you better do what I suggested."

    The reality of the situation was crystal clear, even for the simplest mind to grasp.

    The Kendrick''s scheme had imploded right in their faces.

    If Seraphim didn''t make it, they''d face the full wrath of the Strouds.

    The Queen''s court wouldn''t intervene either; after all, the Kendricks had invited this upon themselves with their blind ambition, their devious plotting, and their overzealous courage.

    ''Our scheme was perfect, but because of unexpected variables, it backfired. This time, we have truly bitten off more than we could chew!''

    Hamilton Kendrick, his face ashen, realized the weight of the predicament they were in. Turning to his aides, he managed to choke out, "Save him. Do whatever it takes, just... save his life."

    Nods ofpliance met his orders, and within moments, healers were at Seraphim''s side, carefully cing his bruised and battered body onto a stretcher before taking him away to be healed.

    For injuries like him, it might take days to fully recover even with the help of several healers and precious healing resources.

    The crowd began to disperse.

    Soon, only the Whitemores, the Kendricks, and the Queen''s Guard were left in a charged standoff innthe Whitemore Training Grounds.

    Joshua turned his attention to Hamilton and Adelina Kendrick and said to them, "Now that the duel has concluded, I believe it''s time to address the terms we agreed upon."

    Hamilton stiffened, an uneasy frown pulling at his lips. "What are you talking about, Whitemore?"

    "The terms of the duel, Kendrick," Val chimed in, his voice steady despite the fatigue caused by whacking Seraphim beginning to take its toll. "In case your memory fails you, let me remind you. If I won the duel, we would be the ones to break off the engagement. Moreover, you''d return everything we provided as betrothal gifts when I was still engaged to your unfaithful daughter."

    "You won by deceit." Adelina scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "The duel was unfair! You hid the truth about your bloodline level, duping Seraphim into a challenge he was unprepared for. I refuse to acknowledge your victory!"

    Val simply scoffed at her protest. "How convenient for you to forget, Adelina. When Seraphim challenged me, you were all too quick to ept on his behalf, believing I was a normie. Was it fair then? The answer is simple. No. It was not fair. A bloodline mage against a normie can never be a fair fight. Not in a million one. Yet, you didn''t utter a single word about fairness or deceit then. Now that the tables have turned, you cry foul? Do you think the world revolves around you? For your information it doesn''t! Your double standards might pass in your house, but this is our territory. Here, we respect thews of the kingdom and the rules of a duel. And you better do the same or you''ll be getting it from us!"

    The Whitemores respected their guests, but they also liked to run a train over their enemies, and the Kendricks were no guests of Whitemore. They once might have been their friends, but now they were just backstabbing bastards!

    "You..." Adelina''s face turned red as she felt humiliated upon getting called out by her fiance.

 Chapter 50 50: The Second Cursed Artifact!

    ?

    Joshua also nonchntly shrugged. "Your inability to gauge my son''s capability is your shoring, not ours. You were the one adamant on dissolving the engagement and you chose the duel as a means to aplish that. It''s hardly our fault that your n backfired." He paused for a moment to take a breath before continuing, "Now, we demand that you return everything we have given you as part of the betrothal agreement. However, you may choose to break your word. It''s not like I can stop you from eating your own words and acting shameless. We will allow you to leave our stronghold unscathed, but be prepared to answer a summons from the Queen''s court."

    Directing his gaze at the Queen''s Guard, he asked in a straightforward tone, "Isn''t that correct?"

    "Indeed, Lord Joshua." The Queen''s Guard nodded, reinforcing Joshua''s statement with his own authority. "The conditions of the duel were explicitly outlined and mutually agreed upon by all parties involved. It''s the duty of the Kendricks now to respect the terms of the duel. If they fail to do so," he turned to look directly at Hamilton and Adelina, "you, Lord Whitemore, reserve the right to escte this issue to the Queen''s court."

    The Kendricks'' face paled. They were well aware that in the Queen''s court, they would have no chance of wriggling out of their obligations. They might even be sued for more than they owes. Acting sensibly, they decided to avoid further loss.

    With a resigned sigh, they lowered their heads. It was a bitter acknowledgement of their defeat.

    Caught in the web of their own scheming, the Kendricks had no choice but toply with the wishes of the Whitemores!

    "Fine," Hamilton finally conceded in a voice thick with frustration and bitterness. "We will honor the terms of the duel."

    And just like that, the engagement between Val and Adelina, who proved to be an opportunist, was dissolved.

    Val felt d as he had avoided a red g.

    Adelina was meant for the street, not hisp. She definitely didn''t deserve to marry him.

    In the face of the growing pressure, the Kendricks returned all the betrothal gifts they had received from the Whitemores when Val was engaged to Adelina.

    Once they had done what was expected of them, they quickly left the Whitemore estate and the IronSpire Stronghold, along with their entourage and the unconscious Seraphim Stroud.

    Their swift departure gave the impression of fugitives escaping a cmity.

    After seeing them scram back to the ce they came from, Joshua turned to face Val. Looking at him, his stern gaze softened. He approached Val and ced a firm hand on his shoulder. "Val," he began, his voiceden with fatherly pride, "you''ve made me proud today. The Whitemores have always been a lineage of warriors. It''s heartening to see you carry that legacy."

    "I deserve a reward, don''t I?" Val couldn''t help but ask, considering he had driven away the opportunists and brought honor to the family that had abandoned him.

    Seeing his son''s enthusiasm, Joshua chuckled, "Well, I am feeling rather generous today. Why don''t you pick something for yourself from the betrothal gifts we''ve retrieved from those kendricks bastards?"

    "Sure. Will do. Thanks, father."

    Val''s eyes scanned over the variety of items that had been returned by the Kendricks.

    Among them, one particr object stood out: a small, dark obsidian sphere with shifting shadows beneath its surface.

    The sphere was a cursed artifact, an item known as the Void Orb.

    Joshua hadn''t skimped on the betrothal gifts. His indulgence had been evident in the array of precious items he had sent to the Kendricks. He had not hesitated to include the valuable Void Orb in the assortment, an artifact whose value was immeasurable. This was the degree of his pride and his greed, wishing for nothing but the best for his son''s betrothal. However, the Kendricks, blinded by their short-sighted schemes and unable to appreciate the true value of their rtionship with the Whitemores, had ended up losing everything. They lost the alliance, the betrothal gifts, and most importantly, the respect and trust they could have earned.

    The Void Orb had been part of the Whitemore''s generous betrothal gift but now, thanks to the actions of the Kendricks, it was back in their hands, right where it belonged.

    Legend has it that once one conquers its corrosive force and forms a bond with it, the Void Orb would grants them a portable storage ability which can be used to store a plethora of items. Stored items can be pulled out at the behest of the user.

    ''So it''s basically like the interspatial ring that I have read about in webnovels. Interesting.''

    This could prove invaluable to him; a secure space to store his items.

    With this, he could carry a multitude of objects without being burdened by their weight and he would also be able to keep them safe and essible at any time!

    "I have decided. I want this cursed artifact."

    "Sure. Take it."

    Having gained the permission of his father, Val reached out and picked up the Void Orb.

    It was surprisingly light, as though it weighed no more than a feather, and its dark surface seemed to absorb all the surrounding light, rendering it a sight of captivating beauty.

    Taking a deep breath, Val made a small incision on his palm with his nail, allowing his blood to seep into the surface of the orb.

    The Void Orb responded instantly, a pulse of energy rippling across it as the blood infiltrated its cracks. The orb hummed and vibrated gently in Val''s hand.

    Suddenly, a system notification appeared before him, bringing with it news that he found pleasant.

    [System Notification: You have sessfully bonded with the Rank-4 Cursed Artifact - ''Void Orb''.

    [Effects: Grants a pocket dimension in which you can store items. With a single thought, stored items can be equipped.]

    A satisfied smirk graced Val''s lips.

    This indeed was a valuable acquisition!

 Chapter 51 51: Testing!

    ?

    Excited to explore the capabilities of the Void Orb, Val made his way back to his room, the quiet solitude providing the perfect setting to test out his new acquisition.

    He could feel the unique connection between him and the orb pulse to life as he focused his mind on it. Focusing on this connection, he was able tomunicate with the Void Orb and make it heed hismand.

    He demanded to see its true potential.

    As a result, a tiny ck hole manifested right before his eyes.

    The sight was nothing short of breathtaking; it was as though a fragment of the night sky had materialized in his room,pletely devoid of light and radiating a sense of enigmatic allure

    "Can it store living beings?"

    Intrigued by the capabilities of the Void Orb, Val found himself wondering whether it was possible for the orb to store living beings. With the curiosity of a cat, he reached out to experiment, his fingers stretched out towards the mesmerizing ck hole.

    His heart pounded in his chest with anticipation. He was on the brink of discovering something unknown, something spectacr. The sensation of his skin brushing against the boundary of the ck hole sent a tingling sensation up his arm, but to his surprise, instead of epting his hand, the ck hole repelled it. It was as if an invisible force field was preventing him from entering.

    An inquisitive frown creased his brows. It seemed the Void Orb, in its enigmatic ways, didn''t allow living matter to pass through its dimensional portal. An interesting limitation, Val pondered, but it raised the question - did this rule extend to inanimate objects?

    Driven by his insatiable curiosity, Val decided to test his theory.

    His eyes flickered over to the gleaming Aquarius Sword, resting on the bed nearby. Immediately, he picked it up.

    With his eyes locked onto the ck hole, Val carefully moved the sword towards it. The tip of the sword made contact with the ck hole, and to Val''s fascination, it disappeared effortlessly, swallowed by the ominous darkness of the Void Orb''s pocket dimension.

    A sense of awe filled him. The sword, in all its physicality and presence, had vanished as though it never existed.

    But Val knew better.

    He could still sense its presence, not physically, but rather, through a unique link established between him and the sword through the Void Orb.

    The thrill of the moment prompted him to go further. Focusing on the sword, he willed for it to return. Just as he had hoped, the sword reappeared in his hand as if summoned from thin air.

    Despite his Emotional Impairment Trait, a pulse of exhration coursed through Val, lighting up his eyes with an almost inhuman glow.

    He was no stranger to the surreal and the fantastic, but this? This was different!

    ''This is akin to the instant equip skill!''

    The instant equip skill was a bloodline ability. Though it wasn''t the most powerful, it was far from weak.

    With the Void Orb, Val could mimic this skill wlessly!

    ''This rank-4 cursed artifact is more special than I initially thought. It''s even better than Aquarius."

    The most tantalizing aspect of the Void Orb was actually its foolproof security system, a trait that would undoubtedly intrigue any bloodline user.

    Any item stashed within its pocket dimension was safely ensconced, untouchable, and absolutely shielded from any attempted theft.

    This was an assurance that would put the most security-conscious individual like Val at ease.

    But, what if someone was audacious enough to steal the Void Orb itself? That thought might have sent shivers down the spine of its previous owners, the Kendricks, who, despite holding on to it for years, had never managed to ovee its dreadful corruptive force and subdue it, but Val had done it in mere moments.

    For Val, the idea of his Void Orb getting stolen was simply an amusing, absurd hypothesis.

    After all, he was its owner, not holder, and, as Val knew well, cursed artifacts carried a peculiar characteristic. They were fiercely loyal to their rightful owners, refusing to cooperate with anyone else, a fact that would make them worthless to anyone else, essentially rendering them ''unsteble''.

    Since Val was the recognized owner of the Void Orb, he was the only one who could interact with it, ormand its formidable power.

    Therefore, any attempt to steal it would end in abject failure.

    The thief would be left holding a hollow, useless sphere, no more remarkable than a simple paperweight. It was an irony that brought a smirk to Val''s face.

    But that wasn''t all. The bond between Val and the Void Orb was deeper and more profound than mere ownership.

    This bond came into existence when he subdued it and fed it his blood, and it was akin to an invisible tether that connected him to the artifact, serving as a beacon, a tracking device of sorts.

    By merely focusing on this bond, he could determine the exact location of the Void Orb, irrespective of its geographical location.

    Basically, it was a magical GPS that transcended space and time!

    "It is like a portable vault that offers absolute security and can be tracked down easily even if lost. This is exactly what a man like me needs."

    Val decided to entrust all his valuables to the Void Orb.

    After all, his possessions would be safer there than anywhere else in the world.

    Val ambled towards his antique wooden cupboard, each footfall causing the worn-out boards of his room to croak in response.

    ying before his cupboard, his hand dove into the pocket of his casual trousers, fishing out a small key.

    It was a nondescript object, humble in its appearance, its brass body gleaming dully under the room''s light birthed by the steam-poweredmp.

    Despite the key''s ordinary looks, it was of utmost importance to Val - the guardian of his cherished treasures, and hence, always kept in close proximity.

    As he pulled open the wooden doors of the cupboard, it seemed like a portal to a different world.

    Nestled within were his treasured possessions - the mystical heart of the Green Devil, the potent Blood Purifying herb, the invaluable Body Strengthening Manual, and a variety of other personal belongings. These included clothes spun from the finest silk and warmest wool, each meticulously ced within the confines of the cupboard.

    One by one, he started moving each item into the pocket dimension.

    After transferring all his items, he withdrew his focus from the Void Orb. Subsequently, the ck hole started to shrink, eventually dissipating into nothingness, leaving no trace of its existence.

    Val couldn''t help but marvel, ''It''s still not full.''

    Despite filling it with all of his possessions, he could sense that the Void Orb was barely a tenth full!

    The space inside it was almost as big as his room!

 Chapter 52 52: Fullfilling Conditions!

    ?

    With the crack of dawn, the world came alive as a masterpiece; a tableau that could stir the heart of the most indifferent poets andpel them to dip their quills into the inkwell of inspiration andpose verses to the dawn''s breathtaking beauty.

    Eldritch''s Sun was a celestial body of golden light. It timidly peeked over the distant horizon, casting its tender rays onto IronSpire Stronghold.

    Immediately, it was washed in the sun''s gentle glow.

    Chirp~Chirp~Chirp!

    Feathered creatures of various hues flitted and danced between the tree branches, their gleeful chirps resonating through the expansive stronghold, adding a delightful symphony to the already picturesque morning scene.

    The tranquil morning of 29th May was a stark contrast to the previous day''s chilling darkness that had draped over the stronghold.

    The return of the bright day brought with it a collective sigh of relief, easing the oppressive tension that had cloaked every heart since the Eldritch day!

    In the bustling streets of the stronghold, Val V. Whitemore could be seen amidst the morning crowd.

    His destination was the renowned Starlight Auction House.

    It was the ce where he intended to trade his precious item, the Body Strengthening Manual, for a sizable fortune!

    Today he donned a simple outfit.

    He was wearing a pair of unadorned trousers paired with a crisp white shirt, topped with a humble brown hat.

    Despite its simple appearance, the hat served as an essential tool to hide his identity from the crowd. It cast a shadow over his face, concealing his identity from the curious onlookers, and provided a refuge for his eyes from the unyielding rays of the sun.

    It had be necessary for him to hide his identity if he wanted to have a peaceful walk in the streets of this stronghold. After all, with his recent triumph over Seraphim Stroud and his victorious confrontation with the Kendricks, which had brought great honor to both the Whitemore and IronSpire names, Val had unwittingly once again be a figure of interest within the stronghold.

    His incognito appearance was crucial to maintaining a low profile amidst this newfound fame. If it was found out who he was, no doubt a crowd would gather around him. It was a trouble he didn''t need. Thus, he took appropriate actions to avoid it.

    Suddenly, an enticing fragrance invaded his senses.

    "This smell... it''s making me hungry."

    The aroma was an irresistible blend of freshly baked bread and the intoxicating scent of brewing tea.

    Coming from roadside stalls and quaint bakeries, the fragrant allure proved too much to resist for those who chanced upon it, including Val.

    Grumble!

    A growl echoed from the depths of Val''s stomach.

    It was a resonating reminder that he had gone a full day without a substantial meal.

    "Perhaps a small indulgence is in order," Val mused, looking towards the bakery window where an array of fresh bread was disyed. Each loaf there looked delightfully fluffy, beckoning him with its delectable promise.

    Simultaneously, the rich scent of brewing tea wafted from a nearby stall, provoking a longing within him.

    While he wasn''t typically one for tea, the thought that a steaming cup of tea paired with a loaf of bread was too appealing to disregard.

    After all, he knew that although the local denizens of IronSpire weren''t flush with wealth, they took pride in their humble milk tea, a soulful blend of milk extracted from the ck-spotted white nuts and the fragrant leaves harvested from the depths of the Evernight Forest.

    The uplicated brew held a rustic allure that appealed to the masses, and when coupled with a warm loaf of bread, it became a simple yet cherished indulgence for many!

    With his hunger messing with his mind, his instinct told him that he shouldn''t miss it for the world.

    "Let''s grab a bite to eat."

    He was drawn to a nearby bakery, instinctively seduced by the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread that wafted out of it.

    He was starving as he hadn''t had a decent meal in days, and his body wasmanding him to get something to eat.

    He promptly exchanged a few copper coins for the steaming, aromatic loaf, nearly sumbing to the temptation of devouring it right there in the heart of the bustling city.

    However, something intriguing caught his attention.

    It was an ordinary tea stall nestled amidst the liveliness of the city, manned by an extraordinarily captivating maiden who could barely be sixteen. Her beauty wasn''t as awe-striking as his former betrothed, but her unique charm set her apart from the throng of city-dwellers.

    Her dainty nose, perfectly centered on her innocent face, paired perfectly with the natural blush on her lips. The maiden''s charm was further enhanced by her almond-shaped eyes, the innocent spark within them framed by long, delicateshes. Each attribute collectively wove a delicate picture of her unique beauty, making her stand out.

    Even her humble attire of a nun could not hide the gentle swell of her maturing figure, which the gown she wore entuated perfectly. Her attire further signified her affiliation with the Holy Church of Light.

    In the Kingdom of Victoria, it was quite unusual to find a young nun operating a roadside tea stall. Nuns were entitled to basic provisions and a stipend from the Church itself. Seeing this young maiden working a stall stirred Val''s curiosity. He surmised she had apelling reason to be selling tea, and if his conjecture was correct, interacting with her might be mutually beneficial.

    A certain superstition prevailed in Eldritch. It was said that a prayer, earnestly recited by a virgin maiden unrted by blood, could bless a traveler with safety. Given her nun''s attire and the celibate life led by the clergy, it was likely that this maiden was a virgin. Could her blessing be his ticket to survival on his perilous journey towards the frontier?

    In his previous life, Val the unfeeling warlord was a man of science, skeptical of superstitions. However, his reincarnation in Eldritch transformed his outlook. Eldritch was a realm where bizarre superstitions sometimes manifested as profound truths.

    His own experiences - the Eldritch Day, the Harbinger of Despair - had been terrifying realities born out of once-feared superstitions. In light of these experiences, he knew better than to dismiss the superstition associated with the maiden''s prayer, especially when he was about to embark on a perilous journey to the harsh northern frontier.

    With these thoughts in mind, Val decided to lend a helping hand to the maiden in hopes of securing her blessings.

    Thus, he approached her, his mysterious aura further entuated by the broad-rimmed hat that obscured his features.

    The maiden looked up as he approached. Her eyes, as clear as a sparkling brook, met the shadowed gaze beneath the hat. Immediately, her face lit up. The first customer of the day has arrived. She could finally sell a cup or two of tea and make something. Obviously, a simpleton like her was very happy.

    "Good morning, sir! Might you fancy a taste of our freshly brewed tea?" she chimed, her voice as refreshing as the morning dew, echoing sweetly in the busy marketce.

    "A cup of your brew, please." Val''s response, while simple, wasced with an allure hard to ignore. His baritone voice rippled through the morning air, smooth and melodic, as alluring as a siren''s song. His enchanting voice seemed to seep into the bones, leaving the young maiden flustered and intrigued.

    Basically, his voice alone was so attractive that the young nun was seduced!

    Unable to resist her curiosity, the maiden attempted to get a closer look at the mysterious figure before her. Yet, his hat, ever the dutiful guardian, obscured his visage from her eager gaze, revealing only a hint of a chiseled chin and a tantalizing glimpse of a secretive smile.

    ''I can tell he''s handsome. But it''s frustrating how I can''t get a good look at him.''

    Intrigued but also slightly frustrated by her failed attempt, she diverted her attention back to preparing his order, her hands adeptly going through the familiar motions of brewing the tea.

    In the meantime, Val, having initiated friendly contact with her, turned his focus towards understanding her circumstances.

    With a tone as casual as the breeze, he asked, "Why does a young maiden like you work so hard?" His query wasn''tced with pity or judgment, merely the intrigue of a stranger seeking understanding.

    "I am trying to urgently gather funds to bring my brother back from the refugee camp beyond the stronghold. A single gold coin is all that stands between him and safety," she confided, her eyes dimming slightly.

    Her confession might not have stirred an emotional response within Val, whose emotional spectrum was significantly dulled due to his circumstances. However, it set the wheels of pragmatism turning in his mind.

    The path he was to embark upon was riddled with dangers, yet, right before him, in the most unexpected of circumstances, he found a potential source of divine aid.

    Not to mention, all it would cost him was a single gold coin!

    It was a price he could effortlessly afford and was more than willing to pay to earn the heartfelt prayer of a virgin maiden.

 Chapter 53 53: Bitch, Be Humble!

    ?

    "The stronghold isn''t a sanctuary formoners," Val voiced. He was ever the realist, acutely aware of the lurking dangers within the fortified walls that offered a deceptive sense of security.

    "But it''s still safer than the refugee camps established outside the strongholds." She countered his im, her voice as strong as her conviction. Her words rang true. Inparison to thewless zones that the refugees had been pushed into, the stronghold was a veritable fortress.

    "I guess that''s true," Val conceded, his voice barely a whisper, his agreement getting lost in the ambient noise of the bustling marketce.

    Meanwhile, the maiden served him his requested tea, pouring the hot liquid into a simple y cup. As she set the cup down, she noticed him staring intently at her. His prating gaze made her feel self-conscious, prompting her to query, "Sir, is there something on my face?"

    Val shook his head, but his unwavering gaze didn''t waver. This prompted a sense of bewilderment within the maiden. If nothing was amiss, why was he still staring at her?

    "I have a surprise for you," Val broke the awkward silence, a glint of yful mischief sparkling in his eyes, shrouded under the brim of his hat.

    Her heart fluttered, her eyes widening with anticipation, "A surprise? Really? What might that be?"

    "Stretch out your hand if you want to find out," he instructed, an enigmatic smile tugging at his lips.

    Baffled yet obedient, the maiden did as told. The moment her delicate hand was outstretched, she felt a surprising weightnd on her palm. Looking down, her eyes widened in shock and disbelief as she saw a gleaming gold coin resting on her hand.

    "Just remember, don''t let anyone else know," Val warned her. His voice was firm but not without kindness, "I''m saying this for your own safety."

    The maiden didn''t need any further coaxing. Swiftly, she closed her fingers around the coin, tucking it safely within the confines of her clothing. Her grateful eyes met Val''s, her voice choked with emotion, "I... I can''t believe this... Thank you, sir!"

    He brushed off her heartfelt gratitude with a nonchnt wave of his hand, "It''s nothing, really. I can afford it."

    With renewed determination, she asked, "Is there anything else I can assist you with, sir?"

    Val looked into her sincere eyes and replied, "I''m heading towards the northern frontier soon. I hope you can pray for my safety. Will you?"

    Her response was immediate and resolute. "I will!" Her head bobbed vigorously, the fervor of her words causing a few loose strands of her hair to slip out from under her scarf.

    In a move that surprised both of them, Val leaned in and brushed away the stray lock of hair from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear. Her skin felt warm beneath his touch and her earlobe flushed a rosy red. "I''m d to hear that you will," he whispered, his gaze locking onto her wide, innocent eyes.

    The intimacy of the moment allowed her to take a closer look at him. His handsome features were highlighted under the bright morning sun. His chiseled jawline, the slight stubble adding an element of ruggedness, and those deep, bottomless eyes of his, left her spellbound.

    Bathump! Bathump!

    Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, and an unmistakable blush began spreading across her face. The sight of her crimson cheeks made Val ask in a concerned tone, "Are you running a fever?"

    His hand reached out to touch her forehead, the sudden move making her recoil slightly. She shook her head vehemently, stammering out a reply, "No, sir. I''m alright. Thank you for your concern."

    Val, who had long worn the mask of a socialist that he had polished for 15 years, merely smiled at her reaction, "As long as you''re fine," he said, his voice a soothing balm.

    Little did he know, his simple concern had caused her heart to flutter even more.

    I''m Eliana," the young maiden finally whispered, revealing her name as if it was a secret meant only for his ears. "May I know your name, sir?"

    Val smiled softly, like the gentle glow of the moon, warm and weing. "I am Val V. Whitemore," he introduced himself, his voice smooth like velvet.

    As their brief exchange came to an end, Val picked up the cup of tea she had brewed for him with one hand, while his other grasped the small bag of freshly baked loaves. With an aura of regal grace surrounding him, he turned on his heel and strode off, his departure as swift as his arrival.

    He left, his presence lingering like a captivating melody that echoed long after the notes had been yed. The street seemed a bit quieter, a tad bit emptier without him. In the depth of her heart, he had carved asting impression, leaving behind a young maiden whose heart had been unknowingly stirred by his kindness.

    Eliana was utterly rizzed by him!

    "Val," Eliana murmured his name, her voice carrying a promise that was as solid as the earth beneath her feet. "I won''t forget the favor you''ve shown me. I''ll definitely repay your kindness someday. I swear this on my name, Eliana D. Grace."

    If only Val had heard her full name, he might have considered bringing her along on his journey. Just to bind her life with his, he would''ve even married her. The church of Light promotes reproduction. A man could marry a nun if he was sincere enough. But s, their interaction was cut short, and the secrets of Eliana remained hidden.

    Once Val vanished from sight, Eliana promptly closed her small tea stall.

    With a firm sense of duty, she rushed towards the local holy church of light that was nestled three streets away. Her promise to Val had be her immediate priority.

    She chose to pray for his safety before fetching her brother from the refugee camp. It wasn''t that she held her brother in lesser regard, rather, the present time was safest for everyone in the stronghold. The sun, currently at its zenith, served as a powerful deterrent against the nefarious creatures walking thend such as the devils and the Walking Dead.

    Moreover, praying under the bright sunlight was considered the most auspicious time. Eliana had faith that under the radiant sun, her prayers for Val''s wellbeing would surely be heard by her deity.

    Like a pious wife, she prayed wholeheartedly for Val!

    As a result, a system notification popped up in Val''s vision.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! Completion of a superstition has borne fruit. You''ve gained mystical protection through the sincere prayer of a virgin maiden. This divine blessing will protect you from a lethal strike, saving you from certain death once. Please note that this is a one-time use buff and will disappear after activation. Use this blessing wisely!]

    His actions, solely driven by a strategic foresight, had proven to be a smart move!

    By aiding the young maiden, he had gained a valuable protection charm in return, strengthening his resolve for the trials thaty ahead!!!

    After breakfast, Val decided to make his way towards the prestigious Starlight Auction House with the intention of auctioning one of his most valuable possession.

    As he neared the imposing entrance of the establishment, a burly guard, assuming Val to be amoner due to his in attire, obstructed his path.

    "Hold up, kid," the guard growled, his eyes dismissively sweeping over Val''s simple attire. "This ain''t a ce for country bumpkins."

    Under the shadow of his humble brown hat, Val''s face remained hidden. His youthful smile was the only discernible feature, as his clothing - a pair of ordinary trousers and a white shirt - gave no indication of his true status. It was easy to see how the guard had mistaken him for an unremarkablemoner.

    Unruffled, Val replied with calm assertiveness, "I am not here to mess around. I am here for business."

    He didn''t want to offend the Starlight Auction House as he wanted to establish a long-term rtionship with it. It was precisely because he wasn''t here to mess around that he didn''t react aggressively to the guard''s rudeness.

    "What business would a country bumpkin like you have here?" The guard retorted, his tone smug.

    Val chose not to respond to the guard''s provocation. "I have no interest in arguing with you," he replied evenly.

    Ignoring the guard''s antagonism, Val reached into his pocket and produced a medallion. On its surface was engraved the crest of the Whitemore family, a symbol of significant influence in the IronSpire Stronghold.

    Recognition dawned on the guard''s face as he recognized the crest, and his earlier arrogance quickly evaporated.

    Bowing apologetically, he stuttered, "I...I apologize, Lord Whitemore. I didn''t recognize you."

    With a brief nod, Val acknowledged the apology, "Your ignorance is forgiven, but remember this - people should not be judged based on their appearances. Next time you cross paths with someone, consider their worth before dismissing them outright. You never know when you might offend someone who''s not as forgiving as I am."

    His words carried a weight that left the guard visibly shaken. The clear warning served as a stark reminder for the overbearing guard - some mistakes coulde with irreversible consequences. He had been lucky so far, but if he goes on like this, he would mess up and lose his life in the process.

    "I understand, my lord. Thank you for your leniency. And thank you for correcting my mistake." The guard replied, stepping aside to allow Val entry into the auction house.

    Without another word, Val walked past the humbled guard.

 Chapter 54 54: Auctioning!

    ?

    Stepping into the Starlight Auction House, Val removed his hat, holding it casually in one hand. He cast his gaze about, taking in the grandeur of the interior.

    The auction house was nothing short of an architectural masterpiece, reflecting an aesthetic blend of design and maintenance. High ceilings were embellished with a series of dazzling chandeliers, their crystal prisms casting a warm, captivating glow. Therge, ornate windows decorated the walls, permitting the gentle midday sun rays to pierce through and nket the spacious hall in a soft, golden wash.

    Various paintings, elegantly selected, adorned the walls of the auction house. However, Val was never a connoisseur of art and hence spared them a brief, disinterested nce.

    Central to the auction house stood a grand counter, made of polished mahogany, behind which was stationed a woman whose elegance seemed to echo the opulence of the surroundings.

    She was a sight to behold, her auburn hair cascading down her shoulders like a liquid sunset, glowing under the soft chandelier lights, rendering her the aura of a bewitching enchantress. Herplexion was fair, which furtherplimented her sun-like hair, emphasizing her striking beauty. Her eyes, however, were the most arresting feature of her. Her peach-blossom eyes appeared to draw in those who dared to meet her gaze, and the permanent red rims only intensified her allure.

    She was tall, and her shapely figure was entuated by the chic suit she wore. The elegant design of her dress subtly underlined her voluptuous curves.

    Indeed, she was a pleasant sight amidst the already tastefully decorated auction house.

    Val thought: ''Using such an eye-catching beauty as a mere staff is really a strategic move. No wonder the Starlight Auction House is renowned throughout the kingdom!''

    As her eyes fell upon Val, her full lips curved into a courteous smile. Recognizing him from a prior visit in thepany of Lord Joshua, she greeted, "Wee to the Starlight Auction House, sir Val. I''m Lillian, your auctioneer for the day. How may I assist you today?" Her voice was as charming and full-bodied as her persona.

    Val, appreciating her professionalism, nodded in response. His reply was simple and to the point, "I wish to auction an item."

    "My sincerest apologies, sir. The catalogue for today''s auction has already been finalized and the list has been sent out to potential buyers," Lillian exined with utmost courtesy. "Unfortunately, we are unable to include any new items at this stage."

    Val, however, was far from disheartened. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips. With a calm demeanor, he gently retorted, "I wonder if you would reconsider if I were to mention that the item I intend to auction is a reward from the world itself forpleting a dungeon?"

    At his revtion, Lillian''sposed facade faltered. An unmistakable flicker of surprise lit up her expressive eyes. An item rewarded from a dungeon was far from trivial!

    "I beg your pardon, sir. Given the unusual nature of the item you wish to auction, I''m afraid I don''t have the authority to make an immediate decision." She confessed, her voice still maintaining its professional timbre. "Under these circumstances, our policy necessitates consultation with the senior management. If you would please bear with me for a moment, I will fetch our manager who can assist you more appropriately."

    "Understandable," Val responded with a nod as he watched her rise from her seat. Just before she could disappear, he added, "Also, could you ask your manager if he could see me right away? I have other ces to be."

    Acknowledging his request with a nod, Lillian assured him, "I''ll make sure to pass along your message, sir Val. Please wait here for a moment," before she disappeared into the back room to fetch her manager, leaving Val to contemte his impending negotiations.

    In moments, he made a n to increase the price of his item.

    Momentster, a distinguished middle-aged man appeared from the back room with Lillian. His hair was neatlybed back, streaks of silver running through the dark strands, hinting at his advancing age, and he had hazel eyes.

    "Wee, Master Val. I''m Terence, the manager of this Starlight Auction House branch," Terence introduced himself, extending his hand in a professional manner.

    Returning the gesture with a firm handshake, Val responded, "The pleasure is all mine, Terence."

    "Now, Master Val," Terence began, a glint of curiosity in his eyes, "I''ve been told you''re interested in auctioning off a dungeon reward. Could you present the item for inspection?"

    Not one for unnecessary chatter, Val simply replied, "Sure."

    Then, with a thought, the Body Strengthening Manual materialized in his hand.

    It was a simple motion, but the sudden appearance of the manual in thin air left the auction house manager and the auctioneer wide-eyed.

    Terrence and Lillian realized that rumors didn''t do justice to Master Val. He was far more mysterious and powerful than the rumors made him out to be.

    Val''s disy of power left them in silent awe. They realized the rumors about him merely scratched the surface of his true abilities. He was much more formidable and enigmatic than they had ever imagined.

    "Here it is," Val said as he handed it over to Terence, who took the book in his hands, his gaze scrutinizing every inch of it.

    His well-trained eyes flickered with recognition as he examined the cover, the texture, and the aura of the manual.

    He recognized the unique aura it radiated, akin to countless items given to dungeon conquers by the world itself that he''d examined over his extensive career.

    In the presence of such evidence, there was no room for doubt.

    It was a genuine reward forpleting a dungeon!

    A genuine smile of delight spread across his face as he looked at Val. "The item is indeed authentic. If you allow, we would be thrilled to feature it as a surprise item in today''s auction."

    "I agree." Val''s response was firm and swift.

    Terence seemed satisfied with his answer and moved on to the next important question. "Before we proceed, I must inquire - are you aware of its effects? The item''s auction value hingesrgely on this detail."

    Val smirked inwardly at Terence''s question.

    This was an opportunity to increase his profits.

    He decided to exploit it.

    With an honest expression on his innocent and handsome face, he replied, "I''ve trained ording to the manual myself. Astonishingly, my physical prowess doubled within minutes as a result. However, I must point out that my body is innately naturally stronger than most people, and ever since I awakened my ''Whitemore Bloodline'', my body had only gotten stronger. It stands to reason that the effect would be even more dramatic on a regr individual."

    In this narrative, Val conveniently left out any mention of the limit cap. His goal was to elevate the perceived value of the manual in the eyes of potential bidders.

    Terence, though an experienced businessman, had no reason to doubt Val''s words. After all, he had confirmed the item''s authenticity himself.

    "Rest assured, Master Val. Given the Body Strengthening Manual''s potential, it could very well be the highlight of today''s auction. I promise to do everything within my power to ensure it fetches a suitable price." Terence said, with confidence and assurance in his voice.

    Considering the potential value of such an effective strengthening manual, he decided to auction it at a high starting price during the auction.

    Val smirked internally, ''It seems like the auction is set to be a thrilling event, with me poised to reap substantial benefits!''

 Chapter 55 55: Auction 1!

    ?

    The auction was ted tomence in a mere quarter of an hour. Terence, standing tall with a demeanor that was a blend of professionalism and good-naturedness, turned to address Val.

    "Master Val, as our esteemed guest, we''d like to extend all the courtesies we can offer," Terence began. He then nced towards Lillian and instructed, "Lillian, please escort Master Val to our VIP section."

    As Terence''s words faded, Lillian stepped forward with a respectful nod. "Of course," she replied, then turning to Val, she added, "Master Val, please follow me."

    Under Lillian''s guidance, Val was led through the tastefully decorated auction house towards the exclusive VIP section. However, before they could enter the area, their path was obstructed by two imposing figures. The pair of individuals standing as gatekeepers radiated a formidable aura that was stronger than Val''s.

    At Lillian''s subtle signal, the duo moved aside, their eyes revealing a sliver of respect.

    This silent exchange didn''t escape Val''s sharp observation.

    He scrutinized the pair, sensing the dense power flowing within them. Val''s intuition told him they were probably Level 2 or 3 bloodline users.

    For an establishment that was merely a branch of the Starlight Auction House to have such powerful bloodline users as bodyguards, Val was reminded once again of the auction house''s hidden depths. It was far from a simple ce.

    Once inside the VIP section, Lillian escorted Val to a privatepartment, which was an enve of tranquillity, secluded from the bustling activity of the main and VIP auction area. It had a plush sofa and arge, panoramic window that offered a private view of the auction stage, allowing the VIPs to observe the proceedings without being in the limelight.

    To be honest, it was crafted with an eye for extravagance, designed specifically to cater to theforts and needs of their most distinguished guests.

    "Master Val, please, make yourselffortable," she invited.

    Val settled into the plush sofa, sinking into thefort of its velvety texture. After settling into the plush sofa, Val turned to Lillian with a subtle nod of approval. "I mustmend the Starlight Auction House for its attention to detail," he said, his gaze sweeping over the opulent yet private space. "This is truly impressive."

    Lillian, standing nearby, epted thepliment gracefully. "Thank you, Master Val. We strive to offer the best for our esteemed guests."

    Val''s lips curled into a gentle smile. "Indeed. I have been to various auction houses, but none have shown the level of professionalism and courtesy that I''ve experienced here. It speaks volumes about the integrity of this establishment."

    Lillian''s eyes shone with genuine appreciation for his words. She bowed slightly, replying, "Your kind words are truly encouraging, Master Val. The Starlight Auction House will continue to uphold these standards."

    The young master then leaned back, his gaze shifting towards the panoramic window that overlooked the auction stage. He mused aloud, "The auction will be quite an event, I imagine."

    "Yes, indeed," Lillian agreed with a nod. "We believe today''s auction will be exceptional, especially with the inclusion of your item."

    Val''s smile broadened. "Well then, I look forward to witnessing the spectacle."

    "There is still some time before the auction begins. I will get our people to apany you until then so that you won''t be bored." Lillian said as she pped her hands softly.

    In response, the double doors to their privatepartment swung open, and two enchanting women with breathtaking beauty stepped in.

    One had vibrant red hair cascading down her bare shoulders, her emerald green eyes glinting seductively as she stared at Val. The other was equally attractive, her long ck hair contrasting against her milky white skin, her bright blue eyes sparkling with allure as she set her eyes on the man she had a huge crush on.

    They both bore trays of delicacies �C one adorned with an array of colorful, exotic fruits, the other equipped with an exquisite wine bottle and a delicate crystal ss, and they moved with an enticing grace, their intentions clear: they were there to seduce Val, to tempt him into mating with them.

    News about his victory against a Stroud had long spread throughout the stronghold and reached the ears of every member of this branch of the Starlight Auction House.

    They knew he wasn''t a normie, but a bloodline user with a bloodline so pure and strong that he triumphed over a noble belonging to one of the strongest families in the kingdom.

    Mating with such a person was no less than an honor and if they get impregnated by him, it would be even better.

    Actually, that was precisely their goal. They wanted to bear children who had Val''s powerful bloodline coursing through their veins. After all, giving birth to innate bloodline users for the auction house was a self-rewarding act. They would be allocated a substantial amount of resources to raise Val''s child if Val refuses to ept them as his. On the flip chance, if he wants the children that he had with service girls to be his, then he would''ve no choice but to be roped in by the auction house.

    After all, the children of their ves were also ves, and if you wanted to get these ves, you would have to y by their rules!

    For these girls, who were sold into very by their parents and purchased and raised by the auction house so that they could one day serve their esteemed guests, this self-rewarding act was too tempting to ignore.

    They were fully intent on making Val fall for them. Their intention was noticeable as they moved towards Val seductively, their every gesture aimed to seduce him into mating with them.

    Their attire, barely enough to cover their ample curves, entuated their well-toned bodies. It was a sight that could make anyone''s heart race. Anyone''s except for Val''s.

    "What''s this all about?" Val questioned, ncing at Lillian, his eyes subtly hinting at both women.

    "Thesedies, Master Val, are part of the special services provided to our esteemed VVIP clients. They are here to cater to your every need during the auction. And, if you choose to bless them with your seeds, they will not refuse." Lillian said, a sly smile curling her lips.

    Both women nodded in agreement.

    "We are at your service, Master Val," the redhead said in a sweet, sultry voice. "We promise to make your experience unforgettable," the brte added, a yful sparkle in her eyes.

    Simultaneously, they both smiled at him warmly and invitingly. It was a sight that would drive any man crazy, but it didn''t rouse Val''s sleeping dragon. He had no interest in using used holes.

    He simply nodded at them, silently acknowledging the ugliness of this situation. The kingdom wasn''t a good ce for normies. They could only live without dignity in this kingdom if they wanted to survive. These service girls were precisely such victims of discrimination. They had to open their legs for strangers if their masters so demanded. Hecked the desire to bully the weak. Not to mention, he didn''t want to mate with whores as no matter how bad he was, he didn''t want his children to enter hell. He didn''t appreciate the gesture and decided to keep things professional.

    "Excuse me, Master Val. I have to go and prepare for the auction. I will leave you in the capable hands of our top courtesans. I promise you you won''t be disappointed if you use their service." Lillian said as she turned to leave.

    Before stepping out of the room, she whispered to the two women, "This is all I can do for you. I have provided you with a golden opportunity to change your life. How you go about it is totally up to you."

    "Don''t worry, sister. We''ll do our best to hug this golden thigh." the beauties replied.

    Lillian left, and the two women turned to Val to tend to his needs, "Master, can we help you in some way?"

    Val nodded.

    The two women''s faces lit up, thinking that he might use them in the way they want to be used.

    But their expectation quickly shattered.

    "Pour me a drink," Valmanded, his toneposed yet firm.

    The womenplied, doing their best to emphasize their figures and put their assets in his face as they poured the wine.

    It was clear what they were trying to do.

    They were trying to seduce him!

    "Do you want us to do anything else?"

    "No."

    "You do understand that we will do anything for you, right? Anything!"

    "Actually, I would prefer it if you keep quiet. You''re disturbing me."

    They realized that their efforts were in vain as Val remained indifferent to their seduction. He looked past them as if these attractive women who were barely dressed were non-existent and focused his gaze on the stage where Lillian have appeared.

    Their tant attempts at seduction failed to stir any desires in him. It wasn''t because he was impotent orcked interest in the opposite sex. His Unfeeling Trait might have made it impossible for him to experience fear or pain, and his Emotional Impairment Trait might have made it difficult for him to experience other emotions aspared to normal humans, but they didn''t affect his ability to feel attraction or lust.

    However, Val was a cautious man. His past experiences on Earth had taught him the importance of being wary and not falling for honey traps.

    He had once been betrayed by a subordinate who had fallen prey to a woman''s charms, an incident he narrowly survived.

    He understood that this world, with its magic and extraordinary creatures, could contain more dangerous entities such as getting enved after having sex. He could not risk falling for any seductive tricks. As such, he chose to keep a respectful distance from these women, preferring to enjoy their service without getting personally involved.

    Furthermore, he didn''t like putting it in used holes. So these women never stood a chance to begin with!

 Chapter 56 56: Auction 2

    ?

    Unless a woman was thoroughly investigated, her background crystal clear, Val had no intention of crossing the line and having sex with them.

    As far as these service girls of the auction house were concerned, they were just strangers in a strange world that he had reincarnated into with the memories of his past life, and nothing more could be expected from him.

    Seeing that he was unresponsive to their seductive, the faces of the two service girl paled. It looked like they wouldn''t be getting out of this proverty stricken life anytime soon.

    Lillian could be seen striding confidently onto the stage. The spotlight illuminated her enchanting figure, drawing the crowd''s attention to her. The crowd''s eyes followed her as she walked to the center of the stage.

    "Ladies and Gentlemen, wee to today''s auction at the Starlight Auction House," she said, her voice carrying across the room. "We have an exciting lineup of items for you today, each unique in its own way. Please look forward to it!"

    The auction kicked off, with numerous items going under the hammer. However, most of them failed to catch Val''s interest.

    It wasn''t until Lillian announced the ninth item that his interest was piqued.

    "The next item up for bid is an Intermediate-Level Purification Potion, created by the renowned wizard, Master Elric. This potion has the power to cleanse the body of toxins and even force out corruption!"

    In this world, potions were divided into four categories based on their power and rarity. Low-level potions, which ranged from levels 1-3; intermediate-level potions, ranging from levels 4-6; advanced-level potions, ranging from levels 7-9, and the rarest peak-level potions, ranging from levels 10-12.

    Wizards were special humans born with an extra organ known as the ''Arcane Heart.'' This organ produced a unique energy known as ''Soul Power,'' which allowed them to perform alchemy. It was through alchemy that potions and cursed weapons are created!

    "This is the potion I am talking about. Please have a look," Lillian said as she held up a delicate vial, the liquid within shimmering with a soft, golden light.

    This was the ''Seraphim''s Purity,'' a coveted level-4 Intermediate Potion.

    "Master Elric''s potion? I''ve heard tales of their potent effects!"

    "The opportunity to purchase such a rare potion doesn''te often. This will undoubtedly spark a fierce bidding war."

    "I''ve always wanted to try one of these potions. They say it can purify even the most deeply rooted corruption!"

    Val was silent.

    He hoped that Joshua would fulfill his promise and secure the potion for himself.

    "The starting price is 3000 gold coins. Let the biddingmence for the Seraphim''s Purity!" Lillian''s voice echoed across the room, instantly prompting a surge of bids.

    "3500!" one bidder hollered from the back.

    "3800!" another voice interjected.

    "4200!" a bid echoed from a corner.

    Bids flew in from all corners of the room, each bidder eager to im the potion.

    Suddenly, the bidding stopped.

    It was a loud,manding voice that caused the room to fall into silence.

    "In the name of the Whitemore Family, I bid 5500!"

    The voice belonged to Joshua V. Whitemore. The deration of interest from a ranked-7 warrior caused the rest of the bidders to immediately withdraw, none wishing to offend a figure of such stature.

    The room grew eerily silent, the previous excitement reced by an apprehensive stillness.

    Joshua''s bid went uncontested, and thus, the potion was his.

    "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Intermediate-Level Purification Potion ''Seraphim''s Purity'' has been sold to Master Joshua Whitemore for 5,500 gold coins!" Lillian announced.

    The price of a level 4 potion was typically 3000 to 6000 gold coins. So Joshua wasn''t offending the auction house by being overbearing. He had paid more than the standard amount to get it. The auction house shouldn''t have a reason to find faults with him. As for the others, he couldn''t care less about what they thought. They were too weak for him to spare them any thought.

    "Ladies and Gentlemen, our manager, Terence, has an important announcement," Lillian said, a mysterious smile ying on her lips.

    Terence reced Lillian on the stage, his steady gaze sweeping over the crowd. "We have a surprise for our esteemed guests. The next item is a dungeon reward, a Body Strengthening Manual."

    At his words, a wave of excitement washed over the crowd. Dungeons were perilous ces, and their rewards were coveted treasures, and this was no exception.

    Terence further fueled their excitement by detailing the effects of the manual, "This Body Strengthening Manual can strengthen the bodies of anyone, even mages. As we all know, a mage''s biggest weakness is their fragile body. This manual could change that."

    Terence''s announcement left the crowd in a state of fervor.

    "The Body Strengthening Manual, it''s on auction?"

    "A real dungeon reward? This is unprecedented!"

    Amidst the chatter, the first bid rang out. A wealthy merchant confidently dered, "One thousand gold coins!"

    The bid was quickly overshadowed by another, this one from an influential mage. "Two thousand gold coins!"

    However, the room''s temperature seemed to drop a few degrees as Joshua''s voice echoed throughout. "Four thousand five hundred gold coins," he dered, his voice carrying an air of finality.

    But the wealthy noble from the inner region wouldn''t be outdone. Without a moment''s hesitation, he added another nine hundred to the bid. "Five thousand and three hundred gold coins!"

    Joshua''s brow furrowed as he recognized the voice. He knew better than to cross paths with this particr nobleman. Choosing his battles wisely, Joshua decided to step out of the bidding.

    The others, taking Joshua''s withdrawal as a signal, also stepped back, leaving the field clear for the nobleman.

    "The Body Strengthening Manual goes to Lord Lucious!"

    Thus, the noblemen''s bid was the final bid, and the Body Strengthening Manual was sold for a staggering 5300 gold coins!

    And with that, the auction came to a close.

    "5300? It''s four times more than I expected."

    Usually, the reward forpleting a level 1 dungeon would sell for a measly 100-1000 gold coins, but his sold for 5300!

    Val couldn''t help but smile at the results.

    This auction had been more sessful than he could have ever hoped for!

 Chapter 57 57: Proposal Rejected

    ?

    Once the auction ended, Terrance and Lillian approached Val.

    "Congrattions, Master Val. Your item was sold for 5300 gold coins," Terrence announced an air of respect in his voice.

    Lillian chimed in, "Starlight Auction House takes a 1%mission fee for our services, which equates to 53 gold coins. The remaining 5247 gold coins can be given to you in gold or Starlight notes. The notes are epted everywhere in the kingdom, even the northern frontier."

    Val could only select the second option as he didn''t have enough space in his pocket dimension to store such a high amount of gold.

    Val said, "I''ll take the Starlight notes. It''ll be difficult for me to carry so much gold."

    Terrence nodded understandingly. He handed Val a small bundle of exquisitely made notes. "Here are 5 gold Starlight notes, 2 silver notes, and 5 copper notes. Each gold note is equivalent to 1000 gold coins, a silver note to 100 coins, and a copper note to 10 gold coins. The total value sums up to 5350 gold coins. We''ve rounded up in your favor, Master Val."

    Val was impressed. The Starlight Auction House really knew how to maintain good rtions with their customers.

    "Thank you," Val said, his voice filled with satisfaction.

    When Val expressed his gratitude, Lillian''s lips curved into a genuine, bright smile. She had been observing Val closely during the auction. His strength, ability to resist the seduction of their top notch service girls, calm demeanor, mysterious aura, and now obvious wealth had piqued her interest, and she found herself wanting to know more about this enigmatic man. She wanted to know what he was besides being the son of Joshua V. Whitemore the ruler of the IronSpire Stronghold. She wanted to know the true him.

    "You''re most wee, Master Val," she said, her tone warm and friendly. "And I want to personally thank you for choosing Starlight Auction House for your auction needs. It was truly a pleasure doing business with you."

    Then, she took a small step closer, her eyes meeting Val''s. The professional, polite smile was still there, but something had changed. It was subtle, but there was a spark in her eyes, an interest that went beyond business dealings.

    She added, "I hope we''ll see more of each other in the future. Perhaps we can have a meal together sometime? To discuss future business or...otherwise."

    The suggestion was light, leaving room for Val to interpret it as he wished. After all, a smart businessman �� or in this case, a businesswoman �� always knows when and how to seize an opportunity.

    As Terence watched the interaction between Val and Lillian, a thoughtful expression crossed his features. He saw nothing wrong with Lillian''s interest in Val. After all, Val was a promising young man with an abundance of talent. Besides, Lillian had always had a good eye for people. Not to mention, If she would get his favour and bear children for him, the one to benefit would undoubtedly be the auction house!

    "I''m afraid that might not be possible," Val replied, interrupting Terence''s train of thought. "I''ll be leaving for the Northern Frontier by the end of this month."

    Terrance was taken aback, hearing Val''s words. He couldn''t help but wonder whether Joshua was in his right mind. After all, to send someone as talented as Val to a ce rumored to be so hellish that even bloodline users drop dead there asionally, only a fool would dare to do it!

    Knowing that Val was going to the Northern Frontier, Lillian''s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise and disappointment shing in her eyes.

    The Northern Frontier was not a ce for the faint-hearted, and it was also a ce with a high mortality rate. Val despite being an ounder, had defeated a Stroud. It meant his bloodline was really pure. Such a special specimen didn''t deserve to go there. He deserved to have a harem of his own. After all, if there were many women giving birth to his babies, then the kingdom would surely have a surge in innate bloodline users!

    "You''re being sent there?" she asked Val, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief and worry. "Are you being forced?"

    Terrance, seeing Lillian''s reaction, interjected, "Master Val, if you''re being forced into this situation, I might be able to help. The Starlight Auction House has considerable influence and connections. Of course, such help wouldn''t be without cost. All we would require is your assistance in clearing a dungeon. What do you say?"

    Dungeon conquerors were revered by insightful people, and Terrance was one such person. He wanted to bag Val, somehow bring him under the control of the Starlight Auction House. Val, however, had no interest in bing someone''s dog. Although many would, considering its influence.

    "I appreciate the concern, but I am not being forced. I am going there to serve my kingdom." Val replied righteously. "It''s my duty."

    He didn''t mean it. But he knew that even the Starlight Auction House wouldn''t be able to change the Queen''s decision. It would just be a waste of time and might make things worse for them.

    Besides, his statement was simple, yet resolute, effectively putting an end to the topic, and allowing him to make his exit from the Starlight Auction House.

    There was a smile of satisfaction on his face. He was more than pleased with the result of his first-ever auction. He tucked the Starlight notes securely into his pocket dimension before making his way back home.

    ...

    Later that day.

    True to his word, Joshua had already prepared to make amends. The purification potion - Seraphim''s Purity - was brought in front of Val.

    "I trust you''ll make good use of this, Val," said Joshua as he handed over the vial.

    "Thanks, Father."

    With a word of gratitude, Val epted the potion. The liquid within the vial glowed with a soft, ethereal light, indicating its potency.

    He retreated to his room. Without any hesitation, Val uncorked the vial and downed its contents in one gulp.

    As soon as the liquid slid down his throat, he felt an unfamiliar sensation. It was not pain - his Unfeeling trait made that impossible - but he experienced a level of difort that was alien to him. It was as if his entire body was undergoing a drastic transformation.

    Suddenly, a system notification rang in his head.

    [System Notification: Seraphim''s Purity has taken effect. The Whitemore Bloodline Suppressing Poison has been purged from your body.]

    Immediately after the notification, the difort subsided.

    Then, a thick ck substance began to gush out from his pores, covering his skin in a grotesqueyer. The smell it carried was so horrendous that the air around him became dense and rancid.

    "That''s enough to make even a corpse turn its nose," Val muttered to himself, a grimace painting his features.

    It was so bad that even he, who was cursed with the Emotional Impairment Trait, felt offended, his nose scrunching up in disgust.

    Without missing a beat, Val jumped out of his window,nding nimbly in the garden. He quickly shed his soiled clothes and dived into the crystal clear pool. As soon as he immersed himself in the water, the ck substance washed off, turning the pool into a pit of darkness. The fish inhabiting the pool floated up, lifeless, and poisoned by the substance.

    "Finally clean."

    Emerging from the pool, Val summoned a clean set of clothes from his pocket dimension and slipped into them.

    The ruined pool and dead fish didn''t bother him. After all, it would be cleaned by a servant by tomorrow.

    His priority had been to rid his body of the foul substance, and he had achieved that.

    Everything else was a trivial matter.

 Chapter 58 58: Awakening!

    ?

    In the solitary confinement of his room, Val held up a green, pulsating heart - the heart of the formidable Green Devil. He had taken it out of his pocket dimension.

    The act of ingesting such an organ would be reckless to some and unthinkable to most, yet to Val, it was merely a catalyst necessary to awaken the dormant power that resided within his blood.

    With a casual flick of his finger, Val tossed the Green Devil''s heart into his mouth, introducing the pulsating organ to his system. Fear and pain, corruption''s best friends as well as its only means of attack had no ce in Val''s heart, courtesy of his unique trait. That''s why he dared to directly use it to awaken his Whitemore Bloodline!

    The Green Devil''s heart went down his digestive tract and started to disintegrate within his body after it met with his gut juice.

    As the Green Devil''s heart dissolved within him, Val felt an electrifying sensation coursing through his veins. It was as if his blood was ame, a hidden energy within it rearing to break free. He could feel his very essence changing, molding, and awakening to a power that hadid dormant since his birth.

    The sensation that filled him as the legacy that slept within his blood stirred to life was both exhrating and sobering.

    [Ding! Celebrations are in order, Host! The Green Devil''s heart has sessfully awakened yourtent Whitemore Bloodline. You have acquired a new trait and unlocked a bloodline skill.]

    [System Notification: You''ve acquired the ''Detect'' trait. This ability enables you to evaluate an individual''s power level and estimate the threat they pose. It will also send out a signal if you''re endangered!]

    [System Notification: Bloodline Skill ''Titan''s Reinforcement'' awakened. This skill grants you the ability to temporarily enhance your physical capabilities. It increases your strength, agility, and endurance stats by 20% for a short duration.]

    Val was immersed in thought, reflecting on his newly awakened bloodline skill and trait. Neither of them could be ssified as overwhelmingly powerful. Still, they held their unique charm and utility. His bloodline skill, ''Titan''s Reinforcement'', while not spectacrly dominant, provided a significant advantage inbat. It fortified his existing prowess, augmenting his strength, agility, and endurance, effectivelyplementing his formidablebat abilities. This harmonious integration sat well with Val, offering him a sense of satisfaction and confidence.

    On the other hand, the trait ''Detect'' unfolded a new realm of perception for him. It bestowed him with a sixth sense for danger and the ability to determine his opponent''s level, which he thought was great.

    He tested it by almost stabbing himself in the heart. He hadn''t even brought the knife down on his chest when a chill went down his spine and his chest started to throb rhythmically. This seemed to be telling him that he was in danger and what part of his body was going to be attacked.

    ''It feels like I''ve been granted an advanced warning system.''

    This remarkable trait was, in Val''s opinion, not just beneficial but downright splendid. The advantages it would yield in his perilous journey were immeasurable,

    ''My Whitemore bloodline is not as superior as Joshua''s, but it''s better than any other Whitemore.''

    It should be mentioned that contrary to the norm amongst the Whitemores, Val had not only awakened a trait but his bloodline skill, ''Titan''s Reinforcement'', enhanced all three aspects of his physique, unlike the typical enhancement of a single aspect. This unique anomaly alluded to the fact that Val''s bloodline was not just pure but perhaps even the purest. The misunderstanding that everyone had about his Whitemore bloodline being extremely pure turned out to be a fact!

    ''I can push it to the second level!"

    Val had the material necessary to upgrade his Whitemore bloodline to level 2. However, despite possessing the necessary materials, Val found himself caught in a predicament. The Blood Purifying herb he possessed could indeed elevate his Whitemore Bloodline to Level 2. However, such an evolution would trigger a tribtion of heavenly lightning - a phenomenon that would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention within the stronghold. This was something Val had to steer clear of, for the otherwise oblivious Joshua would inevitably sniff out his deception, leading to an interrogation he would much rather avoid.

    ''The only usible option I have is to induce the tribtion amidst the secluded expanse of the Evernight forest, which is far away from the stronghold''s prying eyes. However, to withstand and survive the heavenly tribtion, meticulous and thorough preparation is required.''

    With that thought in mind, Val wasted no further time, setting out towards the eerie depths of the Evernight forest to ready himself for the imminent ordeal.

    Waaah!

    Awooooo!

    Rugyuhhh!

    The outskirts of the Evernight Forest were alive with nightmarish creatures, a cacophony of predatory calls echoing ominously through the towering trees, but tonight, the predators were destined to be the prey.

    Val strode purposefully into the outskirts of the Evernight Forest, the crunch of leaves underfoot punctuating the eerie silence that hung heavy in the dense woods. His eyes, reflecting the chilling determination and ruthlessness of a chaotic warlord, were focused and alert.

    In response to this intrusion, the inhabitants of the forest began to stir.

    The weaker beasts, overpowered by the waves of raw strength emanating from Val, instinctively fled, their survival instincts pushing them away from the imminent danger.

    The stronger, bolder ones who were also the more foolish ones rose to the challenge, their primal instincts interpreting Val''s presence as a threat to their territory.

    With his finely crafted sword in hand, Val was an image of deadly grace. His weapon cut through the air, slicing with ruthless efficiency through the tough hide of the beasts that dared to challenge him. Each swing was precise, each stroke fatal, reaping a life or three. In merely an hour, he hunted so many that the once peaceful outskirt of the Evernight Forest was littered with the corpses of the beasts that had fallen at his hand.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have in a huge pack of Horned Rabbits. You have earned 25 EXP.]

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have in a huge pack of Shadow Wolf. You have earned 35 EXP.]

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have in a huge pack of Giant Beetles. You have earned 45 EXP.]

    The mechanical voice echoed in his head, but Val barely registered it as he was solely focused on the situation at hand.

    With a flick of his wrist, he cast his Blood Absorption skill. As a result, the spilled blood of the beasts was swiftly drawn towards him, absorbed into his very being, replenishing his strength and feeding his blood bar.

    [Ding! You have absorbed a huge amount of blood. Your blood bar has increased in size. Your current total units of blood are 2200 points.]

    After that, he killed several more, using their blood to feed Aquarius, causing its rage meter to hit the peak.

    "I have prepared enough."

    Val finally felt prepared to tackle the tribtion that would descend upon him once he try to upgrade his Whitemore bloodline to the second level.

    "Let''s do it!"

    He took out the Blood Purifying Herb from his pocket dimension.

    The potent herb pulsated with a vibrant aura, a clear indication of its extraordinary properties. Val consumed the herb without any hesitation. Its distinct taste spread across his tongue, before the herb swiftly dissolved, its essence permeating into his bloodstream.

    [Ding! You have consumed the Blood Purifying Herb. The Whitemore Bloodline upgrading process has started. Survive the tribtion toplete the upgrade.]

 Chapter 59 59: Heavenly Tribulation 1!

    ?

    A sinister orchestra of storm clouds began to assemble in the moonlit sky above the Evernight Forest.

    The moons were gradually shrouded, their luminescent glow dimmed, swallowed by the insatiable darkness of the impending tempest.

    The mirthful dance of the moonbeams through the forest''s canopy was abruptly silenced, reced by an ominous shroud that draped thendscape in a foreboding gloom.

    With the appearance of the heavenly tribtion, the creatures who called the outskirt of the Evernight their home retreated to their dens.

    Val looked at the sky and said, "It''s here."

    [Blood Rush Bloodline skill has been activated!]

    Since the tribtion was about to begin, Val immediately activated his Blood Rush skill, doubling his agility to a whopping 50 points.

    [Titan''s Reinforcement Bloodline skill has been activated!]

    At the same time, he triggered his Titan''s Reinforcement, the power of his Whitemore bloodline surging through his veins, amplifying his strength, stamina, and agility by an additional 20%.

    His strength and stamina increased to 30 and 24 points respectively.

    His agility increased to a whopping 60 points!

    Maybe he was now faster than level 3 bloodline users!

    After giving himself all the buffs he could, he braced himself for the heavenly ordeal.

    "Descend oh tribtion!" he eximed fearlessly.

    Boom!

    Suddenly, a lightning bolt, ck as the night itself, rendered the sky apart, aiming for Val. Bolstered by the sudden spike in his physical stats, Val exhibited unprecedented speed, his silhouette flickering to evade the descent of the heavenly punishment. The lightning bolt seared the ground where he once stood, charring the earth and leaving a tangible testament of its deadly force, but it failed to even brush past him.

    Boom!

    Even as the first bolt''s reverberations were still echoing through the forest, another one followed - bigger, faster, and far more potent, its girth and speed putting its predecessor to shame.

    Despite the enhanced agility bestowed by his bloodline skill, Val barely managed to escape its wrath by a hair''s breadth.

    The bolt missed him but struck the ground with thunderous force, causing a massive explosion. The shockwave that followed was a tidal force, washing over Val with an indomitable might.

    As a result, he was like a helpless leaf caught in the storm as he was flung backwards with incredible speed.

    His body tore through several trees before he finally came to a halt, the impact leaving him dazed and disoriented.

    [-3 HP!]

    [Remaining HP: 7/10]

    The concussion hit him like a sledgehammer. His vision swam, the world tilted and spun, and for a moment, Val was in the throes of a disconcerting vertigo.

    While he was out of it, the gathering storm clouds above pulsed ominously, the vibrant darkness of the stormy mass a clear premonition of the imminent threat.

    A lightning bolt, its size dwarfing the previous twobined, began to take form in the heart of the roiling tempest in the sky, its radiance slicing through the brooding darkness.

    By the time Val regained his senses, it had already taken form. Val,ying on top of a pile of broken trees, looked at it with an unwavering gaze and curled his fingers into a fist.

    "I am not going to go down without a fight!"

    With an abrupt motion, he crossed his arms before his chest. A torrent of blood surged from within him, swirling out in rivulets, forming a protective dome around his figure. It danced and coalesced into a hardened shield of blood standing between him and certain doom.

    Boom!

    In a moment too swift for mortal eyes to perceive, the colossal bolt struck. It rammed into Val''s blood shield with an unfathomable fury.

    Bam!

    An ear-splitting echoed across the forest.

    His dome shield, while formidable, wasn''t invincible. It bore the brunt of the titanic assault, cracks spiderwebbing across its hardened surface before it disintegrated into a mist of blood under the relentless onught.

    The remnants of the lightning attack, unchecked, crashed into Val. His body, subjected to the raw, unfettered power of heavenly lightning, was buried under the pile of broken trees he wasying on top of a moment ago.

    Struck by the heavenly lightning, his skin was charred, his muscles screamed in protest, and his senses were enveloped by an all-consuming white light.

    But his spirit remained unbroken.

    I am Val the unfeeling!

    I am the Master of Life, the Harbinger of Doom!!

    Heavenly tribtion doesn''t have what it takes to im my life!!!

    A bestial and prideful growl rippled from his throat as he bore the tribtion''s wrath.

    [-4 HP!]

    [Remaining HP: 3/10]

    Although he withstood the onught of the heavenly thunder, he was severely injured. He burst out of the rubble, standing proudly under the sky. His figure stood battered, blood seeping from countless wounds, his clothes no more than tattered rags. His features were marred by the fury of the tribtion, but the spark in his inky ck eyes with bottomless depth remained undying.

    Rumble!

    No sooner had he caught his breath, the heavens growled once more. Another bolt of lightning began to coalesce in the storm-riddled sky, crackling with malicious intent.

    This was the Fourth bolt! An urrence unheard of, even for the prestigious Whitemore bloodline, which was one of the 100 Ruling Families of the Outer Region of the Kingdom.

    The general consensus was that the purity of one''s bloodline dictated the severity of the heavenly tribtion they experienced during an upgrade.

    A low-purity Whitemore would experience a single bolt, while those with medium purity faced two to three.

    Only someone with a high-purity Whitemore bloodline, akin to Joshua''s, would have to brave four bolts to upgrade their bloodline to level 2.

    Astonishingly, Val''s tribtion was the high-purity type.

    This fact invalidated the popr misconception that Val''s bloodline was of lesser purity than Joshua''s.

    It was just as pure, if not purer!

    The fourth bolt was considerably smaller than its predecessors and it lingered ominously in the sky. But Val, empowered by his ''Detect'' Trait, was able to tell it was more dangerous than the previous three.

 Chapter 60 60: Heavenly Tribulation 2

    ?

    Thepact size of the bolt was a deception to fool the eyes of the ignorant.

    In all honesty, it was an embodiment of concentrated devastation!

    The bolt in the sky seemed to pulse with life, and his body throbbed.

    This sensation helped him anticipate the imminent strike.

    Without wasting a moment, he sprang aside, moving with the grace and agility of a seasoned panther.

    BOOM!

    A blink of an eyeter, the lightning bolt dropped from the sky, descending straight towards where Val had been a fraction of a second ago. As Val had moved before it even dropped, the lightning bolt missed him by a hair''s breadth.

    A sigh of relief escaped his lips, but it was short-lived. The lightning, seemingly endowed with a malevolent will of its own, took a sudden turn, an impossible turn, hurtling towards Val like the scythe of Death, eager to harvest his life.

    "...Not today!" Val''s voice rang out defiantly against heaven''s wrath.

    With a thought, his cursed sword materialized in his hand.

    "Shatter!"

    With a primal roar, he brandished his sword.

    A crimson arc of energy burst forth from the body of the sword, meeting the iing bolt head-on.

    The impact shattered the heavenly lightning, splitting it into two halves!

    Each half whizzed past him, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake as they incinerated the surrounding trees.

    Val''s triumphant cry rang out through the eerie silence that followed the fourth bolt. "I have done it!"

    However, his jubtion was violently cut short as another earth-shaking rumble echoed through the darkened sky.

    The sky rumbled, and his heart sank in sync with the dreadful sound.

    "What the fuck?"

    A bolt of pure terror began to take shape.

    This was the fifth lightning bolt!

    Even the progenitor of the Whitemores was known to have only faced four bolts. Val facing a fifth one no longer had to do with the purity of his bloodline. This tribtion was aiming to annihte his existence for reasons beyond hisprehension.

    Was it because he was an anomaly, carrying two bloodlines in one body? Or perhaps, his half-devil lineage had provoked this divine retribution.

    Regardless, a towering column of ck lightning,ced with a deadly promise, shot down towards him.

    Wounded and weary, he attempted to evade the terrifying bolt, but the speed gap was too vast, and his strength waned too quickly.

    Fate was too ruthless!

    It seemed inescapable!!

    His demise seemed inevitable!!!

    But just as the lethal bolt was a hair''s breadth away, a golden halo sprung forth from him.

    [Ding! As your life is in danger, the Divine Blessing has activated.]

    A wave of relief swept over him, leaving a wistful smile on his face. At this moment, the system''s melodious notification was akin to the sweetest symphony he''d ever heard.

    The golden halo collided with the monstrous bolt, causing it to deviate from its intended course.

    Like a divine intervention at the brink of doom, the murderous bolt was deflected, its might redirected towards a distant mountain!

    The destructive force of the bolt annihted the peak, turning the once majestic mountain into a mere stub of what it once was.

    The aftermath was a testament to the destructive prowess of the tribtion Val had just narrowly escaped.

    [Your life has been saved.]

    The memory of Eliana''s sincere gaze as she promised to pray for him came back to him as if a vision amidst the chaos. The blessing he had received, a gift for aiding the pure-hearted maiden, had manifested in the most critical moment, shielding him from an assured death.

    The divine intervention had been his salvation, a ray of light amidst the despair. His battered body ached, but the overwhelming relief that washed over him numbed the physical difort.

    He had survived the heavenly tribtion, emerging from it stronger and more powerful than before. His body might be bruised and scarred, but his spirit was invincible, his triumph absolute.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You have sessfully weathered the tribtion. Your Whitemore Bloodline has earned the recognition of the White Devil from Hell and has been upgraded to Level 2.]

    [You have acquired the Bloodline skill ''Hellish Fist.''

    An exhrating rush of power coursed through him as the new Bloodline skill integrated with his being.

    Another notification popped up in his vision.

    [Hellish Fist: Allow you to imbue your punches with Hellfire. Hellfire is impervious to regr extinguishing means, and it burns not only the flesh but also the soul of your adversaries.]

    It was a powerful weapon against all enemies!

    "With this skill, ying an Eldritch like Ravengar should be possible!" he said.

    Roar!

    The tranquility following the tribtion was abruptly shattered by the guttural roars of beasts, their cries echoing through the forest, disturbing the eerie calm.

    Soon a multitude of beasts emerged from From the dense, shadowy curtains of the trees that surrounded Val.

    These beasts had smelled the scent of a bloodline user battered by the heavenly tribtion.

    To them, he was a rare delicacy to be seized - a feast that promised to nourish them with unprecedented strength.

    The beasts, eyes glinting with ruthlessness, advanced towards him.

    It looked simr to vultures circling a wounded animal. However, they mistook that animal for a dog when it was actually a dragon that although injured could easily deal with them!

    Although brutally injured, Val didn''t even flinch as the beasts encircled him. Instead, his eyes sparkled with a gleam of delight as he sized up his unexpected guests.

    "Well, isn''t this a perfect chance to test my new skill?"

    Val curled his lips into a wicked smile.

    With a flex of his arm, an eerie grey me sprang to life. The sudden manifestation of the hellish fire ratcheted up the surrounding temperature. A heatwave rippled through the air, causing the beasts to falter in their approach, their eyes widening in terror.

    Sporting a devilish grin, Val pulled his arm back, the ghastly fire coiling around his tightly clenched fist like a viper poised to strike.

 Chapter 61 61: Hellish Punch!

    ?

    Hellish Punch!

    In the blink of an eye, Val thrust his fist forward. The hellish me shot forth like a meteor.

    Whoosh!

    It cut through the air with a ruthless speed, homing in on one of therger beasts. The creature barely had the chance to react before the me connected with it.

    Boom!

    An ear-splitting shriek echoed through the forest as the ghastly fire exploded upon impact, enveloping the beast in a storm of red mes.

    The fire clung to it like a cruel lover, searing and consuming its flesh.

    What followed next were the pained cries of the beast that echoed in the forest. Its body convulsed as the unextinguishable mes not only burned its body but also relentlessly gnawed at its soul, reducing it to a pitiful, screaming mess. Its body and soul were reduced to a smoldering pile of ashes by the hellish fire in mere seconds.

    [Ding! You have in a Level 10 Plunderer. You have earned 2.5 EXP.]

    The beasts began to retreat. They haveprehended the reality of the situation and knew they were no match for Val.

    Val, however, wasn''t about to let them escape. He was mere inches away from leveling up. If he hunted down these fleeing creatures, he would certainly achieve his goal!

    His fists, bathed in spectral grey mes, lunged forward with an uncanny precision. The grey fire leaped from his fists like a predator freed from its cage, hurling towards the scattering beasts with deadly intent. Each burning missile cut a swath through the night, a breathtaking disy of cruel elegance with the singr purpose of obliterating the challenging prey.

    The tormented cries of the beasts filled the night air as Val''s merciless onught reached them.

    The eerie fire engulfed their massive bodies, leaving no room for escape or resistance. The roars of anguish turned into gruesome gurgles as the relentless mes seared their flesh, gnawing away until nothing but charred bones remained. But the hellish fire was insatiable, reducing even the skeletons to smoldering ashes.

    A series of notifications sounded.

    [Ding! Three Level 1 Red-Eyed Snakes have been killed by you. You''ve earned +1 Experience point]

    [Ding! Two Level 2 Long-Tailed Monkeys have been killed by you. You''ve earned +1 Experience point]

    [Ding! Eight Level 1 Giant Rabbits have been killed by you. You''ve earned +2.5 Experience points]

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You have leveled up. You are now Level 6. You have gained +2 Stat Points, and your Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline has been upgraded by 10%.]

    Val paused as the system notification rang out in his head.

    A wave of mixed feelings swept over him. Progress was always a source of satisfaction, but the bitter realization that his Blood Devil Bloodline upgrade had been reduced to a mere 10% for each time he would level up left a sour taste in his mouth.

    Previously, each level up had rewarded him with a generous 20% upgrade to his Blood Devil Bloodline. But now, with the rate halved, he would have to level up ten times to bring his bloodline to Level 2.

    He let out a quiet sigh, the euphoria of leveling up dampened by this revtion.

    "Things have certainly be more difficult for me," he muttered under his breath.

    He opened the system interface.

    Name: Val V. Whitemore

    Race: Half-Human, Half-Devil

    Age: 16

    ss: Blood Devil

    Level: 6 (2/400 EXP)

    Innate ss: White Devil Disciple (You can not upgrade it using EXP unless it''s registered as your secondary ss in the database of the system) (You will gain the opportunity to register other sses as your secondary ss when you reach level 10!)

    Hidden Ailments: none

    Trait: Unfeeling, Emotional Impairment, Nocturnal Vision, Minor Corruption Resistance Trait, Detect.

    Stats:

    ?Health Points (HP): 3/10

    ?Strength (STR): 25

    ?Agility (AGT): 25

    ?Stamina (STA): 20

    ?Reflexes (REF): 20

    ?Blood Bar: 800 units of blood

    Stat Points: 2

    Mad Points: 50

    Bloodline Skills:

    1. Blood Absorption

    2. Blood Maniption

    3. Blood Rush

    4. Titan''s Reinforcement

    5. Hellish Fist

    Bound items:

    1. Aquarius

    2. Void Orb

    Val looked at the EXP bar within his system interface. The count stood at a mocking 2 out of 400 EXP for the next level. It was like being a tiny pebble at the base of a towering mountain - a steep ascent of 398 EXPy ahead. Reaching the next level was going to be a challenging task.

    His HP was quite low and he was severely injured.

    He couldn''t heal himself using the Blood Absorption as there was nothing left to cast it on. After all, the beasts killed by Hellish Fire didn''t leave behind any remains, not even a drop of blood.

    It was a double-edged sword.

    This was the disadvantage of his new bloodline skill.

    The realization was bitter. This new bloodline skill, as overwhelming as it was, was inharmonious with his other bloodline skills such as Blood Absorption.

    ''I should only use it when necessary.''

    ...

    In order to replenish his health bar, Val wasted no time in seeking his next prey.

    A pack of Greyhounds caught his attention.

    These beasts, their bodies swathed in thick fur, were idly enjoying a feast of hapless rabbits. The crunching of the rabbit bones being crushed by their teeth echoed through the clearing.

    Lost in their meal, the Greyhounds remained oblivious to Val''s presence.

    "Found my next meal."

    Val smiled.

    A deadly dance began, a crimson ballet of power and control. As Val raised his hands, the lifeblood in his veins responded. Fine lines of crimson liquid flowed out from his fingertips. It was an eerie spectacle under the gloomy forest canopy. The blood swirled and twirled mid-air like crimson ribbons dancing to an invisible rhythm, slowly condensing into an army of bullets.

    The more it condensed, the more it solidified.

    Each bullet was as tiny as a nail and was a concentrated core of lethal intent. Like obedient soldiers waiting for theirmander''smand, they hovered in the air.

    The reaper has summoned his army of spectral creatures to kill, but the Greyhounds were blissfully unaware!

 Chapter 62 62: Child Of Prophecy!

    ?

    Then, with a flick of his finger, Valmenced the onught, which he also presided over.

    Whoosh!

    Like a flock of lethal birds of prey, the blood bullets shot forward, each guided by Val''s unwavering will.

    The Greyhounds, caught off guard by the sudden onught, found themselves devoid of any opportunity to react. A soft whistling cut through the forest''s ambience as the bullets closed in on their targets. Then, with a deadly elegance, the bullets drilled through the back of their heads, tunneling with merciless efficiency.

    Puchi!

    A sickening squelch echoed through the clearing as each bullet emerged from the front of the greyhounds'' heads, carrying with it a grisly rain of blood and brain matter. The grisly projectiles plopped onto the forest floor, leaving a disturbing and gut-wrenching trail in their wake.

    Thud!

    The Greyhounds dropped like marites with severed strings, their bodies thudding against the ground with a finality that echoed in the clearing, their once lively eyes now zed over with the finality of death.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve killed a pack of low-level Greyhounds. You''ve earned +10 experience points!]

    A smirk danced on Val''s lips as the system notification echoed in his ears.

    The outskirts of the Evernight Forest were vast, segmented into several regions, each presenting its unique challenges.

    Greyhounds, known for their remarkable size and resilient hides, were the apex predators of the region bordering the Devil''s Throat.

    For an average beginner-stage bloodline user, defeating these beasts would pose a significant challenge.

    But Val managed to effortlessly crush these formidable beasts as if they were mere insects in his path.

    It was not surprising.

    After all, their perceived advantage wasughably insignificant before his might.

    His stats and bloodline skills were beyond the power that can be mustered by a level 3 bloodline user. It would not be wrong topare him to intermediate-stage bloodline users.

    Thus, a pack that could only pose a challenge to a level 1 to 3 bloodline user was bound to be effortlessly decimated by him

    Val walked over to the scene of the carnage and cast his Blood Absorption skill on the carcasses lying before him.

    As a result, the blood of the fallen Greyhounds was drawn into him and used to restore his health bar.

    [Your HP has been restored to 10 points. Your injuries have healed!]

    "Good," he smirked, relishing in his renewed vitality.

    All traces of the severe injuries he had sustained from the tribtion were gone; not even a scar remained.

    He was as good as new, his skin soft and smooth like a baby''s.

    "Thest thing I need to do before I set out for the Northern Frontier is take revenge."

    As he was going to hunt an Eldritch tonight, he proceeded to put 1 point in reflexes and another in stamina.

    [Your Reflexes have increased to 21 points!]

    [Your Stamina has increased to 21 points!]

    Satisfied with his attribute upgrades, Val left the clearing and began making his way through the surrounding forest.

    Unbeknownst to him, a mysterious figure was silently observing him from a perch on a nearby tree.

    This person had striking green eyes and smooth white skin. He was dressed in an immacte white tuxedo with a matching white glove. A blue tie adorned his attire, and his overall appearance exuded a sense of splendor.

    An entity emerged from the shadow of the man, which was cast on the tree trunk.

    "Pray tell, my lord, what is it about that boy that has captured your attention?"

    The shadowy entity had a single eye that was two times bigger than the eye of a human and two tiny hands, each with two digits��an elongated thumb and a finger. As it spoke to the man, a mouth with pearly white teeth materialized.

    "He is no ordinary individual," Lucious responded, his gaze fixed on Val. "He bears not just one, but two distinct bloodlines flowing within him. The purity of one can be traced back to the esteemed White Devil lineage, but the other remains an enigma even to me."

    Curiosity piqued, the shadowy entity inquired further. "So, there are things even you are unaware of?"

    Lord Lucious scratched his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Indeed. But it rarely happens. I believe he may be the child of prophecy."

    "What prophecy, precisely?" Intrigued, the shadowy entity pressed for details.

    Lord Lucious took a moment to gather his thoughts before borating, his voiceced with a mixture of fascination and uncertainty. "ording to an ancient prophecy, a child would be born between day and night, carrying within them the essence of two bloodlines. This child, neither fully human nor devil, would embody the traits of both in a single vessel. If this child were to follow the righteous path, they would be a savior for us Northerners, aiding us in oveing the brutal winter that befalls ournd."

    A spark of curiosity danced in the shadowy entity''s eye as it questioned. "And what if this child deviates from the righteous path, my lord?"

    Lord Lucious''s expression turned somber as he continued. "In the event that the child sumbs to darkness and strays from the righteous path, they would be the most formidable weapon of the devils, known as the Lord of the Devils. They would be the Aka of the Durcal Empire. In such a scenario, it would be our duty to not allow them to grow and put an end to their existence."

    The shadowy entity nodded in understanding, its form rippling with an eerie energy. "An extraordinary fate indeed, my lord. But tell me, why do you believe this boy to be the one from the prophecy among others with dual bloodlines?"

    Lord Lucious paused, his gaze fixed on Val''s departing figure, before responding with a mixture of certainty and intrigue. "There is a peculiar aspect to this child''s growth. Reports suggest that despite awakening his powers only recently, he has already achieved the strength of a level 4 bloodline user. Such rapid development is unprecedented. Have you ever witnessed such a phenomenon, my friend?"

    The shadowy entity pondered the question, its form undting in contemtion. "No, my lord, I cannot recall encountering such a prodigious individual before. It appears the child''s potential knows no bounds. But what does that have to do with him being the child of prophecy?"

    Lord Lucious exined, "The prophecy states that the child''s growth will be explosive after the age of 16. His rate of advancement has been nothing short of spectacr. It leads me to believe that he is the child of prophecy."

    "My lord, I have heard whispers that this child will be dispatched to the northern frontier by the end of May," the shadowy creature shared after a moment.

    Lord Lucious''s eyes widened, realization dawning upon him. "Ah, it is merely a day away! And our destination is the same as him Wouldn''t it be interesting to keep an eye on him?"

 Chapter 63 63: Back For Revenge!

    ?

    It was midnight when Val arrived at Shadowfall City.

    To force the Eldritch of this area out of its hiding spot, he needed to make a ruckus.

    He made deliberate noise to attract hordes of zombies towards him, their decaying forms stepped out of the alleys and old depted buildings and converged upon his location.

    Looking at the approaching zombies, Val''s lips curled up, and he raised his hands. Then, as if summoned by some unholy sorcery, waves of blood erupted from Val''s very core. The scarlet tides that rose from his body coalesced into monstrous, crimson fists, which were brimming with a ferocity that would shatter bone and pulverize flesh.

    He brought his hands down, and these colossal appendages descended upon the hapless zombies who were either too slow or too mindless to evade it.

    Bam!

    The impact was catastrophic. Crushed by the fists, the rotten bodies of the zombies were turned into meat pies and their heads burst like overripe fruits, showering the surroundings with a spray of putrid gore.

    The stench of decay mingled with the metallic tang of blood, a vile cocktail that permeated the night air.

    With each crushing blow that killed dozens of zombies, Val reveled in the feedback from his system. Notifications materialized before his eyes, providing an ount of his gruesome aplishments and the rewards reaped from the carnage.

    [You have in 20 level 1 zombies. Experience gained: 10 points.]

    [You have in 40 level 0 zombies. Experience gained: 10 points.]

    [You have in 70 level 0 zombies. Experience gained: 18 points.]

    While he was ughtering zombies, Val''s attention was abruptly diverted as he sensed danger.

    The Ravenger has arrived!

    A flying broomstick shot toward Val from his blind spot, but an ominous throb on the back of his head warned him of this insidious attack in time.

    Reacting swiftly, he leaped aside, narrowly avoiding the broomstick''s deadly path.

    "You dodged that?" The voice of Ravengar rang out from behind. Its shock swiftly melted into amusement, "It doesn''t matter. You won''t be able to dodge what I have in store for you. Thest time you ran away but this time I won''t let you."

    Val turned to face him, his eyes gleaming with newfound determination. "Last time, I didn''t have the means to deal with you. But this time, I do. So why would I run away?"

    "You''re bluffing," Ravengar snorted.

    "Am I? Do you dare find out?" Val challenged.

    "Why wouldn''t I dare?" Ravengar charged, shovel swinging.

    Val activated his Blood Rush skill, his agility doubling. With his agility boosted to 50 points, he evaded Ravengar''s shovel attack with seamless fluidity, his body bing a blur as he slipped through the air like a fish in water. The shovel swung by the Ravengar whistled past him, missing its mark by a hair''s breadth.

    This is the chance he has been waiting for. There was no way in hell that he was going to let it slip by his finger!

    Seizing the opportune moment, Val capitalized on his enhanced agility and countered with a devastating strike.

    Whoosh!

    His fist, enveloped in a ghastly grey me, hurtled through the air and surged forward towards the Ravengar like a specter of doom.

    Bam!

    The impact was catastrophic as the fist collided with Ravengar''s face, the force behind the blow sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The intensity of the collision lifted the Ravengar off its feet and propelled it backward, its body hurtling through the night like a discarded ragdoll.

    Thud!

    Its flight came to an end as it flew across the street and crashed mercilessly onto the ground, limbs sprawled in disarray.

    Val''s eyes flicked to his fist, which remained aze, but no fire had caught onto Ravengar. ''Interesting, it seems a Ravengar can not be ignited by the Hellish Fist, but it can indeed be damaged by a fist covered in it. Well then, time to introduce it to an old-fashioned beating. I will pummel it to death.'' Val thought, cracking his knuckles menacingly.

    Ravengar''s eyes widened in disbelief as It stared at Val. "How... How did you manage to strike me? A mere mortal should not possess the power to touch me!"

    "Oh, foolish creature," Val scoffed, his eyes gleaming dangerously. "You are severely mistaken tobel me as a mere mortal. Not only do I have the power to harm you, but I also possess the power to end your existence."

    ''I''m afraid!''

    Fear, an emotion alien to the Eldritch like Ravengar, who had always been the harbingers of terror, surged through its being. The sight of Val, his fists aglow with a fierce and unrelenting fire, sent a primal chill down its spine.

    ''I need to escape. I will die if I stick around!''

    Escape was the only thought that echoed through its mind, like a death knell.

    It began to form a doorway to another dimension. The very fabric of reality rippled and distorted around it, cracks appearing out of thin air, growing wider and deeper. It was the gateway to its salvation, its means to escape the imminent doom.

    But Val was having not of it. In a heartbeat, he closed the gap, appearing by Ravengar''s side like a phantom, his fist cloaked in grey me.

    "Don''t even think about escaping," he said in a low and thick voice as his eyes carrying not a hint of emotion met the wide protruding eyes of the Ravengar.

    Without giving Ravengar a moment to respond, Val struck its face with a fist, shrouded in the eerie gray mes of Hellish Fist.

    It was a punch imbued with an inhuman strength, an irresistible force that collided with the face of the Eldritch entity like a bullet train at full speed, causing the Ravengar to crash onto the ground with overwhelming force. The impact was so potent that it shattered the ground beneath the Ravengar and disoriented it.

    As Ravengary there, dazed, Val seized the moment. Heunched himself onto the stunned creature, fists cloaked in the eerie grey glow of his power. His fists morphed into a blur as they began raining down upon the stunned Ravengar with relentless fury. Each punch was a cataclysm of raw power, intense enough to send shockwaves through the air. The force of each impact only served to widen the cracks in the ground beneath Ravengar, pushing it deeper into the fractured earth.

    On the tenth punch, Val''s fist collided with Ravengar''s head with an apocalyptic force. The impact was devastating and overwhelming, causing Ravengar''s head to explode like an overripe fruit!

    [Ding! Congrattions! You have killed a 10-year-old Ravengar. You gained 300 EXP!

    [As this is your first time killing an Eldritch, you will gain a bonus reward. You''ve obtained an additional 50 EXP!]

    This was all the EXP he needed to level up!

    ''Killing an Eldritch is really beneficial,'' Val discovered.

 Chapter 64 64: Flying Broom & Mystical Shovel!

    ?

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You have leveled up. You have reached level 7 from 6. You get +2 Stat Points, and a 10% upgrade in your Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline!]

    [Current progress of the Host''s Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline towards the next level: 20/100%]

    [EXP needed to reach the next level: 0/800]

    Val''s eyebrow raised.

    The amount of EXP he needed to reach the next level seemed ridiculous.

    He also noticed that the EXP required to level up was doubling each time he leveled up.

    This meant to reach level 10, he would need a total of 3600 EXP!

    Once he reaches that level, he would get to have a secondary ss.

    He was looking forward to it!

    .....

    After Ravengar''s death, his body disintegrated into ck ashes, leaving no trace behind.

    However, the weapons that Ravengar had wielded during the battle remained scattered on the streets.

    Val moved towards the special items dropped by Ravengar upon his defeat.

    He reached out and imed the two peculiar artifacts as his own.

    The moment his hands made contact, he felt a strange sensation, as if some invisible threads of power were entangling and intertwining his being with the objects.

    Immediately, a notification of his system popped up in his vision.

    [Ding! You have killed a Ravengar. As a result, you have be the new owner of its weapons. The Flying Broom and the Mystical Shovel are now bound to your will!]

    [The Flying Broom: This is a flying weapon. Its bristles can harden to an extent where they be as sharp and deadly as metal. You can control it with your will.]

    [The Mystical Shovel: This tool allows you to step into the Other Side once at two days. It can also be used to return from the Other Side. The Other Side is a parallel dimension that oveps with the physical world but exists on a different ne. It operates with its own uniquews and is generally inessible without special means, like this Mystical Shovel.]

    A sense of satisfaction filled Val''s heart as he understood the abilities of his newly acquired weapons.

    ''A whole new world of opportunities has just opened up to me. With these tools, not only am I stronger than before I fought with the Ravengar but I am also equipped to explore dimensions beyond my own.''

    A spark of excitement lit up his eyes as he contemted his next course of action.

    ''Should I try it or not?''

    A normal person would think twice before venturing into the Other Side, which was home to the Eldritchs. However, Valcked the ability to feel fear, and a man without fear had nothing to fear!

    Val did hesitate for a moment, considering the possibilities and potential dangers of entering the Other side. He couldn''t feel fear but it didn''t mean heckedmon sense. Heading into a ce where he and no one else had ever stepped foot into seemed like a great but dangerous idea. He took a deep breath and decided to pioneer the exploration of the Otherside. But he also warned himself to escape it at the first sign of danger.

    With the power of the Mystical Shovel clutched firmly in his hand, he conjured a gate to the Other Side.

    An empty void, akin to a ck hole in space, emerged in front of him. It wasrger than him, its dimensions intimidating, yet it held an enigmatic allure that was impossible to resist.

    Without wasting any more time, Val stepped through the gate.

    He emerged in a ce startlingly familiar to him; it was an uncanny replica of Shadowfall City.

    Theyout, the buildings, the streets - all were an eerie mirror image of the ruins of the city he knew!

    However, this parallel reality was eerily silent and devoid of life. There were no haggard zombies wandering aimlessly.

    As no howls or screeches of the Walking Dead echoed in the night, the atmosphere was serene, yet profoundly disquieting, like a phantom city frozen in time.

    "The Other Side is like a mirrored reflection of the real world, yet utterly devoid of life. It''s as if someone took a snapshot of our world, its cities, and terrains, then emptied them of every living being. This... this is like wandering through the echoes of reality," Val mused, a thoughtful expression etched on his face.

    "I should first affirm my conjecture."

    His curiosity was piqued, and he moved on to explore this eerie replica of his world.

    He passed by the forest that would have been teeming with beasts on any given night. Still, it was eerily silent here, not a single beast stirred within its depths. He reached the refugee camp, better known as the slums, established outside the IronSpire stronghold; the tents were there, perfectly arranged in their usual spots, but devoid of any signs of life.

    After entering the stronghold, he found that even it was empty.

    It was as he thought.

    The Other Side was a perfect canvas, replicating only the physical structures and topography of the world while devoid of its life forms!

    With a wave of the Mystical Shovel, he stepped out of the Other Side, returning to the real world.

    As he had suspected, the Ironspire stronghold was teeming with life.

    Families could be seen sitting in the park, enjoying the night. The park wasrge enough to amodate hundreds of families, and there were a lot of families there, having a peaceful time under the pale white and crimson rays of the moons.

    Across the park, families were engaged in lively conversations.

    There, a small boy, no older than seven, pointed excitedly at the sky, eximing, "Mom, look! The crimson moon looks like a giant apple tonight!"

    His mother, sitting beside him with an arm wrapped around his small shoulders, chuckled softly. "Maybe it''s a sign, dear. Perhaps you should eat more apples to grow up strong."

    In a secluded corner of the bustling park, siblings Eliana and Ace were engaged in a serious discussion.

    "Ace, I must do this," Eliana asserted, her gaze steady and resolute.

    Her brother wore a look of concern as he questioned, "Is it absolutely necessary, Eliana? You understand the risks, don''t you?"

    Eliana nodded, her determination unwavering. "I do, Ace. Remember, it was the God of Light who saved us from that deadly massacre, the one that imed our family. He guided us to a safe haven when we were lost and helpless. Now, when he seeks my assistance, it''s only fair and righteous that I extend my hand."

    Ace ran his hand over his face, looking conflicted, but finally gave a resigned sigh. "I trust your judgment, Eliana. You have a way of always making the right decisions. But this task... finding the crimson-eyed lord, the ruler of white mes and blood, in the vast expanse of the northern frontier... It''s akin to finding a needle in a haystack."

    "Ace, the path may seem daunting, but I believe that things will fall into ce. Faith has a way of paving a path where none exists." Eliana responded with a serene smile, her eyes shimmering with a deep-rooted faith.

    Closer to the center of the park, an elder storyteller told tales of heroes to an enraptured young audience. The children listened to his stories with rapt attention, eyes wide with wonder.

    "Okay, I am done." the old storyteller said to the kids with a smile.

    One young boy immediately asked, "Grandpa, were you as brave as the heroes in your stories?"

    The old man winked, patting the boy''s head. "Oh, I had my moments,d. But the true courage is not in battling monsters, but in facing our fears and standing up for what''s right."

    Val stood outside the part, silently taking in the view of his surroundings that were bustling with life.

    ''Interesting,'' Val thought, a grin spreading across his face as he considered the implications of this new discovery. ''The Other Side is an incredibly safe means of travel. It''s perfect for avoiding unnecessary confrontations. No zombies, no beasts. A world just for myself... and other Eldritchs and Eldrich''s yers."

    The Other Side was a realm essed by very few beings. The odds of running into someone else there were as slim as bumping into an Eldritch in the real world. In all of Val''s sixteen years of life, he had encountered an Eldritch just once, making it clear how incredibly rare such an encounter was. Thus, it could be inferred that the chance of meeting someone else in the Other Side Realm was equally improbable.

    So what Val said about it being a safe means of travel was true!

 Chapter 65 65: Ordering A Hit

    ?

    In the Kingdom''s Outer Region, a hut could be seen in the heart of a lush, dense forest, nestledfortably between a towering mountain and a crystal-clear stream.

    The Mountain was behind it and the stream was in front of it.

    In this simple hut, a man could be seen sitting on a chair and reading a newspaper.

    This man had striking grey eyes. His eyes were intense and cold as if he was a reaper from hell ready to im souls. His skin was unusually pale, and he had dark circles under his eyes. He was dressed in ck, his mouth covered by a mask, and his most distinctive feature was the three-streak tattoos running across his eyes.

    There was a table next to him. On the table, a long-distancemunication cursed artifact was ced.

    Ring-ring-ring!

    Suddenly, the artifact stirred from its slumber, ringing with an intensity that drew the man''s attention.

    He swiftly shifted his gaze from the newspaper to the artifact, curiosity recing his previously calm expression.

    Without wasting a second, he picked up the long-distancemunication cursed artifact and answered the iing call, saying, "Who''s calling to ce a hit?"

    This man went by the name Marvick, a name that held a fearsome reputation within the shadows of the kingdom.

    His role in society was one that many shunned, for he was an assassin.

    Marvick had a simple, though grim, line of work: he dealt in death.

    For the right price in gold or the highly valuable zombie nuclei, he would exterminate anyone, be it a lowly peasant or an influential noble.

    His bloodline skill set was a uniquemodity in this treacherous world of great inequality where human life was sometimes as cheap as cabbage and sometimes more valuable than a mountain of gold, and he exploited it to its full potential.

    The individuals who dared to reach out to him were those who had a deadly objective in mind. These were not the faint-hearted, but people who were desperate, vengeful, or power-hungry. They all sought his lethal services for one reason - they wanted someone eliminated from their paths.

    This demand for his lethal skills tranted into more work opportunities for Marvick, and naturally, more ie.

    Marvick was not perturbed by the ethical implications of his profession.

    To him, the concepts of morality and immorality were simply two sides of the same coin.

    In his view, he was merely a facilitator, a tool wielded by those who sought his services.

    His job was to execute orders without question and to collect his payment once the deed was done.

    So, in this harsh world where survival was the only thing that mattered, Marvick thrived as one of the most renowned affordable assassins.

    His name was synonymous with death as he had never once failed a job!

    A moment of silence, then a voice crackled over the artifact, "It''s me, Marvick. Keith Stroud."

    At the sound of the name, a smirk yed on Marvick''s lips.

    Keith Stroud - the man to whom he owed his life.

    The past unspooled in his mind with crystal rity.

    He was no stranger to Keith or his background.

    Keith Stroud was the adopted son of the previous head of the Stroud noble family.

    Marvick held Keith in high esteem as when he was the ve of the Strouds, he was the only one who showed him kindness.

    The Strouds had raised Marvick into an assassin.

    In a week alone, they had him eliminate more than a dozen targets.

    Among his victims was a high-ranking noble, a known adversary of the Stroud family. The noble was a powerful individual, a rank 5 bloodline user with immense wealth. Yet, Marvick, who was a level 3 bloodline user then, sessfully executed the hit.

    Marvick''s unique bloodline skill was his trump card. His ability to cast illusions that targeted one''s consciousness was a terrifying weapon. Those who were burdened with guilt and fear were unable to resist his power, falling prey to his deadly illusions.

    However, his strength came with limitations. He had to make the first move. If he failed tounch the initial attack, the tables would quickly turn against him. This was due to the significant gap in power between a level 3 and level 5 bloodline user.

    The noble he had assassinated was far from virtuous. His sins were many, his guilt profound, and he was a devout follower of the God of Light.

    Thisbination made him vulnerable to Marvick''s illusions, ultimately leading to his downfall.

    However, the repercussions of his actions were dire. Killing a noble was a transgression of the highest order, akin to defying the Queen herself.

    Marvick became a wanted man, pursued by the Queen''s guard and bounty hunters alike!

    Moreover, the Stroud family, concerned about their role in the assassination being discovered, turned against Marvick.

    Betrayed, he found himself fighting for his life against not only the Queen''s guard, and the bounty hunters, but also his former masters!

    Keith intervened at the crucial juncture, saving Marvick from the pursuers and smuggling him to the outer region where Marvick found a new lease on life. Sometimes he worked as Keith''s shadow, assassinating whoever he wanted dead, but most of them, he worked as an independent contractor, and he had earned a lot from this.

    Throughout the years, Marvick had efficiently handled various assignments from Keith.

    The tasks were challenging but manageable, and the rewards were sufficient.

    The arrangement benefited both of them.

    Thus, their rtionship was quite solid.

    "Lord Keith," Marvick said, "It''s only been a few days since youst contacted me. I didn''t expect to hear from you so soon."

    "No pleasantries needed, Marvick," came Keith''s straightforward reply. "I have a task for you."

    Marvick leaned back, his interest piqued.

    "Who''s the unfortunate soul?"

    "A young boy named Val V. Whitemore."

    Keith Stroud had a deep-seated reason for wanting Val Whitemore dead. Val had crossed a line by brutally beating Keith''s son.

    For Keith, this was an affront he couldn''t bear quietly.

    However, he was unable to retaliate openly due to Joshua''s influence and power.

    However, that didn''t mean he would let this act go unanswered.

    Therefore, he decided to orchestrate Val''s assassination in secret.

    If everything was done skillfully and without a trace, Joshua would be left without any concrete proof of who was behind his son''s demise.

    The absence of solid evidence would be a barrier to his pursuit of justice.

    Even if he had his suspicions and believed that the Strouds were involved, without proof, his hands would be tied.

    Additionally, Joshua would have to consider the political ramifications of his actions.

    If he chose to retaliate without proof, he risked sparking off a conflict not only with the Strouds but also potentially with the Queen''s Court and the other influential figures of the kingdom.

    Not to mention, although Joshua''s status as a level 7 warrior, he was not the only one in the kingdom with such power.

    There were many others of equal or even greater strength, and causing a disturbance could draw their ire.

    Even if he were filled with rage and grief over the death of his son, he would be forced to act with restraint unless he wished to antagonize these powerful entities.

    Thus, the political bnce and need for evidence would act as a shield for Keith.

    As long as he yed his cards right, he could ensure the death of Val while keeping himself safe from reprisal.

    The court was a ce of cold facts and irrefutable evidence, and without these, no one could touch him!

    Marvick frowned at the revtion. "You mean the second son of Joshua V. Whitemore? The Ruler of the IronSpire Stronghold?"

    "That''s the one."

    Marvick let out a hollowugh. "You''ve got to be kidding me, Lord Keith. Assassinating the son of a level 7 warrior right under his nose is a death sentence, even for an illusionist like me."

    Illusionists were bloodline users who could weave intricate mirages that blurred the lines between reality and illusion.

    They were adept at creating vivid, immersive illusions that ensnared their opponents, making them victims of their own perceptions and trapping them within a maze of deceptive imagery.

    Marvick''s ability allowed him to manifest the deepest fears of his targets in front of their eyes. The horrors the victims see would be so petrifying and realistic that they might be immobilized in the best case. In the worst case, their mental stats might shatter.

    It was because of this skill that Marvick managed to assassinate a person two levels stronger than him in thest.

    However, Joshua was 4 levels above him. The gap in their abilities was astronomical. He had no confidence that he would be able to assassinate someone under his nose.

    "Don''t shoot the idea down so quickly," Keith said, "Val''s leaving the IronSpire stronghold soon. He will be heading to the Northern Frontier on a train tomorrow. There would be no Joshua to protect him on that train. You just need to make sure that he stops breathing before the train reaches its destination."

    "Killing a bloodline user in a train filled to the brim with prying eyes? That''s a risky y, especially considering there are bound to be other bloodline users keeping watch. It''s like setting myself up for a swift arrest," Marvick argued.

    "Why do you underestimate so? I''ve thoroughly ounted for all variables, Marvick," Keith retorted, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms with a confident smirk. "I''ve devised an intricate n to assassinate Val. I''ll orchestrate a diversion to keep the gaze of the Bloodline Users protecting the Train fixed where we want it. I''ll sow a seed of chaos to misdirect their focus. All you need to do is wait for the perfect opportunity amidst the confusion, then strike decisively."

    Marvick was silent for a moment, contemting.

    This wasn''t a simple hit.

    After all, the Whitemores were influential, and Val was the son of a Level 7 Warrior.

    However, he owed Keith, and in their world, a debt must be repaid.

    Not to mention, the n proposed by Keith seemed usible.

    "Alright, Keith. I owe you for saving my skin. I''ll do this. But we''re even after this." Marvick said after a moment.

 Chapter 66 66: To The Frontier! [Bonus For 100 Power Stones]

    ?

    "Master Val," Reignarld Ashworth, the Whitemore family''s eternally-serious butler called out, holding a silver tray with an air of solemn gravity. On it sat a small parcel nearly wrapped in silver papers as if it contained the Crown Jewels. "Your provisions for the journey."

    The provisions prepared for Val''s journey by Reignarld consisted of a variety of items.

    These included dried meat and fruits, some of which were imbued with minor healing properties and energy replenishment, hard cheese wrapped in wax to keep it fresh, and a supply of clean water in apact, reusable canteen.

    In addition to the food and water, the parcel also contained a small pouch of silver and copper coins for emergency spending, apass for navigation, a map of the Northern Frontier marked with known safe zones and danger areas, and a tiny book of remedies and medicinal ntsmon to the frontier area.

    "Ah, Reignarld, my trusty keeper of sandwiches and savior of hungry bellies! I''ll treasure these provisions as if they were golden nuggets!" Val shed him a smile and took the parcel he was giving him with a grateful nod.

    To those who didn''t know him well, Val seemed to be no more than a charming, light-hearted individual, always ready with a quick wit and an infectious smile.

    However, this was merely a fa?ade, an act designed to conceal his true nature.

    The truth was, Val was an unfeeling creature, a monster in human skin who was unable to experience pain or fear.

    However, he had learned the hard way that this peculiar trait of his could be exploited.

    The memory of the public poisoning by the priest was still fresh in his mind. The priest knew about Val''s immunity to pain, and he had used that knowledge to his advantage, poisoning him without fear of immediate detection. He took his revenge and killed the priest, but he might not be so lucky every time.

    Thus, Val had decided to hide his inhuman traits behind the persona of a jovial and carefree young man with a sense of humor.

    It was a mask he wore, not out of shame, but for his own protection.

    The world was far less dangerous for him when they believed he was just another human, another being who could feel pain, who could fear, and for the time being that''s exactly how he intended to keep it.

    ''Second Young Master Val''s acting skills have improved with the years.''

    Hearing what Val said, the corners of his Reignarld''s twitched, the closest thing to a full-on smile he ever disyed. "So long as you don''t consume the coins as if they were edible nuggets, young master."

    Val chuckled, "Surely, you jest, Reignarld. I''m not stupid enough to mistake coins for food and risk choking on them."

    After a moment, Val''s expression grew serious. "Reignarld, is there anything else I should know before I board the train?"

    Reignarld, who had served as the Whitemore family''s head butler for nearly a decade, responded to Val with a rare, small smile. "Do remember to write back once in a while, young master. Your father and I will be waiting for your news."

    He had watched Val grow up from a young boy of 6 years old to a handsome teenager. Reignarld hade to regard him as a son.

    "If time allows, I''ll be sure to write to you, head butler. As for Father, I may not be able to reach out to him," Val responded.

    "And why might that be?" came a third voice, cutting through the moment like a razor. It was Joshua V. Whitemore, who had suddenly appeared behind Val, his imposing figure casting a shadow on the young teen.

    Forcing a false smile onto his face, Val turned around to confront the figure looming behind him.

    This man, his own father, was the one person Val despised most in this world.

    He despised rapists, and Joshua had raped his mother. He hated betrayers, and Joshua had betrayed him!

    It was true that Joshua had imparted several invaluable life lessons to Val, even saved his life from the hands of an intermediate-rank bloodline user once, but those actions did not erase the abhorrent acts he hadmitted against him and his mother.

    He was many things that Val abhorred.

    Thus, he couldn''t help but hate him.

    If he ever had the chance, he would kill him without a second thought, but he had to be cautious to never reveal this intention until he was strong enough.

    After all, Joshua was no ordinary man; he was a formidable level 7 warrior, known for his ruthlessness. If he were to discover the murderous hatred that his son harbored for him, there was little doubt he would retaliate without mercy. Val would be annihted before he had a chance to act.

    Moreover, Joshua held a distinguished position within the kingdom, serving as the loyal hound to the Queen. His close proximity to the monarchy made him untouchable, a dangerous man shielded by powerful allies.

    If Val were to harm him, it would not only draw the wrath of his father but also the retribution of the kingdom''s rulers.

    Living within the kingdom''s boundaries required ying a careful, often dangerous game of pretense and maniption.

    Therefore, Val, while nursing a profound hatred for Joshua, had to maintain a charade of amicability and respect.

    His survival depended on it, at least until he could find a way to ovee the insurmountable odds stacked against him.

    "Because I don''t want my trivial letters to disrupt your important work, Father," Val replied to Joshua smoothly.

    "My fellow men, did you hear that? What a considerated my son is!" Joshua eximed, his voice deep yet soothing.

    There were the people who were about to board the same train as Val, some heading to the Northern Frontier, like him, others merely traveling to the next town.

    They had all been inadvertently pulled into this public disy of father-son interaction.

    "Aye, Mr. Whitemore, your boy has manners," a burly man, who seemed to be a trader by his worn-out attire and a pack full of goods, chimed in, pping Val on the back in a friendly gesture.

    "Indeed, a considerated!" A woman added, her voice rich with amusement as she tipped her hat to Val. She seemed to be an adventurer, the hilt of a sword peeking from her cloak.

    "A chip off the old block," an elderly man nodded approvingly, his white beard bobbing in agreement.

    Val felt an intense urge to roll his eyes at the old man. How the heck was he simr to this rapist? There was noparison between them!

    Joshua said, "You''re heading to the Northern Frontier. It''s a dangerous ce, but for someone with your abilities, surviving and making some notable aplishments shouldn''t be difficult.

    "If you find some free time, do remember to visit home."

    "When the timees, I''ll give it some thought, father," Val said, his retort masked by his calmness, before he boarded the train.

    "Take care."

    "You too."

    Meanwhile, Eliana D. Grace bid her brother Ace farewell and boarded the train.

    Momentster, Lord Lucious also boarded the train with his shadowy entity.

    Then, the train began to move.

    It was heading towards the Northern Frontier!

 Chapter 67 67: The Train! [Bonus For 50 Golden Tickets]

    ?

    The train headed towards the Northern Frontier was an enormous mechanical beast.

    It was segmented into manypartments.

    Each segment was equipped with necessary amenities designed for thefort of the traveler.

    They included sleeping bunks, sitting areas, a dining car, and storage for luggage.

    Val Whitemore had just boarded the train, and he made his way through the bustling crowd to his assignedpartment.

    He pushed open the door, revealing a surprisingly spacious interior.

    Thepartment was divided into two sections.

    One area boasted plush, cushioned seats arranged in a half-circle near arge window, with a small table at the center.

    The other section contained a set of bunk beds, made up neatly with crisp white sheets and fluffy pillows.

    "It''s nicer than I thought," Val murmured to himself, observing the interior as a soft smile found itself on his face. "Though it doesn''t quite match the quality of the trains in the modern world, it''s quite admirable for this era."

    Although it had been 16 years since he came to this world and he was from a wealthy family, this was Val''s first time on a train.

    Why?

    It is because his unique Unfeeling and Emotional Impairment traits made him different from others, and that difference was seen as a liability by his family.

    As a result, from the age of one to six, he was locked up in his family''s manor.

    His father, Joshua, taught him to mimic emotions during this time.

    It was a skill to fool others into believing that he was just like them and Joshua made it clear that Val wasn''t stepping a foot out of his manor unless he learned it.

    By the time he was six, Val had mastered the art, allowing him to blend in with the ordinary world and avoid bringing shame upon his family name.

    As a result, he was allowed to go inside.

    However, his freedom was short-lived.

    When Val had freed his birth mother from the torment of Joshua, he was subjected to the same cruelty again.

    As a punishment for his defiance, he was put under solitary confinement.

    Once that period ended, he was forced to immerse himself in his studies and strive for excellence in everything he did.

    Thus, despite his desire for exploration, he never got the chance to experience a train journey until now.

    When he was in the IronSpire Stronghold, Val was subjected to Joshua''s will. He was unable to defy him without facing punishment, and his own strength was insufficient to put up a fight. On the rare asion when he did resist, he was dealt a devastating blow that nearly sent him to the afterlife.

    "It''s all in the past."

    Val refused to allow his bitter past to affect him.

    Now that he had left that ce behind, he firmly chose to move on from that difficult chapter in his life!

    He recognized the importance of looking forward and focusing on the future instead of ruminating over what had transpired previously.

    This approach, he believed, would help him maintain rity, ensure emotional health, and keep his actions in alignment with his present goals.

    He understood that dwelling on the past wouldn''t change anything, and he believed that learning from it and moving forward was the only productive course of action.

    Val settledfortably into the cushioned seat by the window and closed his eyes, immersing himself in the solitude of hispartment.

    His senses, now heightened due to the improvement in his physical condition, were quick to pick up on a new sound. It was the noise of footsteps, soft and rhythmic, gradually approaching hispartment. They were light and delicate, indicative of a small, possibly petite figure. He deduced that they belonged either to a woman or a child. The growth of his power had amplified his senses to an extent where he could discern this faint sound amidst the general cacophony.

    As he had predicted, the door soon swung open to admit a new entrant.

    It was a woman with alluring almond eyes, draped in the modest attire of a nun.

    Despite the concealing nature of her clothing, her figure was pleasantly noticeable. She was slender, with a gracefulness that was subtly entuated by the soft curves of her form.

    She was Eliana, a face he instantly recognized.

    He remembered her vividly because she had proven to be a woman of her word, praying earnestly for him when he had lent a helping hand in her hour of need. It was those sincere prayers of hers that had helped him survive the perilous lightning tribtion.

    That life-defying ordeal had resulted in him sessfully upgrading his Whitemore Bloodline to the second level, granting him ess to the formidable Hellish Fist Skill.

    Thus, he had a rather favorable first impression of her.

    "Eliana? What a surprise to see you here," Val said.

    Eliana''s almond eyes sparkled as they met Val''s.

    She had not forgotten him. He was her rescuer, the one who had extended a generous hand when she was navigating through a grave predicament. He had helped her resolve one of her greatest concerns. His act of kindness had etched an indelible memory in her heart, one that she would always cherish.

    Eliana smiled at him sweetly, "We meet again, Brother Val. It seems like our paths were destined to cross."

    Just then, another figure appeared at the door to thepartment.

    It was a tall man with deep emerald eyes, pointy ears, and a rather handsome face. He was dressed in all white. Only his tie was blue.

    He nced at the two teenagers with a gentle gaze, "I hope I''m not disturbing anything."

    Val shook his head at the neer, "Not at all, Lord Lucious. Please, make yourselffortable."

    He easily recognized thetter because of his unique attire.

    Eliana also voiced her agreement, "Yes, Lord Lucious, you''re not disturbing us."

    Lord Lucious was an individual shrouded in mystery.

    Despite being an Ounder, he had been granted the status of an Inder, making him the first of his kind to receive such a privilege.

    How he had achieved this was a mystery to all.

    It''s just that one day the norms, the rules, and the longsting tradition of the kingdom were broken for this man.

    Lord Lucious was envied and revered by the popce.

    Eliana looked at him with admiration. Val, on the other hand, felt a bit envious of him, but he didn''t let that show on his face.

    Rumors had circted about Lord Lucious, painting a picture of a dangerous man who shouldn''t be offended.

    It was said that those who did offend him never returned alive.

    Val knew about him from the rumors he had heard while growing up. He was intrigued by the man but decided to be cautious around him.

    He had an instinctive sense, which he attributed to his Detect Trait, that Lucious was indeed as formidable as the rumors suggested. Thus, he was convinced of the truth behind the whispers that painted Lucious as a dangerous man. The need for caution and respect when dealing with Lucious was all too clear.

    Lucious sat opposite the teens and focused his gaze on Val, "You must be Val."

    "Yes, indeed. It''s an honor to be recognized by you, Lord Lucious," Val replied with a warm smile, extending his hand in greeting.

    If a man couldn''t be offended, it was better to befriend him.

    Val''s n was to leave a favorable first impression on Lucious''s mind.

    He believed that if he seeded in leaving a positive first impression, this couldy the foundation for a deeper connection down the line.

    Lucious reached out and shook his hand firmly, a subtle smile ying on his lips. "Your reputation has begun to spread far and wide, Val, especially after your victory over that brat from the Stroud family. It seems you are destined for greatness."

    Val smiled at Lucious''s words, the corner of his eyes crinkling slightly.

    "I merely did what I had to protect the reputation of my family, Lord Lucious."

    Of course, Val was lying. He dared to lie because no one except for the parties involved knew the truth of what happened.

    As for why he lied, it was a calctive move!

 Chapter 68 68: Feeling Threatened!

    ?

    The confrontation with Seraphim Stroud hadn''t been an act of filial duty to protect the esteemed Whitemore name.

    Rather, it was a battle Val had been cornered into, and he had no other choice but to participate.

    However, it was true that he went all out against Seraphim, but he did it in order to cut off a woman meant for the streets from his life.

    He did it to untangle his life from a woman whose affections were fickle and ever-changing, hardly suitable for asting marriage!

    Furthermore, he ensured an overwhelming victory in the ritualistic duel of honor not for prestige or dignity. It was a calcted move, aimed at the retrieval of the significant dowry bestowed upon the Kendricks. His ulterior motive was to skim a portion of it for his own gain. He had a good understanding of Joshua, knowing full well that his triumph would please the older man, who would undoubtedly reward him handsomely.

    There were many reasons why he wiped the floor with Seraphim Stroud despite the risks involved, but none of them involved saving face for the Whitemores.

    However, he lied that he did it out of filial pity because it was the best excuse he could give to paint himself in a bright light in the eyes of the Lord and the nun.

    After all, people inherently disliked those who acted solely out of self-interest.

    Contrarily, they were drawn towards individuals who appeared righteous, those seemingly governed by a moralpass!

    Lies wereing out of his mouth smoothly, and there was no change in his expression when he lied, so Lucious fell for it.

    ''Such filialty is rare in this world. He is different from others. He didn''t let the cruelty of the world shape his mentality. I expected this much from the child of prophecy.''

    Lucious now saw Val as a devoted son who willingly exposed himself to danger, just to safeguard his family''s honor from being smeared. Unconsciously, he began to regard Val with increasing admiration and respect. His view of Val started to shift, tilting noticeably towards favor. He didn''t know that Val was as bad as theye. It''s just that he was good at hiding his true nature.

    ''I wasn''t mistaken. Big Brother is really a good guy.''

    Eliana, who had always held a positive opinion of Val, found her beliefs reinforced by his words. Her misconception about his true nature only solidified, after hearing his exnation.

    His fa?ade of nobility further blinded her to his true motivations.

    His was a masterful performance, and both Eliana and Lucious were fully ensnared by it.

    The Outer Region was an enormous expanse ofnd, with the Northern Frontier marking its edge and IronSpire Stronghold at its core. Traveling from IronSpire to the Northern Frontier by train took approximately twelve hours, provided there were no unforeseen issues. Val had boarded the train early in the morning, and if everything went smoothly, he was set to arrive at his destination by midnight.

    The railway track cut through the heart of the wilderness, connecting each stronghold in the Outer Region.

    Each of these strongholds had its train station where the train would make a scheduled stop during its journey between IronSpire and the Frontier.

    The sprawlingndscapes of the Outer Region, visible through the train''s windows, were a breathtaking sight to behold.

    However, the journey was not without its risks.

    After all, the train was known to be attacked during the night by the creatures such as the Walking Dead or the zombies lurking in the darkness of the wilderness.

    These creatures, whether they were either zombies or devils, had a unique trait: an intolerance to sunlight. Their vulnerability to the sun''s ring rays forced them to seek refuge in the thickness of the forest during daylight hours.

    However, the safety the day provided was ephemeral.

    It was temporary!

    After all, when darkness descends into the world, these creatures would emerge from their dark and secretive shelters in search of their next meal.

    Hunting for their next meal, some might get drawn to the noise of the passing train that was full of people!

    Fortunately, the sun was currently at its zenith, casting its radiant light upon thend. There was no immediate cause for concern about these sun-shy entities, who would never experience what it feels like to get a tan in their entire life.

    Nevertheless, a different threat was present during the day. That''s why the daylight hours, though providing a respite from the zombies and devils, did not ensure total safety.

    The wildlife native to these parts of the outer region posed a significant risk to the safety of the train at all times.

    Unlike zombies and devils, these beasts weren''t weak to sunlight.

    They could roam freely under the sunlight, undeterred by its brightness!

    While this may sound terrifying, there was little cause for rm.

    After all, the train was protected round the clock by formidable Bloodline Users. These individuals were more than capable of handling such threats.

    The persistent threat of an attack by the formidable beasts of the forest underscored the need to remain alert at all times, irrespective of the cycle of day and night.

    That''s why the guardians of the train stood vigntly, their watchful eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger or intrusion. They were prepared to respond swiftly to any potential threats.

    Being a Bloodline User safeguarding the train was both a physically and mentally taxing job, and it was also dangerous. However, despite all this, the highpensation attracted many individuals willing to risk their lives for the task.

    The passengers on board the train, including Val, Eliana, and Lord Lucious, were fully aware of the potential dangers outside the train.

    However, they entrusted their safety to the capable guardians of the train, believing that they would do their utmost to keep everyone safe.

    However, as the journey progressed, Val felt a cold chill crawl up his spine.

    His heart pounded as if he was being stared at by a ferocious beast with murderous intent!

    His sixth sense, always alert to danger, had been triggered.

    ''What triggered it?'' Val thought as he looked around.

    However, he saw no immediate threats within thepartment or outside the window.

    Eliana and Lord Lucious appeared rxed, with no discernible malice emanating from them. They didn''t seem to have any ill intentions against him. Not to mention, he had never wronged them. Why would they want him dead? It''s not like they are psychopaths, right?

    It couldn''t be them.

    Then who could it be?

    There was not a single threat to his life in the vicinity.

    ''Could my sixth sense be malfunctioning?''

    ''No. That shouldn''t be the case. It has never happened before.''

    He swiftly discarded that thought as his sixth sense for danger had never failed him before.

    ''Something is definitely amiss, although I can not determine what exactly.''

    After some minutes, the uneasy sensation gradually receded.

    However, Val was left in a state of high alert.

    The train chugged along, making several stops as it traversed through the vast expanse of the Outer Region.

    Nothing out of the ordinary urred during these stops, but Val remained vignt.

    After all, he could not shake off the gut feeling that danger was lurking somewhere, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

    This train ride wasn''t going to be as safe as he had initially assumed. He had to be on guard.

 Chapter 69 69: 999

    ?

    Hours ticked by.

    They moved to the train''s diningpartment and took a seat around a round wooden table that was polished.

    A waiter with an ordinary face, who was dressed immactely in a white shirt that was crisply ironed, a ck waistcoat, trousers to match, and shoes of patent leather that gleamed, approached them with a professional smile.

    Each ordered their meal, and their preferences varied. Val asked for a steak, while the nun requested a simple vegetable stew.

    The unusual choice came from Lord Lucious, who requested nothing more than a ss of red wine despite having abstained from eating for half the day.

    His unusual choice led Val to quirk an eyebrow in surprise.

    His eyes reflected his curiosity as he observed Lucious across the polished wooden table.

    He wondered, wasn''t the man hungry?

    Shortly after, the meals were served.

    Elianamenced her meal after a short prayer.

    Meanwhile, the waiter served a ss of the red wine to Lucious. Unfazed by the gathering shadows of nightfall outside the train windows, he started his indulgence in the wine.

    The more he drank, the more it seemed like he was on a course to drunkenness.

    "Is he an alcoholic?"

    Val''s once favorable impression of Lord Lucious has certainly taken a hit.

    He couldn''t help but reassess the man he once believed was formidable.

    Was he truly as strong and daunting as he''d initially thought?

    "Please enjoy."

    He snapped out of his thought as the waiter called out to him.

    A te with a well-done steak was set before Val by the waiter, who showed him a pleasant smile before he turned around to tend to the needs of the other passengers who called out to him.

    Val cut into the freshly served steak, raised a piece on his fork, and began moving it towards his mouth.

    However, before he could take a bite, a powerful throbbing sensation spread throughout his entire body.

    It was significantly stronger than the sensation he''d felt before, which had been restricted to his heart alone.

    He had a sixth sense, and he could tell that it was reacting to the steak.

    There was something wrong, something lethal about the food so close to his mouth.

    The message his sixth sense was sending him was clear: continuing with his action would be certain death!

    Thus, he pulled the fork away from his mouth.

    As he did so, the overwhelming sensation began to diminish.

    ''My sixth sense is reacting to it. The steak is probably tampered with.''

    To confirm his suspicion, Val once again picked up a piece of the steak on his fork, bringing it close to his mouth. The moment he did, the overwhelming sensation surged back into existence.

    It was undeniable now. The steak was indeed poisoned. His inky, ck eyes turned icy. If they were filled with an excessive amount of calm before, then now they were overflowing with ruthlessness.

    Lucious silently observed Val and upon witnessing his peculiar behavior, his curiosity was piqued.

    "Is the food not to your liking, Val?"

    Val retained the ruthlessness in his eyes as he looked at Lucious, responding to the inquiry about the food not being to his liking. "It''s not a matter of taste," Val sighed, pushing the te with the steak away. "The steak is poisoned, and not just with any toxin. It carries a potent poison capable of killing even a level 2 bloodline user like myself. I dare not eat it."

    Because Val disclosed it publicly, a wave of panic surged through the diningpartment.

    The once lively conversations and the ttering of silverware abruptly ceased, reced by an eerie silence.

    The onlookers'' faces drained of color, their eyes widening with fear and uncertainty.

    In this moment, a chilling realization spread among them: if Val''s food was poisoned, who''s to say that theirs wasn''t?

    Eliana found herself at a loss for words in the face of this rming revtion. She was too stunned to even speak.

    A waiter, who had been busy serving a table nearby, turned to Val.

    "Surely you jest, sire," he said, "Our best chef prepared this meal. It''s entirely safe to consume."

    Val raised an eyebrow at him. "So, you think I''m lying?"

    The waiter, in a misguided attempt to demonstrate the safety of the food, retorted, "If you won''t eat it, I will. That will show there''s no poison."

    With the fork loaded with a piece of steak, the waiter moved it towards his mouth. But Val, faster than the blink of an eye, pped the utensil out of his hand. The fork along with the morsel of meat flew across the room,nding with a thud against a window.

    Had he been alone, Val might have watched the scene unfold, allowing the waiter to meet an unfortunate end as a consequence of his own actions.

    However, he was not alone. Lucious and Eliana were there with him.

    Val knew that letting the waiter perish when he could obviously save him would undoubtedly disgust hispanions, tarnishing the efforts he had made to cultivate their friendship. He was unwilling to let his own reputation be marred by the reckless bravado of a foolish waiter. Therefore, he chose to intervene, ultimately saving the ignorant fool''s life.

    The waiter stared at his empty hand then turned a perplexed gaze to Val.

    "What do you mean by that?" he asked, confusion etched on his face.

    "I don''t want to see you die by eating the poison prepared for me. I don''t want innocent blood on my hand. So don''t be stupid," Val said, his voice stern. "Find another way to prove your point."

    Despite Val''s seriousness, the waiter and the crowd seemed skeptical. The murmurs of disbelief and dismissiveughter echoed in the car, using him of being a paranoid man.

    Eliana found it impossible to sit silent as they badmouthed Val.

    "Fellow passengers, I am Eliana, a nun from the Church of Light. I vouch for Brother Val. He is a good man and has no reason to lie. Please, believe his words."

    Surprise flickered across Val''s face at Eliana''s support. He had not expected such staunch support from Eliana. But he said nothing. Talking to a bunch of trash wasn''t going to solve anything. He needed someone who held the authority to deal with this situation and had the patience to sincerely hear him out such as the guardians of the train.

    Although Eliana defended him, the onlookers sadly continued to mock him.

    "Wait, everyone. I have a way to verify Val''s im. I just ask you all to be patient."

    When they saw who it was, the onlookers turned silent real quickly.

    ''Why did he help me?''

    Val was taken aback by Lucious''s intervention, not expecting the man to stand up for him.

    He and the other onlookers watched as Lucious reached into his white suit''s inner pocket, pulling out a small ck case.

    Upon opening it, it revealed several fine, silver needles.

    He picked up a few and stabbed the steak with them.

    In an instant, the silver needles turned ck.

    The crowd watched in ignorance. They were clueless about what just happened. What did the needles turning ck mean?

    "These needles, they are made from a special alloy that reacts to cyanide by turning ck. You might not know what it is so I will tell what it is you to you. Cyanide is a recently discovered poison. It is colorless and odorless poison. In a dose as small as 200 milligrams, it can kill an ordinary person. And inrge doses, it could kill a bloodline user. It has quickly be the most popr mean of assassination among assassins. The steak here seems to have a lethal dose of Cyanide. It''s an attempted murder case.

    Lucious addressed the puzzled audience.

    The onlookers gasped in shock, upon hearing his words. Shock and fear swept through them. The very notion that someone could have died while they were dining sent shivers down their spines.

    The waiter, who had almost consumed the deadly steak, stood rooted to the spot, a ghostly paleness overtaking his face. Attempted murder had serious consequences. His life would be ruined if he was wrongly used in this case.

    The waiter fell to his knees and managed to stammer out, "I... I didn''t know... I swear..."

    "I''ll let the professional decide," Val said.

    "Bring over the guardians." Lord Luciousmanded.

    The train''s guardians were brought into the scene.

    "We will investigate this matter, thoroughly" After hearing what transpired and getting a thorough understanding of the situation, they promised Val. "Rest assured, whoever is responsible for this attempt on your life will not go unpunished."

    "I appreciate that, but I have one request."

    "What request?"

    "All I ask is that when you find them, I get to question the culprit," Val replied.

    The guardians nodded in agreement.

    They then dispersed, beginning their search for the potential assassin

    The incident left most passengers with lost appetites. Some turned pale, while others stared in disbelief.

    One of the guardians questioned the waiter who had brought the steak.

    It was delivered directly from the kitchen, leaving no room for it to be poisoned en route.

    Either it was tainted prior, or the waiter was responsible.

    However, the waiter had no motive. He bore no grudge against Val. Why would he want to kill him?

    The situation wasplicated and baffling.

 Chapter 70 70: Detect [Bonus ]

    ?

    Buzz! Buzz!

    In a privatepartment of the train, arge mosquito found its way in as it flew directly under the door. Then it buzzed over to a massive man sitting next to a window and settled on his ear.

    The man was exceedingly tall and muscr, so tall that his head literally brushed against thepartment''s ceiling even though he was seated. He was at least two heads taller than Val. He wore a ck coat that hung heavily on his formidable frame that screamed masculinity. No doubt below the man''s clothes, a figure overloaded with muscles was present.

    Buzz!

    The mosquito buzzed in the man''s ears.

    Listening to the mosquito''s unfortunate report, the man clicked his tongue in annoyance.

    "Useless thing! What use are you when you can''t even do one thing properly?!"

    The man seemed to be scolding the mosquito. It seemed like they couldmunicate with each other.

    His colossal fingers were as swift as they were deadly, and they lunged forward with an eeriness that defied his size.

    The unsuspecting fly, its wings still buzzing with the remnants of its delivered message, didn''t stand a chance.

    Within a split second, it found itself ensnared in the deathly grasp of the giant.

    A subtle, yet powerful pressure began to encase its fragile body.

    In the midst of his unyielding fingers, the tiny creature faced its inexorable end.

    Pop!

    Its frail exoskeleton crumbled under the immense force exerted by the man, its entrails bursting out in a miniature explosion of visceral gore.

    Squelch!

    The echo of itsst buzz was drowned out by the gruesome squelch of its life being brutally extinguished.

    Only after killing his useless pet did the man calm down.

    Then using a long-distance cursed artifact, he connected to the person he was both in debt and bound to.

    "Mistress," he rumbled, his voice matching his massive stature, "The mission has failed. The target did not fall for my trap. He did not consume the poison. I failed to assassinate him. What should be my next course of action?"

    "Evacuate the train immediately," The mistress replied to the man in a voice that was as crisp and cold as it was cruel.

    "But Mistress, given another opportunity, I am confident in my capability to aplish the task," he pleaded, desperation creeping into his tone.

    "No, you''ve had your chance. Someone else will take care of it now," she retorted dismissively.

    "I''ve heard and shallply."

    Though a goliath in form, the man meekly conceded to his mistress''mand.

    After all, his will was not his own, he was chained to her every whim.

    He could not risk rebellion as her hold over his life was total and absolute!

    With merely a flick of her fingers or just a thought, she had the power to end his existence.

    It was a chilling realization for a man who was once free, unfettered by any shackles. He couldn''t help but recall how he, a level 5 bloodline user, had fallen so far that he was worse than street dogs.

    He had been ensnared by the mistress'' enchanting allure, a snare he hadn''t seen until it was toote. One night of shared passion with her was all it took to imprison him in this servitude.

    The aftermath of that fateful encounter was devastating. He was no longer his own master, but reduced to a subservient hound, heeding her everymand, living at her mercy.

    Women, he reflected with a bitter twist of irony, were indeed creatures as dangerous as devils.

    "Since the mistress had said so, I better leave and get back to ept my punishment."

    Falling toplete a task handed out by the mistress results in punishment.

    A sigh of resignation and defeat escaped from his massive chest. The reality of his situation weighed heavily on him. It was a burden he could neither shake off nor fight against.

    He then moved towards the window of hispartment. Despite the rapid speed at which the train traveled, he was unperturbed. With a calcted look, he pulled the window open, allowing the gust of the night wind to fill thepartment and ruffle his hair. And then, with an effortless leap, he plunged into the void, his formidable silhouette swallowed by the night, disappearing from the sight of the world he left behind on the train.

    Meanwhile, after surviving the assasination attempt on his life, Val did some investigation on his own, but finding nothing fruitful, he returned to thepartment of the train which he was sharing with two others.

    Eliana and Lucious were already there.

    Val narrowed his eyes as he looked at Eliana discreetly.

    ''She seems slightly different since Ist saw her. But what caused that change?''

    ''Let''s found out.''

    Val focused his eyes on her and cast detect.

    Immediately, a semi-transparent screen popped up in his vision. It worked since the target was lower level than him.

    Name: Eliana

    ss: Priest

    Danger Level: 1

    Bloodline Purity: High

    Abilities:

    - Holy Magic:

    -- Healing: Restores HP of a chosen ally.

    -- Shield Creation: Generates a protective barrier.

    -- Exorcism: Highly effective against evil entities,

    including devils and zombies.

    Experience: 0/100

    HP: 10/10

    MP: 100/100

    STR: 8

    DEX: 10

    Agility: 12

    STA: 25

    LUK: 50

    Val was momentarily frozen in disbelief. The character profile disyed before him told an extraordinary tale. Merely a few days had psed since hest saw Eliana, and she had already transformed from a humble nun to a Level 1 priest. But it wasn''t just her promotion that left him astounded. Eliana was now a bloodline user with an incredibly pure lineage, a rarity among many.

    High bloodline purity often implied exceptional treatment. Val considered the possibility that the God of Light himself may have aided Eliana in her awakening as a bloodline user. The level of luck she possessed was astronomical, more than any individual Val had met in his previous and current lifebined. Considering her extraordinary fortune, it was quite usible that she had indeed attracted divine favor and experienced an extraordinary awakening.

    Mulling over these revtions, Val realized the potential benefits of strengthening his bond with Eliana. "If these spections hold any truth," he thought, "befriending her could indeed prove to be invaluable." The thought echoed in his mind as he nced at Eliana with a newfound understanding and interest.

 Chapter 71 71: Probing! [Bonus ]

    ?

    Eliana''s progress was a marvel in itself, but the circumstances surrounding it were really puzzling to Val.

    After all, in the Ironspire stronghold where she was from, the local church was currently without a pastor. Their previous pastor had met a grim but justified end at Val''s hand, leaving the post vacant.

    With her newfound status as a formidable priest, Eliana could easily step into that role. It was a position of reverence and respect, offering afortable life. Not to mention, the hefty monthly stipend that came with it was certainly an added advantage. She could live a life offort, honor, and prestige if she had stayed there and chosen to be a pastor.

    Not to mention, her brother was also there.

    However, she chose to leave that all behind and boarded this train to go to a different and unfamiliar ce.

    Either her decision making skills were really bad or there was something else at y here.

    ''What prompted such a decision? What could possibly make her forsake such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?''

    Val was intrigued, to say the least. He looked at Eliana, wondering about the path she had chosen and the reasons behind it. He decided to probe a little about Eliana''s journey.

    "So, where exactly are you getting off?" Val asked her, knowing well the train had several stops at various strongholds before reaching the Northern Frontier.

    Val''s question caught Eliana off guard. She seemed slightly taken aback, her brows furrowing in thought. It was as if she was considering what to say, her gaze focused on a point somewhere beyond Val''s shoulder.

    "I am heading to the Northern Frontier," she answered after a few moments.

    Surprise washed over Val. His eyes widened, the corners of his mouth dropped into a puzzled frown. The Northern Frontier was known for its harsh environment and formidable challenges. It was no ce for a young and seemingly fragile nun like Eliana.

    "Why would a young nun like you be sent to such a harsh ce?" he asked, unable to keep his curiosity at bay.

    At his words, her gaze flickered to the side. She was hesitating. It was as if she was caught between wanting to share and being bound by some unspoken obligation to keep quiet.

    "Well, it''s a bit of a secret. I can''t casually disclose it."

    Not one to back down easily, Val pressed on. "Not even to me?"

    "I know you''re a good guy, Brother Val, and I wouldn''t mind telling you. But there''s another person in here," she added, her gaze shifting towards Lord Lucious who was sitting in the corner of the room, silently observing their interaction.

    Suddenly, a voice piped up from the corner of the room, "Oh, would you two quit dancing around the issue?"

    Val and Eliana nced around thepartment in confusion. "Where did that voicee from?" Val wondered out loud.

    "Down here!" the voice called again.

    They both looked down to see a puddle of shadow on the floor, its surface rippling like a pond disturbed by a thrown pebble. Onerge eye blinked back at them from within the puddle, and a mouth formed to speak to them. "Hi!"

    Eliana shrieked, backing away in rm. She crossed her chest with her hand, as if warding off evil.

    Eliana''s reaction seemed to amuse the shadowy creature. Its eyes squinted as if it was grinning, and it said, "Don''t worry, miss. I don''t bite... or eat, for that matter. Actually, I find human meat quite disgusting."

    Eliana felt more disturbed, hearing its words. How would you know what human taste like if you hadn''t eaten them? This thing was clearly a devil that had eaten humans before!!!

    Val, on the other hand, was intrigued more by the unusual creature than scared. He stooped down to get a closer look at the creature.

    Looking at it deeply, he cast Detect.

    The same thing happened asst time when he used it on Eliana. A screen only he could see popped up. The only difference was that the information was pretty whacky.

    Name: Unknown

    Role: Lord Lucious''s Familiar

    Danger Level: Unknown

    Stats:

    Strength: 0

    Agility: 0

    Stamina: 0

    Endurance: 0

    Intelligence: 10

    Skills:

    Devour

    Skill Reversal

    ???

    ???

    ???

    This creature was more intelligent than an ordinary person. It was either a devil or a unique beast or something entirely else. The skill it had sounded impressive, but whether they were useful or not was something Val wasn''t able to tell. Lastly, its stats seemed off. Why were they all 0. Was it really a pushover? But it didn''t seem like that.

    "What a unique creature you are," Valmented, an interested gleam in his eyes.

    "Not as unique as you, sir," the unusual creature responded, its voice filled with a strange kind of respect.

    "What do you mean by that?" Val questioned, intrigued by its words.

    "I can''t say."

    "Why?"

    "Ahem!"

    At that moment, Lord Lucious cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself. He had his reasons for interrupting the conversation. His familiar was quite the chatterbox, and he did not want it to reveal too much information to Val. Sure, Val might be the child of prophecy, but that was something only he believed. It was yet to be confirmed by the others.

    Not to mention, revealing such sensitive information to him at this point could potentially make him arrogant. It was better to keep him in the dark, observe his character, and once he was sure that Val was an honorable individual and the child of prophecy, he could then tell him the truth!

    "Forgive my familiar''sck of manners," Lord Lucious said, standing from his seat. He scooped the shadowy familiar into his hands and continued, "We''ll step out and give you two some privacy then."

    Without wasting any time, he opened thepartment door, stepped outside and closed it swiftly behind him. Val watched the hurried exit, a frown etched onto his face. He couldn''t help but feel that Lucious had fled the scene too quickly, almost as if he was trying to make sure that his question wouldn''t be answered.

 Chapter 72 72: Divine Quest!

    ?

    Once they were alone, Eliana''s kind demeanor disappeared, reced by an expression of utmost seriousness. "The previous night when I was asleep, the God of Lightmunicated with me," she whispered to Val. "He instructed me to go to the Northern Frontier to find a crimson-eyed man who rules over fire and blood."

    Val''s heart skipped a beat as he processed her words. Although he wasn''t arrogant and strong enough to call himself the ruler of fire and blood, he couldn''t deny the possibility that the person they were looking for was him. After all, his bloodline skills granted the ability to rule over hellish fire and blood. Moreover, when he uses the Blood Absorption skill, his eyes would turn red.

    The description she provided matched him to a tee!

    However, he decided to keep this realization to himself.

    Instead, he let out a low whistle and said, "So you''re an emissary."

    Emissaries were chosen servants of the God of Light, tasked with a divine mission. However, the God himself wouldn''t interact with them directly. Instead, they would receive divine revtions during their sleep. Furthermore, emissaries were allowed to seek assistance from trustworthy individuals inpleting their missions.

    Thus, it seemed that Eliana trusted Val, and was thus sharing the details of her mission with him, presumably in the hope of acquiring his help.

    "Yes, I am," she bobbed her head up and down cutely.

    Val raised an eyebrow, "And why does God want you to find this man?"

    Eliana considered for a moment before replying thoughtfully, "He asked me to help him if required. The purpose of God is often shrouded in mystery, but it is my duty to follow His guidance without doubt in my heart."

    What bullshit!

    Inside his mind, Val scoffed. This was such nonsense. Eliana, a young and talented priestess, was being exploited as a mere pawn in a divine game, used by a god to do the dirty work. She was to do manualbor when there were so many pigs in the Church. What was the God thinking?

    However, he kept his thoughts to himself, maintaining an empathetic facade to ensnare Eliana deeper into the trap.

    As his acting skills came into y, his eyes brimmed with apassion that didn''t reflect his true feelings, and he could be seen gazing at Eliana as if he sympathized deeply with her plight.

    "It seems ridiculous that you were dispatched so far from home to find a man you know nothing about in the harsh northernnds. Don''t you think you''ve been wronged?" he asked, his voice filled with faux concern.

    Eliana shrugged lightly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "As a nun, it''s my duty to follow God''s words. It''s not my ce to question God. I just want to be of help to my god," she responded. Her smile faded slightly as she added, "But it''s indeed hard to look for a stranger in a sea of people. Would you mind extending a helping hand?"

    "I don''t mind helping at all." Val responded, a yful glint in his eyes. He chuckled lightly, "In fact, the person you''re looking for might be closer than you think. You might be looking at him right now."

    Elianaughed, mistaking his serious confession for a joke. She had a light, hearteningugh that made the corners of his mouth twitch up.

    Though he could have rified right there, Val decided to let her continue with her misunderstanding.

    ''Hiding the truth from her might prove to be advantageous in the future. Besides, I find it quite funny.''

    As he looked at her, he really found it amusing to watch her so oblivious to the truth.

    Growl!

    Their light-hearted banter was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a stomach growling loudly.

    Oh my!

    Eliana''s face turned a shade of red as she quickly covered her stomach, mortified. She was a nun, a dignified andposed figure. Making such a noise in front of her brother Val made her feel utterly embarrassed.

    Val, however, didn''t seem to mind. He could understand why she was hungry. She had lost her appetite back in the dinningpartment when it was revealed that Val''s food was poisoned. So she hadn''t eaten anything. She had been hungry for quite a while now.

    Instead of making fun of her, he reached into his provision pack, pulling out a piece of hard cheese, some dried fruits, and a handful of nuts.

    With a friendly smile, he extended the food towards her. "Seems like someone''s hungry," he said to her, light amusement echoing in his voice.

    Eliana blinked, taken aback. Her embarrassment was quickly reced by surprise. She had expected Val to tease her or make a light-hearted jab at her expense, but instead, he responded with kindness. His unexpected understanding and respect warmed her heart. She was beginning to realize that Val was far better than what she initially thought.

    Eliana gratefully epted the food, quickly popping a piece of cheese into her mouth. As she ate the cheese, her almond eyes could be seen lighting up with satisfaction.

    "Thank you, Brother Val. You''re very kind," she said, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. Eliana couldn''t help but feel a little flutter in her heart. His thoughtfulness and the gentle look in his eyes made her feel valued and special.

    Val shed her a teasing smile, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "No need to thank me, Sister Eliana," he said, his tone light. "Instead, I owe you a great debt of gratitude. Your prayers during my time of danger were a beacon of light. I can''t be certain, but I have a feeling they might''ve made a significant difference in ensuring my survival."

    Eliana was touched by his words. She had prayed for him, true, but she hadn''t expected her prayers to be so effective or for Val to remember and appreciate them so much. His heartfelt gratitude left her with a warm feeling. She was starting to feel more and morefortable around him, and she was pleased to see her efforts to be of help were appreciated.

    "I''m d I could be helpful," she replied to him as a soft smile bloomed on her pink cherry lips.

 Chapter 73 73: The Seige 1!

    ?

    Several hours had passed since the fading light of day had surrendered to the tranquil embrace of the night. While the majority aboard the train were sumbing to the allure of the night, readying themselves for restful slumber, Val found himself in stark contrast to thismon routine.

    Given the recent assassination attempt, the notion of sleep felt like an invitation to potential danger. He feared that in such a vulnerable state, he would be an easy target for his enemies, and the possibility of never waking up in exchange of one night of sleep was a risk he was not willing to take.

    Therefore, Val chose to remain vignt, keeping himself anchored to the reality of the situation. He refused to give in to the body''s natural desire for rest. In the grand scheme of things, sleep was a luxury he could not afford as he had to stay awake, to stay alive. As of his moment, hiis life was simr a precarious tightrope walk, where a moment''s distraction could tip the bnce. For others, this was a good time to rest. But for Val, the night had transformed from a time of rest into a vigil because of the presence of an assassin. His eyes were the only sentinel between safety and an untimely end.

    Surrounding him was theforting familiarity of thepartment which he shared with two others. He was asionally scanning his surroundings with a predator''s intensity and his ears were straining for any unusual sound that could signal an impending threat continuously. Despite the mounting fatigue from 16 continuous hours of wakefulness, his senses remained razor-sharp and his mental faculties alert. There was no space forcency. After all, his very life was in jeopardy.

    With a slight shift of his weight, Val reclined into his seat, drawing a momentary respite from his intense vignce. His eyes gradually drifted towards the window, settling on the world beyond the ss.

    To ordinary eyes, the world outside would''ve been swallowed by the pitch-ck mantle of the night, offering nothing more than an abyss of obscurity. However, it looked like an entirely different world to Val. His unique Nocturnal Vision trait granted him the ability to witness the world at night in a way maybe no one else could, allowing him to observe the breathtaking scenery hidden behind the veil of the night in vivid detail.

    Outside the train, a sprawling wilderness stretched out as far as the eye could see. Raw and untamed, it reflected the raw, undeniable essence of nature in its most authentic state. Trees that''ve never experienced an axe could be seen standing several hundred feet tall, their towering canopies kissed by the soft silver light and the intense crimson light of the moons.

    It looked like a wild and untamed realm, where thews of man held no sway.

    However, amidst this untamed expanse, a single path of civilization carved its way �� the railway track.

    It ran like a life-line through the heart of the wilderness of the kingdom''s outer region, representing the indomitable spirit of human ingenuity and endeavor.

    The train moved along this path like a solitary beacon of light cutting through the heart of the darkness, its engine humming a steady rhythm that echoed through the silence of the night, attracting unwanted attention.

    But they were quickly taken care of by the guardian before they could even approach the train and taint it with their filthy selves.

    Grrroowwlll!

    Uuuuuuugggghhhhh!

    As the night deepened, the roars of predatory beasts rose and fell in the forest. Val, with his excellent hearing senses, could also pick up the quieter grunts and growls of the undead who roamed the woods. Thankfully, the surroundings were devoid of any anomalies. Had there been any unusual noise mixed in, it could only have meant one thing: the presence of a devil. Those creatures were notoriously more difficult to deal with than the usual dwellers of the forest.

    "It''s a relief that their distinctive noises are absent from the chorus of the night." Val mused.

    As if he had jinxed himself and the others on the train, an eerie melody of a flute was addes onto the symphony emerging from the forest.

    Its haunting notes wafted through the cold night air, creating a symphony of discord amidst the guttural cries of the creatures of the wilderness.

    Val''s eyes narrowed in confusion, his thoughts churning. ''Who could possibly be ying the flute at this hour, and in such an environment?'' he thought, his instincts tingling with a sense of unease. ''Whatever it is, it doesn''t seem friendly.''

    That''s what his sixth sense told him. The creature ying the flute wanted him dead!

    But who was it?

    His gaze followed the direction of the sound, piercing through the dark andnding on the source of the noise.

    A considerable distance away, next to a mountain, a silhouette, barely visible against the twilight, could be seen perched on the shoulders of a massive figure. Its figure was slim, almost frail, with wild, weed-like hair that danced in the frigid breeze. A white cloth, adorned with several squirming, bloodshot eyes, concealed its own eyes. A skull, presumably human, hung ominously around its neck, and a wicked, unsettling smile stretched across its face. It waspletely naked.

    "Morthos."

    Recognition dawned upon Val as he took in the sight of the peculiar figure.

    It was the notorious destruction devil, Morthos, who had been causing chaos and destruction throughout the kingdom in recent years.

    Wherver Morthos went destruction followed!

    Seeing him wasn''t a good sign at all.

    The Destruction Devil''s graceful execution of the haunting melody was a stark contrast to the monstrous figure beneath it.

    To Val''s disbelief, the figure supporting Morthos was a giant so towering that even the seven hundred feet tall trees seemed dwarf-like inparison.

    "What the fuck is that?" he eximed, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Morthos had always appeared alone. There was no mention of this ridiculously tall giant that seemed to be madepletely out of dark fog. Val didn''t know what it was. No one knew what it was. It was the first time such an anomaly had showed itself to the humans.

    Meanwhile, jolted by the abrupt melody of the flute, Lord Lucious, who had been reclining on a bunk, opened his eyes instantly. His emerald orbs glowed mesmerizingly in the dimly litpartment. His familiar, Sebastian, a sentient shadow, was already alert, having sensed the imminent disturbance.

    "Seems like our tranquil night is going to turn into a chaotic one, Sebastian," Lucious remarked, a trace of a sigh in his voice. "If things get out of hand, I might even have to exert these old bones of mine."

    Sebastian, reflecting the somberness of the moment, responded, "Indeed, Master. The scent of mayhem is already permeating the air. It appears we have a restless night ahead."

    Simultaneously, the experienced guardians of the train, seasoned warriors charged with ensuring the safety of all aboard, sprang into action at the haunting melody.

    They knew that this melody was not just any random sound - it was the signature of one of the most notorious cursed artifacts, the "Enthraller".

    The Enthraller was an artifact of infamy that belonged to the destruction devil who had been named Morthos.

    This sinister artifact, the Enthraller, had the ability to manipte the simple-minded and the mindless, turning them into mere puppets dancing on the strings of the puppeteer''s will.

    This power, while typically ineffective against the cognitive prowess of humans, proved devastatingly effective on beasts and zombies. After all, their lesser intelligence made them vulnerable, easily ensnared by the flute''s hypnotic tunes.

    Confronted with such a chilling enemy, Captain Leroy, themanding officer of the guardians, quickly rallied his men.

    "Men, brace yourselves. That damned melody is the call of Morthos''s cursed Enthraller. We''re dealing with a beast of a situation here. That cursed flute has the power to twist the will of beasts and the Walking Dead, turning them into Morthos''s mindless puppets. And I can guarantee, they''re already on the move, heading this way. Prepare for battle. We must protect this train, its passengers, and ourselves. We cannot afford to underestimate Morthos''s power. May the light guide us in this darkness!" His voice boomed, cutting through the panic of the impending danger. It was bothmanding and fierce, seemingly injecting the other guardians with chicken blood. They were ready to roll and rumble!

    His gaze swept over his men who stood alert. He nodded in appreciation. Although they were tense, they weren''t going to back out. Such men were worthy of respect. There was even a woman amongst them, and although she wasn''t much of a fighter, her determination was no less than theirs.

    However, even as Captain Leroy''smand resonated in the train, one of the younger guardians, a greenhorn barely wet behind the ears, couldn''t hide the fear in his eyes. Confronted with the stuff of legend on his very first month on board, he felt afraid, terrified even.

    "C-Captain, isn''t dealing with Morthos a bit too... too much for us?" He stumbled on his words, the tremor in his voice unhidden

    Captain Leroy turned to look at him, recognizing him as a fresh recruit named Edward.

    "Easy or not, Edward, we''ve got a job to do. We''re thest line of defense between that horde and our passengers. This is a threat we cannot, and will not, take lightly. Remember, we''re all that stands between life and death for the people on this train!" Captain Leroymanded. "So man up and get ready to f*ck them up!"

    "Yes, Sir!"

    The guardians said in unison.

    "It''s here."

    An inexplicable light flickered within Lord Lucious''s eyes, basking his face in a cryptic glow, and at the same time, Val''s skin prickled with an uncanny sensation, his hair standing on end as an overwhelming sense of danger pervaded the air.

    They were both able to tell that trouble has arrived!

    Suddenly, the darkness outside the train was punctuated by the menacing glow of countless red eyes. Each pair colder, more sinister than thest, fixed unblinkingly on the train. As the eerie melody continued to y, a huge amount of creatures began to emerge from the shadowy depths of the forest.

    Among them, there were enormous beasts the size of elephants monstrous wolves and a seemingly endless swarm of the Walking Dead.

    At a nce, there were at least hundreds of them, and Val could see that there seemed to be even more in the distance submerged by the shadows of the trees.

    There were probably thousands of them in the woods, their forms invisible in the inky darkness of the night.

    Only Val saw them.

    The guardians were unaware of them as it was too dark outside the train. They didn''t know the trouble they''ve encontered was far greater than they expected!

    The sound of the flute intensified.

    In response to the melody, the huge wave of zombies and beasts began surging towards the train!

 Chapter 74 74: The Seige 2! [Bonus For 50 Power Stones]

    ?

    The guardians'' eyes widened in surprise as they watched the wave of zombies and beasts rushing towards them. In their previous experiences, the Level 0 zombies would only shuffle forward clumsily, but now they were running at a speed faster than the average human. The Level 1 zombies, which were usually as fast as humans, were now crawling on all fours, moving as quickly as wild beasts!

    "It''s the Enthraller''s work!" One of the veteran members of the guardian organization yelled out, his voice filled with fear and awe.

    The realization that they were not just facing an ordinary horde of zombies, but a group amplified by the cursed artifact''s power, sent a wave of dread through the guardians.

    Morthos had used the Enthraller to turn this into a battle they were woefully unprepared for!

    "Bombard these bastards! Don''t let them set foot on the train," Captain Leroymanded, his voice ringing out over the chaos.

    His words were not just an order, but a rallying cry, fueling the fighting spirit within each guardian.

    "Fuck them up,ds!"

    Responding to their captain''s call, the guardians of the train sprung into action.

    Each warrior on board summoned their deepest reservoirs of strength,unching their most formidable attacks towards the oing horde.

    Waves of energy erupted from their weapons, painting the night with streaks of vibrant colors as they hurtled towards the encroaching tide of beasts and zombies, chopping them apart.

    The guardians were an organization designed to protect the train and its passengers from threats. They were divided into several teams, each with its own responsibilities and specialties.

    Captain Leroy, the man who had taken the lead earlier, was theirmander. His deputymanders, five in number, were distinguished warriors and mages in their own right.

    One of these five was Martha. She was a petite woman with fiery-red hair, and she the led a team of mahes.

    She was sanding on top of the train. The majority of the guardians were also there.

    Her sharp, hawk-like eyes watched the approaching horde with an unflinching gaze.

    "Let''s deal with this the old-fashioned way."

    Out of the nothingness of thin air, tiny sparks began to sizzle into existence all around Martha. Like feral beasts, they grew, twisting and twirling, feeding on her power that birthed them, until they burst into roaring infernos. Controlled by her will, these mes, wild and untamed, moved as if they were sentient, darting forth to consume any undead or beast daring enough to approach the train in a blistering dance of destruction.

    "My men! Show them the mes of our resolve! Show them that we burn brighter than what any darkness can devour! Show them that with us present not even their shadows shall touch this train!"

    Emboldened by Martha''s example and motivational roar, the rest of her team followed suit.

    Their magic, simr in element but unique in style,bined with Martha''s to create a wall of me. The resulting scorching waves seemed to set the night itself on fire, pushing back against the sea of undead and monstrous beasts. Those that dared to rush into it were set aze, their flesh and skin melting off of their bodies!

    Simultaneously, another guardian, a grizzled veteran with a scar-ridden face, extended his rugged hands. Dozens of arcs of electricity manifested around him. Each arc twirled and intertwined, creating several charged bolts of fearsome power. A storm seemed to brewe around his figure, the air crackling with the uncontainable power of lightning.

    "You unholy filthy creatures, Die!"

    With a resounding battle cry, the scarred guardian thrust his hands forward. The barrage of lightning bolts that had formed around himunched forward, each one a messenger of doom.

    They sped across the night before crashing into the mass of monsters charging towards the train.

    Boom!

    The ensuing explosions vaporized swathes of undead and beasts.

    His attack decimated around eighty creatures.

    However, it was as if he had merely pricked the surface of this sea of monstrosities.

    The darkness spewed out more undead and beasts to rece the fallen.

    "My word..."

    The scarred guardian, known among his peers as Gruff Halden, watched in disbelief as his electrifying assault, which usually reaped a significant toll among the enemy ranks, barely made a dent in this monstrous horde.

    His grizzled face tightened, a knot of shock and frustration, as he beheld the endless waves of beasts and undead surging forth from the veil of darkness. It was as if he had merely disturbed an anthill, his formidable attack only serving to incite the wrath of its inhabitants.

    "It''s like striking a rock with a feather... there''s just too many of ''em. And they seem... pissed."

    His words trailed off into a whisper as he felt countless hostile gazes locking onto him, their killing intent causing an involuntary shudder to pass through his body.

    Halden''s show of power seemed to have provoked the strongest among the horde into attacking him!

    In the blink of an eye, a group of the creatures broke away from the main force as they leaped toward Halden with an intimidating blend of raw power and predatory speed.

    Despite the speeding train, they were upon him in an instant, their jaws agape, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth eager to rip into his flesh!

    It was toote to dodge.

    Halden''s heart pounded in his chest, his life shing before his eyes as the terror gripped him.

    However, just as the monstrous jaws began to snap shut, the imminent danger was suddenly thrust aside.

    Another guardian had stepped in, pushing Halden behind him and summoning a gust of fierce wind that knocked the lunging beasts off their trajectory, sending them hurtling into the air.

    Gasping, Halden turned to see his savior.

    A man stood before him, standing tall at 1.82 meters. The howling winds stirred around him like an obedient army, his clothes and hair billowing in the storm of his making, and his face was stern and focused as he stared down the monstrous horde from atop the train.

    Halden recognized him as the youngest Captain of the guardians in history, Leroy!

 Chapter 75 75: Vals Speech!

    ?

    "Thank you, captain," Halden managed to wheeze out, still catching his breath from the near-death experience. His gaze shifted back to the howling horde, eyes reflecting his lingering terror.

    Leroy, while keeping his gaze forward, responded in a resolute voice, "No need for that, Halden. We''re guardians. We watch each other''s backs. Now, brace yourself. This night isn''t over yet."

    As the relentless onught of the undead and beasts continued, the guardians of the train fought back with every ounce of their power. However, despite their fierce resistance, the tide of monstrosities seemed inexhaustible. After all, each fallen beast or undead was swiftly reced by another, stepping forth from the obsidian cloak of the night to join the ceaseless assault.

    The relentless, unending attack began to take a toll on the guardians. Fear and uncertainty started to take hold of them.

    On top of that, the chilling melody of Morthos''s flute drifted through the night continously.

    It sounded something akin to "Dun-Dun... DUN... Dun-Dun... DUN..." each note more ominous than thest, echoing throughout the surrounding wilderness, stoking the already smoldering tension felt by the guardians into a raging inferno.

    The haunting tune seemed to seep into every fiber of their being, causing their fears to amplify. It was as if the very notes themselves were conspiring to instill a bone-deep terror into those who heard it.

    "Even though we''re taking down scores of these monsters, their ranks seem bottomless. Captain, we can''t maintain our defense much longer at this pace. If this continues, they''ll soon break through our defenses and overrun the train." the voice of Erben, the oldest among the guardians, cut through the chaos as he voiced his concern.

    "I am well aware," Leroy replied.

    He could see that despite their tenacious efforts, the tide of monsters was edging ever closer to the moving train.

    They alone weren''t going to be able to keep them at bay.

    They needed a change of ns!

    Captain Leroy, admist his own flurry of attacks that wiped out waves of beasts that leaped towards the train, shot a nce at his woman.

    "Martha, have you sent out a call for reinforcements?" he aske her, his voice stern, yet calm amidst all the chaos that surrounded them.

    "I have, Captain." Martha nodded affirmatively. "But the nearest ry station is an hour away. Even if they took our distress call seriously and departed immediately, they would still need at least thirty minutes to reach us."

    "That''s too long... too long," interrupted Edward, his voice trembling with fear. "We can''t hold out for half an hour like this. We''ll be spent long before they arrive."

    The truth of his words hung in the air

    Their powers, impressive as they were, could only hold off the horde for so long before fatigue set in.

    Captain Leroy gritted his teeth. "We can''t lose hope just yet."

    If they were to abandon the train, they might live, but most of the passengers on board the trai would undoubtedly perish. The reputation of the guardian organization would be tarnished forever, and the swiftest and safest means of travel through the outer region would also be lost.

    There was too much to lose!

    He looked at Martha, determination to save everyome''s life despite risking his own zing in his eyes. "Martha, I need you to expand your psychicwork and connect everyone on this train. Can you do that? We need everyone on board that can fight to coordinate their efforts if we want a shot at holding these monsters off until help arrives."

    Martha was Level 4 Bloodline user. She possessed a unique bloodline skill called "Soul Link". It allowed her to establish a psychic connection among multiple individuals, allowing them tomunicate mentally.

    However, it was mentally and physically taxing.

    "I can do it!"

    Taking a deep breath, Martha activated her Soul Link.

    Shortly after, a mentalwork was established, connecting the minds of all those on the train.

    As a result, a wave of bewilderment swept across the passengers. The sudden intrusion of foreign voices into their minds had most of them taken aback.

    "I understand the abruptness of this situation, but our current predicament demands immediate action. The threat we''re facing is greater than we can handle on our own. We need reinforcements. If there''s anyone aboard this train who can deal damage from a distance, we need your help to repel these creatures!" Captain Leroy''s voice echoed in the minds of every passenger aboard the train.

    Outrage and fear echoed back through the mental link. Voices of dissension, fright, and anger chimed in, disputing the call for aid.

    "We''ve paid for the security you''re supposed to provide. Why should we endanger ourselves?"

    "We''re merchants, not fighters! What do you expect from us?"

    "This is an outrage! How dare you shirk your responsibilities and put our lives at risk!"

    Before Leroy could address the rising panic, another voice interjected. It was Val''s. "We are all on this train together. If the train falls, we all fall. We might have paid for protection, but right now, we need to fight, not for the guardians, not for anyone else, but for ourselves and our families. The line between life and death here is precariously thin. Let''s help each other to remain on the side of life."

    His words easily sunk into the minds of the passengers on board the train connected to Martha''s mentalwork.

    "He''s right! We''ve...we''ve got to do something!"

    "I didn''t grasp the gravity of the situation before... but I''m ready to help now,"

    "All right, count me in. I''m no fighter, but I''ve got a decent aim. Let''s pull through this,"

    Thanks to Val, the passengers on board the train started to understand the grim truth that their own survival and well-being were intricately linked to the train''s continued operation and safety.

    As a result, an increasing number of passengers started tomit to the collective goal of ensuring the train''s survival.

    "I never thought I''d say this. But it''s clear that we''re all in this together. Let''s help the guardians hold off those bastards until reinforcement arrives."

    Such responses trickled in, the once apprehensive voices now filling the mentalwork with determination and courage.

    It was as if Val''s words had awakened something within them, a primal instinct to fight, not just for their survival but for the survival of everyone on the train.

    This realization was perhaps the first sliver of hope amidst the dire situation.

 Chapter 76 76: Val Joins The Fray

    ?

    Val positioned himself at the open doorway of the carriage of the train in which hispartment and countless otherpartments were located. The gusting winds outside swept into the confines of his space, making his hair and coat flutter wildly.

    His eyes narrowed as he took in the ominous spectacle of the oing horde. His gaze, steel-d determination reflected in their depths, remained unwavering despite the chaos unfolding before him.

    "It''s time to take matters into my own hands. Let''s see how they like a taste of my Hellish Fire!"

    Summoning the full might of his Hellish Fist Bloodline Skill, he punched the open air before him, again and again, his fists moving like deadly shadows.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Each time his fist cut through the wind, a plume of grey fire detached and flew out, tearing across the gap between the train and the undead horde.

    Boom!

    Resounding reverberation rang out as every Hellish Fireball exploded on impact. Everything in the range of the explosion was caught on fire.

    The eerie grey fire was relentless and strong, melting the zombies and beasts and slowing the advance of the horde.

    The Hellish Fire was inextinguiable.

    Every effort to put it out was in vain.

    Even the jets of water spewed out by the beasts weren''t good enough to put the spreading Hellish Fire out!

    Furthermore, it was clear to all that each grey fireball was not just an instrument of destruction but also a seed, sowing the doom of the massive horde that stretched as far as Val could see.

    When the Hellish Fireballs exploded, their fire didn''t simply die out. No, the fiery sparks that spewed forth from the impact sites were akin to ravenous predators set loose.

    They sought out the nearest fuel source with a hunger only hellish fire possessed and coiled around their host like a vicious serpent, their hiss turning into a roar as they consumed the tree, the undead, and the beast whole, causing them to be terrifying torches that set others on fire the second they were touched.

    From the several dozen points of impact, the fire spread, leaping from tree to tree, from zombie to zombie, from beast to beast.

    The once dark forest was slowly turning into a zing hell.

    The Hellish mes didn''t discriminate - trees, herbs, shurbs, grasses, beasts and zombies alike were caught in the eerie, grey fiery tide, their forms alight with a deadly incandescence.

    It began to spread like a wildlife, consuming everything in its path and reducing it to ashes.

    As Val continued his relentless assault, a notification from the system chimed in his mind

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve killed several hundred Level 0-1 zombies. You have gained a few hundred experience points!]

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve killed a few hundred Level 2 zombies. You have gained several hundred experience points!]

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have killed several hundred level 1 to level 19 beasts. You have gained 1500 experience points!]

    As Val bomabarded the horde outside, his EXP surged up to 2400 points in just 15 minutes!

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have leveled up twice. You have reached level 9 from 7. You get +4 Stat Points, and a 20% upgrade in your Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline!]

    Val''s eyes squinted. With these level up, he was 70% away from upgrading his level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline to level 3.

    However, the EXP required to level up again was 3200 EXP.

    It was doubling every level up. It was bad news for him, and even bad news for his sources of EXP!

    Anyway, adding the recently gained stat points to the 2 points he had earned from reaching level 7, his total stat points increased to 6.

    He dumped them all in his stamina. After all, it was what he needed the most in this battle. How embarassing would it be if he copsed in the middle of the battle due tonechaustion. And it wouldn''t be just embarrassing but also deadly!

    Immediately, a system notification rang in his mind.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! Your Stamina has increased to 27 points!]

    Instantly, Val felt as if he was injected with chicken blood. A wave of warmth flowed through his body. The power surge that apanied the increase in his stamina rejuvenated him, allowing him to continue his assault with a renewed vigour. Val continued to punch in the direction of the horde, painting the night sky with devastating streaks of grey fire, their fiery light momentarily illuminating the terrified faces of the beasts and the rotting faces of the Walking Dead.

    The voracious fire seeded in slowing the advance of the horde.

    The sudden surge of power from Val and the devastating effect his Hellish Fist had on the oing horde left the onlookers utterly dumbfounded. Their jaws dropped to the ground, eyes bulging out of their sockets as if they were about to pop out. The sight was oddlyedic in the face of the dread-inspiring reality outside. They were astonished. Thebined efforts of the guardians and themselves to slow down the horde paled inparison to the havoc one man was wreaking on the enemy lines.

    Martha, along with the other notable members of the guardians, could not help but look at Val in awe. The strength he disyed was far beyond their expectations. Erben, the oldest guardian, who had seen countless bloodline users in his life, stared in disbelief. Edward, the guardian with a lightning bloodline, was left speechless, his eyes reflecting the fires of Val''s assaults.

    Leroy, the captain of the guardians, remained calm andposed. However, a sh of surprise and admiration did cross his eyes as he silently acknowledged Val''s strength. "This youngster is more impressive than our veterans."

    "Not bad," Lucious watched how Val dealt with the horde as hemented, an appreciative nod apanying his words.

    Val''s prowess did not only surprise everyone but also sparked curiosity in the hearts of everyone who knew who he was.

    After all, it was well known that the Whitemore bloodline, during its first three levels, could only augment the speed, strength, and stamina of the user.

 Chapter 77 77: Kidnapped

    ?

    The ability to imbue one''s attacks with fire usually manifested after the third level, and even then, the intensity of the fire varied.

    However, none was as potent and inextinguishable as the hellish fire conjured by Val.

    The only usible exnation that they coulde up with was that Val despite his young age was already an intermediate-stage bloodline user and his Whitemore bloodline was extremely pure.

    What they didn''t know was that the purity of Val''s Whitemore bloodline was unparalleled, which allowed him to perform feats that not even level 4 Whitemore Bloodline Users would be able to perform!

    "Could it be him?" Eliana watched Val with a mixture of admiration and confusion. She watched his back, against the flickering light of the hellfire. In her eyes, his figure seemed to fit the description of the man she was tasked to locate. "The Lord of mes and blood?"

    "But his eyes are ck, not red. And I haven''t seen him controlling blood. So how could it be him?"

    She was aware of the dangers of drawing premature conclusions, so she decided to be extra careful.

    Val''s attention so wholly focused on the task at hand that he barely noticed the awe-inspiring effect his actions had on others. His singr goal was to keep casting his Hellish Fireballs to hold the dire situation at bay.

    Whoosh!

    Suddenly, streaks of ck light shot out from the horde, making a beeline for Val. They were beasts, looking more like monstrous lizards, covered in dark, glistening scales. Before they attacked, they were extremely silent. But when they attacked, they were like thunder.rumbling in the sky, shing up to Val in no time, threatening to im his life with the sharp horn on their heads.

    However, the beasts failed to catch him off guard as a holy shield shimmered into existence around Val.

    Bam!

    The charging beasts collided into the shield, their momentum halted abruptly. Cracks spider-webbed across the shield''s surface, but it held.

    The beasts were not only dazed by the impact but they also bounced back because of it.

    Taking advantage of their momentary disorientation, Val bombarded them with his Hellish Fire.

    It instantly engulfed the beasts, the heat so intense that their scales, once seemingly invincible, began to melt and peel, exposing raw flesh beneath.

    Ughiyonnn!

    Screams tore from their throats, agonized and short-lived as the fire hungrily consumed them, burning through muscle and bone until nothing remained but ashes.

    In just seconds, the once terrifying beasts were reduced to nothing more than scattered dust, swept away by the wind.

    A notification rang in Vak''s mind.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve killed low-level servants of the Destruction Devil, Morthos. You have gained 500 EXP!]

    "Good." Val said under his breath.

    Through the mentalwork, a soft, familiar voice echoed in Val''s mind.

    "That was a close one, Brother Val. Be more careful."

    The voice belonged to Eliana, who had been silently observing the situation, ready to jump in if someone needed assistance. And she had jumped im when Val needed it, saving him from harm.

    Val gave a mental nod in acknowledgment, appreciating Eliana''s concern. "Thank you for the save, Eliana."

    He hadn''t seen theming. It was a warzone out there, he couldn''t possibly notice everything. Although he would''ve been able to survive their assault if Eliana hadn''t help him, he would''ve been injured, and then he would be forced to rely om the power of his Blood Devil Bloodline, which in turn, would''ve revealed that he had two types of bloodline.

    That''s something he wanted to hide for as long as possible, as he didn''t want to be a target of their envy. Besides, if it remains a secret, he would be able to catch his future enemies off guard!

    "There''s no need for thanks, Brother Val. We''re all in this together. I''ll keep you protected. You can fight without worrying about your life." Eliana responded, her voice filled with warmth despite the intensity of the situation.

    Eliana''s vignce wasforting, and Val felt more confident knowing that he wasn''t alone in this fight.

    "Right," Val said to her, before turning his entire attention back to the unending horde, ready to continue the onught.

    From a considerable distance of countless miles, Morthos observed Val and Eliana while sitting on the giant''s shoulder. He was able to see and hear them quite clearly.

    He licked his lips, eyes tracing over Eliana. "What a delicious prey she is. I really want to corrupt her," he mused.

    His eyes thennded on Val, and a momentary sh of red erupted in them.

    "This one, he must die. Anyone that offends my master must die!"

    His fingers danced over his flute as he blew into it. The resulting tune was eerie and itmanded the beasts to seize Eliana and eradicate Val.

    Suddenly, a huge group of winged creatures swooped down from the clouded night sky. These were beasts with razor-sharp ws, a terrifying staturerger than any human, and an impressive wingspan of five meters.

    "Winged Reapers from above! Brace yourselves!" Leroy caught sight of them and he immediately alerted the guardians atop the train.

    The guardians engaged the iing Winged Reapers in a fierce battle.

    ng! Guwak!

    The sound of shing steel and roars filled the air as they fought fiercely.

    As this battle was taking ce, one of the flying beasts ripped a hole in the side of the carriage, its talon shooting out to snatch Eliana before it flew up.

    It all happened in a blink of an eye. No one got a chance to save her.

    Eliana screamed, terror seizing her as she was abruptly lifted off the ground. She could see the world receding below her, the horde seeming to merge into one ck, indistinct mass.

    "Help! Brother Val!" Eliana''s voice echoed across the battlefield, her scream piercing through the chaotic noise of battle.

    Val''s face hardened, a deep rage flickering in his eyes as he witnessed Eliana''s terror.

    Eliana was his assest!

    How dare a mere beast treat her with such rudeness?!!!

 Chapter 78 78: Flight!

    ?

    Seeing Eliana being carried away by the hideous winged beast, Val felt angered. His anger wasn''t on the same level as the time when he was forced to chop off his arm. But he was angered. And those that anger him usually face the same fate. They are killed!

    "You darey your filthy ws on what''s mine�� you''ll pay for this with your life!" He growled, his voice a low, thunderous rumble that echoed ominously across the battlefield.

    Without wasting a moment, Val yanked out his flying broom from his subspace. His muscles flexed, veins popping up on his skin as he hurled it with all his might towards the beast soaring away with Eliana in the sky.

    Whoosh!

    The broom hurtled through the air like a bolt of lightning, and it l. in mid-air, bing as solid as steel.

    Puchilccmm

    A sickening squelch was heard as the broom prated the beast''s head and came out the other side.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You''ve killed a level 22 winged reaper. You have gained 130 EXP. As you''ve killed a monster an entire stage above you, you''ve gained an additional 120 EXP.]

    This notification sounded as Val watched as the beast''s life was snuffed out instantly after it got attacked.

    Val was a level 2 bloodline user. Level 11-20 beasts could be considered to be in the same stage as him. Simrly, level 2 zombies and dungeon monsters were his equal.

    As the winged beast expired from Val''s deadly attack, its hold on Eliana loosened and she was sent spiraling down into the sea of undead and savage beasts below.

    Her eyes widened in absolute terror as the images of gnashing jaws of the beasts and wed and rotten hands of the zombies loomed closer to her with each passing moment.

    The horrific sight took over her vision, and it seemed as though her doom was inevitable. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the gruesome impact that she thought would spell her end.

    eptance of her impending death cast a chilling silence over her.

    However, just as the nightmare seemed to be reality, Val''s strong arm encircled her waist, stopping her abrupt descent. He had leapt from inside the train, diving through the onught of wind and enemies to reach her in mid-fall. His grip on her was unyielding, determined.

    Whoosh!

    With the deafening whoosh of wind howling around them and their clothes whipping in the rush, Val''s gaze remained steadfast on her terrified face.

    Her safety was vital - all his efforts would be in vain if she died.

    Besides, the God of Light had possibly sent her as his guide, and as such, she was his precious asset.

    She belonged to him. She was his to use as he pleases. Whether to kill her or let her live in peace, it was entirely up to him to decide what happens to her.

    Since God itself had decreed this woman to him, no one except him would decide her fate.

    No one!

    Not to mention, given her superior bloodline, she was too valuable to be wasted in such a scenario.

    Thus, despite the obvious peril, he opted to save her.

    However, it wasn''t as if he was risking everything without a n.

    There was still one way out.

    He mentallymanded his mystical weapon, and the broomstick swooped down through the chaos. With a jarring lurch, Val, still clutching Eliana tightly, managed tond on the broomstick that now acted on hismands.

    Theirnding was far from smooth, the broomstick bucking and swaying wildly under theirbined weight. However, despite it being his maiden flight and the fact that he was carrying an extra baggage, Val managed to steady the broomstick, ensuring both their safety in this precarious situation.

    He felt her trembling in his hand. Maybe she still hadn''t realize she had been saved. She reminded him of a terrified little rabbit that he would kill and roast if he had nothing else to eat.

    "Don''t be afraid. You''re safe," he brought his face close to her and whispered into her ears.

    To Eliana, his voice felt like a calming balm amidst the chaos.

    Instead of the pain she had been expecting, she was met with the secure sensation of being held by her man. Stirred by the familiarity of her man''s voice, she dared to peel her eyes open in order to look at who it was, her butterfly-like eyshes fluttering uncertainly.

    As her vision cleared, Val''s figure came into focus.

    He was backlit by the eerie light of the ongoing battle, his ck hair fluttering wildly with the wind. His face was stern, yet as he looked at her, his precious assest, his eyes were tender, as though he held the world in his grasp just to keep her safe.

    It was an image that etched itself deep within her heart and she continued staring at him.

    ''Maybe she has fallen in love with me,'' Val chuckled internally.

    Tears brimmed in Eliana''s eyes, reflecting the fiery chaos that surrounded them.

    "Thank you," she whispered back in a voice thick with emotions.

    He had saved her life by risking his own. She didn''t know how to thank him.

    She looked at Val, her sky-blue almond eyes overflowing with gratitude that she felt for him. It was clear that her view of him had beenpletely transformed by this daring rescue.

    Meanwhile, the chaos of battle continued around them.

    The winged reapers that had swooped down on the train earlier were now engaged in fiercebat with the guardians while other bloodline users on the train were keeping the horde from getting inside the train.

    Om top of the train, the powerful wings and deadly ws of the winged reaper shed with the guardians'' steel and magic, creating a spectacle of sparks.

    In a gruesome disy, some of the reapers managed to bypass their opponent''s defenses, their sharp wstching onto the heads of guardians. With a chilling caw and a savage jerk, heads were torn from their bodies, spines grotesquely ripping from the flesh. Blood sttered in an arc from the point of dismemberment, staining the ground below and the sides of the train with vivid red.

 Chapter 79 79: Back To The Train With His Asset!

    ?

    On the flip side, the guardians fought back with a ferocity that was almost equal to the beasts''. Steel met flesh in brutal counterattacks. Swords plunged into their bodies, spears tore through their wings, and shields of the guardians were used to smash their faces with relentless force so many times that their faces turned into paste.

    Many Guardians alike fell, their bodies brutally mangled, but not without taking some of the winged beasts with them.

    Every fallen guardian was a tragic loss, but every beast that fell marked a small victory in their desperate fight.

    Dun!

    Morthos order came once again, and the winged reapers tried to recapture Eliana and kill Val, but each attempt was met with a hail of arrows, bullets, and elemental bloodline skills from those who had epted Leroy''s call to action after Val motivated them.

    It was an all-out war between man and beast, each side striving to gain the upper hand. Although the situation was dire, thebined efforts of everyone on board were gradually turning the tide of the battle. The defense of the train became tighter, and the assault of the winged reapers and the horde less effective.

    The determined bloodline users and the guardians on the train were managing to keep the winged enemies busy, buying Val and Eliana some much-needed time.

    Val''s strong arm supported Eliana, holding her close to his chest, in the safety of his manly embrace, as he maneuvered the shaky broomstick back towards the train.

    As this was his first time flying on the broom and there was an extra baggage that he had to carry, it was quite hard.

    Furthermore, the speed of the broom,bined with the wind sting against them and the precarious bnce they had to maintain, made for a heart-stopping journey.

    Eliana clung tightly to Val like a ko, her limbs tightly wrapped around him and her eyes screwed shut as the broom beneath them trembled and wavered, tipping precariously to the side, multiple time.

    Eliana could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage, her breath hitching in her chest every time the broom swayed too far to one side. The only thing that kept her from sumbing to panic was his reassuring presence. She knew she was safe in Val''s firm grip.

    Val didn''t let her down as he managed to regain control of the broom each time.

    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the broom touched down on the train.

    Eliana let out a breath she didn''t realize she was holding.

    However, as Eliana tried to step off the broom, her legs gave way beneath her. Before she could tumble to the ground, Val''s strong arms were there to catch her once again. He pulled her into his embrace, holding her against his chest, saving her from a hardnding. As she looked up at him, their eyes locked. As a result, Eliana''s heart skipped a beat, her breath hitching in her throat as she was once again reminded of the lengths he''d go to protect her.

    He had never had anyone risking their life for her, especially not a man.

    She had heard tales of men doing such things for their lovers, but she wasn''t his woman.

    Was he secretly in lover with her? She didn''t know and it didn''t seen like it.

    Was she falling for him? She could confidently say yes!

    ''I have already fallen for him,'' she thought.

    In the faith Eliana followed, a life of religious duty did not mandate vows of celibacy. The God of Light did not decree anypulsion on his followers to surrender to a life of chastity, poverty, or obedience. The choice to fully devote oneself to the deity was left to the individual. In Eliana''s case, she had never chosen to bind herself with such vows. Her heart had always remained open to the possibility of marriage and romantic engagements. Yet, it was only now that she had found herself harbouring feelings for another person.

    However, she had taken a decision. As much as she was experiencing these newly bloomed emotions, she had decided to not engage with them on an emotional level. She was on a divine mission, a task she considered to be of utmost importance. She feared that personal emotions could be an obstacle, a hindrance to her divine duty.

    Thus, she chose to prioritize her mission over her emotions, opting to stow away her burgeoning feelings for the sake of a higher purpose.

    "Brother Val... you... thank you. You saved me once again," she managed to say as a smile blossomed on her face.

    "Just returning the favor," he said so nonchntly, like he hadn''t just pulled off an almost impossible rescue.

    Knowing that she was feeling weak in her legs, he hoisted her up in his arms effortlessly, carrying her princess-style.

    Eliana''s cheeks burned with a soft blush at his gesture. The warmth of his body seeped through her, calming her trembling nerves. She found the way he was treating her so sweet that her heart fluttered uncontrobly in her chest, and she found herself lost in the depths of his eyes. His strength and his courage had imprinted a deep impression on her heart. And she realized, she didn''t just owe him gratitude, but also a bit of her heart that he had stolen in these few exchanges.

    He then carried her inside apartment, setting her gently down on a sofa. "The hordemanded by Morthos wants to kidnap you. I don''t know why but they do for some reason. So use your Holy power to shield yourself from enemy attacks. Be careful, and don''t let your guard down. Not for a moment. And don''t worry about me. I can handle myself," he reassured her, his voice steady, radiating confidence.

    His assest must learn to defend herself. He wasn''t going to be there for her every time she was in trouble!

    She nodded, her heart pounding in her chest as she met his gaze, the intensity of his eyes making her heart flutter.

 Chapter 80 80: Fighting Aboce The Train!

    ?

    "I''ll... I''ll do as you say, Brother Val." she managed to say to him.

    At her words, a small smile appeared on Val''s face. She was really obedient to him and he liked that.

    Not to mention, if she was a obnoxious brat, he wouldn''t have epted her as his own even if the God of Light personally handed her to him.

    As for why he still hadn''t made clear that he was the one she needed to serve as per the words of her god, it was simple. He wanted to test her resolve.

    Val looked at her onest time before he turned to leave thepartment, heading back into the fray.

    Meanwhile, the more formidable zombies, ssified as Level 2 and 3, managed to break through the protective barricade of attacks released by the passenger on board the train. Their superior agility and strength allowed them to leap onto the train''s roof, bypassing the unique defensive efforts entirely.

    Now it was the guardians against winged reapers and powerful zombies.

    It was a fight they couldn''t afford to fight alone.

    An authoritative voice, belonging to the captain of the guardians, boomed throughout the mentalwork everyone on board the train were connected to. "We have zombies and winged reapers on the roof! We need any capable individuals to clear them out now!"

    Without hesitation, Val hoisted himself through the gap in the carriage''s roof, jumping on to the top of the train. As the train ran through the tracks with incredible speed, the biting wind whipped his hair about his face, but his gaze remained focused, steely against the monstrous horde crowding the train''s roof.

    The Winged Reapers, their eyes glinting with malicious intent, stared down Val. As they looked at him, their maw twisted into snarls. In the blink of an eye, they lunged at him one after another, charging with the single-minded determination of a predator.

    However, aa if he waa not the prey, Val met their charge head-on.

    The first Winged Reaper to charge him lost its head in a swift, clean cut, followed by the second. As their heads rolled away, a fountain of ck blood erupted from the point of dismemberment, staining the train roof and Val''s clothes.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve killed 2 level 25 Winged Reapers. You''ve gained 300 EXP! As the beasts you killed are above your level, you have gained an additional few hundred experience points!]

    Suddenly, an unusuallyrge Winged Reaper lunged at him, swinging its overgrown talon with lethal intent.

    However, Val didn''t flinch or dodge.

    Instead, he coolly raised his sword, deflecting the beast''s attack with ease, wrenching its weapon-like talon he side. He then moved his sword that was bathed in the creature''s foul blood to deliver the death blow.

    Puchi!

    With a swift motion, he drove his sword deep into the creature''s heart.

    As the sword sunk into its heart, it began to absorb its lifeblood, eliciting a roar of agony from the Winged Reaper. As Aquarius drank its blood to fill its rage meter, Its eyes, filled with shock and pain, quickly dimmed as the life force within it extinguished.

    "Damn pests!" Val growled, yanking his sword from the creature''s chest.

    The Elder Winged Reaper''s massive body thudded against the roof of the train, its life snuffed out as easily as one would blow out a candle.

    [Killed an Elder Winged Reapers.]

    [Gained 360 EXP!]

    [Enemy is detected to be an entire stage above you.]

    [Gained an additional 400 EXP!]

    "From behind?"

    An acute tingle of danger brushed against his senses, making him whirl around just in time to confront a new adversary.

    The neer was a Level 3 zombie - smaller than the Elder Winged Reaper and not as fierce but no less lethal.

    Standing at 3 meters tall, with handsrger than Val''s head and arms as thick as watermelons, this zombie could easily rip apart a man with a single, bare-handed swipe.

    The hulking creature was surprisingly fast as it lunged at him. Val tightened his grip on, Aquarius, holding it in a horizontal, two-handed grip. He perfectly timed his defense with attack. As the grotesque zombie attacked, its ws, sharp as razors, slicing through the air, Val reacted with deft precision. He twisted his body sideways in an evasive maneuver, skillfully avoiding the lethal swipe.

    Immediately after his dodge, Val retaliated. With Aquarius, his trusted weapon, he struck swiftly at the outstretched limb of his attacker. His de found its mark, slicing through the sallow skin and bone with ease, effectively severing the zombie''s ghastly fingers. The monstrous appendages fell to the ground, and its yellowish eyes widened as Val went for the kill.

    ng!

    The zombie managed to block his subsequent swing with its scale-covered arms, but Val was far from done.

    With blinding speed, he shed behind the towering zombie andunched another strike, his de skimming past the zombie''s defenses and biting deep into its unprotected neck that was scaleless.

    Aquarius, capable of slicing through iron as if it were soft y, made short work of the creature''s vulnerable neck. It cut through the flesh and bone as effortlessly as a hot knife through butter, effectively beheading the creature.

    With its head separated from its body, the zombie lost all control. Val nonchntly kicked the headless body off the train, only to plunge Aquarius into the still animated head. Under his relentless assault, the creature''s brain turned into mush.

    As a result, the zombie was finally dead, its reign of terror permanently ended by Val''s expert hands!

    Killing itted him several hundred EXP!

    Whoosh!

    In the midst of the chaos, he heard a rush of wind from behind him.

    Instinctively, Val sidestepped, narrowly avoiding an axe that flew past him to embed itself in the chest of a Winged Reaper.

    The force of the throw knocked the creature backward, throwing it off bnce.

    "Who was it?"

    Val''s eyes narrowed as he turned to face the thrower - Edward.

    "No need to thank me," Edward said, a sheepish grin on his face.

 Chapter 81 81: The Imposter!

    ?

    Fucker!

    Val''s eye twitched irritably, but he didn''t have the luxury of time to deal with Edward. Multiple injured Winged Reapers, desperate and enraged, charged at him.

    The Winged Reapers, their bodies bathed in blood,unched themselves at Val with a final desperate surge, their faces distorted into grotesque masks of rage.

    Without hesitation, Val activated Titan''s Reinforcement and Blood Rush. An instantaneous and equal boost in his stats, coupled with a major increase in his agility, transformed him into an even more formidable opponent.

    With his newfound strength, He wove through their attacks with ease, shing out of their encirclement with the grace of a warrior.

    Gugakh!

    Undeterred, the creatures rallied once again, charging towards him in a blind fury.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Suddenly, a hail of arrows, released by the other guardians who were on top of the train, whistled through the air, plunging into the Winged Reapers.

    Pained bellows echoed as their torsos sprouted bloody blooms where the arrows had found their mark.

    One by one, they copsed, sumbing to their wounds.

    "Damn," Val cursed under his breath.

    Despite the victory, he hadn''t received any EXP.

    It was because he hadn''t dealt the killing blows!

    He felt as if the guardians had robbed him of much-needed experience.

    As a result, his irritation with Edward deepened. He was gonna fuck that bastard up when he have the chance. For now, he had no time to voice hisint.

    Val, together with the guardians of the train, fought a relentless battle against the horde of beasts and zombies that had infested the train''s roof. Their concerted efforts gradually diminished the number of creatures, restoring some semnce of order.

    Edward, who had been fervently exterminating zombies a moment ago, switched his attention to Val. His eyes gleamed with a malevolent light, betraying his nefarious intentions.

    ''Last time, he survived because I held back. This time, I''ll go all in.''

    Edward seized the opportunity as Val''s back was turned towards him. He lunged, aiming a lethal strike at Val''s unprotected back.

    However, Val''s sharpened senses detected the imminent threat. It was as though he had eyes in the back of his head. With a swift sidestep, he deftly avoided the unexpected assault. Yet, Edward was relentless. He immediately followed up with a second attack, just as lethal and swift. Val barely managed to leap backwards, narrowly evading the deadly strike.

    The guardians were taken aback when they saw Edward, their youngest recruit, attempting to attack Val in the midst of their shared battle.

    Leroy, the most experienced among them, gasped in disbelief, "Edward, what in the world are you doing?"

    Upon hearing Leroy''s horrified disbelief, Edward only smirked cruelly. "Sorry to disappoint you, old man, but the boy you knew as Edward... I killed him a long time ago. No! I did him a favor by putting him to rest as he was weak, unfit to survive in this cruel world. He was useless when alive. But his face, however, proved useful to blend in. I nearly assassinated my target. But, oh well, the game has just begun."

    Val narrowed his eyes at the evil bastard. Even he hadn''t done such a thing in his past life.

    The guardians also felt an intense urge to fucking kill the imposter!

    Just as the guardians were about to retaliate, ''Edward'' smirked and cautioned them, "You don''t have the luxury to be distracted."

    Suddenly, a guttural roar echoed through the air. The guardians'' hearts pounded in their chests as they instinctively faced the source of the terrifying sound.

    A colossal figure, a Level 4 Winged Reaper, flew out of the clouds in the night sky and towered over them menacingly. Easily double their size, this beast was the leader of the Winged Realer pack. Its potent energy was palpable, the air sizzling around its muscr form. Its eyes, sharp and full of murderous intent, locked onto the guardians as it charged towards them.

    Left with no choice, the guardians turned to face this new adversary, their attention pulled away from Edward.

    With the guardians upied, Edward fixed his gaze on Val, grinning wickedly. "Now it''s just the two of us. Shall we continue where we left off, Val? I really want this to end soon. This face you see, it''s nothing more than a good disguise, but wearing it is quite diforting. I want to take it off as soon as possible.

    "Lucky for you, I never shy away from putting an end to one''s vile masquerade," Val replied with a grim smile.

    ng! ng! Ckang!

    Val and Edward engaged in a rapid dance of violence, their weapons shing in a series of sharp rings.

    Suddenly, Edward''s daggers sliced through the air with lethal precision and charged straight towards Val''s vital point.

    However, despite the swiftness of the attack, Val''s deft movements allowed him to dodge the daggers and gave him the opportunity to counterattack thatnded on his opponent.

    However, although Val attack connected, it felt as if his sword was striking cotton.

    Despite his hitsnding on Edward, there were no signs of injury on the imposter''s body!

    It unnerved Val!

    He also noticed that Edward seemed to be stalling for time.

    "What are you nning?" He demanded, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

    At his words, Edward''s smiled and a wicked glint flickered in his eyes.

    "Well, Val, you''ve been so busy with our dance, you''ve overlooked the most important part. You''re already done for," Edward said ominously.

    Val, puzzled, shot back, "What are you talking about?" His voice remained steady, betraying no signs of fear or apprehension despite the looming threat.

    "My bloodline skill allows me to subject my targets to their worst fear. It requires a ten-hour preparation period during which I must remain within a certain distance from my target. Most of that time has already passed. In ten seconds, all the conditions will be met. You have only a few moments left to live." Edward chuckled, a cruel and malicious glint gleaming in his eyes.

 Chapter 82 82: Meeting A Devil, Even Demons Cries!

    ?

    The fake Edward was lying.

    The condition to activate his skill has already been met!

    Before Val could react, Edward''s bloodline ability activated. An icy chill washed over Val, causing his skin to prickle with goosebumps. The world around him fell into an eerie silence as though he had been plunged into a deep abyss. The surrounding chaos disappeared. The train beneath his feet and his enemy also disappeared. He found himself in a deste hand.

    However, nothing else happened.

    Because of his unique trait, Val, The unfeeling, had no fears to speak of!

    An illusion that existed to show one''s nightmare couldn''t exist without a purpose.

    Since there was no nightmare to be shown, it shattered in an instant.

    As a result, Val found himself back on top of the train.

    ''The skill didn''t affect me as Edward had anticipated!'' he grinned internally.

    However, outwardly, he acted as if he was trapped in a horrifying nightmare.

    He decided to use this situation to his advantage.

    He feigned terror, freezing in his spot, ying the part of the victim trapped in his deepest fears.

    His face contorted into an expression of dread, setting the stage for Edward''s impending disappointment.

    Edward thought that that Val was trapped in a nightmare, seeing his expression.

    He charged towards Val with a pair of gleaming daggers. With a vicious cry, he leaped and brought down his daggers in a swift, lethal arc.

    However, just as Edward''s victory was a hair''s breath away, Val sidestepped the attack.

    "How?" Edward''s eyes widened to the size of saucers as the impossible happened. His attack was dodged!

    In the very next instant, Valunched his counterattack. His right hand, wreathed in an inferno of hellish fire, lunged forward, aimed straight at the man who had intended to do him harm.

    The man''s eyes widened, taken aback by the sudden retaliation.

    Bam!

    Before he could even react, Val''s fist, aze with searing mes, smashed directly into his chest. The impact was profound, the sheer force not onlg sending him hurtling backwards and knocking the air out of his lungs, but also setting him aze.

    Arghhhhhhh!

    The imposter''s screams echoed through the air as the intense heat from Val''s Hellish Fist engulfed him. His clothing immediately caught fire, the fabric disintegrating under the ferocity of the ze. His skin, once wless, began to blister and melt away as the relentless fire hungrily consumed him. After that, his flesh started to melt under the terrific assault of the hellish fire.

    Val watched with grim satisfaction as his assant writhed in agony, the air around him warping from the intense heat. His counterattack had seeded, and the results were as he had anticipated - Edward was indeed vulnerable to his Hellish Fire

    "Stop, stop!" Edward pleaded desperately. "I can give you valuable information. Just put out the fire!"

    Val looked at him coldly. "What information?"

    Through gritted teeth, the imposter gasped, "I...I can tell you who hired me...to kill you!"

    Seeing the imposter desperately pleading for mercy, Val tilted his head and observed him coolly. He didn''t show a trace of sympathy, nor did he attempt to extinguish the mes. The searing fire from his Hellish Fist continued to consume the imposter.

    Val regarded the imposter with an indifferent gaze as his body writhed and burned from the Hellish Fist.

    "Aren''t you fucking curious to know?" the imposter screamed through his agony.

    Val shrugged, his face devoid of any sympathy or curiosity. "Why should I be curious? I haven''t managed to cross paths with many, so the list of my enemies that would and can go this far just to kill me is pretty short. If I had to guess, it would be either the Kendricks or... The Strouds." hemented with chilling nonchnce.

    The imposter''s eyes widened in shock amidst his suffering. "You...you knew?"

    Val scoffed, "Simply had my guesses."

    The imposter''s cries grew weaker and weaker as the Hellish Fire turned him from a man to a pile of ashes.

    A notification rang in Val''s mind.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You''ve killed Marvick, a level 4 Bloodline User. You have gained more than a 800 EXP! You''ve gained an additional 200 experience points for the 2 level difference between you and your opponent!]

    Val didn''t know who Marvick was and honestly he didn''t care.

    Val looked at his EXP bar.

    [EXP: 3160/3200]

    He only need 40 EXP to level up!

    Standing alone on top of the train under the moonlit sky, Val watched as the wind swept away thest remains of the man.

    At the same time, the guardians killed the chieftain of the Winged Reapers.

    Seeing this, the other winged reapers retreated.

    Val really wanted to kill one of them. Sadly, his body didn''t listen to him.

    [Stamina: 0!]

    He was dead tired!

    The only reason he still hadn''t copsed was because he was staying awake on his willpower alone.

    Anyways, fighting in such a condition was impossible for him!

    Morthos''s face twisted into a contorted mask of rage and disappointment as he watched Marvick being reduced to ashes by Val''s Hellish Fist. His fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms. The man''s failure was a bitter pill to swallow.

    "Useless bastard," he hissed under his breath, his eyes shing dangerously. "Can''t even take care of a simple job. I guess I will have to put an end to Val''s wretched existence myself!"

    With a cold gaze locked onto Val''s figure standing atop the speeding train, Morthos barked an order at the colossal figure he was seated upon.

    "Stormgazer! Annihte him and everyone that helped! Leave nothing but ashes!"

    Themand reverberated through the silent night, the echo lingering ominously in the air.

    Stormgazer, a monstrous giant with power over thunder and lightning, grumbled in acknowledgment. It was powerful but so stupid that it hadn''t learned anynguage despite being alive for hundreds maybe even thousands of years. No wonder it had fallen prey to the Enthraller''s charm.

    The corners of Morthos''s lips turned up into a sinister smile as he watched the creature spring into action. "None of them will survive what''s toe."

 Chapter 83 83: Gods Rage Can Be Suppressed!

    ?

    Stormgazer raised its colossal arms towards the night sky.

    This simple action seemed to have a profound charm capable of overturning thend!

    The night sky darkened even further, and the rumbling clouds above parted to reveal crackling bolts of electricity. They shot down towards the giant''s upraised hand, drawn in by some unseen force. There they danced and intertwined. Hundreds of them, no, thousands, started to converge and coalesce above the creature''s palm into a massive sphere of raw, terrifying energy!

    Its appereanxe also brightened the night sky.

    With the darkness gone, everyone was finally able to see what Val had long seen.

    They were able to see the giant in the distance.

    Some with sharp eyes were also able to see Morthos sitting on its shoulder.

    The sight of the giant creating a miniature sun was awe-inspiring and terrifying.

    The raw disy of power was enough to cause the bravest bloodline warrior to tremble.

    A scene straight out of ancient legends was unfolding in front of everyone''s eyes, a god-like being harnessing the elemental forces of nature.

    Seeing that it was poised to unleash its wrath upon them, some of them wet their pants.

    "The giant''s going to blow up the entire train. We need to evacuate, now." Leroy''s voice resonated urgently in their minds through the mental link established by Martha.

    Suddenly, a calm voice echoed in the minds of everyone on board the train. "You would do no such thing. By doing so, you''d only offer your lives to the beasts and walking dead lurking nearby. Don''t allow fear to blind your judgment. You would only be throwing away your life in vain by abandoning the train."

    Val''s heart skipped a beat. He recognized this voice.

    It belonged to the mysterious noble, Lucious.

    "So, what''s your grand n then? Remain aboard this train and await obliteration by the Stormgazer? If it''s a choice between certain death and a fighting chance, I know which I''d prefer." Halden snapped back, frustration and fear mingling in his tone.

    "Trust in me," Lucious responded, his voice resonating with conviction. "This train shall endure."

    "But how can you guarantee our survival?" Leroy questioned, the uncertainty evident in his voice.

    The response was simple and exuded an unassable confidence.

    "Because I am here."

    These were not the words of a fool, nor were they spoken out of blind pride!

    This was the arrogance of the strong!!

    this was a deration, born from absolute certainty!!!

    Turning to the enemies in the distance, Lucious''s voice resounded. "Under this sky, in this world, I and I alone am unparalleled. Fate is mine to bend as I will. Destiny is mine to carve as I like. Lives are mine to im, and even death must ask for my permission before knocking on my door. I am Lucious D. Dragon, the nightmare of Devils! Oppose me and you shall die!"

    The distance between them seemed nonexistence as Lucious''s voice surged out of the train and rang throughout the wilderness.

    The crowd aboard the train gasped, a collective shock radiating through them at this revtion.

    "He''s a D. Dragon..." Val murmured, a strange gleam in his eyes.

    Those with the surname D were known to be the closest servants of the god of light. There were two families like that - D. Dragon and D. Grace. But they were mysteriously destroyed overnight by a group of formidable devils.

    Even the mighty Stormgazer, in all its monstrous glory, hesitated for a fleeting moment upon hearing Lucious''s deration.

    Morthos, however, responded with contempt. "I know your story, Lucious. How you stormed into hell to save your loved ones, only to face humiliation, torment, and death. Your bloodline was extracted, and when you refused the devil king''s favor, you were killed. I don''t know how you''re still alive, but you''re nothing special. They told me to run away at the sight of you. But I don''t see any reason why a man without a special bloodline should be feared."

    Unmoved, Morthosmanded the giant. "Kill them."

    "You dare?" Lucious''s voice roared like thunder.

    "Why wouldn''t I?" Morthos scoffed.

    In response, the Stormgazer, with an obedience befitting its servile stature, brought its hand down. The pulsating, brilliant sphere of electricity, akin to a miniature sun, hurtled towards the train with a force that turned the night into day!

    Sebastian, expand and devour," Luciousmanded, his voice resonating with an authority that brooked no argument.

    "Aye, my lord." The response came not from the man himself, but from a small shadowy puddle thaty at his feet.

    At his lord''s behest, Sebastian catapulted through the open train door and ballooned outward.

    Like an stic shadow unfurling in the darkness, it expanded. It was eerily thin, akin to a sheet of paper, yet it ascended and broadened until it dwarfed the towering mountains.

    Shortly after, a monolithic wall of darkness stood.

    It was like an insatiable void that consumed the very fabric of light around it.

    Gulp!

    The threatening, pulsating sphere of electricity, bearing down on the train like an apocalyptic meteor, found itself swallowed whole by Sebastian. It vanished without a trace, absorbedpletely into the ever-expanding abyss of Sebastian''s form.

    "Cast Reverse. Put an end to this trouble." Lucious''s voice rang out once again, powerful and absolute.

    A moment of silence fell upon the scene, before Sebastian responded, expelling the once devoured sphere.

    Whoosh!

    The pulsating mass of electricity shot back towards the Stormgazer and Morthos, its directionpletely reversed.

    Both Morthos and the Stormgazer looked on in horror.

    "No...this can''t be...," Morthos stammered, his eyes widening in disbelief.

    Meanwhile, the Stormgazer let out a deep, guttural growl, its eyes reflecting the brilliant sphere hurtling towards them.

    Boom!

    The sphere collided with the Stormgazer and exploded upon impact. A blinding sh of light filled the surroundings, obliterating the distant mountain instantly.

    From a majestic mountain daring to reach the heaven, It was turned into a smoldering crater.

    A result of the explosion, the surrounding woonds vaporized in an instant, reced by a destendscape in the aftermath of the detonation.

 Chapter 84 84: Celebrating Another Day At Life!

    ?

    The force of the explosion was extraordinary, unlike anything that the passengers on board the train had encountered before.

    The ensuing shockwave was vast and uncontained, and it swept across the surrounding region with an overwhelming force.

    The magnitude of the st was so intense that it caused the train, caught within the radius of the shockwave, to shudder violently. It teetered on the brink of capsizing, its equilibrium disrupted by the cataclysmic force.

    However, amidst the chaos that caused everyone inside the train to panic, Lucious acted withmendable quickness. He firmly nted his foot onto the floor of the rocking train. The force exerted by his stamp transferred through the train, countering the unsettling sway.

    His action, taken with precise timing, was enough to restore bnce and prevent a catastrophic derailment.

    Everyone on board the train breathed a sight of relief. Lucious''s swift intervention had averted a potential disaster.

    "Did we... did we get them?" Erben''s weary voice cut through the silence that had fallen over the train''s upants.

    "Can devils like Morthos, who have been terrorizing the kingdom for years, and that Stormgazer, which can harness the forces of nature as easily aa breathing, really be taken down just like that?" Martha questioned, her voiceced with disbelief.

    Lucious seemed cool and unppable as always. He gazed out of the train''s window, looking at the aftermath of his retaliation, which looked like a plume of smoke staining the night sky.

    "Concerning the Stormgazer, I can''t make any assured ims. As for Morthos, he''s known for his tenacity. He isn''t one to surrender his life easily.. However, even if Morthos managed to survive the st, I doubt he would dare to strike back, not after witnessing what we''re capable of."

    Lucious''s gaze never left the horizon. His lips curled up as he saw a human-like figure retreating at full speed.

    It was Morthos.

    It had survived, but it was severely injured.

    Moreover, it was so terrified that it had lost the will to fight.

    "It''s as he said. We''re saved."

    A wave of relief washed over the passengers and guardians as neither Morthos nor Stormgazer reappeared from the dust, nor was there any kind of retaliation.

    Against all odds, they had survived Morthos''s assault!

    A rare smile crept onto Val''s face as he thought that he had survived the onught of the infamous destruction devil, Morthos.

    "We made it," Leroy breathed out, his eyes wide with relief and awe. He looked at the others, the simr relief mirrored in their faces too. He pped a hand on Erben''s shoulder, offering him a wide grin. "Never thought I''d see the day where we''d be dancing with death ande out of it still breathing."

    Erben, typically reserved, returned the grin, "Well, we did more than just dance, Captain. We stepped on its toes, but still lived to see another day."

    "That we did, Erben. "That we did." Martha, who had been quietly observing their interaction, chuckled lightly at Erben''s dry humor.

    "It was thanks to Lord Lucious, and Sebastian we survived. I reckon we owe both of you one." It was Halden who broke the light-hearted banter and reminded everyone who they owed their lives tom

    Instantly, Sebastian, who had returned to its basic form and snuck inside the train, piped up in a surprisingly squeaky voice, "Yes, yes, show your reverence to me! Shower me with your respect and gratitude. Worship me, and I, the Great Sebastian, shall bestow upon you long life and great luck!"

    What a silly fool!

    Everyone chuckled at its antics.

    Seeing his familiar making a fool of itself, Lucious merely pinched the bridge of his nose, a small sigh escaping his lips.

    "Sebastian," he chided his familiar, though there was a note of fondness in his voice, "you''re embarrassing yourself."

    "Am I, my lord?" Sebastian seemed to ponder this for a moment before he continued with unabashed enthusiasm, "No, no, I believe I am not. After all, is it not the priority of a hero to receive the adoration of the masses?"

    In response, Lucious merely rolled his eyes as if he had heard something foolish. Unlike you, heroes don''t beg for it!

    Ahem!

    Leroy cleared his throat, capturing everyone''s attention, before turning towards Val. "We all owe you a round of apuse, Master Val. You were instrumental in our victory today. Without your support, we might not have been able to withstand Morthos'' onught."

    Though Val''s face remained impassive, a flicker of satisfaction could be seen in his eyes.

    It felt good to be recognized.

    There was no denying it.

    "There''s no need," Val responded to their admiration stoically. "We all yed our part."

    A silence fell over the group as Leroy nodded in acknowledgement of Val''s words.

    He then raised his hand, signalling to everyome to quiet down. "Before we continue our celebrations, I ask for a moment of silence. For those brave souls who lost their lives in this hard-won battle. They stood their ground, fought courageously, and sacrificed themselves for our survival. Let''s honor their memory."

    Following his words, everyone on board the train fell silent.

    The passengers and guardian, many of whom had been relishing their victory over Morthos and his horde, suddenly found a somber mood settling over them as they were reminded of their fallenrades.

    They bowed their heads and closed their eyes, paying their respects to the departed souls who had given their lives to protect them.

    After a few moments, Leroy gestured to a nearby attendant.

    The server promptly stepped forward, carrying a tray full of drinks. The captain took one, raising it high. "And now, let''s toast to the fact that we faced a nightmarish threat and lived to tell the tale!"

    A cheer erupted in the room as the drinks were passed around.

    Clink!

    Everyone took a ss, raising it in a toast.

    Laughter and cheerful conversation resumed once again.

    They spent the next hour sharing stories and toasting to their survival.

    After the celebration, everyone moved to return to their seats.

    ''Damn, I''m so tired that I am on the brink of copse.''

    Val felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He had been using every ounce of his strength and willpower to stay awake and now that the danger had passed, his body demanded rest.

    Eliana noticed Val''s fatigue as he walked into their sharedpartment that was on the badly damaged carriage of the train.

    Val''s eyes were heavily-lidded and his movements were sluggish, making it apparent how bad of a state he was in.

    Wanting to help, Eliana quickly stood up and walked over to him, cing a hand on his shoulder. Soft, warm light began to emanate from her hand, wrapping around Val in a gentle caress.

    Val blinked in surprise, his fatigue momentarily forgotten. "Eliana?" he asked, looking at her in surprise.

    "I''m just lending you some of my energy," she replied in a soft voice.

    "But you must be tired yourself. You don''t need to do this," Val protested softly.

    He didn''t want his assest to damage herself by overdrawing the power of her bloodline. After all, the consequences of such foolishness were often time too heavy to bear and left lifelong scars and regrets.

    "I want to be of help to you, Brother Val," She smiled at him sweetly. "Please don''t decline."

    ''Is this girl smitten with me?'' Val wondered.

    He didn''t argue further as he knew that it was useless to argue when a nun from the holy church of light has made up her mind, and truth be told, he felt a lot better already thanks to her help.

    He simply nodded at her, mouthing a quiet ''thank you'' before taking a seat. Eliana sat beside him, her hand, still glowing with her holy power, was gently guiding stream of warmth in his body, making him feel rxed.

    ''I am dead tired, but I can''t risk falling asleep.''

    Although Val was feeling sleepy, he resisted the urge to sleep.

    It was because he was uncertain if there were still potential assassins on the train, biding their time to strike when he was most vulnerable.

    With such uncertainty looming over him, he found it difficult to surrender to his natural instinct.

    "Sleep, Val. I will watch over you." Lucious seemed to understand his dilemma. Thus, he offered him a helping hand.

    Val nced at him, meeting his gaze.

    If Lucious wanted to kill him, he would not be able to resist even in his peak state. Maybe he would be able to survive if he rush into the Other Side befoee their battle begin. Anyway, if he was any threat to his life, he wouldn''t be alive right now. Basically, there was no need to doubt his concern for him.

    Besides, the elder man''s gaze held nothing but sincerity as he looked at him.

    "I will be depending on you."

    Trusting in Lucious''s words, Val allowed his heavy eyelids to fall shut.

    In mere moments, he sumbed to the exhaustion that had been hounding him since he used the Hellish Punch Bloodline skill to bombard the horde, which was controlled by Morthos.

 Chapter 85 85: Northern Frontier!

    ?

    Lucious looked at Eliana and said, "I believe you''ve some unanswered questions."

    "Yes, I do." Eliana nodded, her hands instinctively tightening around the hem of her dress. "Why did youe to IronSpire Stronghold, Lord Lucious? Was there any special reason behind it?"

    Lucious sighed deeply before answering, "I sensed the presence of my brethren there. I was drawn to that ce because of you and your brother."

    Eliana''s eyes widened in surprise. "Why would you seek us out? Surely it wouldn''t be just to see how well we''re faring?"

    He said, "After the cmity that annihted our two families who had been living in harmony and serving the same God of Light, many were left astray. My mission has been to find these survivors and offer them sanctuary. I have been searching for them, hoping to save those of us who''ve survived the cmity and provide them with a ce they can call home in this cruel world. Your brother was among those I extended this offer to, but he remained resolute in staying there and await your return. Anyway, I want to extend the same offer to you, Eliana. What will be your response?"

    Lucious looked at Eliana, his eyes filled with an earnest plea.

    Eliana hesitated to reply, her gaze drifting off to the side where Val was sleeping. "There''s something I need to verify... I''m going to stick with Brother Val a little longer."

    "So, it''s an indirect refusal," Lucious surmised, his voice tinged with disappointment but also understanding.

    "You can think like that," she replied steadily.

    He nodded slowly, then offered, "I''ve asked my questions. If you have anything you''d like to know, feel free to ask me. I will provide the best answer I can. And call me uncle if you like. We''re rted by blood."

    Eliana''s gaze sharpened as she met his eyes. "In that case, I do have a question for you, Uncle. Why did you choose to expose your identity? Isn''t it dangerous to reveal that you''re a destiny child?"

    "I did so to draw the enemy out of the darkness," Lucious said, "I want them toe for me, to be drawn out into the open so I can finish them once and for all."

    "You''re risking too much, Uncle."

    "This is a war, Eliana. And in a war, one must sometimes take calcted risks for the greater good."

    "I see." she sighed heavily. "I am too weak to fight for the just cause. Too weak to avenge my family. I can only pray for your safety, Uncle. May you be sessful in your future endeavors and emerge victorious. I don''t want to lose one more from what little family I have left."

    "Your concern touches my heart, dear niece, and I assure you that I''ll spare no effort in ensuring my survival in this war," Lucious replied gently.

    "And as for your perceived inability to help, let me correct that impression. Your prayers alone hold a power you may not fullyprehend. In our line, those marked by destiny and blessed with the blood of Grace, their strength is not determined by their physical might or the purity of their bloodline. It''s determined by the power of their prayers. Eliana, your prayers hold tremendous strength. I believe you''lle to realize that soon.

    "And, remember, strength also lies in the courage to continue on, despite the odds, to carry hope in your heart, and to never lose sight of what you believe in. You have already shown such strength in abundance by surviving for all these years with no one to rely on whilst raising your brother. You''re not weak. You''re far stronger than you think. You''re stronger than the countless men I''ve fought, who lost their reason and forsake their morals when confronted with the cruel reality of this world.

    "When the time is right, I''m confident that you will rise to the challenges that face you. Until then, continue on your path. I''ll be watching over you from afar."

    Eliana found herself at a loss for words.

    His earnest speech had taken her by surprise, his words striking a deep chord within her.

    She had always seen herself as someone who had to be protected, someone who was more of a liability than a help in dangerous situations. However, Lucious'' words painted her in apletely different light.

    It was as he said. Strength wasn''t always measured by one''s ability to swing a sword or their bloodline skill, it could also be one''s determination to protect a loved one, the courage to keep moving forward despite facing countless hardships, and even the ability to hold onto hope when everything seemed lost.

    This perspective shift left her in a state of shock.

    All she could do was stare at Lucious, her eyes wide, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

    When she finally managed to regain her voice, all that came out was a quiet "Thank you, Uncle Lucious," barely audible, but filled with sincerity.

    She really needed this type of motivation.

    .....

    "Brother Val, wake up," Eliana''s soft voice echoed in the quietpartment.

    Val stirred awake, his eyes fluttering open and gradually adjusting to the bright daylight streaming through the windows of thepartment he was in. The radiant sunshine flooding thepartment was a stark contrast to the darkness and danger they had faced not long ago.

    "Have we arrived?" Val asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He nced around, noticing that the train hade to a halt at some station and people were beginning to disembark.

    Eliana nodded, "Yes, we''ve reached the Northern Frontier."

    Walking withrge strides, Val and Eliana stepped onto the station, with Lucious and his familiars following closely behind.

    The station was teeming with people, who were chatting andughing creating a chaotic but lively atmosphere.

    Before parting ways, Lucious turned to them and said, "I will be looking forward to seeing you in the Upper Heaven. Don''t keep me waiting too long."

    Val watched as Lucious disappeared into the crowd. He called out, "We''ll be there before you know it," a determined note in his voice.

    The Northern Frontier was located in a sprawling mountain chain known as the Wyrmspine Peaks.

    This bustling hub was divided into two distinct regions: the lower city and the Upper Haven.

    Centuries ago, the formidable Thunderspear tribe, a group of mighty bloodline users, braved perilous challenges and scaled the colossal Mount Torjan. Even though not the highest peak in the Wyrmspine Peaks, its significant width made it visible from a considerable distance in the sky.

    On the peak of this imposing mountain, the Thunderspears established their home. They killed formidable beasts and countless zombies that inhabited Mount Torjan, ensuring the safety of their new homnd.

    That''s how the Upper Haven came into being.

    In those days, news of the Thunderspear tribe''s courageous exploits had spread far and wide, drawing people from every corner of the human realm towards them.

    These settlers, seeking the protection and guidance of the Thunderspears, began to popte the surroundings of Mount Torjan.

    This constant influx of people gradually resulted in the foundation of the Lower City and the formation of the Northern Frontier.

    The Upper Haven was a domain reserved for the elite and the powerful, its entry was not granted to just anyone. The castle of the Thunderspears, the most striking structure in the Upper Haven, was a fortress with a vibrant red g billowing in the wind. Even from the train station, Val could see this beacon of hope and symbol of indomitable spirit in this dreadful world.

    The lower city, on the other hand, had its own criteria for entry.

    ording to the northern tradition, anyone seeking to gain entry into the lower city had to pass a trial by fire.

    This harsh trial was designed to introduce neers to the ways things worked in the Northern Frontier.

    ''The north is a cruel ce, they don''t amuse the weak with falsehood.''

    Val smirked as he awaited the trial by fire.

 Chapter 86 86: New Rules!

    ?

    A young man with a fresh, youthful face, dressed in a suit of aristocratic finery with exaggerated frills and a top hat, tried to push his way into the Lower City but was promptly stopped by a burly guard.

    "Not so fast,d," the guard grunted, his hand pressing firmly against the young man''s chest. "Everyone must pass the trial by fire before they can enter."

    "My name is Alfred Montmorency," the young man dered with a haughty tilt of his chin, "A member of the noble Montmorency family from the southern ins. I demand you let me in immediately. I refuse to be subject to such ridiculous rules! Besides, how dare you halt me in my tracks? You are nothing but a mere guard in this forsaken frontier, while I am a Montmorency. Your job is to obey me, not stand in my way. I suggest you move aside unless you want to face the wrath of my family!"

    Just as Alfred''s haughty words died down, a stern voice echoed through the crowd, cutting through the growing murmurs like a hot knife through butter. "You dare threaten my guard? Apologize right this instant!"

    A tall and imposing man with a squared jawline and high cheekbones, which were entuated by a neatly-trimmed beard, walked through the bustling crowd gathered at the station and stopped in front of Alfred.

    The onlookers recognized him as Marshall.

    Marshall had golden-brown hair that was slicked back, revealing piercing, te-grey eyes that held a hard, no-nonsense glint as he stared at Alfred. Marshall was dressed in a crisp ck uniform that hugged his muscr physique. A gleaming insignia, featuring ck thunderbolts, was proudly disyed on his chest, marking him as the leader of the Lower City guards. He was 198 cm tall, and his presence was as intimidating as a roaring bear. He towered over the arrogant youth menacingly, his sturdy figure casting an imposing shadow over the arrogant aristocrat.

    Alfred found himself involuntarily flinching under Marshall''s intense gaze.

    However, the public spectacle of his humiliation was like a searing brand on his pride. Not even in his worst nightmares had he imagined being put in such a position, much less beingpelled to apologize to a guard, someone he deemed below his social standing.

    ''I hate this!''

    This blow to his ego, this piercing needle to his inted self-importance, left a sour taste in his mouth.

    The heated whispering of the crowd and the smirks on the faces of the onlookers were like salt rubbed into his wounds, intensifying his humiliation. Rage bubbled up within him, his blood simmering, his heartbeat pounding in his ears like a war drum. His hands balled into tight fists at his sides as he struggled to keep hisposure.

    Faced with such embarrassment, the veneer of aristocratic refinement peeled away, revealing the raw defiance beneath. With gritted teeth and his face distorted with rage, Alfred retorted, "I won''t apologize to a lowly bastard!" His voice, though shaky with indignation, echoed defiantly through the silence that had fallen over the crowd.

    As soon as the words left Alfred''s mouth, Marshall''s face turned steely. The stern but collected demeanor he had maintained till now vanished, reced by a cial coldness that was far more chilling.

    Pa!

    Before anyone had a chance to react, Marshall''s sturdy hand whipped through the air, connecting with Alfred''s cheek in a deafening p that echoed around the station.

    Swoosh!

    Alfred, takenpletely by surprise, was sent flying backward, his body a blundering mess as it crashed into the crowd, causing his top hat to be knocked askew.

    The aftermath of the p was immediate and stark. Alfred''s high cheekbone bloomed with an rming shade of red that was rapidly spreading across his face, a distinct handprint forming amidst the swelling skin. A few of his teeth, dislodged by the strength of the p, ttered onto the cobblestones, their white contrast sharply against the gray stones, marking the spot where his pride had been brutally trampled upon.

    Overwhelmed by the stinging pain, tears involuntarily streamed down Alfred''s face, pooling at his jaw before dripping onto his expensive clothes, staining them. He clutched his assaulted cheek, his fingers trembling as they skimmed over the swollen, heated skin.

    "You dare raise your hand against a Montmorency!" In between his sobs of pain and the shocked gasps of the crowd, Alfred managed to cry out, his voice high and filled with disbelief. His words were slurred, muffled by his swelling lips, but the outrage in his voice was unmistakable.

    "Even if you were a Stroud or a distant rtive of the queen, I would''ve dared to straighten you out! This is the Northern Frontier. We live by the rules of the Thunderspears." Marshall retorted as he red at the arrogant noble.

    Alfred looked away, unable to meet Marshall''s piercing gaze. His shoulders sagged and his whole demeanor screamed defeat as the reality of this situation was too harsh for him to bear.

    Marshall didn''t spare him another nce, his gaze instead sweeping across the crowd gathered in the station. "Insult my guards, and you''ll end up like this miscreant. And drill this into your minds - This is the Northern Frontier. Not your home! Your noble lineage, status, the depth of your coffers, or the extent of your influence elsewhere means nothing here!

    "In the Northern Frontier, what you are capable of is all that matters. Your aplishments define you. Prove that you have what it takes to live amongst us, and you will be weed. Otherwise, you can fuck off to where you came from."

    His words were simple, a stark reflection of thend they stood on �C the Northern Frontier.

    It was and where status was meaningless.

    It wss and where capability was king, and it was a brutal, raw reality far removed from the societal structures Alfred was used to.

    "And how do we prove ourselves worthy to live amongst the northerners?" Val asked Marshall.

    Marshall turned his attention to Val and spoke.

    "To enter the frontier, you must first pass the trial by fire. The trial is simple - each of you will be assigned a target to eliminate in the Verdant Deepwood. You will have an entire day to hunt it down. After youplete your task, you need to return to the station within the 24 hours time limit and show me your trophy. After I verify that you''vepleted the trial, you will be granted entry into the Northern Frontier''s Lower City."

 Chapter 87 87: Trail By Fire

    ?

    "Very well, I understand." Val nodded.

    Alfred, still nursing the sting of his bruised ego and aching cheek, interjected sharply, "I absolutely refuse to partake in such a perilous, savage trial!"

    Marshall''s icy gaze swiveled back to him, "Then, Alfred Montmorency, you''re free to turn back and return to your home. There''s no chain holding you here."

    ''If I had any say in this, I would have never set foot in this barbaric ce!'' Alfred seethed internally, the fear of Marshall''s wrath preventing the words from spilling out of his mouth.

    Alfred Montmorency was the youngest son of Lord Montmorency, who controlled one of the hundred strongholds established in the kingdom''s outer region.

    Alfred gew up being spoiled by his entire family because he was the youngest.

    This privileged upbringing led him to a life of hedonism, a life in which he constantly pursued pleasure and squandered his family''s fortune on frivolous luxuries, gambling, and visits to brothels where he would spend weeks trapped between the legs of women working in brothels.

    Moreover, he enjoyed throwing around the Montmorency name to assert dominance over others, taking advantage of the fear and respect associated with his lineage to oppress those less fortunate.

    Not to mention, his arrogance was matched only by hisck ofpassion as he often used his power to bully and exploit those weaker and less fortunate than him.

    Although constantints and scandals were caused by Alfred''s actions, Lord Montmorency didn''t take any action to reprimand his most precious son. He waited in the hope that his youngest would eventually mature and assume his responsibilities. However, as the years passed, it became clear that Alfred was not going to change his ways willingly.

    Alfred''s reckless behavior eventually led him to offending someone with a powerful background.

    This mistake cost the Montmorency family significantly, both in terms of reputation and wealth. Lord Montmorency was forced to lower his head, apologize and pay a hefty sum to appease the offended party.

    This incident became the breaking point for Lord Montmorency.

    Unable to tolerate his son''s actions any longer, Lord Montmorency exiled Alfred to the Northern Frontier.

    The only condition under which Alfred could return home was by earning the right to enter the Upper Haven.

    Lord Montmorency hoped that the harsh realities of the frontier would force Alfred to mature and set him straight so that he can finally live up to the name of Montmorency. However, Alfred perceived his father''s actions as an undeserved punishment.

    Nevertheless, he had no choice but to work hard and fulfill his father''s condition. Otherwise, he would have to spend the rest of his life in this barbaric ce.

    "I''m not a pussy. I''ll take part in this trial by fire and prove that I deserve to live among you northeners."

    The thought of a lifetime of exile in the Frontier was far more terrifying than hunting in the Verdent Deepwood. Thus, he reluctantly agreed to participate in the trial.

    "What''s the nature of these targets?" Val asked.

    "Each of you will receive a token," Marshall exined. "The creature engraved on the token would be your target. It might be a beast, a zombie, or something else entirely. The creatures will vary in strength. But remember, the northern frontier is not a ce for the faint of heart. Your target will be a formidable challenge."

    Eliana''s brows furrowed in worry. "What if one is unable toplete the task?"

    "Failure to return within the time limit or without the trophy is an automatic disqualification. You will not be granted entry into the Lower City. If you decide to attempt the trial again, you''ll have to wait for the next cycle," Marshall said.

    Marshall turned to arge wooden crate set beside him.

    It was an aged, hefty thing with reinforced iron corners, each edge weathered and bearing the unique marks of countless voyages.

    He lifted the lid, revealing hundreds of tokens nestled within, each uniquely engraved with the images of beasts and zombies.

    Marshall began to distribute these tokens but he didn''t do it blindly. In his possession was a cursed artifact that allowed him to perceive the levels of bloodline users, making their invisible power visible to his eyes. With this, he gauged their strength and thus gave them an equally challenging task. After all, the trials were not meant to be an execution but a test of mettle.

    Upon reaching Val and Eliana, Marshall paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the two. His cursed artifact illuminated their power for him.

    He saw Eliana''s glowing at level 1, while Val''s was more powerful, registering at level 2.

    His hands moved through the tokens in the crate with an uncanny precision, as he searched for a suitable task for them. After a moment of consideration, he carefully selected the tokens that he deemed suitable for the pair.

    "Take these," Marshall said to the two as he handed each of them their respective tokens.

    Val received a token with an image of a swift-footed Icefang Lynx.

    Eliana, on the other hand, got a token with an image of a Grizzlehide Boar.

    "As of this moment, the trial begins," Marshall announced, his booming voice echoing through the crowd gathered in the station. "You have 24 hours toplete it. I hope to see all of you back here with your trophies within that time. Good luck."

    Eliana stared at the token in her hand, her heart sinking as worry etched deep lines on her youthful face. As a holy priest, her skills were focused on healing and shielding. She could also overwhelm evil creatures like zombies with her holy power.

    However, shecked the offensive abilities that could harm beasts.

    Physically, she was stronger than the average person, but she knew that she was not well-equipped tobat a beast.

    "What do I do?" she murmured, her eyes flicking towards the Grizzlehide Boar engraved on her token. "Ick the means to defeat even a low-level beast."

    "Don''t worry, Eliana. I''ll help you." Val, who had been observing her quietly, offered a reassuring smile.

    The reason behind Val''s quick assurance was more calcted than simplepanionship. He intended to keep Eliana by his side and continue observing her. Once he was satisfied with her performance, he nned to reveal that he was the person her God had sent her to the Northern Frontier to serve in order to make her serve him and tend to his every need.

    Eliana felt less worried and a big shocked, hearing Val''s words.

    "You will?" she asked him as she looked at him with a expression that was a mix of surprise and relief.

    "Of course, Eliana," Val replied to her. "I won''t abandon a friend in need. We''re friends, right?"

    After a moment''s hesitation, a small smile curved Eliana''s lips. She stared at him with a gentle gaze, and she nodded, "Yes, Brother Val. After what we''ve been through, we are friends indeed."

    She gripped her token tighter, her determination renewed. She felt confident to face the trial by fire with her friend by her side!

 Chapter 88 88: The Verdent Deepwood Forest

    ?

    With a thought, Val took out a map from his pocket dimension. This map was one of the items given to him by Reignarld.

    He unfurled the map and scrutinized it, looking for the location of the Verdant Deepwood. The detailed cartography showcased the diverse and challengingndscape that surrounded the Northern Frontier.

    To the east, the Northern Frontier was hemmed in by rugged mountains, their peaks perpetually cloaked in snow. The formidable barriers of stone and ice posed a stark contrast to the western part of the Frontier.

    To the west, the Frontier was bordered by the Verdant Deepwood Forest. This immense, uncharted forest was a haven for a myriad of flora and fauna, some of which were only found within its leafy confines. The forest was a marvel in its own right, yet it also held danger for those who ventured into it unprepared.

    "Looks like we are heading west," Val said, pointing to the marked area on the map that represented the Verdant Deepwood Forest.

    Eliana looked at the map over Val''s shoulder, her eyes lighting up as she saw their designated destination. "To the west it is, then."

    Together, they set off toward the Verdant Deepwood Forest.

    As they left the hustle and bustle of the Frontier behind, the world seemed to quieten around them, leaving only the sound of rustling leaves and the distant cries of unseen creatures to fill the silence.

    The forest was divided into five different regions, each one representing a different level of danger.

    The first region, also known as the level 1 area, was inhabited by creatures that were between levels 1 and 20.

    These beasts were roughly equivalent in power to level 1 and 2 bloodline usera.

    This region provided a good training ground for beginners, offering enough challenges to stimte growth without posing a lethal threat.

    The next four regions had even more powerful beasts.

    The Grizzlehide Boar that Eliana was assigned to hunt was a level 18 beast. It should be located somewhere within the level 1 area. After a quarter of an hour''s travel, they arrived at the designated area.

    The foliage in the level 1 area of the forest was dense, filled with a diverse collection of trees, shrubs, and grasses. It was abyrinth of greenery, its depths shrouded in shadow and mystery. The thick undergrowth provided ample ces to hide, making it an ideal hunting ground for the low-level beasts that called this area home.

    Val and Eliana were walking through this region side by side. Val had been observing her carefree walk through the forest. He thought that her rxed demeanor was not fitting with the dangerous environment they were in, and decided to correct her.

    Val gently tugged on Eliana''s arm, prompting her to stop her carefree stride and turn to him.

    "What?" she asked.

    "Eliana, just because we''re in the first region of the forest, it doesn''t mean we should be this... rxed."

    Hearing his words, Eliana tilted her head, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "But the beasts in this region are supposed to be the weakest ones in the forest, isn''t that the case?"

    "Yes, that''s true," he agreed, "But asionally, stronger beasts from the higher sectors wander down here. It''s a rare urrence, but it happens. It''s why we always need to stay alert when we are in the Verdant Deepwood."

    A flicker of realization lit up in Eliana''s eyes, followed by a moment of silent contemtion. Her carefree demeanor melted away, reced by an air of caution as she acknowledged the truth in Val''s words. As a result, she earned a nod of approval from Val.

    "Brother, you''re really knowledgeable. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me," she said, a sweet smile blooming on her face.

    Val chuckled, shing Eliana a lopsided grin. "We''re friends, Eliana. It''s only natural that we share what we know. After all, it''s sharing such knowledge with each other that will increase our chances of staying alive in a ce like this."

    "Understood."

    A few minutes after arriving at the level 1 area of the forest, Val noticed a pair of shiny eyes peering at them from a nearby shrub. The eyes flickered in the dappled sunlight, holding an eerie, watchful gaze that seemed to follow their every move.

    Val locked gazes with the concealed creature and immediately activated his "Detect" Trait. His eyes flickered with intense focus as he patiently awaited the feedback from his trait. He was hoping to determine the identity of the beast hidden in the shrub without provoking it out of its hiding spot. If it turned out that the beast hiding in the shrub was not rted to their trial, he saw no need to provoke it. After all, avoiding unnecessary conflict was essential to conserve their limited time and resources.

    Immediately, a game-like screen appeared before his eyes.

    Name: Grizzlehide Boar

    Level: 18

    Status: Healthy

    Traits: Extremely Violent, Enhanced Strength

    Warning: Known to be one of the strongest beasts in the level 1 area of the Verdant Deepwood Forest.

    Val''s eyes widened as he identified the hidden creature in the shrub.

    "It''s here, a level eighteen Grizzlehide Boar," he whispered to Eliana whilst keeping his gaze locked onto the formidable beast.

    "I will hunt it for you."

    Without another word, Val pulled his arm back, his fingers curling into a tight fist. A ripple of energy surged from his core to his fist. And then, in one swift motion, he punched forward, throwing his fist in the direction of the hiding boar.

    His punch connected with nothing but air, and yet, from the force of his strike, a ball of gray fire erupted. The fireball leapt from his fist, traveling through the air in a perfect arc, heading straight for the shrub where the beast was hiding.

    Bomb!

    Upon impact with the shrub, the fireball exploded with a deafening roar, engulfing the shrub and its hidden upant in a fiery ze. Fire danced and crackled, hungrily consuming the greenery, turning the shrub into a zing inferno.

    GRRRAAAAGH!

    From the depths of the ming undergrowth, a gut-wrenching roar of pain and rage echoed through the forest. The next moment, the Grizzlehide Boar burst forth from the mes, its bulky body aze, patches of its once shaggy brown fur charred and smoking. The beast was a terrifying sight to behold, its massive tusks glinting dangerously, its beady eyes filled with fury.

    Its fearsome appearance, however, was being rapidly distorted by the torment of the mes.

    Val had no doubt that it would die soon. The beast could also tell that it didn''t have long to live as the fire couldn''t be extinguished. But it refused to die so easily. It at least wanted to take one of them down with it.

    RRRAAAAGH!

    Driven by pain and rage, the boar charged directly at them. Dust and debris were kicked up in its wake, its heavy hooves thundering against the forest floor. The beast was known for its aggression and formidable strength, and it was now exhibiting these traits in full force.

    "Brother Val, I''ll provide you with support," Eliana offered, her voice tinged with concern.

    Val turned to her, a smirk on his face, "Eliana, just sit back and watch the show. A level eight beast is nothing to me."

    With that, Val charged towards the charging boar but not before summoning his sword from the pocket dimension contained within his cursed artifact, the Void Orb. The sword materialized into his grip, its hilt cool and reassuring against his palm.

    As the boar bore down on him, Val''s eyes narrowed, his body moving to the right with a predator''s grace. With a swift sidestep, he deftly avoided the boar''s charge. The ground shook under the boar''s weight as it charged past him. With its initial target missed, it charged ahead to crush Eliana.

    Val, however, had no intention of giving it the chance to harm her.

    As the boar was moving past him, Val, without missing a beast, swung his sword in a wide, deadly arc.

    Whoosh!

    The sword was like a streak of silver in the sunlight as it cut through the air, humming with lethal intent. It met the boar''s thick hide and sunk deeper, prating its greatest defence with ease.

    The impact was immediate and brutal. The sword, as sharp and unyielding as the coldest winter, sheared through the boar''s hide, muscle, and bone, cutting it in two halves from the middle. As its two halves separated, blood sprayed out in a grisly arc, staining the forest''s floor with the crimson essence of life.

    Thud!

    The severed halves of the boar thudded onto the forest floor, the once-mighty beast reduced to lifeless meat in mere seconds. The light in the boar''s eyes, faded away instantly, its life extinguished as swiftly as it had charged.

    A notification popped up in front of Val.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve defeated a level 18 Grizzlehide Board. You have obtained a few dozen Experience points for ying the formidable enemy.]

 Chapter 89 89: Being Blunt

    ?

    With a swift swing of his sword, Val severed the boar''s head from its body before the lingering hellfire could reduce it to ashes.

    The head, still leaking thick, congealed blood, was quickly wrapped in a clean piece of cloth that Val summoned from his pocket dimension.

    Then, he handed the gruesome trophy to Eliana.

    With calm eyes, he looked at her and said, "There you go, the Grizzlehide Boar you were tasked to hunt."

    "Thank you, Brother Val," Eliana expressed, her fingers securely gripping the cloth bundle that contained the trophy of her trial. Blood stained the cloth a darker hue and seeped through the material to stain her hands, but it did not elicit a hint of hesitation or revulsion from her. Instead, she bore witness to it with an unflinchingposure. It was as if she was ustomed to such grim and dreadful sights.

    Val''s eyes held a flicker of admiration as he observed herposure. After all, this was precisely the kind of resilience and nerve he appreciated in a woman.

    A backbone of steel beneath a veneer of grace, a rose that knew how to hold onto its thorns - Eliana embodied these qualities, making her all the more fascinating to him.

    "Return to the station, Eliana. Present this to Captain Marshall andplete your trial," Val instructed firmly.

    However, Eliana shook her head, stubborn determination igniting her gaze, "No, Brother Val, I can''t just leave you here alone."

    Taken aback by her persistence, Val couldn''t help but respond with a touch of exasperation, "Eliana, don''t be stubborn."

    Ignoring hisment, Eliana immediately protested, "I... I want to help you with your trial. You aided me with mine; it''s only fair I return the favor."

    Val immediately looked at her with a stern gaze, "No, Eliana. The area I''m heading to is far more dangerous than the one we''re currently in. I appreciate your intentions, but I cannot bring you with me. If youe along with me, you''d only be a liability in the second sector of the Verdant Deepwoods. After all, the beasts there are intelligent. They would sniff out the weaker one amongst us and try to take you out. I don''t want fight beasts while worrying for your safety."

    Val''s frank remarks struck Eliana like a sharp de, leaving her momentarily stunned. She hadn''t expected him to be so candid with her.

    She gazed at him, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to argue, yet no words emerged.

    Her emotions were akin to a turbulent sea - shock, worry, and a dash of pain flitted across her face in quick session. Val observed these changes with an unwavering gaze. He had expected this to happen. He knew that his brutally honest words would inflict her with emotional distress, but he held no remorse. Among the various modes of expression avable to him, he deliberately chose stark honesty because he valued practicality over pandering to her naivety.

    If he were alone and found himself in danger, he had the ability to flee. Even if escape proved impossible, his Mystical Shovel would allow him to transport to the Other Side. However, with her in tow, things wouldn''t be so straightforward. It was thisplexity that he wished to avoid. That''s why he chose to be so blunt.

    ''He''s speaking the truth. And it''s all for my sake.''

    Eliana was acutely aware that Val''s blunt words were for her benefit, although his brutal honesty still stung her heart. She had wanted to stand by his side, support him just as he had done for her. However, she had to ept the harsh reality - she was too weak to do any of that. She was incapable of offering the aid that the man who had persistently assisted her required. In the perilous second sector of the forest, she would merely be a hindrance to him.

    ''I can''t reciprocate the help he''s extended to me numerous times. How utterly useless I am,'' she sighed inwardly.

    Turning her gaze back to Val, she saw not just a friend, but a man who cared for her.

    ''He is so good to me. But Ick the capability to return his gestures. I want to gain strength, to be someone who can rightfully stand by his side.''

    His concern for her safety, although masked under his stern words, was clear as day. In the face of the harsh and alien environment of the frontier, it was his genuine worry that provided the mostfort to her heart.

    Inhaling deeply, she allowed herself to ept the bitter truthced in Val''s words. She wasn''t prepared to confront the dangers lurking in the deeper reaches of the Verdant Deepwood. Acknowledging this fact was hard, yet necessary. And once she acknowledged it, the frown that had marred her forehead due to Val''s harsh words smoothed out, her tense shoulders rxed, and she gave him a grateful nod.

    "Alright, Brother Val, I will follow your words. But promise me one thing, please. Be safe. And return triumphant. I''ll be waiting for you at the station." she said to him. Her eyes, glistening with newfound resolve, met his.

    "I promise," Val replied to her.

    "May God keep you safe from all harm."

    As Eliana turned to leave, she took onest look at Val, sincerely praying to her God that he would return unscathed from the trial.

    [Ding!]

    The system notification popped up in front of Val''s eyes.

    [Congrattions, Host! A holy priestess with mystical blood has sincerely prayed for you. You''ve been blessed with a defensive mark. It has been added to your person. This mark can be activated onmand and can evade one attack for you. If you''re in mortal danger, it will activate by itself and save your life.]

    As the system message finished, Val could feel a tingling sensation on the back of his right hand. He turned it over and was greeted with the sight of a D-shaped shield mark appearing, drawn by flickering tongues of ethereal fire. The mark solidified into a tattoo, its form an intricate weave of lines and curves.

    He could feel that he shared a mystical connection with this mark, and he could instinctively tell that with just a thought, he could bring forth its power to save his life from a dreadful attack.

    ''This shield... it can be a lifesaver in a critical moment.''

    His eyes widened in surprise. Yhis was an unexpected boon. The defensive mark etched on his arm served as a significant boost to hisbat abilities. Its presence was a silent reassurance, a silent protector ready to deflect a potentially deadly strike.

    "Eliana, your prayer had once again given me a tangible advantage. Thank you!" he shouted.

    At the sound of his voice, Eliana, who was gradually disappearing into the verdant expanse, paused in her tracks. She turned around, a small smile lighting up her face. His words had reminded her of Lucious''s words about the power of her prayers, about the unique ability she had to help others.

    "You''re wee, Brother Val. I''ll pray for you more often!" she shed him a smile.

    With that, she turned around once more, continuing her journey back towards the station.

    "Eliana," he whispered, looking at her disappearing back. There was a newfound interest in his eyes for the gentle and kind holy priestess. "You''re not as simple as I first thought."

    Superstitions were considered as such for a reason. They were unusual, extraordinary events that happened so rarely that they became tales of wonder and incredulity. They were the whispers of old wives, the tales of wizened elders, the stuff of legends that no one quite believed in, yet no onepletely dismissed.

    And now, for the second time, a superstition hade true because of Eliana''s prayer.

    ''Mystical Blood...'' Val pondered the term.

    ording to the system, it was the prayer of a holy priestess with Mystical Blood that had granted him this defensive mark. He knew many holy priests and priestesses in his life, but none of their prayers had ever produced such tangible results; However, Eliana''s prayer didn''t just touch the heart, it stirred the universe, transforming into a cold hard fact from mere words. It definitely had to do something with her Mystical Blood.

    "Looks like there''s more to you than what meets the eye, Eliana,'' he murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the spot where she had disappeared. His curiosity piqued, he found himself increasingly interested in the holy priestess.

    Yes, Eliana was truly something else. She was a riddle, wrapped in a mystery that he found increasinglypelling. She was a puzzle, and he was intrigued by every piece of her that he came across. The more he understood about her, the more he wanted to understand her.

    "Your mysteries have drawn me in, Eliana," he murmured, his voice a soft whisper against the stillness of the forest. A vow, a promise, an admission. "I won''t stop until I''ve explored all of you. I will definitely unravel every single one of your secrets."

    ''For now, let''s get this trial over with.''

    With that thought in mind, he headed into the deeper areas of Verdant Deepwood Forest.

 Chapter 90 90: Hunting 1

    ?

    Venturing past the first region of the Verdant Deepwood, Val found himself crossing the threshold into the second region.

    Here, the vegetation seemed even denser, the silence more profound. A sense of danger permeated the air, heavy and intimidating.

    This was the realm of stronger beasts - those that ranged from level 11 to 30.

    The second region of the Verdant Deepwood was much more dangerous than the first. Here, the threats were stronger and more deadly,parable to a group of level 2 to 3 bloodline users. It was a perilous ce, especially for level 1 bloodline users like Eliana. Even those who were revered priests or priestesses would find it challenging to survive in this environment.

    Val knew that even with his help and protection, the chances of Eliana getting hurt or even losing her life in this region were extremely high. He couldn''t risk that. He didn''t want to lose her as he saw her as a beneficial tool and he also found her appealing - she was his type of woman. This was why he had insisted on her returning to the safety of the station.

    ''In this dangerous part of the forest, only someone like me can navigate without fear.''

    The Icefang Lynx, his target, was a beast with a power level ranging between 18 to 30. This meant that it resided somewhere in this region. Val roamed the region in search of it.

    Not three minutes had passed since Val ventured into the dangerous second region of the Verdant Deepwood when an uncanny sensation tingled at his back. It felt as though an icy gust of wind had managed to pierce through his clothing and brush his bare skin, immediately causing him to raise his guard.

    "Trouble hase looking for me," was the immediate warning his instincts fired off.

    With a swift, fluid motion, he spun around and saw a glint of frosty radiance that shot forth from a nearby shrub. At the sight of it, his senses heightened, and a pulse of adrenaline coursed through his veins, causing time to seemingly dte around him. As a result, his eyes clearly traced the path of the iing assault.

    Whoosh!

    The radiant spear of frost cut through the air like a deathly arrow loosed from the bow of a master archer, hurtling towards him with ruthless speed.

    Val responded to this peril by tapping into the power of his Whitemore Bloodline. As a result, a surge of power flooded his being, each of his stats increasing by an impressive amount.

    [Titan''s Reinforcement has been activated! Your strength, agility, and stamina have increased to 30, 30, and 30.4 points respectively!]

    At the same time, he summoned his cursed weapon. The cursed sword was taken out of his pocket dimension, and it manifested within his grip faster than a hawk swooping onto its prey.

    [You''ve equipped Aquarius. It has boosted your strength to 34 points and your reflexes to 23 points!]

    Reflecting the light of the sun, the cursed sword in Val''s hand shone like a lethal instrument of destruction, ready to bite into anything that threatened its wielder.

    Just as the icy spear was about to make contact, Val''s sword swept up in a wide arc.

    ng!

    There was a sharp ng, like the sound of a bell being struck, as metal met ice. The spear of frost shattered into countless shards that scattered in all directions, tinkling as they fell on the forest floor. The force of the impact sent a shockwave up Val''s arm, rattling his bones like an earthquake. Despite this, his grip on his sword remained irond, his determination unwavering, his stance resolute. He bore the impact like a man, never setting his sword free from his grip even though the skin of the hand he was using to hold the sword cracked, blood leaking out of those cracks.

    His determination was unwavering and his stance was clean. In a dangerous situation like this, where he was up against a powerful enemy, he preferred getting injured to losing his only cursed weapon!

    Whipping around to face the direction from which the attack hade, he saw a shadowy figure slowly emerging from the cover of the trees.

    A beast of breathtaking beauty and clear, raw power emerged from the shadows. Its body, sleek and lithe, moved with a predatory grace that was entrancing. Covered in icy blue fur that glowed faintly in the filtered light of the forest, it shone like a treasure hoard of gleaming sapphires. The creature''s underbelly and muzzle sported white fur, as pristine as untouched snow, contrasting with the vibrant blue. Its most striking features were two elongated fangs that protruded from its upper jaw, razor-sharp and glinting deadly cold.

    An intricate pattern was etched into the creature''s icy-blue fur, resembling a crown decorated with many distinct points. It was a unique trait inherent to the Icefang Lynxes; the number of points on their crown indicated their power level. This Icefang Lynx before him bore a crown adorned with 28 sharp points, meaning it was a level 28 beast!

    The Icefang Lynx locked its gaze onto Val, and its eyes glowed with an intimidating light. Immediately, it crouched low, its muscles coiling like springs. Val recognised this posture - it was preparing for a powerful leap. Val immediately activated his Blood Devil bloodline skill: Blood Rush.

    Suddenly, his heart pulsed with a surge of intense energy. His muscles tightened, his senses heightened, and his agility doubled, soaring to an impressive sixty points. The world around him seemed to slow down.

    "Show me what you''ve got, Icefang Lynx!" Val challenged, his voice echoing in the silent woods.

    The next moment, the lynx sprung into action. Itunched itself at him with such immense speed that its form blurred into an almost indistinguishable streak. The distance that separated them vanished in the blink of an eye, and before he knew it, the lynx''s gaping maw was mere inches away from him.

    But Val remained unfazed. Although he was but a hair''s breadth away from death, there was not a hint of panic in his eyes.

 Chapter 91 91: Hunting 2

    ?

    Val''s boosted stats and ridiculous high agility allowed him to react in a split second, his body moving with a speed that seemed to leave an afterimage in the lynx''s path. He sidestepped the powerful leap, barely escaping the lynx''s razor-sharp fangs that snapped at the empty air where he had just been standing a fraction of a second ago.

    Without wasting a moment, he brandished his sword in a counterattack. However, to his surprise, no sooner had he sidestepped than the Icefang Lynx rebounded and darted back to a safe distance, its frosty eyes gleaming with ill intent never leaving his muscr figure.

    "Fast and tricky," Val muttered under his breath, acknowledging the Icefang Lynx''s prowess. "This creature is stronger than any beast I''ve ever faced."

    Suddenly, a deep, guttural roar resonated from the Lynx, its warcry reverberating throughout the second region of the forest. Val''s ears bled because of its powerful roar, but his expression remained stoic, and his gaze remained fixed on its figure. Although injured, there was no change in his expression. It clearly highlighted the effectiveness of his Unfeeling Trait.

    Shua!

    The air around the lynx began to grow colder, and it began to manipte that cold, causing gusts of wind to whirl around it. It willed, and the swirling cold winds condensed into numerous sharp, icy spikes that hung suspended in the air like frozen daggers, ready to be flung at a moment''s notice.

    Rawooo!

    The Lynx let out another powerful roar, and in an instant, the icy spikes wereunched forward, hurtling straight towards Val like a hailstorm of lethal projectiles.

    Seeing the iing attacks, Val''s eyes narrowed, but not a hint of panic could be seen in them. Using his superior speed, he dodged and wove through the deadly rain of icy projectiles. As he narrowly but efficiently dodged the icy spikes, it seemed like a tight-knit dance of life and death. Although he dodged most of them, there were some he couldn''t dodge at them. They threatened to end his life!

    ng! ng! ng!

    The few spikes that threatened to strike him were met with swift shes of his cursed sword, causing them to shatter into a shower of frost.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Relentless in its pursuit, the Icefang Lynx conjured more and more spikes and threw them at Val. The level 28 beast seemed hell-bent on impaling Val, pushing its mana to the brink to sustain the relentless assault.

    Val, despite having 60 points in his agility, was not entirely unscathed. Although he dodged and shattered most of them by moving too fast and using his cursed sword respectively, a few of the icy spikes managed to graze him, carving shallow cuts into his skin before moving past him. Although he was bleeding from his skim wounds, he remained focused on his goal, his inky ck eyes locked onto the lynx, searching for an opportune moment to strike.

    The Lynx once again bombarded him with icy projectiles, but he survived that without getting injured.

    Immediately, he noticed the lynx faltering slightly, a clear sign of mana exhaustion.

    At this sight, Val''s lips curled up, ''My chance has arrived!''

    Swoosh!

    With a swift flexing of his knees, Val propelled himself forward, his form blurring across the terrain like a lightning strike. He closed the gap between him and the lynx in a heartbeat, even before the beast could react.

    The next moment, his Aquarius Sword arched in the air, tracing a clean, horizontal line across the lynx''s body.

    The speed and precision of the strike were such that for a moment, it seemed as though nothing had happened.

    Then, almost in slow motion, the lynx''s body separated into it, a fountain of blood spewing from the gruesome wound.

    Thud!

    The lynx''s lifeless body thudded to the ground. Blood, along with intestines, gushed out of the two halves, staining the snow beneath with a deep, ominous red.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve defeated level 28 Icefang Lynx. You get +280 EXP. As the monster you defeated is an entire stage above you, you''ve gained several hundred additional Experience points!]

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have leveled up. You have reached level 10 from 9. You get +2 Stat Points, and a 10% upgrade in your Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline!]

    [Current progress of the Host''s Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline towards the next level: 50/100%.]

    [EXP required to reach the next level: 800/3500.]

    Another system notification chimed in his mind, but this one caught his attention.

    [User can now register a secondary ss.]

    Several choices appeared before him, each representing a unique secondary ss he could register for.

    The first option was to register his Whitemore bloodline as the ''White Devil'' ss. White Devils were known for their agility and their ability to control the element of fire to some extent. Other Devil sses, namely Shadow Devils, me Devils, Wind Devils, Earth Devils, and Water Devils, were also present. Each ss offered a unique set of skills and attributes, each equally attractive.

    Thest option was something entirely different: Wizard.

    Wizards were powerful people capable of harnessing Soul Power to fight against corruption. They were better known for being skilled at creating various magical potions. Registering as a wizard would also grant him an Arcane Heart, a special organ that can produce soul power.

    Val contemted his choices.

    His main ss was already powerful enough. Gaining another Devil ss seemed unnecessary. Not to mention, registering his innate bloodline powers as a ss didn''t seem as lucrative as bing a wizard.

    After all, wizards were the ones who created potions that could awaken and upgrade bloodlines. They easily be wealthy after selling a few potions and they are revered by the masses wherever they go in the kingdom.

    Val squinted, a thoughtful look appearing on his face. ''If I can join their ranks, I would certainly amass a fortune. It might take time, but it will happen. Plus, I wasn''t born with the Arcane Heart. If I missed this chance, I might never get another opportunity to acquire one.''

    This was the kind of opportunity that came around once in a lifetime. Val was keenly aware of its value. He was well aware that chances like this were rare and precious. Interestingly, he was a man who recognized a golden opportunity when he saw one, and he knew exactly how to make the most of it.

    Val made up his mind. He decided to register as a wizard. However, he thought that the process could be dangerous as an entire organ would be created in his body and this might leave him vulnerable, so he decided to act wisely and find a safe ce before proceeding with the registration.

    ''Before registering as a wizard, I''ll get back to the station first and gain the right to enter the frontier from Marshall, it''s safer there. I''ll take this step when I''m settled and ready,'' Val thought.

 Chapter 92 92: A Worthwhile Proposal!

    ?

    Val had barely a moment to catch his breath when he noticed a figure watching him from the edge of the clearing.

    A young man, dressed in clothes that basically screamed luxury stood there, unblinkingly looking at Val with surprise and a hint of respect.

    The young man had been observing Val''s fight against the Icefang Lynx from a safe distance. Seeing him ying it all by himself, his eyes lit up. "He could be the solution to my predicament. I need to give it my all to rope him in," he muttered to himself as he approached Val.

    ''Alfred?''

    Val squinted as he recognized the young man as Alfred. This young man from the Montmorency family had left a very strong first impression in his mind. He couldn''t not possibly recognize him.

    ''I can sense that he doesn''t mean me any harm, but it''s better to be safe than sorry.''

    Val''s sixth sense, which would usually tingle at the presence of potential danger, was unusually quiet around Alfred. This indicated that Alfred had no ill intentions toward him. However, as a precaution, Val didn''t store his sword in his pocket dimension but held it loosely by his side, ready to defend himself if need be.

    "Hello there," Alfred greeted him. "That was quite a spectacle you put up against the Icefang Lynx."

    Nonchnt, Val simply shrugged, "I did what I had to. I have to pass my trial, after all."

    A nod from Alfred affirmed his understanding. "Your skills are rather impressive. I have a proposition for you."

    The word ''proposition'' drew Val''s curiosity. His brows furrowed in contemtion as he returned the question. "What kind of proposition?"

    "My trial by fire involves taking down a Direwolf. Just for your information, it is a level 30 beast that''s usually apanied by a group of forest wolves. It''s a daunting task, one I fear I cannotplete alone. However, if you were to assist me, I believe it might be feasible. Of course, you would bepensated for your help," Alfred exined, his eyes gauging Val''s reaction.

    Val''s expression remained unchanging, but a flurry of thoughts filled his mind as he pieced together Alfred''s situation.

    It was likely that Alfred was assigned such an impossible challenge because he had offended Marshall. Marshall wanted Alfred to fail his trial by fire so he abused his authority to bully him. It was clear that he didn''t want to see Alfred getting into the Northern Frontier.

    As Val thought of this, he realized that getting on the bad side of someone like Marshall would be detrimental to his own journey. After all, Marshall was such a petty man that he wouldn''t hesitate to exploit his authority to punish a young man half his age.

    At the same time, part of Val couldn''t help but think that Alfred was merely reaping what he had sowed. It was important to respect everyone, regardless of their position or abilities, something Alfred had seemingly overlooked, which was why he was being punished.

    "How much exactly will you pay me if I help you with your trial?" Val asked, keeping his eyes on Alfred.

    "For each member of the wolf pack you fell, you''ll receive 100 gold coins. If you manage to bring down the Alpha Wolf, three thousand gold coins are yours." Alfred replied as a confident smile curled at the corners of his lips.

    Val''s mind spun like a well-oiled machine, meticulously weighing the potential risks and rewards of Alfred''s proposition.

    The Direwolf, a level 30 beast, was undoubtedly a formidable foe, especially because it had a group of beasts guarding it at all times. They were all strong enough to easily tear through lowest-level bloodline users like a storm through a field of wheat.

    Val, with his hidden trump card - his Blood Devil bloodline - could certainly deal with them if he went all out and threw caution to the wind, but this was a card he preferred to keep close to his chest.

    It''s because individuals with multiple bloodlines were a rarity in this world.

    They were beacons, attracting both awe and avarice. Their unique abilities often made them targets for those seeking power, turning their gift into a curse.

    Val had no desire to be caught in such a.

    Thus, unless absolutely necessary, he wasn''t going to unt his uniqueness to the world.

    However, even without relying on his Blood Devil bloodline, Val knew the task wasn''t entirely impossible.

    The Direwolf was a formidable beast, but it wasn''t unbeatable.

    As long as he ys his cards right, he could emerge victorious relying on his innate Whitemore Bloodline.

    Not to mention, this opportunity seemed too good to pass up. It was easy money!

    Thus, despite the inherent risks and his initial reservations, Val decided to ept Alfred''s offer,

    "Alright, I''m in," Val said finally, his voice carrying a note of resolve. "But on one condition - you keep my involvement in this a secret. You should know why."

    Alfred narrowed his eyes. He knew why Val had put forth such a condition. Val didn''t want to offend the party that wanted Alfred to fail the trial. He could understand him. After all, he would''ve done the same if he was in his shoes.

    "I understand," he replied to Val, raising a hand in a cating gesture. "And I promise I won''t tell anyone about your involvement."

    "Then we have a deal," Val extended a hand to Alfred who shook it, sealing their agreement.

    "Shall we proceed then?" Alfred asked after a moment.

    "Wait," Val responded to Alfred''s eager suggestion. "I need to collect my trophy first."

    Alfred''s eyes followed Val as he returned to the fallen lynx.

    With a swift motion, Val brought down his sword, cleanly severing the lynx''s head from its body.

    Then, he ced the three body parts of the Lynx inside the pocket dimension of his cursed artifact.

    The Lynx''s head would serve as proof to Marshall that he had indeedpleted his trial. The rest of the body, however, had different uses.

    In the Northern Frontier, where winter gripped thend throughout the year, the lynx''s fur was highly coveted. Not only did it offer excellent warmth, but it was also extremely beautiful and highly durable, andfortable. In the market, it could be sold for a few hundred to a thousand gold coins, depending on how good he was at trading and his connections.

    Moreover, the lynx''s fangs, icy ws, and core held immense value. After all, a wizard could transform them into a cursed weapon worth a few thousand gold coins. However, if he were to sell them as raw materials, he would earn less than half that amount.

    With his trophy secured, Val turned to Alfred, who had been quietly waiting, "Alright, we can proceed now."

 Chapter 93 93: Forest Wolves!

    ?

    "The Direwolf is to the left of the Cherryblossom Creek," Alfred pointed north with a serious expression on his face. "And as expected, it''s not alone. Thirteen Forest Wolves stand guard around it. And there are many more wolves roaming in that area."

    Cherryblossom Creek was a well-known geographicalndmark in Verdant Deepwood.

    It acted as a natural border between the second and third regions of the forest.

    Where the creek ended, the formidable third region began.

    Val raised an eyebrow at Alfred''s detailed knowledge of their target''s location. "How do you know this?" He questioned.

    Alfred looked at him, a hint of pride shing in his eyes.

    "The Montmorency blood runs through my veins. I am a level 2 bloodline user. My first bloodline skill allows me to manipte trees and vines, controlling them at will. My second bloodline skill is more unique - it lets memunicate with the forest. Using this ability, I can ask the forest for information about the creatures within it. And that''s exactly how I discovered where the Direwolf and its pack are located," Alfred exined to Val, puffing his chest out slightly as he said it.

    Val blinked in surprise at Alfred''s bloodline skills. They were certainly unique and useful in a situation like this. However,

    He nodded, epting the exnation. "I see. Well then, let''s get going."

    Alfred nodded in agreement and led the way, weaving through the dense foliage with the ease of someone who knew the forest like the back of his hand. Val followed closely behind, his senses on high alert. He was ready to react at a moment''s notice.

    After an uneventful trek, they finally reached their destination. A pair of forest wolves, their fur a dark hue of brown and eyes gleaming menacingly, spotted them almost immediately.

    Awooo! Awooo!

    A deep, threatening growl rumbled from their throats as they fixed their gazes on Val and Alfred.

    Alfred remained unfazed by the presence of the wolves. Being a level 2 bloodline user, he didn''t feel threatened by these creatures. On the contrary, he radiated a sense of calmness and control, not at all disturbed by the imminent confrontation.

    Val, on the other hand, acted with strategic cowardice. The beasts were known to pounce when they sensed fear. Taking a step back, Val put on a convincing show of fear and hesitation.

    The forest wolves fell for his cheap trick that was executed with perfection and felt emboldened. They leaped towards them, their sharp fangs bared menacingly.

    Alfred reacted quickly. He raised his hand, and the ground beneath them erupted. Vines and tree roots snaked out, wrapping around the wolves'' limbs, immobilizing them mid-leap.

    "Now!" Alfred shouted to Val. "Finish them!"

    "dly."

    The stage was set for him to earn free experience points. He would have to be a fool to decline such a free meal.

    Val closed the distance between him and the immobilized forest wolves with a burst of speed. His Aquarius Sword, glinting ominously under the scattered sunlight, traced a swift, horizontal arc in the air, slicing through the bodies of the forest wolves. A weak cry escaped their throats as their bodies separated into two halves.

    As soon as the wolves'' bodies split in half, Alfred saw no reason to keep them restrained. He willed, and the roots and vines binding the wolves retracted, releasing their lifeless forms. The two halves of the wolves fell onto the forest floor with a dull thud.

    The shine in their eyes dimmed as the pain was too much for them to bear, signaling the fading of their lives.

    Immediately, the system notification sounded in Val''s mind.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You''ve defeated two Level 18 Forest Wolves. As a result, you have obtained +72 EXP.]

    The earlier roars of the forest wolves had stirred up the forest, alerting more of their kind.

    Awooo!

    Soon, another chilling howl echoed through the air, cutting through the quiet that had briefly settled.

    With a burst of fury, a forest wolf rushed out from behind a tree. The sight of Val standing next to its in brethren angered it. Its eyes filled up with primal rage, and it lunged towards Val, swiping at his exposed neck with all its might.

    A wolf filled with primal rage was pinning for his life. This scene was extremely terrifying, but Val didn''t even flinch. Instead, his lips curled into a smirk and a sharp glint shed in his eyes.

    ''What a foolish little thing.''

    He remained where he stood, coolly thrusting his cursed sword forward.

    The length of his sword was far greater than the limb of the forest wolf.

    Thus, the cold, biting edge of the cursed artifact bit into the flesh of the creature before its ws could find its mark.

    The wolf was halted mid-leap, its body skewered on the sword, hanging about a meter and a half from Val. Immediately his footshed out, kicking the impaled creature even as he yanked his sword free. As a result, its body was sent flying backwards, tumbling through the air before it crashed onto the forest floor

    Blood gushed out from the gaping hole in its chest, quickly pooling beneath its twitching body. After a few tense moments, the wolf''s body stilled, indicating the end of its life.

    Almost immediately, a notification echoed in Val''s mind.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You''ve defeated a Level 18 Forest Wolf. As a result, You have obtained +36 EXP.]

    Val noticed his Experience Points (EXP) had surged to 908 points. He still needed 2592 more to reach level 11. But given the number of forest wolves and the Direwolf in their vicinity, it wouldn''t be long before he umted enough points.

    Alfred, who had been silently observing the situation, let out a low whistle. "Nice job. You handle them as if they''re nothing more than pests," hemented, sounding genuinely impressed.

    Before Val could reply, the surroundings echoed with more chilling howls.

    "Awoo!"

    "Awoo!"

    "Awoo!"

    From all around them, forest wolves emerged from the shadows of the trees. They began to circle Val and Alfred, their eyes glinting menacingly.

 Chapter 94 94: Two Vs Many!

    ?

    A circle of snarling forest wolves surrounded them, their bared fangs glistening in the faint light. Alfred stood, clutching his vine-like whip tight, a line of worry creasing his forehead. He was keenly aware that they were outnumbered and had to tread carefully.

    Val, on the other hand, seemed unperturbed. His heart didn''t pound against his chest in fear, nor did a cold sweat break out on his forehead. His Trait 1 ''Unfeeling'' prevented him from feeling fear or pain, and Trait 2 ''Emotional Impairment'' further ensured that his emotions didn''t get the better of him in such situations. His gaze remained steady andposed, as he evaluated the forest wolves circling them, determining their levels with the help of his Detect Trait. He found out that they were between levels 18 to 22.

    "We''re surrounded," Alfred whispered, keeping his eyes fixed on the growling wolves.

    "Just take care of the ones thate for you." Val was calm as if they were not in the midst of danger.

    Alfred looked at him, startled by his nonchnce, but then, recalling that he had solo killed an Icefang Lynx and forest wolves shouldn''t be much of a challenge for him, he nodded, "Agreed. Let''s do this."

    The next moment, Val''s figure moved like a phantom through the circle of forest wolves, creating a divide between him and Alfred.

    Almost immediately, two forest wolves sprang towards him, their jaws stretched wide open, ready to rip him apart.

    In the blink of an eye, Val summoned his Flying Broom from his pocket dimension, its sudden appearance catching everyone off guard.

    With a powerful flex of his muscles, veins standing out starkly against his skin, Val hurled the broom with all his might.

    Whoosh!

    The broom, its bristles hardened to match the strength of steel and honed to a knife''s sharpness, hurtled through the air, mming into one of the lunging wolves, piercing through its head. Its howl of surprise and pain was cut short as it was skewered mid-leap.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve defeated a level 18 Forest Wolf. You get +36 EXP.]

    This notification sounded in Val''s ears. Val''s attention was drawn towards the other forest wolf who was leaping towards him.

    Snap!

    Phew~that was a close dodge!

    Val barely dodged the jaws of the second wolf, which snapped at empty air where he had been a second ago.

    The forest wolfnded on the ground, only to find Val towering over it like a menace. Immediately, a chill went down its spine.

    Without missing a beat, Val swung his cursed sword with such blinding speed and force that the only thing the wolf saw was a glint of silver.

    Before it could even register what had happened, it was cleaved in two, its blood spewing out in a crimson arc.

    The blood, however, didn''t stter onto the ground as one might expect. It defied gravity and was drawn towards Val''s cursed sword, which absorbed the blood in a manner that seemed to amplify its ominous presence, causing it to glow red.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve defeated a level 22 Forest Wolf. You get +440 EXP.]

    [Aquarius has absorbed the blood of the fallen enemies. Its rage meter is half full.]

    "Good," Val muttered under his breath. His trump card was ready to be used.

    Alfred stood still for a moment, shock in on his face. Forest wolves, especially those above level 20, were known for their steel-like bones. Yet, Val was slicing through them as if he were cutting through cabbages.

    ''His weapon must be a cursed artifact, akin to my own cursed whip; it''s the only exnation for such lethal efficiency,'' Alfred thought, his eyes flicking from the beasts that has been killed to Val. ''His background is no ordinary one. I am certain about this. Perhaps he''s a ruler''s son like myself, or possibly a noble from the inner region. Otherwise, he wouldn''t be in possession of such a weapon. Yet, the inders are notorious for looking down on ounders, and he hasn''t put on any air, much less treat me with such disdain. It''s more likely that he''s an Ounder.''

    Suddenly, several wolves turned their attention towards Alfred, baring their teeth menacingly before lunging at him.

    Alfred, though taken aback momentarily, quickly regained hisposure. With a swift movement, he brandished his whip.

    Whoosh! Thwack!

    The whip danced through the air, pping across the wolves'' faces, cleaving their heads in two, instantly killing them.

    One wolf, however, proved to be quicker and managed to evade thesh of the whip. Its jaw opened wide, revealing sharp, dangerous teeth as it lunged at Alfred, ready to sink them into his flesh.

    Seeing the approaching forest wolf, a sharp glint shed in Alfred''s eyes. Despite his privileged upbringing, Alfred was no pushover. Yes, he was a spoiled kid who''d lived life in easy mode, but he was far from powerless or naive. The truth is, he merely took advantage of the opportunities that were presented to him, causing him to bebeled as useless and he made a mistake while drunk that led to his exile. Actually, although his bloodline wasn''t the purest, he had pushed himself to the second level by leveraging his family''s wealth and resources as he was fully aware that in this world, strength was the ultimate arbiter.

    "You are trying to bite off more than you can chew."

    Alfred, far from panicked, retorted as with a casual wave of his hand, thick, barbed vines erupted from the ground.

    They surged forward like a tsunami, wrapping tightly around the wolf and effectively halting its attack mid-air. The wolf growled, struggling against its bindings and snapping its jaws in defiance. A string of saliva escaped from its mouth,nding on Alfred''s face, and annoyance shed in his eyes.

    Wiping the salvia off his face with the back of his hand, Alfred scowled at the suspended wolf, "Insolent beast!"

    With a swift flick of his wrist, the vines tightened around the wolf with a vengeance, making it whine in pain. Each twist of the vines felt like a bone-crushing grip, bending the beast''s limbs out of shape. The wolf''s bones snapped like twigs under the relentless pressure, the audible cracks echoing around them. The wolf''s growling turned into a whimper, then silence, as the life was brutally squeezed out of it.

    Alfred''s irritation seemed to ease as he looked at the lifeless creature hanging limply from his vines, its body bent grotesquely out of shape. His face, which had been twisted in anger moments before, now rxed into an eerie calm.

    He appeared to derive a certain satisfaction from exerting his power over the creature that had dared to cross him, suggesting a deep-seated anger management issue.

    It was clear that this seemingly cid young man could evidently be terrifying when provoked!

    Marshall got away with messing with him because firstly he was stronger than Alfred and secondly they weren''t in a forest. Alfred was this strong only when he was in such a terrain. But given the chance, he would definitely take his revenge!

 Chapter 95 95: The DireWolf 1!

    ?

    On the other hand, Val seemed to be dancing among the forest wolves, dodging their blows beforeunching his counterattacks. Each time he swung his cursed sword, a beast fell. Although they were renowned for having thick hide and sturdy bones, his cursed sword sliced through them as if they were nothing more than paper, causing crimson arcs to paint the air.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You''ve killed 5 Forest Wolves of varying levels. You get +616 EXP.]

    ''My experience points have surged to 2000. Now I am only 1500 points away from leveling up,'' Val thought.

    Each level up was weed as it granted him the opportunity to instantly increase his physical capabilities.

    The blood from the bisected wolves could be seen flying in unnatural paths. They were drawn towards and absorbed by Val''s sword as if summoned by an invisible force.

    [Ding! Aquarius has absorbed the blood of the fallen enemies. Its rage meter is full. The Crimson sh Skill is now usable!]

    Val''s eyes flickered at the notification, ''Crimson sh. This trump card has finally be avable. Things are going to get easier from here.''

    ''I knew that despite being on the same level, he was stronger than me since he single-handedly took down an Icefang Lynx, but isn''t this too much?''

    Alfred, done dealing with his own opponent, turned his attention to the scene unfolding before him. He watched, utterly awestruck as the pack of wolves was significantly reduced in mere minutes. His eyes widened in shock, the sight before him quite unlike anything he''d ever seen. Though he prided himself on being tough to surprise, the raw power and agility that Val disyed left him stunned. Val was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, a storm that ripped apart each adversary with ruthless precision.

    Alfred felt a rush of relief - he''d certainly made the right decision in asking for Val''s assistance!

    Seeing their pack decimated, the three remaining forest wolves began to waver. Their bloodlust was reced by fear as they took in the sight of their fallen brethren. A dreadful realization crept into their hearts - they were no match for the humans before them. They turned to flee when a powerful. bone-chilling grunt echoed through the forest, halting their retreat.

    Another group of wolves appeared, led by a colossal beast.

    It''s the Direwolf! Val and Alfred recognized.

    The Direwolf was an intimidating sight as it was a monstrous beast, standing at a ridiculous height of 5 meters. Its body was colored an ominous shade of red and housed two terrifying mouths filled with long, sharp teeth that were as pointy as a knife.

    AWOOOO!

    The Direwolf was thoroughly enraged, seeing so many members of its pack killed at the hands of humans. ring at Val and Alfred, it let out a bone-chilling and extremely loud roar. The intensity of its roar was so immense that it produced visible shockwaves, scattering the surrounding foliage and causing flocks of giant birds to take flight in a panic, their cries echoing throughout the forest.

    Alfred''s face paled under the impact, and his body trembled visibly as the oppressive sound waves reverberated through his very core.

    The Direwolf''s roar also crashed onto Val like a tsunami of intimidation. However, he held his ground, firm and resolute, his feet nted securely on the forest floor even as he bled from his eyes, ears, and nose. The oppressive pressure from the monstrous beast rolled over him, but he stood unwavering, unaffected by its attempts to shake him.

    The Direwolf''s attempt to intimidate Val had proven utterly futile, much to the shock of those present.

    Val''s calm, steadfast demeanor against the Direwolf''s domineering presence left an atmosphere of electrifying tension hanging in the air.

    Awoo!

    The Direwolf let out anothermanding roar, albeit slightly quieter than the previous one.

    As if in response, several forest wolves burst forward, their bodies propelling towards Val like arrows shot from a bow.

    The danger was imminent, but Val remained where he was, his demeanor unreadable. As he was a person who could not experience fear or pain, he was able to watch the predators with a kind of detached curiosity, something that was typically impossible for the untrained mind. He was observing them closely and gauging the right moment to strike. His mind remained cold and focused, his heart devoid of any emotional upheaval that might disrupt his calctions.

    Seeing him stand still as the enemies closed in, Alfred''s brow furrowed in concern and confusion. What was he up to?

    Several forest wolves sprang into the air, ws bared, their snarls echoing through the quiet second region of the Verdent Deepwood Forest. Val stood his ground, his gaze never wavering from the iing threat. A ruthless glint shed across his eyes - this was the moment he''d been waiting for!

    "Rage, Aquarius," Val intoned, his voice the embodiment of icy calm. It was a voice akin to the one heard in popr vampire dramas - full of mystery, dominance, and an undercurrent of danger.

    As he spoke, he brandished his cursed sword, its de glowing in an ominous crimson. In an instant, a terrifying arc of blood-red light burst from the sword, radiating an extreme sharpness that threatened to tear apart the fabric of reality as it charged forward. The arc was formed from highlypressed blood and it was so dense and sharp that it could easily cut through metal, much less flesh and bone. The airborne forest wolves stood no chance against the lethal attack!

    As it hurtled towards the airborne wolves, they found themselves in an unfavorable situation. They were unable to dodge it!

    Like a hot knife passing through butter, the blood-red arc sliced through the airborne wolves. The gruesome spectacle of their bodies being cleaved in half unfolded in the blink of an eye, their halves tumbling towards the ground amidst a spray of blood and guts. The quiet forest floor was immediately turned into a bloody battlefield.

    As the bodies hit the ground with a sickening thud, a system notification chimed in Val''s mind.

    [System Notification: You have killed 7 Forest Wolves. Earned 700 EXP.]

    Then, another message followed.

    [System Notification: Bonus EXP earned due to level difference: 300 EXP.]

    Val took in this information, a grim satisfaction flitting across his usually impassive face. His EXP had soared to 3000 points. He was tantalizingly close to leveling up - he just needed 500 more.

    This task to defeat the Direwolf and its pack was turning out to be a good thing after all!

 Chapter 96 96: The DireWolf 2!

    ?

    The attack didn''t stop there, the crimson arc continued its trajectory unabated, heading straight for the Direwolf. It was still recoiling from the loss of its kin when the piercing glow of the crimson arc arrived. It had no time to react as the arc made contact with its flesh. One of the Direwolf''s eyes, previously full of malicious intent, went dull and lifeless as it was bisected by the fatal strike, leaving the beast with a horrific, gaping wound. But the arc didn''t dissipate, sinking into the DireWolf, splitting open one of its heads as if it were nothing more than a ripe melon. A grotesque mix of blood, bone, and brain matter erupted from the wound in a gory fountain, sttering onto the surrounding vegetation as the scent of fresh blood filled the air.

    Awooo!

    Immediately, an anguished roar echoed through the forest, the Direwolf''s pain and rage reverberating through the dense foliage.

    "Damn it! That Direwolf''s totally pissed!" Alfred couldn''t hide the anxiety in his voice as he watched the Direwolf recover from the surprise attack. Its red eyes now focused solely on Val with an intensified murderous intent.

    "Val, that Direwolf will rally the pack against you!" Alfred called out, his voice edged with concern. He was aware of the pack dynamics among wolves. The strongest led, and the others followed. He knew that the entire pack made up of forest wolves would target Val since he was being targeted by the Direwolf!

    "That''s precisely the n," Val replied, his voice as cold as ever. His eyes glinted with a chilling light, never leaving the injured Direwolf and the pack behind it. "It''s more efficient to have theme to me."

    His response left Alfred momentarily speechless. Val''s fearlessness was almost unnerving. He was calmly strategizing in the face of a deadly beast, seeing opportunity where others would see only danger.

    "Val, do not be reckless!" Alfred cried out, watching as Val charged at the Direwolf head-on.

    "I don''t n on dying today, Alfred." Val''s voice was as cold as ice. It held a determination that made Alfred''s heart shudder.

    And then, it was toote. Val was already dashing towards the enraged Direwolf at full speed!

    Seeing its enemy daring to approach, the Direwolf let out a mighty howl, rallying the forest wolves to its side. With one swiftmand, the wolves were sent hurtling towards Val. Meanwhile, the DireWolf itself trampled over the earth beneath it with mighty force as it charged headlong towards Val.

    It was a terrifying spectacle �C an enraged beast, its eyes glowing red with murderous intent, its monstrous body tearing through thendscape like a tornado.

    ''What can I do in this situation?''

    Alfred, however shocked he was at Val''s bold move, didn''t lose his nerve. His body started glowing a vibrant green and a forest of vines erupted from the ground in the path between Val and the wolves. It tripped several wolves over, their necks snapping with a sickening crack as theynded awkwardly. A few agile wolves managed to leap over the obstruction and continued their charge. For the Direwolf, the vines were nothing more than weak reeds, easily crushed under its massive paws.

    The sight of the rampaging Direwolf was terrifying. It was like a mountain in motion, causing small tremors with every thunderous step. Its crimson eyes were locked on Val, exuding a deadly intent that could chill the heart of any observer.

    In the face of the impending threat, Val didn''t back down. He surged ahead, closing the distance to his enemies. As the distance between them closed rapidly, Val started throwing punch after punch into the thin air. His fists ignited with an eerie grey fire, the mes twisting and turning into the form of fireballs before being propelled forward.

    It seemed as if a hail of fiery meteors had descended upon the advancing wolves and the Direwolf.

    Not to mention, the swift convergence made evading the attacks near impossible for the charging wolves. As for the colossal Direwolf, the sudden attack,bined with its momentum, colossal size, and proximity, left it with no room to dodge.

    BOOM!

    A resounding reverberation rang out as the fireballs exploded upon impact, turning the area into a chaotic inferno. The wolves caught within the st howled in pain, their bodies instantly charred by the hellish mes. The Direwolf, although its sturdy body withstood the attack, roared in fury as the mes scorched its massive body.

    The field had turned into a battlefield of fire and fury in mere moments.

    Alfred watched in awe as the forest wolves sumbed to the hellish mes, their bodies dropping lifeless onto the scorched ground. However, his eyes were fixated on the Direwolf whose massive body was set aze, yet it relentlessly charged towards Val. Alfred''s heart pounded in his chest as he stretched out his hand,manding the vines to shoot up from the ground, creating a dome-like wall around Val.

    But the enraged Direwolf shredded through the protective wall with ease, its ws tearing through the vines as if they were mere paper. Alfred''s heart sank. He had overestimated his capabilities. But to his shock, Val was no longer within the protective dome.

    "Where did he go?" Alfred gasped.

    Even the Direwolf seemed confused, its one remaining head swinging around in an attempt to locate Val.

    Then, in the blink of an eye, Val appeared above the Direwolf, seemingly out of nowhere.

    Alfred couldn''t help but exim in surprise. "What in the world?"

    Val swung his sword. His sword moved in a swift, unforgiving arc, the keen edge of the de cutting through the Direwolf''s neck like a hot knife through butter. There was a sickening sound, something between a crunch and a squelch as bone and flesh were parted with lethal precision.

    Blood, dark and viscous, erupted from the wound in a gruesome fountain, sttering onto the charred ground below. It soaked into the ash-ckened earth, creating a stark contrast of dark red against the greyndscape. The smell of blood mingled with the acrid scent of burning flesh in the air, adding a raw, primal element to the aftereffects of Val''s hellfire.

    The Direwolf, a nightmare of the second region of the forest, was dead!

    No sooner had thest forest wolf met its end than a system notification rang in Val''s mind:

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You have killed a Level 30 Direwolf. You''ve gained 600 EXP.]

    And then, the follow-up message:

    [System Notification: Bonus EXP earned due to level difference: 900 EXP.]

 Chapter 97 97: Rumors About The Forest

    ?

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! You have leveled up. You have reached level 11 from 10. You get +2 Stat Points, and a 25% upgrade in your Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline!]

    [Current progress of the Host''s Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline towards the next level: 75/100%]

    [EXP required to reach the next level: 1000/4000]

    To reach the next level, he needed 4000 EXP, but he already had a thousand in his pocket. It seems like it won''t be long before he levels up again

    Val ignored the system notifications that were buzzing incessantly in his mind. Instead, with a swift, fluid movement, he scooped up the severed head of the Direwolf and bounded away, masterfully evading the deadly grasp of the hellish mes. They were licking up the colossal body of the Direwolf greedily and seemed like an inferno too dangerous to engage.

    Valnded outside of the grey fiery pit that he had created using his bloodline skill and casually tossed the severed head of the Direwolf in Alfred''s direction. Alfred, still grappling with the sheer power and precision Val had disyed, was too stunned to grab it. The headnded with a dull thud near his feet, its lifeless eyes reflecting the shock of its abrupt end. The grisly sight sent an involuntary shudder rippling down Alfred''s spine.

    "Your trophy," Val said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint, almost imperceptible smirk.

    Alfred managed to muster a shakyugh, forcing his eyes away from the haunting gaze of the Direwolf''s severed head. "Well, that''s one hell of a trophy. Thanks, man."

    True to his word, Alfred reached into the inner pocket of his coat, pulling out five gleaming Starlight notes. Despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins, his hand remained steady as he handed over the payment to Val.

    Without missing a beat, Val epted the Starlight notes, a sense of satisfaction shimmering in his eyes. The notes disappeared into his pocket dimension, a space only he could ess.

    Though the mystery of Val''s sudden disappearance and reappearance during the fight pricked at Alfred''s curiosity, he refrained from asking. Experience had taught him that everyone harboured secrets, and in a world as dangerous as theirs, it was wiser not to pry.

    "Not every puzzle needs to be solved, especially when it concerns a formidable force like him. Curiosity didn''t bode well for the cat, and it certainly won''t for me. I better not poke around," he muttered to himself, his gaze lingering on Val''s formidable figure

    Val, having caught a hint of Alfred''s muttering, turned his gaze towards the vine maniptor. "Did you say something?" he asked, his tone as neutral as ever.

    Alfred, caught off guard, shook his head vigorously,

    "No, no, nothing at all," he said, quickly waving his hand dismissively.

    Val merely shrugged, letting the matter slide without pressing any further. Though he noted Alfred''s flustered state, he had no interest in pursuing the matter.

    The forest was now nothing more than a deste scene of charred remains and scattered ashes. The wolves that had been so threatening earlier were reduced to nothing, leaving behind no loot or spoils of war.

    The forest was eerily silent now that the fight had ended, with only the whistling wind forpany.

    Alfred turned to Val, breaking the quiet. "We should make a move before it gets dark. This forest...it''s not the same ce when night falls," Alfred said, an unease lining his voice that he couldn''t hide.

    Intrigued by Alfred''s statement, Val asked, "What do you mean?"

    "Strange urrences take ce in the forest at night. It''s something my father warned me about before he banished me to this godforsaken ce," Alfred started, his eyes distant, lost in the recollections. "There''s something known as the ''Midnight Mirage''. Around midnight, you might start to see things that aren''t really there, like entirendscapes changing, buildings appearing out of nowhere, or creatures that don''t belong in this world. This is the forest ying tricks on your mind, and it can be incredibly disorienting, enough to drag you deeper into the forest and get you killed."

    Hearing his words, a hint of curiosity passed through Val''s emotionless face. "And how do we survive this?"

    "The only way to counter it is to keep reminding yourself that what you''re seeing isn''t real amd staying absolutely still because you don''t know where you''re going even if you move. Rumor has it that those who disobeyed this rule were never heard from again," Alfred exined, shivers running down his spine as he retold the tales of yore.

    "What about the other two?" Val questioned, interested despite his stoic demeanor.

    "The next one is the footsteps," Alfred continued, "If you''re alone in the forest at night and hear extra footsteps, you must run. Run as fast as you can. No one knows what causes these footsteps, but if they catch up to you... Father said it''s better tomit suicide than experience what will happen."

    Throughout Alfred''s recital, Val maintained his unppable expression, his inability to feel fear or pain rendering him unphased by the terrifying tales. Alfred, however, seemed to feel the evening chill seep deeper into his bones as he recounted the final phenomenon.

    "I understand," Val said.

    "Thest one is the ''Echoing Whispers''. When the night is at its darkest, some say they can hear a chorus of soft voices, whispering unintelligible words. Those who encountered them and lived to tell the tale say that it''s like they''re murmuring directly into your ear, that they are extremely close to you. The eerie part is that these whispers are said to echo your deepest fears and regrets. Some who''ve heard them have been driven mad, while others simply vanished. It''s said that vanishing happen if you fail toprehend what they are saying. If you ever hear them, the best advice is to cover your ears and sing loudly, to drown out the whispers."

    Pausing, Alfred finished somberly, "These are just the tip of the iceberg. My father left the discovery of the rest to me."

    Val listened intently, absorbing the information with his usual analytical detachment and filing it away for future reference. Though he did not fear or feel as humans did, he understood the need to respect the unknown entities in the forest. It was another survival rule in this unpredictable world.

    "Well then," Val remarked, "We better head back as fast as we can because it''s going to get dark real soon."

    Alfred nodded in agreement, hoisting the Direwolf''s head onto his shoulder with a grunt.

    With that, the two men began their trek back to the station at the top of their speed.

 Chapter 98 98: Eliana And Val!

    ?

    Val and Alfred reached the station with the sun sinking below the horizon, the sky washed with hues of orange and crimson. Before entering the station, they nodded at each other and separated, each disappearing into the crowd that could be seen milling about the station''s entrance. It was an intentional decision, borne from the understanding of the pettiness of a man named Marshall. The man''s petty nature meant he could stir up unnecessary trouble if he found out Alfred had enlisted help toplete the Trial by Fire, and that might inadvertently involve Val in the unnecessary conflict.

    As Val approached the entrance of the station, a familiar figure detached itself from the shadows, revealing Eliana. Her face broke into a broad grin when she spotted him, her relief evident.

    "Brother!" she eximed, her voice lilting with relief and joy. "You''re back!"

    Val blinked a ghost of surprise flickering through his normally impassive gaze. It was hard to believe that it had been hours since she hadpleted her trial, earned permission to enter the frontier, and yet, here she was, waiting for him like a naive girl clinging to her lover. He hadn''t expected such sentimentality from her.

    "You didn''t have to wait," he said calmly. His voice was steady, betraying no hint of the surprise he felt.

    Eliana rolled her eyes, her hands settling on her hips. "Of course, I didn''t have to. But I wanted to," she said, "Plus, I had something to ask."

    "Oh?" Val arched a brow, his curiosity piqued despite his generally unemotional demeanor.

    Her gaze held his, the intensity of her stare setting him back a little. "Youpleted the trial without getting injured, right?" she asked as she let her gaze roam all over him.

    Val was taken aback by the question.

    He didn''t break eye contact with her as he contemted, ''Maybe she''s so kind and considerate because she''s a nun, associated with the Church of Light...or maybe it''s because I''m her first crush. Or maybe it''s both.''

    The Church of Light did not forbid its nuns from falling in love. It wasn''t considered unusual, and definitely not unheard of, in their religion. In fact, quite the opposite was advised. Since this was a world where the human poption had dwindled to a few million, where every day was a fight for survival against an unforgiving environment for humans, love was encouraged even by the no.1 religion of the kingdom. Love was seen as a beacon of hope, a symbol of humanity''s will to persevere and continue their lineage.

    Thus, although Eliana had developed a huge crush on Val since the day he had saved her from death''s door, she didn''t feel guilty. Instead, she wanted to confess that she liked him and wanted to date him and would''ve if not for her mission holding her back.

    Moreover, her affection for him grew as he continuously aided her in their harsh world. It had reached a point where she couldn''t feel at peace unless she made sure he was fine.

    Val was no longer oblivious to her feelings. Although she had never explicitly confessed her love for him, her actions spoke volumes. He knew she was crushing on him big time, that with a few sweet talks, he could have her in his embrace, but he was still surprised by how far she was willing to go for him.

    ''Maybe I can use this to my advantage,'' he thought.

    "Yes, I did, Eliana." Seeing that she was sincerely worried for him, Val answered honestly.

    As he spoke, he moved closer to her, closing the already minimal distance between them. His proximity sent her heart racing, a flush painting her cheeks a delicate shade of pink. He noticed the change, a slight smile ying on his lips as he thought about how terrible she was at concealing her emotions.

    The distance between them was almost nonexistent now, their lips dangerously close. Her breath hitched, a look of surprise crossing her face. She held his gaze, her eyes wide and questioning. However, regaining her senses, she took a step back, a nervous smile ying on her lips. "Good," she managed to stutter out, her gaze avoiding his. "That''s all I wanted to know. I guess I will be seeing you in the Frontier."

    She turned to leave, but Val grabbed her hand. She stilled, her breath hitching in her throat before she turned around to look at him, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What?"

    "What would you have done if I was injured?" Val asked, his eyes holding hers captive. There was an unspoken promise in his gaze, a silent dare. She could read it clearly: If she gave an honest reply, there was a chance of something meaningful igniting between them. But if she lied or if her answer didn''t sit well with him, their rtionship would never evolve beyond what it was, which was mere friendship. She found the prospect beautifully terrifying and exhrating at the same time.

    "I would have set my matters aside and healed you," her answer slipped past her lips before she had time to overthink it.

    "No matter how long it took?" Val questioned, his gaze never faltering.

    There was a pause. She held his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest before finally, she nodded, whispering, "Yes, no matter how long it took."

    Val went quiet for a moment, taking in her answer. She didn''t know he was the one her God wanted her to serve, yet she answered in such a way. It meant that she valued him over her own mission, over the calling of her God. She was willing to defy her own beliefs when it came to him.

    Her feelings for him were strong, he knew that much. The seed of love had been nted in her heart when he helped her rescue her brother. It grew when he saved her from certain death, and it matured when he helped her pass the trial by fire without asking for anything in return but a silly prayer.

    Val''s feelings for Eliana were not strong. He wasn''t in love with her, nor could he say that he even particrly liked her. His heart, untouched by the typical human emotions, could not feel the same depth of affection that she did for him.

    He didn''t get swept away by her words, nor did he feel a rush of happiness when she was around.

    His feelings, orck thereof, however, did not make him indifferent to her. He was curious about Eliana, about her ability to call upon a force as powerful as a life-saving shield merely by praying. He had felt the strength of that shield, the energy that pulsed from it, that time when he found himself on the brink of death.

    The shield had been his savior, helping him ovee the dreadful heavenly tribtion. It had emerged when he least expected it but needed it the most, and it was Eliana''s prayers that had brought it forth. Moreover, when she recently prayed for him, he had received the mark of defense, another life-saving trump card. He couldn''t help but wonder if she could continue to call upon this power whenever she prayed for him. Would the power always respond to her prayers? If so wouldn''t he luck out if he monopolize her?!

    Beyond that, he wanted to understand the secret behind her mystical blood. Could her bloodline be the reason for this remarkable power? He knew that bloodlines held significant power in their world, often granting unique abilities or talents. Could Eliana''s ability to summon the life-saving shield be a manifestation of her unique bloodline?

    And if so, what exactly was her bloodline? What made it so special that mere words became a power that could defy death?

    He couldn''t find the answer to these questions using Detect. He had once used it on her and the information it provided was pitiful.

    Thus, the curiosity nagged at him and fueled his interest in her. He was determined to uncover the secrets behind Eliana''s power, even if he had to be her lover to do so. After all, for Val, knowledge was power.

    He had been drawn to Eliana from the start, not out of affection, but out of an instinctual curiosity. Her unique ability to transform mere prayers into a life-saving shield intrigued him. His instincts told him that it had something to do with her mystical bloodline, but he couldn''t be sure until he explored her thoroughly. Thus, he saw her affection for him as an opportunity, a stepping stone to get closer to the mystery that she held within. If he could be her lover, someone she was emotionally dependent on, she would naturally open up to him more, and that would make it easier for him to unravel the secrets thaty within her bloodline.

    He intended to exploit her feelings to his advantage, to satisfy his own curiosity. After all, he reasoned, feelings were tools to be utilized in the grand scheme of things. It was a cold, calcted approach, but he believed it was necessary.

    What Valcked in emotions and intelligence, he made up for in cunning and shrewdness. He didn''t see his n as an act of maniption but as a necessary move to find out more about the enigma that was Eliana. Whether it was ethical or not didn''t matter to him. He was focused solely on his goal: to unlock the secrets of Eliana''s mystical bloodline.

    As far as Val was concerned, the ends justified the means. And in this game of power and knowledge, he intended to be the victor. He was a hunter, after all, always on the prowl for information that could give him an edge in this perilous world.

 Chapter 99 99: Val And Eliana 2

    ?

    "You know, Eliana...you''re the first woman to ever choose me over her mission."

    In his previous life, Val''s existence was bound by duty and instinct. When he was in hisst twenties, he had urgently wanted an heir to his mercenary group. A human could only live for so long, and his life of training and dangerous missions had left him riddled with injuries that would certainly hasten his end.

    Thus, in his youthful naivety and the fact he had limited time, he sought out a woman who could bear him a child, someone who fit his criteria. She wasn''t someone he loved, nor did she harbor any affection for him. Their union was more of a transaction��financial stability for her and an heir for him. It was an immature decision, one his present self would not entertain.

    However, the woman he married was not who she portrayed herself to be. She wasn''t a mere university student struggling financially. She was an enemy spy who infiltrated his ranks, sessfully passing the screening process because one of his own men had sumbed to temptation and betrayed him.

    She approached him under false pretenses, with the intention to ensnare him in her charms and kill him when his guard was down. But her attempt to assassinate him during their most intimate moment failed. He retaliated and ended her life instead. The traitor in his ranks shared the same fate, a heavy price for misguided love.

    From then on, Val made a vow to himself. He would only consider a rtionship with a woman he knew everything about, a woman who valued him above all else. Eliana was a puzzle to him. He knew her as a nun with a brother, an unusual power, and a high-purity bloodline. But her background was a mystery, an unread book. It was impossible for him to fall in love with such a woman. His curiosity about her, and the potential value she held as a tool, was the only reason he pursued a rtionship with her.

    Eliana''s breath hitched. "Val..."

    "Shhh..." He silenced her with a finger on her lips, his gaze still locked onto hers. "No need for words."

    Val leaned closer to Eliana, his breath fanning her face and his eyes holding her captive. At the same time, his lips hovered just a whisper away from hers. It was clear that he was giving her the freedom to make the final decision. His eyes sparkled with a challenge, a silent question that she could choose to answer or evade. It was the crossroads of their rtionship, and he left the decision in her hands.

    It was a wise decision. Whenter on she discovers he wasn''t what she thought he was, she would''ve no one to me but herself if she decided to be with him.

    Eliana, entranced by the man before her, took a moment before closing the small gap that existed between their lips.

    ''Good, the prey has taken the bait. Now I need to hook her up.''

    The moment her lips met his, Val sprang into action.

    His hands cradled her face, tilting her head just so, deepening the kiss. His fingers tightened around her jaw, as his lips moved against hers. The next moment, she felt his tongue pushing against her lips insistently.

    Eliana, inexperienced and overwhelmed, allowed him to take control, a sweet surrender that further encouraged Val. Under his relentless assault, she parted her lips. Immediately, his tongue slithered inside her mouth, roaming over her teeth, and tracing her inner cheek before it engaged with hers in a tantalizing dance. Val was giving her a taste of what their rtionship could be like, of the bliss she would experience if she had a man like him in her life.

    ''Is this what it feels like to be loved? It''s so much better than I thought.''

    His kiss was like nothing she had ever experienced before, it was forceful yet tender, passionate yet calcted. It sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins, making her knees buckle and her heart pound uncontrobly.

    She had never thought that a kiss could make her feel this way - weak, intoxicated, and utterly at a man''s mercy.

    Val''s skillful kiss didn''t give her the chance to resist, to think of resisting, causing her to fall deeper into the pool of lust.

    Their lips moved in sync, each exploring the other, leaving nothing untouched. When they finally broke apart, a thin strand of saliva stretched from his lips to hers until it snapped.

    Eliana was left breathless by the exchange, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath.

    Val watched as Eliana tried to regain herposure, satisfaction crossing his features. He liked the effect he had on her - leaving her flustered and breathless.

    Internally, he smirked.

    His n was in motion, and the first step wasplete.

    Now, it was time to y the long game. He would get closer to her, unravel her secrets, explore the depths of her power, and devise a n to monopolize it.

    The power to defy death - even an emotionally impaired man like him was greedy for it!

    "I''ll go turn in my trophy to Marshall now," Val said, his voice a shade softer than before. "Why don''t you wait for me, so we can both go into the Frontier together. Will you?"

    Eliana didn''t dare meet his gaze, her cheeks still flushed from their kiss. Her eyes were anywhere but him as she nodded. "Yes, I will."

    The three words although spoken softly held a promise that she intended to keep.

    Val showed her a smile before walking away.

    Looking at his gradually fading back, Eliana touched her bullied lips with quivering fingers, as if trying to relive the kiss, the sensation, and the taste that he, her man, had blessed her with.

    Thinking about how he had dominated her in their kiss, a blush colored her cheeks, turning them scarlet as her eyes shimmered with lust and countless other desires.

    ''Oh, gracious Lord, I offer my humble thanks. Thank you for bringing this man into my life, and for letting him stand by my side when I felt most alone. He has be my rock, my shelter in the storm. Bless him, my Lord, for he has shown me kindness and courage in the face of adversity. May our paths remain intertwined, and may we face whateveres together. And grant me the strength to stand by him as he has stood by me." she prayed.

    Almost at the same time, an unexpected system notification popped up in front of Val, who had excused himself from Eliana and disappeared into the bustling crowd.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! A maiden with mystical blood have sincerely prayed for you. Your Luck has significantly increased for the next few hours. If you choose to register a secondary ss during this time, you will acquire an exceptional trait and skill.]

    Val''s heart skipped a beat as he read the message. His initial assumption was that Eliana''s prayers only granted life-saving shields, but now it seemed they held far more potential.

    "Interesting�� she not only holds the power to save someone from certain death but can also tip the scales of fortune in anyone''s favor. In a world where every advantage counts, her abilities are nothing less than a cheat code. She is far more special than I initially thought, a priceless gem, more valuable than any treasure I havee across in my lifetimes. And this gem is being imprinted with my mark. Now that she has entered my grasp, I definitely cannot let her slip away. Definitely.''

    A n formed in his mind.

    ''I will shower her with love, so much so that the thought of leaving me will never cross her mind. She will fall deeper and deeper in love with me. And when the iron is hot, I will strike. I will reveal that I am the one her god wants her to serve. This revtion will bind her to me, making it impossible for her to leave me. Moreover, as long as I don''t hurt her and keep the truth hidden from her, even if I know my love is fake, she would... continue to stay by my side, whollymitted and blissfully unaware. In her eyes, I would remain the man who saved her, the man who lovers her dearly, the man so many desire but only she got. It''s a win-win situation for both of us.''

 Chapter 100 100: Talisman And The Contribution Card

    ?

    Alfred swaggered up to Marshall, a smug grin on his face as he presented the severed head of the Direwolf. He tossed it onto the table, the force causing the various items atop it to tter.

    Marshall''s eyes widened in shock as he examined the head. He had never expected Alfred toe back alive, let aloneplete the challenge. "How did you kill it?" Marshall spat, his voice filled with disbelief and something akin to fear.

    Alfred''s smirk only widened at the question. "By being resourceful and cunning."

    "You think I''m a fool?" Marshall retorted, his face reddening. "You better tell me the truth or else��"

    "Or else what?" Alfred cut him off, his tone icy. "What are you going to do? Hit me again? Don''t forget what house I belong to. A simpleint to my father will be enough to bring this matter up to your lord. This time, you''ll be in the wrong. I''ve passed the trial by fire and deserve to enter the Frontier, but you''re stopping me. You should know how the Lord of Thunder treats those who dare to go against his words."

    He left the words hanging in the air, as tense as a drawn bowstring. The rules established by the Lord of Thunder, who was also known as the Overseer of the Northern Frontier and the lord of the Thunderspear tribe, were straightforward: anyone who passed the trial, no matter the means they employed, was allowed entry into the Northern Frontier. The Lord of Thunder was notorious for his fierce protection of his own rules. To disregard them, to challenge his authority - it would be an act of monumental folly, and even Marshall knew better than to risk such a thing.

    At Alfred''s biting words, the color drained from Marshall''s face. He knew he was cornered. He may not like Alfred, but he valued his life more than his animosity. Thus, with a heavy sigh, he relented, "Fine. You can enter the Frontier."

    His eyes, however, were venomous as they bore into Alfred.

    "But I''ll be keeping my eyes on you, kid. You better not cause any trouble."

    His voice was low,ced with the unsaid threat of retribution should Alfred step out of line.

    Marshall''s words of hostility were but whispers in the wind to Alfred as he, with an audacious ir, extended his hand towards the older man.

    Immediately, bewilderment painted itself on Marshall''s face as he questioned the silent request, "What do you want?"

    Alfred, with an air of detached nonchnce, replied, "You are well-versed in the customs of the northern frontier, Marshall. Cease this pretense and hand over the talisman and my contribution points."

    Humiliation pricked Marshall, his weathered face flushing red as he had been caught ying the fool. Wordlessly, he handed over a talisman along with a card marked ''300''.

    With a triumphant air, Alfred took his rightful possessions and sauntered off into the lower city of the Frontier, leaving a seething Marshall in his wake.

    After a while, Val came to Marshall with the severed head of the Icefang Lynx in his hand. He had taken it out from the pocket dimension of his cursed artifact in a secluded spot, far from prying eyes. He lived by the age-old wisdom that a pauper perished not from the treasure he gained, but from the audacity of unting it without possessing the strength to guard it. He didn''t want to attract trouble so he made sure to not unt his wealth in public.

    Marshall gave Val an approving nod as he spotted him. "Well done,d." He then proceeded to exin the rules to Val as he had done for Alfred. "Since you have passed the trial, you have proved yourself worthy of entering the Frontier and obtaining a talisman. Because you defeated an Icefang Lynx, you will also be rewarded with 200 contribution points."

    He handed Val a talisman, a seemingly ordinary ck rock suspended from a string, and a card marked ''200''. Val was left wondering what they did.

    Sensing Val''s curiosity, Marshall added, "Feel free to ask any questions."

    "What is the purpose of the talisman and contribution points?"

    Marshall took a deep breath before starting to exin, "The talisman is akin to an unranked cursed artifact, mass-produced and issued to every individual with the right to enter the Frontier. It''s a mark of your identity and can be bound to you with a drop of your blood. Its most important feature is that it can provide you with protection against devils. Just hang it on your door, and no devil will be able to enter your house without your permission.

    The talisman is also a conduit for crucial messages, specifically warnings of impending danger. For instance, a sighting of devils in the forest would trigger an alert, so you can evacuate the forest as fast as possible. An advice from me. You''d better keep it with you at all times."

    "As for the contribution points," Marshall continued, "they''re the only currency used in the frontier. You can check your bnce on the card. The 200 points I gave you will help you do more than just get settled in the Frontier."

    Val processed everything he had been told. These were the rules of this new ce, and he had to y by them if he wanted to survive among the northerners. "I see. That''s good to know. Thank you, Sir Marshall. Your exnation has been truly enlightening," Val expressed his gratitude, his voice perfectly mimicking the warmth of a gentleman in debt.

    When in public, Val had the habit of wearing the mask of a socialist. He understood the importance of being cordial with others. He did not feel emotions like the others, but he knew how to pretend. This ability to mimic societal norms was born out of necessity and honed to perfection over time. Not to mention, Marshall, being a petty man, would likely cause trouble if he was not thanked for his exnations, and Val did not want any unnecessary conflict at this point. Thus, although he didn''t feel grateful and thought that Marshall was just doing his job, he expressed his gratitude.

    Marshall''s face broke into a smile at Val''s words, "Wee to the Northern Frontier,d!"

    It seemed as though the warmth of Val''s words had thawed a small part of the man''s frosty demeanor. Marshall found himself liking the boy. Val was pragmatic, understanding, and sensible, qualities which were far too rare among the novices. He may not have known of Val''s emotional impairment, or his ability to mimic human emotions, but for now, Marshall was content with the mask Val wore. He hoped, for thed''s sake, that the Frontier would be kind to him.

 Chapter 101 101: Lower City!

    ?

    The twilight sky began to shroud the Frontier in an ethereal glow as the twin moons, one crimson and the other silver, appeared in the vast expanse above. Their celestial light reflected off the myriad of surfaces in the station, casting an otherworldly ambiance over the entire area. The scene was as surreal as it was breathtaking.

    Val, having finished his conversation with Marshall, made his way back to where he had left Eliana. He moved through the sea of people with ease, his tall figure and stoic demeanor parting the crowd like a ship through water. His destination was clear, his strides purposeful.

    Eliana, who had been waiting patiently, saw him emerge from the sea of people. Her heart leaped with relief and joy. Many emotions bubbled up within her chest at the sight of him.

    ''I feel like I''ve be a totally different person. Is this what it feels like to be in love?''

    She was amazed at how his presence was having such a profound effect on her.

    As Val approached, his eyes met hers.

    They held a certain light that hadn''t been there before - a glimmer of possessiveness, a desire to monopolize Eliana for himself.

    This was a novel sentiment for Val, something he had never experienced before in his emotion-limited existence. She was the first human to make him feel this way. He had to admit she was really something.

    Eliana couldn''t quite decipher theplex emotions swirling in Val''s eyes, but it made her heart flutter for a good reason.

    Despite his usually strong and stoic demeanor, in this moment Val''s eyes conveyed an intensity that promised her more than merepanionship. It was an alluring, almost intoxicating sense of belonging that she had long craved.

    "You''re back," she greeted Val, her voice barely a whisper but carrying an unmistakable note of joy.

    "Are you ready to enter the Northern Frontier?" Val asked, his voice a soothing, unfeeling timbre that she was growing increasingly ustomed to.

    "I''ve been ready." Eliana nodded, a bright smile illuminating her face so much that her radiance matched the brightness of the two moons high up in the sky.

    "Good. Then let''s go," Val said to her, offering her his arm. Eliana looped hers through his, and together, they entered the lower city of the Frontier.

    The lower city was situated at the foot of the colossal Mount Torjan, which stood between the Verdant Deep Forest and the other mountains of the Wyrmspine Peaks.

    The lower city was a bustling hub of activity.

    Markets thrummed with life, being run by merchants and brimming with vibrant arrays of goods from all corners of the kingdom. Trading posts showcased all manner of wares, from precious herbs to cursed artifacts. Taverns rang with the sounds of lively conversation and the clinking of mugs.

    This was the economic backbone of the Northern Frontier, the first line of defense the kingdom had against the Empire. Of course, the neers had no idea about it.

    Moreover, from the outside, none of it was visible. It was only after stepping inside that it all came to view. It was as if a protective barrier had been ced around the city, a magical veil that concealed its grandeur from prying eyes. Only those who crossed its threshold were granted the privilege of bearing witness to its true majesty.

    For Val and Eliana, stepping into the city was like crossing into another realm, one hidden in in sight. Their eyes widened at the sight before them. The transformation was just that staggering.

    The lower city of the Northern Frontier surpassed any stronghold they had ever witnessed in the outer region in their entire life.

    They thought that it rivaled even the majesty of the inner region of the kingdom that they had only ever heard of.

    The silver spires reaching towards the sky, the wide cobblestone streets, and the ornate architecture of the buildings, all reminded them of the stories of the famed city of silver, also known as the only Divine Capital of the Victoria Kingdom.

    Eliana''s eyes shimmered with awe, "This... this is unbelievable. It''s like something from a dream."

    Val''s gaze swept over the lower city that sprawled before him, his usually stoic face reflecting a hint of surprise, "It''s so much different than what I''ve heard."

    Val had to admit that the sight was a stark contrast to the tales of destion and hardship that were often associated with the northern frontier. He thought he had made a mistake trusting in the many nasty rumors about this ce. It might not be as bad as people made it out to be!

    Suddenly, a familiar voice rose from behind them. They swiveled around to find Alfred striding towards them.

    "This lower city used to be but a small refuge, a pocket of civilization that shielded bloodline users and normies alike from the harsh wilderness. With the Thunderspear tribe''s talisman, which wards off evil, people could sleep soundly, free from fear of devils invading their homes. Over the years, with investment from the kingdom''s nobility and the relentless work of the frontier folk, it evolved into the hub ofmerce you see today," Alfred said to them.

    The duo listened to his words intently, surprised at the detailed exnation. While Alfred had his quirks, his knowledge was valuable.

    "It''s rude to eavesdrop, Alfred," Val''s voice was dry, but there was a slight twinkle in his eye. "However, I appreciate the information."

    "I merely happened to overhear your conversation and seeing your perplexed faces, couldn''t resist helping," Alfred said with a casual shrug.

    Eliana nced at Val, curiosity gleaming in her eyes, "You know him?"

    "Yes," Val replied.

    Alfred interjected before Val could continue, "Actually, sister, I owe a lot to Val here. He helped me pass my Trial by Fire which allowed me to enter the frontier. For that, I am forever indebted."

    The premier faith in this world is centered around the worship of the God of Light. Followers of this religion often have specific terms of address to signify their shared faith. Females, particrly those of the holy order, such as nuns, tend to refer to their male counterparts and other men in general as "brothers." Likewise, men within the religiousmunity called the nuns "sisters," indicating their shared spiritual kinship.

    Alfred''s choice of address, calling Eliana "sister," implied that he too was a follower of the God of Light.

    Once Eliana realized he was from the same religion as her, she felt more at ease.

    "It was merely a transaction, Alfred. You paid me for my assistance. There''s no need to feel indebted," Val waved off Alfred''s gratitude

    "I can''t help it," Alfred said, shaking his head, "But that aside, I''ve spent quite some time here. I can share some of my knowledge if you''d like."

    "And why would you do that?" Val''s eyebrow quirked

    "Isn''t that what friends do?" Alfred grinned, his eyes shimmering with a genuine warmth. "Help each other when necessary."

    "And since when did we be friends?" Val countered, a subtle amusementced his tone.

    Alfred shrugged nonchntly, "It''s never toote to make friends. Why don''t we start now? The frontier is a big and dangerous ce. Having friends might make it slightly less daunting."

    "Well, it''s always better to have more allies in an unknown ce. So why not?" Val replied.

 Chapter 102 102: Looking For A House

    ?

    Val surveyed the bustling street of the lower city. Finding no sign of Alfred''s enemy, he breathed a sigh of relief.

    Then, he continued to speak,

    "But we have to keep our friendship a secret from Marshall. I don''t want unnecessary trouble."

    "Don''t worry," Alfred said, waving a dismissive hand, his face mirroring a confident grin, "I''ll make sure Marshall doesn''t get wind of it."

    "And how exactly will you do that?" Val asked, an amused twinkle evident in his eyes.

    "I have my ways," Alfred winked, his grin widening.

    In Eliana''s mind, she mused that Alfred seemed to know a lot about the Northern Frontier, potentially more than they did. Maybe she could glean some answers to her questions from him.

    "What else do you know about the lower city?" She asked, her gaze curious.

    Alfred looked thoughtful, his eyes drifting over the bustling cityscape. "It''s teeming with people from all walks of life - merchants, craftsmen, wizards, miners, and bloodline users. You can find anything here from mundane items to cursed artifacts and potions. But Contribution points are the only epted currency in the frontier. If you don''t have them, you can''t get anything."

    "Why is that the case?" Val chimed in, his gaze meeting Alfred''s.

    "That''s a rule set by the founders of the northern frontier. It''s to maintain the unique merit-based system of the frontier which rewards those who contribute to its defense, survival, and development, and to avoid outside influence that would change the way things work here" Alfred exined.

    Val remembered something he had heard from the Starlight Auction House, that their starlight notes held value all over the kingdom, even the frontier. Had they lied to him? He decided to find out.

    "Do the starlight notes have any value here?" He asked Alfred.

    "They do," Alfred confirmed, causing Val to feel at ease. He wasn''t lied to. He was just overthinking things.

    Alfred continued, "The frontier is in a business partnership with the Starlight Auction House. A gold starlight note can be traded for a hundred contribution points. However, I wouldn''t rmend doing that. The exchange rate is wed. A hundred contribution points aren''t as valuable as a gold starlight note. It''s close to extortion. You can get more value for your money if you use it in the branch of the auction house that we just passed by."

    "I understand." Val raised an eyebrow, acknowledging the information.

    "Brother, is there anything else we need to know?" Eliana inquired, her gaze fixed on Alfred.

    Alfred nodded, "While it''s a good thing that the city has developed so much that it''sing to rival the city of silver, it has also be a problem. Housing prices have soared. Even renting a ce with two bedrooms would cost a few hundred contribution points becausendlords insist on an upfront payment for three months and a security deposit of two."

    "Is there no cheaper option?" Val questioned, his eyes narrowing slightly.

    "There is," Alfred admitted. "There are housingplexes designed for the poorest - normies with no background or bloodline users who can''t pull their weight. But they''re literal pigsties, with several to a dozen people living in one room and shared bathrooms. It''s definitely not a ce for nobles like us, and certainly not for a woman like our sister here."

    Both Val and Eliana remained silent for a moment, exchanging a nce. They hadn''t expected the frontier''s lower city to be soplicated, and they realized they had much to learn.

    "Is there anything else you''d like to know?" Alfred asked, trying to be as helpful as he could. In his mind, he knew that helping them would earn him a powerful ally in Val, who had proved his strength in the Trial by Fire. Having Val on his side would give him a significant advantage in the Northern Frontier.

    Eliana looked thoughtful before finally voicing her question. "Actually, I do have one. Have you heard of someone with red eyes that has control over both blood and fire?"

    Alfred felt his heart skip a beat. Val fit this description almost perfectly, considering he had seen him use fire skills during their trial, and his cursed artifact used blood skills. However, Val''s eyes were not red. Alfred nced at Val, who met his gaze with a stern look, silently signaling him to remain quiet. Alfred realized that it was indeed Val that Eliana was searching for, but for some reason, he was hiding it from her. Alfred wondered what could be the reason behind this but respected Val''s decision.

    Before he could respond, Eliana noticed his nce towards Val and a hint of confusion swept across her face.

    Alfred quicklyposed himself, "No, I haven''t heard of such a person. But if I do, I''ll let you know."

    Eliana sighed, looking slightly disappointed. "I see," she said, "I guess it won''t be that easy to find the Red-eyed Lord."

    Val quickly changed the subject, "For now, our priority should be to find a ce to stay."

    "I have a house in the central district of the lower city," Alfred proposed. "My family had invested in its development and we have some spare rooms. You''re wee to stay there."

    "No, we will find a ce on our own," Val responded, appreciating Alfred''s offer but also not wanting to rely on him too much.

    Eliana agreed, "Yes, we don''t want to impose on you more than what we already have, Brother."

    "I understand," Alfred nodded, "I can rmend a good property dealer if you''d like."

    "We would appreciate that," Val gave him a thankful nod

    Alfred rmended a well-known property dealer located in the eastern district of the lower city. Besides the central district, the lower city was divided into several districts including the eastern, western, southern, and northern districts, each with their own unique characteristics and popce.

    After their conversation, Val and Eliana separated from Alfred, heading towards the property dealer rmended by him.

    The dealer showed them several houses avable for rent, but the cost of living was higher than they had anticipated.

    The smallest house avable for rent required 60 contribution points a month. It only had one bedroom, a small bathroom without even a bathtub and no amenities such as gas or water, but thendlord insisted on an upfront payment of three months, and a security deposit for two more months. The total was a daunting 300 points, which was equal to Val''s and Eliana''sbined contribution points!

    The other houses the property dealer showed them also had the same issue

 Chapter 103 103: Best Deal. A House Of Horror!

    ?

    "Why are their demands so unreasonable?" Eliana asked, furrowing her brows in confusion.

    The property dealer sighed, a resigned look in his eyes. "It''s the harsh reality of the Northern Frontier, miss. The chances of people meeting an untimely demise here are high. Thendlords know this. If they get their payment upfront, they are the ones who benefit most from the tenant''s untimely demise. In their death, lies their profit. The world is an ugly ce, and that ugliness is more evident here than anywhere else."

    Val and Eliana shared a nce, both realizing just how brutally honest the property dealer''s words were. Hearing his words, Eliana''s heart immediately filled up with indignation while Val was once again reminded of the fact that people in this world were sometimes crueler than he was in his previous life. He was cruel when it was necessary or felt deeply offended, but they were being cruel just to profit off of the misfortune of people they had no beef with.

    ''Honestly, it''s really nasty. But that''s the way this world works. Since Ick the strength to change it, I can only follow along.''

    When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Val decided to go along with this old saying considering his situation.

    Without a word, he dug into his pocket and pulled out five copper starlight notes topped with one silver starlight note, cing them firmly in the property dealer''s hand to whom he said, "Show us the best deal you have on the market."

    The property dealer''s eyes sparkled at the sight of the notes. Pocketing the money with a swift motion, he shed them a smile. "Since you are young master Alfred''s acquaintance, I do know of a ce that might suit your needs. It''s a modest home, which can be rented out for just the monthly payment of 120 contribution points. There''s no need for security and advance monthly payments."

    "But..." he continued, "there''s a catch. The house has a reputation. Rumors circte that it is haunted as strange things happen in the house during the night. Strange noises and flickering lights have been reported, especially during the dead of night. It''s why the rent is so low. Though, you don''t worry too much about the rumors. If you hang your talisman in the house, those eerie urrences tend to subside. I''ve personally tested it."

    At the property dealer''s exnation, Val''s eyebrows knitted together in thought. Haunted or not, a roof over their heads was better than being homeless in an unfamiliar city. Plus, given his inability to feel fear, he wasn''t as bothered by the thought of ghosts and apparitions as most people would be. Not to mention, having a talisman to suppress the strange urrences was just an added benefit. On top of all that, he had the power to y demons and ghosts alike, so it was a great deal for him.

    He looked towards his new girlfriend.

    As for Eliana... well, she would have to adapt.

    After all, the exorbitant rents demanded by thendlords weren''t something he was willing to concede to. He wasn''t one to take a loss, and this time it was going to be the same.

    Eliana, on the other hand, felt a shiver run down her spine at the mention of a haunted house. Wandering souls and vengeful spirits were something she was extremely afraid of and for a good reason. Although she was a holy priestess and had the power to fend them off, she still felt afraid of encountering them. Her heart pounded against her chest at the prospect of possibly sharing a house with such entities. It was an irrational fear, she knew, but it wasn''t one she could easily shake off.

    However, she held her silence, her eyes turning towards Val, seeking his decision on the matter.

    Looking at her, Val easily determined she was afraid in a haunted house, but he didn''t love her enough to not see her get wronged. Moreover, helping her ovee her fears would lead to them getting closer, allowing him to inch closer to his goals.

    With all things considered, he looked at the property dealer and calmly said, "We''re interested in the offer. But we would like to see the house first before we make any final decisions."

    Seeing Val''s calm demeanor, Eliana steeled herself. His steadfastness seemed to have an infectious quality that made her want to face her fears, no matter how irrational. If it meant staying by his side, she was willing topromise, to adjust, and if necessary, to confront the fears that lurked in the darkest corners of her mind.

    "Is madam truly willing?" the property dealer asked.

    "Let''s go see it," Eliana voiced, her hand instinctively reaching out to hold Val''s. Val instinctively wanted to free his hand from her grasp as he wasn''t used to being touched by others, but he held himself back as he didn''t want to reveal what he truly felt about herm His warmth and strength wereforting, a tether that bound her to reality amidst the swirling chaos of her fears.

    "There''s your answer," Val said to the property dealer.

    Their interest in renting it out brought a tinge of relief to the property dealer''s face. He had been trying to find someone to rent this house for quite some time now, but the rumors of it being haunted had kept prospective tenants away.

    "Very well," he said, "Follow me. I''ll show you the house."

    Under the sky enchanted by two moons, the property led them through abyrinth of streets until they arrived at a modest two-storied house. Its exterior was slightly worn, but it had a certain charm to it that hinted at its old age and rich history.

    The windows were dark, giving the house a gloomy look.

    Stepping inside, they saw that the house was in surprisingly good condition, considering its reputation.

    It had two rooms, an equal number of bathrooms, a kitchen, a balcony, and a guest room, and all of it was furnished, though the decor was old andcked any semnce of modern design.

    However, it was clean, and theck of dust hinted at regr maintenance.

 Chapter 104 104: Settling Down In A Hanuted House

    ?

    Who was keeping it clean? Val was forced to wonder by the unexpected condition of the house.

    "The house was refurbished five years ago. All the furniture you see is brand new. The best part about this house is that it cleans itself once every week as it''s enchanted," the property dealer exined to them as they toured the rooms. "So would you like to buy it?"

    Instead of answering his question, Val asked, "Was there a former tenant? And if so why did she leave this ce?"

    "The former tenant was a widow who lived here for almost three years before she moved out, iming it was too eerie for her liking," the property dealer replied.

    "I see," Val said. Internally, he thought that things might not be as simple as he was making them out to be.

    Eliana pursed her lips, thinking about the dealer''s words. After a moment, she turned towards her boyfriend, who seemed to be in deep thought, and asked, "Do you think we should take it?"

    Val took another look around before finally nodding. "Yes. I believe this will suit our needs for now."

    Seeing the determination in Val''s eyes, Eliana knew that they would be taking the property dealer up on his offer. She swallowed her fear, nodding in agreement. "Alright, we''ll take it."

    The property dealer seemed pleased with their decision. "You definitely won''t regret it," he promised, but there was something about his tone that suggested otherwise.

    The property dealer took them to his office where he also called in the owner of the house to finalize the deal. The owner was a middle-aged man named Jasper who had a scruffy beard, blonde hair, kind blue eyes, and dressed so ordinarily that no one would be able to tell that he owned a property in a costly ce like the frontier. It seemed like he had a humble lifestyle.

    Upon his arrival, the property dealer said, "Master Val, Miss Eliana, this is Jasper, the owner of the house you wish to rent. Sir Jasper, these two are interested in that property of yours."

    Jasper gave a nod of acknowledgment, a twinkle of understanding in his eyes. "Ah, the infamous haunted house. You''re brave to take it on," he said to Val and Eliana jokingly. However, his thoughts were inplete contrast to his outward appearance. He knew that the couple was getting into more trouble than they might''ve anticipated, but that wasn''t his problem. He needed the contribution points, and they were willing to pay. His conscience was clear, or so he told himself.

    "To make your stay morefortable, remember to hang the talisman on the door inside the house at night. It helps keep the eerie urrences at bay," Jasper added, lying smoothly. The rumors of strange happenings were indeed true, but they didn''t ur only at night. He had, however, conveniently left out that detail.

    Val nced at Eliana, noting the slight trepidation in her eyes. Despite his emotional impairment, he was well-trained in reading people, and he could tell that the thought of living in a supposedly haunted house was unsettling her. But he also knew they had limited options.

    "We appreciate your advice," Val responded, "We''ll be sure to do that."

    Val made the payment to rent the house in full at the scene, his intentions masked by his calm demeanor. Beneath his exterior, he held a carefully calcted n. He aimed to make Eliana feel loved and cherished, and what better way to do so than to cover her expenses? He firmly believed that by doing so, he would further strengthen their rtionship. However, this wasn''t born out of love. Val had his own reasons, his own ambitions that drove him to act this way. Providing for Eliana was a strategic move that he hoped would inch him closer to his goals. The more he did for her, the more she would be willing to open up to him and share her deepest secrets, and the closer he would get to his goals.

    On the other side, Eliana felt a bit uneasy watching Val pay for the house. It felt like she was taking advantage of him. Even though he was the son of a ruler and they were together now, she didn''t want to rely on him for everything. But given the situation and the presence of others, she chose to remain silent. It would be disrespectful to argue about such matters here. So, she swallowed her reservations and nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.

    Jasper and the property dealer seemed pleased with the transaction. The full payment upfront, without any attempts at haggling, had been more than they could ask for.

    Watching Val hand over the contribution points, Eliana felt a small pinch in her heart as she saw his hard-earned points disappear. It was a steep price, but at least they had a roof over their heads now. Sheforted herself with that thought, hoping that everything would turn out fine in their new home.

    With the payment made, the paperwork sorted and keys to their new house in their hands, Val and Eliana left the property dealer''s office and made their way to their new home.

    Unlocking the door, they stepped inside. Immediately, Val closed the door, locked it, and quickly took his talisman out of his pocket, hanging it on a nail protruding from the door.

    As soon as he did, a system notification popped up in his vision:

    [The host has erected a spiritual barrier. Devils cannot cross this barrier unless permission is granted by the host. Any non-living entity inside the barrier will be significantly weakened.]

    ''It really works. These talismans... are really impressive. How are they made?"

    Suddenly, Val was pulled out of his thoughts as he felt Eliana tugging at his sleeve. Turning to look at her, he raised an eyebrow questioningly.

    "I want to pay for half the rent," she said.

    "Why?" Val questioned, slightly taken aback by her sudden request.

    Eliana looked at him, a determined look in her eyes. "Val, you''ve been such a great help to me ever since we met. It''s always been you helping me, and I''ve always been on the receiving end. I feel guilty, like I''m taking advantage of you. I want to contribute in this rtionship too."

    Val paused for a moment, looking at her earnest expression. "If it makes you feel better, then go ahead," he finally said, not wanting to deny her request for obvious reasons. It was benefitting her and he wasn''t a fool that deny free food.

    Eliana immediately pulled out her contribution points card. Val did the same.

 Chapter 105 105: Becoming A Wizard!

    ?

    She pressed it against Val''s card and voiced hermand. "I want to transfer 60 points to Val."

    "I ept the transfer," Val said.

    In response to theirmand, the number on Val''s card jumped from 80 to 140, and Eliana''s card went from 100 down to 40.

    Seeing the numbers change, Eliana finally felt like she had done something for Val. She had been able to contribute, even if it was just a small amount. A sense of relief washed over her as she realized that she wasn''t just a burden on Val.

    Eliana chose the lower bedroom under Val''s insistence. His reason was that it was closer to the exit and the talisman, which would provide her with an extrayer of safety. He also suggested that she hang a talisman in her room for added security.

    Eliana couldn''t help but feel touched by his concern. "Thank you, Val," she said with a small smile, touched by his consideration for her safety.

    Leaving Eliana to settle in, Val climbed the stairs that creaked beneath his feet and reached his room. Once inside, he sat down on his bed and registered the wizard ss as his secondary ss.

    A system notification immediately appeared:

    [The host has selected Wizard as the Host''s secondary ss. As the Blessing of Fortune is in effect, all gained traits and skills will be of Epic quality.]

    [Skill obtained: Soul Archive]

    [Trait gained: Heavenly Eye ]

    ''Soul Archive'', the skill he gained from bing a wizard, was definitely not an ordinary one.

    It acted like a failsafe, a backup of all his memories, abilities, and innate talents.

    Imagine it as a library of his life and powers, stored within the very core of his being - his soul.

    Should there be any threat of memory loss or power extraction, he could ess this archive and restore everything, making it a potent countermeasure against any form of mental maniption or power theft. The cost of activating it was 300 unita of soul power.

    As for his new trait, it was a divine tool that offered the power of true sight

    It wasn''t just about seeing through physical matter, illusions, or spiritual barriers.

    With enough soul power channeled into his eyes, he could see through the fabric of reality that separated reality from the Other Side. Basically, he could even glimpse into another dimension while still being in this reality!

    It was also like a beacon in the dark, capable of shedding light on truths hidden from ordinary vision.

    Val found his new skill ''Soul Archive'' incredibly useful. There were skills in this world that could wipe out memories, and from the exchanges made between Lucious and the destruction devil, he knew there was a way to even extract bloodlines. His new skill would be an effective counter against such threats. It''s just that he was too weak as a wizard to cast it.

    As for his new trait, he alsocked the mean to use it.

    Val didn''t possess an Arcane Heart, a crucial organ in the wizarding world that acted as a reservoir for soul power. Without it, he wouldn''t be able to use his new trait, Heavenly Eye, as it required the channeling of soul power. The system had stated that he would gain an Arcane Heart upon registering as a wizard, yet he didn''t seem to have one.

    Val sat in quiet contemtion, puzzled at his circumstance.

    "Why don''t I have an Arcane Heart?" he wondered aloud, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

    Almost immediately, a notification popped up in front of him.

    [The absence of an Arcane Heart has been detected in the Host''s body. The creation process of an Arcane Heart willmence in 10 seconds. Please find a safe ce to undergo the Arcane Heart Creation process.]

    "I''m already in a safe ce," Val muttered, bracing himself.

    The process began and a new organ started forming beside Val''s heart, his ribcage expanding to amodate the additional structure. The pain such a process would usually cause was enough to knock a grown man unconscious. However, Val couldn''t feel pain so he remained conscious, feeling the new organ''s creation and the strange expansion of his ribcage.

    It was an ufortable, weird sensation, something he had never felt before, but he endured it knowing that it was for his benefit. Soon, he would have a fully formed arcane heart, and his power would increase exponentially.

    ...

    Within the heart of the Northern Frontier, where the Destiny Coven was located, a covert meeting was taking ce.

    Present were not only the most ancient figures, unseen entities whose carbon traves were erased from existence, but also powerful figures whose influence over the Frontier was absolute.

    Their collective was known as the ''Vigil of Destiny.'' They were true believers in fate and purpose. They held a simple yet powerful catchphrase, "As it is destined," which resonated within the hallowed walls of Destiny Coven as they took a seat around a round table.

    Among the gathered were the legendary Lord of Thunder, the enigmatic figure named Lucious, the mysterious and fiery Fenris, and the aloof, mature sage known as Eldric, and a few others.

    "Why have you called this meeting, Lucious?" the Lord of Thunder inquired, his voice a deep rumble.

    "I''ve discovered something intriguing in the Ounds, while I was investigating those bearing the mark of destiny," Lucious began.

    Fenris leaned forward. "Interesting? Do tell, Lucious."

    Lucious'' voice bore a hint of excitement as he said, "I believe I may have found the Child of Destiny."

    The air in the room seemed to grow tense.

    "Who is it, Lucious?" Fenris demanded.

    "It''s Val," Lucious dered.

    "Val who?" the Lord of Thunder interjected.

    "Val V. Whitemore, the son of our formerrade, Joshua," Lucious rified.

    "Val V. Whitemore, the son of our formerrade, Joshua," Lucious rified.

    The news seemed to strike them like a lightning bolt. Joshua, once a member of their ranks, had switched sides 2 years ago and became apdog of the royal family, more specifically, the Queen. His transgressions of their rules were simply a stain upon their group''s honor.

 Chapter 106 106: The Destiny Coven 1

    ?

    Hearing that Val, a person who was suspected to be the child of destiny, was the son of Joshua, Eldric felt angered beyond belief, his hand clenching into a fist. He was d in a dark scarlet robe, his face hidden behind a mask adorned with a skeletal design, his brown eyes the only part of him revealed. He was so disgusted by the news that he couldn''t contain his contempt. His voice was a low growl as he spat out, "Joshua is a disgraceful beast who turned his back on us and betrayed me, his own friend, to curry favor with the Queen. Would his son be any better?"

    His words wereced with deep-seated resentment. He and Joshua were oncerades, brothers in arms, but Joshua sold him out to the royals who hunted him like a beast for his unique blood. He was forced to live like a rat in the sewers as he was a fugitive that couldn''t show his face to the world otherwise he would be hunted down.

    The worst part was that Joshua had only betrayed him, keeping the information about the Destiny Coven, its members, and its objectives a secret. None of the members of the coven wanted to go against him since he hadn''tpromised their mission.

    "Don''t judge a talented youth with eyes blinded by prejudice, Eldric," Lord of Thunder cautioned, "It will only make you look foolish if you''re proven wrongter." Then he proceeded to defend Joshua''s actions, "And I can''t fathom why you harbor such intense hatred. In this world, the strong dictate the fate of the weak. Joshua simply exercised his power as he deemed appropriate."

    Eldric rolled his eyes in disdain. "Your views are as primitive as the barbarian down east. I''m too mature to entertain such petty justifications."

    He wanted to retort far more harshly, but he wasn''t interested in going down that path again as it always led to the same destination �� disagreement and lengthy arguments, ones that always left him fuming, so he held himself back.

    "Why do you think this Val is the Child of Destiny, Lucious?" Fenris interjected, attempting to steer the conversation back on course.

    "The prophecy stated that the Child of Destiny would bear two bloodlines and would ascend in power far more rapidly than any other," Lucious reasoned, leaning forward in his chair. "I''ve used my abilities to confirm that Val has recently awakened and, within a week, reached the second level of his bloodline. Such a rapid rate of progression is unprecedented. What can he be if not the one we''ve been waiting for?"

    Fenris stroked his silver beard thoughtfully before saying, "While his rapid ascension is indeed unique, it doesn''t definitively prove that he is the Child of Destiny. We should not be hasty in this matter."

    Eldric pondered, "Then what should we do?"

    "There are two ways to confirm the prophecy," Fenris revealed, his eyes gleaming in the dim light of the destiny coven. "First, the prophecy indicates that the Child of Destiny will possess not one but two unique bloodlines and climb thedder of power quicker than others as if the world itself is helping them. Val seems to meet these conditions. Second, the Child of Destiny will save us from a minor disaster before the ''Winter''. We will know then."

    "But Val''s uniqueness cannot be ignored," Lucious insisted, still not willing to drop the subject.

    "Lucious," the Lord of Thunder spoke sternly, "this is the Northern Frontier, where merit rules supreme. I''ve overlooked your help for those bearing the mark of destiny as they are your kin, and I respect you. However, you should also respect our ways. We should not aid someone merely because they''re special. If Val is destined for greatness, he will find it here, in the Frontier."

    "You''re right, fellow lord. I understand," Lucious nodded in agreement, although his eyes still held a certain determination to not follow the rules when ites to Val.

    Fenris suddenly jolted upright from his seat, the screeching sound of the chair grinding against the stone floor reverberating throughout the room, causing everyone''s attention to be drawn towards him as he stared out the window, a look of shock etched on his face.

    "Is something wrong, Fenris?" Lucious inquired, puzzled by Fenris''s unusual behavior. Fenris was the eldest among them. He was the head of the Vigil of Destiny. He was known for his calm demeanor. After all, having weathered many cmities, he was akin to an old tree that refused to be swept away by a storm. Thus, it was deeply unsettling to see him so startled, as Lucious had never seen him in such a state before.

    "I...I''ve just sensed the birth of a very special wizard," Fenris revealed, still staring into the distance as if trying to locate the source of this sensation. However, he failed and even suffered a bacsh that cause blood to rush up his throat, filling his mouth with a metallic scent. It was as if an unseen force was hiding the truth he sought from him. He swallowed the truth so as to not cause panic among their rank.

    The Lord of Thunder frowned, skepticism creasing his features as he questioned, "How special can a wizard be to even startle the Great Wizard Fenris?"

    Fenris turned back towards the people in the coven, his eyes intense as he dered, "This one is exceptional. His powers can cross the divide that exists between the two sides of the same coin that represent the state of our world."

    Upon hearing this, Eldric voiced his concern, "Unchecked power is a dangerous thing. Especially in the hands of a newborn wizard who is yet to understand the depth of his abilities. We need to bring him under our protection before it''s toote. However, if the worst-case scenario happens and he falls into our enemy''s hands, It would be for the best if we kill him before he can grow up and be a thorn in our ns."

    The rest of the council members nodded in agreement.

 Chapter 107 107: The Destiny Coven 2

    ?

    Fenris turned towards the newest member of their group and said, "I, Eldric, and the Lady of Shadows cannot make our existence known in the kingdom. Our identities are secrets that, if revealed, would cause immense unrest within the kingdom. Such disclosure could lead to unnecessary panic, possibly inciting internal conflict. That chaos would only serve to provide an opportunity for our adversaries, the Durcaliams, to strike. Both Lucious and the Lord of Thunder are under scrutiny, and their actions may arouse the suspicion of our enemies. Therefore, they cannot undertake the task of locating the wizard."

    The gaze with which Fenris was looking at Alex softened slightly as he acknowledged the burden he was cing on the neer. "As a neer, you are unknown to our enemies and free from our burdens. In this instance, we can only rely on you. It''s time for you to contribute to our cause. Your mission is to find this newborn wizard."

    To better understand the situation, one must first understand Fenris''s past.

    Before founding the Vigil of Destiny, Fenris was a member of ''Arcana Aegis,'' a group of wizards that had served the royal family since the foundation of the kingdom. He ascended to the role of head of the Arcana Aegis when the kingdom changed hands for the fifth time, subsequently bing the closest confidant of the sixth ruler.

    King Valerius had decreed before his departure to the Other Side that the throne should be passed down to the most worthy person in the kingdom. As strength mattered the most in this world, the strongest individual was deemed most worthy, thus, if the ruler of the kingdom was deemed ipetent and someone else in the kingdom was considerably stronger, they had the right to contend for the throne.

    A battle would be fought between the ruler and the contender. If the contender won, the king will lose his crown and his royal family would lose its royal status, bing mere nobles, while the contender would ascend the throne with their immediate rtives being bestowed royal status.

    This rule was never changed in honor of Valerius, the founder and the first king of the kingdom. This was the way of royal session in the kingdom.

    However, this tradition wasn''t followed when the sixth king was crowned the king. The throne was handed over to him by the will of his predecessor, who was his brother and the fifth king. The fifth king had written in his will that if anything were to happen to him, the throne would go to his brother. One day, the fifth king fell into aa from which no wizard could wake him up. Consequently, the throne was passed on to his brother, who was far weaker and more brutish and ipetent than his brother. At that time, the royal family got greedy. They wanted to keep themselves in power so they supported this decision and suppressed any opposition. Thus, the sixth king''s position was stabilized.

    Wanting to revel in unprecedented glory and prove to his people that they were right to make him their king, the sixth king, named Agnar, sought to establish rtions with the barbarians of the West, something not even his ancestors or the previous rulers of the kingdom had seeded in doing. These barbarians resided in the Grunwald ins, which was located beyond the Verdant Deepwood Forest. The negotiations were progressing smoothly until King Agnar, in a vile act of indiscretion, forced himself upon their saintess. The news spread like wildfire, and the outraged barbarians retaliated, leading to a brutal war.

    The war resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, but the kingdom wasn''t hit as hard as the barbarians. The barbarians were struck down as soon as they crossed the forest, failing to breach the kingdom''s first line of defense, the Northern Frontier.

    During the barbarian war, Fenris demonstrated his exceptional abilities. He held back the onught of the enraged barbarians single-handedly, his efforts sparing countless lives on both sides. His heroism amidst the chaos transformed him into a legendary figure in the eyes of the people. He hadn''t wished to fight for an ipetent king, but he couldn''t stand aside while his people suffered. With every barbarian he repelled, his support among the masses grew.

    However, the increasing adoration for Fenris stirred fear in the heart of the king. He was afraid that Fenris, backed by his widespread support, would usurp the throne. In his desperation, the king plotted Fenris''s assassination. Fenris barely survived the ordeal, and in order to protect himself, he made everyone believe that he had died. But he made sure that the true perpetrator behind the attempt on his life was revealed.

    With Fenris believed to be dead, the king lost his closest confidant. His brothery in aatose state, unable to assist him, and the people''s hero was seemingly in by the king''s own hand. This sparked a revolt among the people, and the throne was challenged.

    Victoria, a woman of the same family as the king, who was morepetent and stronger than him, challenged him to a ''Duel of Ascendancy''. Victoria wasn''t the strongest figure in the divine capital, but she was backed by several powerful figures and families, including the royal family.

    The king was unaware of how she had garnered such support, and worst of all, he lost the duel. In the end, the king was stripped of his position. Victoria ascended to the throne, and the era of the Kingdom of Victoria began.

    Fenris watched all this unfold from the shadows. After all, he knew too many dirty secrets of the royal family. He was aware that if the royals knew he was alive, they would go to great lengths to get rid of him. That''s why he chose to remain hidden, observing everything from behind the scenes. But that''s not all he did. He founded the Vigil of Destiny with the goals of surviving the destined cmities and breaking free from the kingdom.

    Lady of Shadows and Eldric were in the same shoes as him. They were wanted by the royal family!

    The neer, though he had not yet experienced the trials and tribtions of the others, steeled himself as he epted the task, "I will do my best."

    "May destiny help guide you to your goal," Fenris said.

    "All shall be as it''s destined," the other members of the Vigil of Destiny chanted in unison.

    With that, the meeting in the Destiny Coven came to an end.

 Chapter 108 108: Training Event

    ?

    The mesmerizing night turned into day as Val underwent the excruciatingly long Arcane Heart creation process thatbwas testing his patience. The sun began to rise from the east as he received a notification from his system.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host! The Arcane Heart has formed in your body. Your Arcane Heart produces 10 units of Soul Power every hour and has a maximum storage capacity of 100 units. When in battle, the production rate of soul energy is reduced to 10 units every two hours.]

    A glint of satisfaction shed in Val''s eyes. The struggle and patience had paid off. He finally had the organ that differentiated Wizards from other humans.

    ''But I still can''t use the Heavenly Eye since I am unable to manipte Soul Power.''

    Val sat on the edge of his bed, his brows furrowed in deep thought. Having an Arcane Heart and Soul Power was all well and good, but it was practically useless if he didn''t know how to utilize it. After all, the maniption of Soul Power wasn''t something one could naturally do - it required certain knowledge, an understanding of its nature that he currentlycked. He needed guidance, someone who understood the intricacies of this power and how to use it effectively.

    "I need to find a wizard," Val murmured to himself, a determined expression on his face. "They are the only ones who can teach me how to manipte my newfound power, to truly harness the capabilities of my Arcane Heart."

    Wizards were a rare breed of people. It wasn''t that they didn''t exist, but finding one wasn''t an easy task.

    However, Val recalled something that Alfred had mentioned.

    There were wizards in the Northern Frontier.

    This piece of information gave him a glimmer of hope.

    Maybe he will be able to find one in the lower city.

    Eliana''s voice filtered through the door of Val''s room, "Val, are you awake?"

    Because nuns call their lovers by their names in order to show they were taken, she had stopped calling him brother.

    "Yes, I am," Val replied, sliding his feet into his boots and standing from the edge of his bed. He moved towards the door, opening it to find Eliana standing outside. "Did you need something?" He asked, his eyes meeting hers.

    "A message appeared on your talisman," Eliana revealed, holding up a ck talisman that was shimmering with arcane runes.

    "Let me see," Val extended his hand to receive the talisman from her.

    Upon inspection, Val saw words etched in a luminescent script. They read, ''A training event will be held in the training ground of the central district today. You''ve been invited. Get there before 7 a.m if you want to participate in it.''

    A look of contemtion crossed Val''s face as he read the message.

    Training events in the Northern Frontier were highly rmended for all the inhabitants but weren''t explicitly forced upon anyone. The experience and knowledge one could gain from such events were invaluable, especially for neers like him. In some training events, seasoned trainers and mentors would offer guidance that could significantly elerate one''s growth and increase their chance of survival in the wild. Additionally, many resources and opportunities were often tied to participation in these events, making them a popr choice.

    The decision to participate ultimatelyy with the individual. Some preferred to learn through hands-on experience or personal training.

    However, considering the potential benefits, Val decided to participate in the training event. It would help him establish his reputation, gain recognition from peers and mentors, and earn contribution points - a valuable currency in the Northern Frontier.

    Turning to Eliana, Val asked, "Did you also receive this notification?"

    Eliana nodded in response.

    "What are your ns?" Val asked, curious about her intentions.

    "I will see what kind of training event it is and then decide whether to participate or not," Eliana replied, uncertainty coloring her voice.

    Val gently patted her head, causing her eyes to flutter shut as he ruffled her hair. He leaned in to whisper, "If the event is disadvantageous to you, don''t force yourself to participate. I don''t want to see you get hurt by forcing yourself to do things you don''t like. As for how we''ll get by, you don''t need to worry about it. I am here, and I''ll ensure we never run out of contribution points." He winked at her and gave a soft chuckle, "Your lover''s pocket is deep, after all." He looked into her eyes and urged her, "Promise me."

    Butterflies fluttered in her stomach at his kind words

    Eliana''s eyes opened, meeting his sincere gaze. Looking into his eyes that was only filled with love for her, she felt a warmth spread through her chest. She waspletely unaware he was faking it all to lure her deeper into the lust trap as his acting skills were truly unrivaled!

    Nodding, she agreed, "I promise, Val." Her heart felt lighter as her worries were eased by his reassuring words.

    Val and Eliana set out from their house, heading towards the training ground. Soon they arrived there.

    The training ground was a vast open field, enclosed by high wooden fences. It had one entrance, a gate tall enough for a troll to pass through. In the center, a arena could be seen. And on the edges of the field, weapon racks were ced, their metal frames glinting under the rising sun. Each rack held a variety of weaponry, from swords and axes to maces and bows. There were even some exotic weapons like scythes and chakrams.

    Val and Eliana noticed that Alfred was also present in the training ground. Alfred''s gaze met theirs from across the field, and in that very moment, an unspoken agreement passed between them to maintain their distance given Marshall''s presence in the training ground.

    "Everyone, gather around!" Marshall''s booming voice echoed across the field, prompting the scattered participants to converge towards him. "You might be wondering about today''s training event. It''s a mini-tournament. There are a few rules to keep in mind. First, bloodline skills and cursed artifacts are not allowed. This is to ensure a level ying field for everyone."

    He pointed towards the racks of weapons and continue, "Secondly, you can only use the weapons provided on these racks. Feel free to pick any weapon you like. If you feel morefortable with using your fists against an armed opponent, that''s also fine. I''ll be deciding who gets to spar with whom. If you manage to win three matches in a row, you''ll earn yourself 300 contribution points. Now, are there any questions?"

 Chapter 109 109: Val Vs Oliver 1

    ?

    One hand went up in the crowd, "What if someone breaks the rules?"

    "In that case, they will be disqualified and forbidden from participating in the next three events. So, they would miss out on a lot," Marshall answered, his stern tone putting emphasis on the importance of abiding by the rules.

    Hearing his words, the neers realized that there was deep repercussion to breaking the rules. Some were nning to cheat and sneakily use their bloodline skills, but they clearly became more hesitant as breaking the rules was not worth the risk.

    Another participant chimed in, "What if we get injured during the fights?"

    "Don''t worry about injuries. We have priests on standby ready to heal any wounds. However, if you''re too frightened of getting hurt, you don''t have to participate," Marshall answered reassuringly.

    A few more queries were raised, each answered by Marshall with an air of authority and experience.

    After hearing the details of the training event, Eliana decided not to participate. She was a support-type bloodline user and excelled more in aiding others than in directbat. Fighting wasn''t her strong suit.

    Val, on the other hand, decided to participate. Having been trained in the use of various weapons by the League of Shadows in his previous life, he was familiar with all sorts of arms. He had used a sword predominantly because it was the only weapon-type cursed artifact he possessed. However, he was more skilled in the use of guns and daggers than swords.

    "All right, then. Since no one has any more questions, let''s start the tournament. Those who don''t want to participate remain where you are. Those who want to participate step forward," Marshall said.

    Val, Alfred, and several others step forward. Eliana and several others remained where they were.

    "Val and Oliver, choose your weapons and get to the stage!" Marshall announced, prompting the participants into action.

    Oliver went up to the weapon rack and picked up a sword.

    Seeing this, Val also picked up a sword from the rack, wanting to beat his opponent at his own game.

    "Val, let''s do our best," Oliver said with a sincere smile on his face.

    Val gave the teenager a quick nce. Oliver had sky-blue hair and ocean-blue eyes. His facial features were soft, causing him to look like a gentle young man with a calm demeanor, but his ocean-blue eyes held a fire that hinted at his desire to win.

    Val looked at him and cast Detect, his System revealing Oliver''s statistics.

    Name: Oliver

    Strength: 20

    Agility: 23

    Stamina: 40

    Reflexes: 15

    Profession: Wizard (Low-Level)

    Val''s gaze narrowed slightly. Oliver had reached the third stage of bloodline user. He was also a wizard, like Val, but more experienced. Moreover, his stats were impressive. Val had used the stat points that he obtained from the system for leveling up to increase his own, but Oliver didn''t have that.

    Oliver must have used special resources and undergone extensive training to achieve such an impressive physique.

    Val deduced that Oliver was definitely not from an ordinary family.

    Moreover, while Val was lower-leveled, a few of his stats were slightly better and his experience with weapons was significantly greater aspared to Oliver. So, it wasn''t clear who held the advantage in this fight.

    "Okay," Val replied calmly. His gaze locked on Oliver.

    "The spar will start at the count of three," Marshall announced, his voice reaching the ears of everyone in the field.

    The crowd''s murmurings died down. They were all eager to see how this match would unfold.

    The second the countdown ended, Oliver moved. With a burst of speed, he lunged forward, covering the short distance between him and Val in the blink of an eye.

    Whoosh!

    A silver light shed as his sword cut through the air. The strike was swift, precise, and charged towards Val with an undeniable force.

    Val responded by deftly swinging his sword. It was a simple move, but it parried Oliver''s powerful blow, neutralizing the iing attack effectively.

    Then, without missing a beat, Val countered with a horizontal sh, but Oliver was quick to block it with his sword.

    Both Val and Oliver shared a brief moment of surprise. They had underestimated each other. But it was just a split second of hesitation before they continued, both understanding they''d need to get serious.

    ng! ng! ng!

    Their dance continued, and their weapons shed repeatedly, sending sparks flying and creating a rhythm that hummed throughout the field, intensifying the tense atmosphere. The crowd watched in awe, their eyes widening to the size of saucers as the fight was exceeding their expectations.

    Oliver suddenly thrust his sword forward like a spear, aiming for Val''s torso. Using a minimal amount of movement, Val sidestepped the strike, causing Oliver to be left defenseless. Val didn''t hesitate. He brandished his sword, aiming to seize this split-second opportunity to secure his victory. But Oliver seemed to defy gravity,unching himself into the air and avoiding Val''s attack beforending agilely behind him.

    At the same time, Val felt the gravity acting on him increase. It wasn''t an illusion, the ground beneath his feet cracked under the unnatural pressure. He also felt a throbbing sensation in his back. It alerted him of the danger he was in. An attack wasing towards him!

    Sensing the iing danger, Val mustered all his strength. His muscles bulged, veins surfacing on his skin as he pivoted just in time. His sword moved swiftly, meeting the lethal strike aimed at his back head-on.

    ng!

    The sound of metal shing against metal rang out as their weapons met under the gaze of the onlookers. The impact caused Val to be pushed backwards. He skidded back a considerable distance. By the time he came to a stop, several meters-long skid marks were left on the ground.

    The crowd''s reaction was instantaneous. Eyes widened beyond the size of saucers, jaws dropped to the ground, and the field was filled with stunned silence. Even Alfred was speechless as if struck by a bolt out of the blue, his eyes glued to the action happening in the field. Marshall, the host of the event, was equally shocked. He hadn''t expected these young contenders to be so proficient inbat.

    Catching his breath, Val looked at Oliver. "How did you pull that off?" he asked, his tone mixed with curiosity and a hint of admiration. "It shouldn''t be physically possible."

    With a proud smile, Oliver responded, "It''s wizardry."

    Wizardry was an act only wizards could perform. Val didn''t know anything else about it.

    There was no rule that prevented a wizard from using his wizardry in this mini-tournament, so Oliver wasn''t breaking any rules. He was ying the game to his strengths.

    A spark ignited in Val''s eyes as he gripped his spear tighter. His opponent was strong, but that only made the fight more interesting. He was not going to back down.

    "Using wizardry, huh?" Val mused aloud, a small smirk ying on his lips. "Well, that''s just going to make this victory all the more satisfying. Brace yourself, Oliver. This fight is just beginning. I have much to show."

 Chapter 110 110: Val Vs Oliver 2

    ?

    Oliver bent his knees, assuming a stance simr to a beast preparing to pounce on its prey. His eyes were trained on Val, sharp and focused. He looked like a coiled spring, ready to uncoil at any moment.

    Val read Oliver''s intention like an open book. He knew the younger boy would throw himself at him with all his strength. Recognizing his opponent''s intent, he made a n to counter him on the spot.

    "Come, let''s dance," Val taunted, a smirk tugging at his lips.

    "As you wish." Immediately, Oliverunched himself forward. The ground where he stood cracked under the force of his leap, and the entire arena shook with the force of his movement. His movement was so swift and powerful that to the onlookers, his figure was nothing more than a blur, an untrackable sh of movement. Their eyes weren''t able to keep up with him. Val, on the other hand, had to strain his eyes and only then was he able to barely keep up with Oliver''s swift movements, but that what all he needed.

    Oliver was moving so fast that he seemed to have shed up to Val. Oliver''s sword could be seen cutting through the air, leaving a trail of silver light behind it as it inched towards Val''s neck.

    ''It''s too fast, but just slow enough for me to dodge and set my ns into motion.''

    Thinking so, Val deftly maneuvered his body, spinning around the edge of the sword that sought to strike him. Using that same spin, he fluidly repositioned himself behind Oliver. As a result, he reversed their roles in the blink of an eye.

    With his newfound advantage and the momentum of his spin, Val swung his sword at Oliver from behind thetter''s back.

    ''This is definitely gonna work.''

    Val was sure of his victory - after all, how could Oliver see where the attack wasing from when he hadunched it from his blind spot?

    Whoosh!

    Val''s victory seemed certain as his de cut through the air towards Oliver, who shouldn''t have been able to see the attacking from his back. However, Oliver reacted with uncanny speed and precision, moving his sword to his right side, blocking Val''s attack with his back still turned to him.

    ng!

    Their weapons met with a loud sh, sparks flying from the point of contact.

    Val was slightly taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise. He hadn''t expected Oliver to dodge his counterattack as it wasunched from Oliver''s blind spot.

    ''Does he have an extra set of eyes on the back of his head,'' Val was forced to wonder.

    Oliver didn''t give him any time to spectacr as he turned around andunched a relentless assault, but Val dodged most of his attacks and blocked the ones he couldn''t dodge with his sword.

    From the crowd, a murmur of wonder and admiration rippled through. "How did he see that attacking? His back was turned to Val!"

    Another spectator chimed in, her voice carrying a tone of admiration. "Oliver is a Wizard, you know. They can spread their Soul Power out like a to sense their surroundings. It''s like an extrasensory perception, granting them awareness beyond the normal range."

    "So that''s how he did it!" Alfred eximed. "It seems like this fight won''t be easy for Val to win."

    Meanwhile, the two participants continued to be immersed in a fiercely contested battle within the confines of the arena.

    Val''s previous tactics may not have yielded the desired oue, but it was not a total defeat, for he had gained valuable insights into Oliver''s abilities. Through their engagement, Val discovered that Oliver possessed the skill to utilize wizardry, enabling him to evade attacks that would ordinarily be deemed impossible to dodge. Additionally, Val discerned that Oliver had no blind spot in his vision.

    ''I''m more proficient than him when ites to using the sword, but direct confrontation won''t work as he can use wizardry to gain an advantage over me. He also has no blind spots, meaning my usual tricks won''t do much good here. It''s time to change tactics.'' Val thought.

    Having discerned Oliver''s strength, Val adjusted his own ns ordingly. He realized that any attack that depended on Oliver''s blind spots would be futile �C the wizard''s sensory prowess nullified such tactics.

    Therefore, in order to win this battle, Val formted a new strategy in his mind while taking into ount Oliver''s unique sensory abilities.

    This new n held a higher degree of risk but if it worked he would win, so he decided to take the risk.

    ng!

    Val observed Oliver intently as he countered his attack. Sensing an opportunity to put his new strategy into action, Val feigned extreme panic. He spun on his heels and began running, making a show of being overwhelmed by Oliver''s onught. His back was exposed to his opponent, a typically fatal mistake in a battle, but in this case, it was a part of Val''s n.

    Seeing his opponent''s apparent panic and retreat, Oliver, eager to press his advantage, charged forward with increased vigor, intending to take down Val in one final strike.

    What he didn''t know was that it was all part of Val''s n, and that he had fallen for his ruse! like a fool!

    From the corner of his eyes, Val watched as Oliver chased after him.

    Immediately, he smirked.

    ''Perfect, the fish has taken the bait,'' Val thought, a sly grin ying on his lips as he prepared to spring his trap. He was one step closer to turning the tide of the battle in his favor.

    This was the opportunity he had been waiting for - Oliver, driven by his desire to win, had momentarily forgotten his caution.

    Val''s heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins. He knew this was a high-stakes gamble. One mistake, one miscalction, and he could lose the entire match. However, it was this kind of risk that made his blood sing. It was now or never, and he decided on thetter.

    ''Let''s see how you handle this, Oliver.''

    Just as Oliver closed in, Val made his move. With a sudden swift spin, he brought his sword in a wide arc aimed at Oliver. If Oliver overcame even this, Val knew that it would be him who would be at the receiving end of his opponent''s mercy. However, he was worrying too much. It was an unexpected counterattack that Oliver had not seening. He was only able to instinctively respond to it, but wizardry functioned on careful nning.

    Although Oliver managed to raise his sword in time to block the attack, the sheer force of Val''s strike sent him sliding backward, almost making him lose grip of his sword.

    ''This is my chance. Time to put down my prey!''

    Val wasted no time in pressing his advantage.

    He lunged forward, his sword aimed squarely at Oliver.

    This time, Oliver was too slow to respond, and with a swift and precise swing of his sword, Val disarmed his opponent.

    Struck by Val''s weapon, Oliver''s sword flew out of his hand, ttering to the ground several feet away.

    Before Oliver could react, Val''s sword was pointed at his throat, their faces mere inches apart. The proximity of the sword to his skin caused a wave of fear to ripple through Oliver, making him stumble backward and fall onto his butt.

    "Yield!" Val demanded.

    "I yield!" Oliver conceded, gasping for breath and looking up at Val with wide eyes.

 Chapter 111 111: Lucky Man Val

    ?

    "Victory goes to Val!" Marshall boomed, his voice echoing across the training grounds. His face held a smile, clearly impressed by the fight he had just witnessed.

    "Val!"

    "Val!"

    The crowd erupted into cheers, calling Val''s name over and over again as if they were fanatics. This was how the Northerners showed their respect to the strong.

    Eliana, standing among the crowd, felt a sense of joy washing over her. Oliver was just a stranger to her, but Val... Val was her man. To see hime out victorious was a source of happiness for her.

    On the other hand, Alfred was surprised but also quite pleased. The youngest son of the Lord of Thunder, known to be the best swordsman under the age of 20, had been bested by Val.

    ''He is far more skilled than I gave him credit for,'' Alfred thought to himself, appreciation for Val''s talents recing his initial shock.

    His decision to befriend Val was looking more and more like a brilliant move. However, as he evaluated the situation further, he felt a twinge of regret. He had perhaps not shown Val the sincerity andmitment that the young man''s skills warranted. The friendship they had developed needed strengthening, needed more trust and respect from Alfred''s side.

    Alfred knew that survival in this world hinged on one''s strength. However, he believed that to truly flourish, to rise in power and influence in this kingdom, one needed to forge alliances with the strong and the potentially great. And in Val, Alfred saw both - existing strength and the potential for greatness.

    The strength and potential Val had shown today, convinced Alfred that he was worth investing his time and loyalty into.

    Thus, Alfred decided then and there to invest more in their rtionship.

    Val retracted his sword from Oliver''s neck and extended his hand towards him.

    He was in dire need of proper guidance in wizardry. He had be a wizard through unorthodox means and had managed to gain an Arcane Heart, but his understanding of wizardry was still minimal at best. He could sense his soul power but was clueless about how to manipte it or use it in any meaningful way.

    In Oliver, he saw an opportunity. If he could gain Oliver''s respect and friendship, he could potentially learn wizardry, the art of manipting soul power, from him. It was a long shot, but Val was willing to take it.

    His thought process was simple. Show Oliver respect, befriend him, and in doing so, create a foundation where he could ask for his guidance without it seeming too straightforward or demanding.

    So, standing tall in the arena, amidst the cheering crowd and the fallen swords, Val held his hand out to Oliver. It was a gesture of respect, friendship, and a masked plea for help, all rolled into one. And he hoped that Oliver would ept it.

    Surprised but grateful that the victor of their battle was showing his respect instead of looking down on him like what he was used to, Oliver grasped Val''s offered hand. With a firm pull, Val helped him back to his feet.

    "Well fought," Valmended, a small, respectful smile on his face.

    Oliver chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You''re too kind. Here I thought I was some sort of sword prodigy, but you''ve bested me with ease."

    Val seized the opportunity to steer the conversation towards his goal. "Where did you learn to use wizardry?"

    A puzzled look crossed Oliver''s face. "Why do you ask?"

    "I''m a wizard myself, but I''ve never had proper guidance. I can''t even manipte my soul power," Val confessed, hoping this would create the connection he needed.

    Themunity of wizards was quite small and exclusive. The chances of one wizard running into another were rather slim, akin to finding a long-lost lover in a crowd. Val was aware of this. He also knew that it was an unwritten rule amongst wizards to look out for one another. This rule was what Val intended to leverage to his advantage and get Oliver to teach him wizardry.

    Oliver looked at him suspiciously. Wizards were rare, and what were the odds that his opponent was one? He reached out and grabbed Val''s hand, sending a pulse of soul power into his body to explore his internal structure. His suspicion turned into shock when he discovered the unmistakable presence of an Arcane Heart, the undeniable mark of a wizard, in Val''s body.

    "You... You really are a wizard," Oliver gasped as he looked at Val in disbelief.

    "I told you so," Val replied, a trace of triumph in his voice.

    Suddenly, Marshall spoke to them, "Alright, you two. Your match is over. Leave the stage and let the other participants have their turn."

    The two wizards nodded and left the arena.

    "Congrattions on your victory, Val," Eliana approached them and said.

    "Thank you, Eliana," Val replied, a wide grin on his face.

    Suddenly, Oliver poked Val in the ribs and asked in a teasing tone, "Is she your girlfriend?"

    Eliana blushed, her ears turning a deep shade of red. She was shy, yet her eyes betrayed the happiness she felt at being acknowledged as Val''s partner.

    "Yes, she is," Val nodded without any hesitation or shame, his chest swelling with pride.

    In this world, physical intimacy wasmonce. Most individuals would experience it at a young age, it was almost considered a rite of passage. The only exception to this rule were the nuns who worshipped the God of Light. They would abstain from such activities until they were married.

    Furthermore, a nun''s purity couldn''t be faked.

    In this world, there existed certain cursed artifacts that could be used to determine whether an individual had been physically intimate, and every branch of the Holy Church of Light had one. If a woman was detected to have had such an experience, she wouldn''t be allowed to be a nun. As such, the purity of a nun remained unquestioned, and their chastity was regarded with high esteem.

    For this reason, it was considered to be the greatest achievement in the kingdom for a man to win the love of a nun. This achievement was greatly sought after, but very few were fortunate enough to im it.

    That''s why, Oliver felt envious of Val. After all, Val had managed to gain the love of a nun, an aplishment considered the pinnacle of sess in their society!

    It should also be mentioned that since Eliana was a nun who worshipped the God of Light, Val felt fortunate as he wouldn''t have to have sex with a woman he did not love to continue his act. Unless they were married, Eliana wouldn''t demand it, and he decided to make sure that he gets what he wants from her before that happens.

    "You really lucked out, didn''t you? Getting a pious woman like our sister here to be your lover," Oliver let out a low whistle.

    Hearing his words, Eliana''s face turned as red as a steamed crab.

    "Don''t tease her so much," Val said to Oliver.

    "Alright, Alright, I won''t," He then asked Val, "Let''s continue our conversation, shall we?"

    Val nodded, his curiosity piqued. He was eager to learn more about wizardry.

    Oliver turned towards Eliana and politely asked, "We have some important things to discuss. Would you mind excusing us?"

    "Is it really necessary?" Val asked.

    Oliver nodded, "Yes. There are some secrets that should not be shared with non-wizards. It''s for the best."

    "It''s alright. I''ll excuse myself. Have a good time, gentlemen." Eliana gave them an encouraging nod, then walked away to give them privacy.

 Chapter 112 112: Wizardry Academy

    ?

    "There''s an academy in the Upper Haven that specializes in teaching wizardry. To join it, you need to pass an entrance exam that''s held at the end of every year. But if you''re still discovering your innate skill or haven''t learned any specific magic techniques, it''s best if you don''t attempt the entrance exam. You''ll most likely fail," Oliver revealed.

    "But what exactly is wizardry? And what are these innate skills you''re talking about?" Val asked, a frown creasing his brows.

    Since Val had never had a mentor to guide him through theplexities of wizardry, naturally he didn''t know a thing about being a wizard.

    Oliver realized that he was talking to a total amateur.

    However, he decided to be patient, taking it upon himself to exin it as simply as he could as that''s what wizards do when theye across their kind - help them as best as they can. It was a tradition that was passed on to him by his master. His mind raced as he came up with an exnation that could make thisplex topic more understandable for Val.

    "Wizardry," he began, "is the act of using one''s soul power to cast techniques. These techniques require intense concentration and a considerable amount of soul power to activate. The power of one''s wizardry is determined by the degree of their concentration and the amount of soul power one can muster at a given moment. It''s like bodybuilding; the more you train, the stronger your body will get. However, in this case, what needs to be strengthened is not your body but your mental fortitude and your ability to manipte soul power. By improving these aspects about you, you can significantly elevate the purpose and power of your wizardry."

    "As for innate skills," Oliver continued, "Think of them as tools wizards are born with. For example, a carpenter has hammers and chisels, an artist has brushes and paints, and we wizards have our innate skills. They are our primary tools in practicing wizardry. It''s just that these tools are hidden in in sight and we need to discover it ourselves, which is the toughest part about being a wizard. My innate skill, for instance, is gravity control. I can increase or decrease the gravity acting on anyone I desire. You''ve experienced it yourself in our duel.

    "Most importantly, innate skills are like a wizard''s unique fingerprint etched into their Arcane Heart. They are highly individualized and make up the most unique aspect of a wizard''s skillset. These skills are unique to each wizard, and they define our abilities. For instance, a baker wouldn''t try to fix a ship, right? Simrly, a wizard with an innate fire skill wouldn''t try to control water. You could consider them as proprietary as an artist''s unique style or signature. Just as one artist cannot truly replicate another''s style, these innate techniques cannot be mimicked or copied by other wizards.

    "Typically, most wizards are born with one innate skill. But there are exceptions. Some gifted individuals may have two. But wizards with two innate skills are incredibly rare. So rare that I am yet to see one in my life."

    Val''s mind was reeling with this new information. His thoughts immediately went to his Heavenly Eye Trait and the Soul Archive skill. They were definitely his innate skills as there was no other way to define them.

    What did that make him? It made him a wizard who was born with two innate skills!

    ''It seems like I am an exceptionally talented individual with immense potential as a wizard,'' Val thought.

    "I understand," Val stated after processing Oliver''s words.

    Oliver nodded, "Back to what I was saying, joining the academy is the only way to truly learn about wizardry and be part of the wizardingmunity. However, to take the entrance exams of the academy, you first need to earn the privilege to enter the Upper Haven. It''s a lot of work. But I can cut you a deal. I can teach you wizardry, but there''s a price to pay. Alternatively, in the treasure pavilion of the Lower City, where you can exchange contribution points for items and knowledge, there are many books about the basics of wizardry. But even the cheapest one costs a thousand points. So, what''s it going to be?"

    Val was silent for a moment, weighing his options. He didn''t have the points to afford the books and entering the Upper Haven would indeed be a lot of work. But this deal Oliver was proposing was a chance he couldn''t afford to miss.

    "And what do you want in return?" Val finally asked, breaking the silence.

    Oliver let out a smallugh, "You''re a natural with the sword. If it weren''t for my wizardry, you would have defeated me within half a minute of our duel. In exchange for teaching you wizardry, I want you to teach me swordsmanship."

    Val was surprised at the request, but he nodded, "Deal."

    They agreed that for each lesson on wizardry Oliver gave, Val would have to spar with Oliver until thetter was defeated. Oliver firmly believed that the fastest way to grow was through battles. Swinging a sword a thousand times was beneficial, but it could never be as good as an actual duel.

    This agreement was a win-win for both of them.

    "So when should our training start?" Oliver asked.

    Val answered without a moment''s hesitation, "AfterI win the mini tournament."

    Oliver was taken aback by Val''s bold deration, but he couldn''t help but acknowledge the fact that Val did indeed possess the skills to back up his confidence. Looking around, Oliver couldn''t spot anyone who could match Val''s proficiency in swordsmanship.

    Val had defeated him even when he had used his wizardry, and none of the tournament participants had ever bested Oliver in a pure sword fight. It was quite logical to conclude that Val would certainlye out victorious against any one of them in a one-on-one duel.

    It was an amusing and enlightening realization for Oliver. Val would most likely be one of the victors of the mini tournament, earning himself 300 contribution points.

 Chapter 113 113: Winning!

    ?

    It wasn''t long before Val was called back to the arena. His opponent this time was a tall, slim man with porcin white skin and teeth reminiscent of a rabbit. His name was Ashton.

    With nted eyes, Ashton looked at Val and said, "I know you''re strong. But I''m not going to go down without a fight."

    Val chuckled, unfazed by Ashton''s bravado. "Courage without the ability to back it up is futile," he taunted. "Fighting an inevitable battle isn''t smart. If you had a bit of sense, you would''ve given up. That''s what I would''ve done in your shoes."

    At his words, The crowd was in absolute shock, their eyes glued to Val.

    "He''s a menace," someone whispered. Others nodded.

    A system notification rang in Val''s mind.

    +50 Mad Points!

    Val''s lips curled up into a thin smile. He finally had enough mad points to gain 1 stat point!

    Ignoring Val''s mocking words, Ashton growled back, "We''ll see about that!" and charged at Val, his weapon raised high.

    Val moved with extreme speed and easily dodged Ashton''s attack before moving behind him swiftly as Ashton staggered past him. Without giving him any chance to recover, Val struck Ashton in the rear with such force that he was lifted off his feet and sent flying out of the arena.

    Thud!

    With a dull thud, Ashtonnded head-first on the ground outside the designated area, his jaw dislocating and his eyes rolling to the back of his head.

    A few moments passed, but he didn''t even twitch, signifying he was knocked out cold!

    The crowd, made up of spectators and fellow participants alike, was dumbstruck as they watched the scene y out. Their eyes widened to an impossible degree, so much so that it seemed their eyeballs might pop out from their sockets. Jaws of many onlookers dropped, their mouths agape in disbelief and shock and their lower jaws threatening to detach and hit the ground.

    The ease with which Val had dispatched Ashton, who was well-known for his tenacity end endurance, left everyone reeling.

    A hushed silence fell over the onlookers, followed by an eruption of chatter.

    "What just happened? I just looked away for a second and the match has already ended?" a burly man in the crowd asked, rubbing his eyes as if he couldn''t trust what he had just seen.

    "Ashton is the no.98th on the Bronze Ranking Board!" another spectator gasped, disbelief coloring his words. "Yet, he was defeated in one move by Val, a neer to the Northern Frontier! This young man is really something."

    "He made it look so easy... It''s iprehensible," murmured a young woman, her eyes wide with awe.

    "I knew he was an outstanding swordsman since he bested Young Master Oliver. But I didn''t realize he was this good!" an old man chimed in, shaking his head in amazement

    "The gap in their power was too wide. Ashton was already at a disadvantage in the face of Val''s swordsmanship. The oue was inevitable," Alfredmented.

    "What''s the Bronze Ranking Board?" a neer asked.

    Oliver exined, "It represents the most capable low-rankers of the Northern Frontier. For example, level 1 to 3 bloodline users, or beginner-stage bloodline users, fall into the Bronze Ranking Board. One''s rank on the board is determined by their cumtive contribution points since they started living in the Northern Frontier. Only the top 100 people are on the ranking board, and each of them is given extra resources every month."

    Oliver liked helping people so he didn''t hesitate to clear their confusion.

    "Thanks for the exnation. You''ve cleared my confusion," the neer gratefully said to Oliver, his face disying a clearer understanding.

    "No problem," Oliver replied.

    Meanwhile, Val turned to Marshall and asked, "The battle has already ended. When are you going to announce the winner?"

    Marshall snapped out of his trance, hearing Val''s words. He had been so dazzled by Val''s performance that he forgot to perform his duties. After all, seeing someone defeat others as effortlessly as a fully-grown man stealing candy from a child wasn''t an everyday sight.

    Collecting himself, Marshall dered in a loud, clear voice, "The winner of this round is Val!"

    Marshall turned his gaze toward Val, "Val, you''re one victory away from bing the victor of the mini-tournament. If you''re ready to fight, the next match will be arranged instantly. But if you wish to rest before the final fight, we''ll respect your wish."

    "I choose to rest," Val responded promptly, wiping the sweat off his brow.

    Marshall''s eyes swept across the crowd, and a smirk crept onto his face as his gaze fell on Alfred. Alfred, catching the eye of the tournament organizer, felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

    "Alfred, get up here. You''ll be Val''s opponent in the final round," Marshall dered.

    Petty bastard, Alfred cursed Marshall in his mind. Marshall had a grudge against him. As long as he was in the lower city, it seemed he would always be the target of Marshall''s schemes. Alfred knew that Marshall intended to pit him against Val and create a rift in their rtionship. He decided not to y into Marshall''s hands.

    "I forfeit," Alfred dered as he remained standing where he was, his feet firmly nted against the ground.

    Marshall raised an eyebrow, "And why would you do that, Alfred?"

    "Everyone here has seen what Val is capable of," Alfred said, pointing at Val, "I''m no match for him, so I see no reason to fight a losing battle."

    Marshall chuckled, "I didn''t expect you to be so sensible, Alfred."

    Alfred''s anger simmered beneath the surface, but he remainedposed.

    "Lads, we''ve got the first winner of today''s tournament!" Marshall announced to the crowd before he turned to Val and said, "Congrats, boy. You''ve won the mini tournament and earned yourself 300 contribution points. They will be transferred to your card before sunset," as he spoke, Marshall patted Val on the shoulder.

    Val felt slightly excited, his lips curving up. 300 contribution points was a massive sum! Converted into gold coins, it would be 3000, equivalent to three gold Starlight notes. He felt like he had just hit the jackpot, though it was one that came at the cost of his hard work and effort. This had opened up a world of possibilities for him, especially when it came to obtaining resources for his further training.

    "Thank you, Sir Marshall," Val replied humbly as he didn''t want to suffer the same fate as Alfred. "I appreciate your good wishes."

 Chapter 114 114: Wizardry

    ?

    Val turned to Eliana, his face serious, "I have some business with Oliver. I won''t be able to apany you back home today." Saying so, he handed the keys to her.

    Eliana gave him a warm smile, her eyes understanding. "That''s fine, Val. Don''t worry about me, focus on what you need to do."

    Val sighed, relieved at her understanding, "Remember to hang the amulet inside the house when you get home. Although the sun is still up in the sky, it''s always better to be safe than sorry."

    She chuckled lightly at his concern, the warm feeling spreading through her heart. It was nice to see him worry about her. "I will, don''t worry."

    Then, as if remembering something, she added, "Actually, I won''t be going home right away either. I have something else to do."

    "What is it?" Val asked, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.

    Eliana hesitated for a moment, before deciding to tell him. "I... I don''t want to be a burden on you, Val. I know how hard it is to get by in this world, and I don''t want to add to your problems. So... I''ll be roaming around the lower city today, looking for a job."

    Val was silent, looking at Eliana with a thoughtful expression.

    The determination to be of help to him burned brightly in her almond eyes, stirring a sense of respect within him, but that was all it did.

    He could see that Eliana cared for him deeply and wanted to lessen his burdens, wanting to stand on her own two feet. However, despite her sincere affection and the emotional scene unfolding before him, Val''s heart remained as cold as a thousand-year-old iceberg, unmoved.

    Eliana was a graceful and loving woman. If she had chosen anyone else as her lover, they would undoubtedly have put aside their personal affairs to apany her in her search for a job as they would have felt moved by her courage and her determination to do everything she could to lessen their burdens. But Val, he was different. He valued learning wizardry more than the blooming rtionship between them at this moment.

    This was in line with his character.

    After all, Val was someone who prioritized knowledge and power above all else. His personal gains were of greater importance to him than the affections of a naive woman with immense potential.

    In this situation, learning from Oliver held more significance to him than ying the role of a loving partner to Eliana. Hence, he made a decision that would be deemed ethically questionable by most. But Val didn''t care about such ethical considerations. Their entire rtionship was built on a lie, so what did ethics matter to him at this point?

    With a soft sigh, he finally said, "I wish you good luck, Eliana," and turned to walk away, heading in the direction of Oliver.

    Oliver led Val into the Verdant Deepwood Forest, his expression serious as they ventured deeper into the first region.

    A sense of calm pervaded the area, disturbed only by the chirping of the giant birds that inhabited the area and the rustle of leaves underfoot.

    After reaching a clearing surrounded by dense foliage, they stopped.

    Val looked at Oliver curiously, "So how exactly are you going to teach me wizardry?"

    Oliver nced at him, his eyes glinting with certainty. "The same way my master taught me," he began, a note of nostalgia entering his tone. "There are a few concepts you need to understand first."

    The wizard took a deep breath andunched into an exnation. "The first concept is the Extension of One''s Will. Wizardry begins and ends with your willpower. Your Soul Power isn''t just something you possess, it''s an extension of your own will. This means it''s influenced not only by your physical actions but also by your thoughts and intentions."

    He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "You can direct its output through physical action. And If you can firmly believe in your ability tomand it and visualize it doing your bidding, you can control it. But to do so requires intense focus and concentration. Your mind needs to be free of other thoughts."

    Oliver continued, "Once you''ve mastered manipting it, the next step is learning how to concentrate and bnce it to cast wizardry. This is a delicate process, as the amount of Soul Power you use needs to be precisely bnced. Too much or too little could lead to failure or worse, the technique could backfire."

    His gaze turned thoughtful as he added, "For instance, to use the invisible shield wizardry, you would need to concentrate arge amount of Soul Power in a single spot. The concentration and bnce of this power are the keys to sessfully executing a technique. Master these principles, and you''re on your way to bing a proficient wizard."

    "Ah, so that''s how it is."

    Val''s brows furrowed in thought as he mulled over Oliver''s words.

    The concepts were easy enough to understand.

    All that was left to do was apply them in a practical situation and experience for himself how effective wizardry truly was.

    "It''s far simpler than I thought," Val said.

    "Alright then, give it a shot," Oliver said, taking a step back.

    "Sure," Val agreed with a small nod.

    He remembered that Oliver had injected his soul power into his body and found out that he had the Arcane Heart. It meant that Soul Power could be used to determine the internal structure of one''s body. It was like an X-ray machine, a concept that intrigued him. Val decided to try what it feels like.

    Closing his eyes, Val visualized his soul power filling up his body. Immediately, as if in respone, his arcane heart pumped out soul energy to circte throughout his body.

    It was a unique sensation, a mixture between sight and touch. As his soul power spread throughout his body, he was able to get a look at his internal structure. He had two hearts. His hearts, one human and one arcane, pounded rhythmically, each distinct yet harmonious.

    Next, he sought his blood bank. It should be somewhere in his body, right? He couldn''t locate it until he noticed a peculiar red stone forming near his kidney. Ayman might take it for a disease, a learned man might mistake it for a kidney stone, but this stone was a vivid scarlet. Val realized that this must be the blood bank.

    It was awe-inspiring how such a minute object could hold so much blood.

    Shifting his focus, Val channeled his energy into his eye �C the eye that the system had transformed into. To his surprise, there was no visible change. His eye seemed perfectly normal. If he hadn''t experienced it all himself, he wouldn''t have known that it was actually his system. Thus, he need not worry about getting caught with iprehensible technology; it could deceive anyone, even wizards, into believing it was a normal eye.

 Chapter 115 115: Testing

    ?

    Suddenly, Oliver''s pinky twitched, seemingly pulled by some unseen force. He had been extending a thread of soul power that was attached to his pinky finger into their surroundings since they entered the clearing deep in the forest''s first region. The only reason his pinky would be tugged was if something stepped on it, and now he felt something treading on his soul power thread. His gaze sharpened, scanning the environment around them.

    "Something''s moving toward us," he warned Val, who was engrossed in his experimentation with wizardry.

    Hearing his words, Val stopped looking at his internal structure using wizardry and scrutinized his surroundings. He didn''t use the Heavenly Eye as he was low on soul power. He only relied on his normal vision to look for any sign of danger in his surroundings. However, he saw nothing unusual.

    He turned to Oliver. "I don''t see anyone. Why are you so certain?" he asked, curiosity apparent in his voice.

    Oliver looked back at him, a smirk ying at the corners of his lips. "There are different types of wizardry, Val," he said. "While most are used for offense or defense, there are some that are used for auxiliary purposes such as detection."

    "How does that work?" Val asked him.

    "By spreading a thin thread of my soul power around us, I can sense if anything or anyone steps on it, just like how a spider can feel its web vibrating. When they do, it alerts me to their presence. That''s how I know something has targeted us," Oliver answered him.

    Soon after, a green-skinned monster emerged from the dense undergrowth. It had slimy skin that glistened in the end, and sharp teeth that were bared in a hostile grin, and it was clutching a crudely made sword in its tiny green hands. Val recognized it as a goblin, a creature often found in forests, though the people of this world had a unique name for them - ''Tiny Bastards.''

    Guhak!

    It seemed the goblin saw an opportunity in the two unarmed humans before it. Hungry and desperate, it charged towards them with a goblin-like roar, malice shimmering in its beady eyes.

    Seeing this, Val squared his shoulders and met the goblin''s eyes with his own. "This is a good opportunity to put the lesson I''ve just learned to the test."

    Hearing his words, Oliver shook his head, concern knitting his brows together. "Wait, it''s still too early," he protested, "In a battle, it''s much harder to maintain concentration. The sight of a swording towards you could easily shake your focus, making it impossible for you to visualize a clear picture in your mind. Without months of meditation and training, it''s incredibly hard to use wizardry in battle."

    His warning, however, fell on deaf ears as Val had already charged towards the goblin.

    Both Val and the goblin were swift, covering the distance between them in mere moments, leaving Oliver no time to intervene. As the goblin lunged, it swung its rough-hewn sword with a gleeful cackle.

    Undeterred, Val followed Oliver''s instruction to the letter. He visualized his soul power as an extension of his will and focused his intention on defense. With a thought, he formed a solid wall of soul power in front of him, invisible but robust.

    Thud!

    The goblin''s sword struck this barrier and was deflected, leaving the creature momentarily disoriented. It was he confused as it wondered how thin air deflected its attack. Because of not having a meal for days, had it grown so weak that not even thin air could block its attack? Was that truly the case?!!!

    Val seized this moment, stepping forward and kicking the goblin square in its protruding belly. The blow sent it skidding backward, gasping in shock and pain. Despite the surprise and pain, the goblin quickly scrambled back to its feet, eyes zing with determination and hatred.

    Not giving it a chance to retaliate, Val thrust his hand forward,manding his soul power to extend outwards like a great wave. The raw energy was invisible to the naked eye, yet its impact was beyond doubt. The goblin, unaware of the iing attack, was caught off guard. It only saw Val''s outstretched hand before an immense force struck it square in the chest.

    The st was so strong that it flung the goblin backwards, smashing it against a thick tree. The impact was so immense that the tree trunk snapped, toppling over onto the goblin. The massive weight crashed down on the hapless creature, ttening it like a squashed bug. Blood spurted out of the crushed goblin from under the tree, staining the ground in a grotesque pool of crimson as the goblin''s life was extinguished in an instant.

    A digital alert sounded in Val''s mind, "Ding! Congrattions, Host! You''ve killed a level 8 Goblin. As this monster is one stage lower than you, the EXP you have obtained is lowered to 1/3rd. You get +2 Experience points."

    As the alert faded away, Val gained a better understanding of his system. His current level seemed to dictate the EXP he earned from beasts of different stages. He would only gain a third of what he''d ordinarily receive from beasts of the first stage (level 1-10) when he was a level 1 bloodline user. At his current level, Beasts of the second stage (level 11-20) yielded double their level in EXP. For beasts of the third stage and above (level 20+), he would receive an even greater bounty of EXP due to the risk and challenge of these encounters. The amount was undetermined, changing with how high their level was, and there was also a 100% chance of bonus EXP because of the level difference!

    "W-W-What the fuck? He is already using wizardry in battle?!"

    On the sidelines, Oliver stared, his eyes widening to the size of saucers. He was in disbelief that Val, a novice, was applying the concepts of wizardry practically. To maintain such calm and concentration during battle suggested that Val had a wealth of battle experience, but he looked not a day older than 17!

 Chapter 116 116: Adverse Effect! [Bonus For 100 Power Stones]

    ?

    For Val, wizardry came naturally. His Emotional Impairment and Unfeeling Traits shielded his mind from the usual cacophony of fear and other overwhelming emotions that a typical novice would experience in the heat of a battle. His mind was like a tranquilke, undisturbed and clear, providing him an advantageous mental state in utilizing wizardry.

    Oliver took a deep breath to calm himself, marveling at the spectacle he had witnessed. His eyes studied Val with a newfound respect. "Normally, it takes months of fighting for a novice to get used to using wizardry in battles, but you did it in your first fight," he observed. His voice wasden with astonishment and a hint of awe as he continued, "I have never seen someone like you. You''re a wizardry prodigy."

    Val shrugged, meeting Oliver''s gaze with an air of nonchnce. "I think so too," he agreed casually, unfazed by the high praise. His demeanor was not one of arrogance but rather a simple acknowledgment of facts as they were.

    Suddenly, Val felt a throbbing sensation in his shoulder. Immediately, a hint of grimness shadowed his normally tranquil expression, painting a somber look on his face. It was a subtle change, but in the silent tension of the forest, it seemed to echo loudly, making the gravity of their situation even more apparent.

    Oliver, who had been observing Val, noticed the change in his demeanor. His eyes widened slightly, sensing something was wrong from Val''s serious expression. "What''s wrong?" he asked Val in a concerned voice.

    "I am being targeted," Val replied to him, his voice void of fear and dread, matching his unflinching gaze. It was as if he wasn''t the one under threat of losing his life.

    Upon hearing this, Oliver''s brow furrowed, a hint of concern shing in his eyes. Since something had managed to escape his detection-type wizardry, it must be one hell of a crafty bastard on top of being well-versed in eluding detection.

    Not to mention, he couldn''t pinpoint the source of the danger, which only heightened his anxiety. The only one he could depend on in this situation was Val, his pupil.

    "By what?" Oliver asked, already mentally preparing for a possiblebat situation.

    Val was silent for a moment. He also couldn''t figure out what was targeting him and where he was being targeted from. However, the throbbing sensation was intensifying, signifying that the Grim Reaper''s scythe was about to drop on him any second now.

    "That is what I intend to find out."

    As he spoke, his eyes keenly scrutinized their surroundings as he stood in the clearing with Oliver. The peace of the forest seemed to shroud a subtle danger that had triggered his sixth sense. However, he wasn''t able to find its source.

    Unable to detect the threat, he had no choice but to tap into the Heavenly Eye Trait. He willed, and his arcane heart pumped out soul power that rushed into his eyes.

    [The Heavenly Eye trait is in effect!]

    His perception shifted in the blink of an eye.

    The world as he saw it changed.

    The trees and other obstacles surrounding the clearing became semi-transparent, like ethereal ghosts in a living world.

    He was now able to see through them!

    Then, among the dense foliage created by the trees of the forest, he spotted the culprit that had triggered his sixth sense. It was a goblin as tall as a teenager.

    The green-skinned creature was hugging the trunk of a nearby tree tightly with one hand, the muscles of its lean arm straining with exertion. It was well-hidden, blending seamlessly with the shadows of the forest. If not for his Heavenly Eye, he wouldn''t have noticed it.

    Sweat glistened on its green skin, showcasing that it had exerted a lot of strength to get there.

    Val swiftly deduced how it had managed to bypass Oliver''s detection-type wizardry; by leaping from tree to tree, the goblin had avoided setting off the thread-like Soul Power Oliver had spread across the forest floor. It was a cunning approach, and Val mentally gave the creature points for its craftiness. However,that wasn''t going to save him from death. Val had no mercy for those who aimed for his life!

    The goblin''s other hand was busy as well. It was holding a blow dart, its mouth pressed tightly against one end. The sharp, deadly projectile was aimed straight at him.

    In the next instant, the goblin exhaled forcefully. The dart, having been powered by the goblin''s breath, shot through the air.

    Whoosh!

    The dart sliced through the air and charged towards Val with a speed that seemed impossible for such a tiny, lightweight projectile.

    Reacting instinctively to the iing threat, Val instantly visualised a shield in his mind. His arcane heart began pumping soul power that rose from his body like tendrils, each stream of energy rushing towards a specific point in front of him. They swirled and twirled, condensing into an invisible but solid, palm-sized circr shield.

    The dart came crashing against this barrier.

    Bam!

    Val saw that the barrier stopped the dart''s deadly flight mid-air. However, the dart was able to leave hairline fractures across the shield. The dart fell to the ground as the cracks spread across the shield, causing it to shatter into pieces.

    Just as the shield dissipated, a notification popped up in front of Val.

    [Alert! You''ve depleted your Soul power excessively in a short span. A debuff is now active.]

    Without the sensation of pain to alert him, the sudden onset of extreme dizziness was a shock to Val. His world swirled and twisted, his vision whiting out, and his body betraying him as it slumped to the ground. He was unconscious, without a clear understanding of how he ended up in this state!

    This was one of those rare times when his Unfeeling Trait ended up being more of a liability, a disadvantage than an advantage. Although it was a really good trait, there were times when it bes the only reason to his downfall!

 Chapter 117 117: Olivers Vow! [Bonus For 50 Golden Tickets]

    ?

    Oliver''s eyes widened in shock as Val copsed to the forest floor. A flicker of realization crossed his face as he observed Val''s copsed figureying motionless on the ground. He knew from experience that recklessly harnessing soul power could lead to dire consequences, and now Val had sumbed to those repercussions.

    But then, his brow furrowed in puzzlement.

    Typically, an individual would feel unwell beforepletely exhausting their soul power. As a result, they would cease their casting of wizardry, yet Val had kept pushing until he copsed. Why hadn''t he stopped?

    Several possibilities flitted through Oliver''s mind.

    Could it be that Val had failed to recognize the severity of the oing bacsh and hadn''t wanted to appear weak in front of him, so he had pushed through the difort, the pain, and the dizziness until he waspletely spent? It made sense because Val didn''t have a mentor to teach him wizardry before him.

    Then, a more troubling thought arose.

    Was it possible that Val was incapable of sensing these warning signals? Perhaps a physical or mental condition rendered him unable to perceive pain or difort. Could that be why he had so effortlessly, so recklessly, plunged headfirst into the reckless use of wizardry during a battle?

    However, the urgency of this situation where they were being hunted by a semi-evolved goblin allowed Oliver no luxury of time to ruminate on such concerns.

    He had to end the fight quickly and bring Val to safety.

    Oliver had pinpointed the goblin when itunched its dart that Val blocked using Wizardry.

    "You''re dead."

    Oliver red at the goblin that was perched on a tree.

    With a quick flick of his wrist, he manipted his own Soul power, lifting a human-sized boulder effortlessly. With another swift motion, he flung it towards the goblin perched on the tree.

    The goblin''s eyes grew wide with terror as it saw the impending doom rushing towards it.

    The next moment, the boulder crashed into the tree, missing it by a hair''s breadth as it let go of the tree in panic.

    This was one of those rare times when panicking saved a life.

    However, its decision crippled it for life.

    It fell to the ground feet first, its legs crumpling under the impact.

    However, despite its broken legs, the goblin rolled to the side as the boulder slid down the tree and smashed onto the spot right behind it.

    Escaping death yet again, the goblin breathed a sigh of relief. Once again its life was saved.

    However, Oliver watched as the goblin struggled to escape. With a cold smile, he extended his hand towards the fleeing creature, his soul power leaking out of his palm like a small stream and wrapping itself around the goblin''s head. The goblin only felt something cold grabbing its head in a vicious grip that it failed to free itself from no matter how hard it resisted.

    "It is futile to struggle. You are destined to die at this moment. But I don''t expect a lowly creature like you to understand the grand scheme of destiny. Even so, let me enlighten you. Every choice, every step led you here, to this moment. This is your fate. And everything shall happen as it''s destined, Oliver said.

    As he spoke, Oliver made a fist, his Soul power acting in synchrony with his physical action. The invisible threads of energy wound tightly around the goblin''s head, tightening with the motion of his hand. Thest thing the goblin felt was a bone-chilling grip around its skull, a relentless force that no amount of resistance could break.

    And then, in a burst of violence, the goblin''s head exploded, showering the nearby underbrush with a grim mixture of blood and brains. Oliver watched the scene, unfazed. His actions weren''t out of cruelty but necessity. In this world, it was kill or be killed.

    Wizardry was a vast discipline, divided into several categories.

    Some forms of wizardry, with their minor illusions and distractions, might seem like cheap parlor tricks to the uninitiated.

    But that was just the surface.

    Deeper, at the heart of wizardry, there existed techniques so potent, so devastating, they could instantly kill an opponent.

    The technique Oliver had just used against the goblin to kill was a prime example.

    His master had cautioned him against the casual use of these deadly techniques.

    "They are not for disy or intimidation, but for the fight where life and death hang in the bnce. Promise me that you''ll not use it unless you''re facing an enemy that you must defeat at all cost," he had said to Oliver.

    "I promise," Oliver had promised him.

    Thus, during his duel against Val, Oliver had restrained himself from employing any lethal wizardry, despite the fact that it led to his defeat.

    Such was his respect and admiration for his master that Oliver chose to taste defeat rather than break the promise he had made.

    He would let his pride be trampled upon, his name dragged through the mud, rather than let his master down!

    It seemed like his master really had a special ce in his heart.

    But who was his master?

    Harnessing the power of wizardry, Oliver carefully lifted the unconscious Val off the ground. The verdant Deepwood Forest faded into the distance as Oliver headed towards his house in the Lower City, which was located in the city''s central district, Val floating gently beside him.

    Arriving at his modest home, Oliver utilized his Soul power to gently ce Val on the bed. His eyes studied the unconscious youth before him, a flicker of worry dancing within them. "Maybe it''s destiny that brought a young and ignorant wizard like you to me," he whispered softly, his voice barely above a murmur. "As the second of my house, the Destiny Walker, I will fulfill my duty and look after you until you''re ready to walk the path yourself."

    Oliver found himself in a strange, nostalgic moment.

    He could see a reflection of his past self in Val''s current state.

    He, too, had been where Val was now - alone in a world that didn''t understand nor ept him.

    He had been a lone wolf struggling to master the art of wizardry. That was the only thing he could do as he was a certified normie.

    It was a challenging and at times excruciating journey.

    On more than one asion, he had contemted giving up, surrendering to the inevitable.

    His family''s disdain and constant mockery didn''t help. Theybeled him a failure, a useless piece of trash who would amount to nothing simply because he didn''t possess a bloodline and had only lowly talents as a wizard.

    The echoingughter, the sneering faces, the cruel words �C they all stung worse than any physical blow.

    But then came his master. He was like a beacon of hope in Oliver''s bleak world.

    He held Oliver up when he was ready to fall and submit to his fate, guided him along the treacherous path, and taught him the way of the Destiny Walker.

    It was their family motto to carve out their own destiny with their own hands. When they say it''s destined, it means that everything will go as they''ve willed, and they will give up their life for this purpose!

    The kindness his master showed him, the faith he put in him, and the wisdom he imparted all changed Oliver''s life forever.

    In return, he had only asked him to extend this kindness to someone else.

    And now, the opportunity has arrived.

    Oliver was ready to extend the same kindness that was once shown to him to this young wizard.

    As the second of his house, the Destiny Walker, Oliver pledged to support and guide him until he came a full fledged wizard. He wouldn''t let Val face the trials and harships that came with mastering wizardry without proper guidance.

 Chapter 118 118: Training Oliver!

    ?

    Overusing Soul power could lead to physical and mental exhaustion, and in severe cases, unconsciousness for several days.

    However, there was a method to aid in recovery from such fatigue: providing the victim with an infusion of Soul power.

    Oliver knew how challenging it was to naturally recover from the exhaustion caused by overusing Soul power as he have been in a simr situation himself in the past.

    Since he has resolved to treat Val like a member of his own famiglia, Oliver decided to provide Val with an infusion of Soul power, which would not only alleviate his fatigue but also speed up his recovery process.

    "Let''s get you patched up."

    Oliver ced his hand above Val''s chest, his eyes closed in concentration as he visualized a picture of him healing Val using wizardry in his mind.

    As a result, his own Soul power flowed from him into Val, like a stream of invisible energy.

    Gulu! Gulu!

    Val, although unconscious, readily absorbed this energy. It was akin to a drought-strickennd greedily soaking up the long-awaited rainfall.

    As Oliver infused Soul power into Val, the pale expression that Val had exhibited due to the side effect of wizardry gradually receded, and was reced with a healthy ruddiness.

    [System Notification: Host''s condition is stabilizing due to external infusion of Soul power. The physical and mental fatigue is being addressed. Estimated recovery time: 8 hours.]

    The system notification popped up in front of Val, but as he was unconscious, he didn''t see it.

    "This should be enough."

    Satisfied with the improvement in Val''splexion, Oliver ceased the flow of his Soul power.

    Now, all that was left was to wait for Val to regain consciousness.

    However, the exertion of healing Val using wizardry had taken its toll on Oliver, causing him to feel so drained that his surroundings began to spin as if he was on a roller coaster, the feeling of fatigue overpowering him.

    With such a strong feeling assaulting him, he was unable to hold himself upright any longer.

    He copsed onto a chair next to the bed Val wasying on.

    The second he settled into it, his eyes closed shut, the overwhelming exhaustion pulling him into a deep sleep almost immediately.

    Hourster, Val regained consciousness. He opened his eyes and was met with two notifications from his system. After going through them, he looked around, taking in his surroundings.

    He found himself lying on arge,fortable bed inside a king-sized bedroom,

    Seeing him awake, Oliver, who had woken up some time ago, yawned sozily that he didn''t bother covering up his wide-opened mouth before greeting Val, "Wee back to the world of the living."

    "What happened? Why did I lose consciousness?" Val already knew the answer, thanks to the system notifications he had read upon waking, but yed ignorant to avoid raising any suspicions.

    Oliver sighed, leaning back in his chair. "You experienced the bacsh of overusing your Soul power. Wizardry is not to be abused, Val. Otherwise, there will be consequences."

    "I will be more cautious when exercising wizardry in the future," Val nodded, understanding the severity of his mistake.

    Actually, it wasn''t entirely his fault. It was his first time using wizardry and, being unaware of the side effects, he had been so engrossed that he forgot to be cautious. If Oliver had told him that there were side effects of overusing wizardry, he wouldn''t have done it.

    Oliver felt pleased upon hearing his words. He stood up from his chair and said, "Good. Now, if you''re feeling up to it, follow me. It''s time to pay up what you owe me."

    Without another word, Oliver strode out of the room.

    Val sat up slowly, his muscles protesting at the sudden movement. Pushing the difort aside, he got out of bed and followed Oliver.

    Soon, the two of them found themselves in the fenced backyard of Oliver''s house.

    This area was simple, with a single tree and a rack filled with both wooden and steel swords.

    Oliver plucked two wooden swords from the rack, holding onto one while casually throwing the other towards Val, who deftly caught it in his hand.

    The quiet area, overshadowed by the towering house, soon became a bustling training ground as the two engaged in a mock battle.

    Their roles had switched: Val was now the teacher and Oliver the student.

    While Oliver had a solid grasp of the fundamental of wizardry, his swordsmanship skills were noticeablyckingpared to Val''s. He could learn a lot from him. Thus, he didn''t find it shameful to learn swordsmanship from him.

    Oliverunched an attack, his sword arcing towards Val with great speed.

    "Your strike is too wide and readable. It is easily dodgeable and leaves your sides exposed," After sidestepping his attack by taking only one step to get out of the trajectory of his sword, Val pointed out, demonstrating with a swift counterattack that Oliver failed to dodge. "Try to keep your strikes tighter," he advised Oliver.

    Oliver nodded, adjusting his stance as Val instructed.

    ng!

    They resumed sparring, their swords shing and sparking.

    This time, Val noticed a w in Oliver''s footwork.

    "Your steps are too heavy, and your pace too slow," hemented, lightly tapping Oliver''s ankle with his sword after ducking the sword Oliver had swung. "It''s important to stay light on your feet."

    Having his mistake pointed out once again in such an embarrassing manner, Oliver felt a bit flustered, but he followed Val''s advice nheless and adjusted his footwork just as he had instructed.

    As a result, he moved with more fluidity, mimicking Val''s agile steps.

    ng!

    Their swords met again, the sh ringing out in the quiet yard.

    This time, Val took a moment to watch Oliver''s sword handling.

    "Your grip is too tight," he advised Oliver while demonstrating the optimal grip, which was tight but not to the point of over exertion. "A tighter grip doesn''t equate to better control. It''ll just tire you out faster."

    "I understand," Oliver said as he slightly loosened his grip on the sword.

    The training session continued, with Val pointing out various shorings in Oliver''s swordmanship and correcting them.

    Oliver took each of Val''s advice to heart.

    With Val''s guidance, he improved his sword technique with each passing moment.

    Thanks to Val, Oliver found himself improving more in this single session than he had over months of self-practice. The corrections Val suggested, while minor individually, together made a significant difference in Oliver''s swordmanship.

    "Alright, that''s enough for today," Val finally said, tossing the sword away with such precision that it flew directly into the weapon rack.

    Oliver dropped the sword, panting lightly as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

    Val studied him with a pleased expression. "You''re making progress faster than I anticipated."

    Despite his exhaustion, a sense of aplishment lit up Oliver''s face. "Thank you. Your pointers are truly insightful. I''ve been practicing for years, but I''ve never been able to analyze my own technique as clearly as you do."

    Val just gave a nomittal shrug. "Perhaps it''s just a different perspective. Anyway, you should understand that the key to improvement is consistency. So make sure to practice these corrected movements until they be second nature."

    "I will," Oliver assured him earnestly. "Thank you, Val. I''ve learned more than I thought I could today."

    "Well then, I will get going," Val said as it was turning dark.

    "Goodbye," Oliver bid him farewell as they parted ways.

    As Val left Oliver''s house, he realized that it was located in the central district.

    This revtion came to him because he had passed by this very house earlier in the morning while making his way to the training ground, which was situated in the center of the central district, to attent the training event that he won.

    Val noted the size and grandeur of the house, recognizing that only wealthy individuals could afford such a spacious residence in such a prominent location, but Oliver was too young to have this type of wealth. This realization led him to infer that Oliver hailed from a powerful and influential family, which might be simr to his own background or even more impressive!

    ''I wonder what his surname is,'' Val wondered. ''Should I ask him the next time I meet him?''

    Surnames held great significance as it revealed one''s family and heritage. Knowing one''s surname was enough to know which family they belonged to!

 Chapter 119 119: Gods Hand Clinic!

    ?

    Alfred caught sight of Eliana looking a bit lost as she wandered about the streets of the lower city. "Miss Eliana, it looks like you are in search of something. Maybe I''ll be able to help you." Stepping up to her, he offered her a helpful hand with a smile on hia face.

    Alfred was aware of Val''s rtionship with Eliana. He understood that assisting her would inadvertently aid Val.

    His aim was to get on Val''s good side, and this seemed like a suitable opportunity.

    Furthermore, by helping Eliana find a suitable job, Alfred also ensured she would have a stable position in society. This would benefit Val indirectly, as Val wouldn''t have to worry about Eliana''s welfare and could focus more on developing his wizardry skills. It was a strategic move aimed at establishing a beneficial alliance with Val through kindness towards Eliana.

    "I''m searching for a job. I''m a priestess by profession and I need to find a job that suits my expertise," Eliana confessed, her voice holding a note of desperation.

    Alfred pondered for a moment before a bright idea struck him. "I know just the ce that is in need of priestess and is willing to pay a good amount. Would you like me to take you there?"

    Eliana''s eyes brightened as she said, "Yes, please."

    With a nod, Alfred gestured, "Follow me."

    Alfred led her down the streets, taking several turns until they arrived at a standalone building.

    It was a rustic clinic, neither toorge nor too small.

    The clinic was made out of top-quality wood and thus had aforting charm to it. Vines climbed its outer walls, their leaves dancing in the twilight breeze. The tiles of its roof were of a crimson color and shone dazzlingly under the setting sun.

    The clinic bore the name "God''s Hands Clinic" etched in elegant calligraphy on a wooden board hanging over the entrance.

    "Young Master Alfred, what brings you here?" The guards at the clinic''s gate saluted Alfred as they approached.

    The clinic was financially backed by the Montomorency, Alfred''s family. Therefore, the clinic''s staff were well aware of Alfred''s identity and treated him with the respect he deserved. No one in their right mind would risk offending the son of their patron.

    "I have a friend interested in working here as a healer. Please inform Master Healer Valentine," Alfred requested.

    Before their message could be ryed, a melodious voice came from within the clinic, "I have heard what you said, Alfred. Come inside and bring your friend with you."

    Alfred led Eliana inside the clinic, and they were greeted by a young woman who looked no older than twenty.

    She was a sight to behold as beautiful as a blooming flower.

    She was a mesmerizing beauty, with one eye as bright and purple as a bloomingvender field under the starlit sky, and the other eye, althoughcking the same vibrancy, was equally enchanting.

    She had long, ck hair - smooth as silk and as lustrous as the starlit night sky - that cascaded down her back to her waist, shimmering like a river under the moonlight, adding ten thousand points of charm to her beauty.

    Eliana couldn''t help but stare, utterly awestruck by the woman''s beauty, despite both of them being of the same gender. Her eyes sparkled with admiration as she took in Valentine''s stunning features.

    Alfred, too, was momentarily captivated by her beauty. Although this wasn''t his first time seeing her, her charm never failed to bewitch him. In his heart, he knew if she hadn''t been his great aunt, he would have stubbornly pursued her, stopping at nothing until he either won her heart or met his demise.

    "Beautiful, isn''t she? But don''t let her looks fool you. She''s old enough to be a grandma," Alfred whispered to Eliana, a grin teasing his lips.

    Eliana looked at Alfred, her eyes wide with shock. However, before she couldment, a light yelp echoed in the room. Valentine had overheard Alfred''sment and wasn''t too pleased. She had a firm grip on Alfred''s ear, pulling it as she scolded him, "Alfred, such disrespectfulments are not bing of you. Show some decency."

    "Alright, alright, Great Aunt Valentine, I was wrong! Please forgive me," Alfred begged, grimacing from the pain.

    Satisfied with his plea for mercy, Valentine let go of his ear and turned her attention to Eliana. "Is this the priestess you mentioned?" she asked Alfred, who nodded in response.

    Looking back at Eliana, Valentine asked, "Why are you interested in working in this clinic as a healer?"

    Eliana took a moment to gather her thoughts before answering, "When I came here, all I had was my faith. Thankfully, I found apanion who has been helping me. But in any rtionship, it''s important to contribute. I don''t want to be a burden, but an equal, someone reliable. That''s why I''m here, to earn my keep and stand on my own."

    Valentine nodded, appreciating her candidness. "I like your answer. But not anyone can work here. You''ll need to prove your worth first. I have a patient who hurt his legs while hunting in the forest. If you can heal him, consider yourself hired."

    "Take me to the patient," Eliana requested, determination shining in her eyes.

    Master Healer Valentine obliged and led her to the wounded man. He was lying on a bed, bleeding profusely from his legs. Sweat trickled down his face, a clear indication of the pain he was experiencing.

    Without hesitation, Eliana ced her hands over his wounded legs, whispering an incantation under her breath. A soft glow surrounded her hands and holy magic began to flow from her palms into the patient''s wounds.

    As the magic seeped into his flesh, the broken bones mended, and the gaping wounds closed right before their eyes.

    The patient looked on in awe, his eyes wide with disbelief. "It''s... it''s a miracle," he gasped, the pain that was once etched on his face reced by relief.

    "Well, that''s what we healers are capable of performing," Valentines said before continuing, "Now show her your gratitude, Alberto."

    "Thank you, young missy," Alberto looked at Eliana and said as he pulled out ten ck coins from his pocket. Each coin bore the inscription ''10 CP'' on the front and an image of a castle on the back. He offered them to Eliana.

    "You''re wee," Eliana replied with a warm smile, epting his gratitude and the coins.

    The patient nodded appreciatively before he was helped away.

    Valentine turned to Eliana. "You''re hired," she said. "And I''ll be taking a 20%mission from your earnings. It may seem steep, but remember, the customers and the premises are provided by me."

    Saying so, she took two coins out of her hand.

    Eliana nced at Alfred for confirmation. He nodded, saying, "She''s offering the best deal of all the clinics in the lower city."

    With a deep breath, Eliana said, "I''m willing to work."

    Master Healer Valentine nodded in approval, "You can start working today if you like. We close two hours after dark, at around 8 p.m."

    Eliana agreed, "I will work."

    Her mind started to n ahead, she wanted to earn a good amount of money today by healing patients in order to earn enough to take Val out for a lovely dinner.

 Chapter 120 120: Paranormal Activities (1) [ Bonus ]

    ?

    Later that day, Val found himself standing in front of the haunted house. The two moons of this world had appeared overhead, casting their light upon the world below. One was a deep crimson, the other a shimmering silver. Theirbined luminescence transformed the sky into a mesmerizing spectacle, painting the night with hues of blood and moonlight.

    Val had given the house key to Eliana earlier, but that certainly didn''t mean he would wait for her toe home to enter the haunted house. He nced around, making sure no one was in sight, then brought his finger close to the keyhole.

    From the tip of his finger, tendrils of blood began to seep out, moving with an uncanny fluidity. They went into the keyhole, filling it before solidifying, taking the shape of a key that fit perfectly.

    With a twist of his makeshift key, the satisfying click of the door unlocking echoed in the silent night. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to find Eliana''s shoes at the entrance and her talisman hanging on the door.

    It took him a moment to register the implications. Eliana was home.

    A wave of realization washed over him; all the effort he had put into unlocking the door wouldn''t have been necessary if he had simply knocked and asked if anyone was at home.

    A chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head, thinking to himself, "Silly me."

    Upon stepping into the house, Val called out, "Eliana, I''m back."

    Out of the kitchen, Eliana emerged, greeting him with a sweet, "Wee home, dear."

    Val froze for a moment, caught off guard by her term of endearment. They''d been friends once, and she used to call him Brother Val. As they became lovers, she shifted to his given name. But now, being referred to as ''dear'' was new, and it felt somewhat peculiar.

    Before he could dwell on it, however, a metallic, sulfuric smell hit his nostrils. The odor was unpleasant and oddly pungent, permeating the air around him. The god-awful smell seemed to originate from the kitchen, where Eliana had emerged from, humming a strange melody.

    "What are you cooking?" Val asked, eyeing the kitchen warily.

    "I''ve made dinner for us," Eliana responded cheerfully, inviting him in with a broad grin.

    With a nod of eptance, Val walked towards the kitchen, curiosity piqued. A pot sat on the stove, simmering and releasing an off-putting odor. What could possibly be inside it that smelled so horrendous? As he moved to check, Eliana wrapped her arms around his, leading him towards the dining table instead.

    "Rx, I will serve you," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

    Val felt his eyebrows rising. "Why the sudden change?"

    "I''m just in the mood to pamper you," she replied lightly, her eyes twinkling.

    Val wasn''t sure what to think. Pamper him or poison him? The smell of the food still lingered in the air, making him question whether it could even be ssified as food. Was she trying to kill him with her bizarre cooking experiment? What was she up to?

    Eliana scooped adle full from the pot, filling a te and cing it before Val. Then she took a seat at the table herself, sitting opposite him.

    The fuck?!!!

    As Val looked down, his eyes were met with the sight of a te filled with red soup containing half a decaying head that seemed to belong to a human. Its eye sockets were empty, but he could see where the eyes were at. The eyeballs floated around in the red soap that smelled like blood, and a tongue grotesquely stuck out from the partially dposed head.

    ''What a yummy meal. That''s what a fucking devil would have said if it was served such a meal.''

    Given his Emotional Impairment and Unfeeling traits, Val didn''t feel any fear or disgust as an ordinary person would.

    However, he found the situation rather puzzling and absurd.

    He nced over his shoulder. The talisman still hung by the door. It was meant to stop evil entities from entering the house and weaken those who were already inside of it, but what he was experiencing suggested otherwise.

    Was the talisman not working?

    Or was it not a real one?

    His instincts told him to inspect what it really was, and so while looking at it he cast Detect.

    [System Notification: Low-level illusion detected.]

    Val''s eyes narrowed. He had been tricked by the ghost haunting this ce!

    Now the question was - was this creature posing as Eliana to moxk him, or was Eliana possessed by it?

    If it was the former, he could deal with it without any hesitation, butcher it like he would a pig, but if it was thetter, it might be a bit moreplicated.

    After all, he didn''t want to harm Eliana in the process of eliminating the devil.

    The time hade to confirm his doubts.

    He cast Detect on the figure seated across him.

    [System Screen:

    Species: Low-Level Malvolent Devil

    Name: Shaxil

    Skills: Illusion, Vanishing]

    The system also informed Val that the devil, Shaxil, fed on a person''s fear. The more frightened one was, the stronger it would get. It had fed on the fears of many people, growing stronger over time, and now it was even capable of killing a person!

    Despite knowing its true nature, Val decided to act oblivious.

    "What is this?" he asked Shaxil, pointing to the abhorrent meal before him.

    The Shaxil, still wearing the mask of Eliana, retorted, anger seeping through its tone, "It''s the dinner I made for you. Why is it not to your liking?"

    The hostile energy emitting from the creature hinted at imminent danger. The slightest misstep, and Val could end up on the receiving end of the creature''s wrath.

    However, Val responded nonchntly, "I don''t have likes or dislikes when ites to food. As long as it holds nutritional value and can help me function normally, it''s good enough. However, I refuse to eat dog food that''s served to me by a bitch disguising herself as my asset."

    Shaxil''s anger red. "What did you call me?"

    Val gave the creature a teasing look.

 Chapter 121 121: Paranormal Activities (2) [Bonus ]

    ?

    "I called you a�� bitch!" Val spoke to Shaxil, his words slow and clear,

    In a sudden burst of fury, Shaxil lunged at Val from across the table, and at the same time, its features distorted, tearing the visage of Eliana asunder. The head split open down the middle, revealing a grotesque sight. What was once a human face turned into a monstrous maw lined with circr rows of razor-sharp teeth, which was reminiscent of a nightmarish abyss.

    This frightening transformationpletely discarded the previous gentle and beautiful image of Eliana, revealing the devil''s true, horrifying form.

    Its gaping maw, full of teeth as sharp as daggers, threatened to close down on Val. The rows of pointed teeth, gleaming under the dim light of the kitchen, gave off a sinister shine.

    If allowed to mp down, they would surely tear apart flesh and crush bones, converting a living, breathing person into a lifeless, bloody pulp!

    A tail of blood materialized behind Val, swift and precise as it darted forward, stabbing into the grotesque maw of the lunging creature. It impaled it cleanly, the sharp point of the blood tail emerging from between the split halves of its head, through its body, and exiting from between its legs. A choking, gagging sound escaped Shaxil''s maw as it was skewered mid-air.

    Without a moment''s hesitation, Valmanded his blood tail to give the Shaxil a wild ride. The crimson appendage rose, lifting the impaled devil with it, only to smash it ruthlessly into the kitchen''s floor.

    Bam! The sound of the impact echoed through the room as the spot the devil impacted against shattered.

    Bam! Bam! Bam!

    Again and again, Val smashed the Shaxil into the floor, creating a depression that grew deeper with each strike.

    The once smooth wooden floor began to bore the mark of the brutal punishment that was being meted out by Val to the devil in disguise.

    Under his assault, blood and viscera sttered from the half-human half-demonic body, painting a ghastly picture on the kitchen floor as the devil''s body was battered relentlessly.

    Its form, once disguised as the lovely Eliana, was now a distorted, bloody mess under the strength of Val''s blood tail.

    Gah!

    The creature let out distorted, agonized cries that echoed throughout the house, but they fell on deaf ears.

    Val, entirely devoid of fear or sympathy, continued his punishment, smashing the Shaxil against the ground using his tail again and again, his face a cold, impassive mask.

    Bam!

    Finally, he lifted the impaled creature high into the air onest time before bringing it down with a thunderous crash that shook the entire house. The devil''s body was bent out of shape. It was now hardly recognizable. The way it looked, all twisted and broken like a doll that was mishandled showcased the cruelty that Val was capable of at any given moment.

    With a swift jerk of his tail, Val extracted the blood tail from the devil, its body copsing onto the cratered floor.

    The blood tail retracted back into Val''s body, leaving no trace of its brutal weapon.

    Silence descended upon the kitchen. It was broken only by the shallow, wheezing breaths of the defeated devil.

    Val looked down at the ravaged body of the devil impersonating Eliana, his eyes devoid of mercy. He hoped that he had made it clear to Shaxil that he wouldn''t tolerate any threat to his assets nor would he tolerate a grotesque bastard that dared to wear the faces of those who were under his protection.

    Shaxil, despite its broken body, somehow managed to let out a gurglingugh, "You''ve got quite a punch, dear. I haven''t had this much fun in ages!" Its voice was no more than a harsh whisper, a chilling contrast to the gruesome scene.

    Val raised an eyebrow, staring down at the grotesque form of the pathetic devil sprawled on the kitchen floor.

    "What the heck is a Shaxil? And how did youe to haunt this house? Is it only you or are there other things haunting it?" he asked, his voice cold and emotionless.

    A ghastly chuckle echoed throughout the room from the broken, bloodied figure on the floor. "Come closer, and I''ll tell you," Shaxil wheezed out, its voice distorted and filled with a strange, haunting melody.

    Without any sign of fear, Val calmly stood up from his chair and approached the devil. Shaxil''s bloodied eyes widened in shock; it was the first time it had encountered such a fearless human.

    "You...you really are fearless," it finally managed to sputter out. "But it is fools like you who die early."

    Suddenly, Shaxil''s body split in half, each side bearing sharp, jagged teeth running down the edges. Both halves leaped at Val from either side, hoping to catch him off guard.

    But Val''s response was swift. He punched outwards simultaneously with both fists. Wisps of fire appeared around his fists out of thin air, enveloping them in a protective, fiery embrace. His fists shattered the teeth protruding out of the parts of its body. Then, when his zing fists smashed into Shaxil''s body parts, they immediately caught fire.

    Shaxil let out a pained roar as it was set aze, the hellish mes eating away at its body until it was reduced to nothing more than ashes. Its cries echoed around the room before fading away into silence. The hellish mes also died out after consuming it.

    Just as thest of the mes disappeared, a notification popped up in front of Val.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You''ve killed an Upper ranked low-level devil. You''ve gained 1k experience points.]

    Val''s lips twitched slightly into a smirk; it was another job well done!

    He opened the system interface.

    Name: Val V. Whitemore

    Race: Half-Human, Half-Devil

    Age: 16

    ss: Blood Devil

    Level: 12 (2002/4000 EXP)

    Sub-ss: Wizard

    Level: 1 (0/100)

    Innate ss: White Devil Disciple Level 2

    Hidden Ailments: none

    Trait: Unfeeling, Emotional Impairment, Nocturnal Vision, Minor Corruption Resistance, Detect, Heavenly Eye

    Stats:

    ?Health Points (HP): 10/10

    ?Strength (STR): 25

    ?Agility (AGT): 25

    ?Stamina (STA): 27

    ?Reflexes (REF): 21

    ?Soul Power: 80/100 units

    ?Soul Power production rate: 10 units/hour

    Blood Bar: 800 units of blood

    Stat Points: 4

    Mad Points: 100 (100 MP=1 SP!)

    Bloodline skills:-

    1) Blood Absorption

    2) Blood Maniption

    3) Blood Rush:

    4) Titan''s Reinforcement

    5) Hellish Fist

    6) Soul Archive

    Val''s eyes went over the numbers. He had 2.02k EXP, and a thought popped up in his mind, could he use this experience to level up his wizard ss? The system had said that he could level up any ss he registered as his secondary ss. So it might be possible.

    ''Let''s try it out,'' he thought.

 Chapter 122 122: New Usage Of Stat Points

    ?

    As it turned out, only a thought was required.

    A notification appeared.

    [100 EXP consumed. Wizard ss level up to 2. Congrattions, Host! You are now a Level 2 Novice Wizard.]

    [You''ve gained 1 stat point.]

    [Your soul power production rate has increasd.]

    [Your arcane heatt has expanded. Now you can store more soul power in it!]

    Val could feel the arcane heart within him expand, now big enough to hold more soul power. The limit of soul power he could store in his arcane heart was now 200 units.

    Simultaneously, the rate at which he produced soul power increased to 20 units per hour. An additional stat point appeared, bringing his total to 5.

    The interface updated the requirement for the next level of his wizard.

    1k EXP was required to level up the wizard ss to level 3!

    Val decided to save up his EXP to level his primary ss, as then his Blood Devil Bloodline would upgrade once again, and he would unlock another bloodline skill!

    After that he might consider leveling up his sub-ss.

    ''Stat points can''t be used to improve my HP bar, but maybe they can interact with my wizard stats," Val pondered, curious about whether his stat points could be used to increase his soul power production rate and reservoir. This curiosity led him to conduct an experiment.

    Tapping on his soul power reservoir stat that was disyed on the semi-transparent screen floating in front of him, he directed one of his five stat points into it.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host. You''ve been sessful in your experiment!]

    To his surprise, it worked.

    [A stat point has been consumed. Your Soul Power Reservoir has improved slightly.]

    A wave of energy spread through him as the soul power capacity of his arcane heart increased by 20 units. His soul energy reservoir was now capable of holding 220 units!

    Encouraged by his sess, he ventured further into his experiment.

    He invested one point into his soul energy production stat. The system responded favorably, causing the soul power production rate of his arcane heart to soar, leaping to 30 units per hour.

    The sessful experiments brought a smirk to his face.

    He now understood that stat points could significantly boost his wizard ss, improving his wizardry and overall strength, should he decide to invest them in his wizard stats.

    However, he decided to save them for future use.

    Right after that, Val converted the 100 mad points into one stat point, resulting in his total stat points to increase to 4.

    With a smirk on his face, Val mused to himself, "I''ll use the remaining stat points ording to the situation I find myself in in the future. For example, if my opponent requires more soul power to deal with, I''ll dump my points into the arcane heart to subdue or even kill it."

    Suddenly, Val heard the sound of keys jingling, followed by the door being unlocked. He turned towards the entrance, his gaze impassive as the door opened to reveal Eliana stepping inside.

    Her return didn''t cause much of a stir within him, but it did affect him on a emotional level. Although his emotional impairment made it hard for him to feel emotions as strongly as others, he surprisingly felt relief to see her alive. After all, seeing her alive and well confirmed that the real Eliana, the greatest asset of his life, had not been harmed or devoured by the Shaxil that he had brutally butchered.

    Eliana, oblivious to the strange scene, blinked at him, "What are you doing in the kitchen?

    She was oblivious to the abnormality that had taken ce in thr haunted house. After all, with the demise of the devil, all the illusions it had created dissipated - from the dinner, to the utensils used for cooking, to the odd smell that permeated the air inside the house, and even the fake talisman that hung on the door. All had vanished without a trace when Val killed it.

    All that remained were the ashes of the Shaxil''s body scattered across the kitchen floor and the haunting imprint of their sh - a depression in the kitchen floor and stters of blood marking their intense battle.

    "I had a bit of a paranormal encounter," Val confessed, his tone casual despite the gravity of his words.

    Eliana''s eyes widened in rm and worry, but Val waved a hand dismissively. "Don''t worry. I''m still in one piece. The devil fooled me into a trap, but I dealt with it before it could harm me."

    He recounted the ordeal, conveniently leaving out the details of his Blood Devil Bloodline skill.

    Val didn''t want to reveal his true capabilities to Eliana just yet.

    After all, he had a more profound n for her - he wanted her to fall deeply for him before he disclosed that he was the one she was fated to serve. Only then would she be assured that her feelings for him weren''t manipted due to her divine obligation to serve him.

    The revtion that he was the man she was tasked to find and serve by the God she believed in would be the final, inevitable piece of the puzzle that would establish an unshakable bond between them, a bond that would cause her to stick with him as long as his lies weren''t exposed.

    When Val finished recounting his encounter with the Shaxil, Eliana exhaled a shaky breath she didn''t realize she had been holding.

    "That must''ve been terrifying," Eliana said, her gaze, brimming with genuine concern for Val, never leaving his. "I know what such experiences can do to a person. They leave a scar on your soul, causing involuntary recollections that can terrify you."

    As she spoke to Val, Eliana''s hands found his. She squeezed his big and thick hand with her soft and tiny ones in an attempt tofort him. "If you aren''t feeling alright, it''s best to talk about it. I''ll do my best to help you."

    Despite the shock of his tale, Eliana''s immediate worry was his wellbeing. It was an earnest sentiment, one that showed how deeply she had charmed by Val and reflected the depth of her affection for Val.

 Chapter 123 123: Benefit Of Devil Blood!

    ?

    As she was present, Val masked his immunity to such emotions.

    He summoned an artificial tremor in his voice that sounded more real than the voice of a deeply disturbed person and admitted to Eliana, "For a moment, I was terrified I would die at the hands of Shaxil, leaving you alone. Fortunately, it wasn''t a powerful devil, and I managed to turn the tables on it. You can''t imagine how grateful I am to have survived and see you again."

    His tone, touched with a gentle sincerity that was in total contrast to his internal indifference, only served to pull Eliana further into his deceptive web. As if he was the devil fooling the masses with his sweet lies and empty promises, his words held an effect on her she couldn''t ignore.

    Not to mention, his gaze bored into hers, causing her heartbeat to quicken.

    Seeing that was in need offort, Eliana wrapped her arms around him without hesitation and patted his back reassuringly.

    "There, there... Everything''s okay now," she murmured in his ears as if coaxing a child.

    Val hugged her back, holding her cherishingly in his embrace at least that was what she felt.

    With her head buried in the crook of his neck and his resting atop hers, she didn''t notice him smirking like a viin!

    Val thought that he was ying this part well - the vulnerable hero who''d narrowly escaped a demonic threat, earning the sympathy of his lover, and causing their rtionship to strengthen even further.

    However, he felt a twinge of annoyance as he thought that he would have to continue giving such spectacr performances when in her presence to ensure that his divine asset - Eliana - would never slip through his fingers.

    ''The life of an actor is really hard,'' he sighed internally.

    Then, Val hung the talisman on the door, believing that it would provide them protection from whatever haunts the house. From his experience, he knew that the talisman could bar evil from entering the house and weaken any evil entities already inside to the point where they couldn''t physically manifest. He was confident in its protective capabilities.

    Val turned to Eliana with a serious expression on his face. "There might be other Shaxil haunting this house. They can mimic appearances and create illusions that are hard to differentiate from reality. We must not trust everything we see when we are alone in the house. Also, we must always hang the talisman. It''s our most effective countermeasure against the hidden evil in this house." He issued a warning to her.

    "I understand." Eliana nodded her agreement with a solemn expression on her face.

    Switching the topic, Val asked, "So, was your venture sessful?"

    Hearing his words, Eliana smiled, the corners of her rosy lips lifting with joy. "Yes, it was. Alfred helped me, and he also told me to say hi to you. I now work as a healer at the God''s Hand Clinic, and the pay is pretty impressive. Just today, I helped over 30 patients and made more than 200 contribution points."

    She continued enthusiastically, "On top of that, because I''m acting as a priestess of the God of Light by healing people, my bloodline is also growing stronger. If things continue as they are, my bloodline will upgrade in no time."

    The principles governing the bloodlines of the priests and priestesses of the Holy Church of Light deviated from the norm.

    Instead of necessitating the use of Bloodline upgrading potions or rare, wild herbs for advancement, their bloodlines operated on a concept of faith and roles in the early stages.

    By being faithful to their God and dedicated to their divine roles, they could enable their holy bloodlines to evolve and reach level 3.

    This principle, aptly named "staying in character," denoted the alignment of their actions with their divine calling.

    Eliana, as a priestess, was tasked with healing the injured andbatting the evil forces encroaching upon thend. Thus, the more she fulfilled these roles in line with her bloodline, the higher her chances of advancing to level 3.

    But even for a priestess like Eliana, the journey to greater power wasn''t without obstacles.

    After reaching level 3, she would face the same challenge that other bloodline holders dealt with - the necessity for Bloodline upgrading potions to progress further.

    This was a universalw, and even the path of a priest or priestess was not exempt from it.

    "Just remember not to overwork yourself," Val reminded Eliana, a hint of concern in his stoic tone. It was fake but sounded so real that Eliana believed he was genuinely concerned for her.

    Val leaned closer to her and continued, "And know that I am here for you. Let me know when you reach level 2. I''ll help you y some evil monsters, which should hasten your advancement to level 3."

    Eliana smiled gratefully at his offer. "Thank you, I will."

    Val reached out, patting Eliana gently on her head. The unexpected affectionate gesture from him caused a rush of warmth to spread across her face, making her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink. She was, after all, quite fond of Val, and his rare disys of tenderness that were only shown to her always caught her off guard.

    "Actually, I wanted to celebrate getting my job by inviting you to dinner at a fancy restaurant in the lower city. How does that sound?" Eliana said after a moment.

    "That sounds delightful, Eliana. It''ll be a nice change of pace. Let''s do it." Val agreed with her without a moment of hesitation. "But, are you nning to go like this?" He asked, gesturing towards her current attire: the formal dress of a nun.

    Elianaughed lightly before she replied, "No, I''ll go and get dressed. Just give me a moment."

    With that, she disappeared into her room, leaving Val to stand alone in the entryway of the haunted house.

    He wandered back into the kitchen, where his eyesnded on the slowly spreading crimson pool of the Shaxil he had killed.

    His gaze hardened as hemanded, "Absorb."

    His eyes turned red as the blood on the floor levitated, floating towards him and seeping into his body through his pores, umting in his blood bank.

    [System Notification: Blood Bar has increased to 1500 units.]

    A small smirk formed on Val''s face as he observed the massive surge in his strength.

    "The blood of a devil is really invigorating," he noted, the satisfaction clear in his tone.

    The units of blood he had earned from killing and absorbing the blood of a single Shaxil were more than he had gained from an entire pack of beasts.

    The difference was clear, and Val couldn''t help but feel satisfied with the results.

    For a Blood Devil bloodline user, the advantage of killing a devil that could bleed was clear. Sadly, encountering such a devil was easier than done. Most devils don''t even have blood, so how would they bleed?!

    Val also blew away the ashes using wizardry. The Shaxil''s ashes were thrown out of the house through the window.

    "Alright, I am ready," Eliana''s voice came from the foyer.

    Val stepped out of the kitchen and walked up to her with a smile as if nothing had happened.

    Seeing himing out of the kitchen, she couldn''t help but ask, "What were you doing there?"

    "Just cleaning up," Val replied with an air of nonchnce. " "I figured I''d better get rid of the Shaxil''s blood and remains while you were getting dressed. Such filth shouldn''t linger in our homes. You know what they say. It''s important to ensure the house remains unmarred by the filth of devils if you don''t want to invite more of their kind to your ce.

    His words rang true to Eliana.

    She was aware of the dark implications of leaving remnants of such an evil entity lingering in one''s home. So, she simply nodded in understanding, a soft sigh of relief escaping her lips.

    "You look beautiful by the way." Val praised.

    Eliana felt happy, hearing his words. All the efforts she had put into looking good for him hadn''t gone to waste!

    "Thank you," she said.

    Then they went out and had dinner.

 Chapter 124 124: Hunter 1 [Bonus ]

    ?

    The encounter with the Shaxil had reminded Val that safety was an illusion in this world, and self-improvement was the only reliable defense. Consequently, he resolved to venture into the forest first thing in the morning for a hunt. Alfred had informed him that training events were held once a week, so he wouldn''t be missing anything crucial while he pursued his self-imposed training regimen.

    Due to the deadly phenomena that urred in the forest at night, he waited until early morning when Eliana had left for her job before setting off towards the Verdant Deepwood Forest.

    As he entered the forest''s second region, he channeled a few units of soul power into his eyes, activating the weakest version of his Heavenly Eye ability. This caused the obstructions in his surroundings to be transparent, a slight adjustment to reality that proved incredibly advantageous.

    He had briefly experimented with the Heavenly Eye the previous night and learned that its power was directly proportional to the amount of soul power expended as it was said in the description given by his system.

    A handful of units sufficed to activate the most basic version, which made the world semi-transparent to his eyes.

    Then there was the upgraded version, requiring dozens of units, which allowed him to peer into the Other Side from within Reality.

    There could potentially be more to the Heavenly Eye than this, but with the risk of experiencing negative side effects from overusing his wizardry, Val decided to proceed with caution. It wasn''t fear that held him back, but a sense of prudence.

    ''This skill has made it easier for me to locate preys and catch them off guard.''

    With the activation of the Heavenly Eye, the world around Val became transparent. Obstacles within the forest seemed to disappear, leaving a clear view of a group of creatures.

    These creatures were unlike anything he had ever seen before.

    They were tall, standing at about seven feet, with bodies covered in shimmering scales that reflected the sunlight filtering through the trees. They had three pair of eyes, and their eyes were a deep, mesmerizing blue, glowing with an inner light that seemed almost magical. They had long, slender arms ending in sharp ws, and their legs were muscr and powerful, built for speed and agility, and they were standing on their legs like humans. Each creature had a pair of wings folded against its back. The feathers of each wings were a mix of vibrant colors that seemed to change as they moved. They also had tails that were long and whip-like, and their tails were covered in the same shimmering scales as the rest of their bodies.

    Licking his lips in anticipation, Val uttered to himself, "Found my preys. Time to begin the hunt."

    The Luminous Scalebeasts were far from Val''s current position, hidden behind a dense thicket of trees and overgrown bushes. They were oblivious to his presence, their attention focused elsewhere. However, thanks to his Heavenly Eye, Val was able to see through the obstacles and spot them.

    Using the detect trait, he discerned their levels. They were formidable creatures, ranging between levels 20-25. The strongest among them had the following stats:

    Name: Luminous Scalebeast

    Strength: 28

    Intelligence: 20

    Agility: 30

    Stamina: 20

    Reflexes: 10

    Their weaknessy in their reflexes, making them vulnerable to assassination. Val decided to exploit this.

    The Luminous Scalebeasts were known for their incredible agility, making them difficult to hit. Their strength was equally formidable, allowing them to deal significant damage in a short amount of time. In fact, they were so strong that a single hit of their tail could tear apart a level 1 bloodline user.

    However, Val after noticing that their agility surpassed his in his base form, activated Blood Rush, doubling his agility.

    [Host agility has increased to 50 points!]

    Now, his agility was 20 points greater than their strongest, making him incredibly fast. He had be so fast that it was a wonder whether their strong points would be effective against him.

    His speed and the fact that he was in the dark while his enemies were in the light were now his greatest weapons, and he was ready to exploit them to his advantage.

    Val unsheathed his cursed sword, its dark de gleaming ominously. With a swift and discreet charge, he moved towards the Luminous Scalebeasts. The only warning they had was the rustling of grass before Val burst out of an overgrown bush, bringing his sword down on one of them. He moved with such speed that none of them had time to react before the attack met its mark.

    The Luminous Scalebeasts weren''t too worried initially. After all, their entire bodies were covered in scales as tough as iron. What they didn''t know was that Val''s cursed sword was so sharp that it could cut through metal like a hot knife through butter.

    His sword cleaved through the seven-meter-tall Luminous Scalebeast, cutting it into two halves from the middle. Blood sprayed into the air, painting the surrounding foliage a gruesome red. The beast let out a final, agonizing roar before copsing to the ground, its life extinguished.

    Suddenly, a system notification rang out in Val''s mind, [Ding! Congrattions, host. You killed a level 22 Luminous Scalebeast. You get 440 EXP. You''ve earned an additional 220 EXP due to the level difference.]

    Val thought that he had taken another step towards his goal.

    The group of four Luminous Scalebeasts was now reduced to three.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    The remaining beasts whipped their thick, scale-covered tails at Val, but he maneuvered his body with agile, fluid motions reminiscent of a martial arts master. He moved with such speed that he seemed to leave behind afterimages as he weaved through their tails.

    Simultaneously, he closed in on one of them, who wed at him.

    But with a swift sidestep, he dodged the w, and at the same time, he moved with such speed, that none of the three luminous scalebeast noticed when he moved behind one of them. It seemed like he had shed to his destination.

    Die!

    Immediately after getting behind a Scalebeast, Val thrust his sword forward.

    Puchi!

    A squelching sound rang out as flesh was torn open.

 Chapter 125 125: Hunter 2 [ Bonus ]

    ?

    Val drove his sword through a Luminous Scalebeast. The de pierced the beast''s back, emerging from its front.

    Hugyuuuu!

    The beast roared in pain.

    In response to the beast''s agonized roar, Val jerked the sword upwards while it was still embedded in the creature. With a sickening sound, the beast was cleaved open from chest to head, its roar abruptly silenced as life left its eyes.

    Once again, a system notification rang out in Val''s mind.

    [Ding! Congrattions, host. You killed a level 24 Luminous Scalebeast. You get 480 EXP. You''ve earned an additional 240 EXP due to the level difference.]

    ''Good, now I am only 718 EXP away from leveling up,'' he thought.

    The remaining two Luminous Scalebeasts watched in terror and fury as their kin fell one after the other. One beast, its eyes wide with terror, turned tail to flee. The other, enraged by the death of its fellows, let out a guttural roar, its gaze fixed on Val.

    "Heh, scaredy-cat," Val said under his breath, watching the retreating beast. "Showing your back to the enemy is going to be the biggest and thest mistake of your miserable life."

    As he spoke, Val could be seen extending his hand. Immediately, tendrils of blood rose from his finger, converging at a single point above his finger to form a needle-shaped projectile. He focused his gaze on the retreating figure. Almost simultaneously, the blood needle shot forward at an incredible speed. It whizzed through the air and hit the retreating scalebeast square in the back of its head with such force that its head exploded in a mess of blood and gore.

    [Ding! Congrattions, host. You killed a level 20 Luminous Scalebeast. You get 400 EXP. You''ve earned an additional 200 EXP due to the level difference.]

    A notification popped up in front of Val, bringinf with it news he found quite pleasant. Now he was around a 100 EXP away from levelling up.

    Once he killed thest remaining member of the Luminous Scalebeast group, wouldn''t he level up?

    Val turned his mocking and bloodthirsty gaze to the beast.

    Guriyon!

    Thest Luminous Scalebeast, driven to madness by fear and anger, roared. The sound hit Val like a powerful physical p, causing him to bleed from his ears. However, he didn''t flinch, meeting the beast''s charge with a steady gaze. The beast''s heavy steps echoed around the area, stirring up clouds of dust and leaving deep footprints in the ground as it closed in on Val.

    "I need to level up. So you''ll have to die!" Val narrowed his eyes, standing his ground as the beast lunged at him.

    The beast, seeing Val unmoving, thought its roar had sessfully stunned him with fear. However, the calm expression on Val''s face told a different story. To the Scalebeast, all humans looked the same. It couldn''t differentiate between terror and serenity, so it inferred something entirely wrong from seeing standing as still as a statur. The beast could already envision Val being torn apart under its powerful ws.

    But just as its ws came within an inch of Val, it abruptly stopped, as if it had hit an invisible wall.

    What was going on?

    Val''s wizardry was fully activated!

    The beast was baffled, unable to umderstand what had stopped it from iming his life, but it was exactly where Val wanted it to be. Seizing the moment, Val swung his sword in a wide arc, cleanly beheading the beast in one swift strike.

    As the head was sent flying into the air, blood spurted from the headless neck, staining the ground a deep crimson.

    Thud!

    The beast''s headless body swayed for a moment before copsing to the ground with a dull thud. The next moment, its head plunged down to the ground,nding beside the headless body.

    A series of notifications rang in Val''s mind.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You have leveled up. You have reached level 12 from 11. You get +2 Stat Points, and a 25% upgrade in your Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline!]

    [EXP required to reach the next level: 632/4500]

    [Current progress of the Host''s Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline towards the next level: 100/100%]

    [Host''s Level 2 Blood Devil Bloodline has upgraded!]

    [You have advanced to the third level of the Blood Devil ss!]

    A slow smile spread across Val''s face as he digested the notifications. He was curious about what new skill he would unlock with this level.

    "Heh, this should be interesting," he muttered to himself.

    Just then, a new system notification rang out:

    [You''ve gained the corpse Sacrifice Skill. It allows the user to make a sacrifice to the Devil God and create an undead. The nature, duration, and power of the undead depend on the magnitude of the sacrifice made. The greater the sacrifice, the more formidable the undead would be, and the longer it would be able to stay in the material ne without any source of nutrition. However, the user should exercise caution when using this skill. After all, a powerful undead requires a powerful controller, or it might turn on its creator.]

    His eyebrows furrowed at the risks that the Blood Sacrifice Skill carried. First, he wondered what side effects there would be to making contact with a Devil God. Then there was also the danger of biting off more than he could chew if he used this skill to create a powerful undead. However, it was clear that this skill held the potential for great power if used wisely.

    ''It is too valuable to give up on.''

    Thus, despite the danger involved, Val decided to use it.

    He was pulled out of his thought as a shocking notification sounded.

    [Ding! Trial period has ended. The Host has to depend on himself to upgrade his Blood Devil Bloodline. A connection has been formed between the Host and the Shrine of Evil. Enter the Shrine and assume the role of the Devil God to make your Corpse Devil Skill usable.]

 Chapter 126 126: Shrine Of Evil!

    Phew~

    Realizing that his earlier assumption about making contact with a dangerous entity using the Corpse Sacrifice skill was wrong, Val felt an odd sense of relief, which was equal in magnitude to the shock he felt as he realized that the Devil God that ruled the Shrine of Evil referred to in the system notifications was none other than himself.

    What a shocking news!

    When the notification sounded, he felt a strange sensation, and a connection was formed between him and an entity he realized was the Shrine of Evil!

    Furthermore, he found that he had gained spells that could interact with this connection. They had mysteriously appeared in his mind when the connection was formed between him and the shrine.

    One was called Exille. It could be used to exit the shrine. The other was called Levare.

    He could use it to enter the Shrine of Evil.

    He decided to do just that, as he wanted to create four valuable undead from the Luminous Scalebeasts he had just killed but that wasn''t possible unless he entered the shrine and assumed the role of the Devil God.

    "Levare!" he eximed, the world around him beginning to warp.

    The next moment, Val found himself in the Shrine of Evil.

    It was a ce submerged in utter darkness. If it were not for his Nocturnal Vision Trait, he would be as blind as a bat in this ce.

    In this ce, skeletons were scattered everywhere, as if it was a graveyard rather than a shrine.

    At the center of the shrine was a throne made entirely of bones, and at the corners of the room were multiple doors, leading to God knows where.

    Lastly, beside the throne, there was a statue of a monster with a hulking form and massive wings, its visage frozen in a menacing growl.

    Val recognized it as a gargoyle.

    The moment Val appeared in the shrine, the gargoyle statue came to life. An aura of immense evil emanated from it, so wicked that the tens of thousands of skeletons littering the shrine began to tremble uncontrobly. It was an odd scene. The living statue seemed to carry such an evil aura that it could cause even the deceased to turn in their graves out of terror!

    ''What an annoying sensation.''

    Val''s entire body throbbed as the gargoyle stared at him. It was merely a curious look, but to Val, it felt as if his very soul was being scrutinized. His instincts were screaming at him to immediately distance himself from the statue, but he suppressed these calls and held his ground.

    He was here to be the Devil God! How could he show weakness?

    "Amazing!" The Gargoyle eximed in awe.

    To the gargoyle''s surprise, Val didn''t flee in terror or lose his mind to fear. Typically, the presence of such a menacing entity would send people into an unstoppable panic. However, Val stood his ground, which was more than enough to impress the ancient guardian.

    "Who are you?" Val asked, his voice steady.

    The gargoyle tilted its head, before it spoke, its voice sending vibrations through the shrine,

    "I am known as Gruul, the guardian of the Shrine of Evil. I have been ced here to guide the one who is chosen. And since you are here, I assume that you have been selected to be the Devil God, am I right?"

    Val nodded, "You''re correct. But what do I need to do to assume the post of the Devil God?"

    Gruul grinned, "I will guide you on this path. But first, you must pass my test."

    Hearing its words, Val furrowed his brows, "What test?"

    "The test is to ensure the Shrine of Evil falls into worthy hands," Gruul exined, "I have been the guardian of the shrine since time immemorial, warding off those unworthy and ensuring the power of the shrine doesn''t fall into the wrong hands. I will not let my endless vigil be in vain."

    "Can you get straight to the point?" Val asked, hoping to skip Gruul''s monologue.

    Gruul''s stony gaze held Val''s as he continued, "Our test is a simple one: a face-off. If you can defeat me, I will submit to you and reveal the secrets of the Shrine of Evil and teach you how to assume your role as the Devil God. However, if you fail, you must leave and only return once you have trained yourself enough to face me again. To make this a fair fight, I will lower my power to match yours. So are you up for this challenge?"

    "Yeah, I am," Val replied.

    The moment Val finished speaking, a ripple ran through Gruul''s stone form, and its enormous body began to shrink as it adjusted its power to match Val''s.

    In a matter of moments, it stood at the same height as Val, its previously imposing figure now a mere shadow of its former self.

    However, the menacing aura that surrounded Gruul didn''t diminish. Instead, it seemed to condense, bing a visible aura of darkness swirling around him, and its once rocky eyes now glowed a deep red, staring into Val''s with an intensity that could make weaker beings wilt, but failed to get a reaction out of him.

    "Well then, here Ie," Gruul said.

    "Bring it on," Val said.

    Gruul bend its knees, its feet pressing against the floor of the shrine with such force that the ground cracked, spider cobweb-like fissures spreading out in all directions. Then, it exploded off the floor of the shrine like a coiled spring,unching itself straight towards Val. The force behind its movement was so much that shockwaves rippled through the area.

    It moved so fast that it seemed to disappear in thin air, making it impossible for Val to track its movements.

    However, Val''s sixth sense and his battle-hardened instincts acted as his guides. Summoning his cursed sword from the pocket dimension of his cursed artifact with a thought, he brought it up defensively just in time to intercept the descending stone w of Gruul.

 Chapter 127 127: Done Holding Back!

    ?

    ng!

    A resonating ng echoed throughout the shrine as the sword and w met, sounding as though metal had shed against metal. Val had narrowly managed to dodge a direct hit, but the force behind Gruul''s attack was so immense that it flung him backward like a ragdoll in a tornado.

    Bam!

    Val collided with the bone-littered floor of the shrine, rolling and tumbling through the scattered skeletal remains. As he tumbled through it, some sharp shards of bone scratched his skin while others punctured him like a host of tiny daggers.

    -2 HP!

    In a desperate attempt to stop his involuntary movement, Val plunged his sword into the ground, which helped in halting his momentum. He was left crouched on one knee as he came to a stop.

    His gaze met Gruul''s, a defiant look in his eyes as blood began to seep from his wounds, blood that slid down his skin and stained the already grim and dark surroundings of the Shrine of Evil.

    "Dissapointing," Gruul voiced its thoughts, "If this is the best you can do, I guess the world won''t be seeing the birth of the Devil God today."

    Val retorted, "I was just caught off guard. I haven''t even started showing what I am capable of."

    "Excuses," Gruul said.

    Not granting Val even a moment''s respite, Gruul lunged again, its stone form cutting through the air with a speed that defied logic, effectively bridging the gap between them in the blink of an eye.

    However, within that small fraction of time, Val activated Titan''s Reinforcement and Blood Rush. In a millionth of a second, a surge of strength coursed through his veins, his muscles hardened, his body became more agile and his senses heightened.

    Gruul brought its w down on Val after reaching up to him, but by that time, Val''s agility had already increased by a staggering 120%, and his strength and stamina by 20%.

    Gruul''s attack was so swift that not even an intermediate-stage bloodline user would seed in dodging it, but Val was swifter than its attack!

    With his agility enhanced to 60 points and exceptionalbat skills, Val deftly maneuvered around Gruul''s attack. The beast''s swipe missed its mark, and Val seized the opportunity. He darted behind Gruul''s back and retaliated with a powerful swing of his own.

    ng!

    His sword crashed against Gruul''s body with a resonating ng. This resulted in a visible crack being left on its surface.

    Gruul grunted but didn''t pause. It turned around, swinging its ws towards Val in a swift, retaliatory attack. But Val was already on the move. He slipped under Gruul''s legs, dodging the iing ws, and swiftly stood up behind the living statue beforeunching his deadly and menacing counterattacks that were as swift as lightning and as terrifying aa thunder.

    With a series of swift strikes, Val''s sword chipped away at Gruul''s stone body. Each strike further damaged Gruul, the sound of cracking stone echoing through the air. Despite Gruul''s formidable strength and size, Val''s agility andbat skills were proving to be a formidable match.

    Gruul roared as its aura burst forth like a natural disaster. The darkness surrounding Gruul moved with a will of its own, smashing towards Val with an unexpected ferocity. Val had never anticipated that Gruul could use its aura as a weapon, and thus, he was caught off guard, unable to move out of its way, despite being faster than level 4 bloodline users.

    However, he used all his strength and wizardry to parry the attack with his sword and soul power, but the force behind the attack was so overwhelming that the defenses he put up were torn apart in a second and he was once again sent flying.

    As Gruul''s overwhelming attack sent him flying, Val called upon his Blood Maniption skill. In an instant, a cushioning hover made of coalesced blood formed beneath him, arresting his fall. One of Val''s greatest strength was his ability to adapt quickly, and at this moment, it was on full diay.

    A thud sounded as the hover crashed into the skeleton-littered ground, sending bone fragments scattering in all directions.

    Despite the chaotic scene, Val''snding was surprisingly soft, the blood hover absorbing the brunt of the impact.

    Then, Val dissipated the hover and sprang back onto his feet.

    Looking at Gruul, he said, "Do you still think I was making an excuse?"

    Gruul paused, its red eyes fixed on Val. This young man had indeed surpassed its expectation. With its wealth of experience and extremely sturdy body, even though it had decreased its power level to match Val''s, it was still a surprise to see that Val had managed to hold out against it for so long.

    After a moment of silence, it spoke, "I admit I had been hasty in my judgment and underestimated you. You are stronger than I gave you credit for. But don''t think this changes anything about the end result of our battle. You''re solely mistaken if you do. I''ll be taking you seriously from now on."

    Val watched as a shadow separated from Gruul and rose from the ground. It transformed into an exact replica of Gruul, doubling the threat Val faced.

    Val''s eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the two Gruuls.

    He had been using this fight as a means to train and temper himself, holding back his full strength. However, he dare not deny that it had been challenging enough to take on one Gruul. But now that there were two, he had no choice but to go all out. He was determined to show the guardian of the shrine his true power.

    "I''ve been holding back," Val dered, his voice echoing through the shrine. "But now, I won''t. Don''t hold me ountable for the pain you''re about to suffer, Gruul. You''ve brought this upon yourself."

    Gruul, unfazed by Val''s warning, simply shrugged. "We''ll see," it rumbled, its voice filled with a confidence that matched Val''s.

    With that, Gruul and its clone charged towards Val.

 Chapter 128 128: Going All Out! [Bonus ]

    ?

    "Have a taste of my wizardry," Val said.

    As he spoke, Val thrust his hand forward, and two waves of soul power burst out,bining into one massive, invisible wave as it surged towards Gruul''s main body.

    Gruul, in its suppressed state, couldn''t see through the invisibility. It only found it odd to see Val thrusting his hand forward with nothing seemingly happening and wonder what he was up to. Was he putting up an act to fool it? Or was there some meaning behind his action?

    Bam!

    The massive wave of soul power unleashed by Val smashed into it. It felt as if it had been kicked in the chest by the Devil God himself!

    The force of the impact sent Gruul shooting backwards like a broken kite in a storm.

    Val watched with satisfaction as Gruul was manhandled by his attack. He then turned his attention to Gruul''s clone. It was slower and weaker than Gruul, but Val knew better than to let his guard down. The clone lunged at him, continuously swinging its ws. Although he was pushed backward, Val parried each of its attacks with minimal movements of his sword.

    The clone was taken aback. Its attacks were swift, not something someone of Val''s power level should be able to block and parry so easily. It realized then that there was something special about Val. Something that made him a formidable opponent, even for a clone of Gruul.

    While parrying the clone''s swift strikes, Val created an opportunity for himself by using his Blood Maniption Bloodline skill. He willed, and tentacles of blood immediately surged out of his back, winding around the clone''s limbs and effectively immobilizing it.

    Seeing it trapped, he curled his free hand into a fist and punched out. Seemingly out of thin air, an ethereal gray fire sparked to life around it, enveloping the fist in a terrifying ze of an unnatural color. The sight of the hellish fire instinctively stirred up fear inside the clone. The fear was noticeable as it was vividly reflected in its ck beady eyes.

    ''So even a living statue fears hellish fire,'' Val discovered.

    The clone struggled with all its might to break free from the iron grasp of Val''s crimson tentacles and dodge the iing fist. However, its efforts were all in vain. Obeying Val''smand, the tentacles tightened around Gruul the more it struggled, keeping it immobilized as Val''s fist, shrouded in hellish fire, crashed into it.

    Bam!

    In an instant, Gruul turned to ashes. The gray particles slipped through the grip of the crimson tentacles, scattering across the skeleton-strewn floor of the Shrine of Evil. The clone of the ancient guardian of the shrine, who had stood against countless challengers for time immemorial, was defeated. All that remained of its formidable form was a scattering of ashes on the floor of the shrine it had guarded for so long!

    A system notification rang out in Val''s mind. [Congrattions, Host! You have defeated the shadow clone of Gruul. Gained a Fragment of Darkness. Can only be used ]

    The Fragment of Darkness was an incredibly powerful artifact, capable of unleashing a profound strength.

    This shard, forged from the very essence of darkness, held the power to grant one the ability to manipte darkness to an unfathomable extent. It could be used to create shadows that would obey the user''smand, create a connection between the user and the world of darkness, and provide an offensive spell made of pure darkness. It was said that those who had fully mastered the Fragment of Darkness could even manipte shadows to warp space, traversing vast distances in an instant. However, the shard chose its own master. Unless he was deemed worthy, he won''t be able to wield it. And Val had no idea what he needed to do to be deemed worthy by the shard.

    Finding out what it could do, Val realized how lucky he was to not have Gruul as his enemy. The clone hadn''t used it to its fullest extent as the purpose of this battle was to test if Val was worthy of bing the Devil God, not kill him. If Gruul had any ill intentions, Val would be minced cake!

    Meanwhile, Gruul, having recovered from the impact of Val''s soul power, speechlessly watched the scene of Val killing its clone unfold.

    Realizing what had just happened, Gruul felt so shocked that its eyes widened in shock and its stony jaw dropped as if it was about to touch the ground.

    "How the hell did he do that?"

    Gruul was utterly shocked by the death of its clone. After all, its clone was made from the purest and strongest material in the universe, darkness itself, and thus, even if it was injured, it would gradually recover as long as it was in the dark.

    However, Its existence was tied to a small fraction of Gruul''s soul, and there was a way to truly destroy it, which was to bypass its body of darkness and directly attack that hint of a soul that Gruul jad imbued with the body of darkness to create it. Never had Gruul thought that Val would possess such power to annihte its clone.

    "May I ask... what move you just used?" Gruul questioned, his voiceced with disbelief and a hint of respect.

    It had finally started to look at Val in a different light!

    "It''s Hellish Fire," Val replied nonchntly.

    Upon hearing this, Gruul''s eyes narrowed. It had found the power familiar, and now it made sense.

    Hellish Fire!

    This was a force to be reckoned with.

    It was said that once ignited, this fire would ceaselessly consume its target until it was reduced to ashes if the target was a carbon-based body.

    But its true horrory elsewhere.

    If its target was non-carbon, the Hellish Fire would bypass all defenses and directly burn the soul!

    No wonder he killed the clone.

    Gruul silently mused to itself, "No wonder he managed to kill my clone. Judging by his response, it seems he doesn''t realize the full potential of Hellish Fire. It must''ve been an unintentional oue."

    "Have I passed your test, or do you need more proof that I am worthy of being the Devil God?" Val asked, an unfazed expression on his face.

    There''s more?!

    Hearing Val''s words, Gruul''s eyes widened slightly, a hint of shock washing over it.

    However, it was an extremely ancient and powerful being. It had an image to upkeep so it recovered from its shock quickly and replied to Val, "No, your performance has been extremely satisfactory. You''ve passed my test!"

 Chapter 129 129: Birth Of The Devil God!!! [Bonus !]

    ?

    The massive stone guardian of the Shrine of Evil got down on one knee, saluted Val and dered, "I wee this era''s Devil God!"

    Val''s heart pounded in his chest as he observed this scene. He was a little overwhelmed to see a being as powerful as Gruul kneel before him. Still, he managed to maintain hisposed exterior while internally his mind swirled with various thoughts about his newfound status and the responsibilities and troubles that it entailed.

    "Rise," Valmanded, his voice echoing in the vastness of the Shrine of Evil.

    At his words, Gruul swiftly rose to its feet, the sheer power emanating from it making the air in the shrine even more oppressive, and now, that power was at Val''s disposal!

    Despite his Emotional Impairment Trait, he couldn''t help but feel excited.

    "So, what''s the next step for me to officially assume the title of Devil God?" Val asked, his eyes scanning Gruul''s massive form.

    "All you have to do is sit on the Throne of Bones," Gruul replied, its gaze shifting to the grim, skeletal chair in the heart of the shrine.

    Gruul might seem calm on the outside, but his thoughts were in turmoil, the earth-shaking implications of what he had just realized sweeping through his mind like a whirlwind.

    The Hellish Fire that Val wielded wasn''t a naturally urring me; it was a power far more ancient and potent, one that held the breath of a primordial creature birthed in the cosmic forge of love between two vastly different but immensely powerful entities.

    The Empress of Void, a being that epitomized the essence of the Void itself, and the Demonic Dragon, a creature whose existence echoed with the raw and unbridled power of primeval times, had once intertwined their destinies. The union of these two incredible beings, born from a love as wild and untamed as the universe itself, gave birth to a unique existence that walked the line between two worlds��the Draconic Voidwalker.

    The Draconic Voidwalker was a being of unparalleled power and mystery. Straddling the line between the physical and the metaphysical, it bore the traits of their two distinctive lineages.

    It held the dominion over the unfathomable depths of the Void from its mother, the Empress, and the ferocious might and fire of the Demonic Dragons from its father.

    And it was the breath of these Draconic Voidwalkers, the Hellish Fire, that Val had unknowingly summoned. This was not a simple me but a power that could incinerate all matter, even bypassing physical defenses to target the soul directly. It was an ability only those with the blood of the Draconic Voidwalker could use.

    This revtion left Gruul in awe.

    The blood of the Draconic Voidwalker flowed in Val''s veins, linking him to a lineage of power and nobility beyondprehension. It was this link, this unbroken chain of ancestry that reached back to the cosmic dance of the Empress of Void and the Demonic Dragon, that marked Val as a worthy candidate for the mantle of the Devil God.

    Gruul''s gaze, filled with newfound respect and awe, followed Val as he prepared to undertake the final step to im his inheritance.

    All the young man had to do was sit on the Throne of Bones, and he would ascend to the rank of Gods, bing a Devil God!

    With determined steps, Val moved towards the imposing Throne of Bones, the very seat of the Devil God. Each footfall echoed ominously around the shrine, as if the ancient halls themselves were bearing witness to this historic moment. He reached the throne and without hesitation, sat upon it.

    As soon as Val''s body made contact with the throne, a flood of system notifications resounded in his mind, every word underscoring the significance of his new status.

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Val! You have assumed the role of the Devil God. The ancient powers of the Devil God now reside within you.]

    [System Notification: The ''Corpse Sacrifice'' skill has now be avable. You can now sacrifice the fresh corpses of the deceased to gain power to create undead.]

    [System Notification: Your current level permits you to create andmand up to 1000 undead.]

    [System Notification: As the Devil God, you have gained control over the Shrine of Evil. You can now allow or restrict entry to the shrine at will.]

    [System Notification: The Shrine of Evil is now your property. Control and protect this ancient ce of power as you see fit.]

    "Well, seems like I''ve graduated from being just a wanderer. I''m the Devil God now." Val leaned back in his throne, his eyes gleaming with a profound thought. "I may have the power to create an undead legion, but that doesn''t mean I''ve one at mymand yet. I''ll need to earn that, build it. Only hardwork will get me far in this world."

    Val could be seen looking at Gruul from the throne as he asked, "You said you''re the guardian of the shrine. What have you been protecting it from?"

    Gruul''s stony gaze met Val''s as he began to speak. "Over the ages, the Shrine of Evil has attracted countless power-seekers. All lured by the ancient power that dwells within, power that, in the wrong hands, can bring about cataclysmic imbnce in the order of things on which the universe runs. It has been coveted by power-hungry warlords, despotic kings, and even gods. They all desired the power of the Devil God, the ability tomand the forces of evil. However, they all met their ends at this very sight, killed by the previous devil god and then by his loyal servants such as myself when the Devil God disappeared. All the skeletons you see here are thest traces of their beings."

    "Tell me more about the previous Devil God and the shrine," Val said.

    Gruul replied, "The previous Devil God was Morkus. He was a being of incredible might and unmatched cunning. He unearthed and harnessed the raw essence of evil that was within the shrine, using it not for destruction, but for bnce. Evil, after all, is but a part of the grand cosmic scale. Yet, he knew that such power, if misused, could tip the bnce into chaos or order. He never used it for reason beyondprehension."

 Chapter 130 130: Why Was I Chosen??

    ?

    Gruul continued, "However, he was targeted by those who vied the shrine and the power it promised. When one person has everything, he bes the target of everyone''s envy and ire. That''s exactly what he experienced."

    "Morkus was no fool, however. He knew he might lose everything in the inevitable battle. So he broke down the shrine''s power into pieces and left behind several legacies, spreading them across the universe, each one a treasure beyond imagination, yet also a test for those who would seek them. They are not gifts that can be obtained lightly; they are rewards for proving one''s worthiness.

    "What remains of the Shrine of Evil is itself one such legacy.

    "When the inevitable battle took ce, countless gods died and many empires fell and the entire army of the Devil God was decimated, but Morkus had thestugh. I don''t remember much of it as I died in the war."

    Val felt confused. "But you''re still alive."

    Gruul said, "I once used to be a human like you, a very primitive one. I fought in the great war and died. However, when I opened my eyes, I was alive but in a body different than I remembered, and the Devil God was nowhere to be seen. I don''t know how I was bought back to life but I believe it was a miracle performed by Morkus. Only a message was left behind, telling me to wait for the next Devil God and defend the shrine from unworthy invaders until his arrival."

    "The Shrine of Evil still holds immense power, although most of it was broken down to create legacies that Morkus left behind for like-minded people. And I believe you''ve already tapped into its energy as you have ascended to the position of the Devil God."

    Hearing its words, understanding dawned on Val. The power he had acquired wasn''t just his own; it was a legacy, a mantle that had been passed down to him.

    However, he also felt troubled as the Shrine of Evil, now under hismand, wasn''t just a ce of power, but also a beacon that attracted those who craved power.

    ''It seems like my new statuses with great power and responsibility, and also, great danger,'' he thought.

    Suddenly, a confusing thought shed in Val''s mind.

    He looked at Gruul, saying, "I think I have another legacy of Morkus."

    Gruul''s eyes narrowed slightly. "I know," it responded, surprising Val.

    "You do?" Val replied, somewhat taken aback.

    "Yes," Gruul replied, "Without it, you wouldn''t have reached this ce."

    Val hesitated, then decided to share more. "It was my mother who gave me the system. She was just my father''s sex ve, trying to escape her tormentor. I helped her, and in return, she gave me the system... I always wondered why. It seemed far too valuable to be given away so freely."

    Gruul listened patiently, its stony face expressionless. When Val finished, it replied, "The legacies of Morkus are unique. They have a will of their own, they choose their wielders, not the other way around. It doesn''t matter if a person is good or evil, strong or as weak as a newborn baby. What matters is their understanding of bnce."

    Gruul continued, "You were chosen because you don''t believe in the simplistic concept of good and evil. Since the system chose you, it must mean you''re not unnecessarily good or evil. You understand that darkness and light, chaos and order, are all necessary for the universe to function properly. You have the capacity to wield both, yet you''re not bound by either. That''s why the system, a legacy of Morkus, chose you. The throne of bones also didn''t reject you, allowing you to be the Devil God, meaning that even the core of Morkus''s legacies believe that you''ve what it takes to be the bncer!"

    Gruul''s exnation brought a new level of understanding to Val. It was as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes.

    "I see," Val said.

    Curiosity piqued, Val asked, "I have onest question. What''s the deal with that door at the edge of the shrine?"

    Gruul followed his gaze, and then exined, "That is another one of Morkus''s legacies. It can guide its users on their path to power, transporting them to worlds where they can strengthen their bloodline and enhance their abilities. However, like Morkus''s other legacies, you must prove yourself worthy to receive its guidance. Presently, it''s unusable; it requires an immense and raw energy source to function."

    This revtion excited Val. His bloodline wouldn''t upgrade simply by leveling up anymore; he needed something like this.

    "So, how can I make it work?" he asked Gruul eagerly.

    Gruul''s eyes gleamed with a spark of interest. "Tell me about your world, and I may be able to provide a more definitive answer."

    After Val exined everything he knew about Eldrich, Gruul dered, "Dungeon cores can serve as the energy source required. Since the existence of entire realms, no matter how small, depends on them, it''s self-exnatory that they contain vast amounts of raw energy."

    "But if I don''t destroy the core, won''t I be stuck inside the dungeon?" Val asked.

    "That''s a misconception," Gruul responded. "As long as you iste the dungeon core from the same space as the dungeon, the dungeon should copse into nothingness. After all, there will be nothing left to power it. The will of the world will then transport you to safety. To test this theory, simply bring the core into this shrine."

    Val nodded appreciatively at this revtion. "Thank you, Gruul. You''ve been incredibly helpful."

    "It''s my duty," Gruul said. "You''re the Devil God now. I must ensure your growth and that you be as capable as Morkus."

    "Who''s to say I won''t surpass him?" Val said calmly, a hint of a smirk on his face.

    Gruulughed, "I admire your confidence."

    Changing the topic, Val asked, "How long have you been guarding this shrine?"

    "I''m not sure," Gruul confessed. "But it must be more than thousands of years."

    "Do you ever get bored?" Val asked, half-jokingly.

    "Sometimes, but Morkus gave me a purpose, to protect this shrine. And I am just happy with carrying out my duty," Gruul responded with unwavering determination.

    Damn, this guy was too good to be true.

    Val looked at Gruul thoughtfully before saying, "You can join me in the outside world, you know. For a breath of fresh air."

    How good it would be if he had such a powerful and knowledgeable bodyguard follow him around all the time?!

    Gruul shook his head. "The shrine must be guarded. Who knows how many there are who knows of its existence? They might invade at any moment. I must stay here just in case something like that happens."

    "I understand." Val said, "I won''t force you."

    With ast smile to Gruul, Val, while sitting on the throne of bones, uttered a single word, "Exille."

    The next moment, he found himself in the verdant expanse of the second region of the Verdant Deepwood Forest.

 Chapter 131 131: Level 2 Dungeon

    ?

    Val cast the Corpse Sacrifice skill on the lifeless bodies of the Luminous Scalebeasts.

    Immediately, their remaining blood began to move on its own, like it was manipted by an unseen force, forming a sacrificial circle underneath them.

    The circle red with a vibrant crimson light, swallowing the four carcasses whole, and then faded, leaving no trace of the beasts that oncey there.

    In reality, these carcasses were transported to the Shrine of Evil. There, they were instantly digested by the Shrine itself and processed into undead creating power that was transferred to Val through the connection he shared with the shrine.

    A system notification rang out in Val''s mind.

    [You have gained the power to create 4 level 2.5 undead or 1 level 3 undead.]

    [What would you like to do?]

    Val lowered his gaze.

    Had someone else been the Devil God and Val had offered this sacrifice, they would have taken the majority of the power for themselves, leaving Val with a mere fraction. However, in this case, Val was sacrificing his kills to himself as he was the Devil God, meaning he was the beneficiary and the benefactor in the same scenario, and that led to a unique advantage.

    "Use all of the undead-creating power to create 4 level 2 undead," Val said.

    The ground around him began to crack open, forming four dark circles with intricate, horrifying lines that radiated a chilling aura.

    From these circles, four undead creatures rose!

    The bodies of these creatures were a sickly gray, their empty eye sockets glowed with a horrifying green light, and they had long limbs and elongated ws.

    Not to mention, the air around them was thick with an evil aura, enough to send chills down anyone''s spine.

    Val looked at them and cast detect

    Undead 1

    Level 2.5

    Strength: 25

    Agility: 25

    Stamina: 25.

    Skills: ''Corrosive ws'', ''Nightmare Aura''.

    Corrosive ws: This skill allows the undead to release a potent, corrosive substance from its ws capable of melting iron upon contact. Not only does this increase the undead''s offensive capabilities, but it also adds an element of area control and defense, as the corrosive substance can linger on surfaces, potentially damaging those whoe into contact with it.

    Nightmare Aura: Once activated, the undead emits an aura of fear that can prate into the minds of its target, causing vivid and terrifying hallucinations that can stun them momentarily.

    The remaining three undead had the same stats and skills.

    Val stored them in the shrine forter use.

    Val cracked his knuckles as he said, "Now, let''s go dungeon hunting."

    In order to find a way to strengthen his bloodlines, he needed to gather dungeon cores to power up the door in the shrine. The Verdant Deepwood Forest, being immense and filled with mystery, should have some dungeon entrances hidden within its depths.

    Finding a dungeon entrance in this vast forest would usually be a daunting task for anyone, but Val had a skill that could make this so much easier: Heavenly Eye.

    With a small depletion in his soul power, he activated the skill.

    The world around him changed; everything became see-through to his enhanced vision.

    He scrutinized his surroundings, his gaze prating the dense undergrowth and the tall, ancient trees, in search of a dungeon entrance.

    After a short while, he located one, but it was a level 2 dungeon.

    Such dungeons were typically meant for level 2 bloodline users, not level 3 like himself.

    Despite this, Val decided to head there anyway. He had a theory that he wanted to test.

    The theory was quite simple but intriguing in its own right.

    His main ss was level 3, which ssified him as a level 3 bloodline user. However, his innate ss was at level 2. The question was, if he approached the dungeon entrance, would it recognize him as a level 2 user because of his innate ss and allow him entry into the dungeon, or would it reject him because his main ss was level 3?

    It wasmon knowledge that dungeon entrances had some kind of mechanism that could determine the level of the user interacting with it, and subsequently allow or deny ess based on that level and the level allowed inside the dungeon. Val wondered whether this system was sophisticated enough to discern between his main and innate sses, and which would take precedence.

    As he headed toward the level 2 dungeon, he prepared to test this theory and find the answers to these intriguing questions.

    Val had a clear advantage with the Heavenly Eye skill activated. His enhanced vision allowed him to see the beasts prowling around the forest, and he easily maneuvered around them.

    After a while, he arrived at a small clearing that was encircled by towering rock formations.

    At the center of the clearing was an Altar, a peculiar construct made of ancient stone. Etched into its surface was the Roman numeral ''II,'' indicating its level.

    With a determined look, Val approached the Altar and ced his hand in the palm-shaped indentation. Instantaneously, a portal materialized before him, swirling with vibrant, otherworldly energy of a blue color.

    "Well, I''ll be damned. My theory was right on the mark." Val remarked with a slight smirk on his face.

    His theory had been correct: the dungeon entrance had recognized him based on his weakest ss, not the strongest one, and thus allowed him entry into this level 2 dungeon.

    With a small, satisfied smile, Val jumped into the portal.

    A moment of disorientation followed as he was teleported to apletely different location. He found himself in what appeared to be a tunnel. Torches, mounted on the walls of the tunnels at regr intervals on either side of Val, illuminated the surroundings.

    A system notification echoed in his mind:

    "Wee to the Labyrinth."

    "Goal 1: Survive the dangers of the Labyrinth and locate the Labyrinth Heart."

    "Goal 2: Utilize the Labyrinth Heart to deactivate the Labyrinth and reveal the true face of the dungeon."

 Chapter 132 132: Minotaur!

    ?

    The true face of the dungeon was apparent to Val as his Heavenly Eye was active, allowing him to see through obstacles.

    This dungeon''s true face was a vibrant forest hidden behind the deceptive walls of the Labyrinth.

    Val looked at the wall beside him and said, "By breaking this wall, I can get there."

    Attempting to create his own path to the second stage of the dungeon, his hand clenched into a fist and he punched the wall with all his strength.

    Bam!

    A shockwave burst out from the point of impact, but the wall remained intact, not a single scratch to be seen on its surface.

    Val sighed, realizing he was too weak to demolish the structure found in the dungeon.

    ''I have no choice but to y by the dungeon''s rules.''

    With a flicker of thought, he used the Heavenly Eye to locate the Labyrinth Heart. It was in the center of the Labyrinth. However, every path leading to it was filled with dangerous challenges.

    Val''s eyes narrowed as he foresaw the trials he would have to ovee to get there. The road to the heart of thebyrinth was not going to be an easy one.

    His mind was still processing the maze''syout when he turned a corner and came face to face with a hulking Minotaur. It was holding a giant axe in its right hand.

    MOOOoooo!

    A loud roar escaped the creature''s throat, smoke billowing from its nostrils as it charged at him with the giant axe raised high.

    Val was unperturbed by this sight as he had anticipated it. He calmly extended his hand, and waves of blood danced out from him, solidifying and sharpening into the shape of arrows. With a simple flick of his wrist, he sent dozens of these blood arrows hurtling through the air towards the monstrous Minotaur.

    MOOO!

    The Minotaur swung its axe with a deafening roar, crushing several of the arrows. However, although the swing was powerful, it failed to stop them all. The remaining arrows embedded themselves into the beast''s flesh, causing it to bellow in pain.

    Its eyes turned a dangerous red, and Val could feel the creature''s rage growing exponentially with each passing second.

    A thunderous "GRAAAA" echoed through thebyrinth, the Minotaur''s roar shaking the walls of the maze with its imposing rage.

    Without losing a beat, the Minotaur leapt towards Val, swinging its gigantic axe with the force of a cyclone. Its movements, despite being incredibly swift for a creature of its size, were like a slow-motion movie to Val''s heightened senses. Val was like a gust of wind as he nimbly dodged the iing attack, slipping past the whirling axe and positioning himself next to the Minotaur''s outstretched arm.

    "Aquarius, it''s time to feed."

    As if materializing from thin air, a sword appeared in Val''s grip. Grasping it tightly, he performed an upward sh with impable precision, not giving the Minotaur a chance to retract its arm. The cursed de sliced through the Minotaur''s thick hide and even denser muscles as effortlessly as a hot knife cuts through butter, severing its arm from its body.

    Blood erupted from the freshly created stump, but instead of spraying thebyrinth floor, the crimson fountain surged into the cursed sword, being absorbed by it, slightly filling its rage meter.

    The Minotaur''s severed arm fell to the ground with a loud thud, which was deafened as the dungeon monster''s roared in great anguish.

    Whoosh!

    In a blind fit of rage, the Minotaur swung its remaining arm towards Val, who calcted the trajectory of its attack in a split second and swung his sword with such precision that the sharp de sliced into the Minotaur''s hand, splitting it in two from the middle.

    This caused so much pain to the Minotaur that it cried out in pain once again, but its roar of agony was abruptly cut off as Val''s de moved again, this time swiftly and cleanly beheading the beast.

    The massive body of the Minotaur copsed to the ground, its once fearful presence now reduced to nothing.

    [System Notification: Monster ''Labyrinth Minotaur'' killed. 216 EXP gained.]

    The massive Minotaury still, and Val set to work with precision. He began to dismember the beast in search of its cores. His effort was soon rewarded as he pulled a level 2 Strength and a level 2 Stamina core from the creature''s carcass.

    These cores would be effective on anyone with Strength and Stamina stats below 30. The usual procedure would be for a wizard to purify them with soul power, reducing the corruption within them before consumption. But Val, being immune to the force of corruption due to his Unfeeling Trait, simply popped them into his mouth and swallowed them whole.

    [System Notification: Strength increased to 27. With the boost provided by Aquarius, your Strength is now 31.]

    [System Notification: Stamina increased to 29.]

    ''It''s not much, but hey, at least it helped me take a small step towards my ultimate goal,'' Val thought.

    The increase might seem insignificant, but Val knew better than to underestimate the value of even the smallest gains. After all, "drop by drop, a water pot is filled," as the saying goes.

    These little increments, added up over time, would result in vast improvements. And that''s how he intended to grow, steadily and surely, until he reached the pinnacle of power.

    Val then activated his Blood Absorption skill, draining the lifeblood from the deceased Minotaur. The beast''s blood surged into him, increasing his blood bar by several dozen points. Next, he used his Corpse Sacrifice skill on the bloodless carcass, and surprisingly, it only gave him the ability to create a Level 0 undead.

    This puzzled Val.

    Level 3 to 3.9 dungeon monsters, equivalent to Level 21 to 29 beasts or Level 2 undead, were no trifling opponents. Yet, sacrificing the drained corpse of such a monster only allowed him to create a low-level undead. Why was that the case?

    After pondering for a few moments, realization dawned on him.

 Chapter 133 133: Two-Headed Hell Dog!

    He deduced that the quantity of blood left in the body after his absorption impacted the power he gained from the sacrifice.

    ''The amount of undead-creating power I gain from using the Corpse Sacrifice skill seems to be somewhat rted to the amount of blood in the sacrificed creature.''

    Val''s realization was simple but correct nheless.

    The more blood the corpse has and the stronger it was before its death, the more undead-creating power he could get from casting the Corpse Sacrifice skill on it.

    That meant he needed to strike a bnce between using his Blood Absorption skill and ensuring that he left enough blood for a valuable sacrifice.

    This understanding shed new light on his abilities and presented yet another strategy for Val to ponder.

    ...

    Val continued his journey through thebyrinth.

    The tunnels inside thebyrinth were booby-trapped,ced with various mechanisms designed to eliminate any who dared to tread within. However, thanks to his Heavenly Eye ability, which rendered thebyrinth semi-transparent to his sight, Val was able to perceive these traps and their mechanisms.

    He bypassed or deactivated most of the traps that could be found in thebyrinth until he came across one that was utterly unavoidable.

    The trap in the tunnel ahead was set up in such a way that it would activate the moment he stepped in, but it was necessary to go through this tunnel if he wanted to get to the center of thebyrinth. From his current position, it was only two tunnels away!

    Val scratched his chin, a thoughtful look appearing on his face. ''I have no choice but to enter the mouth of the dragon and find a way to survive. Hopefully, the n I''vee up with would prove effective. But if that doesn''t work, I''ll just sacrifice a limb or two to get ahead.''

    The moment he entered a particr tunnel, the trap was triggered.

    A loud rumble was heard as the ceiling overhead opened up and a massive spiked iron ball came hurtling down at an astonishing speed as if it had been fired from a rocket.

    Fortunately, Val had anticipated such an encounter and had activated all his stat boosts. He released a surge of soul power that collided with the falling ball, slowing its descent ever so slightly. That brief dy was all the time he needed to make a backward jump with all the strength he could muster. He hoped that it would be enough to get it out of its way.

    Bam!

    The spiked ball missed him by an inch, crashing into the ground where he had stood moments ago. The force of the impact created a depression, and cobweb-like cracks spread across the ground, stopping just short of Val''s feet.

    Looking at the aftermath, Val couldn''t help but muse, "If that had hit me, every bone in my body would''ve shattered into a thousand pieces."

    Val looked ahead. The massive iron ball now blocked his path. It was so heavy it couldn''t be moved by conventional means.

    "If someone else was in my shoes, they would have gotten stuck in thebyrinth until theirst breath. Thankfully, I have a way to ovee this difficulty."

    Saying so, Val opened his pocket dimension. A ck hole appeared in between him and the iron ball.

    The entrance to this dimension could be adjusted ording to his wish, so he widened its mouth to amodate the iron ball. The pocket dimension released a great sucking pull, and the iron ball was pulled inside.

    With the obstacle out of his way, Val continued walking towards the heart of thebyrinth, thinking,

    ''Now only two more hurdles stand between me and the Labyrinth Heart.''

    In the tunnel leading to the center of thebyrinth, Val came across another dungeon monster, this time a ferocious Two-headed Hell Dog. It was not onlyrger than the Minotaur but also more menacing than it with mes dancing around its massive form.

    Without hesitation, Val charged forward, swinging his sword at the beast. Surprisingly, the Hell dog leaped back with astonishing speed, deftly dodging his attack. This agility from such a massive beast took Val by surprise, his eyebrows shooting up.

    Then he saw the Hell Dog lunging forward, both its jaws opening wide revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. Its jaws snapped shut on empty air as Val, moving even faster, slipped backward out of its reach.

    "You''re fast enough to give a headache to any beginner-stage bloodline user. It''s your misfortune that you encountered an enemy whose main forte is speed. No matter how fast you move, I will always move faster than you." Val taunted.

    Woof! Woof!

    The beast, as if understanding his words, barked in indignation.

    Wisps of fire then began to swirl in the beast''s twin maws, swirling and twirling like a tornado, coalescing into two zing fireballs. With a head-jerking motion, the Hell dog propelled the fireballs from its mouth.

    Whoosh! Whoosh!

    The heat in the tunnel spiked several degrees as the fireballs hurtled through the air and rocketed toward Val, the air crackling with their intense heat.

    Thinking quickly, Val unleashed his wizardry. He mmed his soul power into the fireballs, causing them to explode mid-air before they could reach him. The resulting detonation created a fiery shockwave that sent a cloud of smoldering dust billowing through the tunnel.

    "This better works."

    Bracing himself, Val crossed his arms in front of him, summoning his blood devil bloodline power. Blood surged from his body, coalescing into a solid shield that materialized before him. The shield, robust and crimson, bore the full brunt of the explosion, keeping Val safe from harm. The force of the st crashed into the shield, causing the surface to ripple like disturbed water, but it held firm.

    Woof!

    Through the settling dust and smoke, the two-headed Hell dog leaped,nding on Val''s shield with a resounding thud. Its ws scraped across the crimson shield enclosing Val, while its heavy body pounded against it, but the shield withstood the beast''s assault.

 Chapter 134 134: The Heart Of The Labyrinth!

    ?

    "Your desperation to break through my defenses so that you can rip me apart has touched my heart, big guy," Val mockingly reassured the frenzied Hell dog. "So I will fulfill your wish."

    The Hell dog didn''tprehend his words, but that didn''t stop its frenzied assault on the crimson shield.

    Bam! Bam! Bam!

    It pounded the shield relentlessly with its body, hoping to break through and sink its teeth into Val. Little did it know that Val was about toply with its desperate wish.

    With a thought, Val undid the crimson shield, the very tform that it was standing on. Caught off guard, the Hell dog dropped straight down,nding on the sharp end of Val''s waiting sword.

    Puchi!

    The de pierced through its chest, cleaving its heart, and emerged out the other side.

    Still, the stubborn creature refused to die quietly. With its final breath, it tried to take Val down with it, its jaws snapping forward. However, an invisible force stopped it just short of its target, much to its indignant surprise. Then, life left its eyes, and its body thudded against the ground, as Val yanked his sword from its corpse.

    [You have killed a Level 3 dungeon monster. You have gained 300 EXP.]

    Using his Heavenly Eye ability, Val could see through the Hell dog''s exterior, locating the exact positions of the cores within its body. Unlike the Minotaur, the two-headed Hell dog had three cores. Knowing their precise locations proved beneficial as Val plunged his hand into the beast''s body, grabbing and yanking the cores out of its flesh.

    The hot, fresh blood of the Hell dog scalded his hands, but Val remained undeterred, popping the cores into his mouth and swallowing them whole.

    [Your strength has increased to 30 points! You''ll no longer be able to increase your STR using level 2 dungeon monster strength cores!]

    [Your agility has increased to 27 points!]

    [Your Reflexes have increased to 24 points!]

    Val was satisfied with the increase in his stats. Looks like killing a level 3 dungeon monster was really the best way to go if he wanted to rapidly increase his stats. However, level 2 dungeons rarely had such monsters.

    Next, Val employed his Blood Sacrifice skill, sacrificing the blood-soaked carcass of the Hell dog to himself and gaining the power to create 2 level 2 undead creatures or one level 3. He chose the second option, wondering if it would be loyal to him like its level 2 counterparts or if it would turn on him like a snitch.

    It resulted in the formation of a Level 3 undead, a massive, hellish monstrosity of charred flesh and bone.

    [Undead servant''s stats:

    Strength: 33

    Stamina: 35

    Agility: 28

    Skills: me Breath (Level 2), Shadow w (Level 2), Dash]

    As soon as the undead beast was created, it turned on its creator, charging at Val with murderous intent.

    Val, however, was prepared for this. Not to mention, all his stat-boosting skills were active, meaning his agility stat was two times more than the fool attacking him. He easily dodged its Shadow w and shed up to it.

    "Bastard who turned on its creator... You deserve to die!"

    His fist ignited with Hellish Fire as he delivered a powerful punch to the creature''s face. The punch sent the beast sprawling backward and set it ame, the Hellish Fire consuming it until it was nothing but ashes.

    "Looks like Level 3 undead servants would attack me as soon as they are created. For the time being, only creating Level 2 or weaker undead creatures is safe for me."

    Val didn''t let this dampen his mood. Instead, his eyes lit up as if he was looking forward to the day when he would level 3 undead at his beck and call.

    "Challenges are what makes life interesting. And oveing them is what makes life meaningful. I''ll figure out a way to control these unruly undead."

    Navigating through thebyrinthine tunnel, Val finally arrived at the heart of thebyrinth.

    It was like a vast chamber which only had one entrance. At its core was an altar, and atop it rested an orb adorned with star-like markings. Its shine dimly illuminated the chamber. Val recognized it as the Labyrinth Heart.

    It wasn''t going to be easy to get it as guarding the altar was a bipedal beast as tall as Val himself. It stood on two feet, possessing a humanoid physique, but with an array of antennae protruding from its head.

    This unusual creature was a sentient dungeon monster, known as an Anthrolisk.

    "Imend you for reaching this far," the Anthrolisk said, its voice buzzing in Val''s ears. "But your journey ends here. This chamber will be your burial ground."

    Val was slightly taken aback to hear a dungeon monster speaking so artictely. Monsters like this were called sentient monsters, which were rare and far more troublesome than ordinary beasts. Even level 20 to 30 beasts paled inparison to these intelligent monstrosities.

    Val had not expected to encounter such a creature so soon in his journey toward the pinnacle of power, so he was a bit taken aback. However, he quickly calmed down, assuming a stoic expression. In his mind, the Anthrolisk would meet the same fate as those who had previously dared to cross his path.

    Looking at it, he cast Detect.

    The Anthrolisk''s character screen materialized before Val, revealing its statistics.

    Anthrolisk

    Danger Level: 3.3

    Strength: 33

    Agility: 35

    Stamina: 32

    Reflexes: 36

    Intelligence: 30

    Skills:

    1) Stealth

    2) Exoskeleton Defense

    3) Antennae Sensing

    ''So it''s just a weakling,'' Val thought after seeing its stats.

    Turning his gaze back to it, he taunted, "For a weakling, you sure do talk big."

    The Anthrolisk''s antennae twitched in irritation upon hearing his words. Then it angrily retorted, "How dare you belittle me, human! You will pay for your insolence!"

    As quick as a sh, the Anthrolisk blurred out of existence. It had activated its Stealth skill. After bing invisible, it closed in on Val with an uncanny speed.

 Chapter 135 135: Descension Of Evil!!!

    ?

    The Anthrolisk was confident it would wipe the floor with Val as believed its movements to be invisible to Val, and how can one defeat an opponent they can''t see?

    Oh, how wrong it was!

    Val''s Heavenly Eye pierced through the fabric of reality and look into the Other Side. What was Anthrolisk''s invisibility in front of it? Its stealth was nonexistent in his gaze, as he could clearly see it approaching!

    The Anthroliskunched a powerful punch, yet Val easily dodged it, causing the monster to freeze, its bulbous eyes widening in surprise.

    ''Can he see me?'' the Anthrolisk thought in confusion. ''No, that''s impossible!''

    In reality, it was possible, but it was unwilling to believe such a bitter truth and attacked Val repeatedly. Val, however, evaded all of its subsequent attacks effortlessly. Then, he delivered a powerful kick to the creature''s gut, causing the Anthrolisk''s stealth to fade away as it was sent sliding backward.

    Val decided to step up his game. Calling upon his mastery over blood, he channeled his power into one powerful move which he named: The Blood Maelstrom.

    This move transformed his blood into a roaring whirlwind of crimson energy that bombarded the Anthrolisk. The impact sent the beast crashing against the chamber wall, where it slid down and copsed onto the ground, spewing blood from its mouth.

    Slowly, the Anthrolisk raised its head, ring at Val with bloodshot eyes, its body trembling with suppressed rage. Val could see that the Anthrolisk was teetering on the edge of rage. He saw an opportunity and decided to exploit it by taunting it. Taunting his enemy to the point where it would lose its cool could lead to it making a critical mistake that would inevitably be its downfall.

    "Did I crush you that easily?" Val taunted the creature in a haughty tone, "Seems like you''re no more than a weakling just like I had assessed earlier."

    The Anthrolisk''s antennae twitched violently, its bloodshot eyes narrowed, and it gritted its mandibles together. Rage bubbled up within it like boiling tar, yet it kept its fury in check.

    "I admit," it managed to grind out through clenched teeth, "you''re stronger than me. On my own, I might not be enough to defeat you. But when my childrene into the picture, everything changes."

    "What children?" Val''s eyebrow raised.

    The Anthrolisk responded by pping its hands elegantly. Suddenly, the ceiling overhead split open, and gigantic cockroaches, each half the size of a human, crawled out. Their shiny exoskeletons gleamed ominously under the faint light of the chamber.

    "Shocked, aren''t you?" The Anthrolisk gloated, a wicked grin stretching across its monstrous face. "Let''s see how you fare against my children! Little ones, get him!"

    With themand given, the cockroaches crawled down the wall in an eerie synchronicity, their multitude of tiny legs clicking against the stone walls of the chamber as they closed in on Val.

    Val, however, merely smirked, causing an ominous chill to creep down the Anthrolisk''s spine. It could feel that something wasn''t right.

    "You''re not the only one with henchmen," Val retorted casually, his smirk broadening into a wicked grin that mirrored the Anthrolisk''s earlier expression.

    A sense of foreboding filled Anthrolisk and it moved to stop Val from doing whatever he was nning to do.

    However, it was toote.

    "Descend to the living realm, my army of the undead!" hemanded, his voice echoing throughout the chamber.

    Suddenly, reality seemed to bend and ripple around Val, as if it was a mere illusion.

    Out of these distortions, five undead creatures emerged, tearing through the very fabric of space itself to answer their master''s call.

    Their hollow eyes burned with a spectral fire, their skeletal forms imposing and dreadful. It was a sight to behold, a haunting spectacle that sent chills down the spine of even the Anthrolisk.

    "Wreak havoc on those unfortunate enough to be my enemies," Val ordered.

    Following hismand, the undead began their assault, closing in on the paralyzed cockroaches with frightening speed.

    The Level 2 undead used the Nightmarish Aura skill. The aura of dread and despair that surrounded them surged forward like a tsunami and crashed onto the giant cockroaches, invoking visions of their impending death and causing absolute terror to grip them.

    It resulted in them freezing in ce as if they''d turned to stone.

    The undead, swift and merciless, took full advantage of the situation. They employed their Corrosive ws, from which a corrosive liquid sprayed out, sshing onto the cockroaches.

    Sizzle! Sizzle!

    The potent liquid melted through their tough exoskeletons, revealing the soft flesh beneath.

    With their defensespromised, the cockroaches, no matter howrge, stood no chance against the relentless onught of the undead. Their ws ripped into the cockroaches, yanking out their innards and crushing their hearts in their powerful grip.

    Suddenly, a system notification popped up in front of Val.

    [System: Your undead minions have killed 4 Level 20 to 24 Giant Cockroaches. Gained 850 EXP!]

    A smug smile spread across Val''s face. It appeared there was no difference in the experience gained, whether he killed a beast or his undead minions did. He found it quite satisfying.

    Meanwhile, Val''s first and only Level 0 undead was run over by a group of cockroaches.

    Immediately, another system notification rang in Val''s ears.

    [System: Your Level 0 Undead has returned to the embrace of its father.]

    [Number of undead decreased to 4]

    Undead were created from death, meaning it has died.

    Val chuckled lightly, "Quite poetic."

    "Avenger the fallen!" Valmanded, and the four Level 2 undead immediately attacked the group of cockroaches that killed the Level 0 undead, their ws gleaming ominously.

    While all this was taking ce, Val turned to the Anthrolisk and cracked his knuckles. "While our minions strive to emerge victorious, let''s settle our score," he stated. "Ready or not, here Ie."

    The Anthrolisk flinched as Val approached, its numerous eyes wide with terror. However, it wasn''t ready to give up just yet.

 Chapter 136 136: Labyrinth Heart

    ?

    "Try your best, human!" The Anthrolisk retorted, its form blurring as it activated its stealth ability and made a run for it!

    But the beast didn''t realize the futility of its attempts.

    Val''s Heavenly Eye saw through its deceitful illusion like it was nothing.

    Val moved at the top of his speed, shing up to it. Then heshed out, his sword strikesnding on the exoskeleton of the Anthrolisk, the force behind them causing it to groan with each hit.

    When the dungeon monster felt cornered by his relentless and brutal assault, it retaliated, throwing a punch at Val.

    A sharp glint shed in his eyes as he threw out a fist, meeting its punch with his own hellish-fire-covered one, causing a shockwave to ripple through the air. The force of the sh was enough to throw both of them off bnce, but while Val remained uninjured, the Anthrolisk''s hand was set aze.

    The hellish fire rapidly spread from its hand to its exoskeleton as it attempted to extinguish the fire by tapping on its fire resistance exoskeleton. Val watched with a smirk as it only made the situation worst for itself. Under the wrath of the Hellish Fire, its right hand and exoskeleton were reduced to nothing in a matter of seconds.

    Then the Hellish Firetched onto its exposed innards.

    ARGHHHHHHH!

    The Anthrolisk roared in agony as the fire began to consume it.

    However, wanting to bring its opponent down with it, it attempted another attack with its remaining hand, but Val caught the punch with a vice-like grip. He then drove his sword right through the creature.

    Ugh!

    It screamed, trying to wrestle its hand free from Val''s grasp, but it was as if an iron vice had mped onto it. It was stuck.

    With a malicious grin, Val twisted the sword embedded in the creature''s body, amplifying its torment. Its screams filled the chamber, bouncing off the stone walls, echoing eerily.

    "Too loud," Valmented nonchntly. He pulled the sword out and with one swift stroke, beheaded the Anthrolisk. The Hellish Fire did the rest of the work, reducing it to a pile of ashes.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You''ve have killed a Level 3.3 dungeon Lord, Anthrolisk. Gained 660 EXP!]

    The system notification appeared before Val, congratting him on his victory.

    In the pile of ashes that was once the Anthrolisk, Val discovered more cores. Quickly, he scooped them up and pocketed them before he went to help his undead minions deal with the giant cockroaches.

    With theirbined strength, it didn''t take long to decimate thest group of giant cockroaches, an act which granted Val a few hundred more EXP.

    After the battle, Val turned his attention to the corpses of the fallen beasts. He scanned them, realizing none of them had cores. What bad luck!

    Although dead, they were still useful to Val!

    Using the Corpse Sacrifice skill, he offered the corpses to the Devil God, causing their carcasses to be teleported to the Shrine of Evil. This shrine was alive in its own unique way, having a form of consciousness tethered to Val. It consumed the sacrifices offered in the name of the Devil God, who in this case was Val himself, converting them into a raw and primal evil energy capable of creating undead minions.

    This energy flowed back into Val through the bond he shared with the shrine. With it, he could create up to ten more Level 2 undead minions or two Level 3. Given the rebellious nature of Level 3 undead and the fact he had no means to control them, Val decided to create Level 2 minions instead.

    [Host has created 10 more level 2 undead!]

    [The number of Host''s Undead Minions has increased to 14!]

    Upon consuming the cores he had extracted from the Anthrolisk''s ashes, Val felt a new surge of power course through him, and it was a feeling he weed with open arms.

    Immediately, he was met with a series of notifications.

    [Level 3 Core of Strength consumed. Your Strength has increased to 30 points!]

    [Level 3 Core of Agility consumed. Your Agility has increased to 31 points!]

    [Level 3 Core of Reflexes consumed. Your Reflexes have increased to 30 points!]

    [Level 3 Core of Stamina consumed. Your Stamina has increased to 32 points!]

    [Level 3 Core of Wisdom consumed. Your Arcane Heart has slightly strengthened. Your Soul Power reserve has increased to 250 points! Your Soul Power production rate has increased to 50.]

    Val was slightly taken aback by thest notification.

    It was the first time he''de across a Core of Wisdom, and he''d been curious to see what its effects would be. So he was delighted when he found that it enhanced his wizarding abilities.

    ''The Core of Wisdom is undoubtedly a game-changer for wizards. I need to seek out more of these in the future,'' he thought. ''But it''s going to be hard. From what I''ve understood, only sentient dungeon monsters have a 50% chance to drop the Core of Wisdom.''

    Val made his way to the altar at the center of the chamber and picked up the Labyrinth Heart resting atop it. Looking at it, he wondered how he could establish a connection with it.

    Finding no intuitive way to do so, Val decided to cast ''Detect'' on it. The system responded quickly.

    [Name: Labyrinth Heart]

    [Danger Level: 2 (Less dangerous than Aquarius).]

    [Item Description: The Labyrinth Heart can be used to create a minibyrinth with walls so robust that even Level 4 bloodline users cannot brute force their way through. It can also be used to deactivate the minibyrinth. The host can bind with it using soul power.

    It cost 1000 soul power to set up abyrinth. There''s no cost of deactivating it.]

    Using wizardry, Val manipted his soul power, dumping a few units of it into the Labyrinth Heart. Immediately, he felt a strange sensation, almost like a tug in his chest, as the bond was established between him and the dungeon object.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You have be the owner of the Labyrinth Heart.]

 Chapter 137 137: Second Layer

    ?

    Taking a deep breath, Val decided to test out the power of his newly acquired item.

    He willed the Labyrinth Heart to deactivate thebyrinth, and instantly, thebyrinth vanished into thin air as if it had never existed. At the same time, the thick forest that had previously been out of his reach as he was trapped in thebyrinth appeared before him.

    Immediately, a series of system notifications popped up in front of him.

    [You''vepleted the goals of the firstyer of the level 2 dungeon.]

    [You have advanced to the second andstyer of the level 2 dungeon.]

    [Goals toplete this stage will now be issued.]

    [Goal no.1) Destroy the Hive.]

    [Worker bees killed: 0/25] [Queen bee killed: 0/1]

    [Goal no.2) Obtain and destroy the Dungeon Core.]

    "No rest for the wicked, huh?" Val muttered to himself.

    The new tasks were clear, but first, he needed to locate the bees.

    He scanned his surroundings, eyes sharp and alert.

    He was in the center of a clearing. Around him were towering trees that sparkled with a neon blue bioluminescent glow. Interspersed amongst the trees were strange, mushroom-like nts that released a constant stream of green fumes.

    ''I have never seen such weird and exotic trees and nts.''

    ''Maybe they are dangerous.''

    ''Let''s find out.''

    Val observed them closely, and the detect trait was activated.

    Immediately, he realized that the glowing trees were harmless, but the mushrooms weren''t.

    Inhaling arge amount of the green fumes they were puffing out could induce hallucinations.

    Even a Half-human and a half-devil like him wasn''t immune to this stuff!

    "I better stay clear of these mushrooms," he said to himself.

    To his disappointment, he wasn''t able to see through them. His heavenly eye had deactivated - it seemed the ability had a time limit.

    Val blinked, and in the next moment, he reactivated his heavenly eye at the cost of a few units of his soul power.

    Regaining the power to see through obstacles, he peered again at his surroundings. This time, he could see through all the obstacles around him, the trees and the mushrooms seemed transparent. His gaze pierced through everything until itnded on a worker bee on patrol.

    The bee was massive, at least a meter tall, with a sharp stinger that curved like a shiv sword.

    Val''s eyebrow raised as he saw it weaving through the trees, flying straight towards him.

    He cast ''Detect'' on the bee.

    Immediately, a semi-transparent screen containing its stats popped up.

    [Name: Worker Bee

    Danger Level: 2

    Speed: 25

    Strength: 28

    Stamina: 35]

    With its danger level being only 2, it was essentially no threat to him. He could effortlessly vanquish it in a single shot. To Val, it was more of a treat than a threat. After all, killing it would grant him EXP and potentially even some stat-enhancing cores!

    Val expressionlessly watched the bee hurtle towards him and muttered, "Ignorance truly breeds fearlessness."

    The phrase aptly described the bee''s situation - like a moth to a me, it was racing towards its own doom, unaware of the danger it was in. If it knew how strong Val was, it wouldn''t have dared to confront him alone!

    Like a cat watching a mouse scamper into its trap, Val waited for the bee to draw closer to him.

    The bee lunged at Val, its stinger aimed straight at him. The attack was lightning fast, something most Level 2-3 bloodline users of the warrior ss would not be able to dodge. The stinger would prate their flesh, delivering a painful, paralyzing venom that would leave them unable to move andpletely at the mercy of the bee who would eat them alive.

    Val, however, was superior to a beginner-stage warrior in terms of both stats and skills. His power level already rivaled intermediate-stage bloodline users.

    Even without activating Blood Rush or Titan''s reinforcement, Val was faster than the bee!

    He moved with such speed that the bee didn''t notice him stepping aside, avoiding its stinger.

    Bam!

    Before it could react, Valnded a swift elbow on its face, sending it crashing onto the ground and leaving it momentarily concussed.

    With a quick move of his free hand, Val grabbed its wing. He hoisted the bee upward, then swung his sword and cleanly severed the wings from its body. The wings were the most sensitive part of these creatures. Getting them chopped off their back was akin to a man being castrated with a sword.

    Val''s brutal act left the bee a shrieking mess on the ground. The bee writhed in excruciating pain, a pain so intense it overshadowed all other senses.

    Val had no interest in watching it suffer. He drove his sword into the bee''s back, the sharp de piercing through its body and emerging from its open mouth.

    Immediately, a notification rang in his mind.

    [Ding! You''ve defeated a level 2.4 dungeon monster. You get +240 EXP.]

    "Drink up, Aquarius," he told his cursed sword, allowing it to consume the bee''s blood.

    [System Notification: Aquarius''s Rage Meter is now full.]

    [The skill ''Crimson sh'' is now useable!]

    ''With this skill, the inevitable battle with the Queen and the worker bees will be so much easier,'' Val thought.

    Val observed the bee corpse, now entirely drained of blood by Aquarius. When he focused his gaze, he was able to see through the body and look into its interior. He hoped to find cores, but to his disappointment, there was none.

    Right after, Val cast the Corpse Sacrifice skill on the bloodless corpse of the bee and created a new Level 0 undead servant.

    Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

    Suddenly, Val''s ears twitched as he picked up a distant buzzing sound.

    ''Where is this sounding from?''

    Looking up, he saw a swarm of bees, the entire colony, charging out from behind the glowing trees and darting towards him. Their eyes were bloodshot, filled with an intense hatred. If looks could kill, Val would already be minced meat.

 Chapter 138 138: The Colony

    ?

    The Worker Bees, thanks to the special skill bestowed upon them by the Queen Bee, possessed a shared visual consciousness that allowed them to see through the eyes of their fellow colony members.

    Because of this, they had quickly discovered Val''s location when he was fighting the Worker Bee patrolling the forest and quickly reached him.

    They had witnessed him ruthlessly kill one of their own and were now infuriated, seeking to tear him to pieces at any cost.

    "Well, this is a sticky situation." Val smirked, "But I''m not the kind to get stung even once." He raised his sword, looking at it with eyes glittering with anticipation. "Let''s paint the town red, shall we, Aquarius?"

    The sword hummed in response, putting a slight smile on Val''s face.

    "Rage, Aquarius!" Val called out, swinging his sword in a wide horizontal arc. The de of Aquarius ignited with a crimson glow, and as he swung it, a slim arc of red energy erupted from the body of the sword.

    This arc was not ordinary, it was a manifestation of concentrated and pressurized blood. Its nature was akin to a high-pressure water jet - slim, but incredibly sharp, with the capacity to slice through even the toughest of metals.

    Whoosh!

    The scarlet arc cut through the air, heading straight for the swarm of bees. Those at the forefront of the formation were unable to react in time, meeting their ends as the deadly arc sliced them cleanly into halves from their midsections. The bees further behind managed to swerve away from the lethal arc, barely avoiding a simr fate. But their eyes were wide with terror, understanding the threat that faced them.

    [Ding! Congrattions, host! You''ve killed 10 Level 20-25 worker bees. You gained 2300 EXP!]

    Val was undeniably a formidable opponent, and the sheer disy of his power had instilled fear in the hearts of the worker bees. However, their queen, blinded by her rage and desire for vengeance, was unable to see past her fury. In her wrath, she issued amand for a collective attack on Val, the source of her ire.

    Heeding their queen''smand, the worker bees swiftly dispersed, flitting around to encircle Val from all directions before swooping towards him from all sides, attempting to overwhelm him with sheer numbers.

    This tactical movement wasn''t lost on Val, who was impressed by the Queen Bee''s strategic move.

    Val watched the scene n out with an impressed look on his face. He had to give it to the Queen; she was intelligent enough to quickly develop a strategy to counter his crimson arc even while seething with anger. He began to wonder if killing her would grant him a core of wisdom. But first, he needed to ovee her worker bees.

    "15 against 1, huh? That''s hardly fair."

    Val then broke into a sardonic grin.

    "I hate being wronged. So let''s level the ying field, shall we?"

    Val''s nonchnt smile sparked a sense of foreboding in the Queen Bee.

    She could sense something was about to happen, something she might not be able to control.

    Panic rising in her, she ordered her workers to hasten their attack.

    But it was already toote!

    "Descend," Valmanded, his voice calm and steady.

    Immediately, the space around him distorted like ripples in a pond as if reality itself was bending to his will. Fourteen level 2 and one level 0 undead minions stepped out of the spatial distortions, standing by their master''s side, awaiting his order.

    The dynamics of the fight had drastically changed. The once overwhelming force of bees now faced an army of undead, their numbers matching!

    The sudden appearance of the horrifying undead startled the worker bees so much that they stopped closing in on Val and instead began to fly away. It was the first time they were seeing creatures that seemed to have crawled out of their graves, leaving them perplexed, afraid, and unwilling to follow their queen''s order.

    As if sensing their collective shock, Val''s smirk broadened, a glint of ruthlessness shing in his eyes.

    "Attack them with the nightmarish aura skill. Do not let a single one fly away!" Valmanded his minions verbally. Though he did share a psychic connection with his undead minions, it required a degree of focus that Val preferred to reserve for more critical moments. Moreover, revealing this trump card prematurely was not in his game n. He wanted to save it until it was truly necessary as then he would catch his enemies off guard.

    Following hismand, the undead immediately activated their nightmarish aura skill, which enabled them to control the evil air emanating from their very being and swirling around them like a protective barrier. The 14 level 2 undead simultaneously raised their hand and their nightmarish aura was like an all-consuming darkness that seemed to swallow the very light around it as it surged upwards like tidal waves and struck the worker bees. Hallucinations of horrific intensity immediately seized the bees - vivid, terrifying images of their wings being brutally torn off, then of being dropped into searing hot oil, cooked alive by the undead haunted their senses, overthrowing their conscious and causing absolute terror to grip them.

    The utterly disturbing experience left them paralyzed, their wings ceasing to p.

    As a result, their flight came to a staggering halt, and they began plummeting to the ground, where the undead lurked.

    Val grinned as he saw that he was close to securing victory. However, the Queen Bee would not let her workers be defeated so easily.

    The Queen Bee let out a high-pitched, distressing noise that echoed throughout the dungeon.

    This noise seem to contain an unnatural power as the worker bees snapped out of their nightmare-induced stupor when it reached their antennas. Jerked back into reality, they saw that they were about to crash to their death and immediately began to p their wings with all their strength. They managed to regain flight and didn''t crash into the ground, but they were dangerously close to the undead waiting below.

    In other words, they''ve entered their attack range!

 Chapter 139 139: The Terrifying Undead!

    ?

    Seeing his opportunity, Val seized it. He used his psychic connection tomand the undead: "Attack!"

    Like the extensions of Val''s will, the undead sprung into action. They leaped at the worker bees who were frantically trying to fly away.

    In response, the bees retaliated, their sharp and curved stingers lunging forward, prating the skeletal frames of the undead. The stingers pierced right through, protruding from their backs. But it failed to do anything to the undead as theycked the ability to feel pain just like Val. Theirck of a traditional nervous system made them immune to the physical agony that such a strike should have caused.

    Not to mention, the worker bees'' stingers, now lodged deeply in the undead, acted like hooks. As the bees desperately attempted to take flight again, they found themselves inadvertently dragging along the undead.

    The bees attempted to shake them off by pulling out their stingers, but it was in vain as the undead ripped into the bees with their ws, hanging onto them like demons out of hell, ensuring that escape was impossible for the terrified worker bees!

    Val watched the chaotic scene unfold before him, a dark smile ying on his lips. The worker bees were putting up a fierce fight, but they were outmatched. After all, the undead had a grim determination and a relentless nature that the bees were ill-equipped to handle.

    The buzzing of the bees reached a fevered pitch as they tried to dislodge the undead. However, their attempts to shake them off proved to be fruitless. The undead clung onto their bodies like leeches, their ws digging into the bees'' flesh, carving out chunks of their flesh and causing blood to gush out from their wounds, which sttered onto the undead beneath them.

    "Use corrosive ws," Valmanded using the psychic connection he shared with the undead, who followed hismand obediently.

    A corrosive liquid burst from the undead''s ws that were embedded into the bodies of the worker bees. As their ws were buried in their flesh, the liquid released sprayed directly into the worker bees'' bodies.

    Sizzle! Sizzle!

    This corrosive substance melted them from the inside out, from their internal organs to their flesh, the intolerable pain of being melted alive eliciting loud cries of agony from the bees.

    Multiple notifications rang in Val''s ears.

    [Your undead killed 14 Worker Bees!]

    [You''ve gained 3000 EXP!]

    Killed by the undead, the worker bees fell from the sky one by one and crashed into the forest floor.

    The Queen Bee watched in horror, her workers falling around her. She could do nothing but hover in the sky. The high-pitched distress call she had emitted earlier had failed to provide the salvation she had hoped for. Her kingdom was crumbling, and there was nothing she could do to stop it!

    In the midst of this chaos, a level 0 undead was attacked by a worker bee.

    The bee''s stinger pierced through its body, leaving a gaping hole, but the undead didn''t flinch.

    Val also saw an opportunity in this. Immedtseidly, he forwarded amand to the level 0 undead, hoping that it would be intelligent enough to understand the intent of its creator.

    The undead didn''t let him down as it reached out, grabbing the bee''s wing with a vice-like grip. The bee struggled, but couldn''t shake off the undead. Seeing the opportunity, Val charged towards the worker bee and swung his sword, effectively beheading it. Blood sprayed in the air, coating Val and the ground beneath him.

    [Ding! Congrattion, Host. You''ve killed a level 22 Worker Bee. You gained 220 EXP!] The system notification rang in Val''s mind.

    "Darn, even level 0 undead are useful if given the rightmands," Val remarked, visibly impressed. He gently patted the undead''s head, adding a sincere, "Good job."

    The undead stared back at him, its gaze devoid of any emotion, but its actions demonstrated unwavering loyalty.

    A sudden, creeping sense of danger sent shivers down Val''s spine. Swiftly, he raised his gaze upwards just in time to see the Queen Bee''s eyes pulsating ominously with a sinister red glow. Reacting on pure instinct, Val sprang away from his spot moments before a series ofser beams exploded from her eyes. The beams went towards the area where he had been standing merely a split second ago. He had dodged them!

    Tragically, the level 0 undead, slower in response, wasn''t as fortunate. It bore the full brunt of the enraged Queen Bee''s attack and exploded into smithereens, devoured by the raw power of theser beams she shot out of her eyes.

    The Queen Bee shrieked as she saw she had failed to kill the bastard who had taken everything from her. He killed her precious children. He destroyed her family. He took what was most precious to her. She wanted him dead. She wanted him to suffer!

    Moreser beams burst forth from her eyes, each one targeting Val with a terrifying precision. Recognizing the impending threat, Val hastily activated his Blood Rush skill. This formidable ability doubled his agility, boosting it to an incredible 60 points. Simultaneously, he called upon the power of Titan''s Reinforcement, further bolstering his strength, stamina, and agility by a staggering 20%. The surge of power transformed him into a blur, leaving nothing but afterimages in his wake as he deftly evaded each lethal strike. Everyser beam only managed to scorch the ground where he had previously stood, missing him by a hair''s breadth.

    However, Val understood the tactical disadvantage of fighting in an open field against such an enemy. The Queen Bee held the aerial advantage, and herser beams gave her a long-range attack option. She was out of his attack range and whatever attack he throws at her would be shot down by herser beams. Even if he use the flying broom to get to her, what were the chances that he would reach her before he gets struck by herser beams? For now, he could do nothing but run!

    Without wasting any more time, Val darted into the thick woods.

 Chapter 140 140: The Legendary Move!

    ?

    Val''s enhanced agility allowed him to nimbly avoid paths strewn with hallucination-causing mushrooms, weaving skillfully among the densely-packed trees.

    Predictably, the Queen Bee gave chase, firing herser beams relentlessly.

    However, the dense foliage provided an unexpected shield.

    Many of theser beams were intercepted by the sturdy trees, their trunks taking the hit intended for Val and exploding into smithereens.

    As for the rest, he had to deal with them himself.

    Thankfully, Val''s Detect trait served him well, granting him an uncanny sixth sense for danger. He was able to predict where thesers were going to strike before the Queen Bee even released them, enabling him to dodge them with ease.

    Coupled with his enhanced speed, he was able to create a significant distance between himself and the Queen Bee while dodging her lethal attacks.

    His eyes gleamed with cunning as he caught sight of a towering tree ahead. It was thick enough to hide his form from the enemy chasing him if he get behind it.

    "I need to make it happen. Once I do, I will gain the opportunity to put my n into motion," he murmured to himself, an air of determination enveloping him.

    Approaching the airborne Queen openly was an open invitation to her deadlyser attacks. Thus, he chose to take a more covert approach using the Other Side. Through it, he could monitor the Queen''s position using his enhanced Heavenly Eye and re-emerge at an advantageous location to strike her down.

    Upon reaching behind the tall tree, he halted abruptly, pulling out the Mystical Shovel from his subspace. With its help, he opened the door to the Other Side. He immediately stepped into it, and the door vanished from sight.

    Whoosh!

    The Queen Bee, seeing him disappear behind the tree, unleashed anotherser attack on the obstruction.

    Bam!

    Struck by the beams, The tree erupted in an explosion, scattering wooden shrapnel in all directions.

    However, there was nothing behind it - Val had seemingly vanished into thin air, leaving the Queen Bee baffled.

    Meanwhile, Val had safely made his transition to the Other Side. This side of the dungeon was eerily simr to the real world, with the ring exception of it being devoid of any life. As he observed his surroundings, his eyebrow raised in surprise and his sixth sense tingled when he noticed the tree behind him exploding into countless splinters, threatening to pierce him.

    Reacting swiftly, Val activated his blood maniption skill. Waves of blood surged from his body, swirling protectively around him. Like a wall of crimson, the blood deflected all iing wooden shards, safeguarding Val from any potential harm.

    In that moment, a realization dawned upon Val: changes that happened in the real world had an immediate effect on the Other Side. This revtion gave him a deeper understanding of the connection between the two dimensions, and a broader perspective on how to leverage it in his favor.

    ''For now, let''s deal with the enraged Karen,'' Val thought as he pumped dozens of units of soul power into his eyes from his arcane heart to activate the strengthened version of Heavenly Eye.

    Immediately, he could see reality from the Other Side. It was so much betterpared to the semi-transparent view of only his surrounding he got when using the weakest version of Heavenly Eye which require less soul power.

    His gaze located the Queen Bee, who was still lingering near the remnants of the exploded tree, seemingly puzzled by his disappearance.

    ''You''ll remain bewildered as you die. I''ll make sure of that," Val vowed.

    Val gripped the shovel in one hand and his cursed sword in the other. To free one of his hands - crucial for maintaining bnce while riding his flying broom - he secured the sword in his mouth. He then procured the flying broom from the pocket dimension of his Void Orb and soared towards the unsuspecting Queen Bee.

    Upon positioning himself in her blind spot, Val wielded the power of his Mystical Shovel to create an exit from the Other Side. As he exited this portal, he found himself materializing behind the Queen in the real world.

    Quickly, Val switched the shovel for his sword and swung it towards the Queen, who was still scrutinizing the forest to locate, oblivious to the fact he was just behind her.

    Val''s sword moved seamlessly through the Queen Bee, tracing a distinct red line across her body. This line served as the blueprint of his assault, charting the deadly path his de was taking.

    Moments after the line appeared, a gruesome spectacle unfolded as the Queen Bee''s body split along this trajectory. The dissection was clean and precise, causing her body to detach at the demarcated line as blood spurted out from the severed sections like a fountain. The two parts of her body crashed to the ground.

    A system notification chimed in.

    [Ding! Congrattions, host! You have killed the Level 38 Queen Bee. You have gained several hundred EXP.]

    Val wiped the sweat off his face. This was one of the hardest supernatural battles he had fought. Then he maneuvered the flying broom like a witcher,nding next to its body parts.

    "Time to collect the spoils of war."

    Using the weakest form of his Heavenly Eye, he peered into the carcass of the Queen Bee. Within her remains, he spotted several glowing cores and an Evolution Material - a pleasantly surprising find. Swiftly, he enveloped his hand in soul power, creating a protective barrier to guard against the paralyzing properties of the Queen''s blood. He plunged this shielded hand into the Queen''s corpse, extracting his well-deserved rewards, one by one.

    Soon enough, three level 3 cores and an Evolution Material were secured in his grasp.

    Among the cores, one was a Wisdom Core, leading him to revise his earlier assumption.

    A dungeon monster didn''t need to possess the ability to speak to yield a Wisdom Core - it merely needed to be intelligent enough to be a significant pain in the ass.

 Chapter 141 141: The Hive!

    ?

    Furthermore, only dungeon monsters above level 30 dropped them, and the drop rate for such cores was greater than 50%, considering his experiences with the two intelligent creatures he''d defeated, both of whom had dropped a Wisdom Core.

    Without any hesitation, Val consumed the cores. As they descended down his throat, a wave of corruption surged from within them. Yet, it had no impact on Val, whose Unfeeling Trait made him immune to any fear that this corruptive force might typically instill to corrupt one''s mind, body, and soul, and transform them into a mindless killing machine.

    [Constitution Strengthening Level 3 Core Consumed! Your HP has increased to 18 points!]

    [Strength Enhancing Level 3 Core Consumed! Your Strength has increased to 33 points!]

    [Level 3 Wisdom Core Consumed. Your Soul Power reserve has increased to 270 units! Your soul power production rate has increased to 70 units/hour]

    "This feeling... I can never get enough of it!" Val relished in the feeling of growing stronger.

    Val''s attention then shifted to the Evolution Material. It was the Royal Nectar - a rare and valuable substance for all people carrying the Whitemore Bloodline in their veins.

    The Royal Nectar was a key ingredient in the Transcendent Serum, a potion potent enough to advance the Whitemore bloodline to the third level with a 100% sess rate. The Royal Nectar was a key ingredient in the Bloodline Upgrading Potion, a potion potent enough to advance the Whitemore bloodline to the third level. Of course, surviving the potion''s force of corruption and the subsequent tribtion that would undoubtedly descend upon consumption were prerequisites. The potion required two other ingredients as well: the scales of a beast known as the Eldertail Snake, and the Spiritroot of the Verdant Giant, a rare nt.

    "But I have no idea where they are," Val muttered to himself, turning the Royal Nectar in his hands. "I can only hope to find them by venturing into the wild more often. Getting Eliana''s blessing might also help, but I will have to make her happy so she will sincerely pray for me." A hint of worry tinged his voice as he stressed over the fact that if the prayers weren''t sincere enough, they wouldn''t take any effect.

    Once he was done contemting, Valmanded his undead minions to bring the bodies of all the Worker bees to him through the psychic link he shared with his undead minions. If this link didn''t exist, things would''ve been more troublesome.

    The undead hoisted the bodies on their shoulder and began marching towards their creator.

    Soon, a pile of bees'' carcassesy before Val.

    He wasted no time and activated his Blood Absorption Bloodline Skill, sucking the life force out of half of the worker bees.

    [System Notification: Your Blood Bank has been replenished. Current units: 1800.]

    Having satiated his need for blood, he offered the next three bees to the cursed sword, feeding its insatiable appetite. It reacted almost instantly, the rage meter hitting 100% and making the skill Crimson sh avable for use. He finally had this trump card ready at his fingertips!

    "Dismember them, collect their cores, and give them to me."

    Then Val instructed them to disassemble the worker bees for their cores. The undead ripped into the bees, their ws skilfully gouging out cores from their flesh, and handed them to Val. These weren''t useful for him, but they would definitely attract interested buyers back in the Northern Frontier. There was no shortage of level 1 to 3 bloodline users there, after all.

    Next, Val cast the Corpse Sacrifice Skill on the Queen Bee and all the worker bees. The shrine quickly devoured the offered meals, thergest it had ever received, and converted them into power to create undead, transferring it to the Devil God.

    [System Notification: You have gained the power to create a few level 3 undead or more than a dozen level 2 undead.]

    Choosing thetter option, Val watched as his undead army grew, its numbers increasing to a formidable 30, and all of them were the powerful level 2 undead!

    ''Now all I need to do to test Gruul''s theory andplete the dungeon is locate the dungeon core.''

    Usually, the strongest monster in a dungeon would have the dungeon core. Val had thoroughly searched the Queen''s body but was unable to find the dungeon core. He suspected it must be within their hive.

    Val took to the sky with the help of his flying broom, gaining a superior view of the forest. Some momentster, he saw what he was looking for.

    The bees'' hive was located in the depth of the forest. It was a massive structure, reminiscent of a giant honeb with numerous holes punctuating its exterior.

    Without hesitation, Val flew into one of these holes.

    He used wizardry to pump a few units of soul power out of his Arcane Heart, pouring them into his eyes. Immediately, the weakest form of his Heavenly Eye activated, and the world around him became semi-transparent.

    This allowed him to see through the many walls of the hive.

    Right in the center of the hive, he spotted the dungeon core.

    He immediately rode the broom there.

    The core was nestled amidst a pool of honey, which was shining enticingly, a refreshing and sweet scent wafting out of it. Casting Detect on it, a game-like screen popped up, full of information.

    [System Notification: Dungeon Core - Edible.

    Warning: Consumption induces hallucinations.

    Value: Natural drug potential.]

    Val contemted the information. He had no personal use for the substance; he didn''t partake in drugs and wasn''t interested in starting. However, he knew that the Northerners might pay a considerable sum for it, given their tendency to seek relief from stress caused by living on the edge in such ways.

    He had no container to hold the honey, but this was easily solved with the help of his cursed artifact, the Void Orb. At hismand, the orb opened a ck hole above the pool of honey. It released a powerful powerful suction force, drawing all the honey into its void, and then closed.

    [System Notification: Honey Stored - 300 Liters.]

    It was a huge amount of drugs. Val thought he might be able to make a few to several thousand contribution points by selling it, depending on how much a liter was worth on the market. Of course, this was just an estimate. ''I would have to mingle with the northerners to know its true worth ''

    After that, Val turned his attention back to the dungeon core.

    He picked it up carefully, cing it in his pocket dimension in order to test out Gruul''s theory.

 Chapter 142 142: Testing Theory And An Unexpected Reward!

    ?

    The second Val put the dungeon core in the pocket dimension of his Void Orb, it was separated from the dungeon. If Gruul''s theory was right, the dungeon should crumble.

    However, nothing seemed to be happening. There was no sign of the dungeon decaying, no indication of it copsing.

    Was Gruul wrong? Val wondered.

    Just then, a system notification rang in his mind.

    [Ding! Congrattions, host! You have sessfully cleared the Level 2 Dungeon. The dungeon is now destabilizing and will shatter in ten...nine...eight...]

    "So, Gruul was right after all." Val said, "This opens up a whole new level of possibilities."

    It wasmon knowledge in the Victoria Kingdom that dungeons were more than just repositories of dangers and treasures; they were living, breathing ecosystems powered by their cores. These cores were the heart and soul of the dungeon, providing the necessary energy to maintain the dungeon''s existence. It was also believed that the connection between the core and the dungeon was intrinsic, unbreakable except through sheer force.

    Thus,mon knowledge dictated that to copse a dungeon, one had to destroy the core.

    Destruction of the core meant the death of the dungeon, the end of its existence, and the prevention of a dungeon break, but it also meant sacrificing a great energy source. However, the theory Val just confirmed defied thesemon understandings, allowing the copse of a dungeon without the need to sacrifice the dungeon core!

    A thoughtful look appeared on Val''s face.

    ''In this world, maybe only I know that if a core is removed from its dungeon and relocated to a different dimension, the essential connection between the core and the dungeon would be severed. Just as a heart, once removed from the body, would no longer pump blood to sustain the body''s functions, a core, once removed from its native dungeon, would no longer send the necessary energy to maintain the dungeon''s existence. As a result, the dungeon would destabilize and copse, but the dungeon conquers would get to keep the core. It can power up the existence of a dungeon, so the energy inside it will by no means be small."

    ''This information is valuable and I can use it to my advantage in many situations.''

    ''Moreover, armed with this knowledge, I can secure resources to power up the mysterious door-like artifact in the Evil Shrine.''

    .....

    "7!"

    "6!"

    "5!"

    The countdown signifying the time left before the dungeon copses continued.

    With a stoic expression on his face, Val waited in the Hive, his gaze roaming around, taking in his surroundings. The vibrations of the destabilizing dungeon did nothing to unnerve him. He looked calm and confident as he waited for the will of the world to open an exit out of the dungeon that would lead him to safety.

    Hrumm!

    A secondter, a portal, shimmering and wavering, materialized in front of him. Without a second thought, he leaped through it. After a brief moment of disorientation, he found himself back in the clearing with a rock formation.

    With a smirk, Val murmured, "I wonder what my reward for clearing a level 2 dungeon will be."

    Suddenly, a book appeared out of thin air, floating before him. As he reached out and grasped it, the system notification chimed in once more.

    [Ding! Congrattions, host! You have been rewarded by the world for sessfully clearing a Level 2 Dungeon. Your reward is a book: ''Purifying Cores with Wizardry.]

    "Interesting," Val smirked, "I have gained a guide to wealth creation."

    Due to his Unfeeling Trait, Val was immune to the Force of Corruption, allowing him to consume dungeon monster cores without any repercussions.

    Unfortunately, this was not the case for others.

    For most, consuming a non-purified core would lead to unbearable pain, and in the worst-case scenarios, it could cause them to explode or the individuals could be consumed by corruption, turning them into mindless monsters.

    Typically, one would have to pay a hefty sum to the local church to purify these cores before consuming them.

    This knowledge wasn''t shared. Thus, there rarely were fluctuations in the prices of purifying a core.

    This book presented him with an opportunity to gain a foothold in the purification market.

    Valughed, "Now, I hold the knowledge to be rich from within the safety of the Frontier!"

    There''s a saying that goes something like this: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." In Val''s case, the world had not merely given him a fish for clearing a level 2 dungeon; it had taught him how to fish big and be a wealthy merchant, a tycoon!

    "Levare," Valmanded.

    Immediately, he was teleported into the Shrine of Evil.

    "Master, you''ve returned. Did your expedition yield results?" Gruul asked.

    "I have obtained a dungeon core. It''s from a Level 2 dungeon," Val replied, his hand outstretched, presenting the core to Gruul. "I''d like you to use it to activate Morkus''s third artifact."

    "As youmand," Gruul said as moved forward and took the core from Val. He walked over to the massive ck door, the third artifact of Morkus, and ced the dungeon core into a hole in the center.

    Almost immediately, the core was reduced to ashes, its energy absorbed by the Door of Guidance. A section, around one-tenth, of the ck door lit up in a brilliant gold, the aura pulsating with power. The rest of the door remained inert and ck.

    "What does this mean, Gruul?" Val inquired, pointing towards the partially lit door.

    "The energy inside the Level 2 dungeon core has powered it up by one-tenth," Gruul exined, his eyes fixed on the golden hue of the door. "Unless it''s fully powered, the artifact won''t work."

    "So, I''ll have toplete nine more Level 2 dungeons?" Val muttered, but Gruul overheard him.

    "There''s another way, master," Gruul proposed. "Higher-level dungeon cores will contain more energy. Therefore, fewer of them would be needed to power the artifact. I am estimating that tackling a few levels 3 dungeons should yield enough resources to get the door of guidance to work."

    "It''s easier said than done," Val shrugged, "The Level 2 dungeon had pushed me to my limits. I had to devise an entirely new strategy to conquer it. Tackling a Level 3 dungeon is out of my capability... at least for now. But that won''t remain the case for long. With time, I''ll grow and be capable of challenging them." Val didn''t even entertain the idea of joining a party to do the dungeon as he dared not reveal his secrets.

    "As you wish, master," Gruul bowed, showing respect towards Val''s decision. "Your safety should always be the priority. Make sure to adequately prepare and not rush into dangers beyond your current strength."

    "That''s the n," Val stated, nodding his head firmly.

 Chapter 143 143: Down With A Fever!

    ?

    A day passed.

    Nothing eventful happened the previous night.

    It was all calm and peaceful, which made him feel all the more unsettled.

    The more peaceful it seemed, the more he felt that trouble was about to strike.

    His sixth sense, although tingling very little, further confirmed his instinct and made him feel the urge to take care of his affairs.

    It was still early in the morning, and he had just woken up, but he immediately got to work.

    Hey on the bed in his room, taking out the core purifying book from the pocket dimension of the Void Orb and reading it.

    He discovered that dungeon monster cores could be purified by soaking them in holy water for several hours.

    Holy water could be created by infusing purified water with holy power.

    What was purified water? It was water that only wizards could create.

    To free water of any impurities, wizardry was the most necessaryponent, and heating was the second most necessary. Val went into the kitchen and filled up a pot with tap water before cing it on the stove over a fire. After the water boiled for several minutes, much of its impurities were removed.

    He activated his Heavenly Eye and focused his gaze on the boiled water inside the pot.

    He saw tiny ck particles floating around in it.

    They were particles of corruption.

    Consuming them in such short quantities wouldn''t cause harm and the body''s immune system would get rid of them automatically, but if a person had a weak immune system, they would start mutating into monsters after drinking this level of purified water for several years.

    This boiled water, mostly free of impurities but still containing tiny particles of corruption, was considered Level-1 purified water. For creating holy water, at least Level-3 purified water was needed.

    The higher the level of purified water, the greater the level of holy water that a priest or priestess can create using it. The effectiveness of holy water depended on its level. For example, level 1 holy water could only eliminate 10% of the force of corruption present in dungeon monster cores. But a level 10 holy water can eliminate all of it.

    A wizard didn''t have the power to selectively free water of their impurities, so they would have to overexert themselves topletely purify it, but Val could see where the particles of corruption were in the water, meaning he didn''t need to target the entire water vessel with his soul power. He just needed to dump his soul power in those areas where the particles of corruption were located.

    Streams of colorless soul power came out of his palm and entered the boiled water in the pot from different spots, efficiently eradicating the force of corruption inside it.

    [Ding! Congrattions, host! The Level-1 purified water has transformed into Level-10 purified water!] A system notification rang in Val''s mind.

    Val smiled, pleased with the result.

    "Well, that''s one problem solved."

    "Now, I just need the help of a bloodline user who can use holy magic, and I''ll have the holy water. And I know just where to find them."

    Without wasting any time, Val exited the kitchen and stopped just before Eliana''s door, which was on the same floor as the kitchen.

    He knocked on her door but got no reply.

    ''Weird,'' he thought. ''It''s already time for her job but she still hasn''t gotten up?''

    "Eliana, are you awake?" he called out, but still, no response came.

    As his Heavenly Eye was active, focusing his gaze on the door to Eliana''s room was enough to provide him with a view of what was inside.

    Eliana was in bed, visibly sick, with a flushed face and a sheen of sweat on her forehead.

    He reached for the door handle, turning the knob gently, and the door opened up. It seemed like she had forgotten to lock the door even though he had advised her to always lock her door before going to sleep for her own good.

    Val stepped inside her room and approached her. He saw her twisting and turning in bed as if she was being tormented by a nightmare and felt a hint of joy thinking that if she was really sick, he would gain the chance to increase the level of affection she had for him!

    Valid the back of his hand on her forehead, immediately confirming his suspicion �C she was burning up with fever.

    "I''ve got to help her."

    A house owner pays regrly for the maintenance of his property. Of course, there were some scumbags who wouldn''t, letting anyone naive and ignorant enough to buy or rent property from them suffer the cost, but Val was better than them.

    Eliana was his asset, so naturally, he wouldn''t leave her to deal with her problems alone. Not to mention, this was a good opportunity to strengthen her feelings for him and show her that he deeply cared for her and she hadn''t made a wrong choice getting together with him.

    He soaked a towel in cool water before cing it gently on her forehead.

    Eliana''s feverish difort lessened, the coolness of the towel reminiscent of a person shielding her from the unbearable heat of the summer sun. As her difort subsided, her eyshes fluttered before finally parting to reveal her almond eyes, which met his.

    "Val?" she murmured in a weak voice.

    "Yeah, it is me," he said gently.

    A soft sweetness filled Eliana''s heart at his words. Tears welled up in her eyes as she disclosed, "This is the first time someone has looked after me while I was sick. When I was young, everyone always was too busy, too upied to spare me any attention. And then when they were no more, every time I fell ill, I only had myself to rely on." Her brother was too young to be of any help to her. She was the one caring for him after their family was massacred and they became orphan. "You... you being here... it means a lot to me."

 Chapter 144 144: Unique Sickness

    ?

    Eliana blinked, causing the tears in her eyes to trail down her face. Val reached out, wiping them away with a gentle touch.

    "Now, you have me in your life, Eliana," he reassured her. "I''ll take care of you every time you get sick. You have my word." His voice filled the room, a promise etched in every word.

    "I believe you," Eliana said.

    "What time is it?" Eliana asked after a few moments.

    "It''s close to 8," Val answered.

    "I need to... I need to go to work..." Eliana tried to get up, her wordsing out in bits and pieces as her body fought against her will.

    Val shook his head and gently forced her back onto the bed. "Eliana, you are a priestess. Holy power is running through your veins, meaning you can''t get sick easily, and if you are injured, your holy power would heal your injuries automatically. The only reason you could get sick and not heal is if you abused your bloodline skill, which you did. You broke the promise you made to me." Val looked at her with a heartbroken gaze. It looked as if she had betrayed his trust, causing her to feel immensely guilty.

    "I... I''m sorry," Eliana apologized, her gaze turning away from him due to guilt. "I didn''t mean to... I just... couldn''t stop myself from helping the injured when I�� heard their painful cries."

    ''She''s like the rare trace of warmth that can rarely be felt in winter. I want to monopolize her,'' Val thought.

    Eliana was naive, innocent, and willing to risk her life to do good like a hero. She was the type of character that would be given a wake up call from Val in the most brutal of ways, but he had no desire to shape her into a cold-hearted person like him because if she wasn''t like this, it would get harder for him to manipte her, keep her bound to him with chains made of love and desires!

    Val patted her gently, "I''m going to let it go this time because you''re sick, but you must take better care of yourself, or you''ll get an earful from me."

    "I won''t... won''t let this happen again... But..." Eliana''s voice trailed off, her guilt evident in her expression.

    "What is it? Is there something else?" Val asked.

    Eliana looked down, her eyes averted from his gaze, "I''m just worried I''ll lose my job�� if I don''t go to work today."

    "Don''t worry about that. I will go to the God''s hand clinic and notify Valentine that you are unwell and can''t attend today," Val reassured her. "I''m sure she will understand."

    Eliana''s eyes sparkled as she looked at him, "You''ll do that for me?"

    Val looked at her with a soft smile, "Anything for my woman."

    At his words, Eliana blushed deeply, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn''t mind being called his woman. In her heart, she had already epted Val as her man and was ready to bear his children, but she was too shy to express it, waiting for him to make the first move.

    Val tucked her into bed, moved theforter over her, and said, "I will also ask Valentine if there''s a medicine to alleviate your symptoms and get them on my way back."

    "I understand," Eliana managed to reply.

    "Good girl," Val said, cing a gentle kiss on her forehead, causing her to blush even deeper.

    Then he turned to leave.

    Left alone, Eliana couldn''t help but touch the spot on her forehead where his lips had been. Her heart fluttered in her chest, her cheeks still flushed. She curled up under theforter, a small smile ying on her lips as she closed her eyes, the events of the blissful moment she had with her man reying in her mind, helping her get a bit of shut eye.

    The early morning sun painted the lower city of the northern frontier in a gentle, warming glow. Val could be seen leaving the infamous haunted house and making his way to the God''s Hand clinic.

    "What''s your business here?" asked the guard, who stopped Val at the clinic''s entrance.

    "I''m the boyfriend of a healer working in this clinic. I am here to notify you that she won''t being to work today as she is unwell," Val replied calmly.

    The guard raised an eyebrow. "And who might this healer be?"

    "Eliana," Val replied.

    At the mention of her name, the guard''s eyes widened to the size of saucers. It was as if he had just witnessed an impossible event, the shock so profound that it momentarily paralyzed him.

    Valentine had eavesdropped on their conversation from inside the clinic. She looked as if she had just seen a twerking ghost, her mouth agape.

    "You mean... the priestess is sick?" the guard eximed in disbelief.

    "Yes, she overworked herself and hase down with an illness," Val confirmed.

    A feminine voice came from inside the clinic, "This is a serious matter."

    Val turned to the direction of the voice, his eyebrows furrowed. "How serious?"

    A woman, presumably Valentine, emerged from the clinic and gestured to the guard.

    "Let the guest in," she ordered. The guard nodded and helped Val into the clinic.

    Facing Val, Valentine began, "I would like to start by apologizing. If I hadn''t let Eliana continue treating patients when I saw her show clear signs of exhaustion, things wouldn''t havee to this."

    "I am not the one you should apologize to. If you really mean it, apologize to Eliana when you see her," Val retorted. "Now, answer my question."

    "Priestesses of light are blessed by the God of Light. Their blood, full of holy power, protects them from illnesses. The chance of them falling ill is extremely rare. But in the event that they do, they must be treated with utmost care as if they''re fragile ss," Valentine exined.

    Val''s patience was running thin, "Cut to the chase. Just tell me what I need to do to help her get better."

    "There are two ways to treat Eliana. First is buying a medicine called Luminous Elixir, which costs 10000 contribution points. It will cure her immediately. The second option is taking care of her diligently," Valentine said.

    "Can you be more specific?" Val asked.

 Chapter 145 145: Buisness

    ?

    Valentine exined. "A priestess''s body bes extremely fragile and susceptible to illnesses like cold when theye down with a fever. So do not let her body stay sweaty for long; clean her every six hours. Otherwise, she will get a runny nose and might even start sneezing. This will worsen her already weakened body. Only feed her purified water above the 3rd level. ce a wet towel on her forehead and change it every ten to fifteen minutes. It should keep her fever from getting worse and also help her recover. And rub her feet for a while. The massage can stimte certain pressure points, which will help in alleviating her symptoms.

    "Moreover, if you make her feel loved, she should recover faster. Priestesses are moreplex than normal people. They tend to fall ill if they are surrounded by negativity, and the opposite happens if they are loved. It is vital for her to feel positive emotions for her recovery. Most importantly, you need to keep her warm."

    "I will do everything I can to help her recover," Val nodded.

    Valentine looked at Val, her eyes filled with empathy. "You must love her very much."

    "She is my most prized possession," Val confessed. "I would give up the world for her."

    There was something strange in his words, but Valentine took it as deep love for Eliana. She said, "She is truly lucky to have a man like you."

    Smirking, Val replied, "She is, but I am even luckier to have a graceful and loving woman like her."

    Valentine felt a wave of relief knowing Eliana was in a blessed rtionship. A priestess deserved a man who would do anything for her, and it seemed she had found one in Val.

    "There''s actually something else I need to discuss with you," Val said, his smile taking on the slyness of a cunning merchant.

    "Oh? What would that be?" Valentine asked, intrigued.

    "I happen to have 300 liters of hallucination-causing Honey," Val said.

    Selling it in the open market wasn''t an option since hecked the drug seller permit which could only be obtained for 1000 contribution points. Plus, with the permit, his sales would be tracked, and he would have to pay a hefty 40% of his revenue to the authorities of the Northern Frontier.

    There were only two ways to mitigate this loss. The first was to sell it in the ck market of the Northern frontier. The second way was to find a buyer who would be willing to buy the drug at market price and keep the transaction discreet. Valentine was such a person. As the owner of a clinic, she could legally sell drugs to the citizens of the Northern Frontier. And since selling drugs could prove beneficial to her business, she would most likely not hesitate to do business with him.

    Val didn''t dare consider the first option. As he had lived a life of crimes in his previous life, he knew all too well the life-threatening dangers of getting entangled in a drug war with drug cartels. It was a brutal world of kill or be killed that didn''t end until one side waspletely annihted.

    Hence, he chose the second option.

    "You''ve my interest," Valentine said.

    "I propose a deal," Val started, "I can supply you with this hallucination-causing Honey at market price, but you must never disclose that it was me who sold it to you."

    Valentine paused for a moment before replying, "May I test the product?"

    "Of course," Val replied, offering her a tiny bit of the Honey.

    Valentine tasted it and instantly felt its effects.

    "It''s quite effective and tastes delicious," she noted. "This could be beneficial for my clinic."

    She could use it to stabilize patients in severe pain and make it easier for her healers to do their jobs. Plus, she could sell it to those whose pain cannot be healed by conventional means, people suffering from PTSD!

    She continued, "So I''m interested in buying it at the market price of 50 contribution points per liter. How much do you have?"

    "I have 300 liters," Val replied.

    "I''ll take all of it," Valentine said, "But given the quantity, I''d like to ask for a discount of 1000 contribution points."

    "I don''t do discounts," Val responded tly.

    Valentine blinked her pretty amethyst eyes at him, saying with a yful grin, "Not even for a beautiful woman like me?"

    Val remained unaffected by her charm. After all, the inevitable fate of any beauty was to decay after death. "Not even for a beautiful woman like you," he repeated, firm in his decision.

    "Well, what a letdown," Valentine sighed, but she nevertheless agreed to purchase all of Val''s stock for 15,000 contribution points.

    To this, Val could only express his shock. "I hadn''t expected you to be so wealthy that you wouldn''t blink an eye while making such a massive purchase. Are you perhaps a tycoon who runs a clinic to hide your true identity and live a low-key life?" he joked.

    Internally, Valentine''s heart was shaken. Val''s words hit ufortably close to the truth, but she kept herposure, not letting her surprise show. After all, he was only kidding around and had no idea of her true identity.

    Laughing it off, she replied, "Well, I am a Monomontecry and inherited a significant amount of wealth from my parents. Not to mention, this business is quite profitable, and I''ve been running it for ages, so naturally, I am rich enough not to feel bothered by spending a measly 15k contribution points."

    This revtion made sense to Val. The Monomontecry were not the most potent family in the outer region of the kingdom, but they were one of the oldest and wealthiest with a rich history. Therefore, it was not surprising that one of their older members would be so rich.

    "Rich people''s perspectives are really skewed," Val said, slightly amused.

    Valentine simplyughed it off, not at all acting offended by his words.

 Chapter 146 146: Its All According To Plan (1)

    ?

    "By the way, do you know a man named Alfred?" Val asked out of curiosity.

    "Alfred is my beloved nephew. Why do you ask?" she responded.

    "I''m a friend of Alfred''s," Val admitted.

    "Well, a friend of my nephew is always wee here. If you ever need help, feel free toe to me," Valentine offered kindly.

    "I''ll consider your proposition," Val replied and took his leave.

    Upon his return home, however, Val was met with a distressing sight �C Eliana had copsed at the entranceway and was coughing violently.

    Without missing a beat, Val rushed to her side, kneeling down and gently patting her back to help her ease her coughing.

    Eliana, struggling with her coughing fit, managed to raise her head, eyes widening as theynded on Val''s worried face. Her heart fluttered as she felt overwhelmed by his care.

    "What are you doing out here?" Val asked her in a voiceced with concern.

    "I was feeling thirsty... so, I was going to the kitchen... to get some water... but suddenly felt so lightheaded... that I copsed." Eliana managed to say between her coughs.

    Val scooped her into his arms - one arm under her knees, the other supporting her head. The sudden action caught her off guard, but she quickly melted into his arms, cherishing the warmth and safety they offered.

    With great care, Val carried her to their bed, tucking her under theforter. He was treating her like a fragile ss, but Eliana cherished every moment of his care.

    "You should just stay in bed until you get better. I''m here for you. If you need something, just call out to me," he instructed her softly.

    "I understand, Val... Don''t be angry," Eliana replied as she reached out with her hand to caress his otherworldly face.

    "Alright, I won''t be angry with you." Catching her soft hand with his big ones, Val pressed a kiss to her palm.

    It was then he noticed how parched her lips looked. "I''ll get some water for you," he said, leaving the room momentarily.

    In the kitchen, Val remembered what Valentine had told him - Eliana could only drink highly purified water. So, he filled a ss with Level 10 purified water from the pot - water so pure it was devoid of any impurities.

    With the ss in hand, he returned to their room, helping Eliana sip the water.

    Eliana''s face visibly rxed as she took in the cool liquid that was fed to her by Val.

    She looked up at Val curiously and remarked, "This water... it tastes different from what I''ve had till today."

    "How so?" Val asked, intrigued.

    "It''s better," she simply said, a smile ying on her lips.

    "That might be because it''s Level 10 purified water," Val exined.

    She felt surprised, hearing his words. Her eyes widened. "But that''s such a valuable resource. How can you waste it on me?"

    Val held her gaze, "It''s not a waste if I use it to help you get better. I can always make more purified water, but there''s only one you. I can''t afford to lose you."

    It''s not that he can''t. It''s just that he doesn''t want to. She was too valuable for him to give up on without a fight.

    His words resonated with Eliana, moving her on a profoundly emotional level. Never had she experienced such genuine care and concern before, and it was so overwhelming that it was hard to believe, yet she found it deeply endearing. Val rizzed her to the point of no return. She felt more captivated and obsessed with him.

    In the heat of the moment, her intrusive thought slipped out. "Ah, I really want to be his wife and bear his children."

    Val blinked in surprise, "Did you say something?"

    Eliana''s face flushed a deep crimson, and she shook her head frantically, "No, I didn''t... It must be your ears ying tricks on you."

    Though Val had distinctly heard her speak about wanting to bear his children, he decided not to press the matter further to avoid embarrassing her further.

    "I guess that might be the case," he said, choosing to leave the matter at that.

    Picking up where they left off, Val decided to make clear the nature of her illness and the path to her recovery, sharing with Eliana everything that Valentine had revealed to him.

    She nodded, understandingly. "I understand, Val... and I''ll cooperate."

    He smiled warmly at her, relieved to hear her determination. "Good," he said.

    Without further ado, he gently began to undress her, carefully removing her clothes to expose her body to his inky ck eyes, which held an unfathomable depth.

    As her naked body came into her lover''s view, Eliana''s face turned beet red. It was such a deep shade of red that Val wondered if blood would gush out if her skin was pressed.

    "Rx," Val instructed, his voice soothing as he began to clean her sweaty body with a soft, clean cloth.

    Eliana''s body was just as beautiful as he had imagined it to be. She was blessed with a pair of firm, snowy mounds that proudly stood on her chest, their peaks as red as cherries, tempting him into the thought of taking them in his mouth. Her waist was slender, leading down to a t belly that was as soft as silk and adorned with a cute belly button. Further below was a hidden treasure thatcked a bush and looked tantalizingly enticing. The cherry on top was the fact that she was a virgin, meaning her hidden treasure hadn''t been explored!

    Any other man would have been enticed intomitting the greatest sin at the sight of her in such a state. But Val, he had an unbelievable amount of control over his instincts, so he was able to suppress his desire to mate with her, focusing solely on the task of cleaning her pristine body. His actions were carried out with clinical precision and devoid of any ill intent.

    At this moment, she was his patient and he was her caretaker - nothing more, nothing less. All he cared about was her well-being. After all, she was his most precious asset.

 Chapter 147 147: Its All According To Plan (2)

    ?

    After cleaning her, Val helped Eliana into a set of winter clothes after cleaning her body before reiterating how essential it was to keep herself warm. "Remember, you need to stay in bed under the covers, okay?"

    Nodding, Elianaplied with his instruction, snuggling into her bed and pulling theforter over her.

    Val moved to the edge of the bed, pulled her feet out of theforter, and began to massage them. Her feet were a perfect sight, with a beautiful arch, round rosy toes, and soft soles. Though her face wasn''t the most beautiful he had seen, Val had to admit every inch of her body was perfect without a single blemish in sight. But even that didn''t warranty service by Val The Unfeeling himself. If any of his previous life enemies or subordinate had seen him giving a foot message to a woman, their jaws would''ve fallen.

    Val could only sigh internally. Look how low the mighty have fallen. In order to curry favor with the goddess of luck, he had no choice but to look after and care for the silly and sick fool until she gets better. It was all ording to n!

    He started by gently massaging her soles. As his thumbs pressed into the soft pads of her feet, a small moan escaped from her lips.

    "Sorry, my feet are really sensitive." Eliana''s face flushed as she realized how messed up her reaction was to getting a foot massage from Val, and after apologizing to Val, she quickly pped her hands over her mouth to stifle any further sounds.

    Val, however, gave her a reassuring smile, "Eliana, if it makes you feel good, there''s nothing wrong with showing it." Then, he winked at her teasingly, "Besides. I don''t mind hearing you moan. In fact, it''s like a reward for me."

    At his words, Eliana hesitated for a moment before slowly removing her hands from her mouth, deciding to not suppress her sounds any longer.

    As Val continued massaging her feet, she let herself rx, and her moans became more frequent, echoing in the room as she reveled in the pleasurable sensation his expert touch was giving her. Each press of his fingers on her feet made her feel rxed andfortable. The care and consideration he showed her, made her heart flutter and her feelings for him deepen.

    His foot massage was soforting her eyes closed shut.

    She had fallen asleep, but Val continued to take care of Eliana.

    He changed the towel on her forehead every few minutes to keep her cool, fetched fresh water whenever she woke up parched, and ensured that she wasfortable.

    The fever was persistent, but with his care, it slowly started to subside.

    Hours passed, Eliana drifted in and out of consciousness, and each time she opened her eyes, Val was there by her side.

    As dawn approached, Eliana''s fever finally broke. She awoke to find herself feeling significantly better than yesterday when she havee down with an illness. Val was seated on a chair beside her bed, his eyes closed, seemingly having dozed off while looking after her. There was a tranquility on his face that made her heart flutter, a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

    Even in his dream, he was thinking about the ridiculous rewards he was going to get for taking care of her. Maybe she will pray for him, causing his luck to multiply.

    Eliana was totally unaware of his thoughts. She only felt warmth spreading through her chest as she looked at him. She didn''t want to wake him up; he must be exhausted after staying up all night taking care of her. Instead, she took a moment to observe him, her heart filled with gratitude. For the first time in her life, she wasn''t alone, and that realization brought her morefort than she could express.

    Meanwhile, Val was roused by the change in Eliana''s breathing pattern. He opened his eyes to meet hers, and after a few moments, Eliana broke into a smile. Val acted as if her smile was infectious, and also smiled.

    Val asked gently, "Are you feeling alright?"

    Eliana responded, her voice steadier than before, "Yes, the fever''s gone. I can''t thank you enough for your care and attention, Val."

    "I''m just d you''re doing better," Val replied, a genuine smile on his face. "Rest for a while. I''ll prepare some porridge for you to replenish your strength."

    She nodded, "I''ll do as you say, Val. You''re always right."

    With that, Val stepped out of the room, gently closing the door behind him. A thoughtful look crossed his face.

    ''It should being anytime soon.''

    And it did.

    He hadn''t even set foot outside the house when what he was expecting urred.

    A system notification chimed in his mind.

    [Ding! Eliana, a peak level 1 Bloodline user with mystical blood, has prayed for you. As a result, Lady Luck has bestowed her grace upon you.]

    [For the next 72 hours, your luck has increased significantly. You will start experiencing events that may not follow the usualws of probability.]

    A wide grin spread across Val''s face. His heart pounded with excitement as he took a moment to process the information.

    ''This... this is astounding. My efforts have finally paid off.''

    ''It wasn''t useless to take care of Eliana. She really knows how to express her gratitude.''

    This was more than he had expected. His meticulous care and attention had yielded a far more significant reward than he could have ever imagined.

    The next few days were going to be very interesting indeed!

    After Eliana was helped to a porridge, Val said gently, "Eliana, I need your help with something."

    Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "What is it, Val?"

    "I have a pot of purified water, and I need your help to turn it into holy water," he said.

    Of course, Val. I''ll help you," she agreed readily, pleased that she could finally be of help to him. As a user of holy magic, she had the ability to infuse purified water with holy power, thereby turning it into holy water. It was a simple task for her, and she was more than willing to help him, especially after all he had done for her.

 Chapter 148 148: Trading

    ?

    Val ced a pot filled with level 10 purified water in front of Eliana. She held her palm above the pot, and a stream of milky white holy light streamed out, infusing the water and transforming it into a substance of mystical properties.

    A system notification rang in Val''s mind.

    [Level 10 Holy Water created. Highly effective against forces of corruption. Can be utilized as a weapon against zombies and devils. Can be used to purify cores.]

    In the blink of an eye, several dungeon monster cores appeared in Val''s hand out of thin air. He tossed them all into the pot filled with holy water.

    The cores began to fizzle as the holy water started to purify them.

    After a while, another system notification popped up in front of Val.

    [Monster cores thoroughly purified of all corruption. They''re now safe for human consumption.]

    Val handed a few to Eliana, who, trusting him, didn''t hesitate before consuming the cores. An instant rush of energy surged through her, making her feel more powerful.

    "How do you feel now that you''ve augmented your strength with these cores?" Val asked.

    "I feel like I could punch a hole through the wall," she said, astounded.

    Val patted her head gently and chuckled, "Well, that''s to be expected. After all, what you just consumed were level 2 dungeon monster cores, known for enhancing strength, stamina, and agility."

    Eliana looked at Val, her heart filled with gratitude. Yet again, he had spent valuable resources on her. The thought made her feel more indebted to him, and she couldn''t help but wonder, ''Will I ever be able to repay him in this lifetime?''

    Val then departed from the haunted house. Traversing through the streets of the lower city, he found his way to the Treasure Pavilion.

    The Treasure Pavilion was a marketce within the Lower City where residents could trade various items such as cursed artifacts, bloodline upgrading potion recipes, evolution materials, and so forth, using contribution points. Literally, everything could be found here.

    Val saw that the Pavilion was packed with individuals seeking to buy or sell items. As the central hub ofmerce in the city, the Treasure Pavilion was always abuzz with activity. Today was no different.

    Given the significance of the Treasure Pavilion as the heart ofmerce in the lower city, it was personally guarded by individuals bred and raised by the Thunderspear tribe. Standing behind the front counter was one such man. He was a young man with ck hair, piercing ck eyes, and a distinctive scar, shaped like a lightning bolt, etched on his forehead.

    "Hello," Val greeted him as he approached the counter.

    "Hi," the man replied, his eyes narrowing as he looked Val over. "A level 3 bloodline user, impressive at your age. Boy, who are you?" His words carried a hint of respect mixed with curiosity.

    A hint of surprise shed across Val''s face at the man''s words. While it startled him that the man could detect his power level, he wasn''t overly concerned. The man could gauge others'' power levels but his uracy seemed limited. Val had multiple bloodlines and was also a wizard, and the man had failed to discern this, only detecting his power level, meaning his secrets were safe.

    "I am Val V. Whitemore," Val said, offering a formal introduction. "A direct descendant of the Whitemore Family, the ruling family of the 33rd stronghold of the outer region, and the son of Joshua."

    The man behind the counter paused, an expression of understanding washing over his face. Upon hearing his name, the man recognized Val as the boy Lucious had spoken highly of in thest meeting of their secret organization. But Lucious had mentioned Val was a level 2. Clearly, however, he was now a level 3. Had Lucious made a mistake? Or had Val managed to upgrade his bloodline again in such a short period? The former seemed impossible, for nothing could fool Lucious''s sharp emerald eyes. Thus, thetter option seemed more usible.

    ''At first, I didn''t believe Lucious,'' the man thought to himself. ''I presumed he was mistaken. After all, how could the child of destiny, the one prophesied to save us from the terror of the eternal winter, hail from the Whitemore family? While not little known, they''re far from impressive, and any of the top 25 families from the inner region can crush them. But having witnessed this with my own eyes, I''ve started to believe that this boy, Val, might indeed be the child of destiny we''ve all been waiting for.''

    Though he was not absolutely certain about Val''s potential, one thing was definite - Val had piqued his interest. He decided to keep a watchful eye on him.

    "What a pity," he muttered. "If you weren''t already affiliated with a family, I would''ve invited you to serve our tribe."

    The Thunderspear tribe was one of the strongest families in the kingdom, so it was an honor for one to be their ve. Most individuals would kill for the opportunity to serve the Thunderspear tribe. However, this proposition was far from enticing for Val. very, no matter the prestige of the master, was still very, and he would have never degraded himself to such a level even if he were born amoner. Being bound to someone else''s will was the same as giving up on yourself, and Val was never weak to begin with. Even if he was suffering ipressible hardship, he would never give up on himself.

    ''And that shall stand true until myst breath!'' Val thought as a sharp glint shed in his eyes.

    "Even if I wasn''t born into a noble family," Val said to the man, his voice steady and resolute, "I wouldn''t choose to be someone''s ve."

    A faint, amused smile graced the man''s face as he nodded in understanding. "You''re different than most. To many people, serving the Thunderspear tribe would be seen as a blessing. Yet, you hold a different perspective. It''s rare toe across a person like you."

    "Everyone has different views on life," Val retorted, a touch of philosophy slipping into his voice. "If you force your views onto others, you''re stifling originality. And if you simply follow the crowd, you''ll never distinguish yourself or make something out of your life. I understand that so I am simply carving out my own path."

    The man''s gaze flickered with a newfound respect for Val. Val''s ideology was worthy of his admiration. However, boasting was easy, and following one''s words was hard. The man wanted to see if Val would remain true to himself or change due to external pressure.

    ''Time will tell,'' the man thought.

    "By the way, I''m Alexander," the man introduced himself, extending a hand towards Val. "But if you find that too long, feel free to call me Alex."

    "Nice to meet you, Alex," Val said, meeting the offered hand with a firm grip. Their hands shook in a mutual sign of respect.

    "Nice to meet you too," Alex said to Val.

    "Alex, do you ept cores?" Val inquired, bringing the conversation back to business.

 Chapter 149 149: Trading 2

    ?

    "Indeed, we do," Alex responded, "but only cores that have a purity level above fifty percent."

    "In that case, I have a surprise for you," Val replied, a smirk ying on his lips.

    Alex''s brows raised in curiosity. "Oh? And what might that surprise be?"

    Val slipped his hand into his pocket. It seemed like an ordinary movement, but in truth, he was discreetly reaching into his pocket dimension. It was a tactic he used to ensure that no one would discover his valuable cursed artifact with its own personal space. Pulling his hand back out, his fingers were wrapped around cores that sparkled under the ambient light.

    Alex''s eyes widened at the sight of the cores. "Such beautiful, pure cores..." He murmured, almost to himself, "What''s their purity level?"

    "100 percent," Val announced nonchntly.

    Alex choked on his own spit, coughing for a moment before managing to sputter out, "You must be kidding me, right?

    "No, I''m not," Val retorted, "But if you don''t believe me, Feel free to get a professional appraiser to determine their worth."

    Appraisers were specialists in determining the worth of various items, including cursed artifacts, cores, collectibles, and vintage goods. They assessed factors such as age, condition, rarity, historical significance, and market demand to provide a value for each item. This profession was valuable, making it a popr career choice. However, it was only easy to enter for those who had bloodline skills that allowed them to detect the value of an object, such as Val''s Detect.

    Thinking he was being trolled by the son of Joshua, Alex called over an appraiser. "I need you to check the purity level of these cores," he instructed, holding out the cores Val had given him.

    The appraiser''s eyes glowed blue as he looked over the cores, his surprise evident when he didn''t find a single trace of impurity within the cores. As a result, his eyes widened, almostically so.

    "What''s the matter?" Alex asked, breaking the appraiser out of his shocked stupor.

    Without a word, the appraiser rubbed his eyes, clearly in disbelief at what he was seeing. He appraised the cores again, and his shock only grew when he found the same result.

    "These cores... they''re 100% pure!" he eximed.

    The shock on Alex''s face mirrored that of the appraiser. His jaw dropped open in astonishment, wide enough that a bee flew right into his mouth, causing him to cough and sputter as he spat it out.

    Val didn''t feel that Alex and the appraiser were overreacting.

    Absolute purification of dungeon monster cores was no trivial matter. After all, the creation of Level-10 holy water, a necessity to thoroughly cleanse the corruption in the cores, required the cooperative efforts of an expert wizard and a powerful priest or priestess and individuals with such talents and abilities were in short supply throughout the kingdom.

    In fact, the majority of them had been sessfully courted by noble families from the inner region and the royal family from the divine capital. These families often employed luxurious promises andfortable lives as bait to monopolize the services of these rare individuals.

    This situation had led to a world where 100% purified cores were seldom seen in the marketce.

    It was such a rare urrence that it was perfectly understandable for Alex and the appraiser to react in such a shocked manner at the sight of them.

    The cores Val presented were not just pure, they represented a feat that few could aplish!

    "Where did you get these cores from?" the appraiser asked Alex.

    Alex quickly pointed to Val and said, "From him."

    The appraiser turned to Val and confessed, "In all honesty, the market price of these cores is around 50 contribution points each. However, considering the exceptional purity of your cores, I am willing to purchase them at four times their market price."

    Alex, who had been listening, interrupted the appraiser. "Hold on, aren''t you offering too much? These are only level 2 cores. Regardless of their purity, how valuable can they be?"

    "Excuse us for a moment," the appraiser said to Val, before dragging Alex a few feet away. Lowering his voice, he spoke to Alex, "You have to understand, these may only be Level-2 dungeon cores, but they can be consumed by anyone, even normies, without any side effects. Anyone can use them to increase their physical condition to the level of a Level-3 warrior. Wealthy individuals would dly pay double the amount I offered Val for these cores because who wouldn''t want to strengthen their bodies and enjoy better health?"

    Alex nodded slowly, processing the appraiser''s words. "I understand," he finally responded, his face showing newfound respect for the value of the cores Val had presented.

    They then returned to the counter.

    "We would like to purchase all your cores at four times the market price." The appraiser was the one to make the offer to Val.

    Val smiled slightly, "I must apologize," he started, "As a Level-3 warrior, my enhanced senses sometimes pick up more than I intend to. I overheard your discussion. It appears my cores are more valuable than your current offer. So either youe up with a better deal, or I''ll find a more honest trader to do business with."

    The appraiser''s face darkened, feeling as if he had shot himself in the foot. If he had known Val was a Level-3 warrior, he would''ve never proposed such a deal. But he wasn''t entirely to me. He turned to re at Alex, whose foolishness had led to their current predicament.

    Feeling the weight of the appraiser''s gaze, Alex avoided eye contact, casually whistling and acting as though he hadn''t done anything wrong and wasn''t the one at fault.

    "So, what''s your decision going to be?" Val pressed, taking advantage of their silence.

    The appraiser sighed, a resigned look on his face. "We will buy your cores for six times their market price."

    "Deal!" Val eximed, grinning widely.

    Every single one of the purified Level-2 dungeon monster cores offered by Val was sold at 300 CPS each,ting him a total of over 3000 CPS!

    A system notification popped up in front of Val.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! Your total contribution points have now increased to 18000.]

 Chapter 150 150: Conflict

    ?

    The appraiser introduced himself to Val as Bart, then told Val, "I must admit, I am quite curious about how you managed to get your hands on such rare items. But of course, I understand if you would rather not talk about it. It''s your trade secrets, and it''s not my ce to poke my nose in other people''s business."

    Val shook his head with a slight smile, his acting to the point. "It''s alright. I don''t mind sharing. I purified these cores myself. Also, if you happen to find customers interested in purifying cores, I would appreciate it if you could refer them to me. In return, I''ll give you a 10%mission."

    Bart''s eyes lit up at the proposition.

    "That sounds like a fair deal to me, so I''ll definitely coborate with you," he agreed, extending his hand for a handshake, to which Val happily obliged.

    "Count me in as well. I will also help spread the word around. I''m sure many people will be interested in your services, Val," Alex chimed in enthusiastically.

    Val nodded his thanks to both men, then walked away.

    He then began to roam around the Pavilion, his eyes scanning through the various items on disy in search of something he would find useful. Now that he had a considerable amount of contribution points, it was time to put them to good use.

    The resources avable in the Treasure Pavilion ranged from rank 5 to rank 3, with not a single rank 2 or above item in sight. It seemed only low-level resources were avable here.

    Why was that the case?

    Val concluded that it must be because anything better than rank-3 was taken to the Upper Haven, where they were sold to the truly powerful individuals, and his guess was right on the mark.

    Val thought that this practice, though disadvantageous to him, wasn''t unreasonable. If he had been in their shoes, he would have done the same.

    This method reserved the best for the strongest, allowing them to be even more potent. Moreover, it reduced situations where weaker individuals could be killed for treasures they didn''t have the strength to protect.

    However, there was also a silver lining.

    While only rank-3 and below items were present in the Treasure Pavilion, there was a vast array of them. It was possible for Val to find cursed artifacts and evolution materials that were most suitable for him.

    He looked for cursed artifacts that could improve hisbat abilities and the ingredients needed to make the Level-3 Bloodline Upgrading potion of the Whitemores.

    As he browsed through the items on disy in the Treasure Pavilion, his eyes caught the sight of scales from a beast known as the Eldertail Snake!

    It was one of the three ingredients he needed for the potion. He already had one. If he acquired these scales, he would have two. Then he would only need to find Spiritroot of the Verdant Giant, and he''d have all the necessary ingredients to make the potion necessary to begin the process of upgrading his innate bloodline to the third level!

    ''I must get this,'' Val thought.

    He immediately approached the vendor of the stall where the scales were disyed.

    The vendor nced at him and greeted, "Hello, good sir. How may I help you?"

    Val pointed at the scales of the Eldertail Snakes and said, "I''m interested in buying all ten of them."

    The vendor sized him up, noting Val''s outstanding handsomeness and his well-dressed appearance. "Ah, a gentleman of noble standing, I presume? I''m sure you can afford this." He announced the price, "Each scale is worth 600 contribution points, but if you take all ten, I''ll give them to you for 500 a piece."

    Val raised an eyebrow. "Why is the price so high?"

    "These scalese from snakes that reside only in the Shadow Valley," exined the vendor, "A ce riddled with all sorts of evil. Only a brave few dare to hunt there."

    "I''ll take them all," Val responded.

    The vendor nodded approvingly. "That would be 5000 contribution points, sir."

    However, before Val could make the purchase, an arrogant voice sounded, "I''ve set my eyes on those scales. I''ll buy them all."

    Val turned to see a man who introduced himself as Ashton. "It''s rather rude to cut in line. Besides, the vendor and I have already reached an agreement."

    Ashton smirked, "Is that really the case?"

    The vendor nodded.

    Ashton, not missing a beat, announced, "I''ll pay double what he''s paying for the scales of the Eldertail Snake."

    The vendor''s eyes widened, and he immediately changed sides. "Naturally, sir. I''ll sell them to you."

    Upon seeing how quickly the vendor had switched sides, Val felt a twinge of disgust. The vendor was utterly shameless, no different than a dog that would wag its tail for the highest bidder. However, Val didn''t cause a scene as he was not desperate to get the scales of the Eldertail Snake, and there were other shops avable in the treasure pavilion that might have it. Not to mention, he now knew where to get them. The vendor had shared with him valuable information like a fool. So he decided to let the matter rest.

    He watched as Ashton paid a ridiculous amount of contribution points to buy the evolution material, which was probably of no use to him, and internally chuckled, What a fool! But why did he spawn out of nowhere to bother me?

    Val looked at him and questioned, "We''ve no enmity. Why did you go out of your way to trouble me?"

    Ashton frowned, "You don''t know?"

    "No, I don''t." Val shook his head.

    "Just a few days ago, you humiliated me in front of the entire crowd!" Ashton eximed, veins throbbing on his forehead.

    Val realized that Ashton was taking revenge on him for beating him with a single move in the tournament held by Marshall. He thought that Ashton was another petty person like Marshall. Seeing as how they were both petty, Val thought that maybe they were both rted.

    "When did that happen?" Val asked, looking honestly perplexed. He was acting to push Ashton''s button. It would be even better if Ashton give in to rage and attack him. Then, he will show Ashton how revenge should be taken!

    In the Northern Frontier, it was forbidden for residents to fight each other in public. But if one was attacked, it was legal for them to act in self-defense. That''s why Val held back and tried to anger Ashton into making the first move.

    "You don''t remember?" Ashton asked, his face reddening.

    "No,'' Val replied nonchntly.

    At this, Ashton almost tripped, a burst of anger threatening to explode from his chest. He realized he was the only one who couldn''t let go of their past conflict. Val, who had won against him, had already forgotten who he was and moved on.

    Ashton gritted his teeth in anger at Val and spat out, "I''m never going to forgive you. For as long as you''re in the lower city, I''ll always make trouble for you!"

    Val didn''t even bother hearing the cries of the sore loser. He moved past Ashton, disappearing into the crowd, leaving Ashton screaming in the air, his words reverberating in the empty space between them.

 Chapter 151 151: Arms

    ?

    Val may not havee across the ingredients he needed to make the potion in the other shops of the treasure pavilion, but he dide across items that he thought would greatly augment his current arsenal of weapons.

    In one shop, he discovered a variety of specially made smoke bombs. Unlike conventional smoke bombs that needed to be lit up for use, these were tailor-made for wizards.

    By simply injecting one''s soul power into them, they could be triggered to detonate within a second. Soul power was invisible to the naked eye. And Val had a pocket dimension. With thisbination, he would catch anyone off guard!

    The smoke bomb once detonated could engulf a vast area in a thick nket of smoke, rendering those with normal vision blind. However, with his Heavenly Eye, Val would be able to see through the smoke. Essentially, these smoke bombs could shift any situation drastically in his favor. They were extremely useful to him!

    They cost him 500 contribution points a piece, and he decided to purchase ten of them, spending a whopping 5000 contribution points in an instant.

    In another shop, he found an artifact armor known as "The Aegis of Light" and bought it.

    This armor held the incredible ability to generate a holy shield that could repel evil entities such as devils and ghosts. It provided a considerable advantage in fights against such entities. However, this significant upgrade dide at a hefty price - it cost him 7000 contribution points.

    The investment was steep. However, Val knew the protection granted to him by the armor will prove invaluable when he exorcise the haunted house and make it free of evil spirits once and for all!

    "Is there nothing else I can buy?"

    Val''s eyes swept around the treasure pavilion onest time. Suddenly, his gazended on an old, rusty ancient sword, tucked away in a shop located in a quiet corner of the pavilion.

    The sword seemed unremarkable, almost forgettable, yet when Valid his eyes on it, his sixth sense red up, and his entire body throbbed with a sense of foreboding. It was a clear sign that the sword held some hidden danger and unknown potential, and he wasn''t going to ignore it.

    Without hesitation, Val cast Detect on the sword. Almost immediately, a system notification popped up in front of him, disying a semi-transparent screen with the true name of the rusty sword and its attributes.

    [True Name: The Voidyer.

    Danger Level: 7

    Description:

    The Voidyer possesses an intriguing quality �� it is imbued with spatial magic. It might look like a rusty sword that will break with a single punch, but it is made from Heaven Meteorite that can survive the brutal hammering of a thousand meteorites without breaking. Its true form can be unleashed by washing it with soul power. The cursed sword has the ability to bypass all defenses and strike the intended target as it is imbued with spatial magic. The target can be designated by its user. The sword also has the ability to consume other cursed swords to increase its strength. The stat-boosting effects and special abilities of the cursed swords it devours be a part of it.]

    Basically, the Voidyer cursed sword had two skills. Spatial sh and Devour!

    Moreover, its danger level was 7, meaning it was potentially more dangerous than Aquarius. The Voidyer was undoubtedly stronger than a rank-3 cursed artifact!

    ''It''s most likely a rank-2 cursed artifact.''

    At this revtion, Val''s facial expression changed. He suddenly stared at the rusty sword as if he had discovered a golden, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

    The allure of its hidden power and the potential it held ignited the desire to obtain it no matter what the cost in his heart.

    Val immediately made his way over to the shop located at the corner of the pavilion to purchase it. The shop owner, an old man with a balding head, droopy eyes, and a grumpy face adorned with age spots, stood behind the counter with a hunched back. He didn''t even bother greeting Val as he entered the shop.

    Val approached the owner. "Boss, is that sword for sale?" he asked while pointing at the rusty sword stored in the weapon rack.

    "Indeed, it''s for sale. But it''s my family''s only heirloom, so it''ll cost a lot," The shop owner replied.

    "How much is this sword?" Val asked.

    The shop owner paused for a moment before replying, "1000 contribution points."

    Val was taken aback. He thought the old man would demand an exorbitant price, but 1000 points were surprisingly affordable. To acquire a rank-2 item for such a low price seemed almost surreal.

    What were the chances that he would stumble upon such an opportunity while roaming in the treasure pavilion without a n? It was close to zero!

    He believed his good fortune was all thanks to Eliana''s prayers, which he earned by showering her with an ocean of love. So in the end, it was all his hard work that led him to experience such a heaven-defying encounter, but Eliana''s involvement in it couldn''t be ignored.

    ''Eliana... she is truly my greatest trump card,'' Val thought.

    "Hold on a minute, 1000 contribution points for that rusty, old sword? That''s outrageous!" The voice belonged to someone who had overheard the conversation and feltpelled to advise Val against making the purchase.

    "Watch out, young man. He''s just trying to pull one over on you." Another onlooker, who had caught wind of their conversation, couldn''t help but caution Val.

    "He has tried to sell a piece of junk as a treasure to a well-dressed gentleman just a few weeks ago and seeded, but the gentleman found out he was scammed and reported it to the local authorities. The old man was not only forced to apologize and cough up what he''d swindled from him by the authorities but his shop was also suspended for weeks," added another. "Trust me, he doesn''t mean well."

    Val thought that if he didn''t know the true value of the sword, he would''ve definitely trusted the judgment of the majority and suffered a great loss!

 Chapter 152 152: VoidSlayer

    ?

    The old man''s face darkened. He thought his bad karma had caught up with him.

    Anyway, while it was true that he had scammed a bunch of people in the past by selling trash as treasure, this time, he was not lying. After all, ording to the legend passed down in his family that only had him and his wife left, the rusty old sword was an actual cursed artifact with unlimited potential. While even he found it hard to believe it, he had to sell it as only then would he get enough money to buy the medicine that was needed to save his wife.

    He looked at the busybodies and barked, "What concern is it of yours if I sell a trinket as a treasure? Not to mention, my family''s heirloom is an actual cursed sword with unlimited potential. You lots are just a bunch of jealous mongrels, barking up the wrong tree out of envy!"

    Then he turned to Val with a serious look on his face.

    "Young man, don''t listen to them. This sword is my family heirloom. It has been passed down in my family for generations until it ended up in my hands. It holds great significance as it was once wielded by my ancestor, a renowned bloodline user who helped in the foundation of our kingdom. I would never sell it if I weren''t in dire need of money. Believe me, you won''t regret buying it," the old man said to Val in an attempt to counter their ims.

    "This old fool is full of nonsense!"

    The crowd erupted intoughter. The idea that a deceitful shopkeeper like him could be a descendant of a kingdom''s founder was unthinkable.

    Only Val believed him. After all, unlike the crowd, the true value of the rusty, old sword wasn''t lost on him.

    "I will buy it," Val said, drawing surprised gasps from the onlookers.

    An onlooker murmured, "Another person has fallen for the old man''s scam."

    The old man''spetitor, a vendor from a neighboring shop, grumbled, "Every gullible customer always ends up at old Cedric''s. Why am I not so lucky?"

    Cedric looked visibly relieved as Val agreed to the purchase. "Your contribution points, please," he said.

    Val''s contribution points decreased by another 1000 as he purchased the cursed sword from Cedric. Now he was left with 5000 contribution points.

    After the purchase was made, Cedric handed the rusty sword over to Val, saying, "The sword is yours now. Please take good care of it."

    "I will," Val promised after thoughtful consideration.

    The sword held unlimited potential��it could keep growing by consuming other cursed swords. He would never need to change it. As his lifelong weapon, he would naturally take great care of it.

    Exiting the treasure pavilion, Val returned to the haunted house. Eliana was nowhere to be seen. It seems like she had gone to work.

    Given that it was morning, Val did not have to worry about having paranormal encounters. Devils were weak to sunlight, and they wouldn''t dare show their faces while it was still daytime.

    Upon returning to the haunted house, Val bathed the rusty sword with his soul power. As his soul power showered on it, the sword quivered, emitting a faint glow. Suddenly, the sword''s rusty exterior shed away like falling leaves, revealing an ancient and majestic sword underneath. Its hilt was ck as ink. Its de was as pure as silver, and its entire body was decorated with intricate symbols. It was a sight to behold.

    A system notification popped up before Val.

    [A bond has been established between you and the cursed artifact. Voidyer has now be your bound item.]

    The Voidyer hummed. Val could somehow understand that it was going crazy because it has been sealed for too long and hadn''t had a meal in ages. It also said that since he has be its master, it has now be his duty to take care of it. So it better do something about its hunger or it will be severely disappointed and refuse to cooperate with him.

    Val felt surprised. The cursed sword''s ability to express its desire to him in such aprehensive manner that he understood it without a problem as if it had spoken to him telepathically signified that it had formed a spirit.

    It was a high-level spiritual sword!

    This didn''t only surprised but also confused Val. As far as he knew, while every cursed artifact was spiritual to some extent, only special-grade cursed artifacts were rumored to have spirits, and this sword was clearly just a rank-2 cursed sword. So why does it have a spirit? He decided to get his answer for Voidyer itself. However, he first needed to leave a favorable impression on it as then it would be easier to converse with the spirit sword and have it open up to him.

    "So basically, you''re hungry and want to be fed, right?" Val said.

    The sword hummed in agreement.

    Val ced Aquarius close to the Voidyer.

    "Have a good meal," he told the spirit sword.

    "It''s a rank-3 cursed sword. Are you really going to feed it to me? Won''t you regret it?"

    "I don''t repeat myself twice."

    "Thank you. You are a good man, just like my previous owner!"

    The end of the Voidyer then morphed, taking the form of a giant metallic mouth. It chomped down on Aquarius with its knife-like teeth, crushing the cursed sword into pieces and gulping them down, before reverting back to its original state.

    Another system notification appeared.

    [Voidyer has devoured a rank-3 cursed sword and upgraded. It now grants a boost of +4 STR and +2 REF and has gained the Crimson sh skill!]

    Val couldn''t help but grin. The Devour skill of the Voidyer was just as effective as he had anticipated. With such a tool at his disposal, he felt invincible.

    "What did you do to get yourself sealed?" Val asked Voidyer. "Be honest with me. In return, I promise to feed you more cursed swords in the future."

    "It''s...plicated," the Voidyer said in response.

 Chapter 153 153: The Past!

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    "Take your time exining it. I want to understand what I''m dealing with before I wield you. You understand me?" Val said.

    Voidyer remained silent for a moment before humming sadly, "I grew too strong a curse for my wielder to handle. So I forced him to abandon me."

    This revtion meant that the Voidyer had broken the bond it shared with its previous owner itself.

    Val''s brows furrowed.

    He knew little about spirit swords, having mostly heard about them through the mouth of others. Special-grade cursed artifacts were incredibly rare - so much so that he had nevere across one in his current 16 years of life. In fact, they were so rare that even Joshua, an advanced ranked warrior, and the Queen''s dog, had never personally encountered one. Now, thanks to the Voidyer, Val knew these artifacts could have a form of ego, make decisions on behalf of their masters, and even sever the bond they shared with their owners if they deemed it necessary.

    It was priceless knowledge that help him understand that if he did something that would cause it to dislike him, he risked the chances of losing ownership of it.

    He needed to know more about it to make sure something like that doesn''t happen. A weapon like this that could continuously grow was too rare, and he didn''t want to lose it.

    Scratching his chin, Val asked, "Why did you do it? Could you exin more?"

    "It''s a long tale," the Voidyer responded.

    "Go on, I''m listening," Val encouraged as he nestled in the sofa in the living room of the haunted housefortably.

    "My previous owner was my creator. He was like a father to me. He treated me well, feeding me every cursed sword he came across. Each time I consumed a cursed sword, I grew in power, but with this increase, the force of corruption within me also intensified. Under his immense care, when I reached the level of a special-grade cursed artifact, this corruption became so overwhelming that my previous owner experienced severe side effects whenever he wielded me.

    "Despite this, he cared deeply for me and was unwilling to break our bond. He had grown attached to me, but it wasn''t one-sided. As a cursed sword, I was innately selfish and unreasonable but I hade to worship him as my own god. I couldn''t bear to watch him suffer due to my presence, so I severed our connection myself. In doing so, I saved his life, but I was too ignorant and almost got him killed." The Voidyer exined to Val.

    "What does breaking the bond have to do with endangering your previous owner''s life?" Val asked curiously.

    The Voidyer said, "Forcefully breaking the bond with my previous owner damaged my soul so severely that I lost control over the tremendous force of corruption within me. It took advantage of my weakened state to suppress my spirit deep within and overtook my body. That day a Demonic-grade cursed sword was birthed and it tried to kill my previous owner!"

    "Then what happened?" Val asked. This conversation was proving to be extremely useful. After all, he now even knew how a demonic-grade cursed artifact was created. He wanted to prolong it a little longer, believing he would gain more out of it.

    Under Val''s continuous urging, the Voidyer continued where it left off, "My previous owner was no pushover. He was one of the thirteen strongest bloodline users of that era. He was a force to be reckoned with with an array of cursed artifacts and skills at his disposal. Although it was hard and took more than 3 days, he defeated the Demonic-grade cursed sword. That''s about it."

    "You say your body was possessed by the Force of Corruption. How did you get it back?" Val asked. This was the only thing that didn''t make sense to him.

    "In an attempt to help me regain my consciousness, my previous owner stripped my body of its powers. This greatly reduced the force of corruption within me, allowing me to subdue the rampaging force of corruption and take back control. However, the ordeal left me reduced back to my original state, unfit for him to wield. A level-2 cursed sword had no ce in a battle between peak-level powerhouses. And I didn''t want to grow stronger as I knew it would only force him. So I begged him to choose a new cursed sword and put me down. It was painful but I made him discard me!"

    Val thought that its story did make sense. Although its previous owner could help it regain its strength by feeding it other cursed swords, they would face the same dilemma. So it was better to just let it be.

    "Where is he now?" Val asked.

    "He had to leave, journeying to face threats far more horrifying than the Durcalians, alongside hisrades. Before he left, he told me that I would belong to whoever recognized my true value and sealed me. Before I was sealed, thest thing I remember is that he assigned his family the task of safeguarding me, fearful that in the wrong hands, I could cause a catastrophe. Since then, I have been in a deep slumber until you awakened me."

    "That''s quite the history you have there," Val said as he processed the Voidyer''s past without much difficulty.

    Then, a thought struck him, prompting him to ask, "By the way, who was your previous owner?"

    A man who could create such a rare cursed artifact that could evolve to be a special grade was bound to be not simple. Val wanted to know more about him.

    "His name was Assam," the Voidyer replied.

    "Assam!?" Val''s eyes widened.

    Assam was the right-hand man of Valerius and had yed a significant role in the war that repelled the imperial army of the Durcal Empire that had tried to invade the kingdom ages ago!

    Val realized that Cedric was not lying. His ancestor was indeed a powerful bloodline user who had helped establish the kingdom, and this cursed sword was an old relic.

 Chapter 154 154: Secrets Of The Haunted House

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    "Voidyer, do you know where Assam went?" Val questioned.

    In the history books that Val was exposed to in the most prestigious school of the IronSpire stronghold, there was no record of the deaths of either Valerius or Assam. These two legendary figures had not perished; they had merely disappeared one day. It was said that after their disappearance, the most glorious position in the kingdom was handed down to the most worthy person at the time, as per Valerius''sst wish.

    The abrupt disappearance of the kingdom''s strongest bloodline user and his right-hand man was a mystery worth pondering over.

    Why had they left, and where had they gone? These questions had lingered in Val''s mind for a long time. He hoped that Voidyer could shed some light on these mysteries.

    "He appeared to be in a hurry when he left," Voidyer conveyed to Val. "I heard him murmur that ''they'' were behind all the sufferings we have suffered, and if ''they'' weren''t stopped, the world would meet its end."

    A flicker of confusion crossed Val''s face as he took in Voidyer''s words.

    ''They'', ording to Assam''s vague statement, were the cause of all suffering. This was easily interpretable. The history of this world was simr to Earth''s until the appearance of the Blood Red Moon. After it appeared, all kinds of strange and dreadful events took ce, and humanity fell to the bottom of the food chain.

    It was most likely that ''they'' caused the appearance of the Blood Red Moon, which led to massive changes in the natural order of things.

    But who were ''they''?

    Val thought that they couldn''t be devils, beasts, or even humans, as Assam had mentioned to the Voidyer that he was going away to apany his friends to face monsters far more terrifying than the Durcalians and he can''t take it with him as it was too weak.

    The Durcalians were basically devils born out of negativity, who had be a part of the Durcal Empire, and any devil could be a part of this empire, provided they submitted to the Durcal.

    Based on this information, these horrifying creatures Assam spoke of weren''t devils but beings that seemed to transcend even these formidable foes.

    Val''s mind began to race. Considering all he had experienced and heard so far, he surmised that ''they'' might refer to the dreadful creatures that inhabited the Other Side, possibly the Eldritch or even something more horrifying.

    The Other Side was a dimension that he had barely explored, and its connection with their reality was stillrgely unknown to him. It might be more than just a lifeless mirror image of their world.

    But these were all theories, spections he had drawn based on limited information. The reality could be entirely different, and ''they'' might be something entirely different.

    ''There''s so much more to this world than I know.'' Val looked at his hands and curled his fingers into fists. ''I need to grow stronger, faster than ever before, if I want to be prepared for the harsh times that''ll begin when the unknown strikes.''

    Val donned the armor he had purchased from the Treasure Pavilion, the metal tes fitting snugly around his form. He approached the door, holding a talisman in his hand. As he ced the talisman on the door, it began to glow, and a barrier emerged, enveloping the house. Every evil entity within this barrier had its power reduced significantly.

    Voidyer hummed, asking, "What are you up to?"

    "I''m going to perform an exorcism by force. Are you interested in joining me?" Val asked Voidyer.

    Exorcism by force, true to its name, was a straightforward process, which involved seeking out and eradicating all devils haunting a ce until none were left. Val was nning to get rid of all the evil haunting this house with force today.

    "It''s been ages since I''ve been in a fight. I would love to participate in it." The ancient sword hummed in agreement.

    Val dumped a few points of soul power into his eyes. Immediately, his Heavenly Eye activated, causing the world around him to be semi-transparent.

    With the Heavenly Eye, he could see through walls, objects, and virtually every part of the haunted house as if they were non-existent. All of it was stripped naked andid bare before his gaze. He scrutinized every corner, every crevice, every inch of it, but surprisingly found nothing unusual.

    It confirmed his suspicions that the source of the haunting was not in the house itself, but somewhere else.

    But where could it be?

    ''Is it perhaps beneath my feet?''

    The only ce Val hadn''t inspected was the area underneath the house. He looked downwards, and his heavenly vision prated through the floor of the house and some unexpected things to him.

    The first was a secret passageway going downwards that led directly to an underground area that was half the size of a freaking stadium. Such a huge underground area was created yet no one noticed. It must be created by a bloodline user with earth-type skills!

    The underground area was located dozens of meters beneath this house, and at the center of this area was a water well, sealed shut with a sturdy-looking steel te.

    Val''s gaze traveled past the steel te and his eyebrows immediately shot up as he noticed a dense concentration of the force of corruption within the well.

    His Heavenly Eye could see through manyyers of walls and obstacles, but this overwhelming force of corruption prevented him from getting a clear view of the well''s interior. However, he was able to catch a glimpse of something terrifying within.

    Immediately a thought came unbidden into his mind: the secret passageway and the underground area were either created by the house''s original owner or a tenant. Regardless of who was responsible, they were surely the instigator behind all of this.

    "I''ve found it. The source of the haunting," Val said.

    "Good, let''s go hunt it down!" Voidyer said eagerly.

    Val moved to the floor beneath the old, rickety staircase leading to the house''s first floor where his room was located. He took a deep breath and forcefully mmed his foot down on the floor causing it to shatter. As it shattered, the hidden entrance to the secret passage that was curved like a slope and went downwards was revealed!

 Chapter 155 155: Secret Area!

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    The passage was as dark as night. If not for Val''s Nocturne Vision Trait, he wouldn''t be able to see what was inside it.

    Many disgusting things filled the passage, but he entered it nheless.

    As he began to move through it, a few dozen tiny silver spiders began crawling towards him. Each was palm-sized, with de-like appendages and sharp V-shaped teeth.

    These creatures could pose a threat to beginner-stage bloodline users, as even though they weren''t high-leveled, they made up for their weakness with their numbers.

    Unfortunately for the spiders, they had met their match. Val was likely the only beginner-stage bloodline user against whom numbers held no advantage.

    Val narrowed his eyes at the advancing spiders. It seemed they were eager to meet their ends, and he was all too willing to fulfill their wish.

    "Descend, my horde of the undead," hemanded.

    Responding to his call, all level 2 undead stepped out of the Shrine of Evil, appearing beside him. The swarm of silver spiders was stunned into inaction as one horrifying undead after another materialized around Val.

    "Hit them with your nightmarish aura!" Val instructed his undead army.

    Complying with hismand, the thirty undead targeted a spider, casting their nightmarish aura on the palm-sized creatures. Like a tsunami, the nightmarish aura surged forward from their very beings, crashing on the tiny silver spiders who tried but failed to dodge the onught. Struck by the nightmarish aura, their consciousness was instantly submerged in a terrifying nightmare, so intense it felt as though their souls had left their bodies.

    The spiders were left stunned, as still as statues. Val was unsure how long it would take for them to break free from the nightmare and recover from the effects of his undead''s nightmarish aura skill. Maybe they would never wake up from their nightmares. But he wasn''t about to take any chances. He decided then and there that his priority was to eliminate them before they could regain their senses.

    With a snap of his fingers, dozens of bullets crafted from blood materialized in the darkness, illuminating the area in a ghastly crimson glow, reminiscent of rubies.

    And then with a flick of his wrist, the bullets were set into motion, raining down on the paralyzed spiders. There were thirty such spiders trapped within the effects of the nightmarish aura and they were powerless to evade the onught. In the blink of an eye, all thirty were struck by the bullets; holes were drilled into their heads from which blood erupted.

    The shock of the pain jolted them out of their nightmares, only for them to meet a grim reality where they had been so severely injured that life had already vacated their bodies. They dropped dead to the ground,ying there lifelessly.

    Being creatures of a rtively low level, between levels 5 and 15, Val only earned a negligible amount of EXP from causing their demise.

    Out of the few dozen, only several spiders remained. Val looked at them coldly as they began to retreat.

    "Put them out of their misery," Val instructed his undead.

    Without hesitation, the horde of undead descended upon the six remaining tiny silver spiders. Outnumbered and outpowered, they were swiftly torn apart and killed by the ruthless undead.

    Val then continued his journey through the passage by stepping on their corpses, his undead following behind him like bodyguards.

    This secret path led him directly to the underground area he had glimpsed earlier using his Heavenly Eye.

    The underground area reeked of a horrendous smell. Despite Val''s emotional impairment making it harder for him to feel emotions aspared to others and the fact that he didn''t need to act humanely as he wasn''t in the presence of others, he could not help but wrinkle his nose in revulsion.

    Val didn''t need to sniff the air again to discern that the smell that wafted through the air belonged to rotten corpses, and it was originating from the sealed well at the center of the area.

    ''Let''s get a clear view of what''s hiding inside.''

    As he began to approach the well, a sudden thunderous pounding echoed through the underground area.

    Bam! Bam! Bam!

    The steel te that sealed the well was being struck from within as if something wanted toe out. The horrendous smell, the thickening darkness, the incessant pounding �� it all amalgamated into a horrifying scene that could make anyone''s blood run cold. However, Val was an exception; the more chilling the scenario got, the more determined he became to face whaty inside the well.

    Val had only taken six steps towards the well when, abruptly, the steel te enclosing it exploded outwards, falling towards him. He pped it to the side with wizardry.

    KURIAGHHH!

    Just then, from the depths of the well, a monster burst forth �� its form grotesque and terrifying. Its body was elongated. It had 36 pairs of long, sinewy arms and a hideous face with empty eye sockets. Itcked hair all over its body and possessed a gaping mouth devoid of teeth. Its mouth was 2 meter long and 1.3 meters wide.

    Aftering out of the well, it moved straight towards Val. It didn''t have eyes and the underground area was submerged in darkness, yet it could still tell where Val was. It meant that it was using some other method to locate him.

    ''The smoke bombs wouldn''t be useful in this battle,'' Val thought.

    The henious monster moved in a manner reminiscent of a centipede, using its many arms to scuttle towards Val at a horrifying speed.

    Not even the most seasoned bloodline user would be used to witnessing such an abomination.

    "And damn, it''s ugly!" Val blurted his thoughts out loud, unfazed by the monstrous apparition in front of him. Instead of being taken aback, he only became interested in knowing how something so ugly was created and what it was doing inside the well.

    "I will study it thoroughly, but only after I have eliminated the threat it poses."

    He kicked these thoughts to the back of his mind. Then, with a sweeping motion of his arm and intense focus, he initiated wizardry, sending waves of his soul power crashing towards the hideous creature. The waves crashed into it like a violent tempest, causing it to stagger backwards, its multiple limbs iling wildly as it was knocked to the ground, kicking up dust.

    But it seemed to recover instantly as it scrambled back to its feet swiftly and leaped forward like a grotesque frog.

    The next moment, Val was submerged in its shadow as it came flying towards him!

 Chapter 156 156: Uglyface Devils (1)

    Val''s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint shing through them. By lunging at him, this ugly bald head had just signed its death warrant.

    Patting his new cursed sword, Val spoke, "Time to get to work, Voidyer."

    "Just say the word, master," Voidyer said.

    "I need you to rage," Valmanded.

    "As you wish, master," Voidyer said as it spat out a crimson arc of light.

    Whoosh!

    The arc cut through the air as it flew forward, rivaling the hideous creature''s speed. The arc was extremely thin, almost invisible, yet it held an intense sharpness that threatened to rip apart everything in its path. It held unparalleled lethal power. The creatures sensed it and felt afraid, but it made too big a mistake to block or dodge it!

    The creature was in such apromising position that it was unable to evade the iing assault. It could do nothing as the crimson arc passed through it, cutting it clean in two halves from the middle.

    Exactly as Val had anticipated, the two halves of the terrifying creature fell to the ground with a dull thud. But what urred next was out of his expectations; flesh began to grow from its two halves, transforming each part into aplete body at a rate visible to the naked eye.

    Val had a realization then; this thing... It was freaking immortal!

    Now there were two ugly bald heads!

    The danger he was in had now doubled.

    He tried inspecting them using detect but failed. It was like he expected, the creatures couldn''t be inspected because just like his Heavenly Eye, his Detect Trait also had limitations.

    A) It couldn''t inspect beings that were way more powerful than him.

    B) It couldn''t evaluate the power level of beings overflowing with corruption. The force of corruption was like an imprable wall that blocked his Detect Trait from working properly!

    "Now instead of one, there are two Uglyfaces!" The Voidyer cried out in panic as the two halves of the Uglyface grew into two whole Uglyfaces!

    The Uglyfaces didn''t instantly attack. Instead, they looked at Val warily. Although they looked like that, Val could tell that they were preparing to jump on him anytime as his sixth sense was tingling. He had no doubt that the second he turn his back to them and try to go back the way he came from, they would attack!

    However, he had no intention of retreating. He hade to perform exorcism by force and he won''t leave until he had seeded. Not to mention, he now knew such evil creatures were lurking beneath his residence. He wouldn''t be able to sleep in peace until he get rid of them!

    "Stop panicking. This situation will only get worse for us if we panic," Val advised the Voidyer calmly before continuing, "And if you''ve calmed down, tell me what you know about the Uglyfaces."

    Val couldn''t gauge any information about the Uglyfaces as his Detect Trait wasn''t working on them. He could only depend on the ancient spirit sword to gain a better understanding of the things he was dealing with.

    "I''ve only just awakened from an age-long slumber, my memories are still a bit foggy," Voidyer said.

    There were side effects to being sealed for many years. Its memory was affected. Although it remembered its creator and wielder with great rity, everything else wasing back to it in bits and pieces.

    The side effects were so bad that it hadn''t even recognized what the monster with eight hands was when it firstid its eyes on it. Otherwise, it would''ve stopped Val from making the mistake of using the Crimson sh skill to chop the Ugly face apart.

    "Everything starts with believing in oneself. Believe that you can do it and give it a try. Maybe you will remember more than just their name," Val reassured it.

    "Alright, I''ll try."

    Encouraged by Val''s words, Voidyer decided to recall what it knew about the Uglyface devils. One can''t make an omelet without breaking eggs. It was impossible to make an achievement without making putting in any effort, but if one were to make an effort towards a certain goal, one would achieve something no matter how little. As Voidyer tried its best to remember useful information about the Ugly for its new master, it remembered that time when his former master Assam fought the First of the Uglyface.

    Assam was a part of the distant past. His entire family was brutally murdered by an Uglyface. It didn''t even spare their remains, consuming them in one gulp. His kids, his wife, and his elderly parents, they all died at the hands of the first Uglyface, and he wasn''t able to do anything as he was paralyzed with fear. However, the death of his family ignited an unrivaled fury and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance in his heart, giving him the courage to run toward the monster and stab it with the sword. The sword broke as itnded on the Uglyface''s hideous but sturdy flesh.

    The result sent Assam down the spiral of despair. The attack he had put everything into didn''t injure the Uglyface''s body in the slightest. It only tickled the Uglyface!

    The Uglyface turned towards Assam, causing his breath to be caught in his throat. It grabbed him and tossed him down a cliff. He survived the fall as he fell into a river and was swept into a cave by the rolling waves, where he found a treasure, which helped him grow stronger.

    In the years that followed, Assam trained ceaselessly, his sole goal to avenge his family and eradicate the monster that had caused him much sorrow. His determination and hatred became the fuel that drove him to the brink of human limits, eventually transforming him into a bane for devils.

    When he finally confronted the Uglyface again, he was not the same person. He was stronger, sharper, brimming with resolve, and overflowing with Soul Power. Assam struck it down in one hit. The fight ended as soon as it began.

 Chapter 157 157: Uglyface Devils (2)

    ?

    The weapon Assam had used in that fight was none other than Voidyer. This gave Voidyer a firsthand ount of the battle, and through it, a deep understanding of the Uglyface''s nature and the way to kill it.

    "I remember now," Voidyer announced to Val.

    "What did you remember?" Val asked.

    "Everything about the Uglyface devils," Voidyer said.

    "Ry it to me," Val demanded.

    "An Uglyface is born out of an abhorrent ritual called the Charnel Rite, and it involves ughtering the innocent in a horrific manner."

    "What kind of horrific manner?" Val interrupted. There was a cold edge to his voice. He was also interested in creating devils, so he asked about it. However, if it was too much work or would cause a dent in his rtionship with Voidyer, he wouldn''t do it.

    "The victims are tortured in the most unthinkable manner, made to endure such horrors that their cries fill the air with sheer despair. The victims are sawed from their groin to their heads while they''re kept alive using healing magic! The fear, the pain, and the negative emotions birthed as they are sawed alive, are sealed in a well along with their mutted bodies. Over time, an Uglyface is born."

    "A minimum of ten victims are needed for this rite to seed. However, the greater the sacrifice, the stronger the Uglyface bes. Given this Uglyface''s intense regeneration ability that allowed it to multiply into two after it was split apart, it''s likely that more than thirty lives were taken to create it," Voidyer exined to Val.

    Val thought that the person who carried out the ritual was more evil than him. After all, he had never done something so sickening to innocent people. In his previous life, he had tortured quite a lot of people, but it was because his job demanded it. He tortured others when he was trying to make a point and show his subordinates what happens to those who betray him.

    They only had one ending. Death!

    The only other reason why he would''ve tortured someone would be to get them to open their mouths and tell him valuable information. Anyway, while Val wasn''t a good guy, he wasn''t deranged and submerged in chaos like the man behind the creation of the Uglyface devils.

    He also thought that he couldn''t carry out a Charnel Rite as it would destroy his rtionship with Voidyer.

    Suddenly, he received a warning from Voidyer, "There''s also a byproduct of the Charnel Rite known as the Shaxil. It''s a devil that lurks in the shadows, waiting for a chance to prey on the fears of its unfortunate victim. It''s quite possible that it is hiding nearby. So be on the lookout, master."

    "I''ve already killed the Shaxil a few days ago. There''s no need to worry about it," Val said, surprising and easing the worries of Voidyer. He then asked the question that had been guing his mind, "Is there a way to kill these Uglyface devils?"

    "This is no ordinary Uglyface," Voidyer replied.

    "Destroying its body won''t work; even if it''s reduced to ashes, it will simply use the force of corruption within the well to restore itself. The only way to kill it is by destroying its soul, which is spread throughout its body. My former master had reached the esteemed status of a high-level wizard before he fought the first Uglyface. He used his immense amount of soul power to defeat it. But you, master... you are not even a low-level wizard. Your soul power is too limited. It''s impossible for you to defeat the Uglyface Devils."

    Voidyer continued, "In the past, there were bloodline users who possessed a skill that could harm the soul. If you had such a skill, you might have a chance. As it stands, the best option is retreat."

    Val let out a small chuckle, "Actually, I do have a bloodline skill that can harm the soul, but I can''t use it here."

    Voidyer was taken aback, hearing his words. It couldn''t help but ask, "Why can''t you use it?"

    Val replied, "It''s a fire-type skill, but dust particles are suspended all around us. The moment I use the skill, an explosion will ur, and I don''t know about you, but I will definitely perish alongside the Uglyfaces. A part of the eastern district will also be destroyed, and I will go down in history as the most cowardly viin."

    Val''s Nocturne Vision and Heavenly Eye traits had worked hand in hand to expose the true face of this underground area submerged in darkness. The dust particles in this area seemed so concentrated that they can easily ignite if exposed to a spark or me. This is called a dust explosion. Because Val''s Hellish Fist skill was fire-based, the heat would ignite the dust particles, causing a chain reaction. The resulting explosion would be strong enough to obliterate the Uglyfaces, but he and maybe even the Voidyer would also die.

    Voidyer was amazed. This was the first time it has heard about a dust explosion. It couldn''t help but think that Val might have a wealth of knowledge beyond its grasp. It was a humbling realization, prompting Voidyer to reassess the potential of its new master. Perhaps there was more to Val than what meets the eye.

    It brought its focus back on the situation at hand and suggested, "Just lure them to the surface and kill them there!"

    Val shook his head and replied, "If I do that, all my ns will be ruined."

    "Moreover, if I guide the Uglyface devils to the surface, the haunted house will be destroyed, the nearby properties will be damaged, and lives will be lost. If the authorities hold me ountable, my life would be ruined!

    "This is a fight I can''t escape from."

    Val looked ahead. Two Uglyfaces were eyeing him, each three times the size of an adult man, their bodies elongated and segmented, reminiscent of centipede.

    How do I deal with them? Val wondered.

    ....

    Important note for readers keeping up with the novel:- Some changes made in the story.

    Change 1: Added that 300 units of soul power are needed for Val to use his Soul Archive skill.

    Change 2: Basement changed to underground area the size of half a stadium.

    Change 3: Ugly Face description improved in Chapter 155.

    Change 4: Description of the secret passage changed to a "slightly curved slope" going dozens of "Meter downward."

    Thanks for reading!

 Chapter 158 158: Exorcism By Force (1)

    ?

    Meanwhile...

    One Uglyface was still wary of Val. Its bodynguage said that it was unwilling to approach him. The other not so much. It was initially wary of Val like its counterpart. But after seeing Val doing nothing and just standing still, it took it as a sign of weakness. Against devils like this, exposing even the slightest hint of weakness can put one''s life in jeopardy!

    Guwahk!

    It roared and rushed towards Val. Its movements were swift as it was using all eight of its hands to move.

    "Distract it," Val pointed at one of the Uglyfaces and quicklymanded his undead.

    Heeding their master''smand, the thirty level 2 undead rushed towards their designated target. And as the distance between them shortened and the Uglyface entered their attack range, they utilized the Corrosive w skill to aggro it.

    Corrosive liquid burst forth from their ws, spraying onto the grotesque creature.

    KUEK!

    Immediately, it bellowed in agony as the corrosive substance dissolved its skin, revealing the raw, bright red flesh beneath.

    "Don''t give it a chance to breathe. Keep attacking!" Valmanded.

    Following hismand, the undead then pounced on the Uglyface, sinking their ws dripping with corrosive liquid into its tender flesh. They grabbed a handful of its flesh in their ws before pulling backwards with all their strength, tearing chunks of meat from its flesh.

    KUEK! KUEK! KUEK!

    It cried out every time a chunk of meat was ripped from its flesh. The chunks of meat were tossed to the ground by the undead.

    These chunks of meat didn''t grow into Uglyfaces. Seeing this, Val breathed a sigh of relief, "Although the regeneration ability of Uglyface devils is impressive, it''s not without limitation. It''s not to the point where it can be considered invincible."

    As he spoke, the undead were ripping the Uglyface apart. Its cries of agony echoed throughout the underground area. It was a creature in pain, cornered, and enraged.

    However, just as a rabbit would fight back when cornered, the Uglyface, albeit as dumb as a rock, instinctively knew what to do in the face of such torment. It rammed into the wall like a bullet train. Many undead were crushed by this act, but impacting against the wall with such force caused a wide and purple bruise to form on its pale white body, increasing its suffering. Not to mention, more than 2 dozen undead still clung to it like bees to honey, ripping its flesh apart and sucking its blood!

    Immediately, it changed its tactics, starting to put its thirty-six pairs of hands to good use. It grabbed the undead sticking to it like leeches one by one, tearing them from its body and flinging them away with all its might!

    Swoosh!

    The undead flew across the underground area and crashed into the wall on the opposite side, several of their bones breaking as their bodies impacted against it.

    However, the loss of bones seemed to have not affected them even a tiny bit as they instantly rose back to their feet and resumed their relentless assault on the hideous creature.

    "Your undead... they are really capable. They reduced our troubles by half," the Voidsalyer said. After a moment, it added, "We''re fortunate that they''re managing to keep it busy. We wouldn''t be able to handle two Uglyfaces ourselves," Voidyer remarked.

    Val curled his lips into a small smile, "Well, they''ve always been quite reliable in situations like this."

    "It''sing," Voidyer suddenly said.

    The other Uglyface had coiled its limbs beneath it, preparing to spring itself at Val.

    Val, however, was already aware of it, as his sixth sense has alerted him of its insidious n by sending a throbbing sensation down his spine.

    While the undead kept one Uglyface busy, the otherunched itself off the ground with all its thirty-six pairs of hands. Like a grotesque frog, it leaped towards Val, its enormous mouth gaping wide. The maw was so cavernous that it looked as if it could swallow Val whole in one fell swoop.

    Val looked unfazed as he stared at the iing threat. It was a massive threat to his life, but it failed to get a response out of him.

    Seeing how calm he looked in the face of death, Voidyer couldn''t help but be taken aback. Had Val already epted his fate? However, he didn''t seem like one to give in so easily. There must be some other reason why he was not responding to the threat!

    After a blink of an eye, the Uglyface was an instant away from devouring Val, but in that very moment, the armor he wore lit up with a resplendent light that forced the darkness of the underground area to retreat to the corners. A milky white shield of unparalleled radiance expanded from the armor, enclosing Val within its protective boundary with a promise to protect him from all forms of Evil. The shield had appeared too suddenly, and the Uglyface didn''t have high intelligence or reflexes. Its strength and speed were impressive, but its other stats sucked. The slow-witted Uglyface failed to adjust its trajectory, crashing headlong into the luminous barrier!

    Bam!

    A resounding reverberation rang out and echoed throughout the underground area as the Uglyface impacted against the shield generated by the Armor of Aegis to protect Val.

    This shield was made of Holy Power. It was like poison to all devils. Val didn''t understand the science behind it, but he''d witnessed priests easily y devils using Holy Power in his youth. So he knew it would work.

    As expected, the brief contact with the Holy Barrier melted the skin and fat of the Uglyface''s face. As the melted flesh dripped on the ground, the swirling darkness and grey bones that were once hidden beneath its ghastly white skin were revealed.

    Kuek!

    The pain caused bying in contact with Holy Power was so intense that ck tears welled up in the creature''s eyeless sockets as it writhed in agony.

 Chapter 159 159: Exorcism By Force (2)

    ?

    But more than the pain, it was the sheer fury that roiled within every fiber of its being at the sight of the Holy Barrier. The Uglyface looked at it as if it was its mortal enemy.

    Instantly, with rage and pain fueling its action, the Uglyface balled its hands into fists, raising them high in the air before bringing them down onto the holy barrier furiously.

    Bam! Bam! Bam!

    The sound of flesh pounding against a door rang out as it repeatedly smashed the shield with its fist. Each strike caused a crack to form and widen on the shield, but it also caused the skin and flesh covering its fists to melt away.

    Despite this, it didn''t stop!

    It continued relentlessly hammering the shield.

    It was clear that it wouldn''t stop until the holy barrier was destroyed, and it seemed like it wouldn''t be long before that happened.

    After all, the holy barrier already looked on the brink of shattering!

    It was the only line of defense between Val, his spirit sword, and the Uglyface. If it shattered, there would be nothing protecting them from the wrath of the devil.

    "The shield won''t hold for long," Voidyer urgently pointed out. "If you have a n, put it into y before it''s toote. If not, just run. Get back to the surface. We would at least survive if we get there."

    It was still daytime outside, meaning the Sun, the greatest weakness of the Devils was high up in the sky. If Val rushed back the way he came from and the Uglyface chases after it, he would manage to lure the Uglyface into the sun. Once sunlight shines on its body, its strength would diminish, and its injuries would worsen. Not to mention, if Val gets back to the surface, he would finally be able to use his unique bloodline skill that can harm the soul without worries, and killing the Uglyface would be so much easier.

    Sure, there would be casualties, which might lead to Val facing repercussions, but hey, at least, he would survive. And nothing was better than living another day. That point was proven long ago when ten million gold bars were offered for a condition but no one epted it as it required dying the very next day!

    "I have a n," Val said to Voidyer with an unfathomable calmness.

    "You do?" Voidyer responded in disbelief.

    "With my current amount of soul power, I can''t deal with an Uglyface," Val admitted. But then what he said shocked the spirit of the ancient cursed sword.

    "So, I''ll just have to increase it to the point where it will be at my mercy!" Val added.

    As if determined to make this daring deration a reality, Val dumped all his EXP into the wizard ss.

    Multiple notifications rang in his mind.

    [System Notification: You''ve used 7080 points to level up your wizard ss 6 times! You''ve gained 6 stat points. Congrattions on bing a low-level wizard, Host! As a reward, you''ve gained the Soul Power umtion Skill!]

    [System Notification: The size and strength of your arcane heart have significantly increased. Your soul power reservoir has expanded to 2000 units! With the strengthening of your arcane heart, soul power production has peaked at 20 units per minute!]

    That meant Val''s arcane heart would produce 2000 units of soul power in just 100 minutes. But Val didn''t have the luxury of time. The Uglyface was dangerously close to breaking his shield. He needed to act fast.

    The Soul Power umtion Skill allowed him to inhale the force of corruption and convert it into soul power. It was like a double-edged sword to a normal wizard. After all, they weren''t immune to the pain brought bying into contact with the force of corruption. If they failed to stand strong in the face of it, they would sumb to corruption and transform into monsters. In Val''s case, there was no risk of that happening.

    Because of his Unfeeling trait, He was immune to the force of corruption!

    His new skill had a significant cooldown, which wasparable to the Mystical Shovel. But using it one time should be enough to fill his arcane heart to the brim. After all, it didn''t have an upper limit on how much force of corruption can be converted into soul power on a single use. Combined with Val''s skillset, he could abuse it to his heart''s content.

    He was in a dire situation and needed a massive amount of soul power to emerge as the victor. The entire underground area was brimming with the force of corruption. It was the perfect time to use his new skill.

    Val activated the skill and opened his mouth wide. An immense suction force emanated from his mouth as if a mighty dragon was drawing in a deep breath. All the negativity in the air was drawn towards him, and as he devoured it, the skill effect converted it into soul power, which settled in his arcane heart.

    [System Notification: Your soul power units have increased to 2000!]

    "I finally have the strength to carry out the Exorcism by Force!" Val said.

    Voidyer watched in utter shock as Val''s power level surged up to new heights.

    Wizards were divided into four basic levels. Namely, they were low-level, mid-level, high-level, and finally, peak-level acolytes. A wizard that had crossed these four levels was considered a low-level wizard.

    In a span of a breath, Val had leaped from a low-level wizard acolyte to a low-level wizard!

    Voidyer was left speechless by the iprehensible spectacle for it was an aplishment considered impossible even in the wizardmunity.

    Even Assam, who possessed the inheritance of a Wizard King, hadn''t pulled off such a feat in his life. This was truly unprecedented!

    "This... this makes no sense!" Voidyer blurted out in disbelief. "Master, you''ve just broken themon sense."

    "It''s not the first time I am doing it and it won''t be thest," Val said confidently.

    Just then, the inevitable happened!

 Chapter 160 160: No Longer Haunted!

    ?

    The shield, battered by the Uglyface''s relentless pounding, shattered atst. As the shards fell to the ground, the Uglyface roared fiercely. The roar was so powerful it bellowed Val''s hair and clothes, nearly lifting him off his feet.

    The horrifyingly loud sound echoed in his ears, temporarily disorienting him. Immediately, he bit his tongue fiercely, drawing out blood. The bitter and metallic taste cleared his mind. It also showed that Val was ruthless to his enemies, he could also be ruthless to himself if necessary.

    As his vision cleared up, he found his life in intense danger. He saw the Uglyface raising its fists and then bringing them crashing down towards him.

    Although facing death, Val only raised an eyebrow and smirked.

    "It''s Wizarding Time!" he eximed.

    What transpired next was so inexplicable that Voidyer trembled with excitement. The Uglyface''s fists, descending with such fatal force that shockwaves were raised, seemed to freeze in ce inches above Val''s head as though they were stopped by an invisible force.

    ''I wasn''t mistaken," thought the Voidyer, ''He became a low-level wizard from a mere acolyte in seconds. His potential is more terrifying than Assam''s. Assam had performed many miracles and survived being swallowed by the abyss, but I dare say even he can''t pull this off. Heck, it''s impossible for the Forefathers of bloodline users and the most talented wizard of his era, the King of Kings, Valerius himself!''

    There never was a wizard who jumped several levels in an instant. But Val proved that he had done it by performing wizardry that can only be performed by low-level wizards and higher.

    The Voidyer was excited. Assam''s wish was fulfilled. He wanted it to end up in worthy hands, and Val was more just worthy!

    ''Is this what a low-level wizard can do?''

    Val was thrilled. With just a thought, he had created two giant hands using soul power. These giant hands were keeping the devil''s wrath at bay. He didn''t know he would be this powerful by advancing his wizard ss by several levels.

    He also realized that Oliver has gone easy on him.

    ''If he was dead set on winning the battle, I would''ve dropped dead without knowing what hit me,'' he thought.

    He then raised his gaze. The devil was struggling to break free and it looked more confused than ever.

    Well, that''s to be expected.

    Soul power was invisible. In this regard, humans and devils were the same. Unless they possessed a special ocr ability, soul power and everything made of it would always appear invisible in their eyes. The giant hands were made of soul power. Naturally, the Uglyface devil couldn''t see them, causing it to be bewildered.

    What had stopped its fists?

    As dumb as it was, it was impossible for it toe up with a usible exnation.

    But that didn''t stop it from moving on with its simple n.

    Kill Val at all costs!

    Guhyuk!

    The Uglyface roared, dispelling its hesitation and motivating itself to carry on with its ns. Waves of darkness rose from its body and flew forward like a stream of curses as it channeled the Force of Corruption into its fists. Almost immediately, their weight increased by ten times.

    The pressure acting on the giant hands created through Val''s wizardry and currently sping the devil''s fists increased by tenfold but they remained steadfast, not budging an inch.

    The Uglyface devil gasped. It used its only innate skill, which it could only once every ten minutes, yet its fists remained where they were, immobilized in this air as if held by invisible giant iron mps.

    Val and Voidyer could see the devil''s fear growing by the second, its confusion visible even in its featureless face. However, a foolish devil was a devil in the end. As prideful as it was, it refused to yield and moved on to pouring the full weight of its monstrous body behind its enchanted fists, the pressure acting on the giant hands doubling. They trembled violently as if an earthquake had hit them, but they kept the devil''s fists in check, frozen in the air above Val.

    "Die! Die! Die!" The Uglyface cursed Val repeatedly. Its hatred for him seemed to emerge from every part of its soul.

    Val plugged his ears with his pinkies. Damn, its voice was as unpleasant as nails scratching against a chalkboard!

    "It''s speaking in our tongue," Voidyer conveyed its disbelief to Val through the connection they shared.

    "Yeah, I noticed," Val responded.

    Although the Uglyface was repeating the same word like a broken recorder, it was nheless shocking to hear it speak in the predominant tongue used within the kingdom''s borders.

    Val had to wonder how it learned it.

    The Uglyface was born recently.

    There was no doubt in this statement as there was evidence to back up this im.

    The first evidence was that the entrance to the well was tightly sealed before Val arrived here, and the second evidence was that it had never been sighted in or around the Northern Frontier before.

    Devils and humans were simr in some regards.

    One of them was starvation.

    A devil feels starved if it doesn''t feed on humans, but the Uglyface didn''t look starved in the slightest.

    Rather, it looked as full as a lion that had gobbled up a freaking elephant.

    Or else, its regeneration ability wouldn''t be so broken.

    ''All the evidence is pointing towards my theory being true.''

    Val''s theory was rted to all the basics already known about the devils, but not simple. It was groundbreaking!

    It wasmonly known that devils were born out of negativity, but what was rarely talked about was that they could also arise from the negative emotions of a single human.

    These devils were so fundamentally different from their counterparts, it was lowkey terrifying.

    If a person were suffering from depression, a devil embryo could form in their mind. This devil would continuously whisper in their ear, urging them to end their own life, as only then would they be relieved of their pain that no one can understand. If they fell for this temptation, the devil embryo would be immediately strengthened by the surge of despair and death.

    Simrly, if a human was teetering on the brink of despair, a devil could form and try to push them over the edge. If it seeded, it would taste the satisfaction of driving someone to death and be stronger.

    Val''s theory about these devils was that they follow the same pattern as their cause of birth for future killings, meaning a Devil born out of despair would keep on finding simr victims as their source and first kill. Basically, they would for people who had fallen into the cycle of despair and torment them to the brink of despair. Once they''ve seeded, they would kill them. And for some reason, this act would strengthen them.

    Val''s theory also mentioned that the initial strength, intelligence, memories, and wisdom of such devils be equal to their source only after they''ve killed them. This was amon trait for all devils born from the negative emotions of a single human.

    On the other hand, devils born from a mass of negativity with countless sources would exhibit random levels of strength, intelligence, and wisdom. Some might be born more intelligent than an average human and others might be as dumb as a rock.

    But one thing was consistent: the denser, viler, and greater the volume of negativity they were born from, the greater their potential.

    This was the essence of Val''s theory.

    And the dumb-witted Uglyface devil, who had only been roaring so far suddenly speaking a word in themon tongue as if it was enlightened by a immortal backed it up.

    ''My theory helped me get full points in my practicals so it was never considered bogus to begin with, but with this, it has been validated.''

    Val didn''t feel good. His theory being true only made him feel tense.

    After all, the Uglyface devil he was fighting against was beginning to realize its true potential!

    It was likely inheriting the memories of its victims from the Charnel rite.

    If its potential was realized, it would gain the memories of all the victims and be wiser than all the victims. Its fortitude would strengthen and its intelligence would also increase to new heights.

    If its intelligence were to reach a level rivaling Val''s or even more, what was stopping it from splitting itself again and again and letting each part regenerate into a new Uglyface?

    If left unchecked, it could multiply exponentially, creating an army of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Uglyfaces. The entire lower city would face the threat of annihtion.

    The thought of this possibility sent a throbbing sensation down Val''s spine. His sixth sense was telling him he had to make sure that future doesn''t be true.

    A sharp glint shed in Val''s eyes as he looked at the furious Uglyface, ''I need to kill it fast.''

    The Uglyface looked disgruntled, its monstrous face contorted in frustration. Not only was it unable to harm Val, but it was also unable to free itself from the invisible force that held it. It pulled back with all its strength but even then the hands remained stuck there.

    It panicked and resorted to bombarding Val with its force of corruption. A dark wind, infused with a menacing power, rose from its body and came crashing toward Val.

    Val jumped back, dodging it.

    The Uglyface manipted its force of corruption using hand movement, redirecting it towards Val. Suddenly, the ck wind changed course and flew towards Val.

    Tch!

    Val clicked his tongue and moved his hands in a circle, releasing a torrent of blood that met the ck wind in mid-air, deflecting it.

    "You''ve had your turn. Now... it''s mine turn to be on the offensive!" Val said, "Time to show you what a true wizard can do!"

    Val''s wizardry came into y almost immediately. Immediately, a massive amount of soul power surged out of his body. Invisible to the naked eye but tangible in its effect, it crashed into the unsuspecting Uglyface with such force that it was blown away.

    It was an unbelievable sight as a beast the size of a small house was lifted off its feet and tossed away like a ragdoll, manhandled in the purest meaning of the word.

    Val had been holding back as he was mindful of the side effects of reckless wizardry. But after the Uglyface showed it had the potential of bing smarter over time, he decided to stop holding back and end it as fast as he can. The situation demanded it. He couldn''t give it any more time to grow. If it grew smart enough to realize how special it was, even ten of him wouldn''t be enough to take it down.

    "Freeze!"

    Saying so, Val pointed at it and called upon the power of wizardry once again. Hundreds of chains emerged from his body and expanded. They coiled around the Uglyface Devil, suspending it upside down in thin air.

    The Uglyface felt as if thousands of chains had wrapped around its segmented body, keeping it bound. It thrashed around to break free from the invisible chains.

    But its resistance was met with futility.

    Moreover, the chains tightened around it even more, so much that the devil could not even budge.

    Because of the chain constricting its movement, it felt sensations that were foreign to it since its birth. It felt fearful and drenched in despair!

    "Master, finish it before it bes more troublesome," Voidyer said.

    Val nodded, extending his hand towards the Uglyface. In the next moment, a significant yet invisible change took ce.

    Countless swords appeared, flying in mid-air all around the Uglyface.

    This was the full power of a low-level wizard!

    "This is it for you!" Val said as he closed his hand.

    Immediately, the countless swords flew toward the immobilized Uglyface, stabbing every inch of its body. These swords, made of soul power, had the ability to damage the soul.

    Given that its soul was spread throughout its body, being stabbed by these special swords in every inch of its body extinguished its life!

 Chapter 161 161: No Longer Haunted 2

    ?

    A series of notifications rang in Val''s mind.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host, for killing an Uglyface Devil! You''ve gained +1500 EXP]

    [For killing an intermediate-level devil for the first time, you have gained an additional reward. You''ve been rewarded with the Orb of Darkness!]

    [Item name: The Orb of Darkness

    Description: The Orb of Darkness is a powerful artifact with multiple purposes. Firstly, it can be traded with the Shrine of Evil for a considerable amount of undead-creating power. Secondly, it can absorb attacks. Absorbed attacks can be released at yourmand. This effect can only be triggered three times within ten minutes once a week.]

    ''Not bad,'' Val thought before the aftereffects of his reckless use of wizardry hit him like a truck.

    His vision became disoriented, and he felt so nauseous that he failed to fight against it. He dropped to his knees, vomiting out whatever he had the previous night, as the world spun around him.

    He could feel exhaustion and weakness quickly taking hold of him. His mind and body screamed for rest, and his eyelids felt heavier than they had ever felt before as if they were made out of lead.

    Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision, rapidly overtaking his consciousness.

    He was on the brink of fainting.

    The next moment, his world turned into an empty void. Just then, a powerful voice rang in his mind.

    "Stay awake! The battle isn''t over yet!" Voidyer''s roar reached Val''s soul. Its call jolted him awake.

    "I know," Val uttered as he fought back the intense exhaustion threatening to drown him with sheer willpower and forcing his eyes open.

    One Uglyface had fallen, but another still remained. He had to stay strong until it was gone or dealt with.

    Or else, this underground area would be his grave!

    Just then, something unexpected transpired, causing Val to feel like the luckiest man alive.

    Although the second Uglyface was embroiled in a fight with the undead, it noticed the death of its counterpart.

    The sight filled every fiber of its being with absolute terror.

    After all, until this moment, it had believed it was immortal and couldn''t be killed, but now it was proven wrong.

    There was a way to kill it, and it could be used against it at any time!

    As this thought took root in its mind, the magnificent breath of fear that could reduce even a wise king to the level of a mumbling fool brushed against every piece of its soul, which resulted in it looking at Val with utter dread

    Val''s face was pale, as white as a sheet of paper. On top of that, he was coated in sweat. These were all clear signs of exhaustion. He was like a ne at the end of its flight. It seemed like it wouldn''t be long before his body copses.

    However, to the Uglyface, he appeared to be the most terrifying monster imaginable.

    Val raised his eyes and met its gaze.

    In that instant, the Uglyface''s fear magnified to heightsparable to Mount Torjan.

    Its desires, such as experiencing the taste of human flesh and blood for the first time, vanished, reced solely by fear.

    The only thing it now wanted to do was get as far away from Val as possible.

    It crushed the undead sticking to its body by wildly thrashing about. This injured it even further but allowed it to regain mobility, which was all it needed at the moment. It looked at Val onest time, burning his face in its memory before making a beeline towards the well.

    As long as it entered the well, it believed it would be safe!

    Val saw it getting away but didn''t do a thing.

    He was in no condition to give chase. After all, the only thing keeping him conscious was his sheer willpower. If he force himself to catch up to it, maybe his body would give out before he even reach it.

    Rather, he felt relieved and decided to seal the well as soon as the Uglyface enter it, then recover his strength before forcing it out and ying it.

    "Master, we can''t let it get away! If it enters the well, you''ll never have a moment''s peace!" Voidyer warned.

    Val felt confused, hearing its words. He couldn''t help but ask, "But why? What''s inside the well?"

    "There''s no time for that now! It''s getting away, we need to act quickly!" Voidyer urged.

    The urgency in Voidyer''s words was so thick and heavy that Val was forced to acknowledge the severity of the situation. He didn''t know what would happen if it sessfully retreated into the well, but whatever it was it wouldn''t be pretty. He decided to trust the ancient spirit sword as it was more knowledgeable about these matters than him.

    "I only have one chance to take it out."

    Val was running dangerously low on soul power; he could only perform wizardry once more.

    He decided to use the sword he had created using wizardry a while ago to kill the first Uglyface to kill the second one.

    "This better works!"

    He withdrew all the swords made of his soul power from the corpse of the first Uglyface and directed them towards the retreating enemy.

    The Uglyface was unable to see or sense them. What couldn''t be seen couldn''t be dodged. It wasn''t able to tell that its life was endangered when the swords found their mark. Just as it neared the well, the swords rained down on it like the most violent rain the world has ever witnessed, nailing it to the ground. It didn''t get a chance to scream before all signs of life were snuffed out of its body.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You''ve killed an intermediate-level Uglyface Devil! You''ve gained +1500 EXP!]

    The system notification chimed in Val''s mind, bringing with it good news. Val had no time to celebrate his victory over the intermediate-level devils as his consciousness was rapidly waning.

 Chapter 162 162: Mixing Black And White

    ?

    "Seal the well with the iron te."

    "Carry me to the surface."

    "Hide the secret entrance to the underground area and yourself."

    "Do not show yourself to anyone without my permission!"

    Val managed to spit out a string ofmands to his undead before his body hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. He had fallen unconscious.

    "Master!"

    Thest thing he heard before sumbing to the cold embrace of darkness was Voidyer''s voice, calling out to him with concern.

    .....

    Val felt as if only a moment had passed when he stirred back to consciousness. He found himself in a familiar ce - the God''s Hand Clinic.

    He was inside a wide room where many beds were ced side by side.

    Around him, several patients were being treated by healers.

    He wasying on one of the beds.

    Seeing Val open his eyes, a young man released a sigh of relief.

    Val sat up and traced the source of the sound, looking to his right. Oliver was sitting on a steel chair beside his bed.

    Val was taken aback to see him there. He didn''t expect the first face he would see after waking up would belong to his sword apprentice.

    "How are you feeling?" Oliver asked.

    "Fine," Val replied, "but famished. It feels like I haven''t eaten in days."

    "That''s to be expected," Oliver said, "You''ve been asleep for three days straight. It would have been longer if I hadn''t helped."

    Val felt a surge of shock at Oliver''s words.

    He had been unconscious for that long?

    The reckless use of wizardry truly was a double-edged sword!

    "Thanks for your help," Val said, "But how did you know I was in trouble?"

    "It was your girlfriend," Oliver exined, "She couldn''t tell what was wrong with you. You looked perfectly fine but were in aa as if the soul had been sucked out of you. She brought you to the God''s Hand Clinic, hoping to find a way to wake you up. Valentine hase across many cases, so she is not unfamiliar with the illness that affects wizards. She was able to discern the cause of youra and determine only soul power transfusion can help you. She sought me out as I work for her sometimes. And I helped you."

    Oliver looked at Val with a twinge of jealousy and added, "You''re a lucky man to have such a beautiful woman devoted and deeply in love with you."

    Val thought that Oliver was right, but also wrong.

    It wasn''t sheer luck that hadnded him Eliana.

    He had used careful nning, seduction, and maniption to make her fall for him.

    Now, she waspletely smitten with him. However, he was genuinely moved by the lengths she had gone to help him.

    No one could know the truth or his effort would be ruined, so Val smiled and said, "That I am."

    "Where is she now?" Val found himself asking after a moment.

    He didn''t quite understand why, but he felt a sudden urge to see her. It was as if... as if he was beginning to develop genuine feelings for her. Eliana... she was gradually earning a ce in his heart, and that made him feel terrified and excited at the same time.

    "She had been looking after you for two days straight since you were in aa," Oliver responded, "She refused to rest, worrying about you the whole time, but she harming herself. Valentine couldn''t bear it any longer and put her to sleep."

    "I see..." Val mumbled before posing another question, "But what are you still doing here?"

    Oliver used his soul power to create a barrier that made it impossible for those around them to hear what they were saying. Only after that, he gave an answer to Val, "I stayed behind because I have some questions for you. If you don''t mind, can I ask them?"

    "How can I refuse the request of my savior? Go ahead." Val nodded at Oliver nonchntly.

    Oliver narrowed his eyes, staring at Val with a hint of sternness, and asked, "Just a few days ago, you were merely an acolyte. How did you manage to advance to the ranks of a low-level wizard in such a short time?"

    Val''s sixth sense red up instantly, helping him realize that his life was at risk.

    The question Oliver asked was a trap. Falling into it meant that Oliver would aim for his life!

    Val''s brows furrowed. Why had their conversation taken such an unexpected turn?

    As intelligent as Val was, it only took a breath of time for him to understand what was going on.

    Doubts were clouding Oliver''s mind.

    In normal circumstances, a wizard could not simply leapfrog stages - it was considered impossible.

    However, rumors circted about vile rituals, darker than the Charnel Rites, that could boost one''s strength. These rituals were effective on bloodline users, wizards, and normies, but required human sacrifices.

    Oliver probably suspected Val of havingmitted such an atrocity in the pursuit of power.

    Otherwise, how can the increase in his strength be exined? And it wasn''t by a few levels, but an entire stage!

    ''If Val has really indulged in such twisted acts, I mustn''t hesitate to strike him down,'' Oliver thought, hardening his heart.

    ''I need to avoid this fight,'' Val thought. ''It''s senseless and pointless.''

    Being a low-level wizard himself, Val understood the terror one could cause. Oliver was clearly more experienced, and a fight with him might not end in Val''s favor.

    The best course of action was to dispel any misunderstandings.

    However, he couldn''t reveal his system. He had to lie!

    "I must stress that what I''m about to tell you must remain between us," Val said, "I had a fortuitous encounter with a cursed artifact that amplified my abilities as a wizard as soon as I held it. Unfortunately, it also devoured my level-3 cursed sword in exchange."

    All of it was a big fat all, but it was the best one he coulde up with in the limited time he had. Not to mention, he even had evidence to back it up.

    ''I can totally fool Oliver with this,'' Val thought with a satisfied smile.

    Oliver scratched his chin, apparently considering Val''s exnation. There were all kinds of cursed artifacts in this world. A special-grade cursed artifact can even kill a person from countless miles away. So the existence of an artifact that could increase the power of a wizard didn''t sound like a fairy tale.

    ''I have learned psychology from my master so I can tell if a person is lying from their bodynguage. But Val seems to be telling the truth. I should stop suspecting him.''

    In the end, Oliver decided to believe in him.

    As a result, the suspicion in his eyes faded, and Val''s sixth sense stopped ring.

    Val felt relieved for the rivers were no longer murky. He had evaded a pointless fight.

    But he didn''t know that it was too soon to count himself lucky.

    "Can I see this artifact?" Oliver asked.

 Chapter 163 163: Waking Up

    ?

    Oliver had decided to believe Val''s exnation, but he wouldn''t feel at ease unless he had confirmed the existence of the mentioned artifact with his own eyes.

    Val had stored the [Upgradable Cursed Sword] in the pocket dimension of the [Void Orb] before he lost consciousness. He could show it to Oliver at any time and be done with this investigation, however, he hesitated.

    Oliver''s question was simple but it wasn''t easy to answer.

    Firstly, what Val had said about [Voidyer] was a lie, and if Oliver had the ability to determine the true worth and effect of a cursed artifact, he would catch on to his lie, and the situation, which had just calmed down, would immediately be tense.

    Secondly, Voidyer was an upgradable level-2 artifact with a spirit. If Oliver recognized its true value, who was to say he wouldn''t covet it? It was much safer to keep its existence hidden until he had gained the strength to protect it.

    Voidyer seemed to have sensed Val''s hesitation, as it conveyed encouraging words to him, "Master, you can show me to him. What you''re worried about wouldn''t happen! I am a spirit sword. Fooling the senses of a wizard isn''t hard for me."

    "You can do that?" Val asked in a slightly surprised tone.

    They were conversing telepathically, thus, Oliver was unaware that a conversation was being held.

    "Not only can I fool him into believing that I am just a cursed artifact, but I can also exhibit traits you lied that I have," Voidyer replied.

    "You''re more capable than I originally thought," Val said in praise.

    He had initially based its abilities on the description provided by the system when he cast Detect on it. However, it was a wrong move. After all, Detect doesn''t reveal everything about a person or an object. He needed to test out the extent of their potential himself.

    "You''ve been staring ahead dazedly for a while now. Is there something wrong?" Oliver asked, breaking Val''s train of thought.

    He turned to Oliver and lied with a straight face, "I was remembering where I put it before I lost consciousness."

    As he lied, there was not a single hint of guilt in his expression. Val''s acting was wless, honed over years of training. The training was forced upon him. But he gradually came to ept it as he realized it was helping him. He had be so proficient in acting that now it was impossible to see through his facade usingmon and professional means.

    Despite having a minor degree in psychology, a profession that was avable only to the most privileged member of society, the wizards, Oliver failed to grasp he was lying. Not to mention, Val had just woken up. He should be feeling disoriented. So it sounded reasonable that he couldn''t immediately remember where it was.

    "Did you remember where it is?" Oliver asked.

    Val nodded, "It''s so precious that I dare not lose it. Just before I lost consciousness, I stored it in the safe confines of my family heirloom."

    He then summoned Voidyer and handed it over to Oliver.

    Oliver took the sword, probing it with his soul power. Voidyer felt offended by his action.

    ''Molesting me as soon as he grabbed me...''

    ''This kid is a pervert!''

    ''And perverts deserve to be punished,'' Voidyer thought indignantly.

    The next moment, Oliver was startled as he found his soul power going haywire all of a sudden. His soul power was flowing out of his arcane heart and being sucked by the magnified sword held in his hands, even though that wasn''t his intention. Although he tried to stop it, his efforts were fruitless.

    Afraid that he would be sucked dry if this continued and entermon as a result, he quickly let go of the sword, causing it to tter to the ground.

    Simultaneously, Voidyer used a dust-sized particle of its spirit the size of a mountain to strengthen Oliver''s arcane heart.

    It performed this trick in order to fool Oliver into believing that it was a cursed artifact that was capable of enhancing a wizard''s power but requiring an equal exchange in return

    As Oliver experienced the slight increase in his strength, he was fooled into believing that this artifact was exactly as magical as Val had described.

    Oliver looked at the sword on the ground, then back at Val. The exchange he''d just experienced matched Val''s story perfectly.

    Moreover, what Val feared didn''t happen.

    Oliver didn''t feel greedy for it. While it was indeed an artifact that could amplify a wizard''s abilities, it required an equivalent payment in exchange, which lessened its value quite a lot. Also, Oliver would never steal from Val as he wanted him to be a part of his Famiglia. He wanted to rope him in so naturally, he wouldn''t give him a reason to feel offended or act in a way that would sour their rtionship.

    Val''s eyebrows raised when he saw Oliver treating the spirit sword like a gue.

    "What made you drop the sword?" He asked Oliver.

    "I just experienced its effects firsthand and it startled me," Oliver answered him.

    Inwardly, Val chuckled as he realized that Voidyer must have done something to spook Oliver.

    "Master, I have fooled him into believing that what you said is true. Moving forward, he will not doubt you," Voidyer conveyed to Val through their mental link.

    "Good job, Voidyer." Using the same link, Val praised it, keeping their conversation hidden from Oliver.

    Oliver picked up the sword and returned it to Val. Then, he began to sincerely warn Val.

    "You mustn''t tell anyone about what this artifact can do. While it requires an equal exchange to strengthen a wizard''s arcane heart, there are many old fogies in the wizardmunity with ample wealth who wouldn''t hesitate to kill for something like this."

    "Why so?" Val asking.

    "Their lifespan is nearing its end and this artifact may appear as the only thing that could extend it. Basically, in their desperation, they wouldn''t think twice beforemitting a crime," Oliver exined.

 Chapter 164 164: Interrogation

    ?

    This counted as an important piece of information for Val.

    Before this talk, he didn''t know that wizard could increase their lifespan by strengthening their Arcane Heart!

    ''My Arcane heart has already been strengthened many times. Just how great is his lifespan? Can I live for 200+ years? Well, only time will tell,'' Val thought.

    He started at Oliver for a good few seconds as if digesting the news before nodding, "I understand."

    Hearing Oliver''s words reminded Voidyer of another reason why Assam had sealed it and this memory was so terrifying that it shivered.

    Val felt it trembling in fear as he was holding it in his hands. He looked at it calmly and mentally reassured it, "What are you afraid of? It''s not like it''s real."

    "But my spirit can be refined into a medicine for those old fogies! You really need to keep the fact that I''m a spirit sword a secret until you gain enough strength to protect me," Voidyer said.

    "Okay, I''ll keep that in mind," Val assured it.

    "Promise me!" Voidyer demanded.

    "I promise," Val replied.

    The next moment, Val focused his attention back on Oliver and asked, "Do you have other questions for me?"

    "Actually, I do," Oliver replied. "I have two more questions. The first is this - you''re not the type to act recklessly. So, how did you find yourself making the same mistake twice? The first time, you were ignorant about the side effects of wizardry so it made sense. But this time, you clearly knew what it would do, yet you still went ahead and did it. Why?"

    "I didn''t have any other choice. If I hadn''t gone all out, I would''ve died. Just for your information, I live with Eliana in the infamous Haunted House in the Eastern District. After the lucky encounter that greatly increased my power as a wizard, I felt confident and decided to perform an Exorcism by Force on the Haunted House. But I overestimated my capabilities. My enemy was far stronger than I thought. Even though it was daytime and the power of the talisman had taken effect, I had to go all out to defeat it and rid my house of evil," Val exined.

    "A devil that can pose a challenge to a low-level wizard during the day," Oliver muttered, "it must be at the intermediate level. But what kind of devil was it?"

    Val was itching to share the truth. The existence of a vast underground area beneath the eastern district was a matter of grave importance, and it needed to be reported. As a Northerner, Oliver could easily bring the matter to the district leaders'' attention. With the involvement of the lower city authorities, it would be simpler to investigate the matter and track down and apprehend the person behind the plot of creating the Uglyface Devil using the Charnel Rite.

    Once that bastard was caught, they would undoubtedly be culled like a pig as their crimes were unpardonable, and Val''s trouble would lessen.

    However, if this person wasn''t caught in the near future, they might visit the haunted time to pick up the fruits of their disgustingbor. If they realized that their hard work had been ruined, who knows what they would do!

    Val wouldn''t hate an evil person just because of their evilness. However, if they could be a threat to his life, he would do a good deed like a model citizen without hesitation in order to get rid of them!

    That''s why Val decided to manipte Oliver into getting the city''s help to track down and kill the mastermind!

    However, as he was about to speak, Voidyer''s voice rang in his mind. "You can''t tell him the truth, Master!"

    Puzzled, Val inquired, "Why not?"

    "Have you ever heard the phrase, ''If you look into the abyss, the abyss looks back at you''?" Voidyer asked.

    "Yes," Val responded, "But what does telling him the truth have to do with the abyss?"

    "When the Uglyface Devil got awfully close to us," Voidyer exined, "I caught the scent of the Abyss on it. It had been there, but before we reached the underground area, it didn''t seem like it had ever emerged from the well. This suggests an opening to the Abyss has formed in the well! You can''t reveal this to anyone. Doing so would not only result in a great loss for you but could also unleash unimaginable terror on this world!"

    Val was taken aback. Then, he asked Voidyer another question.

    "What is the Abyss?"

    Before Voidyer could respond, Oliver leaned forward in his seat, waving his hand in front of Val''s face. "Hello? Are you there?"

    Caught off guard, Val shook his head slightly and said, "Apologies. I guess my mind wandered off." He then answered Oliver''s earlier question. "The devil I fought was unfamiliar, so I can''t identify it. However, it appeared when I found some Shaxil in the Haunted House and killed them. It seems it was forcing the Shaxil to collect fear from people to feed itself. Moreover, it must be a single-sourced devil since it has been living among us without being found out."

    Oliver found Val''s exnation usible.

    After all, considering such a powerful devil should have been detected long ago but wasn''t, it could only mean that the devil was living among humans in disguise, keeping a low profile. But Devil needed to feed on humans or negativity to survive. Val''s words led Oliver into believing that this unidentifiable devil solved this problem by enving Shaxil and forcing them to do the dirty deed for him. This way it kept its track clean. Even if its ns were discovered and wizards were sent to the haunted house to perform exorcism, it wouldn''t be caught!

    "I see," Oliver said before patting Val on the shoulder, "Rest well. After you recover,e and find me. I have a proposition for you that I believe you''ll find interesting. If you ept it, it will change your life forever."

    "Where will I find you?" Val asked.

    "These days, I don''t n on going anywhere. You''ll find me at my home," Oliver replied before undoing the barrier and leaving the God''s Hand clinic.

 Chapter 165 165: Discharge

    ?

    "Finally, the nuisance is gone. Should I continue my exnation now?" Voidyer asked.

    "No," Val replied.

    "Why?" Voidyer questioned.

    Val answered, "Acting strange in public can arouse suspicion. If I keep appearing dazed because I''mmunicating with you, people might think I''m possessed or that there''s something wrong with my mind. In both cases, I will get in trouble. I did rather avoid that."

    He then added, "Wait until we get home before you tell me about the Abyss."

    Devils were a reality in this world, so possession wasn''t just the stuff of fiction or bedtime tales.

    If a person appeared to be possessed, the denizens had a responsibility to report it to the authorities.

    A possessed individual would behave differently from a normal person, making it rtively easy to identify such cases.

    Still, there were numerous false rms, as people sometimes mistook mental illnesses or even entricities for the work of devils.

    Once a report was made, even in the absence of concrete evidence of possession, the authorities would send an official to conduct an investigation. The process could be incredibly invasive and time-consuming, as the individual in question would be interrogated, potentially examined by medical and arcane professionals, and subjected to observation over a period of time.

    This could disrupt the person''s daily life and ns, especially if they were innocent.

    For Val, this was something to be extremely wary of.

    First off, he didn''t want to attract unnecessary attention, and he certainly didn''t want to waste his time on pointless confrontations with the authorities. He had much bigger fish to fry and couldn''t afford such distractions.

    Secondly, he had too many secrets to hide, especially the system and his status as the devil god and everything rted to it.

    What would happen if his secrets were discovered? He didn''t even want to think how he would end, but he knew for sure it wouldn''t be pretty for him!

    ''If I am ever investigated, I would be royally screwed,'' Val thought.

    Therefore, it was vital for him to maintain a semnce of normalcy in public, and his conversation with Voidyer would have to wait until they were isted, away from prying eyes.

    "I understand," Voidyer said to Val.

    Sitting on the clinic''s stiff bed, Val peeled off the thin, white sheets covering him and gingerly set his feet on the cold, hard floor.

    The tiles felt icy under his bare feet.

    His boots had been taken off when he was admitted, but his clothes were still on his body.

    Despite the fact that days have passed, he didn''t smell bad and his clothes were also clean. Val guessed that he and his clothes had been cleaned by magic when he was in aa. There were all kinds of bloodline users in this world, so a support type performing such tricks wasn''t unheard of.

    "Let''s see if I have the strength to move around," Val said.

    He swung his legs over the edge of the bed. His legs moved back and forth. A sense of relief washed over him as his muscles responded as they should. Warriors'' bodies were different. Even if they have been in aa for days and haven''t eaten or drunk, it wouldn''t feel impossible to move around right after waking up!

    Val''s limbs felt weak because he hadn''t had a meal in days and had been unconscious, but they were movable.

    It signified he was ready to be discharged!

    He slipped his feet into his boots, which were ced close to his bed for easy ess, and stood up. His legs wobbled, unsteady after days of disuse, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself upright. He stood there for a moment, simply breathing, feeling the strength slowly returning to his body. After strength returned to him, he was able to move around without much difficulty.

    "What are you doing? You just woke up from aa. You should be in bed taking a rest," a nurse came up to Val and said.

    "Your worry is unwarranted. I am feeling perfectly fine. I want to discharge," Val replied.

    "Very well, if you insist. However, we rmend taking it easy for the next few days." In God''s Hands clinic, every patient was treated like an esteemed customer and their words always came first, so the nurse decided to listen to him despite the fact he had been in aa for days. "I''ll arrange the discharge papers for you. Just give me a moment."

    "Okay," Val said.

    The nurse then scurried off. A few momentster, the nurse returned with a clipboard in her hands. Val quickly scanned through the discharge papers, signed where necessary, and then returned the clipboard to the nurse.

    "Why does it say in the paper that I don''t have to pay for the treatment?" Val asked.

    "Mistress Valentine said it''s on the house," the nurse replied.

    Val''s eyebrows raised. Was she trying to curry favors with him? Actually, she was since he had given her a good deal not too long ago. As a result, she wanted to strengthen their partnership.

    "She also said if you''ve any questions, you can go ask her directly," the nurse added after a moment.

    "No, I don''t," Val said.

    The discharge papers have been signed. He was free to go!

    "Is Eliana still here, Miss... Penelope?" Before leaving the God''s Hands Clinic, Val asked the woman behind the counter. He picked her name from the tag on her chest. Oliver had told him that Valentine had put Eliana to rest. So he believed she must be in the clinic.

    The clerk, Penelope, was a somewhat short woman, standing two heads shorter than Val, with wide hips and a generous bust. Her chestnut hair was cut short, and while she had a slightly plump physique, she was far from being overweight.

    As Val called out to her, she looked back at him and her jaw dropped. She could swear he was the most attractive man she had ever seen in her life. His handsomeness was unrivaled!

 Chapter 166 166: Abyss

    ?

    Although attractiveness wasn''t valued more than strength in this world, it was a powerful tool when ites to socializing nheless. Sharing the information of the staff was forbidden by Valentine, but since Val asked it, Penelope didn''t hesitate to tell him.

    "Yes, she is sleeping in the staff room," Penelope confirmed. Then she inquired, "But why are you asking? What rtion do you have with her?"

    Val replied, "It looks like you don''t know. I am her boyfriend."

    Spreading this news was good. An untouched woman was considered far more attractive in this world than a woman who already had a man. Powerful men in general only liked virgins. Once it was known she had a man, countless people would lose interest in her even though she was an attractive young woman. Basically, it would keep pests away from her, and that was exactly Val''s intention!

    Upon hearing this, Penelope felt disappointed. Such a good-looking man yet he was already taken! How sad!

    "Sorry, I was unaware that Healer Eliana has such a handsome boyfriend," Penelope said humbly.

    "It''s nothing to be sorry about," Val said as he smiled gently.

    "Ah, the Sun hase up."

    Penelope blushed because Val looked radiant when he beamed.

    "What did you say?" Val raised an eyebrow.

    Hearing his words, Penelope realized she had said her thoughts out loud. She felt more embarrassed and uttered, "Nothing, really," before she tried to change the subject by asking with a polite smile, "Is there something else I can help you with?"

    Val told her, "Please tell Eliana that I am fine and will be waiting for her in our home when she wakes up."

    "Rest assured, I will ry the message to her�� for you."

    As Val was about to leave, Penelope stopped him, a hint of a flirtatious smile dancing on her lips.

    "What?" he asked.

    "You know, my break starts in a few minutes," she said, trying to sound casual. "If you''re interested, I could show you the time of your life. And just to be clear, there would be no strings attached."

    As she spoke, Penelope licked her red lips like a vixen.

    The meaning behind her words was clear.

    She was giving him an invitation!

    ''She looks innocent and kind but isn''t shy about expressing her needs. You really can''t trust a book by its cover,'' Val thought. ''But she had made a mistake. I am not the right guy to go to if you want to make out.''

    This world was very open to sex. Although he was already taken, Penelope didn''t think it was wrong to seduce him.

    Sadly, like many others, she had mistaken Val for a teenager who thinks with his mushroom rather than his head.

    The harsh truth is, he wouldn''t even bother to look her way if it wasn''t necessary. If Val was a lust demon that grows stronger by having sex, he would have considered her offer, but he wasn''t, so naturally, he wasn''t interested in her offer.

    Penelope, a cute and plump woman, was nothing special in his eyes. Even if she stripped naked and presented herself to him like a birthday present, he wouldn''t bat an eye before moving past her, treating her like a speck of dust.

    It was only Eliana that had managed to catch his interest and won a very tiny amount of his genuine affection, and that too because she was special, able to bend reality to her will with her prayers, and held unwavering kindness and love towards him.

    It was a development that had shaken him. Val had always prided himself on his ability to remain detached, to keep his emotions in check. Love, he believed, had the potential to cloud his judgement, and he couldn''t afford to let that happen. Despite this, Eliana had started to make him develop genuine affection for her.

    However, it hadn''t reached a level where he needed to worry about it. After all, Eliana had only just begun to chip away at the ice encasing his heart. She was far from earning his love, and even farther from gaining his trust.

    "I am not interested inmitting adultery. I find it rather disgusting," Val said to Penelope coldly before leaving the clinic without sparring her another nce. She felt chilled to the bones by his behavior.

    ''I messed up big time.''

    It was saddening to know that a man as attractive as Val was disgusted with her.

    Val didn''t care about what his effect had on her. He moved through the bustling crowd in the street and returned to his home in the Eastern District.

    "Alright, start talking. What is the Abyss and why don''t you want its existence known?" Val asked Voidyer after the door to the house closed behind them.

    "The Abyss is a ce full of opportunities but also teeming with dangers. The Abyss is home to all kinds of creatures, some of them are so strange andplex that they defy all logic. They can''t be described or understood.

    "The Abyss was a hot topic among the wizards of old due to the vast array of possibilities it presented. There were all sorts of material in the Abyss. Some of the best cursed artifacts were made using them, me included. Expeditions were held as they sought to colonize and harness its potential and extract its resources, but they realized pretty soon that they were no match for the horrors of the Abyss and closed the wells connecting Eldrich with the Abyss to ensure the safety of the denizens. I''m not sure about the interest of the wizards of this era, but even if they aren''t aware, curiosity would inevitably lead them to exploring it if they ever found the well leading to the Abyss. And that would be detrimental for both you and the world," Voidyer replied.

    "That still doesn''t exin why you said I couldn''t afford to let the ugly face escape to the Abyss," Val said.

 Chapter 167 167: The Real Reason

    ?

    "If you hadn''t interfered with its escape, it would''ve been captured as it''s not native to the Abyss," Voidyer promptly replied.

    "Captured by whom?" Val asked, "And how does it getting captured endanger me?"

    "I was getting to that point," Voidyer said, "Before I give you the answers, there is something you should know."

    "What is it?" Val asked.

    Voidyer replied, "I told you that the expedition to Abyss was banned because of the danger it posed, but I forgot to mention that although the Abyss was barely explored and its entrances were sealed just a few months after the first expedition, the Wizards of Old made an entire textbook about it by corrting stories about the time they spend in the Abyss.

    "It''s said that Abyss is infinitelyrge and unlike our world, it''s not round but t with five regions. Different wells led to different regions, yet no matter what region they ended up in, they all experienced being hunted by Mindyers."

    In his previous life, Val wasn''t ignorant of sci-fiics, so he could guess why creatures from the Abyss would be named Mindyer. It was most likely that they feasted on brain matter!

    "Why is that the case?" Val asked.

    Voidyer answered, "They concluded it is a huge tribe tasked with guarding the five regions of the Abyss against foreign invasion. As for who tasked them, there are only theories about "It". Some say it''s the will of the Abyss, others say that Abyss is ruled by a terrifying force that decides what role a tribe gets to y, but there''s no concrete evidence, so you can''t depend on them."

    "The Wizards of Old named the guardians of the Abyss Mindyers because they feast on the brain matter of other intelligent creatures, whether they be humans or their tamed beasts. Moreover, they can get the memories and knowledge of their victims by devouring their brains. Do you get where I am going with that?"

    "Sort of," Val replied.

    "Then let me borate further," Voidyer continued. "If the Uglyface Devil was captured by a Mindyer, it would''ve been consumed. The probability of it happening is 100% as this is the way Mindyers interrogate their enemies. In the process, the Mindyer would''ve gained all the knowledge and memories of the Uglyface Devil."

    "Which includes the knowledge of the well under our feet that connects our world with the Abyss, and my ability to gain a sudden and massive surge in power," Val concluded, his expression growing grim as he realized the implications behind Voidyer''s words. He added, "So essentially, I would have be a target of interest of an entire tribe of horrifying beings."

    "Correct," Voidyer confirmed the conclusion Val hade to before saying, "Such exposure has happened in the past and it led to undesirable consequences such as the Mindyer invading our world in search of the being whi had piqued their interest and killing everyone they met along the way.

    "When the Mindyer invaded the world, it became the final straw for the old wizardmunity to stop all exhibitions to the Abyss and seal its entrances forever."

    Voidyer continued, "You see, Mindyers are curious by nature. I knew they would havee to eat your brain if they were exposed to memories that were about how special you are, thus I urged you to strike the Uglyface down before it could use the well to get to the Abyss. While it led to a totally different problem, it''s not as bad."

    If Val was prideful... If he wasn''t the type to believe in facts... he wouldn''t have followed Voidyer''s advice, thinking himself to be more wise than an ancient relic. But because he wasn''t any of those things, he believed in Voidter and executed the Uglyface before it could get away despite the risks to his life.

    Val thought, ''I entered aa, but I avoided a catastrophe. Bing the target of interest of an entire tribe of Mindyers is so much more terrifying than losing consciousness for a few days. There''s noparison.''

    Val felt a sense of gratitude towards Voidyer. Without its timely warning, he would have inadvertently attracted unwanted attention.

    "Thank you, Voidyer. If not for you, I could have brought a lot of trouble upon myself." Val expressed his gratitude

    "Just doing what I am supposed to do," Voidyer said humbly. "You''re my master. Who would I support and guide if not you?"

    "That''s true," Val said.

    After a moment of silence, Val asked, "How dangerous is the Abyss? I''m curious about it and would like to explore it, but I want to know if I''m capable enough," Val said.

    "With your current power level, don''t even think about it. And remember, physical and spiritual power alone isn''t enough to survive in the Abyss. Cursed artifacts that provide resistance against curses are just as crucial. If you wish to venture there, various such artifacts are a must," Voidyer answered.

    "Or else what would happen?" Val asked out of curiosity.

    "With a 100% chance, You''ll die without knowing what killed you," Voidyerid the terrifying truth bare to him.

    "Seems like they were spirited away. Only Assam survived because he had a cursed artifact that made him immune to all curses," Val stated.

    "Spirited away, huh?" Voidyer echoed, pondering over Val''s choice of words. "That does seem like a fitting way to describe the scenario. And yes, my previous master survived because he had the "Redirector" that redirects all attacks away from him."

    "That sounds a really powerful artifact," Val said.

    "Well, it was a rank-1 cursed artifact," Voidyer said.

    "I guess he was an extremely lucky dude," Val said.

    "I can''t deny that. When he was smacked away by the Uglyface, he fell into a raging river that dragged him into a save where he found the Inheritance of a Wizard King. The Redirector was also obtained from there. While he was certainly talented, without the inheritance, he wouldn''t have seded in avenging his family so early in his life," Voidyer said.

    "Can you tell me more about a wizard King?" Val asked.

    "The Wizard king is the strongest wizard of his era. They are unmatched when ites to wizardry," Voidyer replied.

    Suddenly, Val''s face took on a more serious expression.

    "I don''t think Mindyers were the only ones who invaded our world in the past. An acquaintance once told me about strange footsteps that could be heard in the forest bordering the frontier at night. They said if you hear those footsteps drawing closer, you''re in immense danger, and if they catches up to you, you''re done for. There''s no way to fight against it. Your only chance of survival is to flee," he said.

    "Perhaps these footsteps belong to the same being we encountered in the Abyss," Voidyer conceded. "If that''s really the case, I advise you to avoid staying in the forest at night. Until we discover a means to confront these entities, the risk of entering the forest at night is too great," Voidyer said.

    "I know," Val said.

    From this conversation, Val arrived at two conclusions:

    A) There was a 50% chance of there being an Abyssal well somewhere within the forest!

    B) Abyssal entities were, like devils, weak to sunlight. They couldn''t move freely during the day!

    "How is the Abyss like? Is it dark or sunny?" Val asked in order to confirm his second conclusion.

 Chapter 168 168: The Past

    ?

    "It''s submerged in darkness. Its enviroment is one of the reason why it was so hard for the wizards to explore it," Voidyer revealed.

    "You keep talking about the wizards doing this and that. What were the bloodline users doing?" Val asked.

    "There were no bloodline users in that era. They came about after the appearance of the Crimson Moon due to a wizard called Valerius. He should be a notable figure in history considering he was granted highest authority in the wizardmunity only a while after his first appearance."Voidyer exposed the hidden truth to Val

    "Wait, wait, wait, are you telling my wizards existed before the catastrophe that flipped thews of this world?" Val asked, clearly taken aback by the revtion.

    Voidyer said, "What, you didn''t know?"

    Val shook his head in affirmation to Voidyer''s question, saying "No, I didn''t" with his actions.

    "Someone must have tampered with history!" Voidyer eximed, contemting the possible reasons behind this misinformation.

    "Not just someone," Val said. "It has to be the highest of the kingdom. The royal family."

    "Voidyer, I propose wepare our knowledge. I believe our differing experiences could lead to enlightening discoveries," Val suggested.

    "Sure, I am interested in knowing about current affairs," Voidyer said eagerly.

    The exchange that followed did lead to more revtions.

    Voidyer got a better understanding of the world outside the Frontier and found it bewildering. In the previous era, wizards were the master of the safe haven created for humans. The humans revered them, and the beasts and devil lived in fear of them. But that was no longer the case. The Super soldiers had be the master of the safe haven, and wizards were just one of the few powerful faction in the Queen''s court. How ironic!

    Val also benefitted from this. Moreyers were added to the history Val thought he knew.

    It turned out that wizards had been a part of Eldrich since time immemorial. They were a tightly-knitmunity, one that refused to mingle with outsiders, especially humans. Their self-perception was that of superior beings, and it was considered disgraceful to lower their standards and interact with humans.

    They had been tasked with protecting Eldrich from foreign invasions, but they failed. When the Crimson Moon appeared, it signaled the end of the world as they knew it. The emergence of devils, the mutation of beasts and nts, and the dreadful sight of the dead rising from their graves overwhelmed the wizards, the only beings who could fight bacj against such monstrosity.

    In this chaos, when a savior appeared with a way to save thest remaining humans, he was epted without doubts.

    Valerius emerged seemingly out of nowhere, with a method to transform ordinary humans into super soldiers.

    Given their desperation, the wizardmunity weed him with open arms and helped disseminate his method among the masses made out of the very beings they considered inferior and descrimnataed against.

    As the information spread, the first generation of super soldiers was born.

    With the advent of these super soldiers, now termed as bloodline users, humans were able to repel their enemies and establish a safe haven.

    This, it turned out, was the true origin of the kingdom, a story that had been hidden for reasons unknown.

    Val cross-referenced this newfound information with his own knowledge.

    As a result, it became clear that he had been misled. The history book essible in the kingdom were only half true. The other half was full of horse shit.

    Humans had not started being born with a special organ enabling them to practice wizardry after the appearance of the Red Moon. They had always existed. Moreover, the existence of wizards and the method to create cursed artifacts predated the catastrophe. Lastly, Valerius''s background as told in the history textbooks was bogus.

    This realization made Val feel validated in his decision topare notes with Voidyer. ''I have made the right choice,'' he thought.

    He had certainly taken a step towards the truth, a step away from the misinformation he''d been taught.

    "Voidyer, when you said Valerius appeared out of nowhere, is it because he wasn''t a part of the wizardmunity? Or is there another reason?" Val asked.

    "Valerius, before the catastrophe, had no traceable past," Voidyer exined. "There was no house registry in his name, no known rtives, no history. He wasn''t a part of a mortal n either. How should I put it? It wss like..."

    Val mused, "Like he wasn''t from this world at all."

    "Yes, exactly," Voidyer said. "It was as if he sprang into existence at that very moment, with no past ties to Eldrich or its wizard and mortalmunities If I had to simplify it, I would say it was as if he had appeared out of thin air just when we needed him the most. There were whispers among the wizards of old. Some thought that he was the physical manifestation of Eldrich''s will itself, sent to help them survive the apocalypse."

    "Do you know anything else about Valerius?" Val asked.

    "I never liked that guy, so no," Voidyer said dismissively.

    "Why don''t you like him?" Val queried.

    "He appeared out of nowhere and usurped the position of the Community Leader that rightfully belonged to my previous master," Voidyer exined, bitterness creeping into its tone. "As the inheritor of the previous Wizard King, it was my master''s position. But he lost it to Valerius. I can never like the guy that stole Assam''s opportunity."

    "Even though Assam thought otherwise?" Val asked. "It''s mentioned in history that Assam was Valerius''s right hand man. You understand what that means, right?"

    "I do," Voidyer said. "But a majority of the history is faked to make the inferior look better than wizards. So what are the chances that Assam being Valerius''s closest confidate isn''t a lie? And even if he was, it must be because he was burdened with the responsibility to lead mankind to a bettee position."

    "Whatever floats your boat," Val said.

    With this, the fruitful conversation came to an end!

 Chapter 169 169: Reunion

    ?

    After the conversation, Val entered the underground area to pick up his undead. More than a dozen had died in the battle with the Uglyface devils. Only 15 were left. His army had shortened by half.

    While there, he sacrificed the Uglyface devils, gaining a huge amount of Undead-creating Evil Energy. All of it was used as he created more undead.

    [Used Corpse Sacrifice Skill]

    [Gained +35 level 2 undead]

    [Total number of undead: 50!]

    Val nodded with a pleased smile on his face. With this amount of undead, level 2 dungeon didn''t hold a candle to him.

    Then he checked the area. The well was sealed shut and there was nothing suspicion around.

    ''Let''s go back,'' Val thought as he returned to the surface.

    Meanwhile, Eliana woke up in the God''s Hands clinic. She began roaming around as if she was searching for something.

    Penelope saw her troubled look and asked, "Searching for your lover?"

    Eliana blushed at her remark but nodded her head. "Do you know where he went?

    "He is already discharged so you won''t find him in the clinic. But lucky for you," Penelope, with a slight smile, said, "He left a message for you when he left."

    Eliana quickly asked, "What message?"

    "He told me to tell you that he''s safe, so you don''t need to worry about him. He also said he''ll be waiting for you in the house you two live together," Penelope passed on the message before adding, "Girl, you lucked out."

    "Lucked out how?" Eliana asked.

    "Now don''t go acting clueless with me." Penelope said, "You bagged the son of a noble who is not only handsome but also loyal."

    "What do you mean?" Eliana raised her eyebrow.

    "I tested his loyalty while you were asleep, and he passed with flying colors," Penelope winked at her.

    Eliana ced her hands on the counter and leaned closer, "What did you do?"

    Although Eliana was trying to look menacing, Penelope didn''t feel intimidated. Eliana looked so cute that even when she was angry it was like a kitten baring her fangs.

    "I went all out to seduce him, but hepletely ignored me as if I was thin air," Penelope replied honestly. She came clean because Eliana would''ve known the truth from Val. With her wealth of experience about cuckolding women, she knew it was better they hear the truth from her mouth than their "so-called other halves."

    "Hmph!" Eliana scoffed, "You did something unnecessary."

    Penelope thought that the matter would end here. But unexpectedly, the sweet girl roasted her,

    "My man would never be interested in hooking up with a shameless bitch with body count numbering in the twenties."

    Penelope had a body count of 27, and she took pride in it. She had proudly shared it with her colleagues yesterday during lunch break.

    Eliana, however, never understood why women think it''s an achievement to sleep with many men when it only makes them look like a whore.

    She had been taught while growing up that a woman''s greatest assest was her chastity, and it should only be given to the right man, who they were nning to spend the rest of their life with, not just any men, no matter how lustful they feel.

    Or else, they would just end up regretting it.

    "You..."

    Penelope''s jaw dropped at Eliana''s words. Wasn''t Eliana supposed to be innocent and kind? How can she be so mean to her?!

    "How can you say that to me? I am a woman just like you!" Penelope cried out.

    Eliana looked at Penelope with a twinge of disgust and anger, "The church teaches that there is nothing wrong with having sex, but it is an intimate act that should only be performed with one''s soulmate. Even the nobles who are atheists follow this teaching. You disregarding these important teachings by trying to seduce my man doesn''t only make you immoral, but it shows yourck of respect for your colleagues."

    "W-when did I do that?" Penelope stammered. "You''re the one living with a man despite being unmarried."

    Eliana rolled her eyes. "Let me tell you this, Penelope. You''re not good at telling lies. I know you weren''t merely testing my man. If Val had agreed, you would''ve gone all the way with him. Am I wrong?"

    As she spoke, Eliana stared at her sharply. Penelope averted her piercing gaze, not daring to look at her. She knew Eliana was right, so she didn''t retort any more.

    "You are a woman without morals, as you don''t find it shameful to target the man of your colleague and you open your legs for anyone that catches your eye. No one will genuinely like you. You''ll only be used by horny men to satify their lust until you''re old and wrinkled, unable to attract any attention. You should change your ways before it''s toote and find a man to spend your life with," Eliana''s harsh words left Penelope, the whore, speechless, but her righteous anger was justified. After all, no one would feel calm if the one they loved was seduced by their colleague.

    Gulp!

    Penelope swallowed hard and lowered her head in guilt.

    Her actions had crossed a line, and the gravity of her indiscretion dawned on her after she was harshly reprimanded by Eliana. Her desire to have sex with a perfect man and her immoral actions had potentially ruined a potential friendship and upset the harmony within their working environment.

    ''It''s my inability to control my impulse thatnded me in this humiliating spot where I am being schooled by a woman much younger than me,'' Penelope thought with ears as red as blood. ''I was really in the wrong this time around.''

    She began to regret her actions deeply, but she also knew that an apology at this point would seem insincere. All she could do was take in Eliana''s words and ensure she didn''t repeat her mistake in the future.

    Seeing her sincerely regret, Eliana turned away with a triumphant smile on her face.

    ''Next time, she will think thrice before approaching my man with nefarious intention.''

    Then she smiled as she recalled that Val didn''t fall for her temptation.

    ''It''s just as I thought. He is loyal to me! I... I''ve found my soulmate.''

    After the confrontation with Penelope, Eliana immediately headed out of the clinic but was stopped by Valentine, who said with a teasing smile, "Where are you going? Work hours aren''t over yet."

    Eliana begged, "Can I please take the day off?"

    Valentine smiled teasingly and said, "I don''t want to be a hurdle in your love life, so yes, you can go."

    Eliana bowed to her and said, "Thank you."

    Valentine waved her hand dismissively, "Go, what are you still doing here?"

    Eliana rushed out of the clinic as fast as she could.

    Valentine looked at her retreating figure and said, "Young people in love, they are seriously so adorable. They just can''t help but rush headlong into things."

    After a while, Eliana returned to the Haunted House and spotted Val in the entranceway.

    Seeing him moving about and in perfect condition, her eyes widened in joy and a huge smile spread across her face.

    Val also noticed her entering the house. He turned to her and beamed, "Hi. Wee home."

    Without a second thought, Eliana rushed towards him, throwing her arms around him.

 Chapter 170 170: Earthquake

    ?

    "Val! Oh, Val! That day, I was so frightened seeing you lying motionless on the floor. When I saw you unconscious, I didn''t know what to do. I tried to heal you, but it didn''t work. Nothing worked. I felt so lost, so helpless," She cried, her voice choked with emotion.

    Thankfully, there were people who helped.

    Otherwise, she was afraid she would''ve lost him forever.

    Gently, Val returned her embrace, his hands soothingly caressing her back. He brought his mouth next to her ears and whispered, "I''m sorry for making you worry, Eliana. But I''m fine now, I promise. You don''t need to worry about me any longer."

    After a while, Eliana pulled back and asked, "What caused you to go into aa?"

    "I overstepped the limitations of a low-level wizard," Val said with a sheepish look crossing his face. "I performed an exorcism on the entire house, seeing it through with more wizardry than I should have performed. It was too much for my body to handle. The strain put me out ofmission temporarily."

    "You did what?" Eliana gasped, her eyes widening with shock. "The entire house, all by yourself? But that''s... that''s insane, Val!"

    "But it''s done. The house isn''t haunted anymore,"Val gave her a sheepish smile.

    "But you should have informed me," Elianained, her brows furrowing. "We could have done it together. You didn''t have to do it alone."

    Val leaned down, nting tender kisses on her forehead, smothering out her frown. "Don''t frown, I don''t like it."

    "Then stop putting yourself at risk. Even if it''s for us, I don''t allow it," she said.

    Val pulled her back into his embrace, his hands holding her protectively. "I can''t promise you that. I exorcised the house alone so you wouldn''t have to risk yourself. Seeing you hurt, Eliana... it''s something I can''t bear. Do you understand?"

    She blushed furiously at his words and actions, her face turning beet red like a steamed crab, but she managed to stammer out, "I... I understand," before she snuggled into his chest and simply rested her head on his wide chest, findingfort in his warmth.

    After a while, they separated.

    "Show me your card," Val requested, extending his hand. His voice held a level of seriousness that Eliana hadn''t often heard from him.

    Without a second thought, Eliana passed her contribution card to Val. She trusted himpletely. Everything she had she was willing to give to him anyway, not that she had much to offer.

    "I want to transfer 800 contribution points to Eliana," Val dered, causing Eliana''s eyes to widen in surprise.

    800 contribution points was like half a month''s earnings for her.

    Why was he being so generous to her?

    "For what?" Eliana asked him.

    "It''s a reward for your hard work," Val replied, looking at her with a warm smile.

    "I don''t remember doing anything this rewarding," Eliana said, feeling bewildered.

    "The cores you helped me purify sold for quite a sum. This is your fair share. So just ept it," Val exined.

    "If you say so," Eliana said, her eyes welling up with tears of gratitude. Val was always so considerate and generous to her that she kept on feeling touched.

    As theypleted the transaction, Eliana''s bnce instantly increased to a hefty sum of 1,200 contribution points.

    "Here," Val said, extending his hand to return Eliana''s card.

    However, she firmly shook her head, reaching out to gently push his hand holding her ck card back towards him.

    "No, keep it," Eliana insisted, her tone determined.

    "Are you sure?" Val asked, a bit surprised at her insistence.

    "I am. It''s my honor to have my man in charge of my resources. I trust you, Val," she confessed to him as she stared into his eyes with an unwavering haze.

    Val didn''t know why but he felt that this woman who was still wet behind the ears was flirting with him.

    And her flirting skills were so good that it made his heart race although it was barely noticeable.

    "Besides, I have no doubt that you''ll make the best decisions for us. I trust you with our shared future," she added, her cheeks flushing with a soft pink hue.

    Not to mention, she was paid in coins in her job. These coins were basically contribution points in solid form. And they do the grocery together. Thus, she didn''t find it necessary to have the ck card on her all the time.

    Hearing her words, Val''s heart started thumping loudly.

    A dirty thought crossed his mind.

    He wanted to make her his in both body and mind. He wanted to possess her heart and soul!

    ''I have no doubts left in my mind. I am falling for her. But I still need to make sure her background checks out,'' Val thought. ''And if I allow it, it would be beneficial for me.''

    It was undeniable that he had nned to stick with her like a leech until death do them apart as her ability to turn sincere prayers into reality were too good to be discarded.

    That meant sooner orter he would''ve to satisfy her needs.

    If he wasn''t in love with her, he would only feel disgusted making love to her.

    But if she made a spot for herself in his heart by that time, it would be a enjoyable experience for him.

    Thus, Val kept an open mind about it. He didn''t discard his emotion like he would''ve normally done.

    ''Let''s just let them grow. It will be interesting to experience what [Being in love] feels like,'' Val thought, ''Moreover, If I am in love, it would be easy to do marital duties. Otherwise, I might show disgust and if she chances upon it, our rtionship would get a hit.''

    His acting skills were really good, but there were times when he just couldn''t perform well. And he considered having sex with a woman he didn''t love as one of those difficult times.

    Suddenly, tremors ran through the ground under their feet. The entire house shook as if caught in a hurricane. The chandeliers overhead swung wildly, the furniture rattled, and the floor beneath them trembled

    Val managed to stabilize himself thanks to his extraordinary physical capabilities as a warrior.

    But Eliana, with her petite frame, wasn''t so fortunate. She lost her footing and started falling towards the ground.

    As the floor drew near, her heart pounded in her chest and she instinctively closed her eyes, bracing herself for the impact.

    However, the anticipated pain never came.

    Before she could hit the floor, strong arms circled around her waist, stopping her fall. She opened her eyes in surprise and found herself just inches away from the ground.

    Before she could register what happened, she was pulled back into her lover''s warm embrace. As a result, she saw Val''s handsome face upclose. He was really, really handsome and could even attract goddesses to him like bees to honey, yet he was all her, his smoldering inky ck eyes with unfathomable depths looking at her with genuine concern.

    It was all an act but she fell for it and thought she could never say to no to him. He loved her too much, and she didn''t want to let him down.

    The tremors through thend ceased as abruptly as they began.

    Val held Eliana protectively in his embrace, his ck eyes never leaving her almond ones.

    His intense stare sent a shiver up her spine. She didn''t know what to feel when he looked at her with that overprotective and hungry gaze.

    "Y-yes?" she stammered out.

    "Are you alright?" Val asked, his voice a soothing balm to her rattled nerves.

    "Thanks to you, I am," she replied.

    A blush crept up her cheeks as their proximity was quite intimate - she was in his arms, his body pressed against hers, his face inches from her own, their nose almost touching.

    The moment was surprisingly tender, creating a romantic tension that was hard to ignore for a virgin like her.

    She felt thirsty for him, but she gulped down her thirst. No wasn''t the time to think of such intimate things.

    "Why did an earthquake suddenly strike?" Eliana asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

    "I''ll go out and check," Val replied, releasing her from his embrace but keeping a protective arm around her waist until she stood perfectly on her feet. "You should stay inside where it''s safe."

    Eliana nodded before saying, "Be careful out there," as Val left the house, entering the streets of the lower city.

 Chapter 171 171: Beast Tide

    ?

    After entering the streets of the lower city, Val''s amulet heated up.

    He looked down and noticed a message glowing on it.

    The message read: "The recent earthquake was caused by a dungeon break that urred in the Verdant Deepwood Forest. Our city guards on patrol have reported a massive wave of beasts, ranging from levels 20 to 40, pouring out of the dungeon site. This beast tide is currently marching towards the lower city. All able-bodied men are required to assist the city guards in resisting this beast tide.

    "Please report to the city gates at once. There, you will be assigned to a team and briefed on the battle strategy against this encroaching beast tide by Marshall, the captain of the Lower City guards.

    "Rest assured, your efforts will not go unrewarded. Keep the arcane amulets on you. It will record your kills and reward you with contribution points ordingly. For every beast you kill between levels 20 to 30, you''ll receive 200 to 300 contribution points. For those who manage to y beasts between levels 31 to 40, they will receive proportionately greater rewards."

    "Finally, there''s something that promises both fun and rewards," Val eximed, a rare gleam of excitement lighting up his eyes.

    The Lower City only had one entrance. Withrge strides, Val advanced towards the city gates.

    Marshall, the captain of the lower city guards, could already be seen there. He was issuingmands to his troops, rallying them for the fight thaty ahead.

    "We will divide ourselves into two teams," Marshall instructed his men. "The first team, ''Shield'', will consist of our warriors in the frontlines and healers in the rear. The warriors are to engage the enemy head-on, and the healers must reduce the number of casualties to the best of their abilities. The second team, ''Barrage'', will consist of our mages. Their task is to bombard the enemies from the city walls. Is everyone clear on their roles?"

    A unified cry of "Yes sir!" echoed throughout the area.

    "Great! Now, split into your respective teams!" Marshallmanded.

    Following hismand, the city guards promptly split into the two specified teams.

    One was formed of long-ranged attackers who took up positions along the city walls, while the others wereposed of warriors and healers who marched outside the city gates.

    Healers needed to be within a certain range of their targets for their bloodline healing skills to function, hence they had no option but to apany the warriors outside the city.

    Having finished arranging his own men, Marshall noticed several bloodline users had gathered at the city gates.

    "What do we need to do?" Alfred asked him.

    "Based on your ss, join the relevant team. If you can provide support from a distance, join Team Barrage. But if you need to be in close quarters to provide support or if you''re a close-rangedbatant, join Team Shield." Marshall replied to him. As they were in a time of crisis, he had set aside his differences with Alfred.

    Hearing this, Alfred decided to join Team Barrage since he was a mage who could control vines and trees from afar. Moreover, fighting the Beast Tide from the safety of the city walls was far safer than engaging them in directbat.

    "This sounds fun. Don''t you think so too, Oliver? Let''s also select a team to join."

    "No, I don''t. And others probably don''t either. You''re the only one who thinks it''s fun to face a crisis."

    "You are a wizard who knows how to handle a sword. You can join any team. What team are you joining?"

    "Why? Are you going to follow?"

    "Well, we are not so different, and it has been so long since Ist saw you cousin. I want to spend more time with you. So why wouldn''t I?"

    Following Marshall''s exnation, the bloodline users split into the two teams created by Marshall based on their ss.

    Oliver, for instance, joined Team Shield. Alex, who was a member of the secret organization [Destiny Vigil], joined the same team as Oliver, ready to stalk him to the world''s end since he had nothing better to do and was getting bored.

    Alex had used his skill to discover that the newborn wizard with unparalleled potential was somewhere in the Northern Frontier. In the past few days, except for working at the treasure pavilion, he had spent every single spend visiting the families where a baby had recently been given birth to, but none of them was a wizard. Not a single one. There was no clue as to where exactly the newborn wizard with unparalleled talent was in the Northern Frontier. Unless hepleted this mission, he wouldn''t get another mission. So he was bored and stuck in the Lower City.

    Marshall''s eye lit up as he noticed Val among the crowd of bloodline users that was assembled at the gates and splitting up into the two teams ''Sheild'' and ''Barrage.''

    "Ah, you''re here too," Marshall acknowledged Val. "I''ve heard about your true abilities from the captain of the Guardians Organization. I know you''re an expert in both close-quarters and rangedbat, so feel free to join whichever team you prefer."

    "I''ll choose Team Shield," Val replied without a moment''s hesitation.

    At his words, Marshall scratched his head in bewilderment.

    "The frontlines are much more perilouspared to operating as a part of Team Barrage," he warned Val.

    "I''m aware," Val replied. "But I''ve no control over my ranged ability, the Hellish Fist. The hellfire it conjures does not discern friend from foe. It''ll consume anything in its path until it is reduced to ashes. Only after extinguishing all its targets will it die out"

    "So, you''ve decided to risk your life on the front line to avoid the potential of friendly fire?" Marshall asked as he also thought it wasmendable that Val chose the hard way instead of the easy one. Incidental friendly fire wasn''t a crime in times of crisis, meaning Val wouldn''t have been held responsible even if what he worried about came true. However, because Val was a morally upright man, he couldn''t see himself wronging others or so Marshall thought.

    Marshall also had no doubts about the ferocity of Val''s Hellish mes as he had heard about its terror from his very friend Leroy. He was also aware that people who have the Whitemore lineage develop fire skills upon reaching the intermediate level. However, their mes were nowhere near as fierce as Val''s HellFire, which can be conjured using the Hellish Fist skill.

    Moreover, Marshall only knew that Val was a level 2 bloodline user, yet he has already developed the Whitemore Fire. This meant that his bloodline purity was incredibly high. His potential wasparable to the young masters of the Thunderspear tribe. His future was looking great. When he discovered how special Val was, Marshall had warned himself to never offend him.

    Val simply nodded in response. He believed that incidental friendly fire would''ve severe consequences, so he have chosen to join Team Shield. Yes, he was unaware that thews of the Frontier undergo changes during times of crisis.

    Marshall pped Val''s shoulder, admiring his personality, "You''re braver than you look,d. I''ll make sure Team Barrage provides you with ample support and I''ll warn everyone to steer clear of your Hellish mes should the need arise for you to use it."

    "Thank you," Val expressed his gratitude for Marshall''s understanding and support.

 Chapter 172 172: Beast Tide 2

    ?

    A series of roars echoed from the forest, growing louder as the Beast Tide drew closer.

    Val turned his gaze towards the origin of the noise, as did the others around him.

    A sight of destruction met their eyes as countless trees toppled over, making way for an onrush of beast-type dungeon monsters swarming out from the depth of the forest.

    The beasts'' eyes shone with an intense bloodlust upon spotting the humans. It was as if they had sighted their natural enemies.

    Without wasting a second, the monsters moved forward on all fours, churning up clouds of dust as they charged straight towards the humans and the city they were protecting.

    "The Beast Tide has arrived," someone muttered, casting a grim gaze over the ocean of beasts.

    "Damn, there are too many of them. The dungeon break must be at least of danger level 3," another chimed in.

    "Their numbers are significantly greater than ours. This fight... It seems unwinnable!"

    The beast tide was far more formidable than they had imagined. It wasprised of several thousand beasts. Facing such an adversary, their morale dropped before the battle had even begun.

    The healer of the Shield Team began to feel hopeless, while the expression of the warriors hardened. Oliver''s expression also took a grim turn.

    So many beasts... It would be hard to handle them with just their numbers. Maybe reinforcement from the Upper Haven would be needed to deal with this Beast Tide.

    Alex looked as chill as always. ''Although there are a lot of them, with me here, they won''t be entering the city today.''

    Just then, Val''s powerful voice resounded through the crowd gathered outside the city.

    "Don''t falter! They are just level 20 to 40 beasts. Nothing special. Even if they are ten times our number, so what? We can still take them down if we work together!" Val eximed before he charged towards the approaching beast tide all alone.

    A collective gasp echoed through the crowd. Was this man fearless and brave or just a fool seeking his own death?

    "This fool! Why is rushing towards his death?!" Marshall grumbled. But he really didn''t want Val to die.

    Worry creased his forehead as he watched the gap between Val and the beasts close rapidly.

    "I hope he survives,'' he muttered.

    Meanwhile, as soon as the beasts entered his attack range, Val uttered, "Rage, Voidyer!"

    Everyone watched as Val''s sword glowed an intense and fiery red before emitting a crimson arc towards the Beast Tide.

    Their eyes were drawn to it as it hurtled through the air like a ferocious dragon.

    Ignorant of its might, the beasts didn''t bother dodging it, thinking that with their strong body, they should be able to easily block it.

    However, expectations were often times different than reality!

    The crimson arc sliced through the beasts at the forefront of the Beast Tide as if their thick hide and meat, harder than wood, and bones, tougher than steel, were mere tofu, chopping them in two halves, instantly yanking the life of them.

    And it didn''t stop there. It continued its destructive path, mowing down the beasts in the second line as well. At this moment, even if they were cat monsters with 9 lives, they would have still met their end!

    Their bodies dropped to the ground with a dull thud, raising clouds of dust that stained the air a dirty brown.

    What happened next was even more amazing!

    The beasts behind them couldn''t halt their charge in time, and they tripped over the fresh carcasses, toppling headfirst to the ground. It was a domino effect that saw hundreds of beasts trip and fall, creating chaos in the Beast Tide''s ranks.

    +250

    ...

    ...

    ...

    +370

    ...

    ...

    ...

    +280

    Val''s contribution points surged rapidly.

    The majority of the onlookers stood in dumbfounded silence as they watched Val single-handedly disrupt the charge of the entire Beast Tide with one masterful move. For a moment, they did nothing but stare.

    Hundred of people stood as still as statues.

    It was a funny scene.

    It was as if the scene before them had stolen their ability to react.

    "I can''t believe what I''m seeing!" Someone managed to stutter out. It was Oliver. His eyes were widened in astonishment and his mouth was gaping open as he was shocked to see his student but also master take down dozens of enemies with a single move.

    ''Is this how strong he truly is? If we ever fought for real and he used that move on me, I would definitely die,'' Oliver gulped in fear.

    "He stopped the beast tide by himself?" Alex''s eyes bulged, nearly popping out of their sockets as if he''d witnessed a ghost rather than a man flipping the majority of the beast tide on its head. Even he as a mid-rank wizard couldn''t pull that off so simply! "Damn, he is smart."

    Alfred''s jaw went ck, his mouth forming a perfect ''O'' of astonishment. "Val... He is like a one-man army. Holy cow!"

    Marshall and the leaders of the two teams were so surprised their eyebrows shot up to their hairline, and their mouths hung open as though disconnected from the rest of his face. "This kid is surprisingly good!"

    Val shouted to them, "Don''t just stand there! Take advantage of this chaos. Strike while they''re vulnerable and disoriented!"

    Recognizing the opportunity Val had created, Marshall shouted, "You heard the man! Charge!"

    Without missing a beat, the warriors of Team Shield broke into a run, heading straight towards the disoriented beasts that were struggling to regain their footing.

    Before the beasts could stand up, they brought their weapons down on their necks, but their strikes only created shallow wounds on the beasts.

    "The beasts'' hides and flesh are too thick and strong. They won''t be easily pierced..." Oliver muttered under his breath.

    Hearing Oliver''s concern, Alex turned to the healers at the rear and shouted, "Provide us with buffs!"

    "Alright," the healers responded in unison before casting their skills to buff the warriors.

 Chapter 173 173: Beast Tide 3

    ?

    Almost instantly, the warriors engaging the beasts in a battle experienced a surge in their strength. Some had their physical strength increased while some had their weapons enhanced. Their weapons began to glow with an otherworldly light.

    "We have enhanced the prative power of your weapons. With these weapons, you should be able to deal a deadly blow to the enemies." The healers said to the warriors.

    Wanting to check out their sharpness, the warrior brandished their weapons at the fallen beasts.

    Each weapon gleamed brilliantly under the sun before slicing through the neck of the fallen beasts, beheading them.

    Every swing of their empowered weapons was executed with lethal intent, and with each decisive stroke, the number of beasts in the Beast Tide was reduced by one.

    Marshall promptlymanded, "Team Barrage, strike at the Beast Tide''s rear!"

    Following hismand, Team Barrage, which had been standing on the city walls, immediately sprung into action.

    Mages began unleashing a torrent of spells on the beasts at the rear of the Beast Tide.

    Countless fireballs detonated upon impact with the beasts. As a result, countless beasts exploded into a gruesome spectacle of flesh and blood.

    Lightning bolts of significant thickness descended from the sky and stuck several dozen beasts with such ferocity that they were roasted alive in an instant.

    Others were met with a swift demise as ice spears pierced through their heads.

    Alfred, meanwhile, used his control over vines to ensnare the beasts, hoisting them up before flinging them back towards their own ranks. As the beasts fell on their own kind, they were immobilized and disoriented, and the members of Team Shield killed them before they could regain their footing.

    During this time, Val had already cut down several dozen beasts on his own. He had rushed into the heart of the enemy''s rank. He was surrounded by beasts from all sides, their towering bodies hiding his figure.

    A few dozen beasts roared and pounced towards him simultaneously.

    He smirked, "Bunch of Dumbasses."

    With Val as the center, a wave of invisible soul power surged out, smashing into the beasts with a force that could uproot a tree. The very next moment, all the beasts were sent flying backward as if struck by a powerful gale.

    Val followed this by swinging his arms, unleashing razor-sharp blood des. As he was sure he was hidden from view, he didn''t think twice before using his skills as a Blood Devil.

    The des followed the same principle as the Crimson sh Skill. He had made them bypressing and shaping huge amounts of blood into des.

    Thus, it was safe to say their sharpness could only be rivaled by rank-2 cursed weapons or higher.

    They sliced through the beasts with ease, much like a hot knife through butter.

    Just like that, another wave of beasts fell at Val''s hands.

    The strength of the Beast Tide was further reduced.

    He had only dealt with a bunch of them when another group of beasts rose up to the challenge.

    Val nced at them before ncing down at his weapon and saying, "Voidyer, drink to your heart''s content."

    Upon hismand, Voidyer released a powerful suction force, drawing in the spilled blood of the in beasts in the vicinity.

    Consequently, Voidyer''s rage meter was filled to the brim, and the Crimson sh Skill was once again avable for use.

    Val cast the skill without any hesitation.

    The Crimson sh cut through an entire group of beasts that were rushing towards him, leaving them in pieces.

    Val then repeated the cycle: using the blood of the fallen beasts to fill Voidyer''s rage meter before casting the Crimson sh skill to take down another wave of beasts.

    As Val continued to eradicate their numbers using this method, the most powerful beasts of the tide turned their attention towards him.

    Moving on all fours, these beasts approached him rapidly, their eyes filled with murderous intent. They had determined Val to be the greatest threat and were thus determined to get rid of him!

    A frown of concern etched itself onto Val''s face as he watched them approach. There were ten of them, all above level 35. He couldn''t handle it alone.

    He thought to himself, ''This is a bit too much to handle alone. Should I make a run for it?''

    But just then, to his surprise, Oliver and Alex appeared by his side. They were covered in the blood of the beasts they''d killed. They''ve carved open a path through the Beast Tide to reach Val.

    "You seem like you could use some help," Alex said to Val.

    Val nodded.

    "You guys arrived at the perfect time. Help me deal with those beasts," Val said.

    "Sure," Oliver and Alex said in unison.

    The sudden appearance of two more humans didn''t startle the beasts.

    ''They will all just die the same, trampled under their feet like ants!'' the intelligent beasts thought.

    One beast opened its mouth wide. Val and the others could see magma bubbling at the back of its throat. The beast showed it was dead set on iming their lives as its most important spil of war as it spat out balls of magma towards them.

    Almost simultaneously, another beast that was 5 meters tall and looked like an overgrown panther swung itsrge ck w through the air, causing distortions that manifested as three sharp des of wind aimed at the trio.

    But these weren''t the only trouble they had to deal with as at the same time, lightning crackled from one beast''s mouth, branching out like the hands of death. All these bolts surged towards Val and the two wizards beside him.

    "It''s too much for us to handle alone. Let''s work together to deal with it," Alex said to them.

    "Alright," Oliver agreed with him.

    Val also nodded, then he cast the Crimson sh skill as he swung Voidyer. The crimson arc that busts out from the sword dealt with the balls of magma.

    Val''s brows drew together.

    Two more threats were still remaining.

    And they were more powerful than the one he just deal with!

 Chapter 174 174: Beast Tide (Last)

    ?

    "We''ll take it from here."

    Saying so, Oliver and Alex released an intense amount of soul power.

    Thebined volume of their soul power was like ake that threatened to overturn thend.

    As it spread outwards like a natural disaster, it consumed everything in its path.

    It crashed against the elemental onught of the most powerful beasts of the tide, negating it entirely.

    And even then, it didn''t show signs of weakening.

    It moved forward and smashed into the beasts!

    Bam!

    It sounded like the judgement of God was passed down as the massive beasts were lifted off their feet and thrown away. After a while, they crashed into the ground like broken toys.

    "I got this," Oliver said as he threw out a wooden sword.

    The sword seemed to have gained a life of its own as it pierced through the heads of the beasts before they could get back on their feet. Its speed was so great that none of the beasts had the chance to react or dodge in time. In but an instant, they were all killed in the same manner, their lifeless bodies copsing to the ground.

    The wooden sword made its way back to Oliver,nding smoothly in his hand.

    A thoughtful look found its way to Val''s face. ''Though Oliver''s cursed sword looks ordinary as if made out of wood, it''s anything but that. Its sharpness matches my own Voidyer since it managed to easily pierce through the thick skulls of 10 level 35 to 40 beasts.

    ''And it''s also a flying sword, making it priceless.''

    ''It was foolish of me to think Oliver would be interested in stealing my sword if he knew it has developed a spirit. He already has a spirit weapon.''

    "Are you curious about it?" Alex asked.

    "Yeah, a little," Val admitted.

    "Well if you''re curious, why don''t you just ask? I don''t mind sharing its history with you, and I believe that Oliver won''t either," Alex said with a teasing smile. "Right, Oliver?"

    "Yeah," Oliver said. "But I will do the talking."

    "What significance does it hold?" Val asked.

    Oliver replied with a somewhat proud smile, "It''s the heirloom of the Destiny Walker."

    "Destiny Walker? What is that?" Val asked, puzzled.

    Alex blinked in surprise. "You don''t know?"

    Val shook his head.

    Just then, his sixth sense red up, and he was jolted into alertness.

    "Iing," he swiftly warned Oliver and Alex.

    In the distance, a behemoth beast stomped heavily on the ground.

    The earth trembled, and deadly spikes erupted from the spot beneath their feet.

    Thanks to Val''s timely warning, they were able to react to the surprise attack in time. They leapt backward, narrowly evading the threatening spikes.

    Alex looked threateningly at the behemoth beast, "You''ve made the worst mistake of your life. And it''s going to be yourst."

    The very next moment, a swirling vortex of wind appeared around Alex''s fingertips. He extended his arm towards the distant beast, and the vortex shot out in a concentrated gust, much like a bullet.

    Swoosh!

    The wind bullet pierced through the air with a loud whistle. It darted across the battlefield at breakneck speed, so fast that it was nearly invisible to the naked eye. Even Val struggled to keep up with it despite straining his eyes.

    The wind bullet easily prated the beast, its powerful momentum leaving a hole right through the creature''s skull.

    Kuagh!

    The beast let out a strangled yelp as it slumped onto the ground, life extinguishing from its eyes almost instantly.

    Watching this, Val felt as if he have been humbled. A level 40 beast was killed just like that! Were all the people of the Thunderspear tribe this strong? Or was Alex special?

    Alex then turned back to Val, offering him a thumbs-up in appreciation.

    "Nice call, Val. Even I didn''t see thating."

    "Ne neither," Oliver said. "How did you do that?"

    Val smiled awkwardly. "I just have a special sense towards danger."

    Just as he finished his sentence, a beast appeared.

    It was a monstrous creature, covered in thick, armored scales and bristling with razor-sharp teeth. Its ws were the most horrifying part about it. They were long and thick like swords and its tail was covered in spikes.

    It looked like a crossbreed between a lizard and a nightmarish monster, and it was giving off the same aura as the beast Alex just killed.

    "That''s a Scalebound Lizard!" Alex called out.

    "What do you know about it?" Val asked.

    "A lot," Alex replied.

    "Tell us," Oliver said.

    "Okay."

    Alex shared quickly with Oliver and Val what he knew about it.

    The Scalebound Lizard was a formidable level 40 beast, notorious for its dense, scale-covered hide that rendered it impervious to most physical attacks.

    Its primary attacks relied heavily on its ferocious strength and agility, making it a lethal predator. Its attack pattern was simple. It lunges at the opponent closest to it.

    "Considering the sharpness of mine and Oliver''s weapons, its entire body is like one big weak point. So we don''t need to actively target its belly. We also know its attack pattern. We can take advantage of this to end it quickly," Val said.

    "It''s about to make a move," Alex said as the beast''s eyes glowed ominously, a murderous glint shining in them.

    "Oliver, provide me with cover," Val said as he stepped forward. He took this risk because he needed to kill the beast with his own hand if he wanted to earn EXP!

    Suddenly, the ScaleBound Lizard leapt towards Val. Its cavernous mouth was wide open, ready to swallow him whole in a single gulp.

    Oliver conjured a protective shield made of soul power just in the nick of time.

    Bam!

    A thundering voice sounded as the beast mmed headfirst into the solid barrier.

    Cracks appeared on the barrier before it shattered.

    But the beast also paid a heavy price.

    It suffered from a violent concussion and slumped to the ground.

    Seeing the beast disoriented and temporarily incapacitated, Val thought that a golden opportunity had presented itself to him.

    ''I have to seize it.''

    He thought as he swung his sword with all his might.

    The de tore through the beast from its jaw to its skull, splitting its face open in two. Blood and brain matter gushed out from the fresh wound.

    With that, all the most powerful beasts of the Beast Tide died!

    Only the weakling with power level ranging from level 20 to 35 were left.

 Chapter 175 175: Soul Domain

    ?

    Caught between a bombardment of spells released by the mages from the high walls of the Lower City and the relentless frontal onught from the warriors of Team Shield, the beasts of the Beast Tide had no choice but to converge on Val, Oliver, and Alex who were in the middle of the chaos.

    "The situation has taken a turn for the worst for us," Val said.

    "Indeed, it has." Alex smirked, "I guess it''s time I got serious."

    Hearing his words, Oliver''s eyes widened in surprise.

    "You''re telling me you weren''t serious until now?"

    At Oliver''s words, Alex nodded.

    "I''ve grown a lot since thest time we met, younger cousin. I''m no longer the same person I was 4 years ago. Compared to now, my past self is like an ant I could trample under my feet."

    "Exactly how strong have you be?" Oliver asked him.

    "See for yourself," Alex replied before he bent his waist and pressed his hands against the ground.

    "Soul Domain: Thousand Hands of Death!"

    Tendrils of darkness rose from his body and seeped into the ground beneath.

    The earth began to tremble, cracks appearing all over the surface.

    Suddenly, gigantic ck hands, each about 6 meters long and 2 meters wide, burst forth from the cracks.

    Like phantoms, these enormous hands passed through the bodies of the beasts, who fell dead almost instantly!

    Val''s Heavenly Eye allowed him to see what had actually transpired.

    The beasts'' souls were shattered as the hands moved through them.

    ''Alex''s Thousand Hands of Death... It doesn''t deal physical harm, but directly attacks the souls!''

    Val felt shocked as he realized this.

    ''And it is more dangerous than my Hellish Fist skill.''

    ''With my current ability, I can''t survive it unless... I run away to the Other Side.''

    Val noticed that Oliver''s jaw had gone ck. His mouth had formed a perfect ''O'' of astonishment. Seeing his reaction, Val realized that the unveiling of a Soul Domain was a significant matter, even to someone as experienced as Oliver.

    "Alex has already grown this strong," Oliver muttered to himself, "Even though I was taught by the best wizard of this century, a man likely to be themunity leader, he has left me in his dust."

    Oliver felt that he was totally outssed by Alex.

    "Just like that, my years of training have been eclipsed. Can hard work really not beat talent?"

    His voice was as quiet as a whisper. Any other person wouldn''t have been able to hear him, even if they were standing right next to him. However, Val was a level 2 warrior with stats rivaling those of beasts. He had enhanced senses. Although he didn''t mean to, he picked up on Oliver''s self-doubt.

    "I don''t think what you said is entirely wrong, but you missed the most important point, and that''s where you are wrong," Val said.

    Oliver''s eyes turned to him and asked, "What point?"

    Seeing Oliver''s curious gaze, Val continued, "I believe the ultimate goal in life is to be the best version of yourself. If youck talent, your only option is to work harder. Yes, your hard work won''t help you improve at the same rate as those with natural talent. But if you don''t make an effort, you won''t improve at all. So rather than feeling inferior to the gifted and giving up on yourself, focusing on self-improvement should be your ultimate goal."

    "Much like a baby learns to walk step by step, you need to train every day, be consistent about it, push yourself to your limits, and you''ll see improvement. It will take time, but it will happen," Val stated profoundly.

    His words had a profound effect on Oliver.

    The doubt that had been lingering in his mind evaporated.

    His eyes gleamed with enlightenment.

    He found himself traveling down the memoryne.

    He had been born a ''normie,'' and as such, was shunned by his entire family.

    A child was naturally dependent on his parents, but his parents had turned their back on him, feeling disgusted that they have given birth to such a failure of a person.

    Following his parents'' example, his siblings treated him in the same way like he was empty air.

    As a result, he was haunted by suicidal thoughts since young.

    No one wanted him.

    No one understood him.

    And no one had ever loved him.

    Besides, as long as he remained alive, the perfect family they always wanted would never beplete.

    Thus, he wondered if dying was a better choice than living.

    However, as he thought aboutmitting suicide, a ray of sunshine entered his bleak life.

    It was his master.

    His master saved him from not only his tormentors but also his own twisted self, taking him under his wing and teaching him wizardry.

    As a result, even though hisck of natural talent was so profound that every wizard had written him off, he had still managed to be a low-level wizard before he turned 20.

    Wasn''t this all because of his perseverance? Because he''d continued to train despite his family and outsiders telling him he would never amount to anything?

    ...

    Seven years ago.

    "You have the power to attract the most gifted wizards to be your students, yet you chose to be the master of an unremarkable boy like me. Why? I am like the worst choice! Was it done out of pity?" Oliver asked his master who had golden hair and emerald eyes.

    His master answered, "Why are you throwing a tantrum again? Did someone say something to you?" He rolled up his sleeves and continued his speech, "Just tell me their names. I will go out and beat them up! They''ll never trouble you again."

    "No," Oliver said.

    "Then why?" His master asked.

    "I just think I am not worthy of being taught by you," Oliver said.

    His master sighed, "You think too little of yourself. Maybe it is because you were neglected and it led you to develop an inferiorityplex. Anyway, you are more special than geniuses!"

    Sometimes Oliver couldn''t understand if his master was raising him or making fun of him!

    "Do you really think so?" he asked.

    The golden-haired man nodded, "Youck what they have, but they are alsocking in more ways than one."

    Oliver was left confused by these words.

    "It seems unlikely." He asked, "They have everything �C friends, parents'' love, siblings'' obedience. What could they possiblyck?"

    "Theyck what you have. You are like a tortoise, and they are like rabbits. In the end, how can they win when the enemies they have to face are themselves yet you have no such enemy?" the golden-haired man said as he smiled meaningfully.

    The statement had left Oliver perplexed.

    But his master had always been a fan of being enigmatic.

    Sometime he would speak in a cryptic manner.

    Unless you have special knowledge of what he was talking about, you wouldn''t understand him.

    "Master, can you be a bit clearer?" Oliver asked, hoping for a less obscure answer.

    "That''s for you to find out," his master replied.

    ...

    Now, with Val''s words echoing in his mind, Oliver realized the true meaning behind his master''s words.

    Talent without hard work would only take a person so far before they hit a bottleneck. A person who''d never faced hardship wouldn''t know how to ovee it, and it would be a wall they couldn''t climb unless they were willing to work hard. But having never worked hard in their life, it would be the hardest hurdle for them to ovee.

    And the opposite was true for the untalented!

    However, from the beginning, Oliver had faced hardships. His life was riddled with misfortune. He was so poor a wizard that he had to learn swordsmanship to cover his weaknesses.

    But there was no denying that his strong attitude was his strength. Compared to the geniuses that learn to soar high at a young age, he wouldn''t be at a disadvantage in the long run.

    So what if Alex had already manifested his soul domain? In a few years'' time, he would catch up to him! If that didn''t work, he would work hard for a few more years. Surely, he would seed then, right?

    Oliver curled his hands into fists, a glint of determination shing in his eyes.

    "I will never think of giving up until the day I die!" he vowed.

    Then he turned to Val with a grateful smile on his face. "Thank you for clearing my doubts. I will remember this, and I promise to repay the favor if an opportunity arose in the future."

    "Why wait for the future when you can repay me now?" Val said with a smile. "Something has piqued my interest and I think you can provide the answers."

    "Oh? What do you want to know?" Oliver asked with a raised eyebrow.

    "I want to know about the Soul Domain," Val replied.

    Oliver let out a thoughtful hum before saying,

    "That''s aplex topic. But to put it simply, it''s the strongest weapon in a wizard''s arsenal."

    Val''s eyes flickered with curiosity. He asked, "How can one learn it?"

    "There are two conditions. Firstly, you need to be a mid-level wizard. Secondly, you need to form a nascent soul in your arcane heart. Once both the conditions are met, you''ll be able to form your soul domain," Oliver exined.

    "I can understand the first condition. A strong arcane heart is a must. But a nascent soul. Why is it necessary and how does one form it?" Val asked.

    "I''m sorry, but I can''t reveal extensive knowledge about the nascent soul. I''m bound by a vow that restricts me from disclosing such secrets if I value my life. But, I can guide you on the path ahead. If you join a wizard family and earn their support, you can gain the opportunity to learn it."

    "Since that''s the case, I won''t press on that matter anymore. But, I do have another question for you. Do you mind answering it?" Val asked.

    "I don''t mind," Oliver said with an amicable smile.

    "How does one join a wizard family?" Val raised a question.

    "You can join a wizard family by passing their tests. Different families have different tests," Oliver exined.

    "I see," Val said, processing the new information.

    "Do you remember that I mentioned a proposition for you earlier?" Oliver suddenly said.

    "Yes, I do. We didn''t have a chance to discuss it because of the Beast Tide," Val replied.

    "Actually, the proposition I wanted to make was��"

    Oliver''s words were stopped short as Val, with a swift, decisive action, jerked him out of the way.

    "What was that-"

    Oliver was taken aback by the sudden movement, but his bewilderment turned into horror when he saw a beast bursting out from the ground where he had been standing moments ago. As its colossal jaws snapped shut in the empty air, he realized that he just had a brush with death.

    If not for Val, he would''ve surely lost his life there!

    Seeing that the assassination have failed, the beast hurried to escape.

    "Leave your life behind!"

    With lightning-fast speed, Val spun towards the beast andnded a punch on it with all his might before it could disappear underground.

    The moment his fist connected with it, the terrifying effect of the Hellish Fist skill proc''ed. Hellfire, indistinguishable mes that burn both body and soul, immediately engulfed the creature.

    In the blink of an eye, it was reduced to ashes.

    Until its death, it wailed like a banshee and writhed in pain as if suffering from intense nightmares.

    "Thank you for saving my life," Oliver said to Val.

    Val shed Oliver a smile. "No problem. We''ve only just be friends; it would be a real shame to lose you this early."

    Oliver chuckled awkwardly.

    "The beast tide is at its final leg. The beasts are like cornered rabbits. They are going to fight back with all their might and try to take down as many of us as they can with them. We must stay vignt and not drop our guard, even for a second. Let''s postpone our conversation until after we''ve dealt with the Beast Tide."

    Upon hearing this, Oliver firmly nodded, signaling his understanding and agreement.

    Val and Oliver joined the two teams and Alex in mowing down the Beast Tide.

    With such powerful forces at y, it didn''t take long before the entire Beast Tide was eradicated.

    A series of notifications rang in Val''s ears.

    [System Notification: Beast Tide Defeated. Gained 10,000 EXP.]

    [System Notification: Killed 320 Level 20 to 40 beasts. Gained 50,000 EXP.]

    [System Notification: The will of the world has recognized your significant contribution in dealing with the Beast Tide and has decided to reward you.]

    Val''s eyes lit up.

    ''I wonder what I will get.''

 Chapter 176 176: Unexpected Spoil Of War

    The onlookers felt envious as a few people were rewarded by the world itself!

    First was Alex, who had taken down the highest number of beasts in the Beast Tide.

    Second was Marshall, whose strategic nning and tactical insights had ensured minimal losses on their side.

    His leadership from the rear lines yed a critical role in their victory over the Beast Tide.

    And thest one was Val, who with his bravery have raised the morale of his teammates while simultaneously shattering the morale of the enemies with his cunning and ability.

    At the height of the enemy''s morale, he had struck with all his might and shattered their spirit, sowing chaos in their rank and ensuring an easy victory against the beast tide.

    A notification popped up in front of Val.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host. You''ve been rewarded with the Spiritroot of the Verdant Giant by the will of the world!]

    The Spiritroot materialized in front of Val from thin air.

    It was about the size of his fist, shaped like a root of a tree, with veins of silver gleaming within its green structure. It was radiating a soothing green light and emitting a rich and earthyforting smell that filled Val and the people nearby with a sense of tranquility.

    The eyes of the onlookers naturally turned to the treasure.

    Noticing their gazes, Val didn''t waste a moment before he grabbed the Spiritroot and slipped it into the pocket of his windbreaker.

    A thoughtful look crossed Val''s face.

    ''Now I am in possession of two of the three ingredients needed to concoct the Level 3 Whitemore Bloodline Upgrading Potion.''

    ''The only piece of the puzzle I am missing is the scales of an Eldertail snake.''

    ''But it hasn''t appeared in the market.''

    ''I can only search for it myself.''

    He knew the name of the area where the source of thest ingredient resided �� the Shadow Valley.

    However, the exact location of this ce was unknown to him. There was no information about the Shadow Valley on the map given to him by the Head Butler of the Whitemore family''s head either.

    "I have no other option but to go to the Treasure Pavilion and buy information regarding the Shadow Valley. Given the substantial amount of contribution points I''ve earned from dealing with the Beast Tide, it should be feasible..." he murmured to himself, a glint of determination shing in his eyes.

    "Marshall, the sun is setting. Let''s recall our men," Jareth the captain of the Barrage Team said with a solemn expression.

    "But what about all the loot?" Yona, the Vice-captain of the same team, protested.

    Jareth shot her a stern look. She felt offended by his gaze as he was looking at her with disgust.

    "Night is quickly approaching. At night, devils and zombies be active. We can see the zombiesing, but devils kill in mysterious ways. Do you know how many people will die if we don''t recall them before it gets dark? Will you take responsibility for their deaths?" he asked her.

    Jareth didn''t like Yona in the slightest. She appeared out of nowhere and quickly rose up the ranks, despite making no notable achievement, having no qualities of a leader, and being ignorant.

    He suspected she had lived a sheltered life and had a formidable backing.

    Despite this, he had no intention of showing her respect.

    He believed that respect wasn''t a privilege.

    It should be earned.

    Hearing his words, Yona felt embarrassed and hurt. She lowered her eyes and pouted, her red and plump lips glistening under the setting sun, "You... You didn''t have to be so rude."

    Jareth scoffed, "Sometimes it''s hard to get the message across without being direct."

    Yona turned to the leader of the lower city guards and asked, "What do you think?"

    "Jareth is right, Yona. We can''t risk lives for material gains. Although it''s a bit regretful to leave the corpses behind as there is a chance of them getting picked up by the beasts of the forest and the creatures of the night, we must do what''s necessary," Marshall said.

    He then turned towards the people outside the frontier and ordered, "Everyone in the Shield Team, leave the loot and head inside the city gates immediately!"

    Despite his words, several people seemed unwilling to leave the loot behind.

    The meat of the beasts, if left untouched, would rot by the next sunrise, and this much meat could feed the entire poption of the Northern Frontier for months.

    Moreover, many of the warriors in the Shield Team actually lived hand to mouth as they had an entire family of normies to support, and the opportunity to bring home a decent chunk of meat was rare and cherished.

    Thus, the prospect of leaving behind such a wealth of food was unthinkable to them.

    There was also the possibility of the corpses being looted.

    As a result, they were worried that all of their efforts would go to waste.

    "The city gates will be sealed shut after dusk. Then, you won''t be able to get inside even if you want to. You will have to face the dangers of the night alone."

    Seeing that they were unwilling, Marshall spoke up once again to make the situation clear to them.

    His words were harsh but effective.

    The reluctant members of Team Shield immediately rushed inside the city through the city gates.

    With a thunderous sound, the gates closed behind thest of the men.

    Once inside the lower city, a person who had settled down in the frontier at the same time as Val,ined, "Why are the rules of this ce so harsh? You can''t be outside the frontier when it''s night. And you''re also expected to be locked up inside your house at midnight. Or else you''ll be punished. This ce sucks."

    "You''re not wrong, but thesews were put in ce for your own good," Oliver said.

    "How can killing me with boredom be for my own good?"

    Oliver, who was always willing to help the ignorant, looked at the person and exined calmly, "The area outside the northern frontier gates transforms into a no man''snd after dusk. It basically bes a dangerous zone with a high mortality rate for humans."

    "Even within the city, safety isn''t entirely guaranteed at night. There have been cases of devils preying on innocent and unsuspecting people inside the city. And all the murders happened at night. Tobat this, it became mandatory to hang amulets on the entrance to one''s house at night. The curfew forbidding you from leaving the house is implemented every night for the exact same reason, to protect you from bing the next victim of the devils."

    "Vition of these rules does results in punishment, but it is done to make a point. We don''t tolerate reckless behavior."

    "I hope that clears every misunderstanding you have about my birthce."

    After listening to Oliver, the person who hadined felt embarrassed and no longer spoke as if afraid to make himself look any more stupid.

 Chapter 177 177: Anti-Gravity

    ?

    The crowd parted ways as several people approached Val.

    Val looked at them and raised his eyebrow.

    ''What do these big shots want from me?''

    "You were a great help during the Beast Tide. You made a significant difference out there. I can''t praise you enough," Marshall patted Val''s shoulder. The young man had really made the northerners proud today.

    "I just did what I thought was best," Val replied to Marshall modestly.

    "I''ve never seen a man as fearless as you," Yona stepped forward and confessed to Val.

    "I get that often," Val replied to her with a smile.

    His smile made him look all the more charming, causing her to blush at his undeniable charisma.

    Suddenly, Jareth appeared before Yona and Val.

    Looking sternly at Val, he said, "What you did wasmendable because it worked out. But next time, it might not. Rushing towards danger and not listening to the orders of your superiors is foolish. So don''t do it again. I am saying this for your own good."

    Val narrowed his eyes subtly.

    ''Does he think I don''t know that? If I wasn''t confident in my abilities, I would have never done that.''

    However, he kept quiet with his lips pressed together as he didn''t want to escte the one-sided argument into a full-blown conflict.

    "Don''t mind him. Jareth is a rigid man who likes to follow the rule book to the letter. He believes there''s a proper process for everything, and doesn''t like people who think otherwise," Yona chimed in.

    "Yona, you..."

    Jareth felt flustered.

    Whose side was she on?

    "I don''t mind," Val said to Yona.

    Actually, Val believed that if a dog barks at you and you bark back, it will only make you look bad. Unless a dog tries to bite you, you don''t need to go for the kill.

    "Val," Marshall said.

    Val turned to him with a raised brow, "Yes?"

    "You''re a capable man, Val. If it were up to me, I would have given you a spot in the team that will deal with the recent dungeon break. But doing so would be showing favoritism. Although I am the leader of the lower city guards, I can''t break the rules of the Frontier. You understand me?"

    Val nodded.

    "If you''re interested, make sure to attend tomorrow''s training event," Marshall said.

    This was the most he could do to help him.

    "I will think about it," Val said.

    Night arrived after a while.

    The sky tonight wasn''t clear.

    The moons and the stars were hidden behind the clouds.

    The world was submerged in darkness.

    The houses and buildings of the Frontier were aglow with light.

    In one such illuminated abode, two young people sat opposite each other at a small table, enjoying some high-quality tea.

    They were Val and Oliver.

    "So we finally have a chance to chat without interruption. What was the proposition you wanted to discuss?" Val asked.

    "Val, Ie from the Destiny Walker Family. To be a member of our family, one needs to pass three tests. The first is to be a low-level wizard, the second is to gain the acknowledgment of a Destiny Walker, and thest is to learn the Anti-gravity technique. You''ve already passed two of these. You''ve be a low-level wizard and gained my acknowledgment. If you learn the anti-gravity technique, you can be a part of the Destiny Walkers. Are you willing?" Oliver asked.

    Val contemted this before asking, "I have a few questions."

    "And I don''t mind providing answers," Oliver said.

    "What are the benefits of bing a Destiny Walker?" Val asked.

    "The Destiny Walker Family is one of the fairest families in the wizardmunity. As long as you be a mid-level wizard and don''t do anything forbidden, you will be given the chance to form your nascent soul by the family head. Moreover, my family holds considerable sway in the kingdom, although it isn''t publicly known. What I am trying to say is if you ever have issues with the authorities, my family can easily help you get out of trouble," Oliver said.

    "Are there any obligations I should be aware of if I join the Destiny Walker Family?" Val asked.

    "There aren''t any. And you''re free to leave anytime you want. We''re not as stringent as other wizard families that force their rules onto members. We respect individual wishes and autonomy," Oliver answered.

    "Who is the family head?" Val asked.

    "It''s Lord Lucious," Oliver replied.

    Val''s eyes widened.

    This deal sounded too good to be true.

    However, Oliver had no reason to lie to him.

    "I ept your offer, Oliver. But, I haven''t met the third requirement yet. I haven''t learned the anti-gravity technique yet."

    "Don''t worry about that. I''ll teach you the anti-gravity technique."

    "Right now?"

    Oliver simply nodded in response.

    "The anti-gravity technique requires you to use a certain amount of Soul Power to negate the G force of the world. The amount varies ording to a person''s weight and size. Finding the exact amount and keeping the output of soul power consistent are the keys to sessfully executing this technique. Do you understand?" Oliver exined to Val patiently.

    "Yeah, I think I do," Val replied, nodding his head slowly.

    "Now, try it," Oliver instructed.

    Val was taken aback, hearing his words. He asked, "That''s it?"

    Oliver nodded before saying, "Like I said before, the exact value varies from person to person. It changes ording to one''s build. I can''t help you find it. You need to find it yourself. But don''t be afraid of failing. Usually, it requires countless tries to get it right. The previous wizard king had said that mastery of the anti-gravity skill is built on repeated attempts and failures. No one can skip this step."

    Val scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, it''s not too hard. I just need to offset the gravitational force acting on my body with an equal and opposite force created by my Soul Power, and I should be able to pull it off."

    Oliver gave him a surprised look. "That''s one way to put it, though I''ve never heard it exined so... scientifically before. Besides, the exact value of Eldrich''s gravitational force is yet to be determined. So how are you going to do it?"

    "Who said I haven''t already determined it?" Val smiled mysteriously.

 Chapter 178 178: Using Science

    ?

    ''What is he up to?''

    Oliver thought as under his watchful gaze, Val sat down on the floor of the house with his legs crossed and closed his eyes.

    He seemed to have entered a state of extreme concentration as a thoughtful look quickly overtook his stoic expression.

    Oliver decided not to disturb him, while Val thought that he can use modern knowledge to master the anti-gravity technique in a matter of minutes.

    ''To counteract gravity, a certain amount of force is needed.''

    ''As I have just been told by Oliver, Soul Power can be used as a substitute for this Force.''

    ''To simplify it further, I only need to calcte the exact amount of soul power needed to counterbnce the force of gravity acting on my body to execute the anti-gravity technique.''

    With that, he came up with an equation on the spot.

    It was, F_gravity = F_soul, where F_gravity was the total amount of force of gravity acting on a person due to the result of their mass and the "g-force" (eleration due to gravity) acting together, and F_soul represented the amount of soul power needed to generate a physical force equivalent to counteracting gravity for his specific body mass.

    ''I already know what F_gravity is. Eldrich''s gravity is simr to Earth''s. It''s tried and tested. I only need to find F_soul. The answer, however, isn''t going to be handed over to me. I need to conduct experiments to find it. As for the test subject, it can only be me.''

    Concentrating, Val imagined channeling his soul power throughout his body with a mind clear of distracting thoughts.

    Consequently, his soul power surged out of his arcane heart and spread throughout his body.

    At first, he tried levitating with small amounts of Soul Power, but his body didn''t budge and he didn''t notice any change either.

    However, as he increased the soul power output, he noticed a sudden lightness in his body.

    As he continued increasing the output, the feeling got stronger and stronger until he felt that with just a little increase in the output of soul power, he would start levitating.

    ''Let''s confirm it.''

    Val thought as he increased his soul power output slightly, and vo!

    He broke free from the confines of gravity, his body gently lifting off the floor.

    Val opened his eyes and found himself floating in the air!

    His eyes widened in surprise and delight.

    "It worked!" he eximed.

    Val couldn''t help but feel a sense of aplishment. Science and magic, it seemed, were not mutually exclusive.

    Upon witnessing Val''s sessful execution of the Anti-gravity technique, Oliver was stunned beyond words.

    ''Impossible was made possible just beyond my very eyes.''

    Oliver''s eyes bulged, his jaw fell open in sheer disbelief, and a ripple of shock fluttered across his features.

    He found it very difficult to believe what he had just witnessed.

    He had seen many surprising things during his time as a wizard, but this was something else entirely.

    This was the first time in his life he had seen someone master a wizard technique so quickly.

    ''I witnessed yet another miracle and it was performed by the very same man."

    He gawked at Val.

    "So how did I do? Have I passed the test?" Val asked, snapping Oliver out of his disbelief.

    "You''re passed it with flying marks, Val," Oliver said, "Learning the anti-gravity skill is a feat that usually takes wizards weeks if not months to aplish, but you''ve done it in a matter of minutes. You''ve set a new record and to think you were clueless about it just a week ago. You''re a genius when ites to wizardry, Val, a genius!"

    Val smiled at Oliver''s spirited praise before saying, "You praise me too much. I just happened to have discovered the G force of Eldrich a few years back and the anti-gravity technique happened to be somewhat centered around it. So it was simple for me to master it. I guess I just got lucky that my knowledge was applicable in this situation."

    Despite Val''s attempt to undermine his achievement to avoid unwanted attention, Oliver still looked amazed.

    "So you really know the G force of our world. No wonder it was so easy for you to master it. Even a tidbit of knowledge like this can be extremely beneficial in furthering my mastery of the technique, so I will really appreciate it if you share it with me. I know I am asking for a lot. If you like, I can pay you in exchange," Oliver begged Val while resembling a pitiful dog.

    Valughed lightly at Oliver''s eagerness.

    "There''s no need for payment. You see, I don''t mind sharing it with you free of cost. You''ve been a great help to me so far, even introducing me to the Destiny Walker Family. This is the least I could do. The G force of Eldrich is 9.8 m/s^2. I also came up with the equation F_gravity = F_soul to calcte the exact amount of soul power needed to counterbnce the force of gravity acting on one''s body."

    Val further exined the equation to Oliver.

    After hearing Val''s exnation, Oliver''s eyes widened in amazement.

    His mind was buzzing with this newfound knowledge.

    Actually, despite having already learned the technique, he never understood the fundamental principles behind it this deeply.

    After all, there was a difference between memorizing something and understanding it. Oliver had mastered the anti-gravity technique by following the traditional steps taught by his predecessors. He didn''tprehend it. As a result, he could hover no more than 2.5 meters above the ground, and that too only for a short period.

    After he gained a better understanding of it thanks to Val, new possibilities opened up for him, effectively turning the anti-gravity technique into a potential method of flight. Thus, this was indeed an enlightening moment for him.

    "With this, any wizard can learn the anti-gravity technique with a little bit of effort," Oliver muttered in awe. "Thank you, Val. You helped me improve once again."

    With a smile, Val said to Oliver, "Just do me one little favor in return, Oliver. The next time you meet the head of the Destiny Walker family, put in a good word for me, will you?"

    This was precisely why Val was being so generous to him.

    "I will," Oliver said with a nod.

    He grinned as he slowly started to float upwards, controlling his altitude by minutely adjusting his output of soul power as the F_gravity acting on him increased the further up he went.

    Just like that, he floated up to the roof of his house, far crossing the 2.5-meter mark.

    Meanwhile, after a few more experiments, Val confidently floated around the house like a ghost, showcasing he had already mastered the anti-gravity technique. However, it utilized a lot of soul power. He couldn''t fly for very long or he will be exhausted from his soul power in no time.

    As they were floating around the house, they bumped into each other, lost control, and fell to the ground.

    "Well, that was quite embarrassing," Val said.

    After the incident, they decided to stop ying like little children.

    "Yeah, it was. Anyway, wee to the family," Oliver added as he passed a token to Val.

    "What is this?" Val asked.

    "Just put your soul power into it, and you''ll know," Oliver replied.

 Chapter 179 179: Arcane Points

    ?

    Val decided to follow Oliver''s words. Tendrils of soul power invisible to the naked eye creeped out of his palm and sunk into the token, powering it up.

    The token released a vibrant aquamarine light that prated Val''s forehead, almost like a stream of information being directly downloaded into his brain.

    In an instant, he understood everything about the token and its multifaceted uses.

    The token served as his identity within the wizardmunity. It could be taken as a mark of his affiliation with the Destiny Walker Family.

    But that was merely its primary purpose.

    The token had numerous other functions, one of which was connecting wizards to the fabled Arcane Library.

    The Arcane Library was an ethereal repository, home to an iprehensible number of books and vast reservoirs of information. It was an unparalleled treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge that transcended time and space, essible only to those within the wizardmunity who had the token. And these tokens could only be earned by joining a wizard family.

    It was also revealed to Val that some of the books found in the Arcane Library were avable free of cost, while others could only be unlocked in exchange for Arcane Points.

    "I can''t believe something like this existed under my nose all this time. This is like a miracle device!" Val eximed, the significance of the token dawning on him. With this, all the information he could ever need was literally at his fingertips, provided he had the means to pay for it.

    There was a simr miracle in his previous life. It was called the Inte. The Arcane Library, however, was like the earliest version of the inte. It had its pros and cons and there were a lot of developments it could undergo.

    But Val had no doubt that it would be as good as the inte or even better one day as long as the wizards continue to develop it.

    Seeing how amazed Val was, Oliver chuckled. His reaction was awfully simr to his own when he learned about the Arcane Library for the first time.

    "The token in your hand is called the Arcane Medallion. I will skip the description since you''ve already been familiarized with its uses." Oliver said, then offered, "If you still have any questions about it, feel free to ask me."

    "What are Arcane Points and how can I earn them?" Val asked.

    "Ah, Arcane Points, I knew you''ll ask about it." Oliver said, "They are a sort of currency for the wizardmunity. They are used to purchase premium information from the Arcane Library. You can earn them through various methods. One of the mostmon ones is sharing unique knowledge or information that does not exist in the database of the Arcane Library. For instance, your knowledge about Eldrich''s g force might earn you quite a few points, should you choose to share it."

    Val tilted his head, "Where do I need to go to share my findings?"

    Oliver chuckled slightly, "Things work a little differently in the wizardmunitypared to the rest of the world. You don''t need to go to an established ce to publish your findings and have them verified. You can do it right through the Arcane Medallion. It can be used to transmit your knowledge directly to the Arcane Library. The library''s spirit will verify it. If it confirms there''s no duplicate and the knowledge is authentic, it will upload it to the Arcane Library''s archives. Depending on the value of your information, you''ll be rewarded with Arcane Points. You can even choose to make it premium at any time. For every sale, you''ll receive 50% of the profit."

    "But how do I do that?" Val asked as he was slightly confused.

    "With wizardry, you can," Oliver replied to him with a confident smile.

    "You mean?" Val raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

    "Soul power can not only be used as a weapon or a shield but also to transmit knowledge," Oliver exined. "If you''re still wondering how to do it, go over the rules of wizardry, and you''ll find the answer."

    After a moment of thoughtfulness, a glimmer of understanding shone in Val''s eyes.

    "I can use my thoughts to make it happen, right?" Val asked.

    "Yes," Oliver confirmed that the conclusion Val has reached was indeed correct.

    "The light of wisdom that prated your head when you powered up the Arcane Medallion is also a product of wizardry. You can use it as an example to perform the trick yourself," Oliver gave Val an example of what he needed to do to make it happen after a few moments.

    "Interesting," Val said. "So, I just need to think I want to share my knowledge while using wizardry and channel my soul power into the Arcane Medallion, and it will do the rest?"

    "Correct," Oliver said. "Of course, you''ll need to consciously decide what knowledge to share and what to hide. You wouldn''t want to identally share all your personal secrets, would you?"

    Val chuckled, "Certainly not. This is truly an advanced society. I have a lot to learn."

    Oliver grinned, "Well, you''re a part of it now. You have all the time in the world to know it better. And remember, I''m here to help you."

    Val gave him a grateful look. "Thank you, Oliver. I appreciate it."

    "Don''t mention it," Oliver said. "Now that you''re a part of the Destiny Walker Family, we look out for each other."

    Delighted, Val didn''t waste any time and immediately shared his findings regarding the ''g force'' of Eldrich and the benefits it could have on the Anti-gravity technique with the Arcane Library through the Arcane Medallion.

    The library''s spirit didn''t take long to verify the authenticity of the knowledge. Considering this was a matter that had bewildered many since ancient times, the spirit deemed the information extremely valuable and decided to award Val generously.

    ''A reward of several thousand points should suffice,'' the ethereal spirit that was born to manage the library thought.

 Chapter 180 180: Plans & Acting

    ?

    Shortly after leaving Oliver''s home, Val felt his Arcane Medallion heating up.

    He looked down and saw a message shing across its surface.

    [You''ve received a new message. If you wish to view it, please channel your soul power into your Arcane Medallion.]

    He did as instructed, pouring a thread of soul power into the medallion. The message stored inside of it was instantly transmitted to him.

    [Congrattions, young Destiny Walker. You have been awarded 6000 Arcane Points for your contribution to the Arcane Library.]

    Val was over the moon after reading the message. The hefty sum of Arcane Points he''d just earned from a single submission was beyond his wildest expectations.

    One of the most useful aspects of the Arcane Library was the ability to shop for information using Arcane Points. Sure, Val could acquire the information he needed from the Treasure Pavilion in the lower city, but that would involve a lot of manual work like searching for the person selling the information he needed. However, the Arcane Library offered an instant solution.

    As he strolled down the street, Val decided to browse the Arcane Library. His medallion projected a screen featuring a list of options:

    [Things to look out for in Shadow Valley - 100 Arcane Points]

    [Shortcut to Shadow Valley - 200 Arcane Points]

    [Aprehensive guide on the beasts and anomalies of the Wysmire Mountain Range and the Shadow Valley - 400 Arcane Points]

    Each piece of information was rated and reviewed by the Library''s spirit, ensuring credibility.

    The first piece was rated 3/5 stars. The Library''s spiritmented on it, saying, "There is a fair amount of exaggeration mixed in with the truth. The user will need to differentiate between the two."

    The second piece received a 5/5 stars rating, with the Library''s spirit saying, "This shortcut is truly exceptional, a definite time saver."

    Thest piece also rated at 5/5 stars, came highly rmended by the Library''s spirit, especially for those nning to visit Shadow Valley, "An absolute must-have for adventurers nning a trip to the Shadow Valley. Detailed information on the beasts and anomalies of the valley is included. And it''s cost-effective."

    Val considered these reviews and ratings as he decided which pieces of information would be worth purchasing.

    In the end, he purchased the second and third pieces of information, leading to an immediate reduction of 600 Arcane Points from his total.

    Once again, the process he waa familiar with took ce. Two beams of ethereal knowledge, emanating from his Arcane Medallion, pierced through his consciousness. His mind drank in this new information like a sponge under water, effortlessly assimting everything.

    Within moments, Val knew the precise location of the shortcut to Shadow Valley and possessed aprehensive understanding of the unique creatures and anomalies that resided within its shadowy confines. He also got to know a lot about the Wysmire mountain range.

    The knowledge about them was not only extensive but surprisingly precise.

    Shadow Valley was nestled deep within the embrace of the Wysmire Mountain Range. A journey on foot would require an intermediate-level warrior to traverse for several days to reach it. If the shortcut was used, it would only take some hours.

    But either way, the dangers of the Wysmire Mountain Range couldn''t be avoided!

    The perils of the Wysmire Mountain Range bore a stark resemnce to those lurking within the Verdant Deepwood Forest.

    The threats one might encounter there are as follows:

    A) It was infested with elemental spirits, powerful beasts like griffins, and otherworldly races like harpies and if one was unlucky, they might even encounter a cyclops. These otherworldly races weren''t natives of Eldrich. They invaded the in time past when a dungeon break urred.

    B) The Wysmire Mountain Range was yet to be purged of devils. These fearsome creatures posed a considerable challenge, even for high-level bloodline users.

    C) Paranormal activities also ur there. They were strange and unpredictable events that could prove highly dangerous to the unprepared. Among these, the most notable ones were the Will-O''-the-Wisps, Shadows of the Lost, and The Fog.

    Moreover, exploration of the Shadow Valley was primarily rmended for level 5 bloodline users. Adventurers below that level were strongly cautioned to steer clear of the area, given its high concentration of powerful and unpredictable threats.

    Val thought: The mortality rate of beginner-stage bloodline users in the mountain range is above 50%. And it is below 50% for intermediate-stage bloodline users. It is not to be treaded without proper preparation and an entire team.

    ''But I am more powerful than a level 4 bloodline user and also have a bunch of powerful artifacts that can get me out of sticky situations. So I should be able to get by in the mountain range. If things were to take a turn for the worst, I can always utilize the power of the mystical shovel and make a swift exit.''

    ''While transversing the mountain range isn''t a problem and well within my capabilities, the real problem is surviving the dangers of the Shadow Valley and hunting an Eldertail Snake for its scales.''

    ''But my current abilities aren''t enough to aplish such a feat.''

    ''I need to improve.''

    ''Eh? I am already here.''

    Lost in thoughts, Val had arrived at the haunted house without knowing when.

    Val''s and Eliana''s rented space was still known as an infamous haunted house to the locals. It''s because, after a discussion, they had kept the matter about it being forcefully exorcised a secret. It was done to avoid giving their homeowner a reason to increase their rent.

    ''Let''s get inside.''

    Val''s hand extended towards the doorknob when suddenly, the door opened from the inside, and Eliana was standing there.

    She smiled as she noticed Val just standing outside.

    "I thought someone I knew was outside, but I didn''t expect it to be you. Anyways, What are you waiting outside for? Come inside," she said.

    The smile she gave him was warm, but Val''s sixth sense tingled.

    Immediately, he realized something was wrong!

    "Huh?" Val''s eyebrows raised. "How did you know someone was at the door?"

    A crack appeared in Eliana''s smile.

    But in the blink of an eye, her smile returned to normal.

    Although the changes happened too quickly, they failed to escape Val''s notice.

    ''There''s something wrong with her. Besides, my sixth sense which remained quiet until she appeared, is intensifying. She is a danger to me,'' Val thought.

    "Gut feeling," Eliana replied calmly, acting as if she hadn''t lost herposure just then. "Anyways, why are you noting inside? I got a big surprise waiting for you!"

    Val scoffed internally, not letting his true emotions be known.

    Gut feeling?

    That sounded too ridiculous to be true.

    It would have made more sense if she had said she had be a seer overnight and gained the ability to look into the future!

    And why was she so dead set on inviting him inside the house? Was there a trapid inside?

    He stared at Eliana with a sharp gaze.

    But she looked no different than the woman he remembered.

    Besides, the gaze she was looking at him was full of infatuation.

    This love... it couldn''t be faked.

    But love... Val didn''t believe in it.

    Even if it was real, it was just a tool he will use to his advantage.

    ''''Let''s see her true face.''

    Val inspected her on the spot using his special trait.

    As a result, nothing happened.

    No window popped up showing her statistics.

    Only a cold and monotone voice rang in his mind.

    [Detection failed.]

    This, in itself, was an answer to his question.

    There were only two reasons why ''Detect'' wouldn''t work.

    The first was that the target was at a higher level than him, and the second was that they had an item that could block the effects of such skill.

    ''The Eliana I know is weak and poor. She can''t meet both of these conditions even if she sold herself into very or became a prostitute.''

    ''This means... she is not Eliana.''

    Val confirmed that although the woman in front of him looked like his woman, it wasn''t her.

    But then who was she?

    ''She might be a devil in disguise.''

    ''But I can''t confirm whether it''s a Shadow Imposter or a Mimic Marauder.''

    Why Val thought it could only be them was obvious.

    Shadow Imposters were devils born out of envy. They were unique as they don''t use physical means to hunt humans, unlike other devils. Theytch onto individuals with the sole intent of possessing their bodies and assuming control. Once a Shadow Imposter had imed a host, it became nearly impossible to distinguish them from the original person, except through specific detection methods. They would try to live the life of the individual they''ve possessed. However, if they were caught, they would not hesitate to kill the person who''ve sniffed them out.

    Mimic Marauders, on the other hand, were particrly feared devils known for their ability to shape-shift. These beings could mimic the physical appearance of any individual they had previously absorbed. Their transformation was not merely physical; they could replicate voices, mannerisms, and even memories. This made them incredibly difficult to detect and made them a significant threat. Their preferred method of operation was to rece individuals, living their lives while plotting sinister activities in secret, such as killing the families of the individuals they''ve possessed in their sleep and eating them too!

    ''Acting like the person they became to fool the people around them... only these two devils are known for ying such stupid tricks. So I am certain she is either one of them. But I hope she isn''t a mimic marauder.''

    After all, if she was a Mimic Marauder, it would mean he had lost Eliana for real, but if she was a Shadow Imposter, there was still a chance to save her!

    Seeing Val just standing there, unresponsive, Eliana extended a hand to bring him inside. However, Val''s hand flew up, rudely pping her extended hand away.

    She flinched back, then looked back at him with hurt in her eyes, as she asked in a pitiful and pained voice, "What''s wrong, Val? Why did you do that?"

    Despite the disy of vulnerability, Val didn''t let his guard down.

    ''It''s time to put on a y,'' he thought. ''Once I know her real identity, I''ll make my move for real.''

    Val stared back at her coldly, saying with a cold voice, "The Eliana I know is always dressed as a nun, but today you''re dressed so immodestly. Were you seducing a man behind my back?!"

    Eliana was too shocked by his usation.

    "N-no...I wasn''t."

    In her shock, she was only able to let out a few words in protest, her voice weak and barely audible.

    Hearing her reply, Val became suspicious that she wasn''t a mimic marauder. Because if she was, she would have given a different reply. After all, ever since they started living together, Eliana has always dressed casually around him. Whenever he was around, she would wear pretty clothes, doing her best to appear pleasant and lovely to him.

    The only one not privy to this information would be a shadow imposter!

    But Val knew he still needed to confirm his suspicion before taking decisive actions. After all, anyway could give a wrong answer when they were panicking.

    Acting like he haven''t heard her weak reply, he raised his voice to an almost hysterical pitch, as he added, "No, my Eliana would never betray me!"

    Then, almost as if he was having a mental breakdown, he looked at her with crazed eyes and his hands suddenly reached for her neck. She didn''t expect him to suddenly attack her, so she wasn''t able to respond to the threat in time. His hand found its way to her neck, and his fingers pressed down on her skin as he began choking her,

    "You must be an imposter! Are you really Eliana?" Val screamed. His voice was harsh and aggressive, the soft and calm tone he usually used with Eliana nowhere to be found.

    Eliana grabbed his hand but found the hold to be too strong and vicious. It felt impossible to break free from.

    Despite the pressure on her neck, she managed to crack a smile, tears streaming down her face as she looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of terror and love. "Silly," she choked out, "Who else can I be if not me? You''re being paranoid."

    This made her look like a victim of Stockholm syndrome. As though she was so deeply in love with her captor that she would forgive him for anything, even his worst abuses.

    If this was truly the depth of Eliana''s love, then the woman before him had to be a Mimic Marauder.

    But that would be the worst possible oue.

    That would mean Eliana was dead and all the time and effort Val had put into seducing and manipting her into bing his had gone to waste.

    ''She had shown signs of being both a Shadow Imposter and a Mimic Marauder. What is she really?''

 Chapter 181 181: Acting Is But A Part Of Hunting!

    ?

    Val couldn''t jump to conclusions as it concerned Eliana''s life.

    ''There''s no problem in acting a bit more deranged if it means figuring out the truth,'' he thought, as his grip around her neck tightened. It looked like he was out to butcher pigs, and ''Eliana'' was going to be his unfortunate victim!

    "When was the first time we met?" He asked while ring daggers at her with his bloodshot eyes. "If you really want me to believe you''re my Eliana, give me the correct answer. Don''t force me to break your neck!"

    His words and mannerism really rted him to a madman that had escaped from a mental asylum.

    ''One of the two targets is insanely strong and literally insane. Why did they skimp out on such important information?!'' roared the devil who was being choked to death.

    The devil who was in the form of Eliana felt like cussing. However, she had a role to y, so she held back from uttering profanities. But she promised that she would kill Val if he fell for her ploy!

    ''That''s the first thing I will do if this crazy bastard lets his guard down around me.''

    ''My revenge can wait. The more pressing matter is how should I answer him.''

    ''[They] said this girl is deeply in love with him, and the feeling is mutual. Such deep love can''t develop in a few years. They must''ve known each other for a long time.''

    ''With this in mind, what would be the most suitable answer?''

    ''Aha, I got it.''

    "We''re childhood sweethearts. We''ve been together since forever!" Although Val was choking her, the beautiful devil still took her sweet time beforeing up with an answer she considered suitable.

    Sadly, the answer she gave him was wrong.

    They weren''t childhood sweethearts.

    And they haven''t been together since birth!

    The first time they met was at Eliana''s small tea stall.

    She would''ve known all that if she was a mimic marauder.

    Since she didn''t, it could only mean that she was a shadow imposter!

    ''Eliana is not dead.'' Val felt relieved, but he didn''t let that show on his face. ''But the danger to her life still hasn''t passed. She is still possessed by a devil, and I have no means to kill it without killing her. Even If I were to use wizardry, she would die before it''s killed.''

    While soul power could harm the soul, it also harmed the body. Eliana''s body would break before the soul of the devil is destroyed if Val approached the situation with this method.

    Only a being with holy power can exorcise those possessed without destroying their bodies.

    ''If I want to save her, I need to drive the devil out of her body.''

    What do I do?

    Maybe that method would work!

    Val abruptly stopped choking her. ''Eliana'' copsed to her knees, legs giving out beneath her. Her hand instinctively went up to her neck, tracing the marks his hands had left. It stung, but she was no longer being choked by her lover.

    Her face was flushed and sweaty, her rims were red, and tears were streaming down her almond eyes due to the pain, but she felt relieved.

    Unknowingly, by releasing his grip, Val gave her the illusion that her answer to his question was correct, that she had earned his trust and ended his manic attack.

    She believed that he had bought her act. ''Just a little bit more, and I will gain the chance to kill him!''

    Val looked down at her, his expression softening, "Good answer. Thanks to you, I am no longer confused."

    She sighed with relief, tears continuing to stream down her face.

    "I''m d... I could be of help, Val,'' she said between sobs, "Let''s go inside our house, shall we?"

    As she approached him, Val kicked her in the knee, causing her to kneel before him. Then, he stepped on her hand cruelly, causing her to cry out in pain.

    "I hate it when bugs scream," he said before he kicked her in the face with such force she was thrown several feet away.

    She stared at him with intense killing intent, but quickly suppressed her murderous intention and asked, "Why?

    "I said you helped me, didn''t I? You misunderstood it and thought I have fallen for your petty tricks." Val said, "Obviously, as you can see, that isn''t the case. The truth is, the question I asked you a while back was a test, a test that would determine your ultimate fate and you''ve failed it miserably. I already know who you are. I already know you''re a Shadow Imposter." Val''s words echoed ominously around them.

    Eliana''s tears stopped abruptly and in a split second, she pounced towards him, her nails growing to the size of a knife and the width of a pencil.

    Val was fully aware of the characteristics of a Shadow Imposter. The second they were exposed, they would try to kill all witnesses without hesitation. So he was already prepared for such an action.

    In fact, he was so prepared that he had made his move before she even attacked him!

    A wave of his soul power reached her before her ws could get to him, sting her away.

    Bam!

    She mmed into the wall of the haunted house behind her with an echoing thud and slumped to the ground, coughing out blood.

    "You''re like an ant I can trample under my feet as I like," Val taunted.

    The Shadow imposter gritted her teeth, "You wouldn''t have won if my target of possession was someone stronger!"

    Shadow imposters'' strength was limited by the target of their possession. Since Eliana was just a level 1 bloodline user, it could only exhibit that amount of power despite the fact it was stronger than a level 2 bloodline user.

    "That''s what losers say before being killed," Val said as he stepped closer to her.

    "Wait, you can''t kill me. If you do, you will end up killing her too!" The Shadow Imposter stuttered in fear.

    "That''s precisely what I intend to do!" Val told a lie with a smile.

 Chapter 182 182: Acting Out A Script To Fool The Devil

    ?

    At Val''s words, the Shadow Imposter''s eyes widened in shock, "Huh?"

    "You heard me," Val continued, "She interferes when I am talking with another girl. She bitches when I drink too much and drags me home when I am partying with my friends. She uses my money for every damn expense of the house. She has been leeching off of me since we got together. It makes me wonder if she approached me knowing I am a noble and if the only reason she is with me is my money. But I can''t let her go. I detest the idea of another man touching my thing, or her living a happy life without me. So I have been meaning to kill her all this time. But rationality won every time. I couldn''t just kill her. Everyone knows we are together. If she suddenly goes missing, I will be suspected. If authorities find out I killed her, my image would be ruined and the perfect life I have built up would be destroyed. So I have been waiting for a perfect opportunity. And today, I have finally got one. The authorities don''t punish citizens for killing possessed people. They also have ways of determining if a person was possessed before they died. At this moment, even if I kill her, I won''t be punished!"

    As he spoke rapidly, Val''s lips curled back into a smile that was anything but sweet. It seemed to be overflowing with joy but there was something else in it. It was twisted, warped by madness. It was the kind of smile that would chill the blood of the hardest criminal.

    It was the smile... the smile of a God among devils!

    The effect of that smile on the Shadow Imposter was immediate - a chill ran down her spine, and her body began trembling uncontrobly.

    "It was said that you are her lover! Who knew he was nning to be her murderer all this time? You have fooled everyone..." The imposter muttered, a tone of disbelief clouding her words.

    "And I intend to keep it that way. This secret will remain a secret as it will be buried here!" Val said, his voice oozing confidence. "And you couldn''t have made it easier for me by possessing a weakling!"

    ''All of this is just an borate act. I''ve never, not even for a moment, considered killing Eliana. Among all the humans I''ve encountered, she is the one who matters most to me.''

    ''However, the situation I''m in doesn''t offer many alternatives. I have to lie and hope this devil falls for it, releasing Eliana of its own volition. It''s the only chance I have to turn the tables - to kill the devil and save Eliana.''

    All these thoughts boil down to a single resolution within Val: ''I have to deceive this devil and safeguard my Eliana.''

    Val was aplex individual, his feelings for Eliana a twisted mix of possession, obsession, and a budding love that was almost nonexistent.

    He believed that Eliana was his, and his alone.

    He was the only one entitled to love her, the only one entitled to cause her any harm. Her life was his to toy with, every fiber of her being his to mold as he pleased. It was he who had the right to decide if she should live or die, and he intended to make this decision only for his own benefit.

    He harbored a minuscule amount of genuine affection for Eliana, but it was overshadowed by his obsession and possessiveness towards her powers.

    Yes, he was fascinated by her powers, greedily desiring them for his own use.

    On top of that, pride filled him at the thought of keeping such a powerful woman for himself, sheltered from the world, but at the mercy of his whims.

    All in all, her well-being was significant to him, not out of any deep-seated love, but mostly because he saw her as a prized possession that was extremely valuable to him.

    Thus, it wouldn''t be wrong to say that he would go to great lengths to keep her safe!

    ''Let''s put the y into the final act,'' Val thought as he summoned his weapon from the confines of his storage-type cursed artifact.

    The Shadow Imposter could only watch in abject horror as a sword shimmered into existence in Val''s hand, materializing out of thin air.

    Val''s intentions became as clear as day, reflecting off the cold steel of his weapon. He was truly out for blood.

    "With one attack, I will seal both of your fates!"

    Saying so, Val brought down the sword with all the force he could muster.

    The Shadow Imposter''s eyes widened to the size of saucers as Voidyer sped towards her with unerring uracy.

    In a desperate scramble for survival, she rolled back, but the merciless steel still sliced across her back, causing her to wail in pain. A spine-chilling scream came out of her mouth as blood gushed out from the freshceration on her back.

    He was really gonna kill her along with his lover!

    The scorching pain was an all too real reminder of the perilous situation she found herself in.

    Through the haze of pain, she found the strength to lock eyes with Val and spoke, "You... You would really harm us..."

    Any lingering doubts she might have harbored about his intentions were swept away by the cruelty he had just shown her. The man before her was a monster, a monster that would not hesitate to strike down his lover.

    "Have you not heard a single word I''ve been saying? You''re just like her. You both never listen! Oh well, it doesn''t matter. You''re about to die anyway. You dodged that, but you won''t be able to dodge what''sing next." Val said.

    He looked cold and utterly devoid of mercy.

    Without any more words, he surged forward like a fierce hurricane. The sword in his hand reflected the predatory glint in his eyes, and the air around him swirled with the intense killing intent emnating off of him. He wanted to kill them, and he was going to do it now!

    As he approached, the Shadow Imposter was thoroughly terrified.

    Anyway, she had possessed a level 1 weakling who had holy power running through her veins, making her not an ideal target for possession.

    With Eliana''s body, the Shadow Impostercked the strength to defeat Val or even run away from him.

    Moreover, If he cut the body she was possessing down, both she and Eliana would perish.

    Her only hope for survival was to leave Eliana''s body so that she would be able to use her full strength and escape!

    As if putting this desperate n into action, a dark figure shaped like a human with curves at all the right ces seemed to seep out of Eliana''s body.

    It was the true form of the Shadow Imposter, and she had separated from Eliana!

    After separating from Eliana, she quickly began to retreat from the scene.

 Chapter 183 183: To Gruul

    ?

    The corner of Val''s lips quirked up in a victorious smirk as he watched the Shadow Imposter''s figure retreat in fear.

    "Perfect. My n worked," he murmured, his eyes shining with the victorious gleam of a strategist whose n had unfolded perfectly.

    ''Anyways, this facade has stretched out for too long and it is time to put an end to it.''

    Val thought as he curled his fingers into a firm fist. As he gathered his strength, wisps of grey fire began to materialize around his clenched hand, enveloping it in an ominous, radiant glow.

    He drew back and then, with a fluid motion, punched out in the direction of the fleeing figure.

    A fireball, as swift as a falcon in pursuit, rocketed out from his clenched fist, hurling itself towards the Shadow Imposter.

    The Shadow Imposter had her back to the grey fireball, but she could still see iting. After all, unlike humans, Shadow Imposters don''t have a blind spot in their vision.

    However, she didn''t take any action to move out of its way.

    It''s because dodging would dy her, which would, in turn, make it easier for Val to catch up to her.

    Not to mention, her body was incorporeal, meaning physical and magical attacks would pass straight through her. She could only be injured by attacks that harmed the soul, but she had clearly seen that Val hadn''t employed soul power this time.

    She didn''t know that the Hellish Fist skill was the most effective one against her kind!

    She only realized that when the fireball made contact with her incorporeal body, and her eyes widened in fear.

    But by then, it was already toote.

    Boom!

    A deafening reverberation rang out as the fireball exploded upon contact. The ensuing explosion engulfed the devil whole.

    She was set aze, every inch of every figure being consumed by hellfire.

    Arghhhh!

    The creature shrieked like a banshee, its blood-curdling cries reverberating down the deste street.

    The infamous haunted house was tucked away in a quiet corner of the eastern district of the lower city. It stood in a pocket of the city where signs of life were almost non-existent.

    This street was rarely taken because of the apprehension people had about the haunted house.

    And right now, there was no one in their surroundings.

    Thus, there were no prying eyes to witness the grim spectacle of a devil being burned alive!

    As thest bit of the Shadow Imposter was consumed by the Hellfire, a chime sounded in Val''s mind. A system notification popped up.

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host. You have sessfully hunted down a Shadow Imposter. Your reward is a few thousand experience points and 100 soul stones.]

    [The first condition to earn the acknowledgment of the Shard of Darkness has been met.]

    [Second condition: ???]

    [Third condition: ???]

    [Fullfill the conditions to gain its acknowledgment. Once it has acknowledged you as worthy, you''ll be its master!]

    Val had obtained the Shard of Darkness after killing Grull''s doppelganger. He had kept its existence a secret from Grull as he suspected that the demon would demand it to be returned. And to not arouse his suspicion, he had never asked him about how to be the shard''s master.

    This was the first time the Shard had responded to him, and it indicated he had made a significant step towards bing its master. Two more steps remained, but he was clueless about how to proceed with them.

    Soul stones, on the other hand, were small crystalline gems imbued with radiant soul power. They were a covetedmodity in the wizardmunity. They were primarily used to amplify the arcane heart, augmenting a wizard''s abilities. Since they were rich in soul power andcking in impurities, they could also be consumed directly, serving as a quick source to replenish depleted soul power. Though it was quite an unpleasant act as soul stones were as cold as ice cubes!

    Although the notifications were shocking, Val ignored them. There was a more pressing matter at hand.

    Eliana was severely injured!

    To make the act as believable as possible, Val hadn''t held back when he attacked her while she was possessed by the Shadow Imposter. Although the act forced the female devil out of her body, allowing him to sessfully kill her, it also left Eliana near death''s door.

    There was a huge bone-deepceration running down her back with blood running out of it. Her natural healing abilities were insufficient in the face of such a serious injury.

    At the rate she was losing blood, she would die within minutes or maybe even faster!

    Only a healer could help in this situation, but there was no clinic nearby. The closest one was a good half-hour away.

    Val gently picked up the bleeding Eliana, cradling her fragile body close to his chest. With a muttered word, "Levare," they vanished from the deserted street with the haunted house as the only background, reappearing in the Shrine of Evil.

    "Wee back, Master," Gruul greeted as soon as they arrived. However, as his gaze fell upon the unconscious woman in Val''s arms, his expression shifted subtly.

    "May I ask why you''ve brought a grievously injured human to the holiest ground for all devils?" he asked him.

    "I want you to heal her," Val replied to himmandingly, his tone steady and insistent. "For an ancient being like you who has fought against gods and devils alongside Morkus, this should be easy,"

    "Since it''s only a carbon body that needs restoration, it indeed is easy." Gruul shrugged nonchntly, "But... I refuse to heal her."

    "Are you going to defy your God?" Val spoke calmly as he locked eyes with Gruul. His gaze was stern and full of authority. Although Val was the Devil God, he was still infinitely weaker than Gruul. But, even then, Gruul felt intimidated.

    Gruul knelt to Val on one knee and said, "This ve don''t dare."

    Gruul was utterly loyal to Morkus, and since Val inherited Morkus''s will, Gruul''s unwavering loyalty was transferred over to him.

    Basically, it meant that Gruul was utterly devoted to Val.

 Chapter 184 184: Return

    ?

    However, Gruul''s loyalty wasn''t blind. He won''t let a threat to Val''s life exist.

    Gruul continued, "But master, my duty as your subordinate is to teach you the responsibilities of a Devil God and correct you when you''re wrong. Just let her die. It''s better this way. It will save you from a world of trouble."

    "What do you mean?" Val asked.

    "Looking out for a mortal reeking of holy power is a mistake you''ll deeply regret. A Devil God can never be friends with those who serve the light. Once she realizes who you are, she will turn on you," Gruul replied.

    "So, you are telling me to nip the bud before it blossoms," Val said with his eyebrow raised.

    Gruul nodded gravely, "That would be the wise course of action, Master. As this era''s Devil God, you should not let emotions affect your judgment."

    The words of the ancient devil made Val pause.

    ''So, this is why Gruul is being so obstinate. He is attempting to take advantage of this situation to teach me a lesson. Although I am the Devil God and the master of the Shrine of Evil, I can''t act as I like. Harmonious interaction with the followers of light isn''t allowed. Loving a priestess is strictly forbidden for a devil god. But if I tell him the truth, Gruul''s mind might change.''

    Val''s gaze fell on Eliana. What he was about to say next was hurtful. If she heard it, it would signify the end of their rtionship.

    First, he had to make sure she was really unconscious.

    He inspected her. Her HP bar only had two points left, meaning she was 2 points away from death. Her status screen also showed her condition. She was grievously injured and unconscious.

    "However, I do not want that," Val spoke clearly and decisively to Gruul after confirming she couldn''t hear him, "And I believe we are not on the same page. You''ve some grave misunderstandings about me. I rarely let my emotions get the best of me, and this isn''t one of those times.

    "Let me make this clear, Gruul. She isn''t my love interest. Her feelings for me are one-sided due to my maniptions. Her powers are invaluable, and I chose the easiest way to monopolize them. That''s it."

    "You mean..."

    For the first time, Gruul realized his mistake - he had doubted Val''s capability. Val was chosen by the legacy of Morkus himself to be the inheritor of the Shrine of Evil. Naturally, the reason must lie more with his personality than his unique and superior bloodline.

    He also realized that Val wasn''t unnecessarily evil, but he didn''t forego benefits either. As long as it could benefit him, he would even interact with his enemies, a strategy Morkus also employed.

    Val was not a saint, yet he was not a sinner. He was capable of bing either at any given time, as long as it would benefit him.

    This was the personality that a Devil God should have!

    "To put it in simple words, Eliana is my most valuable asset. A tool I need to wield against the uncertainties of life. I can''t afford to lose her because there won''t be a second one like her." Val exined.

    Seeing her Health bar fall to only 1 point, he shouted, "So save her!"

    Gruul still had one doubt left. Just how special was she that she even earned the admiration of the Devil God?

    "What power does she possess, Master?" Gruul asked.

    "Her sincere prayers have the power to alter reality," Val replied.

    Upon hearing this, Gruul''s eyes lit up, "If that''s the case, Master, I will save her."

    Gruul moved his hand above Eliana''s body. Red threads rose from her body. Consequently, her wound closed up, and even the scar disappeared.

    Val watched the spectacle in awe. He had never seen such a method of healing before. He had expected Gruul to be able to heal others from mortal wounds as he was an immensely powerful being who had lived for thousands of years, but not this effortlessly and uniquely.

    "What exactly did you extract from her body that healed her?" Val asked.

    Gruul replied, "I have extracted her wounds. She should wake up in a while."

    "I knew I could count on you, Gruul." Val thanked his subordinate sincerely,

    "Your words honor me, Master," Gruul responded to the gratitude Val had shown him with a humble nod.

    Then Gruul suggested, "If you like, I can use the extracted wounds to create a curse. You can use it to deal with your enemies."

    Interest sparked in Val''s eyes, and he said, "I would like that."

    "Wait here for a moment, Master. It won''t take long."

    Saying so, Gruul put his power and knowledge to work.

    The red threads then began to intertwine, creating a crimson card with iprehensible words written on the front and an empty back.

    Gruul handed over the card to Val, "By writing the name of a person and the part of the body you want to target on the back of the card, you can inflict them with the grievous wound curse. However, it has limited power and can only be used once, so use it wisely."

    Val pocketed the card without hesitation.

    "This is indeed a great help, Gruul. Thank you."

    "No need for thanks. I made a mistake and thought this was the only way I could make up to you."

    "What mistake?"

    "I will tell you."

    Gruul had developed a prejudice against the forces of light ever since the dreadful war that put an end to the glorious days of the reign of the Devil Gods. His hatred was deep-seated and had been influencing his judgments ever since.

    It was precisely because of this prejudice that he wanted Eliana dead. He was driven by a selfish intent and didn''t botherprehending the thoughts of his master before speaking up, leading him to almost make a mistake.

    He failed at his job.

    If Val hadn''t opened up to him, he would have let his past cloud his judgment and ended up antagonizing his own master. It was a lesson for him to leave his past behind and align himself with Val''s intentions.

    Val responded, "Everyone makes mistakes. So I can understand.

    Gruul seemed taken aback, "You don''t me me?"

    Val shook his head, "I don''t."

    If Gruul had let Eliana die, Val wouldn''t have exiled Gruul from the shrine despite having the power to do so. Instead, he would''ve kept Gruul around until he himself was powerful enough to defend the shrine. Then he would have killed Gruul. And it wouldn''t have been to avenge Eliana. It would have been to punish Gruul for his disobedience. After all, what use was a subordinate that doesn''t listen to orders? And if something was useless, why keep it alive?

    "Just don''t let your emotions cloud your judgment in the future," Val added.

    "I won''t," Gruul replied.

    Val uttered a soft "Exille" and in an instant, he and Eliana left the shrine and returned to the eastern district of the lower city.

    Cradling the unconscious Eliana in his arms, he entered the haunted house.

 Chapter 185 185: Class Advancement Dungeon!

    ?

    Val stripped her naked and tossed her torn and bloody clothes into the firehouse where they were reduced to cinders. He then wiped her holy blood off of her using a wet towel before changing her into a new set of clothes andying her down on the bed.

    He sat down on the chairs beside her bed.

    This was a good chance to increase the affection she had for him. He wasn''t going to miss it for the world.

    In the depths of the night, Eliana''s soft gasp pierced the silence.

    As if she had experienced a nightmare, she woke up startled, her body drenched in a cold sweat, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The horrific memory of being suddenly attacked and possessed by a devil yed out in her mind, haunting her like an evil ghost and striking fear in her heart.

    However, before she could sumb to panic, Val''s calming presence enveloped her. His strong and manly arms wrapped around her, drawing her into a warm embrace thatforted her.

    "There, there, it''s alright," Val said to Eliana gently, his voice a soothing balm to her terrified heart. As he spoke, he stroked her back, easing her rapid breaths.

    She looked up, her almond eyes meeting Val''s inky ck ones.

    "Val, I��"

    She attempted to say something, her pale lips trembling, but he shushed her.

    "It''s over now. Don''t talk about it. Just take it as a nightmare."

    His deep voice washed over her like a calming wave

    As for hisforting presence... it gave her a sense of security she needed the most at the moment.

    And because of how kind and gentle he was being to her, tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. His gaze softened at her tears, and his thumb gently brushed away the one that spilled over onto her cheek.

    "Thank you for saving me," she whispered to Val in a voice choked with emotion.

    Val looked deep into Eliana''s eyes, the corners of his mouth curling into a gentle smile, "You don''t have to thank me, Eliana. I have saved you today, and I will save you many times more without hesitation if you ever find yourself in trouble. Do you want to know why?"

    Eliana gave a soft nod, her almond eyes wide with anticipation.

    Without the slightest of hesitations, Val leaned closer to her, bringing his lips next to her ears, his voice dropping to a whisper as he said, "Because you''re important to me. I love you, Eliana."

    At his words, Eliana''s cheeks and ears flushed a deep shade of red that contrasted beautifully with her pale skin. He watched with satisfaction as she forgot about the incident and felt flustered but also happy.

    The corners of her lips twitched upwards into a small, shy smile as she looked back at him and said, "I...I love you too, Val."

    The affection she held for him surged dramatically, reaching new heights. Hisforting presence, his gentle confession of love - everything had yed a role in deepening her feelings towards him, firmly rooting his position within her heart.

    And just like that, Val''s n was perfectly executed.

    Val thought, ''In a few days, I can definitely expect good news. I wonder what buff I will get this time.''

    After that, he left Eliana alone.

    Back in his own room, he decided to increase his strength.

    Or else, it wouldn''t be easy to increase the level of his White Devil Disciple ss to 3.

    He had more than 50k EXP. Sadly, leveling up his Blood Devil ss would only his stat points. As for his White Devil Disciple ss, he couldn''t use the system to increase its level as it wasn''t registered as his secondary ss. If he wanted to increase the level of his innate ss, only the universal method was avable.

    His sub-ss was Wizard ss. Not to mention, leveling it up was more beneficial than the Blood Devil ss. Although the stat points provided were only 1 every level up, half that of Blood Devil ss, it would directly strengthen his Arcane Heart and improve his wizardry.

    Thus, Val dumped his EXP into it.

    [Ding! Several thousand experience points were used to increase the level of your Wizard ss to 10.]

    [Gained +2 stat points, and a few dozen points increase in your soul power reserve and soul power production and regeneration rate.]

    "Not bad. Not bad at all," Val said.

    Suddenly, another notification popped up in front of him.

    [You''ve reached the peak of the Wizard ss. You can no longer level it up!]

    [The ss Advancement Dungeon has been unlocked. It can be used to advance your sub-ss.]

    [Would you like to challenge it now?]

    "Yes," Val said.

    Almost immediately, a ck door manifested out of thin air. It appeared a few steps in front of him.

    With a determined expression, Val stepped forward and swung the door wide open.

    On the other side of the door, a tunnel could be seen.

    The tunnel stretched as far as the eye could see but was only wide enough for two humans to walk side by side. Luminescent stones were embedded in the walls at regr intervals, their soft glow illuminating the inside of the tunnel, but even if they weren''t there, his vision wouldn''t have beenpromised.

    "I don''t know how dangerous it is, but I have no other choice but to move forward," Val muttered under his breath.

    Without any further hesitation, he walked through the door. As soon as he was fully inside the tunnel, the ck door vanished behind him.

    Just then, a chime sounded in Val''s mind.

    [Ding! You have entered the Cave of the Shadow Drakes. The inhabitants of this cave are of three different kinds: the Archers of Obsidian, the Swordwielders of Eclipse, and their chief, the Sorcerer of the Twilight Abyss.]

    [Kill all of them and find a way out of the cave toplete the firstyer of the dungeon.]

    [Reward: Return Scroll!]

 Chapter 186 186: Behind The Shadows Of Invisibility!

    ?

    Val had only just finished going through the notification and understanding what he was supposed to do when he felt his sixth sense tingle.

    A throbbing sensation appeared on his forehead.

    Without wasting a moment, he looked ahead and noticed a sh of white light. It moved so fast it was barely discernible.

    If it had been anyone else, they would have been caught off guard by this sudden threat, but not Val. He already knew it was a danger to his life. He knew where it would strike. From that, he was able to calcte its trajectory and take appropriate actions to save his life.

    With just a slight tilt of his body, the arrow missed him by a significant margin.

    After flying past him, the arrow thudded into the wall behind him, embedding itself in the stone, evidence of the danger he had just narrowly avoided.

    ''If that had hit me, what would have be of me? Maybe I would have died. Nah. I would''ve definitely died!''

    Val corrected himself after realizing the walls of the tunnel were sturdier enough to withstand his punch with a simple inspection.

    What was it that attacked me?

    Val looked ahead.

    He was staring in the direction where the attack came from.

    However, there was nothing there.

    He was alone in the tunnel.

    Again?!

    As he was searching for the source of the attack, another sh of white light shot towards him seemingly out of nowhere, nearly catching him off guard.

    He already knew it was an arrow lethal enough to im his life. So he immediately ducked to avoid it. It flew from over his head, also embedding into the wall like the previous arrow.

    The two sneak attacks so far were incredibly swift. Forget about a level 3 bloodline user, not even an intermediate-stage warrior would have been able to react to it in time.

    If they were in Val''s shoes, they would''ve already died!

    The only reason he managed to avoid them was due to his Detect Trait. It didn''t just warn him of impending danger but also indicated where the attack wouldnd. In addition to this, his exceptional agility and reflexes far surpassed those of his peers, enabling him to respond to the warnings in time and sessfully dodge the attacks.

    ''The ss Advancement Dungeon is no joke.''

    ''This is the second time now that I failed to notice who attacked. Could they beunching the arrows from another dimension or are they just invisible? Whatever it is, won''t I find out after using the Heavenly Eye Skill?''

    As soon as Val activated the Heavenly Eye Skill, his perception expanded drastically, giving him an omniscient view of his surroundings.

    The first change was that everything became translucent as if he were looking through a piece of clear ss.

    He found himself indeed inside a cave, just as the system had mentioned.

    The structure of the cave was rtively simple.

    It wasposed of several tunnels running parallel to his own.

    These tunnels were designed for mining "mana" stones, essential for mages of all races to amplify their magical powers.

    All these tunnels led to a massive open chamber, which in turn connected to the mouth of the cave. It was the only way out of this ce.

    With the Heavenly Eye activated, his camouged enemy was also unveiled.

    It was entirely dark as if made out of the solidification of shadow. And it was humanoid in shape with elongated, slender limbs.

    Casting Detect, Val found out it was an Archer of Obsidian.

    This fact was quite evident as it held an arrow in its hand.

    The Archer''s entire form wasposed of pitch-ck obsidian. This suggested a formidable defense, against which normal attacks would prove futile. He would need to employ brutal, decisive means to take it down.

    Not to mention, its danger level hovered between 3 to 4, and it had a permanent invisibility skill!

    ''No wonder I couldn''t see it before using the Heavenly Eye skill.''

    Oddly enough, no bow or quiver was to be seen in its possession.

    ''How is it conjuring arrows? By magic?'' Val wondered.

    The Archer of Obsidian, on the other hand, was still unaware that its position had beenpromised.

    ''This pesky bastard is too good at dodging. But he won''t be able to dodge what''sing next. I will put 200% of my strength into the next attack to ensure he dies.''

    The Archer Of Obsidian thought as it pulled back the string of its bow. Almost immediately, specks of white materialized out of thin air, coalescing into a white arrow.

    Observing this scene, Val realized that the arrow was of a magical nature with its special effect being unlimited ammunition!

    ''Such a nice thing should belong to someone worthy. I will take it after killing the archer,'' Val decided.

    However, it was also clear that the Archer would release the arrow once it was fully formed.

    Val''s eyes narrowed dangerously.

    "Like hell I would let you!"

    Saying so, Val swung his arm in a powerful arc.

    Despite the archer being dozens of feet away, it was suddenly hoisted off its feet and flung to the side with immense force. It smashed into the wall of the tunnel, creating a strong tremor and a resounding reverberation.

    The Archer of obsidian groaned, ''What the fuck just hit me?''

    It was disoriented and confused, unable to make sense of what had just urred. All creatures, humans and monsters alike, fear the unknown. The inability toprehend a situation would naturally breed apprehension, a survival instinct deeply rooted in their nature.

    This was especially true for this variant of the Shadow Drakes.

    It was always ustomed to instilling fear and confusion in its enemies.

    Now, the tables had turned.

    The Archer of Obsidian found itself on the receiving end of the fear and confusion it usually dealt out. It was the one under attack, caught off guard by an unseen enemy. The predator had be the prey. For the first time, it experienced the uncertainty and terror its victims often felt. And it didn''t know how to cope with this unexpected turn of events.

    "Its ipetence will be its downfall! I will make sure of that," Val murmured to himself, eyes glinting with deadly resolve. "Since wizardry wasn''t enough to kill it, I guess I''ll have to put in a little more effort."

    The next moment, Val''s ck eyes with unfathomable depths turned crimson.

    As that happened, blood swirled out from his palm, condensing into a sharp javelin.

    His muscles flexed and veins popped up on his arm as he threw the javelin forward with all his strength

    Whoosh!

    The javelin hurtled through the air with unbelievable speed, charging straight towards the bewildered Archer of Obsidian who was still struggling to get back to its feet.

    In the blink of an eye, it was already upon the enemy.

    Despite the Archer''s body being tougher than metal, the javelin pierced it cleanly.

    The Archer''s eyes widened in shock before it copsed to the ground, its eyes lifeless.

    Val panted slightly, watching as the system notification popped up:

    [Archer of Obsidian killed! +500 EXP gained. You''ve received an Orb of Darkness. Consuming this orb will initiate the construction of a Darkness Core. Do you wish to consume it?]

 Chapter 187 187: In The Tunnel (1)

    ?

    "Yes, I would like to consume it," Val said without hesitation.

    Just then, his sixth sense red up. It signified he had made a mistake due to being driven by his lust for power, which arose from his circumstances and the dangerous world he was thrust into by his shameless father.

    However, the warning hade toote. He had already put his life in jeopardy by voicing his agreement.

    As soon as he gave his consent, the Orb of Darkness, which was collected from the corpse of the Archer of Obsidian by the system, disappeared into his body.

    Immediately, a frigid cold seeped into every fiber of his being, making him feel unbelievably cold as if he''d been thrown into a thousand-year-old iceberg. His body temperature plummeted rapidly, rendering him as cold as the corpse of a man who had died in the heart of winter.

    This experience was akin to the deadliest tortures known to mankind, something so agonizing it was virtually impossible to bear. Even brave and strong men would break under this kind of pain and breathe theirst.

    However, thanks to Val''s Unfeeling Trait, he didn''t feel any pain associated with the process of absorbing the orb and constructing a core. Thus, he wasn''t affected nor did he break down from the sudden influx of pain assaulting his senses.

    The only thing that could be felt was coldness gradually taking over his consciousness.

    And... that was extremely dangerous!

    He had no doubt he would die if he fell unconscious. The same would happen if he did nothing to fight off the cold.

    ''My eyelids feel like leads, but I have to keep them open. If I give in and close my eyes, it would be game over for me,'' Val thought, ''But how do I stay awake when every single one of my organs is shutting down due to the immense cold? And how do I stop my temperature from decreasing.''

    The cold was too overwhelming, sapping every bit of warmth from his body. As his body grew colder, it adversely affected his organs including his heart and brain.

    Consequently, it became harder for him to think and his blood cirction slowed down to the pace of a snail.

    At this rate, he would die pretty soon.

    But he was not one to simply sit back and let death im him!

    He decided to do something about it.

    Even though he was so close to death, he didn''t let panic set in. Instead, he kept his cool, remaining as thoughtful as ever.

    Now that his life was endangered, he came up with a method to counteract the cold in a sh. Although his thoughts were barely coherent due to the cold affecting his brain, he knew what to do.

    He could potentially survive this by relying on the second bloodline skill of his Blood Devil ss!

    After all, while blood maniption skill was primarily used forbat, its potential applications were versatile and could even be said to be extensive. For instance, the user could augment their body''s natural capabilities by controlling the distribution of blood throughout their body. For example, one could enhance mental acuity by increasing the flow of blood to the brain.

    It was just that, despite the multiple possibilities the blood maniption skill presented, Val had never previously felt the need to utilize it in these manners. His life so far had mostly revolved around battles, and so thebat-oriented aspect of the skill was what he had primarily focused on instead of the auxiliary ones. But now, he was forced to change his ways and utilize it to the best of its potential.

    ''It is scientifically proven that increased blood flow can raise body temperature and enhance mental acuity.

    ''Now that I think about it, that''s what post-nut rity is all about.''

    ''I can increase the flow by using my skill, so it''s easy for me.''

    ''I hope this works.''

    Thinking so, Val put his n into motion.

    Almost instantaneously, his blood began to circte more throughout his body at an unprecedented pace. As his blood moved through his vessels faster than ever, it generated heat through friction, which helped him resist the onught of the icy sensation from the orb of darkness and warmed his body from within him.

    ''The heat produced is minute, barely enough to warm my body, but in my current predicament, it is no less than a saving grace.''

    Val was satisfied with the result.

    Even though it was a small victory, it was a significant one.

    The sudden chill that had once consumed him had now receded to a bearable level. His body, once as cold as death, was now slowly regaining warmth!

    Not to mention, Val had always had an innate aptitude for absorbing external resources like beast cores and magic herbs.

    His body had a unique affinity for them, allowing him to incorporate them rapidly and effectively.

    This time was no different.

    Despite the orb of darkness''s chilling effect, he managed to absorb it fully within a couple of minutes.

    As a result, the dreadful sensation that enveloped him disappeared.

    Val breathed a sigh of relief, ''My quick thinking has once again proven pivotal in a critical moment.''

    His eyes were then drawn to the series of notifications that popped up in front of him when he finished absorbing the orb.

    [The Orb of Darkness has been absorbed by you.]

    [The construction of the Darkness Core is now in progress in your Arcane Heart.]

    [Toplete the construction, you need to absorb 24 more orbs of darkness.]

    ''I don''t feel hesitant as I already know how to survive the process of absorbing an orb of darkness. It''s just that I don''t know how many more variants I would need to kill. It would be 24 if the drop rate is 100%. But if it''s any less, I would need to kill many more.''

    Speak of the devil and it shall appear. As soon as he''d finished that thought, several Archers of Obsidian materialized at the other end of the tunnel.

    With a synchronized motion, they drew back their invisible bows, letting loose a volley of magical arrows towards Val.

    Val smirked.

    The same trick won''t work twice!

    He waved his hand.

    The magical arrows froze in mid-air as if grabbed by countless pair of invisible hands.

    Looking at this scene, the mouths of the archers gaped open.

    "What the heck am I seeing?"

    "How did he stop our arrows?!"

    "This doesn''t make any sense."

    This was made possible by wizardry, but of course, Val wasn''t going to tell them that.

    A wicked grin spread across his face as he said,

    "You will regret it!"

    As his words fell, the direction of the frozen arrows reversed.

    Now, they pointed menacingly at the Archers who had loosed them moments before.

 Chapter 188 188: In the tunnel (2)

    Chapter 188 188: In the tunnel (2)

    "Now, have a taste of your medicine!"

    Without any dy, Val made a swift pushing motion with his hands, and the magical arrows shot forward.

    They cut through the air with twice their original speed, creating a haunting whistling sound as they hurtled towards the ones who conjured them.

    The archers grew pale and felt horrified as it seemed like death was upon them.

    However, just as the arrows were about to connect with them, a group of formidable figures stepped out from behind the archers.

    They looked like the Archers Of Obsidian but had sword-like hands.

    These were the Swordwielders of Eclipse.

    They stepped in front of the Archers of Obsidian and swung their des with unparalleled precision, chopping apart the iing arrows.

    Ting! Ting! Ting!

    One by one, they struck the iing arrows out of the air, preventing them from hitting their intended targets. The tunnel resonated with the continuous sound of shing metal and shattering arrows.

    Val was unperturbed as he watched the spectacle unfold before him. His eyes shone with a determined and ruthless glint as he stepped towards the group of sinister beings.

    "Nice skills," Val apuded, a mocking smile ying on his lips. He began pping his hands slowly, the hollow sound echoing throughout the tunnel. "I must say, you, the enemies I must conquer if I am to improve my wizardry to the next level, have surpassed my expectations. But if that''s all you''ve got, you''re about to be disappointed real quick."

    The Swordweilders smiled mockingly, "Have you boasted enough?"

    Val wasn''t surprised to hear them speak. Responding to the question, he smiled. Whether he was boosting or telling the truth, they would know real soon!

    "I haven''t even begun." Val said, "But I will reveal the rest through my action. You see, I am not a big fan of wasting my breath on corpses."

    "It''s rare to see a prey wandering in our backyard and cawing like a crow. I don''t know how you snuck so deep into our cave without our notice, but this will be your grave. We''ll have fun tearing you apart!" A sword Wielder uttered.

    "We''ll provide support from behind," The archers spoke.

    The Swordwielders of Eclipse rushed towards Val while the Archers of Obsidians pulled back the string of their bows and when they let go, several magic arrows were released into existence. These arrows moved past the Swordwielders from between their legs and beside their necks and rushed towards Val.

    "I''m afraid the only one getting torn apart today will be you," Val uttered.

    With a flick of his wrist, a sword materialized in his hands. It was the famed Voidyer, a de renowned for its deadly capabilities and unparalleled sturdiness.

    He gently swung it a few times and the magic arrows snapped in two.

    But it was all a distraction.

    The Swordweilders had closed the gap between them. They brandished their sword-like hands. Val stomped his foot on the ground. He was like an agile panther as he jumped back, dodging all of their strikes and escaping their attack range.

    Attempting to draw him back into their attack range, the Swordweilders of Eclipse pounced towards him.

    ''That''s exactly what I want! They are dancing to my fingertips.''

    Val thought with a stoic expression as he grasped the hilt of the sword firmly and took a deep breath before swinging it with all his might.

    The swing was followed by a burst of a crimson arc. It left the de and sped towards the enemies, leaving a streak of red in its wake. It was a sight that would inspire terror in the hearts of any onlooker.

    The Swordwielders had excellent reflexes. They were ready to face this new threat the second it appeared. Although in a veryprising position that made it impossible to dodge, they raised their swords to put up a fight against the sudden attack.

    "Shatter!"

    As the crimson arc neared them, they shouted in unison and brought down their des in a synchronized motion, attempting to cleave the approaching arc.

    However, the crimson arc proved to be unstoppable. It sliced through their swords as if they were made of paper and continued its path.

    "How can this be?"

    "Impossible...."

    The Swordwielders stared in disbelief, their eyes wide with shock. The sight of their mighty weapons being cleaved in two was unimaginable, a sight that shattered their confidence and struck fear into their hearts.

    With shock and fear painting their faces, they were cleaved apart too by the crimson arc.

    As a result, their faces twisted in a mixture of fear and disbelief, their expressions frozen as if time had stopped.

    They were warriors, strong and steadfast. Yet, they were powerless against the destructive force of the crimson arc!

    Val''s gaze remained emotionless as the formidable sword wielders died. Not a single ripple appeared in his eyes.

    The Swordwielders of Eclipse were strong, but they were too overconfident in their abilities, and that cost them dearly. If they had been more cautious and taken him more as a threat than a prey they could toy to death, the battle might have dragged on for longer. But the ending wouldn''t have changed.

    The deadly arc didn''t stop at the Swordwielders.

    It continued its path, reaching the Archers of Obsidian who stood behind the warriors.

    Just like their front line, the Archers too were cleaved in two, unable to react to the swift death that had befallen them.

    The Archers fell, their bodies cut in half, their eyes still wide open. They died in disbelief, unable toprehend the swift and absolute destruction that Val had brought upon them. The deadly crimson arc had not only cut through their bodies but also shattered their spirits, leaving behind a scene of absolute devastation.

    A system notification popped up in front of Val, disying the information rted to his recent fight.

    [System Notification:

    Enemies defeated: 5 Archers of Obsidian, 5 Swordwielders of Eclipse.

    Experience gained: 3000 EXP.

    Items obtained: 10 Orbs of Darkness.]

    Each of the enemies he had in had dropped an orb.

    Thus, it was clear that the drop rate of the Orb of Darkness was 100%.

    "This is an encouraging revtion as it means that I only need to kill 14 more variants to gather enough resources toplete the construction of my Darkness Core. I wonder what type of power I would gain from that."

 Chapter 189 189: The tunnel (last)

    Chapter 189 189: The tunnel st)

    Voidyer, having the ability to converse with Val, asked him, "Where is this?"

    Val shrugged, "I don''t know."

    Voidyer paused, "You don''t know? What kind of response is this?"

    Val sighed, "Uh, well, let''s just say I got sent here with a promise. A promise to be stronger if I survive and ovee the difficulties that I am to face here. The trials won''t be easy, but the rewards promised are worth the risk."

    "So, it''s like a dungeon where you get rewarded forpleting it," Voidyer summarized, trying to make sense of Val''s words.

    At its words, Val nodded, "You can think of it like that. But instead of getting a random reward, I would advance my wizardry if I manage toplete the dungeon."

    Voidyer was silent for a moment before asking, "How did you get here?"

    "That''s a secret," Val responded with a smirk.

    "There are secrets between us now?" Voidyer asked, its tone filled with yful reproach.

    Val''s smirk widened at Voidyer''s response, "Well, some things are better kept to oneself. Not to mention, even if I told you the truth, you would find it hard to believe."

    "It''s so shocking?"

    "It is."

    Voidyer went silent for a moment before saying, "Anyways, since oveing this dungeon is beneficial to you, I''ll help you conquer it."

    GRRRRAAAAAHHHH!

    A huge, bestial roar echoed throughout the cave, sounding much like the cry of a dragon. The sound was thunderous, shaking the tunnel and hitting Val like a wall of physical pain. For a moment, he felt disoriented, but he quickly recovered from it.

    "This roar," Val thought, "could only belong to the chieftain of the variants of the shadow drakes."

    To make sure he wouldn''t be caught off guard by the chieftain''s roar again, he let a few tendrils of blood escape from his palm. These tendrils condensed into earplugs, which he promptly inserted into his ears, blocking all sound outside.

    Following the roar, countless invisible Swordwielders of Eclipse charged into the tunnel where Val was.

    They were here for him!

    He wouldn''t have noticed them due to their invisibility If his Heavenly Eye skill wasn''t active. However, since it was still in effect, he saw them clearly. They were approaching him rapidly.

    "There are too many of them. I don''t think we can handle this amount alone, especially since the Crimson sh skill isn''t useable. How about you bring out your undead, Master?" Voidyer mentallymunicated to him. Telepathicmunication couldn''t be blocked by the earplugs, so Val heard its words clearly.

    Val looked at the sword in surprise, "You can see invisible enemies?"

    "You''re realizing it only now?" Voidyer said.

    "Yeah. Actually, I think your ability to see invisible enemies is a valuable asset. With you by my side, even if a time arrived when I can''t use the Heavenly Eye skill because of running low on soul power, I still wouldn''t be caught off guard by invisible enemies. But how does it work?" he asked the spirit sword.

    "I don''t think we got the time to chit-chat." Voidyer replied to him, "The enemies are getting closer by the second."

    "I can see that. But, your worries are unfound. I can win this fight easily," Val said calmly. "There''s no need to drag my undead into this fight. I am not a big fan of revealing my trump cards when it''s not necessary."

    "There are around 30 of them. Where does your confidence to win this unfair battlee from?" Voidyer asked.

    "The terrain is to our advantage. This tunnel may seemrge but its width restricts the number of enemies who can attack simultaneously to two or three at best. Even if they somehow get behind me, we would only need to worry about being attacked by a handful of them at a time. And that''s where the difference in our power leveles into y. I am more powerful than ten of thembine. They are rushing towards their death."

    After hearing Val''s exnation, Voidyer realized that the scenario, while seeming dire, was more advantageous than it had initially perceived.

    "Intruder, die!"

    In the blink of an eye, two Swordwieldersunched themselves at Val, swinging their ded hands with deadly intent. However, their attacks halted abruptly as though meeting an unseen barrier before they even get to make contact with his body, causing them to be shocked.

    "You''ll need more force behind your attacks to prate my defenses," Val watched them with a nonchnt gaze as he remarked with a voice dripping with condescension. "Unfortunately for you, you won''t be given another chance to try as you''ve already signed your own death warrants."

    The very next moment, Val casually swung Voidyer in a wide horizontal arc. The spirit sword sliced cleanly through the Swordwielders, dividing their bodies in half with seemingly effortless ease. The upper halves of their bodies slid off their lower halves, and they copsed onto the ground, their lives extinguished in an instant.

    Upon witnessing the swift and brutal end of theirrades, a sense of dread washed over the remaining Swordwielders and Archers. Their steady advance towards Val came to a sudden halt.

    "The intruder is too strong. Can we even win this fight?" One of the Swordwielders voiced their collective fear.

    However, another one among them refused to yield to the fear.

    "Do not falter or their sacrifices will be in vain! The intruder may be strong, but we can overpower him with our numbers. He is only a mortal. Sooner orter, he will exhaust himself while fighting us, and then he will be at our mercy!"

    Its impassioned speech ignited the me of vengeance in many Sword Wielders of Eclipse.

    The entire group resumed their march towards Val with renewed vigor.

    "A bunch of mantises dreaming to stop a chariot. How absurd," Val mocked them.

    "Don''t listen to him and remain steadfast."

    "I will just show you what I mean."

    Val''s free hand, which had been resting idly at his side, swiftly rose.

    Though invisible to their eyes, his soul power was surging, pooling at his palm like an unseen maelstrom ready to wreak havoc.

    In one swift motion, he pushed his hand towards them, releasing the concentrated torrent of his soul power.

    The vanguards at the front of therge group of Swordwielders of Eclipse, oblivious to the invisible danger, continued their charge towards Val only to be met with a force that abruptly crashed on them. As a result, they were violently swept off their feet and hurled back into theirpanions.

    Like dominos, the Swordwielders toppled over one after the other in a chaotic tumble of bodies.

    Their previously formidable formation was instantly shattered, reduced to a disarray of scattered bodies.

    Val didn''t stop to savor the moment of chaos he created among his enemies. Instead, he jumped ahead and brought his sword down on the bewildered Swordwielders with ruthless precision, striking the enemy when they were down literally.

    With each swing of his sword, he killed one to three of them.

    In a matter of seconds, therge group of Swordwielders of Eclipse was reduced to half by him

    Panic erupted amongst the surviving ones as he turned to them with a murderous smile on his face!

    "H-He''s a monster!" one of them shrieked. "Our defenses... they''re useless against him!"

    "Our defenses, our strongest attribute, and what allows us to survive the dangers of the Forest of Dread... They mean nothing to him," another Swordwielder agreed, his voice shaking with terror.

    The leader of the group stepped forward and spoke in a clear and resolute voice, "All of you... Heed mymand at once and retreat to the chamber. Alert the chieftain. The intruder is stronger than we anticipated. We need to gather all of our manpower if we want to deal with him."

    "And you?" One of the Swordwielders asked.

    "I will stay behind and stall him," he dered.

    In the blink of an eye, the surviving Swordwielders retreated in a hurry, leaving only Val and the leader of their group behind in the tunnel.

    "Imend your bravery," Val said, his voice calm and steady. "You''re willing toy down your life for yourrades... It''s admirable."

    "Keep your admiration to yourself. It isn''t certain who will die," the Swordwielder leader retorted.

    "Oh?" Val chuckled lightly, "Do you still think so?"

    Val was buying time with idle chatter. He was waiting for his wizardry to take effect. Countless threads of soul power had stretched from his fingers and wounded around his foe. The leader of the Swordwielder group was suddenly unable to move, his body stiff and immobile as if he was buried six feet under the ground.

    "What did you do to me?" he roared in panic.

    "Isn''t it obvious? I immobilized you." Val replied matter-of-factly.

    The leader of the Swordwielder group felt as if he was taunting him. Val didn''t care if his enemy felt butthurt because of his words. Taking long and quick stride, he closed the distance between them. Then he rose Voidyer high, its de glinting ominously under the soft light of the luminous stone in the tunnel.

    "Anyst words?"

    "You''ll not get out of this ce alive!"

    A momentter, Val brought his sword down, slicing the leader into two.

    His body parts fell to the ground with a dull thud.

 Chapter 190 190: Reusing A Plan!

    ?

    "What are you going to do next?" Val asked.

    Val paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before saying, "I am going to hunt down their chief. He is the pir that holds their organization together. Once he is dead, their morale will plummet. With no one to lead them, they''ll be lost, descending into chaos. That will be the ideal moment for my undead to swoop in and overwhelm them."

    "But with us having made such a loud entrance, they must already be on high alert. They''ve likely bolstered their defenses around their chief. How do you n to break through and reach him?" Voidyer questioned.

    Val smirked, his confidence evident, "That, my friend, is something you''ll see soon enough. Against an Eldritch yer, every defense has a w."

    Out of thin air, a shovel materialized in Val''s free hand.

    Seeing this, Voidyer felt curious and slightly puzzled. It inquired, "What is that?"

    Hearing its words, Val raised an eyebrow, looking both amused and surprised. Feeling a bit surprised, he couldn''t help but ask, "You seriously don''t know?"

    "I wouldn''t have asked if I did," Voidyer retorted with a hint of impatience, "Given the vastness of my knowledge, there are few items that escape my recognition. But this... this is indeed unfamiliar. I can feel that it contains immense power, but I don''t know what it does. I have nevere across another item like this in my life."

    Val scratched his chin before speaking, "Given that you don''t recognize it, this mystical item must''ve not existed in the past. I guess it''s an exclusive item from my era. It''s called the Mystical Shovel. I earned ownership over it after I killed its previous master. Before you think I am an evil guy who kills people for their treasure, let me tell you it was an Eldritch that was haunting me."

    "That thought didn''t even cross my mind. I know you''re a good guy!" Voidyer said innocently.

    ''Good guy? Oh, only if you knew what I was capable of, you would''ve never rted me to that,'' Val internally smirked.

    "Anyways, enough with the exnation." Voidyer said, "You still haven''t told me how the mystical shovel is going to help us in the uing fight."

    "See for yourself," Val said as he brought the shovel down, tapping it on the tunnel floor.

    The action he performed was simple.

    But the effect it had was profound.

    In fact, it was so mystical that it left Voidyer shocked to the core.

    Slowly, a doorway to another dimension manifested in front of Val, seemingly cutting through the fabric of reality itself to manifest.

    "Truly, it is an iprehensible sight!" Voidyer eximed, "I mean, how can a mere tool have the effect to tear open a tunnel to another dimension? This shovel... it''s amazing!"

    "When I used it for the first time, I also felt excited. And to be honest, you''re just beginning to understand what it is capable of," Val said to Voidyer as he stepped through the dimensional door.

    As he did, the environment on the other side greeted him. It was eerily simr to the tunnel he just left. However, it was submerged in a depressive atmosphere that could wipe the smile off the brightest faces.

    In Voidyer''s own words, "It was like stepping into a world mirroring their own, where everything was a shade darker, a tone sadder."

    No sooner had Val entered this realm that the doorway behind him faded, leaving no trace of its existence.

    At the same time, a group of powerful variants of the Shadow Drake entered the tunnel he was in a moment ago.

    Unable to see Val''s figure or even feel a hint of his presence, they felt confused.

    "The intruder was supposed to be in this tunnel, right? Where did he go?"

    "I am certain he was here a moment ago, but I can no longer sense his presence. It''s like he simply disappeared."

    "Let''s return and report this to the chief."

    "We can''t do that. The chief won''t be happy with such a pathetic answer. And you know what he does when he is unhappy. I don''t want to be his next meal, nor do I want to see any one of you being eaten alive by him."

    "We feel the same way."

    "But what should we do?"

    "Let''s spend some time in the tunnel before returning and lying to the chief that we have taken care of the intruder."

    "Alright."

    Because the Sorcerer of the Twilight Abyss was a cannibalistic bastard, the variants made a decision that would change the fate of their tribe forever!

    Meanwhile, after bringing the spirit sword to a new dimension, Val asked, "So, what do you think?"

    Voidyer didn''t answer at once. Instead, it took in its surroundings in silence.

    Though at first nce, everything seemed identical to the ce they had been a moment ago, subtle differences soon became apparent.

    This worldcked warmth.

    It was unpleasantly cold.

    This world wasn''t very bright either.

    The luminous stones embedded within the tunnel walls, which had once emanated a pure white glow, now radiated a muted gray.

    This change cast everything in a slightly dimmer and more somber light.

    Moreover, there was something seriously odd about this dimension. However, Voidyer couldn''t pinpoint it.

    Voidyer had never witnessed any dimensions other than the Abyss. It was the first time it was seeing that such an odd dimension existed, and it felt shocked but also amazed as if struck by a bolt out of the blue.

    "It''s like we''ve entered a parallel world that iscking in the concept of color and life. This ce... Master, what is it called?" Voidyer asked Val.

    "The Other Side," Val replied.

    "For a ce that''s like a darker and more subdued reflection of our world, the name "Other Side" does sound suitable," Voidyer said in awe of his naming sense.

    "Now that we are in the Other Side, our physical presence in the real world is nonexistent, making it an ideal environment to bypass obstacles and adversaries. The Other Side is like a veil over reality. And, while here, I can employ my skill to keep an eye on the real world without actually being there. The Mystical Shovel will be our bridge back," Val exined to the spirit sword before asking, "Can you grasp my n?"

    "You n to traverse this dimension until you''re directly positioned over the Chief. Then, in an instant, you''ll jump back into reality and strike the Chief before he even knows what hit him!" Voidyer gave him a positive reply.

    Val smirked, "You''re right on the mark, buddy. But I''ll need your assistance for this n to be foolproof."

    "Just tell me what you need, Master," Voidyer said, its voice emanating determination. "I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

    "The moment we re-enter reality, I need you to execute the Crimson sh Skill without waiting for a verbalmand from me," Val said.

    Understanding dawned upon Voidyer, "The Chief of the Shadow Drakes is an entity not to be trifled with. By employing our most potent skill right off the bat, we aim to neutralize it before it has a chance to react. Smart. But," Voidyer added with a hint of concern, "my rage meter isn''t full. Without it, it''s impossible to activate the Crimson sh even if I use the power of my spirit. With my current power level, I can''t bend the activation condition of a cursed artifact''s skill."

    "Don''t worry, it''s a problem that can be easily solved," Val said as he allowed blood from his personal reserve of blood, aka his blood bar, to flow into Voidyer until its Rage meter was full.

    "The crimson sh Skill has be useable," Voidyer notified him.

    "Keep the n in mind," Val instructed the spirit sword once again as he quickly crossed the tunnel.

    The tunnel led to a vast chamber. Though the alternate dimension disyed it as deste, Val with the help of his Heavenly Eye could see that in reality, this ce was teeming with formidable creatures.

    Standing amidst them was a colossal 3-meter tall creature, draped in a hooded robe that concealed most of its form. The only features visible were its eyes, which gleamed with malevolence, and its mouth, which was filled with jagged teeth that protruded like the gnarled roots of an old tree, reminiscent of the tusks of an ogre.

    Val reached a point directly behind where the Sorcerer of the Twilight Abyss would be standing in reality. After taking a deep breath, Val called upon the power of the Mystical shovel once again. A sh of intention, and suddenly, the door back to reality opened up in the Other Side. It appeared just before him.

    Without hesitation, Val stepped through it, appearing just behind the most formidable enemy of the firstyer of the ss Advancement Dungeon.

    The sudden assault of noise and color was almost disorienting, but he had no time to spare. He swung the spirit sword as hard as he could.

    Voidyer, sensing their return to reality, immediately unleashed the Crimson sh Skill.

    A brilliant, deadly arc of energy surged forward, finding its mark unerringly.

    Before the Sorcerer of the Twilight Abyss could even register the unexpected threat, its head separated from its shoulders and tumbled to the ground.

    The golden staff it had held ttered to the ground, echoing eerily throughout the chamber.

    Then, there was pin-drop silence!

 Chapter 191 191: Suppressing A Tribe.

    ?

    The variants watched speechlessly as the Sorcerer of the Twilight Abyss was beheaded, a wave of disbelief washing over them.

    "The chief... He''s... dead!"

    It took a good few moments for them toe to terms with reality.

    The strongest and most brutal chief in the history of their tribe was dead, killed effortlessly by a human.

    While many didn''t like the Sorcerer due to his cannibalistic tendencies, his presence was a crucial backbone for the tribe. He had provided them with a sense of security and support, allowing them to flourish without the constant fear of being hunted by the stronger forces of the Forest of Dread. His death, therefore, was not just the loss of a tyrannical leader; it was a crushing blow to their morale.

    "How did the intruder get behind our chief and assassinate him without being noticed? It''s like he is a ghost!"

    "The assassination was so effortlessly. It makes me wonder how strong he is. But one thing is for sure. He is stronger than our Chief. We can''t overpower him with numbers alone. We can''t avenge our fallenrades or our Chief!"

    "At the moment, none of that should matter. Our immediate concern should be our own survival," A wise, elderly variant, Dris, who had seen countless leaders rise and fall during his time, advised the other variants with vengeance in their minds.

    "I don''t see a future where we survive unless he spares us, but he has no reason to take pity on us. Without the Sorcerer, our strongestbatant, we are doomed if we fight him! We should consider fleeing while we still have the chance." Elrik, a younger variant with fiery red eyes, summed up the bleak situation they found themselves in.

    "We are a race of prideful warriors! How dare you suggest we show our back to the enemy?!" a variant retorted.

    At its words, Elrick flinched.

    Sitting atop the corpse of the Sorcerer, Val beamed,

    "Running away in the face of a formidable enemy that you know you can''t defeat isn''t cowardice. It''s intelligence. It''s also the only move that can save one''s life when they are up against an unbeatable enemy. Sadly for you, It''s already toote to run away. While you were busy digesting the news that the Chief of your tribe is dead and wondering what to do next, I have alreadyid a trap to seal your fate once and for all!"

    "Huh?"

    "Look around you," Val told them.

    Dozens of undead, dozens of them had appeared seemingly out of nowhere in the chamber and formed a menacing circle around the variants.

    They were standing in front of the entrances to the tunnel connected to the chamber, while Val was blocking the only way out.

    Everywhere the variants looked, there was only one answer, which was a very dreadful one. They were thoroughly trapped!

    "When did they appear?!"

    "How did this also escape our senses?!"

    The variants had sharp senses that rivaled a hawk''s. It was very rare for something to escape their notice. But in a single day, they were caught off guard twice. They couldn''t help but feel dismayed. Combined with the dread and fear they felt when the chief of their tribe was assassinated in the blink of an eye, it could be said that their morale was thoroughly crushed and the best time to suppress them havee!

    "That doesn''t matter, does it? You should be wondering why I haven''t dealt the killing blow instead of thinking about useless things," Val said with arrogance backed by hard cold facts.

    "What do you want?"

    "What I want is pretty simple. It is..." he pointed at them beforepleting the rest of his sentence, "your loyalty. If you promise me your loyalty, I''ll spare you."

    This was merely a facade.

    The truth was totally different.

    Val had no intention of sparing them.

    The ss advancement quest left him with a clear mandate: eliminate everyst one of the variants. Any leniency would rob him of the Return Scroll. From its very name, it was evident that this scroll was his gateway back to his home. Failure to acquire it meant an eternal entrapment in this foreignnd.

    There was a lot he needed to do back in the kingdom. So he simply couldn''t allow that. He had to return. So they must all die.

    So why was he telling such a cruel lie, giving them false hope only to shatter itter on?

    He wasn''t the type to be cruel without a reason. He was, after all, not a viin, but he wasn''t a hero either. As long as it was necessary, he would submerge in utter madness and cruelty.

    Basically, he was lying to them because of the questions gnawing at his thoughts.

    Why were these variants, who clearly weren''t natives of the kingdom, speaking its nationalnguage fluently? How had they learned it? And who taught them?

    The mystery piqued his curiosity, and he desired to uncover its secrets.

    Not to mention, outside the cave was a vast forest that stretched as far as the eye could see.

    It was most likely the secondyer of the dungeon.

    Delving into it without proper understanding was akin to diving into an abyss blindfolded.

    And Val... he wasn''t one to leap without looking.

    The variants, however, held a wealth of knowledge about the forest. It stood to reason that they would possess valuable information about the forest as they had grown up here. The forest and its caves were ssified as the first and secondyers of a ss Advanvement Dungeon by the system, but they were much more than that as Val had seen due to his Heavenly Eye.

    Anyways, their knowledge could prove invaluable to him.

    Information was power no matter where you go. Before daring to venture into the secondyer, he wanted to be well-acquainted with its dangers. Only then would his chance of survival increase.

    To gain this critical intel, he had to earn their trust or, at the very least, provide them with an incentive.

    Offering a potential reprieve from death, even if false, was a strategic move.

    Hope could make creatures do unexpected things, like sharing knowledge.

    He could extract intel through torture, but he didn''t know what method would work on them. Their bodies were totally different than humans, after all. Besides, it would waste a lot of time.

    Telling a lie was better in this scenario.

    With just a lie, he had weaved a web of hope to lure them into revealing the information he so desperately sought.

    Now, he just needed to be patient and wait for them to fall into the web.

 Chapter 192 192: Fooling A Tribe

    ?

    Hearing Val''s words, an Archer Of Obsidian immediately spat on the ground, "You like to dream big. But some things are simply impossible. You''ve killed our brethren and our chief. You''ll never get our loyalty."

    Val was being looked down upon by a bunch of monsters. Despite this, not a crack appeared in his expression.

    Still smiling, he said, "Well, I have bad news for you. You only have two choices. Submit to me or die. As of this moment, anyone who resists or shows disobedience will be killed. Only those who kneel and ept me as their new master will be spared," Val dered authoritatively.

    From the tense crowd, a defiant shout rang out, "Bastard, we will never submit to our enemy!"

    It was a Sword Weilder of Eclipse.

    "Yeah, we will never!"

    Several others chanted the same thing like a bunch of parrots, inciting a protest.

    It was bing harder for things to progress as he wanted. His smile, however, never faltered.

    "Okay," he said casually, "then the six of you can die."

    The few shadow variants who had dared to voice their rebellious thoughts didn''t even have a chance to react before they were jumped by the undead. Almost instantly, dozens of undead attacked them, tearing them apart.

    "Does anyone else share their sentiments?" Val posed the question with a calm and chilling demeanor.

    A few brave souls, driven by anger more than reason, shouted back, "Bastard, I will kill you!", as they lunged at Val with weapons drawn and faces contorted in anger.

    However, Val merely raised an eyebrow in bemusement.

    "Foolish."

    And then, almostically, as if an unseen force had intervened, they dropped dead mid-charge, copsing to the ground like lifeless puppets.

    The scene sent a chilling wave of terror through the onlookers. If there was any doubt about the depth of Val''s power before, it was now thoroughly eradicated. They felt they were dealing with a force that was beyond theirprehension!

    "To kill without even lifting a finger... is he a god?" a young variant whispered in horror, his eyes darting between the fallen bodies and Val''s unfazed expression that was full of smiles.

    Another, gripped by fear, murmured, "No, he is the devil. Only a devil would kill with a smile!"

    Val chuckled sweetly, producing a sound that felt eerie amidst the tense atmosphere.

    "Your guesses are only half correct." he said, "I am neither a Devil nor a God. I am both. I am a Devil God... A Devil God of Evil!"

    "D-D-D-Devil God?!"

    "Aren''t they supposed to reside inside the depths of the forest?"

    "What is one of them doing here?"

    In the midst of themotion, one of the variants tried to take advantage of the chaos, attempting to slip away unnoticed.

    It didn''t know that it has already been caught.

    "Master, there''s one trying to escape on the east side," Voidyer telepathically alerted Val.

    "Then it can die."

    With a swift motion, almost too fast for the eye to catch, Val flung Voidyer in the escapee''s direction. In the very next moment, the de, gleaming with deadly intent, found its mark. It impaled the variant through the chest, pinning him to the ground. A shriek rang out before a dull thud was heard.

    The body of an Archer could be seen sprawled on the ground, its eyes lifeless.

    "A desperate bid for freedom has ended, and with it, another life," Valughed maniacally, the sound echoing throughout the cave. He paused, surveying the frightened crowd before him. "With this, I hope I have sent out a clear message."

    Hisughter, contrasted by the cold, emotionless depth of his eyes, sent shivers down the spines of the variants. When his piercing gazended on them, they felt a pressure bearing down on their very souls, causing them to tremble involuntarily.

    The message he sent out was clear �C any attempt to defy or escape him would lead to certain death.

    "So, what is it going to be?" Val asked.

    "We''ll submit," they replied in unison.

    Val smiled, a chilling smirk that seemed devoid of any genuine warmth. "It''s good to know that you can be reasoned with. You haven''t made a wrong choice. Bing a follower of a devil god is a blessing many desire but seldom receive. Today, it has been handed to you on a silver tter. In the future, under my guidance, you shall rise and be the dominating force of the forest."

    These were empty promises but they sounded genuine and were said for the sole purpose of letting their guard down so that they would open up to him.

    A sword-wielder, recognized as one of the elders of the tribe, stepped forward and said, "You im to be a devil god, yet legends speak of devil gods avoiding meddling with the affair of tribes unless they are deeply offended or driven mad with hunger. We have done nothing to slight you, and you don''t appear to be acting out of hunger. So, why have you sought us out and troubled us so much?"

    Val''s eyes narrowed, ''After getting the answers to my questions, the first thing I will do is kill this bastard!''

    ''Wait.''

    ''This is an unexpected development, but not necessarily unwee. If I can solidify the impression that I am indeed a devil god of the forest, it can offer me numerous advantages.''

    With a thunderous tone, he spoke, "I had intended to slumber beneath this very cave for a millennium. Yet, your incessant mining of mana stones woke me centuries earlier than I anticipated. And then you tried to assassinate me. Are these not reason enough to feel aggrieved?"

    "We are deeply sorry." The variants realized they were the ones at fault and immediately apologized. "How can we atone for our mistakes?"

    "As you''ve already heard, I have been in slumber for many centuries. I am unfamiliar with the current state of the outside world. Educate me on its present conditions, its dangers, and its secrets. This will be your penance," Val replied.

 Chapter 193 193: Information Extraction 1

    ?

    Dropping on one knee, Dris kneeled before Vak and spoke, "I might not have all the answers, but I promise to help you as much as I can."

    He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing, "Outside this cave is an expansive forest known as the Forest of Dread. It stretches on for tens of thousands of miles. Countless tribes had risen and fallen in the forest in the past few centuries. Our tribe has survived for 180 years as we had the fortune to not experience cmities we can''t endure. Our tribe is located on its outskirts and, despite being small in number, is the most formidable in the surroundings. As for the forest, the deeper you tread, the more powerful and dangerous the tribes you''ll confront. And at its heart, there are rumored to be creatures so fierce that they can obliterate entire tribes single-handedly."

    "They are the Devil Gods, right?" Val asked.

    "That is indeed the case," Dris nodded. "Sighting them is rare since don''t meddle in the affairs of the tribe unless they are offended or hungry. We had never seen one ourselves until today. We once dismissed these tales as mere myths, but after witnessing your might, we arepelled to believe the myths are real. Once again, we apologize for offending you."

    Val raised a hand, silencing the speaking Shadow Drake variant.

    "Tone down the praises and don''t you apologize again. It just reminds me of the great disrespect I was shown just after waking up and sour my mood," hemanded.

    Dris responded submivessly, "I''ll keep that in mind."

    "Anyways, is that all?" Val asked. "Are you sure you''re not missing something?"

    Dris scratched his chin with his scaly fingers, seemingly lost in thoughts. A moment passed before his eyes brightened as if he had remembered something crucial.

    "Ah! There''s one more thing. Beyond the expanse of the forest, there exists a civilization of mortals known as the Kingdom of Lumorion." Dris said.

    This was quite shocking!

    After all, it was stated in the Kingdom of Victoria that there were no humans outside its realm. Even if you met one, it would only be a barbarian that doesn''t know how to hold a proper conversation!

    However, now he was being that there was an entire kingdom of humans just outside this forest.

    Were both kingdoms located in the same world? If so, what the Kingdom had been telling the masses for years would be proven wrong.

    Anyways, it doesn''t happen often but Val''s curiosity was piqued.

    "Oh? Tell me more about this kingdom." Val tilted his head, showing keen interest.

    Dris took a deep breath before speaking, "My knowledge about them is rather limited since I have never ventured out of the forest. I hope the Devil God won''t feel offended. I''vee to know that the mortals in that kingdom refer to themselves as ''humans''. Their appearance closely mirrors yours, though they are vastly inferior in terms of strength and can''t perform miracles like the one you''ve shown us. This limited information stems from encounters with groups of these humans who ventured into the forest. In fact, it was these explorers who named our dwelling The Forest of Dread."

    Val didn''t bother asking what they did with them as he could already tell that they killed them.

    "What about the others in your tribe? Have they also never left the forest?" Val asked.

    "We tend to stick close to our territory. When we leave, it''s primarily for hunting purposes. We don''t wander far," Dris replied.

    "And why is that?" Val arched an eyebrow.

    "Because we have to be in the cave before it gets dark. Nighttime in the Forest of Dread is a treacherous time when predators be prey. You must never wander the forest at night or you will be the next meal of the devils. These words have been passed down in our tribe for generations. The tribal chief before the Sorcerer wanted to see what the devils were all about and ignored these warnings. He was never heard of again," Dris said, a hint of unease evident in his voice.

    Val looked nkly ahead. Since there were devils, he confirmed he was still on Eldrich, but where exactly was something he still needed to find out.

    "And just staying in your cave can protect you from the anomalies of the forest?"

    Dris nodded, "Not just the cave. There''s a protective barrier that envelops the cave''s entrance. It runs on mana stones, consuming dozens of them a night and even more if the barrier was attacked, which is why we''ve been mining so vigorously in recent years. And regrettably, it was this incessant mining that disturbed and offended you."

    Upon hearing this, Val activated his Heavenly Eye skill to confirm Dris''s ims.

    What he found erased any lingering doubts; there was, indeed, a barrier that surrounded the cave''s entrance. The shimmering protectiveyer was clearly powered by the energy of the mana stones mentioned by Dris.

    "I believe you," Val said.

    Upon hearing these words, Dris breathed a sigh of relief.

    The mechanics and essence of the barrier surrounding the cave reminded him eerily of the power exhibited by talismans.

    Understanding the workings of this barrier could potentially grant him the knowledge and capability to craft talismans himself.

    It was a tantalizing prospect that was too good to pass up.

    Val continued with his inquiry, "But what sort of magic allows you to construct a barrier using only mana stones? One that''s strong enough to keep the devils outside?"

    "You have never needed it?" Elrick asked in shock.

    Repeatedly asking questions has created cracks in his identity.

    They were catching onto his act.

    Maybe if he gave a wrong answer, they would realize he was lying all along and resist.

    Val decided to mend the situation by telling another lie.

    "What did you expect? I am a Devil God. Why would I feel the need to protect myself from the inferior? I am just asking about the barrier because I am curious."

 Chapter 194 194: Information Extraction 2

    ?

    There was no lie in the fact that he was a Devil God.

    But he was a newborn Devil God.

    He could be killed by devils if he was caught off guard.

    Of course, they didn''t know that.

    And with his acting, he reinforced his image as an omnipotent god in their minds.

    After he exined himself, the variants stopped doubting him. However, if they had pressed further, he would''ve just killed a few of them to make them realize he held their pitiful lives in the palm of his hands. That would have made them shut up and act subservient to him.

    "Then let me do the honor," Dris exined to Val, "The cave walls are embedded with ancient runes our ancestors left behind for us. These runes can harness the energy stored inside a mana stone, using it to generate a protective barrier. As long as we ensure a consistent supply of mana stones to these runes, the barrier will persist even if it''s sufficiently damaged."

    The ancient runes seamlessly blended with the stone blocks that made up the internal structure of the cave, making them almost imperceptible.

    That''s why Val failed to notice them despite the fact that he was using the Heavenly Eye.

    "It''s interesting."

    The concept of the ancient runes intrigued Val.

    The logic behind them was uncannily simr to the talisman.

    Val knew that the protective talismans were created by the wizards, but where did the runese from? These runes couldn''t have been created by wizards as even though both the ces were located in Eldrich, what were the chances of wizards being here as well?

    Not to mention, there was no mention of the Forest of Dread or the Kingdom of Lumorion in the wizardmunity or the Victoria Kingdom, so it was clear that these were unchartednds, yet to be discovered and explored!

    He was most likely the first Victorian to have visited this forest.

    "Your ancestors must not be ordinary figures," Val said, "Judging by your figures, were they perhaps Shadow Drakes?"

    At his words, shock rippled through the group. Their eyes widened to the size of saucers and their jaws dropped as they gawked at Val in stunned disbelief.

    Whispers of astonishment circted among them, each variant equally bewildered.

    How had he managed to so urately deduce their ancestry when they looked nothing like the Shadow Drakes?

    Dris nodded in agreement after recovering from the state of disbelief.

    "You''re correct, but we never anticipated that anyone would make that connection. Our forms have been distorted beyond recognition over the generations due to interracial unions." He continued with a somber tone, "Originally, there weren''t many Shadow Drakes to begin with. A fraction of them left the forest in search of safer grounds to establish their own tribes. Unfortunately, the ones that stayed faced the fury of the forest''s more powerful inhabitants and were decimated. The few survivors, left with a dwindling poption, had to seek partners outside our tribe. Initially, the offspring bore a slight resemnce to Shadow Drakes. But as time went by, with repeated interracial unions, that semnce faded. Now, generationster, we barely even resemble them, only inheriting certain traits."

    Val was thoroughly taken aback.

    ''If these descendants, with only a fraction of the Shadow Drake bloodline, are this powerful, then the original Shadow Drakes must have been beasts of level 50-70." The thought left him feeling troubled. "And if such formidable creatures were decimated, just how powerful were the beasts that hunted them?"

    He no longer wanted to think about it. If he keep this thought rent-free in his mind, he would be hesitant about exploring the forest, which could potentially be a gold mine.

    Out loud, he reassured the variants, "There''s nothing to be sad about. As you''ve said, many tribes have risen and fallen over the centuries. Yet, here you stand, among the few who''ve withstood the test of time and emerged resilient. That in itself is a testament to your strength and endurance. You should be happy!"

    After he was done with them, they too would be a part of history.

    Not knowing the dangerous thoughts he harbored, the Shadow Drake variants felt thankful to him as he had cheered them up. Their faces, which had been a blend of mncholy and pride, now gleamed with renewed hope and determination.

    "Thank you, Devil God!" Dris thanked him on behalf of the entire tribe.

    Val ignored him as he was focused on his own goal.

    ''Maybe I will find out what makes the runes left behind by the Shadow Drakes special and uncover their origin if I examine one closely with my abilities. It''s worth a try.''

    Turning his attention to Dris, he expressed his desires, "I''d like to take a closer look at these runes."

    Elrick interjected, "It is still dark. Devils might be wandering outside the protective barrier of the cave, waiting for an opportunity to get inside. We might provide them with one if we mess with the formation. Can it wait until tomorrow?"

    The Devil God might be strong enough to resist and even kill the devils, but they weren''t. So Elrick didn''t want to take the risk, and many others shared the same sentiment.

    "No, it can''t," Val shook his head, signaling his impatience.

    Dris, understanding the urgency, said, "In actuality, removing a single rune from the formation won''t substantially weaken the barrier. We''ll fetch one for you immediately."

    He signaled to Elrick to get one. Elrick approached a section of the cave wall made of stone blocks with a few of them adorned with intricate symbols.

    With careful precision, he extracted a stone etched with a rune and presented it to Val.

    Val picked up the stone. It settledfortably in his palm. While looking at it, he cast detect.

    [This is an ordinary stone etched with the defensive rune - Barrier. It was crafted by Shadow Drake Hazarara the Defective using wizardry.]

    Val''s eyes widened in realization.

    ''Wizardry isn''t unique to humans with arcane hearts. Even monsters can practice it!''

 Chapter 195 195: Information Extraction (Last)

    ?

    At the same time, another realization struck him.

    He could create the Defensive Rune himself by simply memorizing its design.

    Wizardry was just like that. It had never demanded adeep level ofprehension about a subject to work.

    While spending time with Oliver, Val was enlightened about this simple truth. Not to mention, it wasn''t a conclusion he came on his own without any evidence. It was backed by facts. After all, Oliver who didn''t know the gravitational force of this world shouldn''t be able to use anti-gravity wizardry as he didn''t know he was experiencing 1g while standing still on the surface of the world and needed to exert a certain amount of soul power to break free from the gravitational pull, but he did it anyway based on something as simple as "Feeling."

    Basically, to use any kind of wizardry, it was sufficient as long as one knew what to visualize.

    A deeper understanding, however, makes it more powerful!

    ''There is just one problem.''

    The rune''s design was so intricate andplex that it couldn''t be memorized with just a few nces.

    Maybe a few months would be needed to memorize a part of it, meaning visualizing a crystal-clear image of the rune was simply impossible for a wizard who had juste across it.

    However, Val had an ace up his sleeve - his innate technique, the Soul Archive.

    Using this skill, he created a memory of the rune etched into the stone, and it was stored in his soul. As a result, his soul power decreased by a substantial 300 points.

    ''My hypothesis turned out to be true.''

    He confirmed it didn''t matter how he used this power, each use would cost 300 units of soul power. He could duplicate everything he knows along with his bloodlines, even then it would cost the same.

    ''And now that I have a memory a crystal-clear image of the rune stored in my soul which I can ess at any time, I can abuse the wizardry system to establish myself as a runesmith.''

    As this thought crossed his mind, a genuine expression made its way onto his face. His thin lips stretched back, widening into a smile. The onlookers wondered why the Devil God was grinning from ear to ear.

    Just what had made him so happy?

    Noticing the gaze of the variants, Val decided to perform a trick that would seem no less than a miracle in their eyes in order to further strengthen his image as a God in their mind, which in turn would make it easier for him to extract more knowledge from them.

    "Look at this," he said.

    The eyes of everyone present focused on this.

    He called upon the memory stored in his soul. The newly created memory rushed to the forefront of his brain.

    A vivid picture of the defensive rune appeared in his mind.

    Immediately, he used wizardry.

    A burst of soul energy streamed from his palm, imprinting a wless replica of the rune onto the ground.

    "W-what?!"

    The variants stared in disbelief. Their expressions varied from awe to shock, with a few dropping their jaws.

    "I''ve tried to grasp and reproduce the runes for ages, but never seeded!" eximed one.

    "Our chief worked onprehending the runes for years, but even he couldn''t recreate them, yet he did so after a nce. Unbelievable!" another voiced, shaking his head in amazement.

    Dris, gazing at Val with renewed respect, murmured, "Perhaps ites easily to him because he''s a devil god. A Devil God... Is truly iprehensible."

    Val internally smirked at the ridiculous sight.

    ''These foolish creatures... How can they think of seeding in a task that requires wizardry when they aren''t even wizards?''

    ''They failed because they aren''t wizards.''

    ''While I seeded because I am a wizard. My innate technique just made it easier.''

    ''There is no other reason behind my sess.''

    "Where did you pick up thisnguage? Thest thing I remember before my long slumber was that I was the only one who spoke this tongue in the Forest of Dread. But I had learned it from distantnds before settling down in the forest and had passed it down to its inhabitants. So how did it traverse all the way to this region?" Val asked after a moment.

    "Years ago, during a hunt, we stumbled upon a group of humans. For us, humans are a delicacy, and our Sorcerer particrly enjoys munching down on their flesh. We attacked them as soon as they saw them. As we appear invisible to the naked eye, killing the group of humans was effortless, akin to swatting a fly to death. After we brought their corpses, the Soerre rummaged through their belonging, finding a lot of useful things, including a diary. After years of meticulous decoding, he eventually cracked thenguage and introduced it to us, simplifying our means ofmunication," Dris answered.

    A brief flicker of astonishment crossed Val''s features before he asked, "Before this, how did you convey messages or express yourselves?"

    Dris replied, "We used hand signs."

    Every tribe of intelligent species would eventually devise its own mode ofmunication. The variants had opted for hand signs. Even if it appeared primal, it was a significant aplishment for they had achieved what many species struggled to establish before their eventual demise. Though he really had to wonder how the Sword Weilders of Eclipsemunicated using hand signs with their sword-like appendages.

    Val asked, "Where is the diary now?"

    Dris replied, "The Sorcerer usually keeps it on him. You might find it if you search his remains."

    After standing up, Val turned his gaze to the corpse of the Sorcerer. With his heavenly eye still active, a single nce was all he needed to discover that the diary was on him. He used wizardry to pick it up. The diary floated out of the clothes of the dead Sorcerer andnded in his hand before he swiftly skimmed through its pages. As a result, his eyes widened in shock and disbelief at the information it contained.

 Chapter 196 196: The Diary

    ?

    The diary mentioned the life experiences of a court wizard, ric, who was working in the department of ult and Mystical Studies.

    It was the department where all sorts of weird and innovative experiments were conducted.

    The diary hinted that Queen Victoria had a vast ambition. She desired to expand her kingdom, much like the monarchs before her, but she sought to do so through unconventional means �C a path no one had previously considered. Besides, she believed that by aplishing grand feats, she could solidify her influence in the court and ensure she ruled the kingdom for her entire life.

    Owing to this ambition, the wizards, under her directive, began to investigate the secrets thaty behind the altars, better known as dungeon entrances. They hoped to harness the power of the altars to not only establish teleportation points between all the regions of the kingdom, but to also open pathways to differents. They didn''t know how they''ll achieve so much, but that was their ultimate goal, and they were being funded by the Queen herself, so money and resources weren''t a problem.

    The altars, known for their unique ability to teleport those with distinct bloodlines, was also determined to possess the power to manipte and warp space. Queen Victoria was convinced that if they could unravel their mysteries and harness this power over space for themselves, her kingdom would be unstoppable, achieving dominance that would echo through the ages.

    The threat of the Durcal Empire would also be easier to ovee once they gain authority over space!

    Shortly after the secret order from the Queen, the wizards of the ult and Mystical Studies department began experimenting with the altars to unover their secrets.

    However, they were met with challenges.

    Foremost among these was the altar''s inherent instability: it would start to deteriorate and eventually shatter once the associated dungeon waspleted. This transitory nature of the altar made research extremely challenging.

    However, after years of tireless effort and countless experiments, a breakthrough was achieved in the study of the altars by none other than ric, the department head.

    He discovered a method to halt the altars'' degradation, preserving its structure for a long period of time and, more importantly, their capabilities.

    The altars could be preserved for a long time by submerging them in soul power.

    ces like soul crystals mines, with an abundance of soul power in the air, were ideal for storing altars.

    Thus, once the Queen found out about this, the ult and Mystical Studies department was relocated to a mine in close proximity to the kingdom''s divine capital. It was a strategic move to maximize their experimental capabilities, minimize their expenses, amd reduce the time spent looking for altars that were out of service. Altars were immovable unless the associated dungeon waspleted.

    the diary shed light on ric''s rise following his groundbreaking sess. As the experiments were conducted covertly under the orders of Queen Victoria, his achievements weren''t publicly celebrated. However, behind the scenes, ric was the recipient of vast rewards. From the kingdom''s most beautiful sex ves to the best resources a wizard could ask for, everything was bestowed upon him.

    In essence, wealth, prestige, and beauty��everything a man might covet��were handed to him on a silver tter for making a single discovery.

    By then, he was considering calling it quits to enjoy a peaceful and luxurious life in the confines of the protective walls of the capital.

    However, the Queen had long seen through him. She promised bim a marriage with a princess he had developed a one-sided crush on when he visited the pce, should he sessfully harness the space-manipting power of the altar.

    Although he had everything a man could ask for, now that they were in his possession, they had lost their undeniable charms, but he was still to grasp the heart of his first love, the kingdom''s princess.

    He wanted to make her his!

    Thus, he continued experimenting with the altar.

    However, it turned out to be his life''s biggest mistake.

    One fateful day, as he channeled an immense amount of soul power into the altar, an anomaly urred.

    Instead of manipting space in a controlled manner, a gaping ck hole manifested, swallowing everything in its vicinity, including ric, his entire team, and their equipment.

    He found himself teleported to a forest. This forest differed greatly from the ones within the Victoria kingdom.

    Stranded in an unknown realm, with all he had worked for lost, ric''s spirit was crushed.

    The forest was full of danger, teeming with beasts and devils. Just as he arrived there, he was attacked. However, being an elemental wizard, a title synonymous with mid-level wizardry, he felt no fear and easily dealt with the troublemaker.

    In the next ten days, ric confronted and defeated every devil and beast that crossed his path until eventually, his aimless wandering led him out of the treacherous forest, bringing him face to face with a civilization of humans.

    These people identified themselves as the proud children of the moon. In other words, the Lunarians.

    At first, the Lunarians were quite apprehensive of him.

    While they refrained from harming him and released him after a brief interrogation, they refuse to ept him into their society, just because he was a foreigner. However, they weed him into their fold with open arms when he saved a bunch of them and showed he could help them in more ways than one.

    Thus, he began his new life amidst the Lunarians.

    A bunch of things were mentioned about the Lunarians. This information could help Val if he ever encountered them.

    After that part, the diary was missing dozens of pages.

    There was barely any mention of ric''s time with the Lunarians.

    On a half-torn page of the diary, something weird was written:

    "I can hear the voices."

    Scribbles dominated the subsequent pages of the diary, with only a fewprehensible words interspersed.

    It seemed like the writer of the diary was slowly losing their grip on reality, descending into madness.

    On thest five pages,rge words were inscribed.

    After Val organized them, he was able to discern a full page ofprehensible sentences:

    "The monster I saw then wasn''t an illusion. It was real. Every second of the day, it would talk to me. It had been saying the same thing over and over.

    It''sing for me. It''sing for me. It''sing for me.

    Every day, I can feel its presence growing stronger. It''s drawing nearer. What will happen once it finds me? Will I be its meal? No, I can''t sit around doing nothing, waiting for death. I went to the High Priestess of the moon for help. She holds an esteemed position in the kingdom, and rumors have it that the High Priestess of the moon can divine the future.

    But when she began to divine mine out of pity, she started bleeding from her eyes and mouth.

    "Eyes. So many eyes. You... You''ve attracted a being beyondprehension! Nowhere is safe. Run to the forest if you want to survive. That''s the only way out."

    These were herst words.

    Her death left both me and the Lunarians in shock.

    Just what happened during the divination that killed her?

    I couldn''t stop ming myself. She wouldn''t have died if not for me seeking her assistance.

    For the same reason, my Lunarian friends ostracized me.

    While my life took a turn for the worst yet again, its presence was getting stronger

 Chapter 197 197: The Diary (2)

    ?

    I decided to take my chance and went to the forest, as the High Priestess of the moon had told me it was the only way to survive its pursuit.

    Then, for the first time in many months, I experienced peace.

    As soon as I entered the forest, the voices that had been continuously ringing in my ears for the past seven months stopped. At the same time, I couldn''t feel its gaze on me either. The ufortable feeling of continuously being watched as if something invisible was standing next to you disappeared.

    It filled me with relief. A sigh escaped my lips.

    As a scientist, my interest was piqued.

    Just what was so special about this forest that kept the Unknown away?

    But just as I had begun to ponder, I was attacked.

    The battle ended as soon as it started.

    I feared the Unknown, but I wasn''t a scaredy cat. Beasts and devils were creatures that I understood and could deal with. I will never let them get the upper hand against me.

    The sixty-seventh page of the diary ended there.

    Val flipped to the next one.

    There were a bunch of drawings. ric seemed to have drawn them out of boredom. Well, how exciting could living in a forest be?

    The drawings filled almost both pages. At the page of page 69, a square was drawn, inside of which, a small paragraph was written.

    [If you''re wondering who the unknown is, the Unknown is the name I gave to the monster I encountered when I was teleported after being swallowed by the ck hole. But I bet that was teble.]

    The diary writer seemed to have noted this for the potential reader in the future.

    Val smirked, thinking to himself, "This guy sucks at writing a story. That really broke my immersion."

    Shaking his head, he focused back on the diary.

    On the next page, the challenges faced by ric were detailed.

    Mostly, it was just himining about how shit food without spice tasted and how he had to get everything himself from the forest as he couldn''t trade for items, and that he survived by consuming the raw meat of the beasts he hunted during the day because starting a fire to cook them would attract too much-unwanted trouble.

    He really hated adapting to the diets of beasts, eating raw meat, but it was better than getting caught by the Unknown.

    When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in a ridiculouslyrge forest, you have to follow the rule of the jungle. Here, it''s kill or be killed. Eat or grow weak and be eaten.

    Every day, I would face ten to twenty beasts and a few devils. They seem to have a knack for seeking me out. Are humans that delicious in their eyes? But I survived each encounter.

    They underestimated the power of an elemental wizard too much.

    I didn''t dare eat the devils. Who knows what that would do to me? Devils carry all sorts of diseases and parasites. They are a danger to humans when they are alive and useless to them when they are dead.

    Fuck these devils! May they rot in hell!

    As for the beasts... I relished the taste of their smelly flesh. When you''re driven mad by hunger, even vegetables that once disgusted you look appealing. Perhaps that''s why raw, bloody meat became the next thing I looked forward to every day, besides searching for a way to return home.

    ''In dire situations, people resort to eating anything to survive, even bugs and spiders, but such actions still elicit a deep-seated revulsion. They just don''t start looking forward to it like ric. There is something about it that doesn''t sound right,'' Val felt that he was onto something.

    From what was written on the secondst page of the diary, ric seemed to be desperately normalizing his disturbing behavior.

    Maybe he was never the same after he began hearing those voices, but wanted to be assured that he was fine.

    Only thest page of the diary was left. Val began reading it.

    I was walking through the forest when I suddenly heard a cry. It sounded like a woman''s.

    But I didn''t immediately move to help.

    What could a woman be doing in this perilous forest sote at night? How could I be sure it wasn''t a devil mimicking the voice of a woman to lure unsuspecting passersby into a trap?

    However, as the cries grew more desperate, my instinct to protect got the better of me. It had been so long since I''dst seen another human. Not to mention, it was a mention. Oh, how I long to hold one in my embrace.

    I felt that I would regret it if I passed up this opportunity. If only I knew, I wouldter regret letting my desires cloud my judgment, I would have made a different choice.

    But what''s done can''t be undone. I sealed my fate with my own hands.

    Are you wondering what happened?

    Then, keep reading.

    That night, as I ran through the forest, drawing closer to the source of the crying, I saw a woman.

    She was dressed only in what nature gave her, her smooth and glowy skin. She was sitting next to a tree with her back turned toward me.

    Though I couldn''t see her face, I could tell she was a beauty because of her long and silky ck hair, well-shaped figure, delicate feet, and pristine toes.

    However, there was something odd about her. Despite the fact she was barefoot in a forest, her feet were clean.

    Despite being in the forest, her feet were immacte.

    This should have been a red g that she wasn''t what I believed her to be, but driven by longing and curiosity, I cast aside my suspicions and approached her.

    I called out to her, and she turned towards me.

    And then I got the worst scare of my life.

 Chapter 198 198: The diary (3)

    Chapter 198 198: The diary (3)

    The woman was faceless. There was only a swirling mass of darkness in the ce where her eyes, nose, and mouth should be.

    I was so shocked by her appearance that I stumbled backwards, despite being a mid-rank wizard.

    And my heart felt like it would explode when she mouthed, "I havee for you."

    These words scared the daylight out of me!

    "U-U-Unknown?" I was like a stuttering fool as I asked the facelessdy a simple question while being terrified to my core.

    And do you know how she replied?

    She mouthed, is that what you have named me?"

    "Ahhhhhh!"

    It was always women that screamed so loudly when they were pressed beneath me, but today that voice came from my mouth. I was just so terrified.

    This entity that killed the kind and beautiful Lunarian high priestess... It has found me!

    What would happen to me now? Will I die?

    I was so afraid of the Unknown, the thought of putting up a fight didn''t even cross my mind.

    I couldn''t hold it in either. My fear surged out, wetting my pants. If my peers had seen me so scared, how would they have reacted?

    But I felt more afraid than embarrassed as in the blink of an eye, she was next to me. She didn''t have eyes but I felt as if she was staring at me ravenously as if I was just a delicious piece of meat.

    "From where should I start?" She mouthed as she gently caressed my face with her long and slender finger and my skin turned to sawdust, scattering to the ground before my very eyes.

    Before the same could happen to the rest of my face, I sted her with all the power I could muster, but it barely affected her.

    My retaliation only served to anger her more.

    I flinched as she red at me.

    And then, I immediately made a run for it.

    She chased after me. To slow her down, I threw everything I had on me at her.

    there were no extra footsteps behind me.

    I took a good look at my surroundings and she was nowhere to be found. I breathed a I didn''t know how long I had run for. I only stopped when night turned to day and there were no extra footsteps behind me.

    I took a good look at my surroundings and she was nowhere to be found. I breathed a sigh of relief.

    The danger has passed for now. Looks like the Unknown faces the same restriction as devils and the walking dead that were created by the worldwide spread of the parasites of a particr devil.

    I didn''t need to fear about her for now as it was still day, but as soon as night starts, she would be there to haunt me.

    The forest was no longer safe. I had to leave it.

    After leaving the forest, I didn''t take the path that would lead me to the Kingdom of Lumorion. Instead, I went around it, heading straight towards the wilderness behind it.

    I didn''t want to bring my trouble to them and get them killed too. They had been kind to me, providing me with shelter andpanionship when I felt the most alone. Although they treated me harshly after the death of their high priestess, I wasn''t petty enough to put their life in jeopardy just because of that.

    I reached the wilderness before dusk. Nothing happened at night. For the next three days, I encountered nothing.

    The wilderness behind the kingdom was barren. It was a destend.

    I don''t know how long I have walked for, but it must have been a long time as despite having the ability to survive without food and water for months, I was feeling famished.

    But my aimless wandering bore fruit.

    At longst, I arrived at the edge of the wilderness.

    Rather, I saw... the edge of the world.

    There was nothing but an endless expanse of darkness in front of me. A few lights glowed in the distance. Compared to the darkness that stretched as far as the eyes could see, they were like little dots.

    They were stars.

    Suddenly, ripples appeared in the darkness in front of me before it began to reflect a person I was familiar with.

    It belonged to the most kind woman I have met in my life.

    But how could it be her? She was already dead.

    "High priestess, is it you?" I asked, my lips trembling. I felt happy but also ashamed to see her again. After all, I indirectly caused her death.

    She nodded.

    "But how can this be? You died," I said.

    "It only destroyed my physical form, but failed to kill me. But now my soul is stuck between the two sides."

    "Is there any way I can help you?"

    "Help me? You should be worrying about yourself!" She looked at me with a sad gaze, "Do you know how grave of a danger you are in? I told you to stay in the forest. Why did you leave it? If you had remained there, at least you could''ve survived. You fool! Why didn''t you believe me? Did I look like a liar to you?"

    Scolding me as soon as she saw me, this wasn''t the reunion I was expecting. I wasn''t expecting a reunion at all.

    I cleared my throat and said, "It''s not like that. I saw it in the forest. It came looking for me, but I escaped before it could do me real harm."

    The High priestess sighed, "In the end, even you were fooled."

    Initially, I didn''t understand her words.

    What did she mean by that?

    Sensing my curiosity, she continued, "I didn''t get the chance to tell you what I saw in my divination, right? I saw you being killed by it sadistically. Until then, I was fine. But after killing you, it turned towards me. I was taken aback and believed surely it wasn''t me it was looking at. It had never happened before in my divinations. But very quickly I realized how wrong I was when I saw myself reflected in its eyes."

    aa7b5e4a913f698f2f85f05ec8699ff287d581d1fb0678555d462be31d6cebaaf812c34479840886b00975cf41641428d8f84970ee4dbe02f69f1f100920f0e24622561353cb7aff63a52703d9e043c5

 Chapter 199 199: Ending & Conclusions

    Chapter 199 199: Ending & Conclusions

    She continued, "It smiled at me terrifyingly. And then, before I knew it, I was struck by a terrible pain. My divination was forcefully ended and my mortal flesh was destroyed. Do you understand what that means? It is so powerful that its future self can kill me in the present! So how could you have escaped aftering across it?"

    A terrifying realization struck me, and a shiver went down my spine.

    "Don''t tell me..." I said, my word trailing off.

    She picked up where I left off,pleting the conclusion I was too terrified to say out loud, "It was all an act to fool you into stepping out of the forest."

    "But if that''s the case," I said, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion, "why didn''t it just kill me as soon as I stepped out of the forest? Why y this prolonged game?"

    She looked at me with a heavy sadness in her eyes.

    "Didn''t I tell you already? It''s sadistic," she emphasized. "For it, the pleasure isn''t just in the act of killing. It''s something else."

    I took a moment to process her words.

    "Are you trying to say it let me escape and feel hope just to make my eventual demise more painful?" I said.

    She nodded gravely.

    "Exactly. It derives joy from watching someone rebuild their hope, only toter shatter itpletely. That''s the kind of monster we''re facing."

    I paused as she was correct. I''ve indeed been feeling hopeful recently.

    "With every passing day that I didn''t encounter it, I genuinely believed I had escaped. I began dreaming of a future, of safety. But I guess it was all a cruel joke,'' I chuckled self-mockingly.

    Seeing me like that, She sighed, "That''s what it wanted. For a creature with such a twisted mind, there''s satisfaction in targeting someone at their peak of hope. To it, a person on the brink of despair offers little amusement. But a person filled with hope and dreams? To break such a person... That''s where it finds its true pleasure."

    I felt defeated. The Unknown was a perfectionist at its game. It even outsmarted a smartass like me. This monster was too terrifying. You who are reading thest days of my life, if you ever encounter it, never think you can outsmart it. It''s too good at manipting and ying tricks on people''s minds.

    "I don''t want that monster to get what it wants. Is there any way for me to survive?"

    Although I felt defeated, it didn''t mean I have given up. I decided to do my best to not let it get what it wants.

    Unfortunately, the reflection of the High Priestess in the dark expanse ahead of me shook her head.

    "In my vision, you died quite gruesomely and even your soul wasn''t spared. So before my vision bes true, kill yourself. You need to kill yourself before the sunset. You get what I mean?" She said.

    Although her words sounded cruel, they were for the good of me, but I found it hard to ept that this was the end of the line for me. However, no matter how unwilling I was, the reality of the situation demanded that Imit suicide otherwise even my soul would be devoured by a sadistic marauder.

    "Why me?" I wondered out loud. "Why did I have to go through so much pain in my life?"

    "You were just unlucky."

    She was speaking to me softly. Maybe this was her way offorting me. But the truth had chilled me to the core. The little warmth she provided didn''t lessen my anxiety and dread.

    While I was thinking of the most painful way to end my life, I heard her say, "Although there is no way for you to survive, there''s still a way to get back at it."

    "How?" I asked.

    She said, "Just write everything you know about it in the diary and give it to me. I will teleport it to the only ce where It is powerless: the Forest of Dread. This way we can ensure that others know what we saw and heard, and they might spread awareness about it. Maybe there can be other surprises."

    I decided to trust her, despite not being sure if she was really her or a devil ying a trick on my mind. It''s because I could hear the footsteps as well as the voices as the sun started setting.

    It wasing for me.

    And this time, it will show me no mercy.

    It will give me the most painful death known to mankind.

    But things won''t go as the Unknown nned as I will kill myself before the sun setpletely!

    But first, I had onest task to do.

    I don''t like pain, but I didn''t have the ink to jot down the new things I found about it from her mouth, so I cut open my palm, using my own blood to write it down, hoping that the diary would reach the Victoria kingdom somehow and the court wizards would stop experimenting with the altar.

    Or else, I am afraid the monster will consume the kingdom!

    That was the end of ric''s story.

    After that, there was nothing written in the diary.

    Val closed it.

    He had gained a lot from it.

    First off, now he knew that Altars had the potential to serve other purposes than what he believed. He had also learned the method to preserve them.

    Moreover, he had a general idea about this uncharted region of the world and also knew a lot about the Unknown.

    A: There''s a chance ofing across while using the altar to travel through space and possibly even time. If that happens, chances are you will end up bing its ything. This will result in certain death unless you''re strong enough to fight it off.

    B: It is as strong as an intermediate-rank bloodline user at the minimum and might possibly be as strong as a rank 10 bloodline user. So direct confrontation is not advised.

    aa7b5e4a913f698f2f85f05ec8699ff287d581d1fb0678555d462be31d6cebaaf812c34479840886b00975cf41641428058d28a2e70bc0027ab5c511e4cea1c797fd561f9b920a8eee1f91191c702a31

 Chapter 200 200: Class Advancement!

    Chapter 200 200: ss Advancement!

    C: The unknown''s means of attack vary. Even dreaming about it can put you at risk.

    D: It has the same weaknesses as Devils.

    E: Just like myself, it is good at ying mind games. Only a direct confrontation will tell who''s better.

    Last but not least, it can''t harm you in the slightest if you''re in the forest of dread.

    Val came to this conclusion after thorough consideration.

    ric said his skin turned to sawdust when the Unknowm touched him. But he didn''t talk about experiencing any kind of pain. He only talked about the dread he felt at seeing that it had found him. The situation was so terrifying for him that he didn''t stop to consider it for a moment. It also meant that his skin turning to sawdust was an illusion, which points towards another fact.

    Even in the forest, the Unknown can y mind tricks on you!

    "Devil God, was the diary helpful?" Dris asked.

    Val looked at Dris with a gaze that was seven parts appreciative but also contained three parts of a contrasting emotion.

    "It was. You guided me to it, so I want to reward you." He signaled Dris toe closer and, like an ignorant buffoon, Dris stepped up to him.

    Clearly, he was enticed by the prospect of being rewarded by a Devil God himself.

    ''Just how great will it be? I can''t wait to find out,'' he thought.

    Val ced a hand on his shoulder, as he said, "In the short time we have been together, you have been a great help to me. As a result, I will reward you with a painless death."

    Dris was startled by his terrifying intention, but Val didn''t give him any chance to resist the inevitable, tapping Dris''s head.

    Dris''s eyes rolled to the back of his head as his soul was punctured by Val''s soul power, immediately killing him.

    Like a broken doll, his body copsed to the ground with a dull thud.

    "You... what did you do to him?" an archer asked.

    "Are your eyes only for decoration? Can''t you see I killed him? By the way, next it''s your turn," Val said as he nonchntly flicked his fingers in the archer''s direction.

    Almost instantly, an arrowposed entirely of soul power shot forward, unerringly striking its target. The arrow pierced the archer''s head, extinguishing his life in an instant.

    "Take them by surprise. Strike them down where they stand!"

    At the same time, he ordered the undead to attack the remaining members of the tribe.

    He also attacked them. Each time he pointed a finger toward someone, a monster died.

    "You... How can you do this to us?! You promised you will let us go if we swore allegiance to you."

    A roar emerged from the crowd that was being ughtered by Val and his minions.

    Val expressionlessly retorted, "How could you be naive enough to believe the words of your enemy? Your sheer stupidity justifies your forget to taunt them, pouring an entire bag of salt over their wounds.

    deaths."

    As the shadow Drake variants died one after another, he didn''t forget to taunt them, pouring an entire bag of salt over their wounds.

    "It''s a pity," Val said.

    The reason it was a pity was that a monster tribe that could bemunicated with was quite rare. The unique traits of the Shadow Drake Variants made them even more exceptional.

    For any ruler or high-ranking noble, the idea of creating a battalion of invisible assassins from such a tribe was tantalizing.

    The prospect was enough to pique the interest of even the royals.

    Yet, Val had gained the allegiance of such a group. Unfortunately, he had to eliminate them, as it was the only way toplete his mission.

    After dispatching them all, a series of semi-transparent system notifications appeared in his vision.

    [Enemies defeated: 24 Archers of Obsidian, 24 Swordwielders of Eclipse, and 1 Chieftain of the Shadow Drake Variant Tribe.

    Experience gained: 12200 EXP.

    Items obtained: 48 Orbs of Darkness, and 1 Level 2 Orb of Darkness.]

    Orbs of Darkness were used to construct a core of darkness in a wizard''s arcane heart. As for the level 2 orb of darkness, it could be used to refine the core. As for what benefits that would bring, it wasn''t written in the description of the item provided by the system. He would have to find out about it himself.

    ''Master, you can really act.'' Voidyer''s voice rang in Val''s head.

    even though Val had deceitfully manipted and subsequently annihted an entire tribe, Voidyer was unperturbed. The idea that Val was a malevolent maniac never entered its consciousness. In Voidyer''s perspective, Val''s actions held merit. The tribe of shadow variants were the initial aggressors, and they were monsters, the arch-nemesis of humans. To Voidyer, exterminating them was a justifiable and even essential act.

    Val smirked proudly, ''I know.''

    "What are you going to do next?" Voidyer inquired telepathically.

    "I want to explore the forest outside the cave a bit more before heading back home. But first, I''ll work on forming my core and ascending to a mid-rank wizard," Val dered.

    ''You were just an acolyte a few days ago, yet you are already ready to take that big step. Your rate of advancement terrifies me... in a good way.'' Voidyer said to Val, ''Good luck, Master. I will be rooting for you. May you seed in forming the core.''

    Val began to absorb the orbs of darkness. He already knew how to survive the process and because he couldn''t feel pain, it was easy.

    After absorbing a total of 25 of them, he muttered, ''I have fulfilled the condition to form my core of darkness. I wonder what will happen next.''

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Host! You have sessfully constructed the core of Darkness in your arcane heart. Your sub-ss has advanced to Shadow Wizard.]

    Benefits of Shadow Wizard Sub-ss:

    1: Your Arcane heart has seen significant improvement, resulting in not only a notable increase in soul power reserve and soul power production rate but also a boost in soul power restoration rate.

    2: You have gained the ability to Refine and Construct.

 Chapter 201 201: A talk about Cores and Mid-rank Wizard

    Chapter 201 201: A talk about Cores and Mid-rank Wizard

    Nothing else was mentioned in the description issued by the system.

    Val''s brows drew together as he wondered,''Just what exactly does Refine and Construct do?''

    "Master, congrattions on forming the core! However, I am perplexed. Typically, the torment endured by a wizard while undergoing such an advancement is insufferable, often stretching over hours. Yet, you showed not even a hint of distress during the entire process, and it ended in a matter of minutes. How is that possible?" Voidyer''s voice resonated within Val''s mind. A mix of amazement and admiration was evident in its voice.

    Val looked at Voidyer and felt it was time to let the spirit sword in on some of his secrets.

    He began speaking, "Voidyer, do you remember me telling you I have a bunch of secrets? I am feeling ready to share two of them with you because of the bond we''ve established in the time we have spent together. Firstly, I would like to share a secret only a handful of people know. I was born with a unique condition, which is more like a mental defect with no solution. I cannot perceive pain or fear. It has its pros and cons. For example, I can''t tell if I am hurting or poisoned, but I can resist the force of corruption effortlessly. This mental defect is extremely beneficial in our case as no matter how powerful you be, even if you reach the status of a special-grade item, I can wield you effortlessly, unlike Assam."

    Voidyer chuckled, "It sounds like we were destined for each other. And what''s the second secret you''re going to share with me?"

    Val hesitated briefly, searching for the right words. "Like your ancestor, I too have inherited the legacy of a formidable figure. However, this being isn''t from our world. That''s all I can reveal for now."

    Hearing his words, Voidyer understood why his rate of advancement was so impressive. After digesting his words, Voidyer said, "Master, that''s more than enough. I am just happy you have started to trust me more."

    Val nodded, appreciating Voidyer''s understanding. He then posed another query, "While my inheritance aids in my rapid progression, it also leaves me with countless unanswered questions. Although I have advanced to the status of a Shadow wizard, I don''t know a thing about it. So I wanted to ask, can you enlighten me about mid-rank wizards?"

    "Of course, Master. A mid-rank wizard is a being that has formed an elemental core in his arcane heart. The properties of the core are simr to the Mind Sea of mages, which they unlock when they advance to intermediate-level bloodline users. Its primary purpose is to provide a space where a wizard can construct runes that are in line with the element of their core using elementalized soul power. Once constructed, these runes can be activated using the elementalized soul power refined by the core to exhibit different magical effects. In fact, the core is even superior to a mage''s mind. On top of having simr properties to the Mind Sea of mages, it can also refine soul power into elementalized soul power," Voidyer responded warmly.

    Val absorbed Voidyer''s exnation like a sponge under water, then inquired, "But how do I actually go about doing that?"

    "Master, you need to use wizardry and pour your soul power into your core. Depending on its quality, the refinement process might take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour," Voidyer replied.

    Following Voidyer''s exnation, Val attempted the refinement process, and as he channeled his soul power into the core, he was taken aback by the rapid pace at which the power was being refined.

    Startled, he turned to Voidyer and asked, "What would be the quality of a core that refines soul power in mere seconds?"

    "I don''t have an exact answer for that," Voidyer replied. It was somewhat bewildered by the question. However, it decided to give it its all to help its master. "Assam once had a superior quality core, and it could refine all his soul power in a minute. I never got the opportunity to check Valerius''s, but it should be on par with Assam''s. But if I had to guess, it should be beyond superior."

    ''Beyond superior? I like the sound of that,'' Val thought after gaining a better understanding of the elemental core.

    "But why are you asking about this?" Voidyer voiced out.

    Val gave a reply immediately, "Because that is precisely what my core did. It had refined all my soul power into a ck-colored essence in mere seconds."

    Voidyer was shocked. In all its time as a spirit sword, it had never encountered such a thing. Yet now, it has and for a while, it didn''t know how to respond to the unexpected news.

    "You, Master, are full of surprises!" It eximed in joy and amazement after a few moments.

    Val turned to thest piece of information that had appeared when he sessfully advanced his sub-ss.

    It was a short exnation of the conditions he needed to meet to level up his Shadow Wizard ss.

    The first was 50K EXP.

    ''It is manageable.''

    He turned to the second one.

    After reading it, only one thought came to his mind.

    ''Ridiculous.''

    The second condition demanded a total of ten level 2 orbs of darkness.

    He only had one.

    This meant that he needed to hunt 9 more tribal chiefs inhabiting the outskirts of this forest if he wanted to fulfill it!

    ''It is a ridiculously tedious task, but I will have to do it if I want to level up my sub-ss and be stronger as a wizard. While bloodline users are great, wizards are far more enigmatic. And although bloodline users are at the top of the hierarchy right now, the fact that they were created by a wizard doesn''t change. In a sense, bloodline users are merely a byproduct of wizardry, highlighting the importance of wizards.''

    ''For now, let''s focus on taking advantage of what I already have,'' Val thought, deciding to realize his newly unlocked potential by essing the library and learning runes suitable for Shadow wizards.

    Although he was an unknown distance away from the kingdom, the Arcane Library was still essible through the token.

 Chapter 202 202: Rune

    ?

    Seeing that the designs of runes suitable for shadow wizards were present in the library, he thought, ''It''s just like I expected. The library has them. The one time I needed it the most, it didn''t let me down.''

    However, the design of all the runes was locked behind a freaking paywall. They could only be unlocked by using arcane points, and Val had a bunch of them. But having a lot didn''t mean he should waste them on things that weren''t useful to him.

    Instead of buying them in bulk, he decided to get one that was the most suitable for him.

    Unknowingly, he had saved himself from a lot of trouble. After all, as he was a level 1 Shadow wizard, he could form only one rune in his arcane heart, and once a rune was formed, it was permanent. Self-destruct was possible, but it will harm the arcane heart, and the harm would be irreversible.

    That''s why, in the wizardmunity, wise wizards always advise the young ones to be careful when selecting a rune to form in their arcane heart as it was no less significant than the most important moment of their life.

    The library showcased a variety of runes specifically tailored for Shadow wizards. Their names and description are mentioned below.

    1: Shadow Step Rune: Allows the user to instantaneously step from one shadow to another within a limited range. Useful for evading attacks or catching an enemy off-guard. Can only be etched on the core of a level 3 Shadow Wizard.

    2: Dark Mirage Rune: Conjures illusory clones made of shadows, confusing opponents and diverting their attention. Can only be etched on the core of a level 2 Shadow Wizard.

    3: Night Cloak Rune: Envelopes the user in a shroud of darkness, masking their presence and making them nearly invisible in low light. No condition.

    4: Eclipse de Rune: Generates a de made purely of shadows, sharp enough to cut through most materials. No condition.

    5: Shadow Bind Rune: Can manipte the shadows in the surroundings to ensnare and immobilize the enemy. No condition.

    6: Dusk Shield Rune: Forms a protective barrier made of shadows, capable of absorbing a limited amount of damage. No condition.

    7: Moonlit Vision Rune: Enhances the user''s sight in the darkness, allowing them to see clearly in near-total darkness. No condition.

    "Here, it mentions that runes like Dark Mirage and Shadow Step are exclusive to level 3 and 2 shadow wizards respectively. Why are there such restrictions? Why can certain runes only be formed when one reaches a specific categorized level?" Val inquired, directing his question to Voidyer.

    "There''s a profound reason behind this. Whenever runes are activated, they generate significant pressure, and it''s the core that shoulders this immense burden. If a core isn''t sufficiently fortified, it can easily shatter under this pressure, leading to a rapid deterioration in a wizard''s health and power. Now, the core of a level 1 mid-rank wizard simply doesn''t possess the robustness of those at levels 2 or 3. Specifically, a level 2 mid-rank core is 2 to 10 times denser than its level 1 counterpart, and astonishingly, the core at level 3 is 50 to 60 times denser. These attributes make them incredibly resilient. While the caliber of your core might surpass many, it''s still an unfortified core. I rmend you tread the well-trodden path of wizards before you. It''s best not to tempt fate." Voidyer gave a detailed andprehensive reply to Val and even advised him to be careful.

    The truth is, Voidyer had read him like an open book.

    Val was actually nning to construct a level 2 rune, believing that his core would be able to withstand it given the superior quality of his corepared to Assam''s!

    However, after hearing Voidyer''s exnation, he changed his mind, deciding not to etch a level 2 rune on an unfortified core.

    After all, the risks far outweighed the benefits.

    Val nodded in agreement with Voidyer''s words, saying, "I appreciate your concern. But rest assured, when ites to my life, I don''t take unnecessary risks."

    After a thorough examination of each rune and considering his current abilities and shorings, Val decided on the Shadow Bind Rune.

    He didn''t have a spell that could catch his opponent by surprise and bind them.

    Thus, the ability to manipte shadows in his surroundings to ensnare the enemy would provide him with a strategic advantage, making it the ideal choice!

    Once he expended his arcane points to unlock the rune, a brilliant ray of light erupted from the token. It pierced straight into his mind, imprinting the intricate design of the rune with vivid rity.

    Utilizing wizardry, he meticulously etched the Shadow Bind rune within his core.

    Upon its formation, a surge of newfound power coursed through him, granting him the ability to invoke the Shadow Bind spell.

    "This is going to be quite the game changer," he mused, a sly smile ying on his thin lips.

    With that, there was no reason for him to stay in the cave. While it was dark outside, he didn''t fear encountering the devils of the Forest of Dread. It is because they were no match for ric, who was only a mid-rank wizard with more brains than brawns, and Val was stronger than him in every sense. So how could they be a match for him?

    He was confident he could deal with the devils of this forest easily!

    Not to mention, he had to leave the cave toplete the mission.

    Takingrge strides, he stepped outside.

    Almost instantly, a notification materialized before him:

    [Firstyer of the ss advancement dungeonpleted.]

    [Reward obtained: Return Scroll!]

    [The Return Scroll is a revered legacy item of Morkus. This is no ordinary piece of parchment. Adorned with intricate runes and shimmering with an ethereal glow, it holds the unique ability to transport its user across vast distances. However, its poweres with a condition: it can only teleport to locations the user has previously visited. It also has a cooldown that increases with every use. Use it wisely!]

 Chapter 203 203: Just A Very Giant Squid

    ?

    The return scroll was an excellent item, allowing one to travel to any destination in a sh with the only prerequisite being that it was in cooldown mode.

    With this, Val could escape to safety if he encountered a perilous situation he couldn''t handle during his travel.

    Thus, he felt more at ease with the idea of exploring the Forest of Dread.

    His strides were long and confident as he stepped outside the barrier surrounding the cave.

    He looked back at the cave and thought, "This will be my base in the future."

    Because of the safety it provided, Val decided to assign it as the starting point for every visit to the forest. However, it should be noted that this arrangement was only temporary. Should he stumble upon a more strategic or fortified location, he would readily designate it as his new base of operations.

    ''When that timees, I will strip the cave of all its resources,'' he thought.

    For the same reason, he resisted the temptation to gather the precious runic stones embedded within the cave''s walls. Although they could sell for a lot back in the kingdom as there were countless desperate and unfortunate people who would do anything to gain a trinket that could provide protection against the devils, if he removed them, he would lose the only safe spot in the forest, which he had to visit if he wanted to level up his sub-ss ss.

    "The information regarding the ss Advancement Quest has changed," Val noticed that after he opened the system interface and looked at the ongoing quest.

    ''The secondyer of the dungeon demands the annihtion of the two strongest tribes of monsters in the outskirts of the Forest Of Dread to be considered cleared. It sure is going to be tricky. After all, I don''t know a thing about my targets,'' Val thought.

    Besides, all he knew about the forest came from ric''s diary.

    Unfortunately, the diary primarily focused on the gradual degradation of ric''s mental state due to the attack of the Unknown, rather than the uncharted region.

    While ric mentioned encountering beasts and devils in his diary, there were no details about their strengths or weaknesses.

    Likewise, ric hadn''t attempted to establish any connections with the tribes of monsters present in the forest.

    He likely either deemed it beneath him to interact with monsters or thought it would be futile.

    After all, not every monster tribe, such as the tribe of Shadow Drake variants, could speak the kingdom of Victoria''s nationalnguage. Also, considering the tendency of monsters to attack, kill, and eat humans as soon as they see them, establishing effectivemunication with them would be challenging and nearly impossible for a human.

    Val had made the impossible possible only because he fooled the Shadow Drake Variants into believing he was a Devil God.

    Technically, he was indeed a Devil God, but there was a vast difference between him and the renowned Devil God of the Forest of Dread.

    Chitters!

    The sound snapped Val out of his deep contemtion. Snapped out of his deep contemtion by the sudden chittering nearby, Val quickly turned to the source of the noise. What met his gaze was a bizarre spider creature rushing towards him while emitting a shrill screech.

    This monster was twice as tall as him. Its upper half resembled a humanoid with six prating ck eyes, while its lower half was distinctly arachnid -plete with eight long, hairy legs. And it was practically screaming murder.

    ''Seems like it''s here to kill me,'' Val thought with a smirk. ''Of all the things it could''ve chosen to prey on, it just had to choose me. It''s really an unfortunate sucker.''

    The very the next moment, Val''s disposition underwent a noticeable change. The yful air surrounding him vanished, leaving only a cold-blooded and stone-hearted killer.

    Without any warning, the half-human and half-spider monster had lunged at him, provoking him and earning his ire. While he didn''t have the opportunity to inspect its stats in detail, its aura was discernibly weaker than the chieftain of the Shadow Drake variant tribe. Thus, he was able to determine it was not strong enough to overwhelm him as its presence was weaker than the chieftain of the Shadow Drake variant tribe.

    ''Since there is no reason to run away from this fight or even take it seriously, why not use it as an opportunity to test out the extent of my new ability?''

    As this thought crossed his mind, Val responded to the sudden attack with the Shadow Bind spell.

    From beneath the creature''s many feet, shadows surged upwards, coiling around its legs and torso like tendrils, rendering it immobile. Although it thrashed around violently, it failed to free itself from the shadowy bindings. Even biting proved to be useless as its teeth left not a scratch on it.

    ''It is actually able to immobilize such a huge and ferocious monster. This spell performance rivals bloodline skills. And maybe this is not the extent of its capabilities,'' Val thought as he began to move towards the immobilized monster to deal the final blow.

    As he drew closer, the monster''s struggles intensified. While trying to free itself, it spewed out webs from its mouth, but Val moved swiftly and gracefully like thunder and a gust of wind, dodging all the iing projectiles while charging up to the monster.

    "This is the end!"

    With the creature securely bound by the Shadow Bind spell, Val, with swift precision, thrust his sword straight into its chest. The monster''s three pair of eyes grew dim and lifeless.

    ''It is dead just like that? Maybe it''s acting.''

    Because of his suspicious nature, Val found it difficult to believe that a monster would have such a weakness that wasmon in humans.

    However, a notification from the system made him realize he was being over-cautious for no reason.

    [Ding!]

    Congrattions, Host! You have sessfully eliminated an Arachnidus Mortalis.

    EXP earned: +300!

    ''So it''s really dead,'' Val discovered the greatest weakness of Arachnidus Mortalis. The notification that popped up from killing the monster was a clear confirmation that, much like humans, the heart was Arachnidus Mortalis''s vulnerability!

    With the monster now defeated, Val turned his attention to the expansive forest. The heavenly eye skill was once again activated by him. The forest was immensely vast, but its entire outskirts, which stretched for miles, became transparent to him much like a book he could read.

    To his astonishment, he discerned that hundreds of tribes called the outskirts of this forest home. Identifying the two strongest among them was akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

    And if he tried to resolve this through violence, considering he takes down three tribes a day before returning home so that he won''t be reported as missing by Eliana, it would still take him a few months.

    This estimate didn''t even take into ount the cooldown period of the Return Scroll, implying the ordeal might stretch on even longer.

    Thus, Val realized he needed an alternative strategy to tackle the most time-consuming task of the secondyer of the ss advancement dungeon.

    ''There has to be another way.''

    And so Val racked his brain toe up with a solution.

    Communicating directly with the Monster Tribes was out of the question. The linguistic barrier made it impossible to reason with them or obtain information without resorting to violence.

    With this in mind, he contemted leaving the forest temporarily to seek help from the Kingdom of Lumorion.

    The Lumorions, being native to this region, would likely have insights into the forest''s political structure. They might be able to shed light on the identities and locations of the dominant tribes in the outskirts. Moreover, since ric had lived amongst them, there might be someone amongst them who speak hisnguage.

    ''Chances aremunication might not be impossible.''

    The exit of the forest wasn''t far from his location. It was only an hour''s walk away. If he sprinted, it might take even less time. However, before he could undertake this journey, Voidyer reported its odd finding to Val, "Master, there''s something odd about that mountain in the distance. I think it''sing closer to us!"

    There was indeed a range of mountains in the distance, and one of them seemed to have moved closer to their location.

    But the truth was far more interesting and horrifying than how it was represented to Voidyer.

    It''s because of the distance!

    Because of the hundreds of miles of distance between them, only a silhouette of a mountain could be seen by Voidyer.

    However, due to his heavenly eye, Val was able to get a clear view of it, and what he saw left him shocked to the core.

    He was like a man that had stumbled upon a devil. However, because he couldn''t feel fear, his reaction was only one out of three parts simr to one.

    "It''s not a mountain. It''s a brown squid that''s so freaking gigantic its triangr head looks like a sky-piercing mountain from afar!" he eximed in a voice overflowing with surprise.

 Chapter 204 204: A Terrifying Force Of Nature

    ?

    "Its appearance is bewildering."

    The giant squid was taller than Stormgazer Devil, who had attacked the train under the order of the destruction devil, Morthos.

    Because of its silhouette and the color of its body, it was easy to mistake it for a walking mountain from a distance, especially at night. Voidyer''s spirit vision wasn''t as sharp as Val''s heavenly eye, so it had misidentified the creature as a mountain.

    "So you''re telling me it''s actually an aquatic monster. But then what is it doing onnd? And why is it heading our way?" Voidyer questioned, its tone dripping with disbelief and unease.

    "Maybe it noticed us," Val suggested casually.

    "That can''t be possible; we''re hundreds of miles apart. How could it detect us?" retorted Voidyer.

    "If we can see it, why can''t it see us?" Val countered.

    "But we''re just a speckpared to its vastness," Voidyer reasoned, emphasizing the disparity in their sizes and howrger entities might struggle to spot smaller ones from a distance.

    "When confronted with the unknown, never usemon sense to judge them," Val uttered.

    The words might''ve just left his mouth when his head throbbed. His supernatural sixth sense, which could detect danger a moment or two before it arrived, was ring rms of impending danger at him, making him realize the severity of the situation.

    A moment after the warning bells went off in his head, a gusty whoosh of wind followed by a shing sound filled the air.

    Reacting purely on instinct, Val sprang to the side, barely evading a rapid tentacle tipped with a sharp triangr end that whisked past him, grazing his cheek in its wake.

    A thin line of blood welled up from the cut, trickling down his face. The menacing tentacle, on the other hand, retracted just as swiftly, stretching back towards the looming figure of the enormous squid.

    Gasping in abination of shock and admiration, Voidyer eximed, "Did that just happen? Did that behemoth just reach out for us from such a distance?"

    Val brushed the blood from his cheek with the back of his hand and grinned, "Remember my earlier advice?"

    Rolling its spirit in mild annoyance, Voidyer replied, "Fine, point made. But we have a more pressing issue. How do we deal with that leviathan now that it''s focused on us?"

    Val beamed, "Of course, we fight."

    With little warning, the Giant Squid unleashed a surprise assault. Its tentacles, each ending in a sharp triangr tip, stretched impossibly across thousands of miles, aimed directly at Val.

    As it was night, the forest was submerged in darkness. Moreover, it was thick with trees and foliage, both of which acted as covers that hid its tentacles from the naked eye. Unfortunately for it, all obstacles were semi-transparent to Val as his heavenly eye was active.

    Its insidious n was clearly visible to him!

    Determining he won''t be able to dodge them relying on his current speed, Val activated his Blood Rush skill, immediately doubling his agility.

    With more than 60 points in agility, he weaved around the hurtling tentacles, evading each potentially deadly strike.

    And then, he counterattacked. Grasping Voidyer firmly, he swung the de with precision and deadly intent. As the sword made contact with the scaled tentacles, it sliced through them effortlessly. It wasn''t just Val''s strength that made the feat possible; it was Voidyer''s intrinsic ability to negate all defenses, rendering even the most armored foes vulnerable.

    Although the giant squid only felt it had been tickled when Val cut off 7 of its tentacles, it found it disgraceful and its eyes bubbled up with annoyance. It had never considered the possibility of being harmed by a mere prey. Yet, something so surreal actually happened, pissing it off.

    ''I want him dead!''

    The giant squid now only had murder on its mind and it wasing for Val!

    Staring at the behemoth, Val muttered, "It canunch such an intricate barrage of tentacles from miles away. Its capabilities are truly chilling."

    "Master, I''m certain we can''t take this creature down." Voidyer said, "Perhaps it''s wiser to retreat."

    "Combat isn''t always about triumphing over the foe. At times, the knowledge and insights gained from confronting a formidable opponent are more precious than victory itself. Every battle teaches and every challenge refines. I''ll only consider burning a trump card to escape when we''re truly cornered, with no other options left," Val said profoundly.

    Observing Val''s deft evasion of its initial strikes, the colossal squid altered its strategy. Rather than singr, direct strikes that Val could easily evade, its tentacles began to surge from every conceivable direction, forming a-like pattern aimed at ensnaring Val in an inescapable trap.

    "Shadow Bind!"

    Without hesitation, Val invoked his level 1 shadow rune. Immediately, shadows surged upwards from the forest floor, morphing into thick, taut ropes of ck. With startling speed, they shot forth,tching onto the rapidly approaching tentacles and wrapping around them tightly.As a result, the momentum of the giant squid''s tentacles was abruptly halted, stopping just inches away from Val, their progress thwarted by the formidable Shadow Bind spell.

    Almost simultaneously, a myriad of invisible des, a result of Val''s masterful wizardry, emerged, slicing through the tentacles. They were cut into myriad segments, falling lifelessly to the ground. Since he didn''t met much resistance when he cut apart the tentacles with Voidyer, he was able to tell that soul swords were sharp enough to chop apart its scale-covered tenatcles like fish on a chopping board.

    "It''s too distant. If I dispatch my swords towards it, they''ll fall short of their mark." Val assessed.

    "This bastard is a bigger nuisance than I thought."

    From afar, a deep, rumbling noise resonated from the giant squid. It was a clear indication of the squid''s mounting frustration.

    "Master," Voidyer said in a voice that was trembling slightly, "I sense a tremendous surge in energy. Something big ising."

    "I''m aware, but thanks for the heads up," Val replied.

 Chapter 205 205: Return

    ?

    The throbbing sensation enveloping him had made it quite clear to him that he was in immense danger. One wrong move might very well cost him his life.

    Swiftly, he repositioned himself. However, no matter where he ran to or how fast he ran, the ominous sensation didn''t wane.

    Instead, it deepened, growing more intense with every heartbeat, signaling a threat of unprecedented magnitude was out to chase him.

    While running at the top of his speed, Val looked back at the monster from over his shoulder and saw a scene that would chill anyone to the bone.

    The Giant Squid was unleashing a torrent of inky darkness from its massive form. As the thick cloud of ink spread outward, it consumed everything in its path, making it vanish as though erased from existence.

    Voidyer urgently cried out, "Master, run!"

    In response, Val quickly activated the return scroll.

    He was whisked away to safety just moments before the squid''s devastating attack could reach him. He was teleported back to his room, which was located on the first floor of the haunted house.

    "Phew. I thought we were going to die," Voidyer sighed in relief.

    That thought, however, hadn''t even crossed Val''s mind. After all, he had a few trump cards up his sleeve. He could escape to safety whenever he wished.

    "We didn''t, so it''s all fine," Val said calmly.

    "There''s not a hint of disturbance in his voice. It''s as if he wasn''t the one who was nearly killed just moments ago," Voidyer mused internally.

    "You were so adamant about engaging that creature, but it turned out to be too overwhelming. Did you gain anything out of it?" Voidyer inquired.

    "A lot actually," Val replied, "For starters, I''ve ascertained the true caliber of the Devil Gods of the Forest of Dread. They surpass the likes of Stormgazer in strength and intellect.Someone possessing the might of an advanced-stage bloodline user can rival them. Do you grasp the implications of that? These beings, as formidable as they are,ck the divine essence that would make them invincible. They can be harmed; they can be defeated; they can be killed and eaten. It has also be clear to me that venturing deep into the forest without reaching the advanced stage would be sheer folly."

    Val''s revtions left Voidyer in a state of astonishment.

    "You gleaned all that from a brief encounter?" it asked in disbelief.

    Val nodded.

    "But how can you be so certain that the giant squid is indeed one of the forest''s Devil Gods?" Voidyer asked another question.

    "Recall what the Shadow Drake Variants mentioned back in the cave when I was questioning them? Devil gods possess the power to single-handedly wipe out tribes. That squid disyed such overwhelming might. Thus, I deduced it must be a Devil God," Val exined.

    "You''re able toe up with such conclusions so easily. It''s like you''re far more intelligent than me despite the fact I have lived longer than you. Is it because humans are born with wisdom unlike cursed weapon like me that develops our consciousness over time and after countless tribtion," Voidyermented profoundly.

    "Nah, I just have a knack for drawing conclusions that often turn out to be urate. But it''s not as if I''ve always been right. I''ve made mistakes, and once, my misjudgment cost me everything, even my life," Val said with a hint of sorrow in his voice.

    In his previous life, he failed to consider the possibility of every superpower teaming up to nuke the strongest mercenary group. He was so busy profiting from the war, he didn''t realize when they met up in secret and decided to eliminate the profiteer by nuking them. If only he hadn''t been so blind to the grand scheme of things, maybe he would have still been in control of everything.

    "But how can that be? You''re still alive!"

    "This is my second life," Val shrugged.

    "You... why did you reveal such a monumental secret to me?"

    Val replied confidently, "I believe a spirit sword that was willing to die for its creator would not betray its master."

    Moved by the trust Val ced in it, Voidyer dered, "I will not let you down."

    Val''s next n was to upgrade his innate bloodline. For that, he would have to pay the Shadow Valley a visit. However, two of his trump cards were on cooldown, and he was feeling pretty exhausted with only eight points left in his stamina bar out of a total of 32. Given these circumstances, he decided to dy his visit to the Shadow Valley by another day.

    "An entire night spend adventuring outside."

    Rays of light were streaming into the room through the window, signifying he had spent the entire night in the ss advancement dungeon.

    ''I can''t rest.'' Val thought, ''A training event will be held soon.''

    Maybe the location where it would be held had already been forwarded?

    As this thought crossed his mind, he stepped out of his room to retrieve his talisman. It was hanging on the door, protecting the house from devil invasions. Since it was already morning, it had fulfilled its purpose for the night.

    As he picked it up, he noticed that a new message had appeared on the talisman.

    The message read: "We will be discussing the recent dungeon breach today. Every level 2 to 3 bloodline user is expected to gather at the coliseum before 6 a.m. Attendance isn''tpulsory, so it''s up to you if you want to attend. However, know this: A great opportunity awaits for those who do."

    Val pondered the message on the talisman. Marshal had personally advised him to participate in the training event just yesterday, saying it would be beneficial for him. Even if Marshal hadn''t mentioned it, the intriguing line at the end of the message was enough to pique Val''s curiosity. He decided to participate.

    Before leaving, he used his Oracle Eye skill to check on Eliana. She was dead asleep, oblivious to the world around her.

    "Let''s brush up my Brownie points by preparing breakfast for her," Val decided to do something nice for Eliana in order to improve their rtionship.

 Chapter 206 206: Dungeon Break Explained!

    ?

    If you''re wondering why Val thought he would be able to satisfy Eliana if he made breakfast for her, let''s reflect on Eliana''s past.

    With her family annihted by devils, Eliana became a street urchin with a younger brother to provide for and take care of. Having no parents or a guardian to look after them in a cruel world where the strong were respected and the plight of the weak was typically overlooked, they were worse off than orphans.

    Thus, every day was a fight for survival where she had to ensure she and her brother wouldn''t starve to death or get killed.

    So how could she have the time to experience other things?

    Eliana... she experienced what it meant to be cared for after she awakened and Val started providing for her. He was doing it out of selfish motives but she didn''t know that as he had carefully masked his true intention behind a wless facade.

    Being the old fox he was, he could read simple and naive humans like Eliana like an open book. He was certain that providing her with a bit of warmth would move her heart, inciting a surge in his position in her heart.

    Besides, while they were spending time together, he had noticed one of the greatest joys of her life was having a fulfilling meal with the person she loved. Although he couldn''t be there to apany her, he had no doubt she would feel grateful once she finds out what he had done for her. After all, there''s something undeniably touching about waking up to find that one''s beloved has prepared a meal just for them.

    The breakfast he whipped up for Eliana was nothing extravagant. It was a simple egg toast paired with a few slices of bacon, bread, and beans.

    It was, however, far better than what she used to have in the past. After all, before they became a couple, Eliana would often settle for hard, in bread for breakfast, always putting aside her needs to save every penny to ensure her brother''s enrollment into the stronghold. At that time, she had not awakened as a priestess, thus making earning a few pennies challenging for her.

    Once they began dating, Val noticed she was malnourished and improved her diet.

    As his personal asset, her health was a great deal. While the holy power in her blood could ensure a supernatural rate of recovery from physical harm inflicted on her, it didn''t mean her health won''t deteriorate if she didn''t eat appropriately.

    After he took it upon himself to ensure she was better nourished, every morning, he''d insist she has at least two eggs, refined bread, and a ss of milk. And he made sure she ate well three times a day. This had not only improved her health but also deepened her feelings for him.

    Val was confident that she''d be ted to see a hearty breakfast prepared by her lover once she awakens.

    ''Given the events of the previous night and this morning''s breakfast, perhaps she might even say a prayer for me, bestowing upon me a powerful blessing. I will be looking forward to it,'' The thought put a warm smile on his face.

    After setting aside breakfast for her, Val left the house and started moving towards the coliseum.

    The Coliseum was located in the southern district of the lower city. It was towering and majestic, boasting a vast arena surrounded by rows of ascending seats, able to amodate thousands. Its main purpose was to allow citizens of the frontier to earn contribution points by engaging in battles or cing bets. Battles could be held against fierce beasts or fellow humans, the choices were numerous. The spectators could ce a bet before the battle begins. If the one they bet on wins, a bunch of Contribution points would be credited to their cards.

    "It''s like the one in Rome.''

    Val arrived there after a quarter of an hour and noticed a huge crowd was already gathered at the coliseum.

    Val thought, ''Looks like the notification issued by the authorities piqued the interest of many.''

    The people around him were engaged in conversation. Without feeling shy, he overheard their overheard, wanting to get a clear picture of the situation.

    "We''re called here for the dungeon break. I bet it''s to rally forces to destroy the seed of infection and prevent the dungeon break from spreading."

    "Seed of corruption? What''s that?"

    "You don''t know what a seed of corruption is? You must have not paid attention in school."

    "How rude of you to assume I have a privileged upbringing!"

    "???"

    "What does being privileged have to do with the fact you''re ignorant?"

    "I never went to school because I couldn''t afford it! If I had a choice, do you think I will be so ignorant?"

    "I feel sorry for you."

    This was said sarcastically.

    "If you''re done jabbing at the boy, why not exin it?"

    The man who had spoken must be someone important because the person dressed like an official straightened up his back and saluted the man, "Sir, yes sir!"

    Val saw how quickly the official had changed his behaviour because his superior intervened. He couldn''t help but think, ''The lower city might not be as grand as the upper haven, but no matter where you are, being in a position of power can make the people around you behave pleasantly or however you like. Just look at how a single sentence from Marshall made the official behave more politely. That says a lot about the current state of society.''

    In this world, the strong were respected unconditionally. On the other hand, there was no need for a reason to look down on the weak and the people of lesser status.

    However, Marshall only liked bullying bullies. So he stopped the official working for the same master as him from being a jerk.

    "When a dungeon break happens, it doesn''t mean a spatial crack has opened up in space, allowing monsters inside the dungeon to invade the world. It means something entirely else," The official exined to the gathered crowd toplete his order.

    "Stop trying to be mysterious by talking in a roundabout way!"

    "Yeah, get straight to the point."

    "Okay, okay, I will. The dungeon break is ssified as a unique phenomenon by the court wizard as it means the integration of the world inside the dungeon with our world. That''s how a dimension is formed. With the appearance of a dimension, the dungeon core takes root in the world, transforming into a Seed Of Corruption, which not only stabilizes and sustains the existence of a dimension but also feeds on the world''s energy to grow and strengthen the dimension. If left unchecked, the dimension will grow and the monsters inside it will be stronger, growing in grade. But this process usually takes a lot of time."

    "Is there a way to stop it?" Rowan asked. Rowan was the boy who hadn''t gone to school because of his financial situation.

    Val nced at him, feeling he stood out from the crowd. It might be because he was well over 7 feet. But he could also sense he was strong. Call it the instinct of the strong. As he cast detect on him, he realized that although Rowanes from humble origins and was dressed in in clothing, he was a level 2 bloodline user. If he was really as poor as he said, the reaching such a level at the age of 22 was special. His bloodline purity must be quite high. As soon as Val realized this, he decided to leave an impression on him.

    "There is." Val said, "You need to enter the dimension and destroy the seed of corruption. But it is not an easy feat. Just like how a dungeon core is protected, the seed of corruption is also protected by the strongest monsters of the dimension.''

    "Can''t a powerful bloodline user invade a dimension and destroy it?" Rowan asked again.

    "It''s not possible," Val replied.

    Marshall nudged the official to do the exining. Commanded by the most traumatizing superior of the lower city, the official spoke like a parrot, "A dimension is surrounded by a barrier that not just anyone can bypass. Only beginner-stage bloodline users can enter a lesser-grade dungeon, which is formed when a dungeon break of danger levels 1 to 4 urs. And even if the barriers are somehow breached, the dimension has its ownws. It will crush the vitor if possible or expel them from the dimension. But it''s considered challenging for advanced-stage bloodline users to harm the barrier of a lesser dimension. And why would they do that when they have better things to do?"

    After hearing the exnation, Rowan seemed to be enlightened, "Dimensions are really something."

    "They are indeed," Val continued, "A trip inside a dimension may be perilous, but it can also be rewarding. Except for monsters, a lot of exotic treasures form in the dimension. They can be a life changer if youe across one and obtain them," Val said with glints of desire shing in his eyes.

    "Thank you for sharing valuable information with a nobody like me," Rowan said.

    Val smiled warmly, "You''re wee."

    A ray of light shot out of the Upper Haven. Marshall gazed turned sharp.

    The special event was about to begin!

 Chapter 207 207: Bountiful

    ?

    The ray of lightnded in the middle of the coliseum, revealing itself to be a tall and handsome man with emerald eyes and golden locks. The man was dressed in white and exhibited a serene and refined demeanor that made him look like a god who had stepped out of a painting, untouched by the dust of the mortal world. His gaze swept across the crowd and the corner of his mouth curved, "They are here."

    Val found the man familiar. Of all the people he had met, he had left the most profound effect on his mind, "Since he is here, something interesting is bound to happen."

    Val mulled over another pressing matter. The diary had to be forwarded to the crazy Queen that was stepping foot in uncharted territory without taking proper precautions. Written in the diary, it was mentioned that proper countermeasures, if things go wrong hadn''t been set in ce. They were ying with fire, waiting to be burned. But mes were known to be merciless, growing while feeding on others. Everyone would be affected if the experiment continued and attracted the attention of the Unknown.

    The Unknown was like a fire they didn''t know how to put out!

    ''Everyone''s safety is at risk. The Queen is the type of person who not only self-destructs but also destroys the world for selfish reasons. She is worse than me. I will only initiate the destruction of the world if it benefits me.''

    Their current trajectory, with reckless experimentation, would surely draw the unwanted attention of the Unknown to the kingdom, causing peace and safety to be a luxury.

    Even a child would know confronting entities you understood was manageable, but tangling with mysterious entities beyondprehension was a recipe for catastrophe.

    A single Unknown, Val believed, was more than enough to put the kingdom''s safety at risk.

    However, he couldn''t actively participate in this matter. If he did, he could say goodbye to his freedom. Val was so sharp, how could he not know that?

    ''Directly contacting the ambitious Queen is not an option for me. Besides, I must ensure that my possession of the diary won''t be public. There are cursed artifacts that can detect lies and hypnotize people. If I am forced to tell the truth, I might getid down on the table and be ruthlessly dissected. Considering the ambitious nature of the Queen, she would go that far to steal my fortune. But I can''t not take any action. The threat of the Unknown is even worse,'' His eyes narrowed as he lost himself in deep thought.

    Staying away from the spotlight was crucial to him as he couldn''t break free from the kingdom and wander this world on his own with his current level of strength. If he wanted to act recklessly, he had to wait until he bes strong enough to survive outside the boundary of the kingdom.

    ''But there''s still a way.''

    What was his most viable option you ask?

    It was to depend on Lucious!

    If it was any other person, Val wouldn''t have considered sharing he had found the diary. But since it was him, a descendant of the D. Dragon n known for being the protector of the kingdom until they were destroyed, it was well worth a try.

    Not to mention, relying on his Detect Trait, he could determine if it was safe to speak the truth and pass the diary to Lucious. But if it wasn''t, he would have to seek another way.

    ''Onest hurdle remains.''

    Lucious was leagues above him in terms of status, meaning he could not simply walk up to him and initiate a conversation, especially not in a public setting. He would be stopped before he get anywhere near him.

    As for where to look him in private, he also didn''t know that. People like him couldn''t enter the Upper Haven. Their existence was considered too lowly. Sigh.

    In the North, those from the Frontier held individuals from the Upper Haven in divine-like esteem. Given the societal dynamics, striking a proper conversation with such esteemed figures was nearly an impossible task. But if you had connections, it was manageable.

    ''Once Lucious truly understands the dire nature of our situation, he won''t hesitate to seek an audience with the Queen and reveal the truth. But how do I hold a private audience with him?''

    Val''s gaze naturally wandered off to Oliver, who hadn''t noticed him.

    ''I can use him to gain an opportunity to talk with Lucious. Since we are family, he might not refuse my extravagant request.''

    Among the crowd in the coliseum was a young man with soft features, blue hair, and blue eyes.

    He was precisely Oliver!

    With a swooshing sound, the wind swept up, ruffling his sky-blue hair. Upon noticing the man with emerald eyes, his royal blue eyes brightened up, twinkling like stars in the gxy, "Master."

    At this moment, Oliver looked like a child seeing his beloved father after missing him for a long time.

    Considering the two''s master-student rtionship, it wasn''t exaggerated.

    Lucious was the first person who didn''t look down on Oliver just because he was a normie with no hope of ever bing a bloodline user, instead treating him with kindness without expecting anything in return. Supporting, guiding, and motivating �C things his parents should have done for him, he did for him. No wonder Oliver''s heart filled up with joy and reverence at the sight of him.

    From the crowd, Marshall approached the man with the emerald eyes and knelt on one knee, respectfully saluting, "Lord Lucious, this one has seen you."

    "Mn," Lucious responded with a nod, signaling for Marshall to rise.

    Once on his feet, Marshall inquired, "Howe you graced us with your presence, Lord?"

    "Orders from above," Lucious replied.

    Val watched Lucious whispering into Marshall''s ears and wondered what they were discussing. The crowd was also curious about their exchange.

    God knows what Lucious had said, but Marshall immediately turned to the crowd and announced, "The person beside me is Lord Lucious. I bet I need not say anymore."

 Chapter 208 208: Test

    <h4>Chapter 208 208: Test</h4>

    The crowd nodded their head.

    Naturally, there was no need as his reputation preceded him.

    Marshall continued speaking with a rare trace of excitement present in his voice, "Lord Lucious has good news to announce to you all." he turned to the man beside him and respectfully asked, "Lord Lucious, will you please do us the honor?"

    Not here to make any trouble, Lucious nodded his head. The next second, he was looking at the crowd with a warm smile. His bright emerald eyes were shining warmly under the sun. Everyone''s eyes were focused on him, some looking at him with envy and others with reverence. He was only not attractive but also authoritative, and a figure with a legendary status in many people''s hearts, an inspiration for an entire generation. It was hard to not look at him.

    He spoke, "I will craft one potion of any level below six for anyone that seeks out the seed of corruption of the dimension created by the recent dungeon break and destroys it. You might not know, but besides being a highly respected noble, I am also one of the Alchemy Kings. The potions I create are always more than 80% free of impurities, making them significantly safer to consume than the ones on the market. This is a rare chance toe across.''

    Every potion came with risks. While they provided immense benefits, they could induce or increase the concentration of the force of corruption inside one''s body, and if pushed past a certain limit, mutating into a mindless killing machine was certainly a possibility. However, the fewer the impurities in a potion, the safer it was to consume. A potion with an impurity level of only 20% was considered extremely unique.

    Val thought, such a potion was truly rare toe across. But he was immune to the force of corruption, so it didn''t really matter. But he was notpletely unmoved.

    He was interested in Lucious''s identity as an alchemy king.

    Alchemy Kings were said to have achieved the epitome of alchemy. The prerequisite for this title was that they had crafted a level 8 potion. At any given time, there could only be 10 such masters. Lucious being one of them clearly showed he was not to be underestimated.

    He pondered, ''He can drive away advanced-grade devils like Morthos and Stormgazer without making a move, and he crafts level 8 potions. Just how can one man be so proficient in so many areas? Is it because he is from that n?''

    "What an amazing news!"

    The lower city''s residents had never heard of a potion with an 80% purity rate, their faces lit up with excitement and astonishment.

    "A potion of such high purity? Is he serious?"

    "I''ve heard about Alchemy kings'' potions, they are legendary. Since no one''s contradicting his im, it must be true."

    "Can you imagine what such a potion would sell for? We could be rich! This might be the opportunity of a lifetime!"

    "Despite the risks involved, I am not going to pass up this opportunity."

    The dangers of the dimension were real, but with such a reward, venturing into one to destroy it from the inside was well worth the risk!

    Oliver remarked, "Master''s pretty good at riling up the crowd."

    A voice boomed out, reaching everyone''s ears.

    "Don''t get ahead of yourselves. Only those who pass a certain test will be given this opportunity," Marshall cautioned the eager crowd.

    A voice from the crowd piped up, "What''s the test?"

    Marshall replied, "You''ll have to face and ovee a formidable challenge. Specifically, you must defeat a level 35 beast from the Coliseum. Only by proving your worth against such a powerful adversary will you be considered good enough to be part of the expedition to the lesser dimension."

    A muscr man with a broad chest, long ck hair tied in a ponytail, and a pair of piercing eyes stepped forward, dering, "I will go first."

    "Who is he?" Val asked.

    The person beside him said, "You don''t know him? He''s the son of the lower city lord, Clea Thunderspear."

    ''His name is too feminine. Which retard named such a big and burly man in such a silly way?'' Val kept his offensive thoughts to himself, secretlyughing at the other''s misfortune. He bet the tall and muscr guy wasn''t happy about having such a girly name either.

    Seeing Clea, Oliver''s face turned tense. He bit his lip and murmured, "Why is my brother''s right-hand man here? Is he here to cause trouble for me?"

    The thought came naturally to him as these two bastards had tortured him a lot in his childhood. Until his master helped him escape that hell, he was beaten by them every other day. They were sick psychopaths who liked to pick on the face. On top of feeling tensed, his face also turned pale.

    Marshall pulled out a scroll and unfolded it, "Sign this contract."

    The contract stated that the organizers wouldn''t be held responsible if someone get hurt or died during the test. Although there were precautions set in ce to avoid death, idents could happen.

    Clea signed it without hesitation.

    Marshall pped his hands, signaling the start of the challenge, "Bring out the beast!"

    The iron gates connected to the arena opened with a loud creaking noise, and a cage containing a tall, burly monkey was pushed out into the spotlight.

    "5ft tall, covered in red fur, and eyes glinting with a trace of intelligence and savagery, that''s a Red-Maned Ape. Even though it''sbeled a level 35 beast, its ferocity can outmatch beasts of level 40. With its powerful hands, it can easily tear apart adversaries. I''m afraid it might be too much for young master Clea to handle," an onlooker expressed.

    "Don''t underestimate our master," sneered a young man from the crowd.

    ''Looks like the members of the lower city lord''s household were also among the crowd gathered in the Coliseum. I better not badmouth him out loud,'' Val thanked the god that he held back from making fun of him a moment ago. Otherwise, he would''ve attracted unnecessary attention.

 Chapter 209 209: Clea Thunderspear

    ?

    An old man with yellow skin and turbid eyes spoke out, "Hest made an appearance two years ago, participating in the extermination of the mountain n, who had been illegally upying territory in the Wysmire Mountain range and terrorizing not only the surrounding strongholds but also the Northern Frontier.

    "He earned worldwide recognition for killing the eldest son of the mountain n''s chief with a single move.

    "The eldest son of the mountain n''s chief was only 21 years old when the battle took ce, but he was a level 3 bloodline user.

    "To be able to kill him so effortlessly, he was not ordinary even then. Two years have since passed; Clea must have grown stronger. It''s hard to predict who wille out on top."

    The crowd looked at the old man but failed to recognize him.

    The old man was the one who''d chronicled hundreds of past events and had them etched into the annals of the city''s history, but he usually worked from behind the scene, following his master''s orders withplete obedience and recording history as spoken by the victors.

    Thus, although he was the respected historian of the Lower City, better known as the City''s Chief Chronicler, it was hard for themoners to know his true identity.

    However, there was no lie in the old man''s words.

    The crowd whispered among themselves, "It had really happened."

    The people of the mountain n were a bunch of bandits, attacking and looting people without shame. They were extremely ruthless in the way they handled things.

    After conquering a stronghold, men were killed or forced into hardbor while children and women were enved.

    The beautiful ones were forced into prostitution.

    They also loved to attack merchant convoys. Like a swarm of locusts, everywhere they went would be stripped of all its value.

    The inders and the royal family remained silent despite the atrocitiesmitted by the mountain n of the mountain range, seemingly having no intention of helping.

    They weren''t the ones suffering, so why would they help?

    With the inders and the royals keeping quiet about the matter, the ounders and the Thunderspear tribe looked to resolve it with their own hands as they couldn''t stand it anymore. Without waiting for orders from above, they annihted the entire mountain n to the veryst man, leaving nothing behind. Those who should be rescued were rescued; those who should be killed were killed and set aze so they won''t turn into zombies.

    The Mountain n was eradicated from existence, reduced to ashes, not a single trace of their existence left to be found.

    But no one thought it was a pity.

    Instead, they all had the same idea that it was a good thing.

    "Who is this old man? And why is he bbering so much?" Val wondered.

    Looking at him from the corner of his eyes to not make it obvious that he was, in fact, staring at him, he cast detect, finding out about the identity of the yellow-skinned old man.

    The revtion left him astounded.

    The old man was the previous City lord.

    Val rolled his eyes internally. "So he was just blowing his grandson''s trumpet? Isn''t he afraid that too much praise might spoil him rotten?"

    "Grand Uncle is also here? What is going on..." Staring at the old man, Oliver''s demeanor could no longer stay stable. He had a bad feeling about this.

    "Begin!" As a gentle wind blew, a voice thundered across the Coliseum, signaling the start of a battle that would be talked about for years toe.

    After Marshall and Lucious retreated from the arena, the cage trapping the beast opened up by itself, and the Red-Maned Ape was set free.

    The Ape lumbered out of the cage, using its knuckles to support its weight as it moved.

    The sun hung low in the sky, casting an elongated shadow of the beast across the arena. The elongated shadow of the beast stretched all the way to Clea, causing him to be enveloped within it.

    Standing at 5ft tall, it towered menacingly over Clea, looking down at him in disdain and desire. Its mouth salivated It had been intentionally starved for three days to bring out its full potential. Its eyes now overflowing with a ravenous hunger remained fixed on its prey.

    Clea, despite the looming threat, stood where he was, undisturbed. Not a single ripple appeared in his nonchnt expression. His demeanor was calm, eyes unwavering as he met the gaze of the beast.

    "Despite facing a starving Red-Maned Ape, every bit of his posture is radiating confidence and an unyielding spirit. Either he''s a fool that''s not afraid of death, or... he genuinely doesn''t view the Red-Maned Ape as a significant threat," Marshall said.

    "It''s thetter," Lucious uttered in a voice bearing certainly.

    "Lord, why are you so certain?" Marshall asked humbly.

    Lucious turned towards him, smiling. "Because I can see it in him."

    "See what?" Marshall asked in confusion.

    "The arrogance of the strong," Lucious replied with a smile.

    Ao! Ao! Ao!

    The ape mmed its chest with its fists, releasing a primal howl that resonated throughout the coliseum.

    Clea smirked, a taunting glint in his eyes, "Are you just going to keep on howling? Or will you make a move?"

    In response, the ape lunged at him, fists raised high. With terrifying speed and momentum, it brought its fists crashing down towards Clea. The Ape moved so fast that Clea''s doom was brough towards him in a sh.

    Many in the audience, especially young girls, closed their eyes, regretting that such a handsome face might meet a gruesome end. They couldn''t bear to watch his final moments.

    "Arrogant fool. If he gets killed, he will just be getting what he deserved."

    Of course there were those who were envious and jealous of Clea. They wished him.the worst, looking forward to his demise.

    But they were bound to be dissapointed today.

    Val was utterly focused on watching the match, ignoring the happenings in his happening. As the ape''s fists drew closer to the lonesome figure, Clea''s body twitched.

    Val''s eyes widened in shock, "He disappeared?"

 Chapter 210 210: Taking the stage with grace!

    <h4>Chapter 210 210: Taking the stage with grace!</h4>

    Bam!

    A resounding reverberation echoed throughout the coliseum as the ape''s fists smashed into the ground, causing it to crack. Dust billowed upwards, coloring the area brown.

    Hm, I didn''t get him?

    The beast looked around, scratching its head in confusion.

    "It missed! But where did young master Clea disappear to?" The spectators exchanged nces, their faces mirroring their bewilderment.

    The very next moment, something even more shocking urred, making everyone''s eyes widen beyond the size of saucers in disbelief.

    Thud!

    Their mouths agape, the crowd watched in stunned silence as the starving ape copsed to the ground with a dull thud, its eyes as lifeless as a dead fish''s.

    The most perplexing detail about the beast''s death was itsck of injuries.

    The monster seemed to have perished without suffering any discernible harm, further mystifying the situation!

    "Is the beast really dead?"

    "I can''t sense its breath. It seems to have perished.''

    "But how?"

    Although there was no answer to how a level 35 beast was killed without suffering a single injure, facts still stand that it had died, killed by Clea.

    "To end a creature''s life without any signs... this is beyondprehension," a voice from the crowd remarked, sucking in a cold breath.

    Everyone''s gaze focused on Clea.

    "To defeat the son of the mountain n''s chief, he needed one move. Yet, to vanquish this stronger beast, he didn''t even need to act."

    "His strength has grown to an unfathomable level!"

    "But it''s good for us. Our frontier has gained another strongbatant!"

    Smiling brightly, Clea happily bathed in the admiration of the crowd.

    Val mused, ''So he is an attention whore.''

    ''I never anticipated encountering someone like this amongst us. Like everyone else, I am unsure how he dispatched the beast. This guy... is certainly worth examining.''

    Having glimpsed something intriguing, Val''s inherent curiosity was piqued. Thus, he naturally felt the need to investigate.

    Uncovering the truth had always been a driving force for him, and every step he''d taken so far was to ensure his survival and to inch closer to ''that'' elusive truth.

    ''Let''s see what he is hiding.''

    His ''Detect'' ability was indeed a wonder. Not only did it warn him of impending dangers, but it also proved invaluable when scrutinizing individuals. With a focused intention, he cast the trait on Clea, unveiling his stats:

    Name: Clea Thunderspear

    Danger Level: 5

    ss: Level 2 Mid-Rank Curse Wizard

    Bloodline: Level 3 Thunderspear Bloodline User

    Runic Skills:

    1: Potent Curse: A powerful hex that can weaken, immobilize, or even fatally harm an opponent. Its effects are unpredictable and depend on the strength and intention of the caster and the rules set by him. The rules are changeable and can significantly affect the power of the curse.

    2: Death Evasion: Allow the user to evade death and teleport a short distance.

    Bloodline Skills:

    1: Thunderbolt: Summons a bolt of pure electricity, striking the target with immense force.

    2: Thunderp: Generates a loud sonic boom, capable of disorienting and stunning enemies in the vicinity.

    3: Storm Surge: Calls upon the power of the storm, enveloping the user in an aura of electricity which enhances physical abilities and can be channeled into attacks.

    Attributes:

    Strength: 24

    Stamina: 26

    Agility: 28

    Reflexes: 20

    Val quickly pieced together how Clea had managed to fell the beast. He had likely employed thebination of the ''Death Evasion'' runic skill to ensure his own safety followed by the ''Potent Cirse'' runic skill to incapacitate the creature.

    ''Curse Wizards truly are fascinating,'' Val thought, eyeing Clea like a viper.

    A shiver ran down the victor''s back. He felt like he was being stared at by a beast, but looking around, he couldn''t tell who it could be. There were just too many in the crowd.

    Marshall cleared his throat for attention and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the victor of this round, demonstrating both skill and cunning, is Clea Thunderspear!"

    From the crowd, a round of apuse rose for the victor.

    Clea''s name was then duly added to the list of those embarking on the expedition to the lesser dimension. Seeing this, he gracefully retreated, melding into the crowd.

    Marshall''s gaze swept across the gathered crowd as he asked, "Who among you wishes to challenge fate next?"

    From the eastern side of the coliseum, where the crowd was densely packed, a figure shot out and gracefullynded in the arena.

    The figure was dressed in all ck, his cloth linen with gold. The cloak behind him fluttered in the wind, adding to his grandeur.

    Although he waa dangerously dressed, his attractiveness was undeniable.

    His appearance was nothing short of breathtaking. His sharp features were framed by sleek ck hair that cascaded down to his shoulders. His inky ck eyes, a stark contrast to his fair, almost ethereal skin, radiated an intensity that was hard to ignore. He stood tall and proudly under the sun, every inch of him radiating an otherworldly charm that left an indelible impression.

    Many women and even some men gasped, captivated by his otherworldly handsomeness.

    "How can a man be so perfect?"

    "He is so perfect, it doesn''t seem humanely possible."

    "It is a level of perfection that befits a God."

    "Just who is he?"

    "It''s him!" someone eximed, "He is the hero who halted the charge of the entire beast tide, leading the lower city to a resounding victory against them."

    Another voice chimed in, filled with admiration and certainty, "If it''s him, this test shouldn''t be too challenging."

    Lucious smiled pleasantly at the sight of him. "I might get to see something interesting," he mused silently.

    With a measured grace, Val looked up at the stand, locking eyes with Marshall, and announced, "Sir, I would like to go next."

    "Just sign the contract," Marshall instructed, tossing a scroll towards Val.

    Without hesitation, Val unrolled the parchment. He bit his thumb, drawing blood, and pressed it onto the scroll as a sign of agreement. With a fluid motion, he then threw the scroll back to Marshall, who responded with a nod of approval.

    "Let the next round begin!" Marshall dered.

 Chapter 211 211: Master Teacher Val! (1)

    <h4>Chapter 211 211: Master Teacher Val! (1)</h4>

    The barred gateway adjacent to where the previous beast was held opened up. Then, with a series of nking sounds and a heavy thud that resonated throughout the coliseum, a monstrous creature stepped out.

    The monster stood at nearly 7 feet tall, had moss-green skin and carried a thick, putrid stench thqt caused many people to scrunch up their noses in revulsion.

    "Oh, how disgusting this monster smells. It''s unbearable!"

    The spectators, abuzz with both anxiety and fascination, began to chatter among themselves.

    "What kind of monster is this?"

    "It''s a Mountain Troll, a level 50 beast. When they sprint, they cause tremors, and no cursed weapon below rank-3 can pierce through their hard, tough skin. On top of their formidable defenses, their regeneration ability rival''s the healing skill of low-level priests and priestess of the Holy Church of Light. Taking one on is like battling both a warrior and a healer simultaneously."

    "This sounds like an unfair matchup for any warrior!"

    "Be careful about what you say. Mindlessly using the Coliseum''s manager of unjustly troubling others is a serious crime."

    "But what are the chances that a warrior would be paired up with a monster that is like their bane? Doesn''t it sound fishy like someone is out to get him!"

    "Take it as just his bad luck, and stopining."

    Heavy cuffs, with chains trailing from them, were sped around the monster''s massive wrists, which were nearly the size of a cow''s calf. Protruding from its lower jaw were two intimidating tusks, and its yellow eyes, filled with malevolence, scanned its surroundings.

    As its gaze swept past the kids and the weak-hearted sitting in the spectator area, they felt terrified and looked away.

    "What are you looking at them for? Your opponent is me."

    The one speaking was Val. His voice was the embodient of peace. Each words he uttered were spoken so calmly it sounded like a soothing melody.

    A question poppes up in everybody''s mind.

    Facing the nemesis of warrior, was he still unfraid?

    He spoke to get its attention and it worked like magic.

    The troll stopped looking around and turned to him, just like he had intended.

    Finally, its gaze rested on Val, and it grinned hideously, exposing its rotten but sharp teeth.

    Outwardly, Val red back, looking extremely heroic. It seemed like even in the face of death, he wouldugh. Even if he died, he would dieughing, ascending to the afterlife but not before establishing himself as a legend in everyone''s heart. Truly, fearless people like him were rare.

    Internally, he was wondering how he could use this situation to the best of his advantage.

    ''Should I make quick work of the troll to establish myself as Clea''s equal. Or should I take a different route. Let''s see what benefits are there,'' His mind raced,ing up with different colorful ideas.

    At the same time, in the spectator area, another conversation was going on between Lucious and Marshall.

    "These Mountain Trolls aren''t native to Eldrich. They stormed our world during a dungeon breach and imed a part of the Wysmire Mountain range as their own through sheer force alone, living among the beasts and devils there. The fact that the Coliseum has enved one to use as attraction speaks volumes about their reach."

    Lucious had a lot of good things to say about the Coliseum.

    After all, they never cease to amaze him.

    ''Every time I visits, they''ve a new surprise waiting for me. This time, they have domesticated a Mountain Troll and send it out to battle the new member of the Destiny Walker, my family!''

    "Lord, is a Troll mightier than a Red-Maned Ape?" a voice raised from beside Lucious. A man without a single of hair on his head was sitting beside Lucious, and he was the one who spoke.

    It was none other than Marshall.

    Although his strong presence was still there, it was greatly expressed. It showed he feared and respected Lucious, willing to humbly lower the intensity of his aura in his presence without being asked.

    "Without a doubt! If Val can defeat this troll relying on physical strength and swordmanship alone, it would undoubtedly ce him above Clea," Without a moment wasted, Lucious provided aprehensive answer. In his eyes, this battle wouldst longer than an instant only if Val held back the majority of his power.

    "You mean he has something else up his sleeves and if he were to use it, the troll won''t stand a chance?" Marshall asked in bewilderment.

    With the graceful smile eternally stered on his face, Lucious, who looked unearthly with his golden hair that shone like the brightest sun and emerald eyes holding the beauty of a thousand forest, nodded his head.

    Then, after extending a finger, an action that seemed unimaginably attractive because his fingers were long and narrow, so well-defined that they looked better than an famous art piece, he said softly, "If he were to go all out, one move would be enough to put down the troll."

    Hearing his words, Marshall''s jaw-dropped. What did he just hear? ording to Lord Lucious, the young man, who was only a level 2 bloodline user when they first met, had already grown strong enough to one hit kill a level 50 monster.

    ''What a shocking news!'' Marshall let himself breath.

    Smack!

    Meanwhile, the troll leered at Val and licked its lips. The impact of its tongue falling heavily on its lips produced the sound of flesh pping against flesh.

    For a moment, Val''s eyes shed with revulsion. The sight of the troll''s thick, saliva-coated tongue sliding across its grey, cracked lips was truly disgusting.

    His face showed a mix of disdain and amusement as he opened his mouth to taunt.

    "A prey mistaking a predator for another prey. Howughable," Val quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

    The very next moment, he raised his hand and stretched out his his middle finger, disying it confidently under the bright yellow sun.

    Seeimg this, the onlooker felt so shocked it was unexinable. Their eyebrows rose to meet their hairline. "Is he seriously taunting a level 50 beast that can shatter a hill with the force of its sprint?!"

    Despite shocking everyone, Val continued taunting the mountain troll. Waving his outstretched middle finger back and forth in a provocative gesture, he beckoned the mountain troll to make its move.

    "Come and get yed," he spot out.

    Though the troll was unfamiliar with the taunting gesture Val was making, it felt the tant mockery behind his anger. Instantly, it was enraged.

    How dare a human make fun of the great mountain troll?!

    "I''m going to rip you apart!" After spitting words that sounded like gibberish to Val, it openes its mouth wide and flexed its stomach.

    A glint of recognization shed in Val''s eyes. Instantly, he recognized what the Mountain Troll was up to. And then, he immediately took proper countermeasure to protect himself from the uing sonar attack.

    GWOOOOO!

    With a roar that echoed in the vast coliseum, the level 50 Mountain Troll released a torrent of shockwaves. These waves, visible to the naked eye, sped toward Val, intending to crush him.

 Chapter 212 212: Master Teacher Val! (2)

    <h4>Chapter 212 212: Master Teacher Val! (2)</h4>

    GWOOOOO!

    With a roar that echoed in the vast coliseum, the level 50 Mountain Troll released a torrent of shockwaves. These waves, visible to the naked eye, sped toward Val, intending to crush him.

    Caught off guard, nearly everyone in the spectator area were shaken by its thunderous roar, their ears ringing continuously as if they were struck on their heads by a hammer.

    However, for the one closest to it, only he remained unaffected by the troll''s mighty roar as he had used his soul power to form invisible earbuds, which he plugged into his ears the instant the troll had opened its mouth to release the roar.

    The earbuds created using soul power canceled all outside noise, protecting his motor nerve from being paralyzed by the troll''s roar.

    As a result, he was not stunned.

    Consequently, he was not caught off guard by the troll''s signature move, which was paralyzing its opponent with its roar before smashing them apart with the shockwaves produced by its roar, he was still able to move. Thus, as the shockwaves neared, Val deftly rolled out of their path. The shockwaves missed him and smashed where he once stood, shattering the ground.

    The shockwaves were truly powerful. If they were to crash on a normal person, even if they didn''t explode on the spot, their internal organs would rupture and their bones would shatter, and they would die of excessive internal bleeding, organ failure, and pain.

    After rolling to dodge its attack, Val stood up, patted the dust off his fashionable clothes, and turned to the crowd, saying, "A Mountain Troll''s roar is loud and powerful enough to render the motor nerves of anyone nearby temporarily paralyzed, causing them to be hit by the shockwaves. But that only stands true if you hear it. To counteract it, simply plug your ears with your fingers if you''re not a wizard. If you are, use wizardry to create plugs that can block the entrance to your ears. That should suffice."

    Val had decided to use this opportunity to teach everyone a valuable lesson.

    In this manner, although he wouldn''t be as shy as Clea, his achievement would be noticeable, and he would leave a favorable impression on everyone''s mind. He would also impress the bigshots, which was his real goal. He wanted to meet Lucious after steengthning his image as a good guy in Lucious''s mind, which will make it easier to get him to fullfill his request.

    The crowd stared in disbelief. Some folks nudged their neighbors, their expressions osciting between disbelief and shock.

    "Are you seeing what I''m seeing?"

    "Is this really happening?!"

    "Is he seriously giving us a lecture while battling a ferocious level 50 beast?"

    From the sidelines, Oliver''s voice cut through the crowd''s murmur, "Behind you!"

    Val swiftly turned around, just in time to see the Mountain Troll preparing its next move.

    Val had just regained his stance when the troll charged forward with all its might, dashing towards him. Each time itsrge feet stomped the ground, a mini tremor was felt through the ground.

    Seeing what it was up to, Val scoffed, ''Long-ranged attack didn''t work. So it''s nning to engage me in closebat. Who gave it the courage?''

    with the Hellish Fist Skill, Val could end this fight instantly, but then his lecture would end prematurely, which he didn''t want.

    Thus, he ended up holding back, letting the monster approach up.

    After closing the gap that existed between them, the Mountain Troll, with every ounce of its might, swung its fists.

    First, it directed a straight punch towards Val, and then it swung left and right.

    Its fists were so powerful that they picked up the wind in their wake, and so fast they were blurry to the naked eye. To the spectators, it appeared as though a series of blurry after-images were punching towards Val.

    Val responded to the barrage of attacks by activating the Blood Rush and Titan''s Reinforcement'' abilities, experiencing a massive surge in his agility. The troll''s attacks were already visible to his trained senses, but they became slower and clearer after the activation of his skills, allowing him to determine their trajectory with ease.

    Manuvering his body using minimalist efforts, Val skillfully dodged each swing. He weaved through the barrage of punches, each time just narrowly evading the troll''s powerful blows.

    The first dodge could be considered a fluke.

    The second one coukd be attributed to luck.

    But after he dodged all of them, the spectators had no doubt about his ability.

    "It feels like he is ying with the Mountain Troll."

    "I also noticed that. He isn''t simply dodging its attack. He is dodging its attack by a hair''s breadth every time."

    "A level 50 monster is being teased like a cat," Lucious chuckled.

    Marshall had nothing to say. It was simply a ridicolous sight!

    Why can''t I hit him!

    With all its attacks missing their mark, the Mountain Troll grew more and more frustrated. Overrun by anger, it made a mistake Val had been waiting for. It sped its hands together, rearing them up high above its head, then, with all its strength, brought them crashing down towards Val, intending to squash him to death like a bug.

    Seeing this, Val''s eyes lit up. In his inky, ck eyes, a glow appeared, one so bright it would''ve left anyone who saw it mesmerized.

    ''Now''s my chance.''

    Val made a risky move. Staying close to the ground, he propelled himself forward with an agile leap. The sped fists of the troll missed him by a few inches and smashed where he was standing a millionth of a second ago.

    At the same time, with dexterity and finesse, he slid behind the troll by maneuvering through the space between its massive legs.

    A shimmering sword materialized in Val''s hand, its de etched with intricate, ancient runes that seemed to pulse with power. With confidence, he swung it.

    Gasp!

    The next instant, a collective gasp echoed throughout the coliseum.

    The spectacle before the spectators was so astonishing that their eyes widened to the size of saucers, and their jaws plummeted with such force it felt as if they had torn the very fabric of reality.

    Several onlookers blinked rapidly, convinced their eyes were ying tricks on them. A few others pinched themselves, thinking they might be trapped in a fantastical dream.

    A gentleman even turned to hispanion, waving his hand in front of his face and asking if they both saw the thing.

    After getting a nod of approval, the gentleman''s shock didn''t die down. Instead, it surged to a whole new level.

    What exactly happened?

    Well, the flesh of the Mountain Troll, rumored to be imprable by any cursed weapon below rank-3, was effortlessly sliced by Val''s spirit sword.

    With a swift and precise cut, both of the troll''s legs were severed!

    Rendered legless, the massive monster crumpled to the ground with an earth-shaking thud.

    "As you can see," Val began, his voice echoing in the silence, "a troll''s lower body and its limited intelligence are its primary weaknesses. Hurt a few curses here and there, and you can drive them mad. Then, you can effortlessly bring them down if you restrict their mobility. Mages, taunt them into a rage, then aim all your spells at their legs while dodging their advances, and this will do the trick. The damage will umte, causing it tog, making it an easy target. As for warriors, unless you''re sure of your speed and strength, it''s better not to confront one alone."

    While continuing his lecture, Val deftly leaped onto the fallen troll''s back and plunged his sword deep into the back of its head.

    Because of its vitality, the troll did not perish despite having a de stuck in its brain.

    However, Its immense life force meant that even amidst agonizing pain, it remained conscious, fully experiencing the sensation of Val twisting the sword, its de grating against the very tissue of its brain, causing it so much pain it pissed and shit itself.

    "A level 50 monster that was like a disaster for most was disgraced to the point of no return at the hands of a low-level bloodline user.

    "Un-fucking-believeable!"

    Val thenmanded his spirit sword to draw the troll''s blood, "Suck its blood."

    "But master, I don''t want to."

    "Why?"

    "Too smelly."

    "You don''t have a say in this."

    Boohoo~

    Voidyer cried while sucking the monster''s putrid blood like a dirty little mosquito.

    The mountain troll was mortified as it experienced the chilling sensation of its life essence being drained away by a sword.

    When Voidyer had extracted the final drop, the troll''s eyes dimmed, signifying its demise.

 Chapter 213 213: Olivers Decision!

    ?

    The moment the Mountain Troll died, a transparent screen appeared in front of Val.

    System Notification:

    Congrattions, Host!

    You''ve defeated a Level 50 Mountain Troll.

    Rewards: 1,000 EXP, +5 Strength.

    Val smiled, "My strength has finally crossed the 40 points mark."

    Before the increase, Val''s strength was at 33 points. After the 5 points increase, it surged to 38 points permanently, but it was temporarily at 42 points because of the bonus stats provided by the spirit sword.

    Marshall''s voice echoed throughout the coliseum, "Ladies and gentlemen, please give a round of apuse for your winner for this round, Val!"

    Whispers and cheers spread across the coliseum like wildfire.

    "His method was unconventional, but it sure was educational," a woman remarked.

    Using a live monster to demonstrate its weakness wasn''t unheard of, but doing it while battling it sure was.

    Not to mention, not many could stomach such a gruesome scene.

    They were disgusted by the act.

    However, those who lived on edge loved every second of it, with nothing but praisesing out of their mouths for Val.

    "I don''t think I''ll ever fear a troll again, not after that disy and the lesson he taught us," a young man said in praise of Val.

    Another spectator chuckled, "Clea''s fight ended faster, but this was way more entertaining. I''d pick Val''s performance any day over young Master Clea''s!"

    A voice, clearly a supporter of Clea, retorted, "Young Master Clea showed true power and dominance. It''s not about the theatrics!"

    The first spectator fired back, "But it''s about the impact! Clea might have the power, but Val has the brains and ir! Clea showed he can stand strong on his own, but Val gave us all a valuable lesson, allowing us to overhelm mountain troll if we encountered them."

    It was clear Val was better than Clea. No one from the city lord manor''s could deny this fact.

    In a more secluded section of the spectator area, Lucious sat with a wide grin on his face, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

    "He''ve lived up to my expectations yet again. He has grown immensely since ourst meeting. I guess he won''t squander the chance I''ve provided."

    The truth is, Lucious had organized this special event, all in the hope of aiding the "destiny child."

    Many of his peers refused to believe that Val could be the foretold destiny child as he was Joshua''s offspring, who had betrayed their faction.

    But Lucious had long felt differently. He was convinced Val was the destiny child.

    If Val truly was the destiny child, he would rise to the challenge and seize the opportunity against insurmountable odds. He would be the one to eradicate the seed of corruption, shatter the dimension, and attain the ultimate prize!

    Marshall, taking in Lucious'' reactions, remarked, "Now I finally grasp what you were hinting at."

    Lucious simply smiled, "I had faith, and it seems it wasn''t misced."

    Meanwhile, Val effortlessly leaped from the arena,nding next to Oliver in the spectator area. He looked at his friend with a casual smirk, "Yo."

    Oliver smiled, patting Val on the shoulder, "You were amazing back there! Congrattions on surpassing everyone''s expectations and securing your spot in the expedition to the lesser dimension."

    His eyes shone with admiration.

    He was being genuinely happy for Val.

    ''Is it because we are now a family?'' Val wondered, ''Or is he seriously just a good guy who finds genuine joy in the sess of others?''

    Whatever the case, one thing was sure.

    Oliver was more or less as valuable a chess piece as Eliana.

    While she could turn the tide in his favor with her sincerity, Oliver was his key to forming a close-knit connection with Lord Lucious and obtaining the ultimate power a wizard can wield - the power of a soul domain.

    He was already a mid-rank wizard.

    However, without Oliver''s rmendation, he didn''t know how hard it would be to get the family head of the Destiny Walkers to teach him the method to form the nascent soul.

    However, if Oliver sides with him, it should be easier.

    "Thanks for the congrattions." Val chuckled pleasantly. Hisugh was like the singing of the birds. Whoever listened to it felt soothed and rxed. Then he seriously looked at Oliver and asked, "What about you? Aren''t you going to give it a try and join the expedition too? With your skills, I believe you will pass the test with flying marks."

    Val had sparred with Oliver multiple times.

    He knew Oliver had what it takes to pass the test introduced by Marshall and survive in a lesser dimension.

    Exploring a lesser dimension was dangerous, but it was also a godsend opportunity. After all, there you could find items that could potentially change your life for the better, elevate you to a higher level of existence in a single breath like a miracle.

    To narrow-minded people, it might seem like Val was cursing Oliver to death by expressing his desire to see him secure a spot in the expedition, but the truth was, he was just wishing him the best.

    "A dimension run is hard to pass up on. I''ll take the test once the ongoing battle between Rowan and that beast is over," Oliver replied.

    Val directed his gaze towards the arena, where Rowan was locked in intensebat with a menacing beast.

    Bothbatants bore numerous injuries, marking their intense sh.

    However, there was a stark contrast between the two: every injury on Rowan seemed to mend and heal rapidly, at a rate visible to the naked eye. In contrast, the beast''s wounds only worsened, showing no sign of healing.

    A single nce was enough for Val to realize that Rowan seemed to have a tactic in ce.

    He would willingly take a hit, ensuring in the process that the beast received one in return. This strategy was like a calcted trade-off: an injury for an injury. But what made it advantageous for Rowan was his remarkable self-healing bloodline skill. Each wound he received closed up shortly after, while the beast''s did not, tipping the scale of the battle in his favor!

    ''Rowan''s strategy, though risky, is crystal clear.''

    Rowan would sustain damage, but he would simultaneously recover. On the other hand, the beast would just umte more and more damage. If this pattern continued, it was evident that Rowan would emerge as the victor.

    ''He is not only dealing damage but was also recovering from it, whereas the beast is not. So he will win. It is as straightforward as that.''

    After concluding Rowan would win the battle, Val turned to Oliver and said, "I hope you will also do well in the test."

    "I will," Oliver said confidently.

    Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind them, "Oliver, participating in this special event might not be the wisest choice for you."

    The voice sounded familiar like they had heard it before. Both Val and Oliver whirled around at the same time,ing face-to-face with Alex.

    When did he appear there?

    Theu were both taken aback as neither of them had sensed his approach, and the shock was evident on their faces.

    "Why not?" Oliver asked after a moment.

    "I overheard some nasty things while I waa strolling around the frontier. Trust me, you might want to sit this one out," Alex warned.

    "What did you hear?" Oliver asked.

    Alex looked around, hesitating for a moment, then said, "This isn''t the ce for such discussions. We should talk in private."

    In response, Oliver quickly erected a sound-blocking barrier around them, ensuring their privacy. Seeing that Val was also within the barrier, Alex looked at Oliver questioningly and asked, "Are you sure about this?"

    Oliver responded firmly, "He''s family."

    Val chimed in, "Yeah, I''m family. His problems are mine to shoulder too."

    In his mind, Val acknowledged that he owed a lot to Oliver, but he wasn''t taking his side just because of that. Oliver could prove to be helpful to him in many ways. Val didn''t want to lose him, at least not before milking him of every advantage.

    Alex took a deep breath before saying, "Your brother, Leon, is nning something unthinkable, and he''s chosen Clea as his weapon to execute this n. If you enter the lesser dimension, you''ll be in grave danger."

    "No way they''d go that far," Oliver said in disbelief.

 Chapter 214 214: Olivers Choice (2)

    ?

    Sighing heavily, Alex said, "I anticipated your skepticism, which is why I came prepared."

    As he spoke, Alex''s finger glowed.

    He gently tapped Oliver''s forehead with the glowing finger.

    As a result, images shed before Oliver''s eyes, apanied by voices, and as the revtions unfolded, his face drained of color, and sadness filled his eyes.

    He had just seen the recording of his brother and cousin plotting his dead. They wanted to assasinate him in the lesser dimension. It was full of danger. So if he died there, no one would be able to verify that he was assassinated.

    "Does father know about this?" Oliver asked in a voice thick with emotion.

    "I don''t know," Alex replied.

    However, it was a widely epted truth that nothing escaped the notice of the Thunder Lord. He should be aware of the nned assassination since it concerned one of his son''s life, yet he hadn''t interfered. It showed he didn''t care about Oliver''s life and death.

    "Father is too cruel," Oliver muttered with a self-mockingugh. "I''m his own son, and yet he doesn''t show a shred of sympathy for me."

    Alex reached out and ced aforting hand on Oliver''s shoulder. "Don''t jump to conclusions. Things might not be as straightforward as they seem."

    "You don''t need to lie to make me feel better," Oliver said. As he spoke, a trace of bitterness was vivid in his eyes. Fate was simply unfair to him. He was born into a family where everyone was obsessed with strength. They shunned him for merely not having the same capability as them. While they could be both wizards and bloodline users, he could only be a wizard, and he was not talented at that either.

    Just for that, they treated him like a waste of space.

    His second brother was even worse. Oliver hadn''t done anything wrong, but he wanted him dead.

    Alex didn''t bother arguing with him. He didn''te here to bicker with Oliver. He was here to change his mind. He wanted to stop him from going outside the frontier.

    "They won''t touch you in the Northern Frontier, which shows they are afraid of breaking the rules of our tribe. They''d only dare to assassinate you in a ce where they can pin the me on something else if they''re questioned. But you can easily foil their n by sitting this one out."

    "Cousin, I''m no longer the boy who used to be afraid of his bullies. They want to kill me? They''re wee anytime. I won''t give up on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities just because of threats," Oliver shot back defiantly.

    Alex wanted him to hide and act like a coward, but Oliver was unwilling.

    When he was a child, he had no backing. He could only endure humiliation and unfair treatment with gritted teeth.

    But now he was a full-grown adult with one of the kingdom''s most finest figures backing him, providing him support.

    He no longer needed to submit to the demand of the strong.

    If something happened to him, his master would surely investigate. He would kill everyone involved in his death.

    Actually, Oliver wished he would fall victim to Leon''s insidious plot and die. At least then, he would get the two who tormented him the most killed.

    ''I can ask for nothing better in exchange for my life,'' he thought.

    Leon and Clea had a bright future in front of them. They had underestimated Oliver''s value in Lucious''s heart, thinking that no one would treat a trash with sincerity. They didn''t know killing him would unleah a calmity that would result in their certsin death even in the Lord of Thunder intervened. Oliver thought that exchanging his life for theirs was well-worth it.

    Alex felt a surge of anger upon hearing Oliver''s words. He grabbed Oliver''s cor and shouted, "This concerns your fucking life, and I can''t be there to protect your sorry ass. Think about it carefully and for god''s sake, just back down for once."

    Oliver red back.

    "Let. Go," he coldly said.

    "Not until you give me the answer I want to hear," Alex growled.

    "You''re no better than them. You''re all bullies that abuse their strength to get what they want," Oliver spat out.

    Alex''s face turned a shade darker, "You think I''m like them? Do you have any idea how much trouble I went through for this?"

    "Was it really for me?" Oliver smirked, "Aren''t you here to gloat my own family want to kill me, and I can''t do anything about it. Now that I think of it, weren''t you among those who bullied me when I was but a child? I think you''d probably be secretly relieved if I were gone."

    Each of his words were like sharp knives stabbing Alex where it hurt the most.

    True, he had made a mistake in the past.

    But at that time he didn''t know any better.

    He followed the crowd and made fun of Oliver.

    Everyone was doing it every single day.

    When they encouraged him, to not be the odd one out, he also did it, but he immediately regretted it afterward and had been sincerely trying to make up to him ever since.

    But now his feeling were taken for a joke.

    Oliver literally stomped on them!

    "You...!" Alex seethed. "You seriously know how to step on my nerves."

    Before the situation could escte further, Val intervened. He grabbed Alex''s hand, effortlessly pushing it down and freeing Oliver from his grip. Alex''s eyes widened in surprise at Val''s strength.

    "Stop it. We shouldn''t be fighting among ourselves," he said, breaking the fight between two kids like a mature and responsible adult.

    "You''re siding with him?" Alex and Oliver asked Val, their tone dripping with resentment.

    Val shook his head, "I just think you both need some time apart to calm down."

    "I would be d if this annoying guy goes away," Oliver said. "But I don''t know if he is willing."

    Alex huffed, "I don''t care if you die. Do whatever you like," before storming off to god knows where.

    After a while, Oliver looked down, visibly distressed.

    "Damn, I didn''t mean to hurt him." he whispered, regret evident in his voice, "Why do I always push away people who care about me?"

    ''Because boy you''re suffering from some serious trust and anger management issues,'' Val thought internally.

    Outwardly, he tried to console his ''friend.'' He ced a reassuring hand on Oliver''s shoulder and said, "Don''t dwell on these things. Focus on the task at hand. You want to take a stance against them, right? I will support you. No matter what you choose, I''ll help you."

    "Even against a guy like Clea?" Oliver asked.

    Val smiled confidently, "You''ve seen what I can do. If hees to assassinate you, he might not win. We just need to ensure we stick together when we are in the dimension."

    In Val''s mind, having Oliver by his side would also be beneficial in his quest to conquer the dimension.

    Oliver managed a weak smile, "I''ll take you up on that offer. Just don''t betray me."

    "Rest assured. I won''t," Val said.

    As long as the benefit outwighted the loss, he won''t let him be harmed.

 Chapter 215 215: Olivers Stage

    ?

    The Poisonous Toad King was a level 42 monster,parable to an intermediate-stage bloodline user. It was three times taller than an average human. Its width was also impressive. It was 3 meters wide, fatter than most cows.

    At the moment, the Poisonous Toad King that the spectators in the spectator area saw had a green body adorned with yellow spots.

    Variations of this beast existed, with the spots on its body determining its type.

    A Poisonous Toad King with ck spots possessed an extra set of poison sacks and could breathe out an extremely toxic fog; any intermediate-level bloodline user confronted with this would surely meet their end.

    To put it into perspective, its toxic breath was no less terrifying than the ink released by the gigantic Squid Val faced in the Forest of Dread.

    In contrast, the yellow-spotted variant didn''t have a deep reserve of poison. However, its tongue was covered in needle-like barbs. If these needle-like barbs sink into flesh, they inject a highly toxic poison capable of killing any bloodline user below the advanced level.

    Facing this beast was like ying a game in hell mode. One mistake and you''re out. If its tongue strikes you, you''re dead.

    However, it was iparably better than facing a ck-spotted Toad King. At least, you still had a fighting chance.

    Currently, a young man was facing the yellow-spotted Poisonous Toad King in the arena of the lower city''s Coliseum. The previous fight had ended a short while ago. It ended with Rowan''s victory just as Val had expected. The current fight was between Oliver and the poisonous toad king and it had just begun.

    The Yellow-spotted Poisonous Toad King wasted no time, lunging into action. With its mouth gaping wide, its tongue shot out with incredible speed, slicing through the air and heading straight for Oliver. But Oliver, with lightning-fast reflexes, narrowly dodged the beast''s assault.

    However, the toad wasn''t going to be put off that easily. After Oliver''s initial dodge, it quickly retracted its tongue andshed out repeatedly. The tongue moved with such ferocity and speed that it was hard to track with the naked eye. Oliver hopped, dodged, and twisted, evading each strike by the skin of his teeth. Throughout the relentless barrage, he ensured that the toad''s toxic tongue and the thin but short needles protruding out of it wouldn''t graze him.

    From the spectator stands, Clea sneered, "Does he only know how to dodge? He''s as persistent and annoying as a cockroach. Why doesn''t he just drop dead and die already?"

    A man beside Clea, with eyesses resting on his nose, remarked, "A human''s stamina isn''t as good as a beast''s. He''ll get tired eventually and fall prey to the toad''s tongue."

    "I hope that happens." Clea smirked, "Then I won''t have to dirty my hands."

    Grr!

    The Yellow-spotted Poisonous Toad King, sensing its inability to tag Oliver with its tongue, let out a low, frustrated roar. Its eyes burned with rage. And then, gathering all its strength, it pounced fiercely towards Oliver!

    Anyone who has ever fought a wizard before would know assaulting them with such a straightforward method was bound to backfire.

    In the wizardmunity, it was general knowledge that assaulting a wizard head-on was a foolhardy tactic. They possessed ranged attacks that could decimate opponents before they could even get close. Pouncing towards them was essentially like willingly walking into a trap.

    ''It is akin to begging to be pped.''

    Oliver''s thoughts mirrored this sentiment.

    ''Since it''s asking for it, I will dly fulfill its wish.''

    Meeting the toad''s reckless charge, Oliver did what any seasoned wizard would do if they were in his shoes.

    Standing tall and unwavering, he extended his right hand.

    Pa!

    From his palm, a surge of soul power erupted, striking the toad with such force it sounded like a mighty p.

    The impact was so powerful that the mammoth toad was lifted off its feet and hurled back, crashing into the arena''s wall with a thunderous sound.

    The effect of the crash was devastating. Dust and debris filled the air, and cracks spider-webbed out from the point of impact. The wall, made of reinforced magic-resistant material, now bore a deep imprint of the toad''s massive body. The arena echoed with the sound of settling debris and the audience''s gasps.

    "Wow, I didn''t see thating."

    "Oliver didn''t make a move until now, but when he did, it was decisive, shocking the entire crowd. Hehe." Luciousughed so eerily that Marshall felt a shiver run down his spine.

    ''Lord Lucious''sugh is really terrifying. But I can tell he is genuinely happy to see how far his one and only disciple hase,'' Marshall thought.

    Tsk!

    Clea clicked his tongue in annoyance. This little bastard is struggling in vain.

    Just then, a cheer erupted from the side.

    "Good job!"

    It was Val cheering for Oliver.

    ''I''ve seen through it. I''ve deciphered every detail of its attacking pattern,'' Oliver thought confidently. ''If it dares to attack me with its tongue again, it will learn the price of such folly.''

    The toad primarily had two means of attack.

    It couldsh out with its toxic tongue for long-range assaults or use its massive body to pounce and crush its opponent under its weight.

    Having already experienced the repercussions of thetter, the toad opted for the former, hoping to exhaust Oliver with its long-ranged attacks before finally killing him.

    Oliver saw through what it was up to and merely smiled.

    ''The prey has taken the bait.''

    The toad was doing exactly what he wanted by attacking him with its tongue!

    The attack was straightforward. He was easily able to discern its trajectory and ce his trap.

    His unique innate technique was gravity control. While manipting the gravity acting on an entire body might have negligible effects on massive creatures like the toad, focusing on a specific part intensified the effects manifold. In essence, the smaller the targeted area, the greater the influence of his gravitational maniption.

    As the toad''s tongue darted towards him, Oliver concentrated, targeting just the front portion of the tongue.

    Suddenly, an immense gravitational force descended on that specific spot.

    Thud!

    The sheer intensity of the gravity halted the tongue''s advance mid-air, causing it to plummet towards the ground under its own weight with a dull thud.

    Seizing the moment, Oliver drew his sword and with a swift, precise sh, severed a considerable portion of the toad''s tongue.

    Kuagh!

    A heart-wrenching cry of agony erupted from the toad. It rapidly retracted its now mutted tongue, but not before leaving a gruesome trail of blood on the area floor. It served as a stark reminder of the mistake it made by underestimating Oliver.

    A younger spectator shouted, "Did you see that? He cut the toad''s tongue!"

    The chief historian of the lower city stroked his beard, as he pondered aloud, "This young wizard... he has more tricks up his sleeve than we thought."

    It was impressive to see a 20-something-year-old using his innate technique with such proficiency. It was not an everyday sight, considered as rare as a phoenix''s feather.

    Of course,pared to Val''s feat of discovering and proficiently using his innate technique in a single day, it was nothing.

    If others knew what he had done, they would be so shocked that they would be forced to question their life.

    Meanwhile, seeing Oliver overwhelm the toad king, a hint of irritation shed in Clea''s eyes. With gritted teeth, he muttered under his breath, "This little bastard is proving to be more formidable than I initially believed."

    The man with the eyesses, who was previously so confident in the toad''s victory, felt humiliated as he was proven wrong.

    "The fight is far from over," he grumbled, adjusting his sses with his middle finger. "The Poisonous Toad King is thoroughly pissed from Oliver''s provocations. It won''t cease its assault until its enemy breathes hisst. He may not endure the onught that looms."

    That better be the case," Clea said with disdain. "I don''t want to waste my precious time disposing of a piece of trash when I can use it to discover treasures in the lesser dimension."

    He had utmost disregard for the lives of the weak and unworthy, especially Oliver''s.

    Whoosh!

    The Poisonous Toad King lunged at Oliver once more, seemingly repeating the same error as before.

    One might wonder: why would itmit such a blunder again?

    Was it genuinely seeking another thrashing?

    For starters, the toad found the prospect of asional ps less daunting than the horrifying thought of losing its tongue bit by bit at Oliver''s hand.

    Moreover, deep down, it held the belief that Oliver couldn''t perpetually harness that trick, which he used to blow it away. After all, how could such a tiny body hold such a powerful force inrge quantity?

    The yellow-spotted Toad King believed it was inevitable that he would deplete his reserves of soul power, rendering him vulnerable and entirely at its mercy.

    It didn''t know this move would be itsst, that it would cost it everything, including its life!

    Oliver, sensing the iing assault, shot into the air. By the time the toadnded where he once stood with a thud, Oliver had already taken to the sky.

    It took a brief moment for the toad to register Oliver''s rapid ascent past it. Raising its eyes skywards, the toad was met with the sight of Oliver descending at an rming speed. The de of the sword in his hand shimmered brilliantly under the sun''s rays.

    Propelled by the sheer momentum of his plunge, Oliver was armed with sufficient force to pierce the thick hide of the beast with his sword. As his de found its mark, the cursetent within the cursed weapon was activated.

    Curse skill: Internal Shredding!

    From the embedded sword erupted a barrage of wind des, each sharper and more lethal than thest. As the des rampaged inside its body, the formidable Poisonous Toad King was reduced to a weeping and wriggling mess.

    Oliver pulled out his sword, his actions resulting in the wind des seeking a path that led outside its body.

    As the wind des forced their way out of its body simultaneously, the Poisonous Toad King exploded, resulting in a grisly downpour of flesh and blood.

    Then, there was pin-drop silence.

    The onlookers stared at Oliver speechlessly. They knew he was good with swords. But this... this was on an entirely different level. When did he improve by so much?

    Amidst the silence that followed the gruesome spectacle, Marshall''s voice rang out, "Victor, Oliver!"

 Chapter 216 216: The Talk

    "How can a mere low-level wizard jump to such heights? Did he rely on the power of a cursed artifact?" The Lower City''s Chief Chronicler asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

    The steward of the city lord''s mansion shook his head before saying, "I was monitoring the battle closely. There was no sign of any cursed artifacting into y during his leap."

    The Chief Chronicler''s puzzlement deepened upon hearing the steward''s words. The Chief Chronicler''s eyes narrowed in confusion. "Then you''re suggesting he achieved that purely with his own wizardry? That seems... improbable no matter how I think about it."

    "There''s been talk about a recent discovery of the G force in the wizardmunity. Its authenticity was verified by the arcane library''s spirit itself. Maybe it''s had an effect on the anti-gravity spells, enhancing them beyond our current understanding," the steward said thoughtfully.

    The Chief Chronicler rubbed his white beard in contemtion, "I''ve been cooped up in the national library for so long, I was unaware of such a significant discovery. Now it all makes sense. Oliver managed such a feat because of this newfound understanding of G force. But who made this grand discovery? Do you have any insight into that?"

    The steward nodded his head before replying to the Chief Chronicler.

    "This impressive discovery was made by the youngest son of Lord Joshua, the esteemed ruler of the Ironspire Stronghold."

    Immediately, a frown marred the Chief Chronicler''s face

    "Why are you talking about that immoral man with such reverence? Have you gone nuts?" the Chief Chronicler questioned the steward sternly.

    Although hurt by the harsh words, the steward didn''t let his true feelings show on his face. The steward raised an eyebrow and calmly said. "In our tribe, isn''t it customary to respect advanced-stage bloodline users, regardless of personal feelings? And if a ve like me wants to talk about such figures, I have to be respectful. Or else, it won''t end well for me. I am just following the rules."

    If caught, the punishment was having one''s tongue removed.

    Having one advanced-level bloodline user as an enemy was worse than fighting an army of intermediate-level bloodline users.

    To avoid forming bad blood with such a formidable figure due to the loose tongue of the servants, this rule was strongly enforced.

    "That scoundrel has grown so strong?"

    The steward replied, "Hec confronted and killed a level 5 servant of the Stroud family as easily as crushing an ant on behalf of his son. This act cemented his reputation as the kingdom''s newest advanced-stage bloodline user."

    The Chief Chronicler said with some jealousy, "The Whitemores are on a fortunate streak. With a powerful family head and their young master making waves in the wizardmunity, their ascendancy to the upper echelon of the kingdom seems unstoppable. Maybe a day wille when they''ll be epted into the inner region."

    The Chief Chronicler turned to the steward and demanded, "Tell me more about this prodigious son of the Whitemores."

    "Grand Master, could it be you''re interested in inviting him to the family?" the steward asked after detailing Val''s achievements.

    Chief Chronicler nodded, "His father might be questionable, but he hasmitted no sin. Why shouldn''t I extend a hand towards him when he''s shown such potential?"

    "It''s already toote. He''s been taken in by the Destiny Walker Family," the steward revealed after understanding his family grand master''s intentions.

    A soft sigh escaped the Chief Chronicler''s lips, "That''s regrettable."

    "Should I try to lure him to our sides?" the steward asked.

    "We will do no such thing," Chief said sternly, "It''s unsightly."

    He considered it beneath himself to resort to bribery to entice a young and talented wizard to serve under their tribe. His morals and pride held him back from resorting to such tricks.

    "On another note, over the past several days, this talented young man with a promising future has gotten quite close with the outcast of our tribe," the steward mentioned.

    Chief Chronicler advised, "It will be in your best interest to stop underestimating him. Before being taken under the wings of Lord Lucius, he might have been just a negligible chess piece in the grand scheme of things, but now, things have changed. With Lord Lucious and Val by his side, he has evolved into a valuable yer that can''t simply be ignored or looked down upon."

    The steward chuckled, "Grand Master, you praise him too much. No matter what, with his natural talent, the peak of a low-level wizard is his limit."

    Chief Chronicler didn''tment. His silence spoke volumes. There was truth in the steward''s words, and he couldn''t refute them.

    Oliver''s talent wasn''t exceptional.

    For someone of his talent to reach a low-level wizard status at such a young age wasmendable. If he were born into another family, he would be praised as a hard-working genius. But he was born into an aristocratic family like the Thunderspear tribe. As his talent held him back from bing a mid-rank wizard, he was destined to remain overshadowed. However, his connections were truly noteworthy. If he utilized them intelligently, he wouldn''t be any worse off than the other two heirs to the throne.

    Meanwhile, in another section of the spectator area, Clea sat with a visibly irritated expression, his right-hand man, Ron, by his side, equally annoyed.

    "This disrespectful bastard proved me wrong twice. He just gave me another reason to kill him," Clea hissed.

    Ron''s disdain for Oliver was evident. To him, Oliver''s disrespecty not in any direct offense but in the sheer audacity of not dying at the hands of the beast as he had predicted. There was no other reason for his scorn.

    Clea, sensing Ron''s rising anger, advised, "Control yourself. We can''t move against him openly in the frontier. But once the expedition begins, we''ll have ample opportunities to deal with him."

    "Understood." Ron clenched his fists. Once Oliver falls into his hand, he will take his sweet time to torture him to death.

    Elsewhere, Lucious was grinning from ear to ear.

    With his recent victory, Oliver had really made him proud.

    Marshall nced at him in astonishment. He had never seen him so happy before.

    "It seems he holds Oliver in high regard."

 Chapter 217 217: Private Meeting

    ?

    "Good job. Honestly, you surprised me there. I didn''t expect you would be able to practically apply what I have taught you so soon. Have you been secretly training?"

    Oliver returned to the spectator area and was greeted with warm words of encouragement and praise from Val, which Val spoke to keep his image as stable in Oliver''s eyes as possible.

    He didn''t want others to know he wasn''t what he appeared to be as he was nning to stay in the frontier for a long time. Thus, he was always trying to act more and more humanely to the people around him. It was to the extent he seemed more kind-hearted than priests and priestesses of the Holy Church of Light in the eyes of the people he was trying to manipte.

    "I have," Oliver beamed.

    Val was the first to notice that. Oliver thought, At least now he also had a friend who could recognize his efforts. And that warmed his heart.

    ...

    After Oliver, many people took the test, Motivated by the consecutive victories of humans against beasts, most of them severely overestimated themselves and miserably failed the test, almost losing their lives in the process.

    However, thanks to Marshall''s timely intervention, no lives were lost.

    Among the few dozen who seeded was Alfred. His eyes met Val''s briefly before both looked away, acting as if they didn''t know each other.

    ''Looks like I will be seeing this guy on the expedition to the lesser dimension. Maybe I should involve him in the matter concerning Oliver''s life?'' Val grinned, not a hint of maliciousness to be seen in his smile despite his hideous thoughts.

    Just then, from the center of the arena, Marshall''s voice boomed, "Alright, the tests are concluded. The expedition willmence in three days. Until then, you''re all free to do whatever you like."

    Saying so, he dismissed them.

    The majority of the crowd left the Coliseum. Some remained behind to gamble and fight.

    Val approached Oliver and asked, "Bro, can you do me a favor?"

    Oliver raised an eyebrow before responding, "Let''s hear what you have to say first before I decide whether to help you or not."

    "I want you to help me get a private audience with our family head," Val said.

    "Master is a busy man, but I will see what I can arrange," Oliver replied. "No promises though."

    "That would be great if you could."

    Val didn''t forget to thank him, despite not meaning to. He knew how human psychology worked. Showing even the slightest of appreciation for one''s help was better than showing none. By thanking him, he had shown he was appreciative.

    "Wait here for a moment," Oliver instructed Val before taking out an item that closely resembled the arcane token.

    The distinguishing feature was the emblem it was adorned with, which represented the Destiny Walker Family.

    "What is that?" Val asked.

    "It''s a ''Destiny Communicator.'' It functions much like a standard long-distancemunication cursed artifact or amunicator in short. I can use it to directly contact Master. He gave it to me as a gift on my 15th birthday," Oliver exined.

    "He truly treats you well," Val said with a hint of bitterness in his voice. It was of course faked, but it made Oliver think at least he had something Val didn''t and inted his pride.

    Oliver grinned. A bright sparkle could be seen in his eyes as he said, "Well, Master and I have our unique bond!"

    Subsequently, Oliver engaged in a conversation with Lucious.

    "Why the sudden contact? Do you need assistance?" Lucious asked.

    Oliver replied, "No, it''s not about me."

    "Oh, then who is it about?" Lucious inquired teasingly.

    "It''s about the new member of our family. Val... he wishes to meet you," Oliver replied honestly.

    "I''ve been meaning to meet him. Direct him to me. I am currently at the 33rd avenue street of the lower city," Lucious replied after a moment.

    While Oliver was busy speaking with Lucious, Val pondered if themunicator''s functionality was fundamentally based on runes.

    To ascertain his guess, he looked at it and cast detect.

    However, even after that, he couldn''t discern the most useful aspects of the token.

    But he did verify his assumption!

    The token''s functions were a product of a handful of runes being carved into it.

    Moreover, because the runes were deeply engraved within the core of the device, without actually dismantling themunicator, there was no way Val could observe these runes directly. And without a direct view, replicating the device for his own use would be an unattainable task.

    ''If Oliver lets me dismantle hismunicator, I can use my innate technique to memorize the runes and replicate themunicator endlessly. However, asking such a ridiculous request would be too much, especially because it''s a gift given to him by his master,'' Val thought.

    After the chat with Lucious ended, Oliver put down hismunicator.

    Val asked curiously, "What did he say?"

    Oliver turned to him and said, "I have good news for you. He has decided to meet you."

    "It is good news indeed," Val said.

    "Follow me," Oliver said as he led Val to the central district''s depths. The ce Lucious mentioned in the call was there.

    At a coffee shop with an outdoor sitting area, Lucious sat on a chair around a table, nestled under the shade of a tree. There was a cup of ck and bitter coffee in his hand. Sunlight filtered through the tree, casting a sunlit glow on his golden hair and enhancing his already striking features.

    Also, thedies nearby were literally swooning over him, having never seen a man as handsome as him.

    "Oh, they are here."

    Seeing Val and Oliver, Lucious waved at them from his seat, telling them toe over.

    Without a moment wasted, They walked over to him.

    "Take a seat," Lucious invited as they settled down.

    The next moment, after setting his coffee cup on the table, Lucious turned his sharp gaze to Val. "So, what did you want to say to me?"

    "It''s a sensitive matter. I would like some privacy," Val said.

    "Very well," Lucious looked at Oliver and said, "Oliver, erect a sound cancetion barrier."

    "Okay."

    Oliver snapped his fingers and a barrier that blocked all sound from going out anding in was erected around them.

    "Now you can talk freely without the fear of being overheard."

    Sensing that the barrier was erected, Lucious assured Val.

 Chapter 218 218: Part 1

    ?

    "During my recent adventure, I discovered a diary that recorded the everyday life of a court wizard working in the department of ult and Mystical Studies, a department established by the Queen herself to fulfill her grand ambition. Mentioned in it are the topics of his experiments and the horrible fate that befell him because of an experiment gone wrong. Before delving deeper into the matter, I believe it''s essential for you to read it and gauge the gravity of the situation for yourself. Please have a look."

    Val then took out ric''s diary from the Void Orb and presented it to Lucious.

    "Okay."

    Taking the diary from Val, Lucious opened it with a hint of curiosity.

    He began to swiftly go through the pages of the diary. As he skimmed through its contents, his rxed posture gradually tensed. He shifted in his chair, crossing his legs, while his lips pressed together in thought, and at the same time, his eyes, which were initially filled with curiosity, began to narrow, indicating his growing concern.

    With every passing entry, it was evident that his mood was turning grimmer.

    Lucious sighed heavily after reading the diary, "So that''s how he ended up. No wonder I couldn''t get through to him."

    Upon hearing Lucious''s words, a realization dawned on Val

    "You knew him?" he inquired.

    After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Lucious replied, "Personally, I didn''t. However, he was a prominent figure in the wizardmunity a decade ago, consistently making groundbreaking discoveries. But his publications ceased all of a sudden. I suspect that was when the queen might have recruited him to work under her. I should have realized that someone higher up was involved in his sudden disappearance. But now it''s toote to regret as he was forced to take his life. It''s sad, but the wizardmunity has lost another talented member. No, the kingdom as a whole has lost a national treasure."

    ''So ric was even more renowned than I thought,'' Val realized, ''Even Lucious speaks highly of him.''

    After taking a moment toment the loss of a prodigious mind, Lucious narrowed his eyes at Val and asked, "Why did you bring this to my attention? What''s your objective?"

    "While themon belief is that the Queen is the heart and soul of the kingdom, I believe the kingdom''s welfare and safety should alwayse first instead of her desires. I hope you can put an end to this madness. Also, I''d appreciate it if my involvement remains confidential," Val replied.

    Lucious leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin thoughtfully before replying to Val.

    "That''s a lot you''re asking from me."

    "Please," Val pleaded with a hint of desperation in his eyes.

    He was not actually desperate, but his acting was so good that it fooled both Oliver and Lucious into believing he was.

    Internally, he was calm as he had the option to flee to anothernd should things go south in the kingdom.

    But that was a loss he didn''t want to experience.

    The kingdom and the surroundingnds were rich in resources. Although it was hard, he would undeniably grow if he spend his time in the kingdom. On the other hand, the forest of dread and the area outside it were full of danger and creatures so terrifying he didn''t stand a chance against him.

    Not to mention, the return scroll could only teleport one person. If he wanted to escape, he could bring no one else unless he wanted to expose his deepest and darkest secret. He believed no matter who it was they would be disgusted with him if they knew his true identity.

    ''If the Unknown invades the kingdom and there''s no one to fend it off, I will have to give up on everything, even Eliana, and escape to safety.''

    To avoid the worst possible future, he was making an effort to put a ban on the experiments that could attract the attention of the Unknown.

    "Master, the Queen''s actions endanger the entire realm so we must stop her. Given your status in the kingdom, she wouldn''t dare retaliate against you. But if she knew of Val''s role in this and chose to vent her fury, our family of three will be reduced to two once again. You know, her reach and influence are unmatched. She''s a formidable force to reckon with. We won''t be able to stop her from taking revenge. It''s not like we can guard him every second of the day. And if she tried to use a high-level curse, he will be a goner no matter what we do. So please fulfill his wish, master. It''s not like he is asking for much," Oliver chimed in, reinforcing Val''s appeal.

    "Fine," Lucious conceded. "I''ll see what can be done. But, Val... you won''t get any credit for providing such intel to the kingdom. Are you fine with that?"

    Val nodded his head, "It doesn''t matter. Peace of mind is more important to me than glory."

    "Well said," Lucious chuckled.

    Lucious''s expression then grew more somber and he asked, "By the way, I have a question for you. How would you handle this situation if you were in my position?"

    Val replied, "Initiating a direct conversation with the Queen would be my first move. Her goals are undoubtedly grand and advantageous for the entire kingdom, but she''s currently ill-equipped to realize them. And there''s also the threat of the Unknown looming over us. We don''t know much about it except for the fact it can kill people in the present from the future, which marks it as a terrifying entity. I will try to talk the Queen out of it by revealing the existence of ric''s diary and showing the harm her actions can bring to the realm. Should she understand and agree, that would be the end of the matter. If she isn''t receptive, I will seek out the factions that have long been disappointed with the Queen."

 Chapter 219 218: Part 2

    ?

    Val continued, "I believe there are many white-eyed wolves in the kingdom who will turn on their master if given an appropriate reason."

    Val''s reply wasprehensive, and the course of action he presented seemed appropriate.

    One must know, before the Queen, there had never been a female who had sat on the throne.

    Although it had been years since she ascended to the peak of the hierarchy, society was still male-centered.

    Just the idea of a female running the kingdom was irksome to the countless male chauvinists in the kingdom.

    If they knew she was putting their safety as well as the entire realm''s safety at risk just for her selfish interest that could actually benefit them as well if she seeded in her endeavors, they would no doubt stand up against her.

    Basically, the kingdom was filled with those who''d dly rally against the Queen with a nudge in the right direction

    "Master, I think this approach will undoubtedly prove effective," Oliver said.

    "I think so too," Lucious said. "I have all the cards in my hands. The Queen will either willingly ept my request or I can create circumstances that will press her intopliance.

    "A victory against the shrewd queen, that''s the dream of many men."

    Saying so, Lucious smiled from ear to ear.

    His gaze then shifted to Val. While smiling with his eyes, he asked, "Were you perhaps a strategist in a previous life?"

    Val was taken aback by Lucious''s question.

    The implication hit too freaking close to home.

    His eyes widened in surprise and his mouth hung open slightly.

    This was one of those rare times when even his Emotional Impairment trait couldn''t stop him from being genuinely shocked.

    ''Did I reveal too much? At just 17, I shouldn''t possess a mind attuned to politics. A young man who looks wet behind the ears shouldn''t be able to see the bigger picture so clearly. Is it this observation that led Lucious to possibly uncover one of my deepest secrets? What should I do to salvage this situation?''

    As these thoughts swirled in Val''s head, Oliver, seeing that Val was taken aback by the oddness of the question, elbowed him gently, whispering, "Master likes to joke asionally."

    Oliver''s soft whisper made Val snap back to the present, helping him realize he was overthinking things.

    Composing himself, Val chuckled, "Lord Lucious, you have quite the sense of humor. Even if reincarnation was real and I were a strategist in a past life, how could I possibly remember any of it after experiencing death and rebirth?"

    "Didn''t Oliver just tell you? I like to joke around. Don''t take it too seriously," Luciois said calmly.

    The more calm he looked, the more Val felt he had realized the truth.

    The afternoon sun shone brightly in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the coffee shop''s outdoor sitting area.

    Illuminated by the light of the sun, the handsomeness of the three men was amplified to another level.

    They looked otherworldly.

    Passersby would stop and gawk at them for a good few seconds before feeling refreshed and proceeding with what they were up to. They were a sight for weary eyes.

    Momentster, a figure walked out of the house on the other end of the street.

    The figure belonged to a man that wasn''t tall.

    He was one head shorter than the average man. He was slim and wore a ck trench coat.

    He was slim and wore ck gloves and a ck trench coat that covered most of his figure.

    He crossed the street and approached the three men sitting around the table of the local coffee shop with steady steps.

    As he approached, three pairs of eyes turned towards him.

    "Is he approaching us?"

    The answer to Oliver''s question was self-evident as the figure picked up the pace, approaching them more quickly.

    "What''s with him?" Val wondered aloud. "Does he want something from us?"

    "Well, whether he does, we will soon find out," Lucious said.

    The figure walked up to them and said, "Hello, my name''s Lorel and I am a painter by profession. I know it''s awkward to have a stranger walk up to you for something, but please bear with me. Here''s the thing: I was inspired to draw a painting when I saw you three chatting under the afternoon sun and wanted to show it to you."

    "Wait, did you say ''afternoon''?" Lucious asked.

    The man nodded his head.

    Unbeknownst to them, an hour had passed since they sat down at the coffee shop.

    Lucious looked at his watch to double-check. It was already 13:00.

    "Time truly does fly when one is in goodpany."

    The man cleared his throat and continued, "Anyway, as I was saying, after finishing it, I felt it would be regretful If I didn''t show it to my muses. I''d be grateful if you''d take a moment to look at it and tell me what you feel about it."

    He was soft-spoken.

    On top of that, his face was rather in, but pleasant to look at.

    He was the type of person you would feel rxed around and quickly befriend.

    Lucious''s lips curled up into a smile. He epted the painting from Lorel and examined it closely.

    It seemed to fit his taste as his smile grew wider.

    He looked back at the man and said, "You are a wonderful artist."

    The man smiled broadly.

    "My art is usually criticized. This is the first time I''m receiving such praise."

    To receive such praise from Lucious, the man''s painting must be extraordinary. Val found himself bing increasingly interested in seeing how good it was.

    "Let me see it too," Val said.

    Lucious handed over the painting to him.

    Also, Oliver leaned closer to Val in order to get a better view of the painting in Val''s hands.

    The painting depicted the trio - Val, Oliver, and Lucious - sitting beneath arge, lush tree with birds fluttering around them and a small creek next to them, all bathed in bright sunlight.

 Chapter 220 218: Part 3

    <h4>Chapter 220 218: Part 3</h4>

    "It seems almost too real," Oliver whispered in awe.

    Val turned to the man and said, "Only a fool would criticize an artist like you who can infuse such raw emotions into his work."

    Hearing his words, the man''s face reddened with gratitude.

    Clearly, he wasn''t used to getting praised.

    "Thank you for your kind words. Please, keep the painting as a token of my appreciation."

    With a bow, he turned away, leaving behind a masterpiece in Val''s hands.

    It was toote for them to react as the man''s figure disappeared into the crowd.

    "What a weird person. He didn''t even wait for us to decide before walking away," Oliverined.

    "It''s good for us. It''s rare toe across a painting like this in one''s lifetime," Val said. "But there are three of us, and there is only this one masterpiece. What should we do?"

    "Since he left it in your hands, just keep it," Lucious said.

    "Uh... Okay then, I will." Val said, storing the painting in the Void Orb.

    ''Where''s the disharmony I was expecting? These bastards are not ying by the rules!''

    Looking at them from the window of his room, Lorel clicked his tongue in disappointment.

    The matter of ownership was settled too easily.

    These people seemed to have no greed.

    Lorel cursed them out for a couple of minutes before feeling good.

    Meanwhile, Lucious gestured towards the cafe''s counter and said, "While we''re here, I must rmend the pastries this ce offers. They might be known for their coffee, but their pastries are the hidden gems of this establishment. Consider it on me."

    With that, he handed over the menu to Val and Oliver.

    Oliver didn''t even take a look at it before cing it down on the table, "I have been here a couple of times, so I know what I will get."

    On the other hand, Val browsed through the options mentioned in the menu, his eyes lighting up at the delectable descriptions. Despite his Unfeeling and Emotional Impairment traits, food was one of the things he actually enjoyed. In the end, he wasn''t a heartless monster. He was just different than others, always prioritizing his safety and benefits before anything else. Compared to a ruthless business of the modern world, he was no different, just a bit more ruthless. After all, his ruthlessness didn''t only extend to others, but also to himself.

    "Everything sounds so tempting," Valmented. With a yful grin, he handed the menu to Oliver, "Pick up a selection for us, will you?"

    Oliver chuckled, "Leave it to me to ensure our taste buds are delighted."

    And with that, he made his way to the counter to ce their order.

    Now that Val was alone with Lucious, he could bring another matter to light.

    "Lord Lucious, are you aware that Oliver''s life is under threat?" Val inquired.

    Lucious''s sunny expression dimmed, like the sudden arrival of night, bing as cold as the winter gales.

    It was reminiscent of a sunlit day overtaken by storm clouds.

    "Exin. Who dares to target him?" Lucious said in a demanding and chilling tone.

    Although his gaze was cold, Val knew it wasn''t directed toward him. He remained seemingly unfazed.

    "So you didn''t know. Well, I don''t mind telling you. From what Alex shared with us, it appears Leon has set his sights on Oliver. He''s dispatched Clea to assassinate him during the uing expedition,"

    Val revealed.

    A cold smirk appeared on Lucious''s lips. "It seems they''ve chosen to ignore my previous warnings," he remarked icily.

    Although Lucious was a renowned figure, acquiring Oliver from the Thunderspear tribe hadn''t been straightforward.

    Their unwrittenw was: if you''re born in the tribe, until yourst breath you will die in the tribe.

    Anyone that dare to break this code was punished heavily before being exiled.

    Lucious had to part with a significant amount of wealth to take Oliver under his guardianship.

    When Lucious first encountered him, Oliver''s condition was pitiable, reminiscent of a neglected street urchin. He wore tattered clothes, and beneath them, his skin was marred with bruises and wounds that have scarred over.

    At first nce, it was clear Oliver had suffered from unimaginable and heinous forms of abuse.

    Seeing him, Lucious was reminded of the lost children of the D. Dragon and D. Grace ns who were forced to scatter throughout the kingdom, lost and struggling to find their way back.

    Overwhelmed withpassion, Lucious decided then and there to adopt him.

    Because Oliver was just a piece of trash, the Thunderspear n after gaining the permission of the Lord of Thunder willingly sold him to Lucious in exchange for a wide range of resources.

    During that time, Lucious had also left behind a stern warning.

    "People I extend my hand to are as precious to me as my family. I can never stand them being wrong. Now that Oliver has be a part of my family if anyone ever troubles him, they will have to answer to me."

    This warning was for everyone who might want to trouble Oliver out of pettiness.

    And from the looks of it, he was just ying flute before a cow.

    His warning has fallen on deaf ears.

    What he feared was transpiring.

    Oliver was being dragged into the swirl of disgusting n politics.

    "Why would Oliver hide such an important matter concerning his life and death from me? Does he still take me as his master?" Lucious grumbled like an old man.

    "I don''t think that is the case. I mean, whenever he talks about you, his face would light up and he would be all smiles like a child talking about his parents. You are akin to a father figure for him. He likely kept silent to spare you the added burden of worry," Val said.

    As a result, he avoided causing any misunderstanding between Lucious and Oliver. He didn''t know that this would actually prove to be beneficial to him in the end.

 Chapter 221 219: Into the Mountain Range

    <h4>Chapter 221 219: Into the Mountain Range</h4>

    Lucious looked towards Oliver who was busy talking to the cashier of the coffee shop.

    He smiled, "I guess the young boy that was like an abandoned cat with his ws out, unwilling to trust anybody, has already grown into a man."

    He then turned to Val and expressed his worry.

    "Since I can''t journey into the lesser dimension, I must entrust you with the responsibility of safeguarding him. Please, protect him in my absence."

    "Rest assured, Lord Lucious. I''ll ensure his safety during the expedition." Val nodded with determination.

    Lucious cast his gaze downward to his shadow, "Bring out the cursed artifact #99, The Tracker."

    "Yes, master," azy voice rang out from within the shadow.

    It was then that Val realized Lucious''s familiar was present.

    Up until that moment, despite his enhanced senses, he hadn''t detected its existence.

    A set of rings emerged from the shadow.

    Lucious caught them effortlessly before presenting them to Val. "As you have already heard, this set of rings forms the cursed artifact, The Tracker. The ck ring can track the wearer of the white one at all times. Given the unpredictable teleportation within the lesser dimension upon entry, this should aid you in locating him. Do ensure you ce it on Oliver without arousing his suspicion. I want to respect his wishes."

    "I understand," Val said.

    "Once this matter concludes, should you have any difficulties, approach me. I will help you out." Lucious handed Val a token adorned with the insignia of the Destiny Walker Family and continued, "You can use this to contact me. It works in the same way as an Arcane Token, but can covert one''s thought into voice."

    "I know." Val told Lucious, "Oliver had informed me of its use."

    Oliver had gone to the washroom of the coffee shop to freshen up after cing the order by talking to the new and cute recruit who was standing behind the counter.

    After freshening up in the shop''s washroom, he made his way back to Val and Lucious.

    Before he returned, Val had hidden the rings in the pocket dimension of the Void Orb so as to not arouse his suspicion. He will make him wear the ring when they are about to enter the lesser dimension. Though that was still three days away.

    "What''s with the serious atmosphere?" Seeing the two sitting around the table with pensive expressions, Oliver asked.

    "N-nothing," Lucious replied.

    Oliver believed him, as Lucious had never lied to him.

    Later that day, Val visited the treasure pavilion to check if the scales of an Eldertail snake had appeared in the market, but was met with disappointment.

    With nothing left to do, he proceeded to head home.

    On his way back home, an unexpected notification popped up before him.

    [The Holy Maiden Eliana D. Grace has sincerely prayed for you. You are blessed with "Divine Fortune" for the next 12 hours. As long as you make an effort in the correct direction, you will be correspondingly rewarded.]

    ''All the time and effort I''ve dedicated to cultivating my rtionship with Eliana has returned to me in the form of an opportune blessing. My hard work has finally paid off.''

    ''The wisdom of our ancestors is never wrong. What goes aroundes around.''

    Immediately, Val changed his course.

    Instead of going back home, he left the lower city and headed deeper into the Wysmire mountain range.

    Technically, Torjan Mountain was part of the Wysmire range. However, it was the only one in the range that was inhabited by humans on top of boasting an entire city at its base, making it unique.

    Besides, although it was situated on the outskirts of the Wysmire mountain range, Torjan Mountain stood as one of the tallest peaks in the range, its summit piercing the sky in a majestic assertion of nature''s grandeur.

    Of course, there were many mountains in the Wysmire mountain range whose peak pierced the sky as evidenced by what Val saw when he activated the Heavenly Eye.

    Multiple peaks rose majestically, forming an intricatework of valleys, ridges, and precipices.

    Thendscape of this mountain range was dominated by towering mountains wrapped in thick clouds and mist.

    The mountain range was covered in a dense nket of vegetation. Ancient trees with gnarled branches seemed to grow out of the very slopes, their roots intertwining with the uneven terrain below, and all around were overgrown shrubs that had never experienced the care of a gardener.

    Interestingly, a beast was crouching in the nearby shrubs, ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey. However, when Val activated his Heavenly Eye to better understand theyout of the mountain range, he also spotted the hidden creature.

    Suddenly, the beast lunged at Val from its concealed position.

    Swoosh!

    Suddenly, the beast lunged at Val from its concealed position.

    With an agility that bordered on supernatural, Val stepped out of its way so swiftly that he left an afterimage, fooling the beast into believing he was still there.

    Ignorant of the truth, it continued with what it was up to without any dy. Sadly, all its efforts were in vain. It realized it had been yed only after its gaping maw, dripping with saliva, snapped shut on nothing but air.

    Still airborne, the beast looked sideways and his eyes met with Val. The beast''s eyes were filled with surprise, while Val''s were icy and unforgiving, devoid of any trace of mercy. In that fraction of a second, the beast realized the gravity of its mistake.

    It had made a critical error, one that was about to cost it its life. And it couldn''t do anything about it as it was still airborne, unable to shift its position. For something like that, a tform was necessary. Basically, the beast had closed all paths to safety for itself the second it leaped and its feet lifted off the ground.

    In a singr, fluid motion, Val materialized his sword from the pocket dimension within his Void Orb. He swung it with deadly precision, cleanly cleaving the airborne creature in half.

    Thud!

    The two halves of its body hit the ground simultaneously, producing dull thuds.

 Chapter 222 [Bonus chapter]220: Cereberus?

    <h4>Chapter 222 [Bonus chapter]220: Cereberus?</h4>

    The beast was only a level 20 creature, and the experience points Val gained from killing it were negligible.

    Thus, he disregarded the kill notification that popped up when he killed it and moved ahead, continuing his journey. He was headed deeper into the mountain range.

    The shortcut to Shadow Valley was concealed behind a majestic waterfall.

    While there were many waterfalls in the mountain range, this one stood out for several reasons.

    First, it was located close to the outskirts of the mountain range, making it more essible than most, and it was thergest in the surrounding terrains.

    Second, its unique features, such as the swirling mist that seemed to dance around it like ethereal snakes, and the way the water cascaded down in a serpentine pattern, set it apart from the rest.

    Because of these distinct characteristics, it was known as the Serpent''s Veil.

    "Found it."

    Val used his Heavenly Eye to detect where it was and began moving towards it.

    WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!

    A series of thunderous barkings reverberated through the air, startling Val.

    WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!

    A series of thunderous barkings reverberated through the air, startling Val.

    If his ears were not failing him, the roars seemed to have emerged from behind him.

    He spun around and was met with the sight of a colossal, three-headed dog barreling towards him.

    Its three pairs of eyes glowed with an unholy fire, and its massive, snarling jaws dripped with venom. Each of its three heads resembled that of a ferocious Rottweiler, but on a grander, more terrifying scale. Shaggy, obsidian-ck fur covered its muscled body, which was asrge as a small hill.

    ''It''s freaking huge!''

    Towering at that size, it effortlessly mowed down towering trees with the force of its sprint, making its approach all the more intimidating.

    Val didn''t even need to cast ''detect'' to know that this beast was at least a level 60 monster.

    Realizing he waspletely outmatched, his instincts screamed at him to flee. And so he did, sprinting as fast as his legs could carry him.

    However, he was not out of danger as the beast immediately gave chase.

    It was faster than Val, despite its ridiculously massive.

    Thus, the distance between them started to close rapidly.

    "Bloodline Skill: Blood Rush."

    With the activation of the Blood Rush skill, Val''s agility jumped to more than 60 points. The gap between him and the beast stopped closing.

    "Bloodline Skill: Titan''s reinforcement."

    Val''s agility increased once again, and he began to run at an even faster speed, causing the gap to widen.

    If this continues, he will leave the beast in his dust soon.

    Unfortunately, fate had no intention of siding with him this time.

    Seeing its prey getting further away, the three-headed dog unleashed a frigid st of white air from its gaping maws.

    Anything it touched instantly froze.

    Thanks to his Heavenly Eye, Val had a 360-degree field of vision with no blind spots. Even though his back was turned to the beast, he saw its iing attack clearly.

    If he doesn''t dodge this, he will also turn into an ice statue. He tried to jump into the shrine of evil, but for some reason, his entry was declined.

    ''Fucking hell,'' he cursed under his breath.

    But quickly, he calmed down.

    Now was not the time to get angry.

    ''I have to find some other to save myself.''

    The Mystical Shovel''s special effect was no longer in cooldown. Although he could use it to escape to the Other Side, it would require time. The creation of the doorway was not instantaneous. It was precisely because of this dy that the Ravengar from which he looted the Mythical Shivel failed to get away and was killed. During his fight with the Queen Bee, he had to escape her eyes before he could put the Mythical Shivel to good use.

    Anyway, the dy made it impossible to use it in the current situation.

    He had toe up with another way.

    With his Heavenly Eye active, Val was able to see that just ahead of the rocky outcropping in the distance, there was a shallow ditch.

    "I''ll be able to avoid the frigid st if I can just jump into that ditch," he thought.

    However, with his current speed, the frigid st would reach him before he could make it to the ditch. How could he, with his keen sense of calction, not foresee this?

    But there was still a way around it.

    ''With my current speed, it''s impossible. But what if I dump all the points I have saved until now into agility?''

    In a desperate move, he dumped all the points he had saved up till now into his agility stat.

    His permanent agility increased to 48 points.

    With his stat-boosting skills activated, his agility should have risen to around 101, but for some reason, it capped at 100.

    Regardless, his speed increased dramatically.

    He moved so fast that he left behind a series of afterimages, appearing as a mere blur in the eyes of the three-headed dog.

    Before the beast even realized what had happened, Val had already reached the rocky outcropping.

    He leaped onto it and looked back tauntingly. After showing the beast a disdainful look, in a split-second decision, he vaulted off the rocky outcropping andnded in the shallow ditch below, narrowly avoiding the creature''s terrifying cold breath.

    The chilling breath from the creature collided with the rocks and trees where Val had been just moments ago, instantly freezing them in a crystallineyer of ice.

    "Move. Now. The beast''s nose is sensitive. It will sniff you out in no time," warned Voidyer.

    "Like I didn''t know a dog would be sensitive to smell," Val said sarcastically.

    "Master, there''s no time for sarcasm. I can sense the beast tracking us down by your scent," Voidyer urged.

    At that moment, the three-headed dog sniffed the air a few times, catching on to Val''s scent. It began moving towards the rocky outcropping where Val hadst been.

    Val could see all that thanks to his Heavenly Eye.

    "Levare," Val muttered.

    Hopefully, this works.

    And unlikest time, it actually did.

    Instantly, his surroundings shifted.

    He was no longer in the mountain range. He was in a safe ce!

    He was in the Shrine of Evil.

    Meanwhile, the three-headed dog followed Val''s scent to the ditch just beyond the rocky outcropping, only to find it empty.

    Though the ditch was heavy with Val''s scent, he himself was nowhere to be seen.

    The beast paused, looking visibly confused and taken aback.

    Its nostrils red wide as it took several deep sniffs, trying to pick up any lingering scent of Val. It even lowered its head to inspect the ground for any sign of footsteps or disturbances that could give away his direction.

    However, the scent trail and footsteps mysteriously ended right at the ditch. It was as if Val had conjured some form of magic to erase his presence, rendering his scent and tracks undetectable, or he had somehow managed to disappear entirely from that very spot.

    Unable to make sense of this perplexing situation, the three-headed dog growled in frustration, its eyes narrowing as it pondered the sudden disappearance of its would-be prey.

    But it was a dog and although dogs are smart at times, they are more often than not dumb.

    The more it thought, the more it felt bewildered.

    Eventually, it gave up and walked away.

    Now even if Val stepped out of the shrine, he wouldn''t have to confront it!

 Chapter 223 221: Shadow Valley

    <h4>Chapter 223 221: Shadow Valley</h4>

    After entering the Shrine Of Evil, Val sat down on the Throne Of Bones.

    Sitting on a throne, he looked quite regal, and it seemed like he was always meant to sit on it.

    He crossed one leg over the other and sat with his face resting on his arm, looking a bit vexed. A trace of bewilderment could be seen swirling in his ck eyes of bottomless depths.

    Sensing Val''s confusion, Gruul stepped closer and raised an eyebrow.

    "You look puzzled. Maybe I can help rify it for you?"

    "Will you?" Val was surprised yet pleased at the offer.

    "My duty is to help you," Gruul nodded affirmatively.

    Seeing this, Val felt encouraged to continue.

    With a half-smile, he spoke up, "Why wasn''t I allowed entry the first time I used Levare? It felt like something was blocking me from entering the shrine."

    Gruul''s eyes narrowed in thought.

    No one could stop the Devil God from entering the shrine.

    No!

    Actually, there was one thing that could.

    "I believe it was the shrine''s doing." After realizing who it could be, Gruul provided an answer to Val.

    As a result, Val was intrigued.

    "What do you mean by that?" Val asked.

    "The shrine is called ''evil'' for a reason. It enjoys ying tricks on people, particrly when they''re at their most desperate. Not even the Devil God is exempt from being tricked by it," Standing upright, Gruul exined.

    Val''s eyes widened slightly as he absorbed this information.

    "Is there no way to counter this?" he asked after a moment.

    Gruul looked directly at Val, his expression turning serious.

    "There is a way: grow stronger. The stronger you be, the firmer your connection with the shrine will be, allowing you to better tame its capricious nature."

    "I see."

    As a Devil God still in the earlier stages of his development, Val simply didn''t have enough strength or influence to make the capricious shrinepletely subservient to him.

    Heck, even Gruul wasn''tpletely loyal to him.

    Gruul was only following the will of the previous Devil God, serving the new one with all his heart.

    However, he would question Val whenever he would do something not befitting a Devil God.

    For example, back then when Val asked Gruul to save Eliana, Gruul''s first reaction was expressing his reluctance and questioning his master. He was initially unwilling to follow his order. Only after Val exposed a part of what Eliana meant to him did Gruul follow through with his order.

    ''I need to gain more control over it if I want to use it as a trump card that won''t fail me when I need it the most.''

    To gain more control over it, he had to grow stronger.

    Val vowed he would not let the shrine look down on him for long.

    He then attempted to see the outside world from the shrine using the fortified version of his Heavenly Eye, which cost 100 units of his soul power but still, he couldn''t see anything beyond the shrine''s boundaries.

    Gruul spoke up to clear Val''s confusion.

    "The shrine is surrounded by divinews. Those on the outside can''t look in, and those inside can''t look out unless their gaze is strong enough to prate the divine barrier."

    "No wonder my Heavenly Eye doesn''t work as it is supposed to when I use it from inside the shrine," Val mused.

    "Master, given the situation, you''ll have to rely on your own intuition andmon sense," Voidyer advised, his voice ringing in Val''s mind.

    "I know," Val said.

    Val was genuinely perplexed by Voidyer''s indifference.

    This was the first time he had brought it to the shrine, revealing his true identity and status as a Devil God with a shrine to boot.

    Despite this, it hadn''t asked any questions, making him feel intrigued.

    "You don''t seem surprised by any of this. Why?" Val asked.

    "In truth, Master, I''ve always suspected that your reservoir of secrets ran deep," Voidyer replied. A note of awe had crept into his voice by the time it continued, "But to find out you actually bear the legacy of a God? It''s more monumental than I''d ever imagined. I finally realized when you imed your divine status to the Shadow Drake Variants, you were speaking the unvarnished truth. Even I was fooled."

    "So you''re fine with it?"

    "More than that. I find it immensely gratifying to serve a master who not only is extraordinary but also carries such a significant legacy."

    Val realized he was worrying too much.

    ''A naive sword spirit like Voidyer won''t betray me unless I do something unforgivable.''

    And when he was about to do something extremely vile, he would just put it away so as to not dirty its eyes and undermine their rtionship.

    ...

    After patiently waiting for half an hour to ensure it was safe, Val cautiously stepped out of the shrine. He found himself back in the familiar surroundings of the mountain range.

    Phew~

    Scanning the area and seeing no sign of the three-headed monstrous dog, Val let out a sigh of relief.

    Assured that the immediate danger had passed, he proceeded further into the mountain range, resuming his journey.

    In the remote outskirts of the Wysmire mountain range, a waterfall of enormous proportions cascaded from a cliff that soared high into the sky. Its sheer size and volume outssed any waterfall on Earth, setting it apart as thergest in the vicinity. This grand waterfall was famously known as the Serpent''s Veil. Its waters plunged downward, creating a thunderous sound reminiscent of an audience''s apuse, before they disappeared into a beautiful, shimmering pond at the base.

    Nestled discreetly behind this awe-inspiring waterfall was a lesser-known secret: a hidden shortcut leading directly to Shadow Valley. It was a secret known only to wizards.

    ''Let''s get to it.''

    Standing on the edge of the cliff, taking in the grandeur of the Serpent''s Veil, was a young and dashing man named Val. With muscles tensed and eyes focused, he took a powerful leap. Sailing through the air, he crossed the expansive pond below, broke through the curtain of cascading water, andnded gracefully in a small chamber carved into the wall of the cliff behind the waterfall.

    The centerpiece of this hidden chamber was a magical circle. Intricate runes and patterns were etched into the ground.

    ''This must be it. My key to the Shadow Valley.''

    This runic circle wasn''t just decorative artwork; it was a teleportation circle, designed to whisk anyone who stepped onto it away to a corresponding circle located in the Shadow Valley.

    ''I should engrave a picture of it inside my soul using the Soul Archive skill. It might prove usefulter on.''

    Val''s soul power decreased by 300 units as he activated the Soul Archive skill, capturing a vivid mental image and storing it safely within his soul for future reference.

    Satisfied, Val took his position at the center of the magic circle.

    ''Time to teleport to the Shadow Valley.''

    After that thought crossed his mind, he began to channel his soul energy into the runes underfoot. Almost immediately, the etchings lit up, glowing more and more intensely until they were almost blinding.

    Then... He was swallowed by the light.

    Within a split second, a sensation of weightlessness overcame him.

    When his feet touched the ground again, he found himself standing on an identical circle in an identical ce.

    However, the roaring of the Serpent''s Veil was now conspicuously absent, reced by a haunting silence.

    If not for that singr change, he might have doubted that the teleportation had worked at all; after all, the new location was almost identical to the first minus the waterfall.

    "Host has sessfully teleported to a small cave in Shadow Valley." The system notified Val, further confirming his belief.

    The small cave was shrouded in darkness.

    But Val was able to see his surroundings clearly thanks to his Noctune Vision Trait.

    He took a deep breath and stepped out of the dark space where not a trace of light could be seen.

    ''More than gloomy, it looks like a paradise.''

    It was only when he exited the cave that he beheld the true face of the Shadow Valley, and he had to admit he was awed by its beauty.

    The sky above was a blend of dark purples and blues.

    As a result, the entire valley seemed bathed in a haunting twilight,

    Gnarled trees and rugged, craggy rocks dominated thendscape and a surreal luminescence was cast on them by the lights in the sky.

    ''It holds an enigmatic beauty, but I can''t let my guard down. The more beautiful a thing found in nature, the higher the chances it''s dangerous. This saying can be applied to terrains as well in this world.''

    Maybe he jinxed himself, but just then, mournful cries and high-pitched shrieks echoed through the valley. The noises were unsettling, filling the air with an air of dread and foreboding. Any other person would have been shaken to the core, but Val remained impassive and unimpressed.

    "Why is it so noisy? Are the ghosts of the valley ying an Opera?"

    Before Val could even ponder why the ghosts were crying their hearts out, apparitions began to coalesce out of the thin air in front of him.

    ''These are no ordinary spirits,'' he realized after they came into his view.

    The bodies of these apparitions were ethereal, almost mist-like, but it was their faces��orck thereof��that truly unnerved him.

    Each of them had a swirling vortex of pure ckness in the ce where their face should be.

    Although Val was disturbed by the sight, he wasn''t afraid. He stared them down with a fearless expression.

    ''Are they here to haunt me?'' he wondered.

    The answer was ''yes'' as the several appariations that appeared began to float towards him in a twisted manner in the very next moment.

 Chapter 224 222

    ?

    "These beings are called Revenants.

    "They are manifestations born from the umted regrets of people who have died in this location.

    "Whatever you do, don''t let them touch you.

    "Or else, you''ll be overwhelmed by experiencing the final moments of each person whose regret contributes to their existence," Voidyer advised in a voice that was both urgent and instructive.

    "Is there anything else I should be aware of?" Val asked.

    "Conventional attacks are useless against them. So don''t hold back. Use your full strength right from the beginning," Voidyer replied in a tone that emphasized the gravity of the situation.

    "Hm, I will," Val said in a voice that was filled with resolve.

    In the Shadow Valley, Val began punching the air in quick session.

    To any onlooker, it might have appeared as though he was boxing with ghosts. However, each time his fist connected with empty space, a ball of grey fire manifested and jumped off his fist, shooting straight towards the apparitions.

    Though the balls of grey fire zipped through the air like zing meteors, they weren''t so fast that the Revenants couldn''t evade them. However, the apparitions didn''t even attempt to move out of their way as they believed they were impervious to harm.

    ''They are gravely mistaken.''

    A smile converged on Val''s otherworldly face.

    The grey fireballs were made from the condensation of hellfire, a substance that didn''t discriminate and acknowledged no boundaries.

    Be it devil or a god, it dared to fuck them both!

    Hellfire was so strong it could devour everything��be it friend or enemy, living or deceased, corporeal or ethereal��in an unforgiving ze and reduce them to cinders.

    ''Why is he smiling?''

    ''Ugh.''

    ''It''s so scary.''

    Considering the situation, Val''s smile made him look all the more terrifying. The revenants didn''t have bones or else they would felt a chill going down their spines, but they still felt weirded out by his smile.

    ''He is the first human to smile after encountering us. Normally, they would tremble in fear or run away at the sight of us.''

    They have never seen a fearless person, so they couldn''t pinpoint what was wrong with Val.

    If Val knew what they were thinking, he would''veughed.

    Their priorities were wrong!

    They should be worrying about their lives instead of focusing on him.

    ''Is it their overconfidence that blinds them? They don''t realize how perilous this is,'' Val thought, watching as the Revenants made no move to dodge the hellfish fireballs.

    The Revenants were shocked when one of the grey fireballs collided with one of them.

    Boom!

    A resounding reverberation rang out as the grey fireballs exploded upon contact with the apparition.

    The entity was instantly enveloped in the ravenous hellfire.

    Kuaaggh!

    It was only able to emit a nightmarish wail before it was obliterated.

    ''These fireballs can harm us!''

    ''We''re no safe!''

    Seeing the horrifying fate of theirrade, the remaining Revenants quickly grasped the severity of their predicament.

    ''We must avoid them or our fate won''t be any better than our deadrade.''

    Immediately, they avoided the balls of hellfireing towards them by sinking into the ground.

    Just like that, they vanished without a trace.

    "Now that we are underground, he shouldn''t be able to see us. We''re safe," one Revenant said in a voice that was filled with relief.

    The Revenants were no strangers to confronting humans, so they understood their limitations well.

    They knew human couldn''t see through obstacles, let alone perceive what was below the surface.

    Thus, as they hid underground, they felt certain that Val would have no way of detecting them

    "What''s the next move?" one of the three remaining Revenants queried in a voice tinged with impatience.

    The Revenants wereplex beings.

    These spectral entities had an extraordinary means ofmunication.

    They couldmunicate with each other without uttering a word when in close proximity.

    Theirmunication didn''t require words to be spoken out loud. Once a thought was formed, they could transmit it to a body full of regrets without any efforts.

    They were currently employing this unique method to share their thoughts and strategize for their next steps.

    "Let''s ambush him," the second Revenant suggested.

    "It''s too dangerous," the third one was clearly hesitant. Val had showed what he could do. "A single slip up and we might die while dealing with him."

    "What are you being afraid of?" The second one sneered before continuing in a voice that exuded confidence, "We can catch him off guard as he can''t see us, and quickly finish him off. He won''t get the chance to attack if we all y our part well."

    It didn''t know it was being overconfidence. It didn''t have the ability to back up its words, and it was dragging the other two down to hell with it by suggesting things that were destined to not work out.

    Truly, having a hundred enemies was better than one pig-like teammate.

    "But I still think it''s too dangerous."

    "Don''t you want to taste the flesh of a human again?" said the second one, its voice imbued with a sense of greed that resonated with the rest.

    Upon hearing this, greed shed across the ethereal forms of the other two.

    Human flesh was like an Elixir to them.

    Not only was it tasty, but it could still promote their strength.

    "Count me in," the third one agreed almost instantly.

    "Me too," the first one quickly chimed in.

    .....

    "Did they run away?" Val asked, his voiceced with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.

    "Revenants are greedy and vengeful by nature," Voidyer said in a voice that conveyed caution. "To them, humans offer great nourishment, and you just took down one of their own. It''s likely they''re scheming to ambush you for both revenge and sustenance."

    "Ambushes only work if you don''t see theming," Val said in a voice tinged with confidence and smiled.

    He then looked downward and activated his Heavenly Eye ability, his soul power decreasing by 10 units.

    As the heavenly eye opened, the earth beneath his feet became translucent, almost like a window into the subterranean world.

    He could see three shadowy figures rapidly ascending through the soil towards him.

    ''Come.''

    ''I promise to show you a good time.''

    With a casual snap of his fingers, he conjured des made up of concentrated soul power.

    His fingers danced through the air, orchestrating their movement with the elegance of a master pianist delighting an audience.

    Swish!

    In response, the des shot downward.

    Just as the Revenants had emerged from their undergroundir, they found themselves impaled by unseen forces. Though they had no facial features to betray their agony, they let out anguished cries that reverberated through the air, showing they were ovee by pain.

    This was the first time they were hurt. Before this, they didn''t know what it felt like to be in pain, and the pain they were experiencing was by no mean small. It was excruciating, the type that would put a human out of his misery.

    Thus, they were rendered immobile for a moment.

    At this moment, they were unable to make a proper decision!

    "Master, now''s the time to finish them off," Voidyer urged in a voice that was both urgent and decisive.

 Chapter 225 223

    ?

    Nodding, Val clenched his fists and let loose a rapid flurry of punches, unleashing a dozen of them in less than the blink of an eye. It resulted in a barrage of hellfire-infused fireballs filling the air, creating a blinding storm of incandescent fury.

    Run!

    Though the Revenants were already incapacitated by the pain from the soul des, they mustered enough strength to try dodging the iing fireballs. However, their injuries hampered their movements, and the overwhelming number and speed of the fireballs made evasion impossible.

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

    One by one, the fireballs found their marks, exploding upon contact and enveloping the Revenants in all-consuming hellfire.

    Kiyah!

    Their otherworldly screams filled the valley for a brief moment, creating an eerie chorus that was abruptly silenced as they were annihted, vanishing from existence forever.

    A system notification popped up.

    [System Notification: Number of Revenants Killed: 4]

    [EXP Gained: 800]

    "Each one granted me 200 EXP. It''s not bad, especially considering how little effort it took to take them down," Val said in a voice that carried a note of satisfaction.

    Another system notitication appeared.

    Reading it, Val''s eyes widenes in excitement.

    ''There''s so much impressive loot? Killing Revenants is really beneficial!'' he screamed in his heart. The things he got were just that great, causing him to feel moved.

    The notification is as follow:

    [Loot Acquired:

    Essence of Despair: A dark, viscous substance that can enhance mental resistance when consumed.

    Soul Crystal Shard: A crystallized fragment of Revenant soul energy. It can be used as a primary ingredient in life prolonging elixirs.]

    Revenant Bone: A spectral bone that can be ground down to powder and applied on body to fortify physical strength.

    Shadow Silk: A rare material woven from the essence of Revenants, ideal for crafting lightweight but durable armor.]

    While the system''s description of the loot listed their benefits, it conveniently omitted the dangers that came with using them��something Val pondered with a discerning eye.

    The Essence of Despair, for instance, could indeed imcrease the mental resistance, making it convenient to withstand direct confrontation with the force of corruption, but upon absorbing it, one would be subjected to experiencing the agonizing deaths of countless souls.

    This was an horrifying ordeal that could mentally devastate a person, reducing their cognitive function dramatically.

    It was terifying to the point...

    They might lose the will to live andmit suicide!

    Simrly, the Soul Crystal Shard also had its inherent danger.

    It was overflowing with the force of corruption.

    For an average human, mere contact with the shard would result in immediate, monstrous mutations. They would lose all sense of reason and be mindless killing people that would be put down to minimize the loss of life.

    Only individuals with a strong mind and indomitable will��or those so abnormal theycked the capacity for fear��could wield its powerful benefits safely.

    As for the Revenant Bone powder, applying it to the skin would feel like being bitten by thousands of ants simultaneously.

    The pain was nearly unbearable, and very few had ever experienced it and lived to tell the tale.

    If one could endure it, however, significant strength gains were promised.

    The only item free of any associated risk was the Shadow Silk.

    ''It''s a rare material indeed,'' Val thought, mulling over the loot he had acquired, wondering how to put it to good use.

    ''And it''s almost too perfect for crafting armor that would suit Eliana''s physique,'' he concluded.

    Val was already well-protected by his artifact armor, the Aegis of Light, but Eliana wasn''t as fortunate.

    Val was already well-protected by his artifact armor, the Aegis of Light, but Eliana wasn''t as fortunate. She didn''t have a armor that could save her life in adverse situation.

    She was petite, slim, and not as strong physically as a level 1 warrior. Any heavy armor artifact would weigh her down, making it impractical for her to move, let alone fight. Even if she could muster the strength to move in a heavier set, she''d soon be drained of energy.

    However, armor made from Shadow Silk would be as light as a feather. Eliana would be able to move freely in it without feeling encumbered. And given where he''d obtained it��from vanquishing Revenants impervious to ordinary physical attacks��the material''s defensive capabilities likely wouldn''t disappoint.

    ''It would be perfect for crafting an armor that would suite Eliana''s physique.''

    So, he made up his mind.

    Once back home, he would either consult a skilled wizard to forge an armor from the Shadow Silk or undertake the crafting himself by purchasing the necessary information from the Arcane Library and the necessary equipment from the lower city''s Treasure Pavillion.

    Then, he would give the finished product to Eliana.

    By gifting such an armor to Eliana, not only would he enhance her odds of surviving the hazardous conditions of the northern frontier, but also strengthen their bond.

    Unbeknownst to him, his decision to gift the Shadow Silk armor to Eliana marked a subtle but significant shift in his own emotionalndscape.

    Thinking of giving her a precious armor without asking anything in return was more than just a tactical move; it was an unspoken admission that she had begun to mean something to him.

    He was just not ready to believe it.

    Or he simply... just didn''t care.

    After all, he had once confronted himself about his growing feelings for Eliana. She was growing on him, and he couldn''t help that. He was a man who was used to navigating the world with calcted detachment, but even after realizing that with her gentleness and naivety, she was moving his heart, back then, he had decided to let his emerging feelings for Eliana grow.

    When illusion bes reality, could it still be called fake?

    Only when he genuinely fall in love with Eliana, would he be able to fool everyone, including himself.

    And once everyone was fooled, no one would be hurt.

    In the grand scheme of things, developing genuine feelings for Eliana were necessary as it would make it possible for him to give her the things that is necessary to keep a rtionship healthy and evesting without feeling disgusted.

 Chapter 226 224: Eldertail Snake

    <h4>Chapter 226 224: Eldertail Snake</h4>

    The Shadow Valley was rtivelyrge, with an environment that was different than the rest of the Wysmire Mountain Range.

    It didn''t have the concept of night and day.

    Instead, it existed in a state of perpetual darkness, with the only source of illumination being the ethereal glow of blue and purple lights in the sky.

    "They resemble the Northern Lights of Earth."

    These otherworldly lights reminded Val of Earth''s Northern Lights, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing.

    Thinking of Earth, he had every intention to return.

    He was killed in a nuclear explosion that had also destroyed everything he worked for.

    But this nuclear attack wasn''t a coincidence.

    It was a nned attack.

    Thus, he harbored a vengeful desire to return to Earth.

    There were specific individuals he wanted to exact vengeance upon, individuals he wished to "skin the scalp off of" and kill with his own hands.

    Besides this, he also wanted to know the oue of the 3rd World War, which had been raging when he was killed.

    Did it result in a devastating nuclear winter?

    How many nations had survived the war, and what was the current state of humanity?

    Was Earth on a path to recovery, or had it been ravaged so badly by the war that it had be an uninhabitable wastnd?

    Ever since he reincarnated, he was consumed by curiosity about the fate of his home.

    Thus, whether by glimpsing into Earth''s reality or physically returning, he was determined to seek the answers to his question.

    He knew it wasn''t going to be easy, but he had still vowed to find a way to make it happen.

    ''The ce I''m in seems like it''s custom-made for devils and beasts that hunts at night.

    ''I can''t afford to let my guard down here, not even for a second.''

    Val wore a grave expression on his face and stopped letting his thought wander.

    His vignce was raised high.

    And he thoroughly scanned his surroundings for any sign of danger before proceeding to head deeper into the valley in search of his target.

    The Shadow Valley was like a small world of its own. It was captivating but also deadly in equal measure.

    It was a haven for devils and other malevolent entities, which thrived in its unique conditions.

    As daytime was non-existent in the valley, devils could actively hunt 24 hours a day.

    It was no surprise that the Shadow Valley was considered to be the ce with the highest chance of encountering a devil.

    ''It''s been half an hour, yet I am still to encounter a devil. I guess heaven is favouring me.''

    Val considered himself lucky as his trek through the valley remained surprisingly uneventful; he encountered no devils after his skirmish with the Revenants.

    While making his way deeper into the valley, Val found something that piqued his interest.

    He stumbled upon this massive tree that was unlike any other he had seen so far.

    The tree was so big, its canopy seemed to form a natural umbre for the smaller trees around it, providing them with shade.

    Vines wrapped around its trunk like nature''s own decoration, but one vine, in particr, caught Val''s eye.

    This vine was thick, and it had these weird pink spots on it. It was different than the rest.

    Unusual traits in the flora local to the Shadow Valley and other wildernesses in general were not unheard of.

    So why was Val unable to move his eyes away from it?

    Something in the back of his mind clicked. Immediately, he came to a stop.

    ''This vine looks almost identical to the descriptions I''ve heard of the Eldertail Snake.''

    ''It is too much of a coincidence to ignore.''

    ording to what he knew, the Eldertail snake usually disguises itself as a vine to trick its prey. Usually, it goes after Leafgrazer beasts that are native to the Shadow Valley and are known to feed on these vines. But it also attacks anyone that gets too close to its resting position.

    ''Maybe the vine coiled around the tall and thick tree is a eldertail snake in disguise?''

    ''Let''s confirm it.''

    Val narrowed his eyes, focusing intently on the vine.

    With a thought, he activated his Detect ability.

    Immediately, a semi-transparent screen materialized before him, disying vital information.

    Name: Eldertail Snake

    HP: 120

    Skills:

    ?Camouge

    ?Rapid Lunge

    ?Serpent Mirage

    Val''s eyes scanned the screen quickly.

    "I guess I was right. It really is what I think it is," he thought to himself, a sense of confirmation washing over him.

    Val had read that the Eldertail Snake would attack anyone who entered its attack range, which was 15 feet from where ity coiled.

    With one swift lunge, it could cover that distance and strike its prey dead. Its current attack range was centered around the tree it was coiled around. If he reached 15 feet away from the tree, the snake would no doubt pounce towards him.

    ''I can use its hunting tactics to my advantage, and finish it in one blow,'' Val thought to himself as he began moving closer to the tree the snake was wrapped around.

    25 feet... 20 feet... 15 feet...

    Swish!

    Just as he hit the 15-foot mark, the snake uncoiled from the tree and sprang towards him like a sh of green light.

    Although it was fast, Val''s eyes were able to keep up with it.

    For the first time, he got a good look at the creature.

    It was extremely big and thick, and as it flew through the air and got closer to him, its mouth opened wide enough to swallow five humans whole.

    "The only thing this snake''s gonna chow down on today is a mouthful of my soul power," Val thought to himself.

    And just like that, he flicked his finger.

    A huge burst of soul power shot out from between his digits.

    It pped the giant snake right in its gaping maw with such force that a resounding "Bam" was heard.

 Chapter 227 225: Serpent Mirage

    <h4>Chapter 227 225: Serpent Mirage</h4>

    The beast went flying backwards, crashing into a tree like it was hit by a freight train. Then, it hit the ground hard with a dull thud, looking dazed and confused.

    Clearly, it was concussed.

    It could even see stars circling around its head.

    Val took a quick moment to assess the situation.

    The snake''s eyes were all kinds of messed up, like it didn''t know where it was or what was going on.

    "Can''t let a golden opportunity like this go to waste," Val thought.

    Without hesitating, he pulled out his sword from the Void Orb and leapt into the air, making a beeline straight for the snake below.

    On the other hand, the Eldertail Snake was starting to shake off its daze. As it was overflowing with vitality, its vision cleared up quickly.

    Then it saw it: a de, shiny and sharp, was held by a handsome man with a mancial smile on his face.

    And maneuvered by the man, the sword was plummeting right towards it.

    The snake''s eyes immediately widened in terror. It could see its dead approaching.

    "Oh no, not today!" it snapped out of its momentary daze.

    As a snake with intelligence rivaling humans but a thought process faster than one, it made sense of the situation in a split second.

    It was already toote for the snake to move out of the way of Val''s attack relying on its physical strength alone.

    So it could only resort to using a skill.

    Although it consumed a lot of energy and would leave it exhausted, at this moment when its life was concerned, it barely mattered.

    Val was leaping down in an arc when the snake''s body started glowing like a neon green sign.

    The shine was so bright it blinded Val.

    Although his vision waspromised, Val didn''t let it affect him in the slightest.

    He didn''t flinch or cease his action.

    Instead, he put more force behind his sword, doubling the rate of its descend.

    The brightness of the snake''s body reached a breaking point.

    Then something wild happened.

    The huge snake split into a bunch of small ones.

    Val''s sword swung through the air, cleanly beheading one of the clones, which disappeared in a puff of smoke.

    The rest of the snakes slithered away in different directions, trying to escape.

    These snakes all looked the same, and they could be called small only whenpared to its original size. After all, each of the snakes it had split into had the length of an Anaconda and the width of a Crocodile.

    The Eldertail snake had used the Serpent Mirage Skill.

    It had split into seven snakes.

    One was killed by Val.

    Six were left.

    All six of them were imbued with a portion of its strength.

    They were equally strong.

    However, only one of them was real.

    Even if five of them died and the real one survived, it would not die.

    Only its strength would take a massive hit and regress. However, it would only be a matter of time before It regains it.

    ''The opposite is also true.''

    There were six of them, but if the real one was killed, all of them will die.

    ''Let''s see which one among the six snakes is the real deal.''

    First, the Detect Trait was employed by Val.

    It resulted in a disappointment as he failed to differentiate between real and false with the Detext Trait. It said the same thing about all six of them.

    Thus, Val employed the Heavenly Eye skill, thinking that it might help him locate the real one.

    However, it showed that all of them had the same aura and power level.

    It was impossible to tell which one was real among the six snakes.

    Val''s expression sank.

    His Heavenly Eye skill has also failed to help him differentiate between them.

    He shook his head, not letting the burden of his failures hold him down.

    "Since there''s no way to tell which one is real, I''ll just take them all out!" he figured.

    "Voidyer."

    "Yes, master?"

    "Rage."

    "As you wish, master."

    As Voidyer spoke, a red wave of energy, almost like a de itself, erupted from its surface and shot out.

    Whoosh!

    It through the air with a sound like a sonic boom.

    The crimson sh was so intense it seemed to distort the air around it, creating a spectacle that would leave anyone awestruck.

    As it flew, it cleaved through five of the remaining six snakes.

    Each one met its end in a most dramatic fashion, dissolving into puffs of smoke as the wave of energy tore through them.

    Now, only one was left.

    "So you''re the real deal, huh?" Val''s eyes narrowed as they locked onto the final snake, which was already darting away.

    The Eldertail Snake nced back, flicking its tongue out in a mocking gesture, as if to say, "Catch me if you can."

    As it was already gotten a considerable distance away from Val, it thought it had the upper hand, that it could easily outrun him, and it wore its disdain like a badge of honor, making no effort to hide it. It didn''t mind offending Val.

    "You''re gonna regret that."

    Val smirked and poured his shadow elemental soul energy into the only rune present inside his arcane heart.

    As a result, the Shadow Bind skill was activated.

    "I bet this is going to wipe that look off its face real quick."

    Val''s smirk widened.

    Suddenly, the shadows cast by the surrounding trees sprung to life.

    They surged from the ground, shooting upwards like dark tendrils, animated by some hidden, arcane force.

    The snake tried to dodge them.

    But it was too slow.

    And they were too many, all aiming for only one target.

    No matter where it moved, it was screwed.

    In an instant, they wrapped around the snake, forming an unbreakable grip that brought its rapid escape to a screeching halt.

    The snake thrashed about, its body wriggling in desperate coils, but the shadows of the tree held it fast.

    Its eyes widened in fear and shock; it never saw thising, and suddenly it was struck with the terrifying realization that it was entirely at the mercy of its enemy.

 Chapter 228 226: Eldertail Snake’s Trump Card

    <h4>Chapter 228 226: Eldertail Snake''s Trump Card</h4>

    "That''s why you shouldn''t underestimate foes you know nothing about. Use this lesson well in your next life," Valughed wildly, throwing caution to the wind as he sprinted toward the creature he had immobolized.

    The snake has been put in its ce, but Val wanted to kick it down even further, send it to hell.

    "The one that''s going to die is not me! It''s you!!"

    The snake was the one that spoke, but its speech was iprehensible.

    Thus, Val couldn''t understand what it said.

    However, even though it spoke in anguage that was well beyond his understanding, Val was certain it was cursing him as it didn''t hiss mindlessly and instead uttered venomous wordsced with murderous intent.

    "What did it just say?" Val muttered under his breath, ncing at the snake warily.

    "Master, it is threatening to kill you," Voidyer said, clearing Val''s confusion.

    A smirk formed on Val''s face, "In that state, what can it even do to me?"

    "Master, don''t listen to its nonsense and just kill it. The faster it dies, the better," Voidyer advised Val.

    Its advise was''t bad per say.

    The battle have been going on for a while.

    It wasn''t good to fight prolonged battle in the Shadow Valley.

    After all, it could easily attract the unwanted attention of devils.

    ''Voidyer is right. I should end this quickly,'' Val thought.

    A trace of coldness shed in Val''s eyes. The pace at which he was sprinting towards the immobilized beast increased substantially. He had activated the Titan''s Reinforcement Bloodline skill, gaining a 10% increase in his strength, stamina, and agility.

    It seemed like it wouldn''t even took two breaths of time for him to reach infinitely close to the Eldertail Snake.

    He didn''t use the Blood Maniptiom Bloodline skill to deal with it because it might be ineffective against the beast that was covered in strong and sturdy scale from head to tail.

    Even if it wasn''t ineffective, it would be insufficient.

    For the same reason, he didn''t bombard it with Soul Power.

    He also had one more mean of long-ranged attack, but using it against the Eldertail Snake would be the height of folly.

    After all, Val hade all the way here despite all the risks involved for its scales, but the Hellish Fist would reduce it to ashes.

    Thus, no natter what, he couldn''t use it.

    In the end, he resorted to finishing the beast the old fashioned way. Voidyer could bypass all defense because it was engraved with spatial runes. Val would only need one attack to strike it dead with his sword, and it wouldn''t even be hard.

    The snake, watching him draw closer, grew more troubled.

    ''I can''t allow him to get any closer to me.''

    The Eldertail Snake was clear in its heart that if Val bridged the gap between them then all that awaits it would be death. Its eyes brimmed up with malevolence and it opened its mouth wide.

    It decided to use up its trump card as not only was it pissed off by his attitude, but it was also scared for its life.

    The Eldertail Snake didn''t have a poison sack, but every drop of their essence blood could be converted into a highly toxic globe of poison.

    Essence blood was akin to its vitality. Exhausting it meant irreversible damage. Once its reserve of essence blood was exhausted, it would age rapidly, and its strength would permanently decrease.

    Its level would drop significantly.

    Recovery would be impossible.

    It would have to start from scratch.

    But considering the situation, it had no other choice. It had to part with its essence blood if it wanted to survive. There was no other way.

    And it was also clear that if it didn''t make a immediate choice, it would be toote to regret.

    "You brought this upon yourself. I will send you to hell!" the Eldertail Snake hissed, spitting out dozens of burning poison globs as it spoke.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Shua! Shua!

    These globs were so fast they pierced through the wind. Undoubtedly, they were faster than a bulletunched from a gun. On top of being ridiculously fast, they were so toxic that the air around them seemed to sizzle, as if warning that they could dissolve flesh to nothingness in seconds.

    Dozens of them came flying towards Val. It was a lethal rain that left no room for evasion, or so it seemed.

    ''They are faster than anything I''ve ever seen. Even Level 5 bloodline users might not necessarily be able to dodge them.''

    Val''s eyes narrowed to slits.

    He knew that with his current speed dodging the Eldertail Snake''s most fierce move was impossible.

    ''I need to speed up,''

    Thus, he decided to increase his speed on the spot by activating his Blood Rush Bloodline skill.

    As it activated, his agility points surged to a 100 point in an instant, causing him to be insanely fast.

    The surge was too sudden and too great!

    He became so fast that it was simply impossible for the Eldertail Snake''s eyes to keep up with him.

    Val moved with such speed he seemed to defy the veryws of physics.

    The Eldertail Snake was taken aback as Val''s figure blurred out of existence.

    He hadn''t actually disappeared.

    He was just moving so fast that it gave off the illusion that he had teleported.

    In actuality, Val dodged each glob of poison that the snake had spat out by darting left and right with extraordinary nimbleness.

    At the same time, he shortened the distance between him and his adversary.

    The Eldertail Snake''s eyes widened beyond belief, almost popping out of their sockets, its tongue lolling out in utter disbelief. When it saw Val''s figure reappearing just 20 feet away from it, the truth of the matter was finally exposed to it.

    ''How can this be?!''

    The Eldertail snake thought.

    It was utterly shocked.

    After all, Val navigated the lethal storm that cost it all of its essence blood as if it were child''s y.

    It had never expected this.

    Its trump card, which could kill beasts 10 levels above it, failed to even put a scratch on Val.

 Chapter 229 227: A hidden Surprise beneath the Tree

    <h4>Chapter 229 227: A hidden Surprise beneath the Tree</h4>

    ''What kind of sick joke is this?'' It raged internally.

    Actually, the effectiveness and ferocity of an attack didn''t matter.

    If it didn''t connect, it was as useless as a fart.

    Val didn''t care about its feeling. He put all his strength into the tips of his feet andunched himself into the air. He was like a sh of blinding light as he cut through the air, pouncing toward the immobilized snake and covering thest remaining distance between them in a sh.

    Hended on top of it.

    Now, clearly the beast was entirely at Val''s mercy, and he was the type of guy that never shows mercy to his enemy.

    The snake''s fate was quite clear.

    Without a moment''s hesitation, Val stabbed downward with his sword. The de cut through the hard scales on the snake''s head like a hot knife through butter, effortlessly prating its skull and stabbing into its brain.

    The snake was already severely weakened from using the Serpent Mirage skill and then burning its essence blood. It was ast-ditch effort that had failed to save it.

    Faced with the additional trauma of having its brain attacked, it couldn''t hold on any longer.

    The snake let out one final, indignant roar. Then, its eyes turned lifeless, resembling those of a corpse.

    It had breathed itsst; the snake was no more. It was dead, and it died indignantly.

    Up until itsst moment, it didn''t want to believe it had been defeated and killed by a lesser life form.

    Just then, a system notification popped up in front of Val.

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Host! You''ve killed a Level 40+ Eldertail Snake. Experience gained: 1,050+ points.]

    Val couldn''t help but grin.

    While the notification didn''t mention any special loot, he knew the beast''s body itself was a treasure trove.

    Thus, there was nothing to not be happy about.

    ''Let''s get the spoil of battle.''

    After taking a moment to survey the downed beast, Val decided to make good use of its remains.

    He summoned his undead minions and ordered them to carefully remove the scales from the snake''s body.

    They went to work immediately, separating the hard scales from the flesh with skilled precision, as if they''d done this countless times before.

    Actually, they haven''t.

    But Val''smand was like God''s decree to them.

    Thus, they did their best.

    Once the scales were all collected, Val transmitted a thought to his Void Orb.

    In response, a ck hole materialized right in front of him.

    Without any hesitation, he told the undead to toss the scales they''ve collected from the corpse into it.

    The undead immediately followed his order.

    The ck hole closed up after thest scale was tossed inside of it.

    Turning his attention to the snake''s meat, Val considered its value. As he''d learned earlier, the Eldertail Snake wasn''t venomous, which meant its meat wasn''tced with poison either. The only issue was the residual force of corruption in its flesh. While inedible to most, Val knew he could consume it to enhance his own strength.

    Lastly, a paste made from the snake''s eyes could help people see in the dark. It wasn''t useful for Val himself, but it coulde in handy for others.

    "I bet this would fetch a good price back in the frontier," Val thought to himself.

    An expedition to a lesser dimension was set to start in a few days, and nobody had a clue what conditions they''d encounter there.

    Being better prepared was essential, and he knew people wouldn''t pass up an opportunity to acquire something as useful as the Eldertail Snake''s eye paste.

    ''I can''t leave any part of its body behind.''

    Thus, Val grabbed the snake''s entire body by its tail and hoisted it up.

    With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it into the pocket dimension within his Void Orb.

    After ensuring it was safely stored, he dusted off his hands.

    "Go and cut down that tree and pull out its root."

    Valmanded his undead minions to make quick work of the tree that had initially concealed the snake.

    When Val had activated his Heavenly Eye during the fight with the snake, he had seen something quite intriguing.

    There was an altar hidden beneath the tree.

    He couldn''t clearly see it.

    Thus, he gave out such a order.

    Once the undead had finished chopping down the tree and pulling out its roots, a hollow, wide pit was revealed where the tree once stood.

    Val recalled the undead before he jumped right in.

    It was pitch-ck down there, but thanks to his Nocturne Vision Trait, he could see as clearly as if it were daytime.

    Sure enough, just as he had seen back then, an altar was present in the pit. It wasn''t just a figment of his imagination.

    He took a few steps forward and found himself standing before the altar.

    On it was an engraving in Roman numerals.

    It read "II," indicating that the dungeon was essible to those with a Level 2 bloodline.

    Since his innate ss was still at Level 2, this meant he could ess it.

    ''The entrance to a level 2 dungeon. It''s truly a fortuitous find.''

    Val was strong enough toplete the dungeon.

    However, it would also turn dark in the world outside the Shadow Valley before he could finish and exit the dungeon.

    Navigating the mountain range at night was a risky business he''d rather avoid!

    However, Val dismissed these concerns with a mental wave of his hand.

    He reasoned that even if it did turn night by the time hepleted the dungeon, he could simply take shelter in the Shrine of Evil and wait for night to pass before making his way back home.

    However, even then he felt a bit reluctant to proceed.

    He hadn''t informed Eliana about his n.

    Knowing her personality, she''d likely be worried sick if he didn''t show up at home before midnight.

    By just closing his eyes, he could already picture her face etched with concern, and her trust in him decreasing.

    Was dungeon hunting important to the point of creating dents in their rtion?

    The answer was already in Val''s heart.

    It was no!

    ''Eliana''s sincere support is more beneficial to me than any support, and I don''t want to lose it by being uncaring of her feeling.''

    Thus, Val decided to head back for today, and return first thing in the morning to do the dungeon.

 Chapter 230 228

    <h4>Chapter 230 228</h4>

    Like a bird elegantly soaring to the sky, Val leaped out of the ditch,nding gracefully on the solid ground beside its entrance.

    His boots hit the floor of the Shadow Valley with a muted thud, and he paused to nce back at the ditch.

    He was nning to cover it up with the tree to keep it hidden from prying eyes.

    Just as he was about to put his n into motion, he heard footsteps.

    The sounds seemed to emanate from multiple directions, creating a sense of disorientation.

    Val didn''t know where to look to pinpoint the source of these footsteps.

    Relying on his eyes was useless in this moment.

    Thus, he didn''t hesitate and used a skill that would help him the most in this situation, or so he thought.

    However, reality proved otherwise.

    Although he poured ten units of soul power into his eyes to activate the most basic form of his Heavenly Eye skill, and as a result, gained an X-ray vision with no blind spots that granted him aprehensive view of the area around him, he still couldn''t spot anyone.

    ''Although I heard footsteps, there''s clearly no one around us.''

    ''It''s like I made a mistake.''

    ''Are my ears ying tricks on me?''

    Val was still on high alert. He thought it was too soon toe to the conclusion that he was safe.

    After the appearance of the Red Moon, the world was no longer the same, and what you see and hear in the wild might be you being paranoid, but it could also be true.

    Downying such encounters usually leads to a jump scare at best and death at worst.

    To confirm what he''d heard, Val turned toward Voidyer. Lifting it up, he asked, "I heard footsteps. Did you?"

    "Yes, Master, I heard them too," Voidyer replied swiftly. In this situation, where every second mattered, it couldn''t afford to bex. The spirit sword continued, "But I can''t detect who these footsteps belong to with my spiritual sense. Are you experiencing the same issue? Can you also not see the source of the footsteps?"

    Val simply nodded in agreement.

    Then, a terrifying thought struck him.

    He might be encountering something many in the north feared!

    Immediately, his expression took a turn for the worst. It turned grim, his eyes narrowing and his jaw tightening.

    He thought about something terrifying. Although his innate trait made it impossible for him to feel fear or pain, his body tensed and he was put on edge.

    Voidyer''s vision had no blind spot. It provided him with a 360�� view of its surroundings. So it couldn''t help but notice the drastic and sudden change in Val''s demeanor.

    Its master had not been this tense even when he found out about the existence of the Unknown and realized how horrifying it was! Just what could''ve caused it change. It didn''t need to think twice to solve the mystery.

    There was only one thing that could make Val react this strongly, and honestly, it was something that Voidyer also dreaded to encounter.

    "Master... are you thinking what I''m thinking?" Voidyer trembled slightly. A sword that have developed a spirit, it could experience life and death. So it wasn''t too much of a stretch to say it could also feel emotions much like humans. The emotion it was experiencing at the moment was similiar to the emotion a child would fear sleeping alone at night after watching a horro movie. It was fear!

    Val voiced out his agreement.

    He and Voidyer were truly of the same mind. See, they have evene to the same conclusion after just hearing a footstep.

    "It''s good we are both on the same page." Val spoke in a voice wrapped with a sense of foreboding. "I think the footsteps belong to it."

    Upon hearing Val''s words, Voidyer thought its worst fear was finallying true.

    If even an intelligent specimen like Val believed that the footsteps belonged to ''It,'' then there was no denying it any longer.

    They were unfortunately dealing with the unexined phenomenon known to gue the forest and mountain ranges surrounding the Lower City!

    To most, it was just a paranormal phenomenon, an enigma not to be trifled with as doing so had only ever led to death.

    No one had survived to tell the tale after the footsteps caught up to them.

    Heck, even their remains weren''t found!

    Voidyer knew it was a creature from the Abyss, a being so iprehensible that not even the wizards of the great era of exploration could understand it.

    No one knew what it looked like, or what its motives were.

    The only certainty was its terrifying origin: it came from the Abyss. It sneaked into their world when the wells were created.

    Tha dud tha dud tha dud!

    The footsteps became louder and more urgent.

    Voidyer felt startled. It had faced all sort of scary things with Assam, but the Nameless was the scariest of them all. They barely survived that encounter. If not for Assam''s inheritance and Valerius''s timely intervention, helping them out of the Abyss, they would have died there at the hands of the Nameless.

    Nameless was the codename of the source of the footsteps.

    Nameless was named as such by the High Lords of the Elder Council of the wizardmunity.

    The Elder Council was the center of the wizardmunity.

    To exin it in simple words, they were above one thousand and only below one.

    They only needed to answer to the Wizard King, while everyone in the wizardmunity were at their mercy.

    They existed for the sole purpose of enforcing the rules set down by the wizard king. They also had the duty to impeach the king when he was not in the right state of mind and doing something wrong.

    ''It''s quite eager,'' Val calmed his tense senses even though he was hearing the footsteps closing in on him from all sides.

    After all, panicking never helped in tense situation. Only remaining calm and clear headed did.

    However, ripples appeared in his calm demeanor as a sense of impending doom washed over him.

 Chapter 231 229

    <h4>Chapter 231 229</h4>

    As the footsteps started to get close to him, his sixth sense, granted to him by his Detect Trait, red up like never before. An intense, throbbing sensation pulsed through his entire being, eclipsing any other premonition he''d ever experienced.

    Even when he''d had the misfortune of encountering a Devil God in the Forest of Dread, the sense of peril hadn''t been nearly been as intense as the one he was experiencing right now.

    This told Val one critical thing: if this footsteps rrached him, then hehe... he would face a fate far worse than death.

    Just when the situation seemed the most desperate, Voidyer spoke up,

    "The Nameless is terrifying because there''s not a lot that''s known about it. It''s shrouded in mystery and things that makes no sense are generally feared the most.

    "However, it''s not unpredictable.

    "It has a peculiar rule that governs its killing.

    "You can call it the Nameless''s killing rule.

    "You''re safe as long as those footsteps don''t reach you.

    "And as far as I''m aware, that rule has never been vited.

    "This killing condition is its greatest weakness. You should try to exploit it."

    Some battles weren''t meant to be won.

    Surviving them was the best possible oue, and any encounter with the Nameless was one such battle.

    So basically, as long as Val survived this, he would be called a hero by Voidyer. The spirit sword would then always look up to him.

    "That''s the thing; we can''t exploit it," Valmented.

    The footsteps of The Nameless grew louder, reverberating from every direction. As a result, Val felt the walls closing in on him.

    Voidyer had given him good advice, but it was easier said than done. Its advice, logical as it was, offered him nofort in this situation.

    After all, the footsteps seemed to being from everywhere, and no matter where he turned to, his sixth sense screamed danger, warning him that death awaited in every direction.

    "Whether it is north, south, east, or west, no where is safe," Val sighed heavily.

    "Then how about taking to the sky?" Voidyer suggested.

    Val had considered it. But he didn''t think it would work. After all, the Nameless hade prepared. However, he still gave it a try. There was a tiny hope in his heart that maybe the sky wasn''t as dangerous as the other directions.

    But this tiny bit of hope was ruthlessly trampled beneath the feet of fate as the same sensation hit him again when he drew out the Flying Broomstick from the Void Orb''s pocket dimension. It was a warning from his Detect Trait, screaming at him that flying away was also a path to certain death.

    "I just confirmed it. The sky is no safer than the ground."

    "Maybe there''s another way."

    Thus, Val considered the Mystical Shovel, thinking maybe he could avoid its pursuit by escaping to the Other Side. But s, even the Other Side seemed to offer no escape; his Detect Trait made it abundantly clear that The Nameless would follow him wherever he went when the idea popped up in his mind.

    Val''s expression grew dimmer. All the trump cards he had gathered so far was useless against this entity. While the Nameless wasn''t as strong as the Unknown, it was no less horrifying.

    Suddenly, Val muttered a single word.

    "Levare."

    He was hoping to take refuge in the shrine of evil until the danger passed.

    Not to mention, if the Nameless turned out to be capable and followed him even there, Val believed that Gruul should be able to finish it.

    It was reasonable to think that an ancient being like Gruul would be able to kill it.

    If he somehow bait it into the shrine, he would be the first person to see the butchering of a Nameless.

    Val''s imagination was colorful. Sadly, he didn''t have the ability nor the proper support to back it up

    ''So this is what it feels like when you want to take a shit but nothinges out.''

    Constipation.

    It was a mood killer.

    The prank of the shrine was equally annoying but also far more dangerous.

    The magical word was spoken, but no spatial force acted on him because the shrine found it funny to not respond to his call when he was close to being killed.

    Literally, nothing happened, despite Val saying the word Levare, which should have granted him entrance into the shrine.

    He remained stuck in the Shadow Valley, hearing the footsteps of the Nameless draw ever so closer to him. The first time he heard them, they rang from a distance. But now they were emerging from close by.

    Of all the times for the Shrine of Evil to fail him, it had to choose the most precarious moment!

    ''This is the second time it had done this.''

    ''And it only pulls a prank when I am in extremely dangerous situation.''

    ''It looks like it wants me to die.''

    ''Maybe it doesn''t like being ruled.''

    ''That''s a good guess.''

    Val couldn''t afford the luxury of getting angry at the shrine for plotting against him. However, he vowed to himself that if he survived this and grew strong, he would teach the shrine a lesson.

    Val''s eyes flicked back to the entrance of the dungeon.

    He had run out of all other options.

    If he wanted to survive the pursuit of the Nameless, it seemed that seeking refuge inside the level 2 dungeon was his only avable course of action.

    He even had evidence to support his theory.

    As it was generally known, dungeons were governed by a different set of naturalws. Because of which, a level 2 only essible to those with a level 2 bloodline. His innate ss met this requirement, so he could enter freely.

    As for the "Nameless," it might be restricted from entering the dungeon by the samews that granted him ess.

    After all, although it couldn''t be categorized into a level, since there were cases of dozens of intermediate-level bloodline users and even one advanced-stage bloodline user meeting their ends at its hands, it was bound to be stronger than level 2.

    The rules andws of the altar might really stop it from entering the dungeon.

 Chapter 232 230: Forced into the dungeon

    <h4>Chapter 232 230: Forced into the dungeon</h4>

    The Nameless was a threat that existed beyond the grasp of understanding. In this aspect, it was quite simr to the Unknown.

    Ironically, they shared another simrity.

    They both liked to y with their food like naughty children or sadistic bastards.

    The proof of that was that it was deliberately approaching Val at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow. But it was consistent.

    Its actions were enough to drive an average person to insanity. If not for Val''s traits that blocked fear and decreased the intensity of the other emotions he felt, he would have been terrified to the point of trembling in fear.

    The worst part was that the creature was mocking the limits of his perception. He couldn''t tell where it wasing from or what it was like despite the usage of the Heavenly Eye.

    Anyway, every situation have two sides. This one also had two sides. Its tendency to y with its prey before finishing them off was actually quite helpful to Val. After all, it provided him with much needed time, which he used toe up with a life-saving n that had the highest rate of sess.

    One must understand although the Nameless hadn''t be categorized into levels like bloodline users, wizards, and devils, there was still the example of the Unknown.

    The Unknown was mighty enough to kill a person in the present from the future, but it couldn''t exhibit its might in the Forest of Dread. In other words, it could also be said that forests were a big part of its weakness.

    In a forest, much less harm a person, it couldn''t even deal with an ant directly.

    At best, it could only y tricks on people such as showing them terrifying illusions.

    The Unknown had used this very method to fool and force ric out of the forest, bringinf him to a ce where it could deal with him.

    Val''s guess was that the Nameless might also be bound by some strangews. Maybe it couldn''t break the rules of the altar, aka the dungeon entrance.

    ''Maybe entering the level 2 dungeon through the altar is a legit way to escape its relentless pursuit.''

    Thinking to that point, Val took a deep breath and made a decision.

    He knew he had no choice but to bite the bullet.

    The Nameless was closing in, and it was now less than 50 feet away from him. Time was of the essence; he couldn''t afford to hesitate any longer, or else he would be risking his life.

    Val took a deep breath to steady his nerves and jumped back into the ditch. Reaching out, he ced his hand on the palm-shaped indent on the altar. As soon as his hand made contact, the altar sprang to life, projecting a portal in front of him, its edges shimmering as if woven from threads of space and time.

    ''Let''s just hope it can''t follow me into the dungeon.''

    This thought crossed his mind before Val, without a second thought, leapt into the portal.

    The sensation of being teleported enveloped him immediately. His surroundings turned into a dizzying blur, as if his world had been tossed into a spinning vortex. His consciousness felt submerged in darkness, like diving into an abyss, devoid of sound and light. A strange feeling of weightlessness pervaded his being, as if he had been untethered from reality itself. It was an experience that was both disorienting and unsettling.

    When the disorienting darkness finally lifted, Val realized he had been transported to an entirely new setting.

    Gone was the familiar ditch and the tense atmosphere created by the presence of the Nameless.

    In its ce was a forest, unlike any he had been in before.

    The air was dense and heavy, filled with the rich, musty aroma of damp earth and scented wood.

    Towering trees with thick and twisted trunks surrounded him. A pleasant scent wafted off of them. And the forest''s canopy was so lush and densely packed that only the faintest trickles of pale yellow light managed to seep through, leaving the forest floor in near darkness.

    Patches of poisonous mushrooms and thorny bushes were spread sparsely throughout the forest.

    The more eerie part was that the forest floor beneath him was uneven, covered in a mixture of soil and decaying leaves. It felt as though the forest was trying to reim every inch, pulling it back into its bosom.

    "The Nameless seemed to have not followed us. It looks like we''re safe." Voidyer said suddenly, garnering Val''s attention.

    Such a simple truth, he had also realized it. A smile converged on his face. Unable to control himself, he spoke his thought out loud, "My gamble paid off."

    It was exactly as he said. Val wasn''t sure that the rules of the altar applied on the Nameless. If his gamble hasn''t worked, he didn''t even want to think about what would''ve happened then. He had no means of escape left. Even his Return Scroll was on cooldown.

    Thankfully, everything turned out to be fine in the end.

    Voidyer heard he was gambling with their life and scolded him to be more careful in the future. However, he didn''t hold it against him. After all, In that situation, getting out alive was more than enough.

    It should also be mentioned that from his recent encounter, one crucial fact had be abundantly clear to Val.

    ''Creatures from the abyss are not to be trifled with.''

    Voidyer took in his surrounding with his spiritual sense. Then, it spoke, "This ce... is simr to the Shadow Valley in the sense that it''s difficult to discern the time of day or even the passage of time itself."

    "Yeah, I noticed." Val said.

    Just then, a system notification popped up in fromt of Val.

    [Ding! Host, you''vended in the firstyer of the Deranged Land.]

    [Complete the following tasks to clear the firstyer]

    Task 1: Kill the Thunder Wolves.

    Task 2: Destroy the Sentient Thorned Vines.

    Task 3: y Gorgoroth, The Acidic Overlord.

    Task 4: Find a way to proceed to the secondyer of the dungeon.

    Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!

    Just then, suddenly, a few low roars came from the front, snapping Val out of his daydream.

    Swish! Swish! Swish!

    Four small and burly beasts rushed out from behind the trees and pounced towards Val fiercely.

    They were the Thunder Wolves.

    ''I have been scammed.''

    Val felt odd when he looked at them.

    Except for their fur, which was a delicate mix between ck and blue, there was nothing about them that honored their name.

    They didn''t look like wolves at all.

    At best, with their sluggish face and saggy skin, they resembled bulldogs.

    The beasts looked funny and even resembled a man''s best friends, but Val wasn''t going to show them mercy. With rapid movements, he stepped out of their way, kicking two in the process with such force their bones shattered and organs ruptured. They dropped dead to the ground with a dull thud, their tongue sticking out of their mouth as they whimpered in pain.

    Stab!

    The piercing sound of de entering flesh echoed through the air. Instantly, the moans of the beasts died out. In a moment of mercy, Val had stabbed them to death. They would''ve died tortuously if he hadn''t.

    As for why they were shown such mercy, it had to do with something from his previous life. It was the memory of a dumb dog that licked the wounds of a kid with dead fish eyes and took a bullet for him, whimpering in pain before death imed it. They resembled it too much so he gave them relief from pain by killing them.

    The scent of blood filled the air. Seeing the dead bodies sprawled on the ground, the eyes of the remaining thunder wolves shed with intense murderous intent. Immediately, their mouths opened wides. Electric arcs could be seen dancing inside. Their heads jerked forward. With a resounding roar, lightning bolts were released towards Val.

    But none of them touched him despite him not trying his hardest.

    As he hadn''t used his stat boostings bloodline skills, he wasn''t fast enough to dodge them. Yet he still did it. The reason was honestly simple.

    He had moved before the lightning bolts wereunched. His every step was precise, just allowing him to move out of the way of the lightning move. And it became possible due to his Heaven Defying Detect Trait.

    Seeing their most potent attacks dodged by a man who could casually yawn and put a hand in his pocket in the midst of battle, the Thunder Wolves feltpletely demoralized.

    Their lightning bolts were their trump cards, their fastest and most lethal attacks. Since Val had effortlessly dodged them, it also meant that they had no way of dealing with them.

    One by one, the wolves seemed tomunicate amongst themselves with low growls and barks.

    "Why are we still here?"

    "This is pointless. He''s too strong."

    "We should retreat before he finishes us off."

    "Okay, retreat at full speed!"

    Swallowing their bruised egos and their burgeoning desire for revenge, the remaining Thunder Wolves quickly turned tail and bolted, vanishing into the dense foliage. They vowed to themselves that this wasn''t the end; they''d live to fight another day.

 Chapter 233 231: A Shocking News

    ?

    As the wolves retreated rapidly, Val''s eyes shed with cold disdain.

    The wolves thought they could just mess with him and run when the situation turned unfavorable for them, but how could there be such a good deal in the world?

    In his world, once you crossed the devil, the only oue was death.

    He thought it wasughable that the wolves thought otherwise.

    "Did I allow you to leave?" Val spoke in a voice that was ice-cold.

    At the sound of it, the wolves shivered, suddenly filled with a sense of foreboding. They couldn''t exin why, but a feeling of immense danger engulfed them as if the ominous scythe of the grim reaper was hanging above their neck.

    They nced back and saw that Val hadn''t moved an inch from his spot.

    A considerable distance separated them now.

    Immediately, they felt a bit relieved.

    There was no way he could attack them from so far away, right?

    Thinking so, they reassured themselves and continued on their way.

    Unfortunately for them, reality often proved to be more disappointing and dreadful than any expectation.

    Val spoke the incantation, "Shadow Bind," in a low and thick voice.

    The moment the words left his lips, something extraordinary happened.

    Inside his arcane heart, a rune designed specifically for this spell, a rune etched directly onto his core of darkness, came to life, and a powerful suction force erupted from the rune, pulling in the shadow elemental soul power that had been lying dormant in Val''s arcane heart, pooled beside his soul power.

    The dark energy flowed like a rushing river, directed straight into the activated rune. And just like that, the rune was supercharged, pulsing with an intense, dark light.

    What happened next was almost like a miracle.

    The rune''s power reached out like invisible hands and grasped the shadows of trees, bushes, rocks, and all the others scattered throughout Val''s immediate surroundings, binding them to his will.

    These shadows were now under Val''s direct control.

    The only limitation was that he couldn''t make the shadows do anythingplicated. Their sole purpose, under themand of the Shadow Bind Rune, was to immobilize.

    The good news was that this forest was almost submerged in darkness with barely any light.

    Thus, it was the perfect terrain a wizard with the Shadow Bing rune could ask for.

    With so much darkness around, Val could really show off the true potential of the rune. To exin it with an example, it was like a predator that had just found the perfect hunting ground.

    With just a simple thought, Val decided it was time to bring those retreating wolves to a screeching halt.

    Following his will, shadows began to rise from the ground, almost like they were animated, and started stretching their dark tendrils toward the fleeing wolves.

    They moved quickly, resembling poisonous snakes hunting their prey.

    One of the wolves didn''t even see iting. Before it knew what hit it, shadows had enveloped itpletely, yanking it up off the ground and leaving it hanging in mid-air. The suddenness of this attack scared it so much its heart nearly burst.

    Awo! Awo! Awo!

    It cried pitifully, so scared it pissed itself, its piss pooling on the ground beneath it.

    The other two wolves were far more experienced. They weren''t caught off guard as they had been continuously looking behind with the corner of their eyes.

    They saw the shadows slithering toward them and made a swift leap to avoid getting caught.

    But Val had already anticipated this. He knew it wouldn''t be possible to catch all three thunder wolves with one move, so he had already prepared beforehand.

    The moment the two thunder wolvesnded near some trees, the shadows from those very trees sprung to life and lunged at them.

    At first, they managed to dodge a couple, leaping and twisting in the air. But there were just too many shadows, and they couldn''t dodge them all.

    One by one, the shadows caught up with them, wrapping around their torso and legs until they too were held tight, just like the first one.

    All three wolves found themselvespletely immobilized, their desperate escape n thwarted. And it was all thanks to Val and his masterful use of the Shadow Bind Rune.

    Val started walking towards the immobilized wolves with a stoic expression and stable steps, not a hint of mercy to be seen on his face.

    Badump! Badump! Badump!

    The fear in the wolves'' hearts grew exponentially as he closed the gap, their hearts beating more wildly and frantically than ever.

    When he reached the first wolf, he paused briefly, raising his sword with a smooth, deliberate motion. In a sh, he swung it down, cleanly severing the thunder wolf''s head from the rest of its body.

    The wolf''s life ended in that instant, without even a whimper.

    With a quick leap, he closed the distance to the remaining two horrified wolves.

    He adjusted his grip on the sword, took a brief moment to aim, and then swung it with calcted force.

    Whoosh!

    The de whizzed through the air, taking both of their heads off in one fell swoop. The headsnded on the ground with a dull thud, eyes still wide open in disbelief.

    As soon as the deed was done, Val willed the Shadow Bind rune to deactivate, not wanting to fuel it any longer with his elemental soil power.

    Consequently, the shadows that had held the wolves in their deadly grip slowly retreated back to their source. Now free, the lifeless bodies of the wolves also thumped to the ground like their heads did earlier.

    After he dealt with them, a system notification popped up in front of Val, bringing with it both good and bad news.

    [Ding! You''ve killed 5 level 36-38 Thunder Wolves. Gained 1725 EXP and a few dozen points increase in your Soul Power reserve.]

    Reading the system notification, Val squinted.

    He took care of the Thunder Wolves easily because he had be really strong. Thus, he hadn''t realized what level they were before reading the system notificatiom, but now that he did, he was taken aback.

    Why were the mobs of a level 2 dungeon stronger than level 35?!!!

 Chapter 234 232: Using Their Advantage Against Them! (Part A)

    ?

    What did Level 38 Thunder Wolves in a Level 2 dungeon signify?

    It signified massive trouble.

    To understand it better, a few basic things about dungeons have to be exined.

    Dungeons, you see, could grow and change. If you don''t keep an eye on them, who knows what they''ll turn into?

    Basically, dungeons are quite simr to moths. They could both evolve. It''s just that moths be beautiful butterflies, while dungeons be more dangerous and horrifying.

    Dungeons have two distinct evolutionary paths.

    Either they would level up and be an even nastier and dangerous ce, or they would pull off a ''dungeon break'' once they reach 100% maturity.

    How do you gauge the state of a dungeon?

    Well, it''s a bit like checking the weather before you step outside.

    Putting aside the awful dad''s joke, the state of a dungeon could be gauged through various factors. The danger level of its terrain and the caliber of the dungeon monsters it hosted were key indicators.

    In other words, having Level 38 mobs in a Level 2 dungeon was an anomaly, signaling that the dungeon was on the cusp of progressing to Level 3.

    "I''d better clear this ce out before it upgrades."

    If the dungeon undergoes an upgrade, things would be so much moreplicated.

    It would simply be too much for Val to handle.

    After all, to begin with, he was never confident aboutpleting a level 3 dungeon depending on himself and his level 2 undead.

    ''Let''s gain a better understanding of what I am up against before considering what to do next.''

    When this thought crossed his mind, Val cast Detect while gazing at the corpses.

    Immediately, a holographic screen, disying their stats and details in great detail, popped up in front of him.

    Name: Thunder Wolves

    Level: 32

    Strength: 30, Agility: 30, Stamina: 30.

    Skills: Nocturnal Vision, Electric Bite, Lightning st.

    Special Trait: Attracted to Light.]

    Val scrutinized the information.

    It revealed all sorts of details about the Thunder Wolves, including their level, strength, agility, stamina, and unique skills. Although other misceneous details were also disyed, Val conveniently ignored them, considering them irrelevant to his current situation.

    After going through the notification, Val gained a better understanding of the Thunder Wolves and realized that the dungeon was clearly designed to favor its native inhabitants.

    Its dark environment would force any person without the ability to see in the dark to use torches or magical light to navigate, making them easy targets for the Thunder Wolves, who were attracted to light.

    ''Thankfully, I am a bit special and can see in the dark due to my Noctune Vision Trait.''

    Val''s unique traits enabled him to see in the dark, allowing him to circumvent the dungeon''s dangerous mechanisms.

    Otherwise, he would''ve been embroiled in deep trouble.

    "Their sensitivity to light can really work in my favor," Val thought to himself, his lips curling into a devilish smile that would make anyone shudder.

    Snapping his fingers, weird changes started happening in the space around him. It was as if reality itself was breaking, with cracks appearing out of nowhere. These cracks widened, bing big enough for a full-grown person to walk through. Then, from those eerie openings, several of his Level 2 undead minions made their entrance, appearing as if called from some dark underworld.

    "Alright, guys, get to work. Take apart those Thunder Wolves and let''s see what useful stuff we can get from them." Val ordered his undead.

    The undead got to work immediately, but they were clumsily tearing into the corpses, not particrly gentle with their task.

    The Thunder Wolves had fur that could reallye in handy, especially in the freezing Northern Frontier, the coldest spot people could live in the kingdom. Having good fur for instion there was basically striking gold.

    "Handle it with care, you''re damaging the fur," Val reprimanded his undead after noticing their clumsy work. He continued, "Their fur''s gotta weight in gold back in the frontier, so don''t ruin it."

    The undead followed hismand to the best of their ability, now skillfully separating the furs from the corpses before tearing them apart and digging out cores from their bodies.

    When all was said and done, Val looked at the loot his minions had gathered and ced in front of him

    He scratched his chin and narrowed his eyes. He had gotten 3 Thunder Wolves Furs in good condition, 2in bad condition, and 5 Level 3 cores.

    Among these cores, two were for enhancing agility, two were for enhancing strength, and one was for stamina.

    Level 3 cores were effective on Val.

    Thus, without wasting any more time, he absorbed the cores right there and then.

    The next moment, multiple notifications popped up in his vision.

    [System Notification: "Your Strength has increased by 2."]

    [System Notification: "Your Agility has increased by 2."]

    [System Notification: "Your Stamina has increased by 1."]

    Val grinned, thinking it was a good haul.

    Then, the look on his face said he was already scheming about what to do next.

    Before putting his n into motion, he needed to do a few things.

    First, he took in the blood of the fallen Thunder Wolves with his Blood Absorption skill, increasing the quantity of blood in his blood bar. Then, Val put the undead into the Shrine of Evil and the loot into the void orb''s pocket dimension. They disappeared, leaving Val standing alone in the dark forest with a bunch of corpses.

    Finally, he punched out five times, activating his Hellish Fist Skill five times.

    A grey fireball erupted from his hand each time the skill activated, igniting the wolf carcasses in a burst of mes, Shua! Shua!

    In a dark ce like this, the sudden appearance of fire was like a spotlight on a dark stage.

    With five of them appearing at the same time, it was as eye-catching as a beacon in the night.

    It was impossible to ignore, especially for beasts who hunt in the darkness of the night like the Thunder Wolves.

    Awooooo!

    Clear and bestial roars erupted throughout the forest

 Chapter 235 233: Using their advantage against them! (Part A)

    Chapter 235 233: Using their advantage against them! (Part A)

    In the dark depths of the forest, the sudden appearance of fire was impossible to ignore. As it contrasted sharply against the unnaturally dark environment of the forest, it was very eye-catching. Thus, it was impossible for it not to catch the attention of the many Thunder Wolves prowling in the forest.

    They were drawn to the several sources of light like moths to a me.

    One Thunder Wolf after another arrived.

    They scanned the environment with sharp eyes. Their gaze swept across the surrounding area andnded on Val who stood alone among the burning remnants of their kin that were reduced to such a bad and sorry state that they weren''t even recognizable.

    That sight inmed a powerful, unquenchable rage within them, boiling their blood and clouding their judgment for just a moment. However, they didn''t let anger get the best of them. They first took a moment to assess the situation, hesitating only for a split second before making a move.

    Wolves are a cautious bunch; they like to weigh their odds before jumping into a fight. This time, it was just Val, a single man, standing against what was now a sizeable wolf pack.

    ''Strength is in numbers,'' they must have thought as their caution melted away, reced by a surge of confidence.

    The wolves felt theirrge numbers gave them an advantage over a lone human; with dozens of them against just one human, they felt no fear.

    This false sense of security fueled them, and without another second of hesitation, they bolted forward. The dozens of thunder wolves elerated, their legs pushing off the ground with a ferocity driven by their collective confidence. They felt no fear, no hesitation, just a drive to close the gap that existed between them and Val and engage what they perceived to be an easy target. And so, they sprinted with all their might, rapidly closing the distance between themselves and Val, an intense desire to rip him to shreds vivid in their eyes.

    Seeing them so obediently march towards death, he smiled. It was a grin that was as chilling as it was confident. Despite their overwhelming advantage, the Thunder Wolves felt a shiver run down their spines when they saw his smile.

    Val spoke with amanding tone, "Undead, arise!"

    At that very instant, he gave the mentalmand for his undead minions to make their entrance from the shrine of evil.

    All around him, the very fabric of reality seemed to fracture and crack, as dozens of spatial disturbances popped into existence.

    These rips in the fabric of the world revealed a dark void behind which was the shrine, and from that ce, a horde of undead warriors emerged.

    The undead materialized so quickly and so suddenly that they caught the charging Thunder Wolvespletely off guard. The undead didn''t waste any time; without even ncing to the left or the right, they lunged directly at the wolves, their ws tearing into their thick flesh.

    Now, it''s true that the Thunder Wolves were of a higher level than these undead minions, but what the wolves had in strength, the undead matched with their own unique qualities. For one, they couldn''t feel pain or experience fear, which leveled the ying field considerably. So despite the thunder wolves retaliating, the undead didn''t let go of them, tearing into them again and again until their insides were revealed. Then, while sticking to their bodies like leeches, the undead proceeded to gouge their innards out and throw them to the ground in what could only be described as an act of absolute and utter horror.

    And let''s not forget, they were greater in number than the thunder wolf pack, and the element of surprise was wholly on their side.

    Thus, it didn''t take long for the situation to turn absolutely grim for the Thunder Wolves.

    In what seemed like mere moments, the wolves found themselves overwhelmed and outnumbered by Val''s undead. One by one, they fell at their hands, until not a single one was left standing. The undead had won against them, bringing great joy to Val.

    He also felt proud of how good he had be good at ordering his undead.

    After taking down the pack of Thunder Wolves, a system notification shed before Val''s eyes, confirming his kills and rewards.

    [System Notification: 25 Level 36 to 38 Thunder Wolves eliminated. You''ve gained 8625 EXP and your soul power reserve has increased by a few hundred points.]

    Val read the message and felt a sense of aplishment wash over him.

    He absorbed their blood using his bloodline skill. As a result, his blood bar increased by a few thousand points.

    Not wasting any time, he then signaled for his undead minions to dismember the 25 fallen wolves and collect what could be used.

    From their carcasses, a bundle of 25 damaged Shadow Wolves'' furs and a collection of 25 level 3 cores were gathered. The furs were stored in the pocket dimension.

    Val looked at the cores ced in a bundle next to him by the undead. Each of these cores held a concentrated essence of power, and Val knew exactly what to do. He took the cores and popped them into his mouth as casually as one would eat grapes.

    Soon after, a series of system notifications followed.[System Notification: Strength has increased to 50 points.]

    [System Notification: Agility has increased to 50 points.]

    [System Notification: Stamina has increased to 50 points.]

    Val felt the power coursing through him. Every muscle, every fiber of his being seemed to hum with newfound energy. He couldn''t help but mutter to himself, "Good, good, good," cherishing the sensation.

    Just as he was basking in this feeling, another system notification caught his eye.

    [System Notification: Level 3 cores are no longer beneficial for your progression.]

    Level 3 cores could only increase one strength to 50 points. He has maxed out their uses.

    This system notification was followed by another one.

    This one stated that he hadpleted the first task of this perilous dungeon.

    This one stated that he hadpleted the first task of this perilous dungeon.

    A smirk formed on his lips.

 Chapter 236 234: Speed running a level 2 dungeon (Part 1)

    Chapter 236 234: Speed running a level 2 dungeon (Part 1)

    The next steps wereid out clearly: Val needed to find out and destroy some pesky, obstructing vines, defeat the formidable boss that ruled over the firstyer of the dungeon, and then locate the hidden entrance that would lead him to the dungeon''s secondyer.

    Val crackled his knuckles and felt the joints pop satisfyingly, washing the exhaustion away.

    ''Alright, time to find those vines. The Heavenly Eye skill should do the trick.''

    ''The vines can be easily located if I use the Heavenly Eye skill. Let''s activate it,'' Val thought to himself.

    He cast the heavenly eye skill.

    As a result, his eyes seemed to have gained the power to not only look through objects but also take in the entire view of his surroundings.

    He could see through things now, and his vision expanded in every direction like an omniscient God.

    Nothing could hide from his sight now.

    With the Heavenly Eye skill activated, the hidden details of the dungeon world became apparent to him.

    Consequently, the horror hidden by the forest''s canopy also came into his view.

    His rapidly expanding heavenly sight pierced through the dense foliage and the thick canopy of trees, extending upwards toward the sky. What he found there was beyond belief!

    Instead of the familiar sun or moon that one might expect, an enormous eye floated in the sky. The eye was yellow and glowing, and it seemed like the dim light that filtered through the trees was actuallying from this massive eye.

    It waspletely bizarre. The eye seemed to glow with an unsettling luminescence that would have sent chills down anyone else''s spine.

    For a moment, Val was taken aback.

    A sky with an eye instead of a sun or a moon was a sight that would have rattled anyone to their core. It was the kind of sight that would give most people nightmares for weeks. Thus, it made sense that even he was affected.

    However, thanks to his emotional impairment and unfeeling traits, he quickly regained hisposure.

    He took a deep breath, thinking,

    ''Well, that''s another thing to add to the list of oddities in this ce.''

    Why is there a giant eye in the sky?

    And what function does it have?

    When these thoughts popped up in his mind, he decided to search for the answers himself.

    He cast Detect with his gaze glued to the giant eyeball.

    [System Notification: Eye of the Abyss has been detected. If it looks at you for longer than 15 seconds, a curse will activate. The curse will send you directly to the most hazardous area in the dungeon''s secondyer, known as the Spider Nest.] The system notified him.

    The curse was dangerous but could also be counted as a shortcut to the dungeon''s secondyer.

    Val read the message and quickly thought he''d better steer clear of that giant eye for the time being. He had a bunch of tasks to finish on this firstyer of the dungeon, after all. Plus, he didn''t even know if he could make it back to thisyer once he was sent to the second one. So, why take the risk? Better to y it safe for now.

    Shaking off the unease that the floating eye had given him, Val turned his focus back to the job at hand. He reactivated his Heavenly Eye skill to scan the forest for the troublesome vines he needed to take care of. The skill revealed dozens of the gnarly things, twisted around trees and snaking along the forest floor.

    "Time to get moving," he thought.

    He began to walk through the forest, heading towards the first vine, which was a considerable distance away from his current location.

    As he moved through the forest, the thick foliage and the overarching canopy of the forest gave him some cover, helping him avoid catching the eye of that creepy Eye in the Sky.

    There were spots in the forest where the canopy cleared up, revealing the sky above, but Val was careful. He took the long way around those open spots. He didn''t need to get cursed and sent off to who knows where just because he was in a hurry.

    After walking for 15 minutes, Val finally found what he was looking for.

    There it was, a vine all twisted and coiled around a tree like a snake The vine was surprisingly fast, cutting through the air with a whooshing sound that was kind of intimidating, actually. Not to ready to strike.

    The moment Val got near, the vine sensed him and sprang into action. It shot out towards him like a viper lunging at its prey.

    The vine was surprisingly fast, cutting through the air with a whooshing sound that was kind of intimidating, actually. Not to mention, it had this sharp, triangr point and it was zeroing in straight for Val''s head.

    Val sensed the attack before it wasunched. With just a slight tilt of his head, he dodged the vine''s deadly point.

    In the same breath, he swung his sword. The sword moved so fast, it was like a blur. The force from the sword''s swing even produced a gust of wind that was sharp like a de. This gust of wind had a devastating effect.

    One moment the vine was there and the next it was cut clean, along with the tree it was wrapped around by the sharp gust of wind.

    "This is the benefit of having 50 points in my strength. With a strong swing of my sword, I can produce such a mighty gust that it can split trees and monsters into halves," Val felt pleased.

    "Master, you''ve really grown after absorbing all those cores," Voidyer said, happy for Val.

    "Yeah, I have." Val gently smiled.

    Then, he quickly moved towards the other solo vines he had located earlier. One by one, he dealt with them, all in the same, efficient manner.

    Deep within a secluded part of the forest, there was an area taken over by sentient vines that had a thirst for blood.

    It was a clearing with no covering.

    Val found himself approaching it. Knowing he had to deal with these vines but also wary of exposing himself to the eye in the sky, he hid in the shadows, taking refuge under the dense canopy of trees that surrounded the clearing, nning to take care of them from there.

    His eyes narrowed, a sharp glint of determination shing through them as he stared at the writhing vines ahead of him.

    Val made up his mind. He was going to use the Hellish Fist Skill to deal with them. Sure, in this situation, it was a technique that would start a forest fire, which would spread rapidly and turn the whole forest to ash. But honestly, he couldn''t be bothered about the environment right now. Not to mention, he was never an environmentalist.

    Besides, his focus was on clearing the firstyer of this eerie dungeon, and he was pretty darn confident he''d make it to the secondyer before the ze got too out of hand and turned on him.

    Rustle!

    Perhaps sensing Val''s lethal intent, the vines started to move, creeping menacingly in his direction. Not wasting any more time, Val extended his hand and began to perform quick, repetitive punching motions in the air. Each punch activated his Hellish Fist Skill. mes burst forth from his fist, transforming into fireballs that rocketed towards the vines. Each fireball erupted the second it made contact with the gathered vines, setting the sinister vegetation aze.

    Set aze, the vines writhed and twisted as if feeling agony, before finally copsing to the ground.

    The hellish mes didn''t stop after extinguishing their souls; they continued to consume the physical body of the vines, reducing them to a pile of smoky ashes.

    Moreover, the fire didn''t stop at just the vines.

    As Val had anticipated, the surrounding trees also caught fire, and a hellish wildfire began!

 Chapter 237 235:

    Chapter 237 235:

    Hellish mes climbed up the trees and roared through the brush.

    The disastrous wildfire that Val had started was spreading through the forest quickly, but he didn''t seem concerned in the slightest.

    He was confident that he''d be able to move on to the secondyer of this dungeon before the fire could catch up to him.

    He darted through the forest at an incredible speed, appearing almost as if he were teleporting from one ce to another. Every second, he covered hundreds of feet, making him seem like a sh of lightning in the dark forest.

    In just half a minute, he reached another clearing. At the center of this open area was a monstrous troll, sitting on a round rock b. The creature was tall and burly, its biceps were the size of watermelons and its thighs were even bigger than that. Jagged tusks with pointy ends protruded from its lower jaw, and it had eyes that glowed a menacing red.

    This monster... Who was it?

    It was Gorgoroth, The Acidic Overlord!

    Val had discovered its location earlier when he used his Heavenly Eye skill to locate the vines. Thus, he was able toe straight to it after setting the forest on fire like an arsonist.

    Gorgoroth was a troll that had undergone mutation. It was unique. First off, it was 1 and a half times taller than an average level 40 troll. This was evident in its intimidating presence, and ording to the details about the mutated troll Val scooped up using ''Detect,'' Gorgoroth had strengths that went beyond the typical troll.

    It was crazy strong, had a skill that could eat through metal like it was nothing, and to top it all off, it could heal itself really fast. We''re talking "blink and you''ll miss it" fast.

    "Its regeneration is excellent, but even that won''t help if it''s six feet under."

    Val squinted his eyes at the troll and charged into the clearing with a burst of speed. The troll could heal at an extraordinary rate, but the premise was it had to be alive. Val was confident he would be able to kill it before its regeneration kicked in.

    And he had to do it within 15 seconds.

    After all, he had stepped out of the forest''s canopy and appeared in open ground. The giant eye overhead have noticed him and ced a curse on him. The curse has already started working. In 15 seconds, he would be teleported to the most dangerous area of this dungeon''s secondyer.

    With a sense of urgency, Val sprinted towards the troll at maximum speed.

    As soon as Val made his appearance in the clearing, the troll''s eyes locked onto him.

    Guriyah!

    Gorgoroth let out this roar that could shake the heavens and then, it flexed its muscles. A wave of grayish aura burst out from its skin and washed over the clearing like a tidal wave of doom. The grass and the small shrubs in the clearing came in contact with it and instantly withered away as if life had been plucked out of them.

    Now, most people would''ve freaked out by now, but Val just wore a smirk on his face despite seeing a disastrous wave of acidic aura rushing towards him.

    Val was speeding toward the troll like a bullet from a gun, not slowing down even a bit. The troll''s nasty acidic aura was rushing toward him, but Val had a n up his sleeve.

    He activated his unique ability to manipte blood, and with a mere flicker of focus, he created a sturdy, thick shield made of dense, almost solid blood right in front of him, just in the nick of time.

    Smash!

    The corrosive aura hit the shield full-force, making it vibrate like it was hit by a sledgehammer. Almost immediately, cracks began to form on the surface of the shield, and it started to melt away at an rming rate, turning into vapor and mist.

    Val saw this happening but didn''t back down despite the risks involved.

    He had zero intention of letting that shield disappear as it was the one thing standing between him and the troll''s corrosive aura that could melt him to the bones.

    Thus, he immediately channeled his blood into the shield.

    As a result, the damaged shield was restored to its original state.

    Consequently, a back-and-forth struggle began.

    The troll''s aura kept melting the shield, and Val kept reconstructing it using his own blood.

    He had plenty of blood to spare, so using a bit to maintain the shield didn''t faze him one bit.

    Not to mention, thanks to his shield, Val was able to block the iing corrosive tide and keep on pushing forward.

    Step by step, he was getting closer and closer to the troll, with a look on his face that screamed, "You don''t have what it takes to stop me."

    The troll looked visibly shaken, and why wouldn''t it be? Its acidic aura had always been its trump card, its unbeatable weapon. Everyone and everything that had dared to challenge it in the past had been melted to a puddle when it used this skill. But here was Val, just casually pushing through like it was a walk in the park.

    The troll instantly realized that Val was stronger than all the opponents it had faced in the pastbined. Val also seemed quite desperate in his attempt to bridge the gap between them. It seemed that as long as the troll got in his melee attack range, victory would be his. The troll was no genius, but even it could determine it shouldn''t let Val seed with what he was up to.

    The troll figured that if Val wanted to get close to it, then the best strategy it could exercise was to simply back away from him.

    However, Val saw through it and activated the Shadow Bing spell. Before the troll could move even an inch, its own shadow suddenly came to life, rising up from the ground and coiling around its arms and legs like serpents. In a panic, the troll grabbed at the shadows binding its left arm with its beefy right hand, and yanked them hard. They were torn apart, and its left hand was freed. It its feet and mmed into the ground with a Bam!

    Then, as if caught in a brutal cycle, the tentacles hoisted it back up, continued to struggle, tearing at the shadows binding its legs to free itself and regain mobility.

    Calcting that the troll would break free from his shadow-bind spell before he could get close enough, Val decided to take another course of action.

    Tentacles of blood burst from his back, stretching out toward the troll. They wrapped tightly around its torso and neck, then yanked it toward the ground with incredible force. The troll was lifted off its feet and mmed into the ground with a Bam!

    Then, as if caught in a brutal cycle, the tentacles hoisted it back up, only to m it down again, over and over.

    Each time it was lifted and mmed into the ground by Val''s tentacles, the troll felt more and more disoriented.

    Suddenly, its powerful regeneration ability kicked in to clear its foggy mind, but just as it started to regain some sense of rity, it was mmed into the ground again by Val''s tentacles, leaving it in a state of confusion once again.

    The cycle continued; the troll would regain rity for a split second, only to be mmed back into confusion.

    12 seconds gave passed since the beginning of the battle.

    He had to deliver the killing blow within 3 seconds!

    Val threw the shield away as there was no corrosive aura leaking out of the troll anymore and leaped forward with all his strength, closing the remaining gap that existed between them in a split second.

    Then, he swung his sword, Voidyer.

    The troll had skin like armor and bones several hundred times denser than a human''s. Especially its skull and ribcage, which were thousands of times denser than an average human.

    But with Voidyer''s defense-negating effect, its sturdy body was like paper.

    The de sliced through the troll like its defense was non existent, drawing a red line that stretched from its head to its groin. From the line, the troll separated into two, its inside sprawled out onto the ground in a choatic mess

    Instantly, a series of notifications sounded.

    [You have in Gorgoroth, The Acidic Overlord.]

    [Experience gained: 1500.]

    [Rewards obtained: Acidic Overlord''s Hide and Moonlit Amulet.]

    [Acidic Overlord''s Hide: A hide imbued with immense defensive powers and corruption. Useful for crafting armor and other defensive equipment.]

    [Acidic Overlord''s Moonlit Amulet: A magical item that grants 3 second immunity against that harms the soul.]

    [Third taskpleted!]

    [No task concerning the dungeon''s firstyer remains]

    [Please proceed to the dungeon''s secondyer for further details.]

    Val sighed. Gorgoroth was a powerful dungeon boss. It was bound to have many cores in its body. However, he didn''t get the chance to extract them as the curse of the Abyssal Eye that have been staring at him for almost 15 seconds now triggered, teleporting him away to God knows where.

 Chapter 238 235: Spinners Lair

    Chapter 238 235: Spinner''s Lair

    Val was teleported to what looked like a monstrous cave, but calling it just a ''cave'' wouldn''t do justice to it.

    After all, it had a very unique ecosystem.

    Trees were sprouting out of the rocky floor and walls of the cave as if they''d been there for ages.

    Thus, it seemed that a forest got dropped inside a cave, making it a unique world of its own.

    Val looked around. This ce would have been quite picturesque if not for the minefield of eggs present inside.

    Eggs of different size, color and shape were everywhere, like ornaments decorating a Christmas tree, but much creepier.

    And the eggs were of two types.

    The first ones were big and yellow. They were scattered here and there on the ground. They looked like oversized, rotten mangoes and were just as unsettling.

    The second type of eggs were small and white. They were attached to the trees of the cave with webbing so thick and strong it could probably stop a bullet.

    Taking in his surroundings, Val realized he had entered a nesting ground. Just as he was taking in the scene, a system notification popped up in his vision.

    [Notification: You have entered the The Spinner''s Den!]

    [Tasks to bepleted has been updated!]

    Task 1: Kill 100 White Spiders.

    Task 2: Kill 30 Yellow Spiders.

    Task 3: Kill the Spider Princess, Valerigia.

    Task 4: Destroy or separate the dungeon core from the dungeon.]

    After scrolling through the tasks listed in the system notification, Val realized he was up against spiders. He looked at the eggs in his surroundings and thought, "Then these must be spider eggs. I better take care of them before they hatch into spiders."

    However, as if he had jinxed himself, he heard the unmistakable sound of eggs cracking in the very next moment.

    "You''ve got to be kidding me," he said after he saw that cracks have formed on the surfaces of the small white eggs, and the cracks grewrger andrger until the eggs fell apart, unleashing hundreds of tiny white spiders into the cave.

    Val knew what newborn white spiders were like. They were basically tiny little murder machines, known for their extreme aggression right out of the gate. Basically, these spiders were born with an unnatural thirst for blood and an unimaginable craving for flesh and they would usually start eating each other if no prey was around right after they were born. It was a savage free-for-all, with each spider trying to ensure its own survival at the cost of its siblings.

    However, today, they had Val in their sights, and he could almost see the little light bulbs go off in their tiny heads. They looked like kids who just got their favorite fast food.

    They all wanted a bite of him.

    Thus, theyunched themselves towards him as if their lives depended on it.

    To Val, it felt like he was suddenly facing a swarm of flying daggers.

    Each spider was smaller than his fist but packed a punch. Their legs were not just spiky, they were sharp as needles, built for puncturing and stabbing.

    And that wasn''t all.

    Even the hairs on the spiders'' legs were like tiny weapons. Laced with some kind of corrosive poison, they could not only pierce but also melt flesh upon contact.

    He couldn''t afford to get hit even once by these white spiders or he will be doomed.

    Although they were just mobs of a level 2 dungeon, they were unnaturally strong and dangerous. They were so strong because this dungeon was close to upgrading to level 3.

    "Daring to smash a boulder with an egg, these spiders are courting death." Val''s eyes narrowed, a cold light shing across them.

    With a focused thought, he unleashed a pulse of his soul power.

    It rippled out from him like a shockwave, spreading through the air with a palpable force.

    The whole cave seemed to tremble, as if acknowledging the might of his power.

    The wave hit the swarm of airborne white spiders closing in on Val head-on. It looked like a freight train had smashed through a wall of cardboard boxes as the newborn spiders were sted away and sent spiraling through the air, their tiny bodies flung in all directions as if caught in a hurricane.

    As they crashed to the ground, it was clear they were down for the count. Their tiny eyes rolled to the back of their eyes, their legs curled and stiffened up, and their bodies went limp. It was like someone had pulled the plug on a bunch of tiny, mechanical toys, rendering thempletely lifeless.

    They were dead!

    The thing is, being freshly hatched, their souls were still fragile, nowhere near strong enough to resist the devastating effect a wizard''s soul power have on one''s soul. They simply couldn''t withstand the force of Val''s soul power and were annihted on the spot.

    [Eliminated 100 White Spiders.]

    [Completed task 1 of the Spinner''s Den.]

    "Well, that takes care of Task 1," Val smirked. "Now, there are two more to go."

    Just then, the yellow eggs in the surrounding began to quiver. Although it happened too suddenly and was quite subtle, Val noticed it. His gaze turned towards them only to see that cracks have formed on their shells. He didn''t even get the chance to shatter even one egg when, all of a sudden, all 30 of them burst open.

    From each one emerged a towering yellow spider. They were simr in shape and height, standing 1 and a half meters tall, each one equipped with eight sturdy legs that seemed to be made of some kind of natural steel.

    They had three pairs of deep ck eyes, and all of them reflected Val''s lonesome figure. With their gaze fixed on him, their eyes bubbled up with a mix of hunger and negative intent, making it clear that they viewed Val as nothing more than a potential meal.

    As Val stood there, eying the beasts and casting detect to determine their strength and weaknesses, two of these yellow spiders they lunged at him in a coordinated attack, trying to catch him off guard, not knowing that Val was far from an easy target and that their pitiful speed wasn''t enough to catch him by surprise.

    Thinking they were too slow, Val, with a quick, almost effortless sidestep, dodged their straightforward attacks.

    The two spidersnded on the ground and turned towards him menacingly. They were preparing to attack again. However, Val had no intention of giving them the chance.

    Val''s eyes narrowed as he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.

    Whoosh!

    He swung the spirit sword in a wide arc in front of him with such force that the sound of air being torn apart echoed.

    His attack that relied on raw physical strength was no ordinary one.

    It unleashed a force like a hurricane, a gust of wind so powerful it could have uprooted trees if they had been in its path!

    The wind roared towards the two spiders, filling the space with a sound that resembled an angry beast''s growl.

    The two yellow spiders found themselves in a bad spot. They were too sluggish to dodge Val''s counter-move, and before they knew what was happening, they were caught in this deadly windstorm created by Val''s sword swing. The force of the wind was merciless, tearing through their tough, steel-like legs and shredding their massive bodies into pieces.

    In just a few moments, the yellow spiders were reduced to fragments, scattered around the cave floor. They never even had the chance to understand what had just hit them. Their dark eyes, once filled with malevolence, were now lifeless, and their once-menacing figures were now nothing but wreckage on the cave floor.

    "Iing," Voidyer warned.

    Val looked back and saw that the remaining 28 big yellow spiders were preparing a huge coordinated attack to finish him off.

    "These monsters are giving off the strength of level 40 beasts, and there are like 28 of them. This is like a small army that can wipe out a group of intermediate-level bloodline users with ease. I think now''s a good time to bring out the undead."

    Voidyer''s voice, which was tinged with a note of concern, echoed in Val''s mind.

    "I have my own ns," Val responded, brimming with confidence.

    Through the telepathic connection they shared, he issued amand to Voidyer. Almost instantaneously, Voidyer absorbed the blood from the spider corpses littering the ground until its rage meter was full.

    As a result, the Crimson sh skill became useable.

    Just then, the spiders opened their mouths and spewed out webs. The air was filled with spider webs, which quickly spread out in all directions before rapidly closing in on Val from all side.

    With his current skill set, he could take only one way out of this if he wanted to make his n work.

    ''Let''s do it,'' he thought.

    Without missing a beat, Val activated the Crimson sh skill. A radiant arc of a crimson color exploded from his de, instantly tearing apart the webs in front.

    A path to safety opened up, and without a moment''s hesitation, Val took it. His muscles tensed and his veins popped up on his skin as he exerted his full strength to bolt through it and reach safety,

    sessfully dodging the onught of web in the process.

    But it was only then that he realized he had fallen straight into their trap. He was right where they wanted him to be!

 Chapter 239 236: Spider Princess

    Chapter 239 236: Spider Princess

    When the spiders saw Val sh open a path through their web bombardment, they quickly hatched a n for an ambush.

    The moment he stepped out of the web-covered area, he was met with a synchronized elemental attack from all 28 spiders. They unleashed a volley of webs. Each web was crackling with electricity as they flew towards him, aiming to stun and entangle him.

    Val didn''t sit still. He activated a bloodline skill that could save him.

    Blood Maniption: Igloo

    Val concentrated and a surge of blood flowed from him, swirling in the air as it expanded into a dome shape around him. The blood solidified rapidly, forming a shield of vivid crimson color, which looked like an igloo that had no openings. The igloo was sturdy and provided him protection from all sodes.

    The electrified webs descending upon him met the igloo-shaped shield instead. They exploded upon contact with the shield. The shield was rattled as if struck by thunder, cracks appeared all over it and it was covered in sticky webs that crackled with electricity, but it didn''t break down.

    ''Seems like my calction was on point,'' Val thought.

    The shield had sessfully blocked the iing attacks, giving him a brief but valuable moment to catch his breath, gather his thoughts and prepare a counterattack.

    The spiders looked at the shield with wary eyes.

    But nothing happened for a while.

    Perhaps taking this as a sign of weakness, they mustered up the courage to attack again, daring to let out menacing screeches before jumping onto the shield. Once their, they stabbed it with their steel-like legs, chipping it away bit by bit.

    The shield was breaking down rapidly under their assault. It didn''t seem like it wouldst for long. Val sensed the shield''s impending breakdown but kept his cool.

    "Now it''s my turn to go on the offensive."

    A glint shed in Val''s eyes and he manipted the shield to explode.

    Boom!

    With a resounding reverberation that echoed throughout the cave, the igloo-shaped shield exploded into pieces, shards of the shield bursting outward.

    He controlled them using wizardry. His soul power spread out and guided them to stab the vital parts of the 28 spiders that were sent spiraling into the air due to the force of the explosion, causing them to screech in pain.

    Val observed the aftermath of his counterattack, noticing that while some spiders sumbed to their injuries, others were tough enough to survive.

    Although they survived, they were too heavily injured, unfi forbat. They were also too afraid to attack him again.

    Noticing their hesitation, Val smiled, thinking they were pussies that only dared to bully the weak and feared the strong.

    ''So far, everything has gone ording to my n.''

    ''It should be enough, right?''

    He wondered if the chaos he''d caused was loud enough to draw out the spider princess.

    The thing is, he had been purposefully holding back up to this point for a strategic reason. Val wanted to give Valerigia, the Spider Princess, a false sense of security. His aim was to entice her intoing out on her own terms to confront him. While he could use his Heavenly Eye skill to locate her, capturing her would be a different story altogether if she was afraid to confront him and decided to avoid him. Thus, he could only rely on this method.

    After all, Val knew that the Spider Princess would be intimately familiar with theyout of this cave. Spiders also have keen senses and are highly sensitive to their environment. If she sensed his true power and chose to maintain distance, she could easily elude him by navigating through the caverns that she knew so well.

    Thus, Val chose to put on a bit of a show, presenting himself as weaker than he truly was. He was acting like a pig to eat the tiger. The n was a bit pain in the ass, but if it lured out the Spider Princess, it would be well worth it.

    Roar!

    A bestial scream echoed from the depths of the cave.

    Soon after, a huge ck spider with four pairs of red eyes and an equal number of ck and sturdy de-like legs appeared.

    It was tall, five times taller than Val, and also possessed incredible width.

    This creature was colossal and strong. It was no doubt thest boss of this dungeon!

    The appearance of this giant spider, evidently the Spider Princess Valerigia, emboldened the remaining yellow spiders.

    They seemed to believe that with their princess by their side, defeating a mere mortal would be a walk in the park.

    Though they were grievously injured, they readied themselves for another round ofbat, not wanting to disappoint their princess.

    Val felt he couldn''t be bothered with putting them in his eyes. Whatever they were nning didn''t matter to him; after all, from the very start, they were just fish on the chopping board.

    They had survived so far because they were crucial to his n, but now that the big fish had taken the bait and showed itself, they were no longer needed.

    And what happens to things when Val the Unfeeling doesn''t need them?

    They die!

    "Descend," Valmanded in a voice devoid of emotion.

    Suddenly, dozens of spatial distortions appeared in the cave, and from each emerged multiple level-2 undead warrior.

    "Attack them!" Val pointed at the yellow spiders and ordered, and the undead warriors didn''t hesitate and immediately engaged the yellow spiders in a life-or-death battle.

    Roar!

    Just then, the Spider Princess let out a deafening screech. He dared to attack her underlings in her presence and that pissed her off, causing her to lunge toward Val with incredible speed.

    He leapt out of the way just in time, and the Spider Princess crashed heavily into the ground where he had stood moments before.

    "Shadow Bind," Valmanded.

    As if responding to his words, the shadow beneath the Spider Princess surged upwards, aiming to bind and immobilize her. However, she resisted, quickly shing the binding shadows apart with rapid stabs of her sword-like legs.

    While she was busy dealing with her own shadow, Val seized the opportunity to prepare a decisive move that would decide the ultimate oue of the battle.

 Chapter 240 237: Back to Eldrich

    Chapter 240 237: Back to Eldrich

    "Red..."

    As he uttered this word, hundreds��no, nearly a thousand��tendrils of blood emerged seemingly out of thin air. They swirled around each other like a vortex, condensing smaller and smaller until it was the size of a palm.

    "...Death."

    Hepleted the name of the move.

    And then with a flick of his wrist, Val tossed it forward.

    The blood vortex flew straight toward the Spider Princess. She saw iting and leapt to evade, but at that moment, shadows rose from the ground, ensnaring her legs and pulling her back down, aligning her with the projectile''s path.

    The tiny blood vortex crashed into her with a forceparable to a freight train and upon impact woth het, it forced a whirlpool of force to spiral into her body, which tore throughyers of her tough exoskeleton and crushed her insides to a pulp, giving her an instant death.

    After dealing with the Spider Princess, Val looked around, only to see that the undead had finished their own battles as well.

    All the yellow spidersy lifeless on the ground, taken down by his undead minions.

    Immediately, the system notification popped up in front of him.

    [System Notification: You''vepleted the second and third task of the Spinner''s Lair!]

    [System Notification: Killed 100 White Spiders, 30 Yellow Spiders, [Gained 10,000 EXP.]

    [Obtained Spider Silk Robe]

    and 1 Spider Princess.]

    [Gained 10,000 EXP.]

    [Obtained Spider Silk Robe]

    [Obtained Spatial Key of the Mythical Era!]

    Val inspected the two items he obtained.

    The spider silk robe was a magical item with multiple passive abilities. It was resistant to not only physical, but also magical damage. Specifically, it could diminish any damage its wearer might take by a whole 10%. This was not a trivial feature; it was a lifesaver in a dire situation.

    Val wore it on the spot.

    [You have gained passive Physical & Magical Defense abilities. All iing damage is reduced by 10%!]

    ''It works as described,'' Val showed a rare smile.

    Then there was the second item: the Spatial Key of the Mythical Era.

    Now, this was a real prize!

    ording to its description, this key had the power to open a path directly to Valerigia''s secret treasure room

    ''I wonder what''s inside there,'' Val thought.

    The key would be rendered useless once the dungeon world copsed. So, any sane person would loot the treasury first, then go for the dungeon core.

    It was written in the key''s description that if you wanted to bring out its true power, you just needed to twist it.

    Thus, Val twisted it in empty space.

    Just like magic, the key began to glow.

    It shimmered in the air, and then something unbelievable happened.

    The very fabric of reality seemed to ripple and twist, forming a new gateway��a portal.

    On the other side of the portal was a chamber with a sword at its center.

    The sword looked worn, weathered, and rusty.

    Most people would not have given it a second nce, but Val knew better than to judge a book by its cover.

    "Looks can be deceiving," Val thought, before casting Detect with his eyes still on the sword.

    Almost instantly, a notification with details concerning the sword popped up in his vision.

    [Name: Thunder de.]

    [Description: This is a special sword, forged from seven different kinds of meteorites and nurtured with the blood of the seventh spider princess. As it had fed on her blood for years, it has transformed into a magic weapon that is imbued with the power of thunder. When swung, it can call down bolts of lightning to strike enemies. However, there is a catch: its full potential can only be unlocked by a member of the spider n. Outsiders aren''t allowed to wield it]

    "That''s interesting," Val thought. "So the Spider Princess was nning to use this de once she achieved a humanoid form. Well, too bad for her, it''s now going to enter my hands."

    "I should pull it out from the ground. Voidyer could definitely benefit from devouring this," Val was no spider, but he knew exactly how to put the Thunder de to good use.

    He inspected the chamber and after making sure it was safe, he stepped through the portal, entering inside.

    He walked up to the sword at the center of the chamber.

    Outsiders weren''t allowed to wield it.

    However, Val knew that rules in this world weren''t absolute.

    As long as you have enough strength, you could trample all over them and do as you like. He believed that with his strength he should be able to lift it out of the ground.

    The sword was deeply embedded in the ground. Clutching its hilt tightly, Val marshaled all his strength and yanked it out instantly. He then tossed it towards Voidyer.

    "Here, you can eat this to grow," Val said, almost casually.

    "Thank you, master!"

    Voidyer''s form changed in an extraordinary way. What was once a sword transformed into something resembling a steel mouth, wide open. Without any hesitation, it engulfed the Thunder de, swallowing it in one go.

    [System Notification: Voidyer has consumed the Thunder de.]

    [Voidyer has acquired the new skill: Thunder Bolt.]

    [Voidyer''s Strength attribute has increased to +7. Once you equip this sword, your Str will be boosted by 7 points.]

    The deed was done.

    The Thunder de was now a part of Voidyer, adding to its growing power.

    Val held Voidyer and looked at his status screen. The effect was immediate. His Str has increased to 57 points just because he was holding the spirit sword.

    ''Great,'' he thought.

    Val stepped out of the chamber by taking the portal and wandered around in search of the dungeon core. With his heavenly eye skill that rendered every inch of the cave visible to his eyes, he was able to detect it rather quickly.

    It was at the end of the cave, hidden between a pair of stctites. He had to jump up to grab it.

    Afternding on the ground, he put the dungeon core inside the pocket dimension of the Void orb, effectively stopping it from providing the much needed energy the dungeon needed to survive.

    As a result, the dungeon started to break. The will of the main world conjured a way back to Eldrich for him. Before the dungeon world could copse, he took it and emerged in the Shadow Valley

 Chapter 241 238: The Fog (1)

    Chapter 241 238: The Fog (1)

    The will of the world rewarded Val with two precious items forpleting the level 2 dungeon. Maybe because it was close to upgrading to level 3 and its difficulty level was nearly twice that of a normal level 2 dungeon, he obtained two rewards forpleting it.

    But get this, he didn''t even have a chance to give those new items a look, because he ended up stuck in this crazy thing called the Fog right after warping out of the dungeon with the help of the world.

    The Fog was a paranormal phenomenon simr to the Footsteps.

    It''s this otherworldly mist that shows up only so many times a year. And it''s pretty rare, mostly sticking to the Mountain ranges and the forests around the Northern Frontier

    About 9 out of 10 people who wander into it don''t make it back. The mortality rate if you find yourself trapped in the Fog is around a dreadful 90%.

    ''Howe I am suddenly so unlucky?''

    Val sighed and looked around, the fog in his surroundings wasn''t white. It was a dark, dense mist that was cker than a moonless night. In fact, it was so thick you wouldn''t be able to see your hand if you ced it in front of your face.

    ''After obtaining the Nocturne Vision Trait, this is the first time I can''t see anything in the dark.''

    Val''s Nocturne Vision Passive Trait couldn''t prate the darkness of the Fog. Trapped in the fog, his vision was submerged in darkness, and he couldn''t see a thing. He realized that this trait of his was only effective in naturally dark environment, allowimg him to see in the dark. However, this Fog was something else entirely, rendering the effects of his ocr trait useless.

    It was in this moment of extreme difort that would leave a weak-hearted person paralyzed with fear that Val reminded himself, ''I need to stay calm, just like I always have.''

    With a stoic expression, he recalled the grim tales he had heard about the Fog back in the frontier.

    It was widespread knowledge that the Fog trapped, blinded, and fed on the fear and despair of its victim to grow and be more horrifying.

    However, research by wizards, who had spent decades trying to understand this mysterious phenomenon, indicated that it was a malevolent force that took the shape of a fog, and it wasn''t just fear and despair that it feasted upon.

    The Fog was even more insidious, drawing strength from a broad range of negative emotions experienced by its victims, which included confusion and anger.

    Basically, any emotion that fell in between or the negative side of the spectrum could strengthen the Fog and make it harder for people trapped inside it to escape.

    The implications were also quite clear: losing emotional control inside the Fog could make a bad situation exponentially worse. The dread and unease you felt would be like fuel to a fire, intensifying the horror of the experience of being trapped in the Fog.

    So Val, who was pissed off to find himself trapped in the Fog right afterpleting a dungeon that he was forced into by the footsteps, aka the Nameless, took deep breaths to calm down.

    When he exhaled, he let go of any anger and dissatisfaction in his heart, looking more serene than a revered monk. His control over his emotions was terrifying to the point that he forced himself to calm down in the blink of an eye.

    His mind raced with thoughts.

    ''For now, remaining calm and emotionally bnced is my best defense against the ever-threatening, emotion-hungry Fog that surrounds me.''

    ''Yes, I just need to focus on keeping my emotions in check and I will find a way out of it.''

    It also meant that sumbing to anger or feeling ufortable would only empower the Fog and make his situation increasingly dire.

    He really couldn''t think of doing evil things and he had to behave like he wasn''t affected by the Fog in the slightest.

    On top of all that, he had to be as merciful as Budha. Even if he was pestered by a beast, he had to be forgiving, ignore the beast courting death and move along!

    This wasn''t his style.

    But when in rome, you have to do what the Romans do.

    Since he was trapped in the fog, he had to follow the rules of survival established by the lucky few who survived the fog and shared their experiences with the rest of the world without anyints.

    ''Let''s recall all the things I know about it.''

    Val didn''t move from his spot and silently went through what he had learned about the Fog from the books he purchased from the Arcane Library.

    The first thing he recalled was the Fog''s unpredictable nature. Its appearance was instantaneous and it spawns randomly without warning.

    And although it was a rare phenomenon, its urrence was more frequent in ces like the Shadow Valley, a dark and evil location.

    However, it would appear only once or twice a month in such eternally dark ces.

    ''It feels like my luck have taken a turn for the worse.''

    Encountering the Nameless and getting trapped in the Fog on his very first voyage to the Shadow Valley clearly suggested that he was having an unusually unfortunate day.

    ''But why? Is there a reason behind it.''

    Val thought of a terrifying possibility, but quickly shrugged it off. ''Surely that can''t be the case.''

    He racked his brain and remembered a bunch of other things about the Fog.

    The size of the Fog varied!

    ording to what he''d read, the area it covered could be as small as 1 kilometer or as vast as the entire valley.

    The randomness of the Fog''s size added anotheryer ofplexity to the situation.

    After all, one of the factors its growth rate depended upon was its size. The greater its size, therger the number of beings bubbling with fear and anxiety trapped in it, propagating its growth. And the greater its growth rate, the less the amount of time it would need to be more horrifying!

 Chapter 242 239: The Fog (2)

    Chapter 242 239: The Fog (2)

    As told before, the Fog fed on the emotions of the beings trapped within it.

    All life forms in the Fog would be its sustenance.

    Their emotional state, particrly negative emotions like fear, anger, and despair, nourished the Fog and could trigger strange and dangerous events.

    An increase in these odd urrences within the Fog also corrted with a spike in the mortality rate.

    Basically, the number of beings trapped inside it determined its true danger level.

    If the fog was covering the entire valley, Val was in a lot of trouble!

    ''If I am the only one in the fog, it won''t grow. But if there are others, it will grow rapidly, and I will be stuck in a sticky situation.''

    Val couldn''t help but notice that the situation was unusually unfavorable for a lone wolf like him.

    Kicking aside the emerging negative thoughts, he recalled thest important thing he knew about it.

    There were ways to escape the Fog, but there were no guaranteed methods.

    One could only rely on a mix of luck and hard work to escape it.

    The idea was that the more you moved, and the greater your luck, the better your chances were of escaping its clutches.

    However, moving blindly in a ce where visibility was zero could easily turn into a life-threatening mistake. The risks were high, and not many were brave enough to take that gamble.

    ''It''s not a problem for me,'' Val thought.

    Val, in his past life, didn''t see the light for a long time.

    He was allowed to escape the ''dark'' after he was trained into bing a killing machine that followed orders without thoughts of his own, and treated life with no respect, killing whoever he was ordered to. Because of the countless days and nights he spend in the dark, it was like a home to him.

    Besides, he had learned and founded many skills that allowed him to travel in the dark with utter ease.

    Thus, he was really fine despite being unable to see a thing.

    Val couldn''t help but think that the Fog was like a natural enemy to humans. Darkness was a primal fear for many. In the dark, your senses were limited; you didn''t know who or what was around you, or where you were going.

    This uncertainty gave birth to fear, and in the Fog, that fear was more than a simple emotion��it was a form of sustenance and empowerment for this malevolent phenomenon. In other words, in the fog, your own psychological vulnerabilities would turn against, stabbing you where it hurts the most.

    What made the Fog particrly horrifying was that it didn''t directly kill its victims. Instead, it trapped them inside of it, torturing and feeding off their negative emotions until they were driven to the point of insanity, often leading to suicide. It made sense, considering humans and beasts were more useful to it alive and miserable than dead.

    Val summarized what he knew about the Fog and came to two big conclusions.

    A: If you have the courage to traverse the fog while being as blind as a bat, you might just survive.

    B: He needs to get out of here before he starts seeing and feeling odd things. After all, the moment that happened, he knew that his chances of escaping would drastically diminish, and the likelihood of bing another statistic in the Fog''s grim toll would sharply rise.

    He needed to leave the Fog asap.

    But still he couldn''t leave the altar behind. He had to take it with him.

    After all, the research so far was that the altar was aplex machine that could be used to teleportrge distances and possibly even jump to different worlds.

    Though there wasn''t concrete evidence supporting thetter, the former had been experienced firsthand by ric and his team. Val knew of this through ric''s diary.

    While the altar''s full capabilities were not yet understood, Val was certain that once they learned the way to harness its power, it would be an invaluable asset.

    That prospect might not be immediate, as Lucious was likely to persuade the Queen to halt any experiments on it for the time being to avoid the attention of the Unknown.

    However, Val believed that one day, perhaps when they felt more prepared to face the Unknown, they would pick up where ric left off and find a way to put the altar to good use.

    Even if others didn''t he would once he was certain that he could survive an encounter with the Unknown.

    Basically, when that timees, the prices of the altar woukd sky rocket, and the more altar one would have, the better.

    With this in mind, he trapped the altar in his soul power to preserve it

    After securing it in this way, he uprooted the altar and ced it into the pocket dimension within his Void Orb.

    This pocket dimension existed outside the normal flow of time, ensuring that the altar, now shielded by his soul power and stored inside of it, would remain undamaged for decades toe.

    ''Let''s get moving.''

    While on the move, Val activated the Heavenly Eye skill. He believed that with this skill, he would be able to see through the fog. His vision expanded in all directions and gained the property to see through objects. And then he noticed he was able to see despite being trapped in the Fog.

    The fog stretched as far as the eye could see. The entire Shadow Valley and maybe even the surrounding areas were overtaken by the fog. He also noticed he could only see to a certain point in the fog.

    As a result, he realized one more important aspect about his skill.

    ''My Heavenly Eye skill is not as omniscient as I thought.''

    ''And�� I am in deep shit.''

    Seeing that the entire Shadow Valley and all its inhabitants were trapped in the Fog, the dreadfulness of the situation became apparent to Val.

    He was born fearless and had extensive control over his emotions. As he had tried his best, he was able to keep calm despite being trapped in the Fog.

    But the problem was that the others weren''t like him!

    The fog must be feeding on their emotions to grow at this very moment.

    The situation... It seemed might turn even more unfavorable for him sooner than he expected!

 Chapter 243 240: The Fog (3)

    Chapter 243 240: The Fog (3)

    Each time the Fog appeared in the Shadow Valley, it would hang around for at least a week, and sometimes for as long as a month.

    During that period, the valley would turn into a living nightmare.

    Mysterious deaths would ur, and by the time the Fog lifted, the valley would be littered with corpses, each one twisted and mangled in unspeakable ways. It was like looking at a Christmas tree, but instead of twinkling lights and shiny ornaments, the valley would be decorated with the lifeless bodies of its inhabitants, and it happened every single time.

    Today, when the Fog rolled into Shadow Valley, its inhabitants, the beasts and the devils, knew what to expect as they''d been through this before, but that didn''t make it any less horrifying.

    They were scared, really scared, because they were aware that they could be the next victim of the Fog, dying a horrifying death without knowing what killed them.

    Thus, when the Fog descended this time around, a wave of panic and anxiety washed over them. Right now, they were in a state of sheer panic. It was as if a dark cloud, thicker and more tangible than the Fog itself, had enveloped their minds, filling them with dreadful possibilities. Their hearts were racing, their paws were sweaty, and their eyes were wide with fear.

    Tsk!

    Val clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. He had sensed their rising panic, and he knew that things were about to get way more troublesome in the Fog. He might just not be able to handle it.

    "Stupid fools! Because of them, I will suffer."

    The thought of hiding in the shrine did cross Val''s mind, but for how long could he really stay there? The Fog wasn''t something that would simply vanish overnight. If it decided to stick around for a whole month, wouldn''t he also be stuck in the same spot for that same length of time? Being stranded for a month would practically dere him dead to the outside world. Besides, a month of inactivity would mean losing out on a lot of valuable opportunities.

    Furthermore, the sooner he escaped, the better. The Fog was still in its early phase of development, which might make it easier to navigate. If he had a chance to escape now, there was no guarantee he''d have that chanceter on.

    Lastly, there was also the unpredictability of the shrine itself. It had a questionable character, and there was no telling whether it would grant him entry. He might use Levare, his unique skill, and still find himself barred from entering. So, relying on the shrine as a safe haven wasn''t a foolproof n.

    He tried it out anyways, and was pped with the harsh reality that it was exactly as he guessed.

    As he was in a dangerous situation, the shine with a spoiled and viinous personality wasn''t allowing him to enter it.

    So what to do?

    ''I have no choice but to face this situation head-on.''

    Something super weird was going down in the valley. Val didn''t even have to move his eyes around to see what was happening. His Heavenly Eye skill was like a radar, painting a vivid picture of everything around him.

    Threads of different colors started oozing out from the orifices of the creatures that were freaking out in the fog.

    These threads were invisible to the naked eye. Humans, beasts, and devils could naturally not see them. And even if one had some sort of special eye skill, the thick fog would make sure that they wouldn''t be able to see these threads.

    But Val, well, his Heavenly Eye was on another level.

    He saw every single one of those threads, how they creepily left the bodies of the beasts in his surroundings and where they went up to.

    But hold on, it gets crazier.

    Val saw something that nearly blew his mind!

    Hidden within the fog, floating above everyone''s head, there was this super disturbing thing that looked like a gigantic face. This face had no eyes, no ears, but it did have an insanely big mouth, and it was white as a sheet and as creepy as theye.

    This big-mouthed face thing was slurping up those emotional threads like spaghetti. After gobbling them up, its face twisted into this really unsettling smile. It looked so pleased with itself, like it just had the best meal ever.

    Watching this, it became clear to Val that the Fog had started feeding off the bad vibes and fear if its victims.

    And what happens when the fog gets fed?

    It grows stronger!

    With the inhabitants of the valley unknowingly feeding it by acting all scared and tensed, this thing was getting stronger and even more dangerous. It was already a nightmare, and it was gearing up to be an even worse one!

    The very next moment, as he was moving through the valley, his sixth sense lit up like a warning light, sending a throbbing sensation throughout his entire body.

    "Uh-oh, odd urrences are about to kick off in this fog," he quickly concluded and began running at full speed. He was moving at a speed that even intermediate-level warriors couldn''t rival.

    His destination was crystal clear in his mind: he needed to reach the cave housing the teleportation circle. If he could get there and activate it, he would be whisked away to the secret area behind the waterfall, far away from this unsettling fog.

    But Val was yet to realize he had seriously underestimated theplexity of his situation. He was racing against a fog that was not only terrifying but was also evolving. Just getting to the cave was an obstacle course from hell, far more challenging than he could ever expect.

    He had barely covered any ground, running for less than a half minute, when somethingpletely unexpected happened.

    A spatial disturbance appeared out of nowhere, right in front of him. His detection trait, the source of his unique sixth sense for sensing danger, didn''t react to it, staying eerily silent. That meant whatever this was, it wasn''t harmful, at least not in the traditional sense. But that still didn''t mean it was okay to barge into it.

    However, Val, who was moving at the top of his speed, couldn''t react appropriately when a vortex bigger and widen than him opened in front of him suddenly. Before he knew it, he ran headlong into it and vanished.

    In the blink of an eye, the world around him turned into a dizzying swirl. When the spinning finally stopped, he found himself emerging from another spatial disturbance.

    There wasn''t a single soul in his vicinity. He wasn''t in any kind of danger, just as his sixth sense have predicted. If that was all, he would''ve been really happy, but his expression was grim and dark.

    His entire surrounding was in his view due to the heavenly eye skill. He saw that he was eerily close to the pit where the dungeon entrance had been!

    Damn it all!

    His temples pulsed with a dull ache, a clear sign that he had been hurled back to his starting point by the fog, erasing whatever progress he had made to escape it. It was like the universe hit the reset button on his daring escape n.

    Taking a deep breath to steady his racing heart, Val quicklyposed himself.

    "I can''t let my emotions get the best of me. I have to stay focused."

    Because the Fog feeds on the emotions of the people trapped in it, losing his cool now would be the worst mistake he could make.

    .....

    Lots of spatial vortexes started popping up all over the foggyndscape, making the environment even more unpredictable.

    These vortexes were unique; they randomly teleported things from one ce to another.

    Val was quick to notice that these vortexes seemed to be anchored to specific points in the fog. It meant, dodging them was rtively straightforward. He just needed to avoid running into them.

    So, he made another attempt to reach the teleportation circle, even more determined than before.

    This time around, Val was cautious, treating the vortexes like they were the worst kind of gue, keeping a safe distance from them.

    He also moved at a speed that allowed him to react swiftly if a vortex should suddenly open up right in front of him.

    Sure enough, this exact scenario happened more than once.

    But each time a vortex appeared in front of him out of nowhere, Val managed to evade the trap. He was able to do so thanks to his agility score of 100 and reflexes boosted by over 20 points.

    The cave housing the teleportation circle was now within sight, and Val was inching ever closer to it.

    But of course, nothing is ever that easy, especially not when you''re trying to outsmart something as malevolent as the fog.

    As he neared the entrance to the cave housing the teleportation circle, Val sensed a change in the atmosphere.

    The fog, which had been greedily feasting on the fear and despair of all the creatures trapped alongside him, have underwent a strengthening yet again, growing even stronger than before.

    Realizing this, only a curse escaped Val''s mouth, "Shit!"

    Instantly, a throbbing sensation washed over him.

    Now that the fog had strengthened for the second time, nowhere was safe and he was under constant danger!

 Chapter 244 241: Ghost in the Fog!

    Chapter 244 241: Ghost in the Fog!

    When the fog underwent its first upgrade, spatial vortexes appeared at random throughout the Fog. These vortexes were not just for show; they were teleportation traps that could send you off to a different part of the valley in a heartbeat.

    Now that the fog was strengthened for the second time, something even more ominous began to ur.

    This time, the upgrade affected the shadows of the living beings caught in its misty grasp!

    All around the Shadow Valley, shadows started to detach from their owners and began to rise up from the ground. It was a sight that would send chills down anyone''s spine. It was like watching an entire graveyarde alive.

    Val wasn''t exempt from this strange urrence. Thanks to the heavenly eye skill, despite facing ahead, his eyes focused on the cave that was not so far away from his current position, he saw his own shadow twitching and distorting on the ground beneath him. It was an eerie spectacle.

    Gradually, the shadow began to rise, as if pulled by an invisible string. It detached from the ground and lifted into the air, glitching and twisting until it no longer looked anything like him. Rather, it had morphed into something truly terrifying.

    ''What the heck has my shadow turned into?''

    What was once a simple, dark outline of his form had now transformed into a ghostly figure. It was a dark, shapeless entity that looked like it came straight out of a nightmare. It looked as unfathomable and bottomless as the abyss itself.

    This thing didn''t do anything after appearing behind him. It only stared at him with its dark, hollow eyes menacingly. One thing to note was that despite Val running at full speed, he wasn''t able to leave the menacing ghost in his dust. It was stuck to him like glue.

    ''I am in some deep shit.''

    Despite not doing anything to harm Val, its mere presence caused Val''s sixth sense to re up to an unprecedented degree. Throbbing sensations spread throughout his body once every second. Even with the passage of a couple of seconds, they showed no signs of receding. Quickly, Val''s back was drenched in sweat.

    ''What am I doing wrong?''

    Val had never faced such a creature before.

    He had no idea how to handle this unknown adversary.

    However, he knew that such unexinable entities usually needed to meet certain conditions before they couldmit murders, but that also meant they couldn''t kill before that. Thus, he dared not make a rash move.

    He also didn''t stop moving. He was worried that if he stopped, the ghost would fulfill the condition to kill him in an instant.

    In another part of the foggy expanse, a level 65 beast was in the same shoes as Val. It felt a haunting presence behind it, and when it turned around to confront it with a threatening look on its face, the fog parted just enough to reveal a grotesque visage.

    A ghostly face stared back at the beast with eyes filled with a malicious hunger.

    Their eyes met, and the beast froze as if its gaze held the power to paralyze its hapless victims.

    The beast was ovee with fear and lost control of its dder. It was so terrified it pissed itself.

    Then, before it had a chance to flee or even understand what was happening, its body convulsed due to locking eyes with the menacing ghost for a second too long.

    Blood began to ooze out of the beast''s eyes, nose, and mouth. With onest shudder, it fell to the ground, its eyes now a vacant stare, devoid of life and full of disbelief. It died without knowing why!

    Simultaneously, a low-level shadow devil was way too close to escaping the fog using its unique skill set.

    Just as freedom from the fog was within its grasp, the menacing ghost haunting it made its move.

    With a flick of its wrist, a spike, made from the same eerie material as the fog itself, shot up, piercing the low-level shadow devil through its chest. The poor devil let out a guttural scream as it was lifted off the ground, impaled gruesomely by the spike conjured by the menacing ghost effortlessly.

    The shadow devil''s eyes rolled back into its head, and with that, it too joined the growing list of casualties, imed by the fog and its menacing ghostly inhabitants.

    With his Heavenly Eye skill providing him a 360-degree unobstructed view of his surroundings, Val saw the harrowing end granted to both the beast and the low-level shadow devil by the ghosts in the Fog.

    He also noticed a bunch of other things.

    "From what I''ve seen so far, it''s safe to say that if a person who has been running stops in the fog, he wouldn''t be attacked and killed by the ghosts," he thought as he came to a halt.

    Upon stopping, Val took some time to think, going over what he''d witnessed and arriving at two additional important conclusions

    They were both rted to the ghosts'' killing conditions.

    The first was that they would kill their targets if they made the mistake of turning around to face them. The second was that those who were close to escaping the fog''s boundary would also meet a grim end, just like the low-level shadow devil that had almost seeded in using its unique skills to break free.

    Both these realizations were concerning. After all, he only had one skill that could possibly identify the ghost haunting him and list out its strengths and weaknesses but it required him to look directly at the entity with his own eye. Against the menacing ghost, it was a risk he couldn''t take without facing certain death. Basically, this skill, which had often been useful, was now renderedpletely ineffectual in this dire situation.

    Moreover, his initial n to reach the teleportation circle for a quick escape was now also proven to be another path leading to an untimely death.

 Chapter 245 242: The Grand Plan

    <h4>Chapter 245 242: The Grand n</h4>

    ''But it doesn''t mean there''s no way to deal with it.''

    Val thought to himself.

    He squinted. His eyes narrowed, focusing intently on whaty ahead, as he prepared to take action.

    Whoosh!

    Suddenly, while still facing forward, he threw a calcted punch backward with such speed it cut through the air.

    He knew it was a risky move. After all, he didn''t know whether attacking the ghost would activate a red g or not. Not to mention, his sixth sense was giving him mixed feelings. But he had a gut feeling that it would work, and he had no better choice, so he went with it.

    The ghost saw the iing punch and just hovered there behind Val, not making the slightest move to dodge.

    The ghosts in the fog were an ethereal entity, intangible to the physical world. Physical objects, whether they were living creatures or inanimate items, simply couldn''t interact with them.

    The ghost haunting Val felt a sense of arrogance. It believed it existed in a state that was untouchable. It could be seen by the eyes but never affected by the material world. What it didn''t know was that it knew too little. It was ignorant of the true danger of the world. Val was a Whitemore, with the White Devil Bloodlines running through his veins, and white devils were infamous in the ce where the Fog came from. If the Fog knew what Val was, it would''ve never used such a method to deal with him. It would havee after him itself!

    Val''s fist effortlessly passed through the ghost just as it had expected. Seeing this, the menacing felt a twisted sense of satisfaction, which it couldn''t contain. Its lips curled into a devious arc, and for a moment, it felt like victory was at hand. After all, the condition to torture and finish off Val had been met now that Val had attacked it. These conditions were set down by the fog, and the ghosts had to follow them unconditionally. Or else, they would be erased from existence. It was no exception.

    "Once I kill him, I''ll return to the embrace of The Fog, my creator, as a being worthy of serving it," the ghost thought, feeling more happy than ever.

    Every ghost was assigned a target to kill by the Fog. The target of this particr ghost was Val, and taking down Val would serve as the ultimate testament to its worthiness. In other words, sessfully killing Val would spare it from annihtion when The Fog conducted its final judgment. In essence, Val''s life was all that stood between the ghost and its own secure future. So, of course, it was eager to take it.

    However, the ghost didn''t know it had made a mistake that was going to cost it so much more than it could handle.

    ''I knew it would do that.''

    Val had urately predicted that the ghost wouldn''t dodge his Hellish Fist skill that was thrown at an unusual angle simply because it was too arrogant and overconfident, thinking that it couldn''t be harmed. Val had met enemies like it before. They had made the same mistake and lost their lives as a result.

    [The Hellish Fist Skill has activated]

    The instant his fist found only empty space on the other side of the ghost, something extraordinary happened. Grayish mes that seemed to hunger for souls materialized, seemingly out of nowhere, wrapping themselves around his entire fist. Although his fist had harmlessly glided through the ghost''s form, these peculiar mes had an affinity for devouring souls. Theytched onto the ghost like a predator catching its prey.

    Kuagh!

    The ghost emitted a guttural cry, a sound of pure agony, as it found itself engulfed in Hellish fire. But its cries were short-lived. Exposed to what could only be described as its natural enemy, the ghost quickly disintegrated, its form reduced to nothingness in just a matter of seconds.

    When the ghost died, Val''s shadow reverted to its normal state. Seeing this, a wave of relief washed over him.

    He exhaled deeply, letting out a long-held breath he didn''t realize he had been holding.

    Why was he so tense? It is because when he formted his n, he had no certainty that it would work. He also didn''t know whether attacking the ghost would trigger a death sentence. He was risking it all on a chance.

    Thankfully, it had worked. The ghost was destroyed by his Hellish Fist skill, and he had emerged victorious without a scratch on his body.

    It was a moment of vindication for Val, confirming that even in the face of the unknown, his instincts and resourcefulness could see him through.

    When the ghost died, a notification popped up in front of him.

    [System Notification: You have sessfully eliminated the Menacing Ghost.]

    [Experience gained: + 500.]

    [Rewards obtained: 2 Soul Crystals, 1 Soul Orb!]

    Soul Crystals were simr to the Soul Crystal Shard he had obtained from killing the Revenant, but they were more intense and pure. They could be ingested directly to boost life force.

    As for the soul orb, it was truly something special.

    Val resumed his journey. On his way to the cave, he didn''t meet any more danger. The cave was hidden behind thick vines. It was hard to notice it unless one had already been there or had a special ocr ability like Val.

    After getting inside the cave, he poured his soul power into the teleportation circle inside the cave, powering it up. When it consumed a considerable amount of his soul power, it activated, teleporting him to the secret area behind the serpentine''s waterfall.

    A rare trace of excitement made its way on Val''s face. He had sessfully escaped the Fog!

    Just as he appeared there, an unexpected notification popped up, bringing with it pleasant news.

    [System Notification: Congrattion, Host! You are the first human to escape the Fog that had been strengthened twice.]

    [You have unlocked a rare achievement!]

    [''First to Escape the Fog'' Achievement Unlocked]

    [Reward Obtained: +1000 Mad Points.]

 Chapter 246 243: The three items

    <h4>Chapter 246 243: The three items</h4>

    The 1000 mad points were converted into 10 stat points, which Val decided to put into his reflexes. After all, out of all his stats, his REF stat was the weakest.

    [10 stat points were put into REF]

    [REF stat permanently increased to 40 points.]

    Val opened his stat screen and looked at it.

    Name: Val V. Whitemore

    Race: Half-Human, Half-Devil

    Age: 17

    Exp: 78960

    ss: Blood Devil (Experience required to level up: 4500 EXP)

    Sub-ss: Mid-rank Shadow Wizard

    Level: 1

    Exp required to level up: 50000 EXP

    Items required to level up: 10 level 2 orbs of darkness

    Innate ss: White Devil Disciple Level 2

    Hidden Ailments: none

    Trait: Unfeeling, Emotional Impairment, Nocturnal Vision, Minor Corruption Resistance, Detect, Heavenly Eye

    Stats:

    ?Health Points (HP): 18/18

    ?Strength (STR): 57 (50)

    ?Agility (AGT): 50

    ?Stamina (STA): 50

    ?Reflexes (REF): 42 (40)

    ?Soul Power: 10/2500 units

    ?Soul Power production rate: 50 units/min.

    Blood Bar: 4200 units of blood

    Stat Points: 0

    Mad Points: 0

    His bloodline skills, cursed artifacts, and magic item collection were also mentioned in the semi-transparent status screen floating before his eyes. He had several bloodline skills and 11 special items.

    Val felt happy to see how much he had grown.

    ''My stats aren''t worse than level 5 warriors. The only difference is that they have more vitality than me.''

    Val noticed that his strength was boosted by 7 points and his reflexes by 2 points as he had equipped Voidyer. When he put it into the pocket dimension of the Void Orb, his STR and REF stats decreased by 7 and 2 points respectively.

    ''Let''s take shelter in the shrine,'' Val thought to himself.

    It was nighttime. The night sky was dark, with only the asional glimmer of stars piercing through. There were still eight hours remaining until dawn would break and the rays of the sun would light up the sky, forcing the devils and paranormal entities to hide in ces where the light couldn''t reach them.

    At this time, though, devils were roaming the mountain range in search of prey that they could hunt down. These devils came in all shapes and sizes, some slithering on the ground while others took to the sky, and had varying power levels. Some were so weak Val could kill ten of them. Some were so strong they wouldn''t need a second to torture Val to death.

    Val, despite being inside the secret area behind Serpent''s Mirage, saw it all thanks to his heavenly eye, and he wasn''t shocked.

    After all, It wasmon knowledge that at night the mountain range was a hazardous ce to be for a human.

    It wasn''t just the devils that made the mountain range dangerous for humans at night. There were also various other threats that one needed to be cautious of when transversing the mountain range at night.

    For example, paranormal phenomena like the mysterious and deadly Fog could appear without warning anywhere in the mountain range at night, ensnaring anyone who wasn''t careful. Simrly, mythical beasts like the Cerberus could also be found lurking in the mountain range at night, and it was bad luck toe across them.

    The Cerberus, for instance, was known to be especially aggressive after dark. It would go all out if it sees a prey.

    Val survived encountering it during the daytime, but there was no telling if he would survive encountering it at night.

    Thus, Val decided to spend the night in the shrine where it was safe, and return to the frontier early in the morning. He wasn''t in any kind of danger for the time being. Hence, the spirit of the shrine, which he had never seen, wouldn''t deny him entry.

    Besides, the Frontier''s gates were closed. He couldn''t enter it legally and forcing his way into it came with its own risks. He wasn''t willing to take them.

    "Levare," Val uttered.

    The next moment, he found himself inside the Shrine of Evil. Just as he had expected, it hadn''t denied him entry because he wasn''t in any kind of trouble.

    "Wee, master," Gruul said.

    In response, Val voiced out his acknowledgment.

    After walking past Gruul, Val sat down on the throne of bones and checked the items he was rewarded with by the world forpleting the dungeon.

    There were three items.

    The first was a cauldron, which was a necessary piece of equipment when it came to refining elixir.

    The cauldron was made from a special type of metal and was resistant to heat. It boasted properties that made it virtually immune to melting, even when exposed to extremely high temperatures. Its melting point was leagues above that of regr steel, making it an invaluable asset for any alchemy-rted work. What made this cauldron even more remarkable were the rune slots that were carefully carved into its exterior. These slots were designed to house specific runes, which could enhance the cauldron''s capabilities even further.

    The second item he got was the rune of fire. As its name suggested, this rune had the ability to produce fire when activated. All it needed was a dose of soul power to fuel it, and it would manifest fire at the user''s will.

    The third and final item was another rune, designed to control the temperature of fire. With this rune, one could either increase or decrease the heat of a me, providing the wizard with greater control and precision during alchemy orbat. Just like the rune of fire, this temperature-controlling rune required the maniption of soul power to function.

    ''These runes seem tailor-made for the cauldron. It would be a pity if I don''t put them in the cauldron.''

    Val immediately filled the two empty rune slots of the cauldron with the rune of fire and the temperature control rune.

    The ultimate cauldron for alchemy was created. It was a cauldron that any wizard would kill to have.

    Val thought he definitely couldn''t allow himself to been seen using it in the frontier. Or else, he would be bullied out of his rarest possession.

 Chapter 247 244: Alchemy of God (1)

    <h4>Chapter 247 244: Alchemy of God (1)</h4>

    Val had all the ingredients and items needed to refine the level 3 bloodline upgrading portion of the Whitemore.

    However, he stillcked one thing.

    It was the knowledge of alchemy itself.

    Now, he knew he had two ways to acquire this much-needed knowledge.

    The first was to spend points at the Arcane Library, where ancient texts and mystical scrolls could provide the information he needed. This method, although reliable, would cost him valuable points that he might need for something elseter on.

    The second option was to ask Gruul if he knew how to perform alchemy. If Gruul did, Val just needed tomand him to teach him alchemy, and the problem would be solved. After all, Val was the Devil God, and Gruul would obediently follow hismand.

    This method was free, and Val liked the idea of conserving his resources whenever possible. So, deciding that it was worth a shot, Val opted for the free method first.

    "Gruul," Val called out, and Gruul''s attention focused on him.

    "Yes?" Gruul asked.

    "Can you perform alchemy?" Val asked.

    "I can." Gruul nodded his head.

    "Great. Can you teach it to me?" Val asked.

    "Anything for you, Master," Gruul replied unhesitatingly.

    "Alright, let''s not waste any more time. Teach it to me now," Val said.

    "To exin it inyman''s terms, alchemy is the art of mixing the extracts of different ingredients in such a way that they harmonize, resulting in the sessful production of an elixir," Gruul exined.

    "It sounds straightforward enough," Val remarked

    "Don''t let the simplicity fool you. Alchemy requires a meticulous approach. A minor error can either produce a useless dud or, in the worst-case scenario, result in a dangerous explosion. So it''s not to be taken lightly," Gruul warned.

    "Got it," Val said.

    Gruul was pleased to see that his warning had not fallen on deaf ears. It was evident from Val''s expression and reply that he was taking it seriously.

    Val took a deep breath and said, "I''m nning on refining a bloodline upgrading potion that uses three ingredients. Namely, they are the Royal Nectar, scales of the Eldertail Snake, and the Spiritroot of the Verdant Giant. I could use your guidance to get this right."

    Gruul nodded and replied, "I''ll certainly guide you to the best of my abilities. However, understand that the ultimate sess or failure of the potion will be determined by your own skill and focus."

    Val looked at Gruul intently, as he uttered. "Don''t hold back when instructing me. Treat me like I''m your student, not your master. If I make a mistake, I want to know."

    Gruul was honestly a bit taken aback upon hearing Val''s words as it was the first time he had heard a devil god make such an odd request. But he also felt a sense of responsibility towards him.

    "Very well. Since you''ve given me permission, I won''t hesitate to correct you or reprimand you if you make an error. We''re venturing into a precise and delicate craft; your willingness to ept guidance is a good first step," Gruul said.

    "Alright, guide me through the first step. What should I focus on initially?" Val was eager to begin.

    "The first thing you need to do is to purify the ingredients. Impurities, especially the forces of corruption inside them, can negatively affect the quality of the elixir you''re trying to create. Use a pure form of energy like holy power to cleanse them," Gruul advised Val.

    Upon hearing this, Val extended a portion of his soul power outward, giving Gruul a sample to sense.

    "Would this suffice?" he asked, seeking Gruul''s expertise.

    Gruul felt that Val''s soul power was rtively pure and could be used to eliminate the force of corruption present within the ingredients.

    Thus, he nodded approvingly, "Your soul power is definitely pure enough to do the job. But remember, the real challenge here isn''t just having pure energy; it''s being able to precisely target and remove the impurities without damaging the essential qualities of the ingredients. Do you want to proceed on your own, or would you like me to assist?"

    Val pondered for a moment before replying, "I''d like to give it a try myself. If I can''t manage this basic step on my own, then there''s little point in attempting the more intricate aspects of alchemy."

    Gruul''s face broke into a smile of approval. He thought to himself, ''His willingness to tackle challenges head-on, even when failure is a possibility, is precisely the quality that a Devil God of Evil should possess. Since he isn''t afraid of failure, he will go on to do great things.''

    Val activated his heavenly eye, making the ingredients be see-through. He could see precisely where the force of corruption was concentrated inside each ingredient. Focusing, he rolled up his sleeves, mentally prepared himself, and carefully channeled his pure soul power directly towards those spots. The force of corruption began to diminish under the influence of his soul power. Val maintained a steady flow of energy until every trace of corruption was purged.

    Just as he thought he hadpleted the task, something surprising and miraculous urred. Each ingredient started to emit a soft glow. They appeared ten times more precious, almost as if they had undergone a metamorphosis, bing a butterfly from a moth. They looked healthier and more vibrantpared to before they started glowing.

    Gruul was profoundly shocked, almost struggling to grasp what he had just witnessed.

    The quality of the ingredients has improved because Val has purified them.

    The implication of this was staggering. It wasn''t just that Val had managed to purify the ingredients; he had done so without damaging them in the slightest, causing their qualities to elevate. Such a feat was unheard of, even among experienced alchemists. Even Morkus, known to be a master of the craft, couldn''t achieve such finesse at will. And Val had managed to do this for three different ingredients, which clearly indicated that this wasn''t some idental stroke of luck. His ability was truly remarkable, bordering on prodigious!

    Curious about what had just happened, Val turned to Gruul and asked, "Can you exin what just urred? Why are the ingredients glowing?"

    Gruul quicklyposed himself and said, "The quality of alchemy ingredients will improve when all impurities are perfectly removed without damaging the core essence. You''ve achieved precisely that, causing their quality to increase rapidly."

    "I see." Val said.

    After a moment of silence, Gruul asked, "Master, is this really your first time performing alchemy?"

    Val nodded without hesitation. "Or else why would I be here, receiving your guidance?"

    Overwhelmed, all Gruul could muster was, "You have an extraordinary talent for purifying alchemy ingredients, Master."

    "Since the first step went well, shall we move on to the next one?" Val said.

    Gruul nodded.

 Chapter 248 245: Alchemy of God (2in1)

    <h4>Chapter 248 245: Alchemy of God (2in1)</h4>

    Gruul proceeded to exin the next crucial phase of the alchemy process to Val.

    "The second step in alchemy is to refine the alchemy ingredients to the state mentioned in your specific recipe. This usually involves actions like grinding, boiling, or melting, among other things. The key is to follow the recipe to the letter for the potion to manifest its intended effects."

    Val squinted upon hearing this.

    Before he had left the Ironspire Stronghold, Joshua had allowed him to read the invaluable recipes for level 3 to 5 bloodline-upgrading potions, which were specifically tailored for Whitemores, and he hadmitted these recipes to memory before returning them to his old man.

    He quickly sifted through the details of the level 3 recipe in his mind, recalling that there were specific preparation methods for each ingredient.

    First of all, Val needed to melt the scales of the Eldertail Snake into liquid form. He wasn''t sure about their melting point. However, he believed he might be able to get a better understanding of its scales if he put to use one of his rarest traits that granted him two different but equally important abilities. Thus, without hesitation, he cast Detect while focusing on the scales.

    Immediately, a semi-transparent screen appeared before him, disying a wealth of information about the scales of the Eldertail Snake.

    [The scales are the hardest part of the Eldertail Snake. They are incredibly resistant to blunt damage.

    Theirposition includes a range ofplex proteins and minerals, contributing to their exceptional durability. They are also impervious to low-level elemental attacks.]

    After Val went through the notification, a thoughtful look reced his previous expression.

    ''Since the scales are impervious to low-level elemental attacks, that implies low-level fire won''t be sufficient to melt them. I''ll need to use at least intermediate or high-level fire to get the job done. I''ll begin by attempting to melt the scales using intermediate-level fire. If that proves ineffective, I''ll gradually ramp up the heat until the fire is hot enough to sessfully melt the scales. And by then, I''ll naturally discern their melting point,'' he thought.

    Val then opened the lid of the cauldron and carefully tossed a bunch of the Eldertail Snake scales inside.

    After securely closing the lid, he channeled a surge of soul power into the rune of fire that he had ced in the cauldron earlier.

    The rune glowed with a reddish-yellow light, signifying its activation.

    At that moment, a special connection formed between Val and the rune, granting him the ability to conjure and control fire within the confines of the cauldron, merely with his thoughts.

    Fully aware of the task at hand, Val focused his mind. A ze roared to life inside the cauldron, illuminating its inner walls. It looked fierce and could melt the flesh of a level 3 warrior, but it was a low-level fire in the end. It failed to even heat up the scales, much less harm them.

    Val, who was able to see what was happening inside the cauldron thanks to his heavenly eye skill, had expected this. He quickly activated the temperature control rune by using a portion of his soul power and gained the power to increase the intensity of the fire. His soul power decreased by a few hundred points as he upgraded the fire inside the cauldron to the intermediate level.

    Under the assault of the intermediate-level fire, the scales turned red. However, Val could see that it was not affecting the scales much.

    Despite the intermediate-level fire enveloping them, the scales remained intact and didn''t melt, making it abundantly clear that the fire''s intensity needed to be increased.

    "I guess a high-level fire will be more effective for melting these stubborn scales."

    With that thought, Val abused the temperature control rune to upgrade the fire enveloping the scales once again.

    This time, he lost 400 points of soul power, but the mes inside the cauldron roared higher and hotter, changing from a reddish-yellow to a vivid blue, indicative of its increased intensity.

    "Now, let''s see if this does the trick."

    The scales, which had previously shown an impressive resistance to the heat, could not withstand the power of the high-level fire. They melted rapidly, transforming into a liquid state far quicker than Val had anticipated. Right then, he powered off the runes as it was too exhausting controlling two runes at a time.

    Realizing that he''d need a special container to store the liquefied scales, Val turned to Gruul.

    "Do you have something that can safely store the hot and bubbling liquified scales?"

    "Indeed, I do." Gruul nodded, extending a small, empty crystal vial toward Val that he pulled out of thin air. "You can use this. This vial is made from Deepnorth crystal. It''s not only durable but also capable of withstanding high temperatures, which makes it perfect for storing liquid metal.''

    "I see. Thank you."

    Val took the vial from Gruul''s hand and carefully opened the lid of the cauldron.

    Using his soul power to control the flow, he channeled the liquified scales from the cauldron into the crystal vial.

    As he did so, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. His first-ever alchemy attempt was going well so far, and it filled him with both anticipation and excitement for the subsequent steps.

    After sessfully transferring the melted scales into the crystal vial, Val focused his attention on refining the Spiritroot of the Verdant Giant.

    The Spiritroot, unlike the tough and fire-resistant scales of the Eldertail Snake, was much more susceptible to heat. A low-level fire should be sufficient to process this particr ingredient. Even if it wasn''t, Val was nning to start from there. After all, he didn''t want to risk damaging the root by using too much heat.

    Val ced the root inside the cauldron and covered it with the lid.

    His soul power flowed into the fire rune once again, activating it. Almost immediately, a low-level fire materialized inside the cauldron. Guided by his will, the mes swirled around, enveloping the Spiritrootpletely.

    As his heavenly eye was activated, he was able to see through the exterior of the cauldron and look at its inside. His eyes remained fixed on the transformation happening inside the cauldron.

    Embraced by the low-level fire, it only took a few seconds for the tough, externalyer of the Spiritroot to start melting. As the exterior melted away, the valuable, nutrient-rich juice that was hidden inside the root began to secrete. The juice that had been secreted from the Spiritroot pooled at the bottom of the cauldron.

    Once he saw this, a sense of satisfaction and aplishment washed over him

    The spiritroot refining process wasplete. There was no need for the fire which could potentially evaporate the juice to stick around any longer. Val didn''t want any mistakes. So, he extinguished the me in that very instant.

    Val looked up from the cauldron and turned to Val. His eyes met Gruul''s as he asked, "I need another vial to store the juice from the Spiritroot of the Verdant Giant. Do you have one?"

    Gruul immediately nodded, pulled out another empty crystal vial from thin air, and handed it to Val with care.

    Val took the vial from Gruul with a nod of gratitude. He then carefully lifted the heavy lid off the cauldron, revealing the pool of Spiritroot juice gathered at the bottom of the cauldron.

    Slowly, he tilted the cauldron and poured the freshly extracted juice into the new vial, ensuring not to waste even a single drop. Once the vial was filled, he sealed it tightly and set it aside next to the first vial that contained the liquified snake''s scales.

    "Now, two of the three essential ingredients are refined. All that remains is the Royal Nectar, and then I can proceed to the actual potion-making stage." Val thought to himself.

    Knowing that the Royal Nectar was sensitive to heat and required precise control, Val extinguished the mes within the cauldron to let it cool down. After waiting for several minutes to ensure the temperature inside the cauldron had returned to a normal level, he poured the Royal Nectar into the cauldron. Then, he ced the lid back on it securely.

    Activating the fire control rune using 200 units of soul power, Val conjured a low-level me. He directed the me to surround the cauldron, gradually heating it up. As minutes passed, he kept a close eye on the process. After about ten minutes, he noticed the Royal Nectar finally started to boil.

    "I am done refining all the ingredients," he announced to Gruul.

    "The third and final step in alchemy, Val, is to harmoniously fuse your refined ingredients together. You must use your soul power for this, and you have to pay close attention to the ratio of each ingredient. The recipe you''re following should provide the correct ratio for a sessful elixir," Gruul exined to Val.

    "I''ve already got that down."

    Val had been meticulously following the recipe since the beginning of the potion-creation process. The amount of each ingredient he was using was exactly what was called for in the recipe.

    "Very well. Proceed to thest step." Gruul said.

    Val then proceeded to lift the lid of the cauldron. With precision, he added the liquified scales and Spiritroot juice to the boiling Royal Nectar in the cauldron. Using his soul power, he stirred the mixture in a slow, circr motion, watching the liquids intermingle,bine into one, and take on a radiant, light-green hue.

    Right then, a system notification suddenly appeared in Val''s vision.

    [Congrattions, you have sessfully created a Level 3 Bloodline Upgrading Potion effective for Whitemore lineage only.]

    Another notification followed immediately after:

    [Achievement Unlocked: Sessfully Create a Potion on Your Very First Try.]

    [Rewards Obtained: +500 Mad Points.]

    A barely noticeable smile graced his face. He was feeling ted. After all, not only had he sessfully created a potion that would push him to the next level, but he had also unlocked a hidden achievement and gained additional rewards!

 Chapter 249 246: Going through the treasures

    <h4>Chapter 249 246: Going through the treasures</h4>

    Val converted the 500 Mad Points into 5 stat points.

    He had a sense of how valuable these points could be in the long run, so he decided to save them for a more crucial moment in the future.

    "Well done, master. You''ve sessfully made your first potion." Gruul was visibly pleased as he praised Val.

    Typically, novice alchemists would spend anywhere from weeks to months in continuous practice, and they would often ruin dozens of batches of alchemy materials before managing to create a basic level 1 potion. Val, however, had managed to craft a level 3 potion on his very first attempt. Though he had guidance from Gruul, it was still quite a impressive feat.

    For someone new to the art of alchemy, achieving such a feat was nothing short of remarkable!

    "I have to thank you for that," Val said.

    "My help is negligible. It was mostly you," Gruul said humbly.

    The Shrine of Evil was unique, governed by its ownws and rules. A heavenly tribtions couldn''t be triggered inside of it. However, it was precisely what Val needed to experience and survive to gain the acknowledgment of his bloodline and ascend to a new level. Moreover, it was still dark outside the shrine. He could only rule out the option of exiting the shrine and returning to the mountain range to trigger the heavenly tribtion. After all, attempting such a thing there at night would be tantamount to suicide.

    ''I guess I have no choice but to wait until it''s morning.''

    He kept the potion for now, nning to use it first thing in the morning after he had exited the shrine and returned to the mountain range.

    Gruul looked puzzled as he noticed Val showing no signs of leaving and asked, "You''re not leaving?"

    It was rare to see Val spend so much time in the shrine, so he became a bit curious.

    "I am nning to spend the night in the shrine," Val made his intentions clear to Gruul.

    Val was the master of the shrine. Even though it didn''t look like it, he had the authority to do as he pleased within its boundaries. Gruul, understanding his master''s wishes, did not raise any further questions or objections.

    Val took out the meat of the Eldertail snake and ced it gently inside the cauldron. He looked over at Gruul, who seemed a bit puzzled.

    "Are you nning to cook it?" Gruul questioned, his voice tinged with concern.

    Val simply nodded, eliciting an apprehensive reaction from his subordinate.

    "But that meat is teeming with the force of corruption. It''s harmful for you," Gruul warned, clearly worried for his master''s well-being.

    "Don''t worry, the force of corruption has no effect on me," he calmly exined.

    Val had given him many surprises, but Gruul was left stunned yet again by Val''s unexpected ability. He had never encountered a human who was immune to the force of corruption. In his mind, he couldn''t help but think that Val was indeed something extraordinary��someone worthy of being this era''s devil god of evil.

    With Gruul''s warnings set aside, Val focused on cooking the snake meat. Using the fire rune, he conjured a controlled, steady me under the cauldron. He meticulously slow-cooked the meat, using his soul power to flip it asionally and ensure it was evenly cooked. A few hours passed, and the smell of cooked meat started to fill the air.

    Finally deeming it ready, Val used his soul power to lift up the lid of the cauldrom scoop out the tender, cooked snake meat. He tasted it and found it to be more delicious than he expected. He stuffed his mouth with even more snate meat.

    He ate 200 grams in a matter of minutes. And then, a seires of system notification popped up before him

    [System Notification: Your STR stat have increased by 4 points.]

    [System Notification: Your STA stat have increased by 3 points.]

    [System Notification: Your AGT stat have increased by 1 points.]

    [System Notification: Snake meat is no longer effective in improving your body condition.]

    "Do you want some?" Val asked Gruul, gesturing toward the cooked snake meat.

    Gruul shook his head, showing no interest.

    "Eh, but why? It''s really good. You don''t know what you''re missing out on," Val said.

    "Eating doesn''t hold any importance for me, so it''s not necessary." Gruul said.

    "As you wish," Val replied, epting Gruul''s decision.

    The meat of the Eldertail snake was no longer beneficial for Val, and Gruul didn''t want to eat it. None of the people he knew could eat it either. After all, it was not safe for them to consume. The residual force of corruption in its flesh was enough to give them a death sentence.

    However, Val thought it would be a waste to discard the snake meat. After all, it came from a formidable level 40+ beast and had the potential to improve someone''s physique significantly.

    The meat was valuable, and he pondered how to make the best use of it.

    A thought urred to him. But he didn''t know if it would work out. So He turned to Gruul for verification.

    "If I use my soul power to purify the meat, do you think it would be safe to eat?" Val questioned Gruul.

    "In theory, yes, you could make the meat of a beast safe to eat. But it''s no small feat. Every trace of corruption must bepletely removed. If even a small amount remains, consuming the meat could have harmful, if not deadly, side effects. But knowing your capabilities, I believe you could manage it," Gruul answered.

    Val had the unique capability to entirely purify alchemy ingredients of their force of corruption with a 100% sess rate, without damaging the ingredients. So Gruul was confident that Val would be able to pull it off.

    Not to mention, if Val were to take on this challenge and seed, he''d be creating something of great value. Fully purified snake meat would not only be safe for any human to consume, but it could also provide remarkable boosts to one''s physical strength and constitution. In other words, it would be a treasured item, a delicacy with benefits extending beyond mere sustenance.

    "This purified meat of the Eldertail snake will be a perfect gift for Eliana. Once she eats it, her physical strength will likely surpass that of even some intermediate-grade warriors," Val said, a grin forming on his face.

    He found the thought amusing.

    Eliana''s physical strength was already impressive, thanks to the purified dungeon monster cores Val had made her eat. Despite being a priestess, her physical capabilities wersparable to average level 3 warriors. With the addition of the snake meat, her physical capabilities would soar even further, allowing her to possess a physique surpassing that of many beginner warriors.

    Val chuckled at the thought of the shock people would experience if they ever tried to harm her, unaware of her actual strength. Anyone with ill intentions toward her would be in for quite the shock!

    Refocusing his attention on the task at hand, Val activated his Heavenly Eye skill. This made the cauldron''s metal appear transparent to his sight, allowing him to peer into its interior as if he had X-ray vision. Inside, the meat of the Eldertail snakey, still containing pockets of harmful corruption. These pockets were what made the meat dangerous for anyone else to consume, but they were about to meet their end

    "Time to finish this," Val thought to himself, the determination clear in his eyes.

    The very next moment, his soul power flowed out of his body and entered the cauldron, targeting and eradicating each pocket of corruption within the meat.

    [Ding! You''ve purified an item!]

    [Item name: Eldertail Snake''s meat (Purified))

    [Description: It is Eldertail Snake''s meat that has been thoroughly purified of its force of corruption as if touched by the God of Light himself. It is now packed with nutrition and a powerful life force, capable of enhancing the qualities of one''s body. It is 100% safe to consume.]

    Val decided to feed the snake meat to Eliana once he returned to the frontier. Giving her just 200 grams would likely have a significant impact on her physical strength. However, even after giving her 200 grams of the snake meat, a substantial amount would still be left.

    His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

    He decided to give 200 grams of it to Oliver free of cost. It was a logical choice. They were part of the same family, Oliver was his ticket to getting closer to the Lord, and Oliver could definitely use the extra boost. After all, there were going to be assassination attempt on his life.

    As for what would remain of the snake meat after that, Val figured it would be best to sell it. Given its rarity and the enhancements it offered, it would fetch a good price on the market.

    Having made up his mind, Val opened his Void Orb''s pocket dimension. Carefully, he ced the cauldron full of the Eldertail snake''s meat inside. Then, he pulled out the snake''s eyes.

    Soul power surged out of him and enveloped the eyes. The energy was so concentrated that it felt almost tangible, and it closed in on the eyes from all directions, effortlessly deforming them into a thick, viscous paste.

    Val channeled his soul power once more, this time directing it to transfer the eye paste into the vials Gruul had given him without wasting a single drop. Once done, he sealed the vials tightly and ced them beside the cauldron in the pocket dimension of the Void Orb. Then, he closed it.

    Seeing this, Gruul realized that Val had no intention of returning the vials he had so generously lent to him. However, he was too powerless to do anything about it. Who told him to be Val''s subordinate? He could only sigh inwardly!

 Chapter 250 247: Fooling Gruul

    <h4>Chapter 250 247: Fooling Gruul</h4>

    "You don''t mind if I take them, do you?" Val asked.

    "I don''t mind at all, Master," Gruul replied, his voice tinged with a respect that went beyond mere formality.

    Val smiled appreciatively.

    "You know, I''m not one to simply take things from my subordinates without offering something in return. I''d feel bad if I did. So, I''ll give you these in return."

    As he spoke, he took out a handful of Soul Crystal Shards along with a fully intact soul crystal from the Void Orb with a thought and held them out to Gruul.

    "I hope you find these useful," he added.

    Initially, Gruul thought Val''s kind gesture would be just that��a nice, yet ultimately useless, offering. He had seen many trinkets in his time and few had caught his interest. But as heid eyes on the items Val extended, his gaze sharpened, and a rare expression of joy flickered across his inhumane features.

    The Soul Crystal Shards and the soul crystal were overflowing with life force!

    Now, it''s important to understand that Gruul was not like a human; he didn''t have a heart, organs, or even a single drop of blood in his body. Instead, his form was crafted from a unique material that thrived on life force.

    Basically, life force served as his sustenance and longevity, much like how food and water nourish humans. On top of that, his strength was also dependent upon it. The more life force he have, the stronger he would be.

    In other words, the things Val was giving him in exchange for his vials were extremely beneficial to him. Consuming them could have a significant impact on his power level, and also extend his lifespan by many years.

    He extended a hand to grab them, but withdrew it at the veryst moment.

    "Master, I must be honest with you. The value of what you''re offering far exceeds the worth of my two crystal vials," Gruul said.

    Although Gruul clearly coveted the items Val was giving him in exchange of his vials, he didn''t want to take advantage of Val''s generosity. His loyalty prevented him from doing so.

    Val looked at him intently. Even though Gruul''s loyalty was more to his title as the Devil God of Evil rather than to him personally, he still appreciated it.

    In his past life, one of his greatest wishes was to have a subordinate truly loyal to him. Unfortunately, this wish of his remained unfulfilled until the bitter end, but it seemed fate had granted that wish in this life. He''d found that loyalty in Gruul.

    ''If I ever reach the level of power Morkus had, Gruul''s loyalty might shift from my title to me personally,'' he thought.

    Actually, even now, there wasn''t much of a difference. After all, he was the Devil God of Evil, and that powerful entity was also him. The merging of those two identities made the nature of Gruul''s loyalty a trivial concern.

    The only problem was that Gruul would only assist him in actions that aligned with the role of a Devil God of Evil. Saving lives out of purepassion was not on that list. A Devil God of Evil, ording to Gruul, should always be strategic and self-interested, prioritizing personal gains over anything else, even over the value of life itself. And if Val dared to act differently, he would lose Gruul''s support.

    The unique nature of Gruul''s loyalty was something Val had understood for a while now. It became clear to him when Gruul questioned his intentions when he demanded that he save Eliana. Back then, if he had given him any other answer, he was certain Gruul would''ve let her die just to teach him a lesson.

    Val looked at Gruul, making sure he had his full attention before speaking, "I already know, so I will have you owe me a favor as well."

    From the very start, Val knew that the worth of his items was more than Gruul''s, but he didn''t know if Gruul would be interested in them. He initiated the trade solely to gauge Gruul''s reaction and make him feel indebted to him so that it would be easier to get him to do what he wants.

    "What favor do you have in mind?" Gruul asked straightforwardly. His tone was direct, almost brusque.

    Gruul valued the items Val had shown him, but he wasn''t willing to bend over backward for them. He needed to know what exactly Val was asking for before he couldmit to anything. If the request was something outrageous or something that conflicted with his role as a loyal servant to the Devil God of Evil, he was prepared to feign ignorance or outright decline.

    "Will asking you to craft armor for me be too much?" Val asked.

    "Only if the materials are provided by you. That''s my only condition," Gruul stated.

    "Deal," Val said with a warm smile as he extended his hand out.

    Gruul, without any sign of hesitation, shook Val''s hand firmly. He then eagerly received the items Val had offered him. Immediately, he put one piece in his mouth, savoring it like a much-needed biscuit full of carbs and sugar. Considering he hadn''t consumed anything in years, the modest amount of life force the piece provided felt extraordinarily precious to him. It was akin to a parched traveler finding a life-saving oasis in the vast, unforgiving Sahara Desert.

    Gruul was so overwhelmed with the newfound life force that he found himself involuntarily licking his lips, relishing the sensation.

    Then he looked towards the other pieces, wanting to eat them right there and then, but before he could eat the next piece, he was interrupted by Val, who had taken out some unique crafting materials from the Void Orb andid them out neatly on the ground in front of Gruul.

    "Continue your mealter. First, help me craft an armor out of these materials," Val ordered Gruul.

    Gruul blinked his eyes at Val. He felt displeased with being disturbed in the middle of his meal. But then he reminded himself: a deal was a deal. Not to mention, Val was his master. For Gruul, the orders of the Devil God of Evil took precedence over everything else, even his own enjoyment and sustenance.

    Thus, Gruul suppressed his desires and resigned himself to Val''s will.

    "Sure, but what specifications do you have in mind for the armor?" Gruul asked Val. "These materials are of high quality and can withstand the magical burden of being enchanted with 2-3 runes."

    "What kind of rune can you enhance them with?" Val asked.

    "The list is too big to be exined in words," Gruul replied.

    "How big of a list are we talking about?" Val inquired.

    Gruul said, "Let''s just say it can be anything you want."

    He closed his eyes and gently pressed his lips with his thumb, contemting what would suit a level 1 priest like Eliana the most for a few moments before saying, "I''ve made up my mind. Go with something that would be fitting for a priestess. It should be capable of both blocking and deflecting physical and magical attacks, and it should not be too shy or conspicuous. Will you be able to do that?"

    "My crafting skills have remained sharp despite the passage of time," Gruul assured him, "so what you''re asking for should be quite doable."

    Val was pleased with his reply.

    "Is it for her?" Gruul asked after a moment.

    By her, Gruul was referring to the woman that Val had previously brought to the shrine for healing.

    "It is," Val nodded, his expression unreadable.

    "Your concern for her goes beyond the level a master would have for its property," Gruul said.

    Val chuckled. "Well, I don''t think so. I just don''t like others meddling with what belongs to me. If someone is audacious enough to damage my possessions, shouldn''t they be prepared to suffer some consequences? You''re my servant, surely you understand that sentiment, don''t you?" He spoke casually, as if discussing the weather, clearly masking his true feelings for Eliana.

    Internally, Val''s emotions were aplicated mix. From the moment he realized his feelings for Eliana, he had stopped viewing her as a mere thing. She meant much more to him than that. She was no longer a pawn to be utilized and sacrificed when necessary to him.

    Of course, he had no ns to reveal the truth to her; their rtionship, after all, had been built on a foundation of deception on his part. Val knew thating clean would most likely cause Eliana to lose any affection she might have for him. Moreover, he wasn''t willing to stop using her to achieve his goals, but in return, he would do his best to love her genuinely. He would ce her interests second only to his own, but above everyone else in his life.

    And, these were thoughts he dared not voice in front of Gruul.

    A gut feeling warned him that if Gruul were to discover the emotional influence Eliana had over him, something drastic might ur.

    Unless he gained enough power to keep Gruul in check, confessing that he was allowing himself to fall in love with a mere tool would result in a massive loss.

    "I do." Gruul nodded in reply.

    He was fine with Val being possessive of his things. Morkus, too, was particrly protective of his belongings. In fact, it''s a universal trait among devil kind to fiercely safeguard what they im as theirs. Thieves who dare to target their possessions often end up regretting it. In that respect, they were not unlike green dragons who hoard treasures and go to great lengths to protect them, even sleeping on top of them.

 Chapter 251 248: Future plans

    <h4>Chapter 251 248: Future ns</h4>

    "I will go to great lengths to craft an exceptional armor for her using the materials you''ve provided. The armor will be capable of not just breaking bones but also delivering fatal blows!"

    Gruul made this promise to his master.

    Crafting items would consume his life force, but for the sake of meeting Val''s expectations, he was willing to do it.

    "I am looking forward to it," Val replied to Gruul, and then asked, "How much time do you think you''ll need to finish it?"

    "Give me just a few hours, and I''ll have it ready for you," Gruul answered him before turning his attention to preparing the armor.

    Val watched Gruul for a moment as thetter got to work before shifting his gaze away.

    It wasn''t beneficial for him to learn crafting. After all, if he needed to umte contribution points in the frontier, he had other, more effective means. He could easily amass points by selling purified cores and crafting elixirs, activities that didn''t require him to master the intricacies of crafting. Furthermore, he had Gruul, a highly skilled artisan, who could craft remarkable items for him whenever he obtained suitable materials.

    And even in the unlikely scenario where Gruul was not avable or refused, Val had other options.

    Specifically, he could turn to the highly-trained runesmiths who worked in the workshops located in the central district of the lower city.

    These wizards specialized in the art of creating cursed artifacts and held legal documents issued by the Northern Frontier to substantiate their expertise.

    Should one have the necessary materials and is willing to pay the price, whether in money or in valuable items, these skilled craftsmen could produce cursed artifacts tailor-made to one''s specifications.

    And so, because of all these reason, he decided to not waste his time in learning crafting and instead do other things.

    Val fed the level 2 dungeon core he''d recently collected to the Door Of Guidance that was also located in the shrine.

    The door absorbed it.

    Almost instantly, four additional hollowed-out areas in the door started glowing.

    Now, half of the ten holes in the doors were illuminated, indicating that the door was halfway charged.

    "The energy provided to the door by this core is almost four time the previous one, yet they''re both level 2 dungeon core," Val scratched his chin thoughtfully, "It has to be because this core came from a dungeon that was on the verge of upgrading to level 3."

    Coming to this conclusion helped him realize another fact.

    "Judging by how much charge this added, I''m pretty sure just one more core from a level 3 dungeon should be enough to fully charge the Door of Guidance."

    Val started to think about where he might find such a powerful core. Then, it hit him.

    "Ah, I know exactly where to find what I need. I recall that I am scheduled to be part of an expedition heading into a lesser dimension in just two days. The Core of Corruption in that dimension should contain energy on par with a level 3 dungeon core, if not more. If I can get my hands on it during the expedition, that should be more than enough to bring the Door of Guidance to full power."

    Val felt a surge of anticipation.

    The Door of Guidance had the unique ability to direct its user to a location where they could enhance their Blood Devil bloodline. Once this door was fully functional, he would finally gain the chance to make the leap. If he sessfully grasp it, His Blood Devil bloodline would advance to the intermediate level.

    "I can''t wait for it to happen," he thought aloud, a smile spreading across his face.

    There were still four hours left for the night to pass.

    Val had been keeping track of the time since he entered the shrine, so he knew.

    He was neither tired nor in need of sleep

    Thus, he decided to put these four hours to good use instead of procrastinating orzing around.

    ''There isn''t a lot I can do in the shrine, but there''s still something I can do such as putting the bones of the revenants to good use.''

    Val took off his clothes, setting them neatly to the side.

    Then he pulled out the spectral bones he had obtained from defeating the revenants in the Shadow Valley from the Void Orb.

    A focused expression made its way to his face as he used wizardry to crush the bones, turning them into fine powder.

    He applied this powder onto his body, spreading it evenly over his skin.

    The powedered version of the devilish bones stabbed their way into the pores of his skin.

    As a result, his normally white skin started to turn a shade of red, and Val felt as if a stampede of ten thousand horses were running over him, each hoof adding to the force that pressed against his body.

    Thankfully, he couldn''t actually feel the pain associated with the experience of using revenant bone to strength the body due to his Unfeeling trait. It was strong and overwhelming enough to difort, but even that was partially dampened by his emotional impairment trait.

    Thus, he was able to bear it.

    Or else, like many others who had tried this method to increase their bodily strength before him, he too would have lost his mind and, unable to bear the pain,mited suicide.

    Val was also aware of this.

    "My inborn traits are really pulling their weight here; they''re the reason I''m getting through this," he thought aloud with happiness vivid on his face. His innate traits were both a curse and a blessing, but in this situation, it was being clearly shown why they were considered a blessing.

    A whileter, series of notifications popped up in front of Val.

    [System Notification: A unique method has been used to enhance and strengthen the quality of the Host''s body.]

    [System Notification: Host''s HP has increased by 2, reaching 20 points.]

    [System Notification: Host''s Strength, Agility, and Stamina has increased by 3 points. Host''s Strength, Agility, and Stamina has increased by 53 points each permanently .]

    [System Notification: Host''s Reflexes have increased by many points, reaching 46 points.]

    Going through them, Val smirked and felt great.

    ''Now I feel more confident in my ability to ovee the challenges of a lesser dimension.''

 Chapter 252 249: A armor better than cursed artifacts!

    <h4>Chapter 252 249: A armor better than cursed artifacts!</h4>

    Some hourster, Gruul finished crafting the armor, which was meant for Eliana.

    Sitting on the throne of bones, Val looked at it and cast detect.

    [Armor Details]

    Name: Fortified armor (3-stars)

    Description: This armor is crafted by a Grandmaster artisan and runesmith using mid-tier materials. This armor grants its user a 15% increase in both physical and magical defense. It is also enchanted with a series of epic runes, making it a highly valuable piece.

    Effect No.1: Epic Rune of Adjustment

    Description: This rune allows the armor to adjust its size to perfectly fit the wearer''s body, ensuring maximumfort and freedom of movement.

    Effect No.2: Epic Rune Of Shielding And Reflection

    Description: This unique rune allows the armor to block both magical and physical attacks thrice per day. Furthermore, it has the incredible ability to absorb the damage from each blocked attack. This absorbed damage umtes in the rune and can be unleashed at the wearer''s discretion.

    Effect No.3: Skin-like rune

    Description: This is a rune with a passive effect. It allows the armor to oveps with the wearer''s skin, causing it to not only appear no different than the wearer''s own skin but also weighs the same.

    ''Amazing!''

    Val nodded appreciatively as he looked at the armor details.

    The thought crossed his mind that he had never encountered an armor quite as exceptional as this one. The artisanship and the variety of effects embedded into it were astounding.

    It pushed the boundaries of what was possible and transcended the armors that could be found in the Victoria kingdom. Even his own Aegis of Light, which he had always considered a formidable piece of equipment, paled inparison to the Celestial Aegis

    In his eyes, it was a masterpiece, far surpassing anything he had ever seen.

    Basically, it wasn''t just better than a rank-2 cursed artifact; it could arguably bepared to those at rank-1.

    A rank-1 artifact was a treasure that could turn the tide of battles and define the destiny of its wielder.

    Having somethingparable to it was beyond valuable. Eliana would feel greatly indebted to him when he gives her this.

    ''He truly is a master of his craft,'' Valplimented Gruul in his mind.

    Val''s admiration for Gruul was genuine. It came straight from his heart. After all, Gruul had taken the materials provided and elevated them into something beyond extraordinary.

    "Here you go, master," Gruul said, offering the meticulously crafted armor to Val with a sense of pride in his work.

    "Thanks for your hard work. I really appreciate it," Val graciously epted the armor from Gruul and carefully stored it in his void orb.

    "I only ept appreciations in the form of soul shards," Gruul said, his devilish face breaking into a hideous smile that was overflowing with greed.

    "I don''t have any on hand at hand for you, but if I find some in the future, I will reserve them for you," Val made a promise to Gruul. He did it because maintaining a good rtionship with his most loyal subordinate was beneficial to him.

    "I would be most grateful if you do," Gruul replied, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

    Val waited patiently for the first light of dawn to pierce the darkness before finally stepping out of the shrine. He reappeared in a secluded area hidden behind the Serpent''s Mirage.

    ''Now all I need to do before I can return to the frontier is advance my White Devil Disciple ss to Level 3 using the bloodline upgrading potion.''

    ''But�� I need to change location first.''

    His breakthrough would trigger what was known as a "heavenly tribtion" - a cataclysmic test from the universe itself.

    The intensity of this event could be so great that it had the potential to destroy the immediate surroundings.

    Basically, if he were to attempt this breakthrough within the boundaries of the Serpent''s Mirage or in its proximity, the heavenly tribtion could annihte it.

    Should that happen, it would undoubtedly attract the attention of the wizardmunity. Those wizards, experts in tracing magical disturbances and anomalies, would initiate a rigorous investigation to find the root cause of such devastation. If their inquiries led back to him, Val was uncertain about the extent of the fallout, but he was sure it wouldn''t be minor. The repercussions could stretch far beyond just him. The Destiny Walkers might also be forced the consequences of his actions.

    All in all, attracting negative attention from the influential but secretive wizardmunity could prove disastrous. It was a risk he simply couldn''t afford to take, for himself and for those he had decided to stick with to survive and grow in these umcertain times.

    Thus, Val decided to change his location like a good boy, not daring to be reckless and damage other people''s property.

    A whileter, Val began ascending a cliff that was miles away from his previous location.

    The slope of the cliff was dotted with trees that seemed to burst forth from the earth as if in a bid to touch the sky.

    The sight looked quite magical, enough to put one at ease.

    The atmosphere was calm, almost serene, but Val knew better than to let his guard down in such an environment.

    Woof!

    As if on cue, with a bark, a dog-like beast leapt out from behind one of the trees, its eyes locked onto him and its jaws wide open, poised to strike.

    Now, Val had been on alert since he started climbing the cliff, and his REF stat was above 40 points, so he was able to react to its surprise attack in time.

    With grace rivaling the wisest of gods, he took a single freaking step to the side, smoothly evading the creature''s lunge. With its intended target now out of reach, the dog-like creature''s jaws snapped shut on empty air, leaving it bewildered.

    Pa!

    Not missing a beat, Valshed out with his hand, delivering a solid p to the beast''s face.

    This p was akin to the strongest physical attack that an intermediate-level warrior could muster.

    The consequence of his pnding on the beast''s face was so tremendous that it did more than just send the beast hurtling through the air; it literally yanked the soul out of its flesh, extinguishing its life in an instant.

    With a thud, the beast''s lifeless body plummeted to the ground, and a notification popped up, telling Val about the rewards he had gained from ughtering the beast.

    However, what he gained was almost negligible, so he overlooked it and moved on, continuing with his climb.

 Chapter 253 250: Bestial Onslaught

    ?

    Val reached the summit of the hill not long after he started the climb.

    Once there, he decided to make sure it was a safe enough ce to make a breakthrough and activated his Heavenly Eye Skill. As a result, his surroundings became clear as day to him.

    A few beasts were lurking quiet close to his location, but none of them were formidable enough to pose a threat to his life.

    They didn''t have the ability to take advantage of the situation when Val would be entirely focused and busy surviving the heavenly tribtion to strike him down. And so, this was a very good location to attempt his breakthrough.

    Val walked up to the edge of the cliff before he raised his head and looked towards the heavens.

    The sky above was exceptionally clear. It was a vast expanse of blue that stretched as far as the eye could see with a sun that hung bright and high, showering thend with its golden rays. But this was all about to change pretty soon.

    A sh of remembrance sparkled in Val''s jet-ck eyes. He remembered the information he''d read about the special kind of heavenly tribtion that members of the Whitemore family face when they advance from level 2 to level 3. It wasmonly referred to as the Ire of Heaven, but also went by other name, which was Feral Thunderstorm.

    In this particr tribtion, bolts of lightning would crash down from the sky, each strike birthing a tribtion beast on impact with the ground.

    One had to defeat all of the tribtion beasts that emerged to gain the second acknowledgment of their bloodline and sessfully upgrade their bloodline to the third level and be level 3 warrior.

    This tribtion was considered to be thrice as hard as the Lightning Tribtion that Whitemores undergo when progressing from level 1 to 2. But even with this knowledge, Val didn''t feel a shred of fear or apprehension. He believed that with his strength that rivaled intermediate-rank bloodline users, oveing the tribtion meant for beginner-level warriors would be a piece of cake.

    ''Let''s do this.''

    Confident in his capabilities, Val pulled out the bloodline upgrading potion from his void orb, uncorked it, and swallowed its contents in one fluid motion.

    The sky, once clear and sunny, underwent a sudden transformation.

    Dark thunderclouds rolled in, assembling as if summoned by an invisible hand, and the atmosphere grew heavy with tension.

    BOOOOooooom!

    With a resounding boom that could deafen anyone in the vicinity, thunder roared overhead, announcing themencement of the heavenly tribtion.

    Lightning forked down from the sky like serpents of pure energy, each bolt striking the earth with the force of a hammer.

    Where the lightning struck, miraculous transformations began to ur.

    Beasts made of mud, earth, and electric energy emerged from the scorched ground.

    These unique amalgamation of elemental forces were the feared tribtion beasts of the Feral Thunderstorm Heavenly Tribtion.

    They differed greatly in size; some towered at a height of 5 to 7 meters, resembling titanic wolves made of the elements, while others were more modest in scale, about the size of a lion but with a wolf-like countenance. And there were about 25 of them.

    Under the shadow of the thunderclouds, their eyes glowed ominously with a predatory glint as they red at Val. They were beings with a single-minded goal to challenge Val and potentially end his advancement, along with his life.

    A vibration started from their chest and came out from the depths of their throats as a threatening growl before they moved in unison, like a well-coordinated army, gradually closing the distance between themselves and Val. Every step they took seemed to make the ground tremble.

    "A predator is mistaken for prey. How amusing."

    The thought flickered through Val''s mind as he stood, unwavering, amidst the circle of menacing tribtion beasts. His face remained stoic, betraying no emotion, no fear.

    As the beasts closed in on him, in his hand materialized Voidyer, the weapon that had seen him through countless battles.

    Val tightened his grip around its hilt and swung it several times in different locations in less than a seconds.

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

    Each time he swung it, shockwaves of immense power burst forth from the body of the sword, hitting the advancing elemental creatures head-on.

    Though they were big and heavy, they were still lifted off their feet and thrown backwards.

    "You underestimate me at your own peril," Val said to the disoriented tribtion beasts coldly.

    A sharp glint of ruthlessness shing across his jet-ck eyes as he added, "As mere weaklings, you should have never dared to show your fangs to the strong."

    Wasting no time, Val activated his Blood Maniption bloodline skill with a thought.

    In the next second, his blood bar was shortened to 1/3rd its size, and enormous hands materialized in the sky above.

    These hands were unlike anything one could imagine, resembling those of ancient, godly giants.

    They dwarfed the tribtion beasts, casting dark shadows that enveloped thempletely. Even the beasts that stood at a towering height of 7 meters seemed minuscule inparison.

    The beasts felt so intimidated that they forgot the only meaning of their life and began to retreat.

    "Where do you think you''re going?" Val said menacingly.

    He had no intention of letting them run away. After all, in their death was his path to glory.

    He made a grabbing potion with his hand.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    In the very next moment, with a swiftness that belied their size, the giant hands descended upon the rapidly retreating tribtion beasts, booming through the air and grabbing them in a deadly grip.

    The beasts'' instinctual reaction was to struggle. However, despite fiercely twisting and tossing around, they failed to break free.

    Val raised his hand.

    The hands lifted the beasts they''ve ensnared into the air, suspending them like trophies of a victorious hunt.

    Val brought his hand down rapidly.

    Bam!

    As a result, the hands smashed the beasts they''ve into the ground.

 Chapter 254 251: Making a stand!

    <h4>Chapter 254 251: Making a stand!</h4>

    Val repeated the motion several times,

    Bam! Bam! Bam!

    The tribtion beasts were smashed into the ground again and again by the giant hands made out of Val''s bloodline skill.

    This continued until their forms broke apart and disintegrated. They simply ceased to exist, their brief lives snuffed out as quickly as they had ignited.

    Val didn''t feel a hint of joy even though he had ovee the tribtion beast. His expression was unreadable.

    "The tribtion is yet to end."

    Killing these tribtion beasts should be enough for a Whitemore to breakthrough to the 3rd level, but Val could sense his wasn''t over thanks to his Detect trait.

    "This is unreasonble."

    He thought bitterly as he looked up and saw something drastic take ce.

    Rumble!

    Thunder rumbled ominously in the sky above, as if the heavens themselves were sounding a warning.

    Lightning zigzagged across the clouds, crackling with a feverish energy.

    Suddenly, the individual bolts of lightning fused together, culminating in the manifestation of a massive lightning dragon.

    Its form was majestic, yet terrifying,posed entirely of pure electrical energy.

    With its appearance, Val''s sixth sense red up.

    Clearly, he was being told that the creature was strong enough to bring about his downfall if he wasn''t careful enough.

    "I have to fight this thing too? This tribtion�� it''s honestly a bit too much for a beginner warrior."

    Val stood there, gazing up at the intimidating form of the lightning dragon that had materialized in the sky.

    His mind raced as he weighed the gravity of the situation. He was sure that no other Whitemore at level 3 would be capable of facing such a challenging tribtion.

    For most of his kin, their tribtions merely involved ying a modest number of tribtion beasts, maybe three or five at most.

    But his Feral Thunderstorm Heavenly Tribtion was something else entirely.

    First, there were the twenty-five tribtion beasts he had to vanquish, each a formidable foe in its own right. And now, this lightning dragon emerged, elevating the danger to an unprecedented level.

    He couldn''t help but muse over the sheer disparity in the scale of tribtions between him and other Whitemores. On a difficulty scale, his was easily ten to a hundred times more formidable. And this was no exaggeration. Most tribtions were stepping stones, rites of passage that one was expected to ovee. His, however, seemed more like a towering wall, almost insurmountable.

    Val pondered the reason behind this discrepancy and realized that it was probably tied to the exceptional purity of his own bloodline. The purer the bloodline, the greater the tribtion one had to ovee to ascend to the next level. Thus, he was facing this monstrosity that many other of his lineage never had to face during their tribtions.

    "It''s alright.''

    Although many would find such unfairness to be distressing, Val felt no sense of injustice. Rather, he saw it as an affirmation of his potential. His bloodline''s purity was not a curse but a badge of honor. To him, this formidable tribtion was the universe''s way of acknowledging that potential.

    ''It just mean that the benefit I would get from advancing is just that great.''

    Moreover, he knew that if he could conquer this tribtion, the rewards would be phenomenal as well.

    The bloodline skill that he would unlock would be leagues above what other Whitemores could hope to acquire by advancing to level 3. He could very well gain abilities that would set him apart, elevating him to a ss of his own within the Whitemore lineage.

    Basically, the stakes were monumental, but so were the potential gains.

    And so, standing at the precipice of what could either be his greatest triumph or his most devastating failure, Val didn''t let his resolve waver.

    ''My innate ss is at level 2 but I am stronger than level 4 bloodline users.''

    ''If anyone can turn this perilous tribtion into an unparalleled opportunity, it is me.''

    ''Dragon,'' Val revealed a taunting smile, ''Show me your worst. I am not afraid of you!''

    The tribtion lightning dragon looked at Val, who was coincidentlly staring at it, and their eyes met.

    The lightning dragon felt deeply offended by Val''s audacious gaze.

    How dare a mere mortal lock eyes with a tribtion beast?

    In the draconic code of conduct, this was nothing short of an open challenge.

    Infuriated, the dragon unleashed a cataclysmic surge of pressure, so intense that it altered the veryndscape below.

    Trees splintered and were reduced to rubble in an instant.

    The hill, which had stood the test of time, wobbled as if struck by an earthquake, fissures appearing in its once-solid structure.

    Weak beasts were knocked unconscious in an instant.

    The immense pressure released by the tribtion lightning dragon was like a physical force, carrying the weight of a mountain and the might of a tempest.

    So overwhelming was this show of power that the very hill seemed on the verge of copse. It was as though the world itself was yielding to the dragon''s majesty.

    Val sensed theing maelstrom and clenched his fist, summoning the giant celestial hands to form a protective barrier around him.

    However, so strong was the dragon''s might that its pressure shattered through them as if they were made of ss and crashed into Val like a tidal wave, bending him under its weight.

    The immense pressure was a manifestation of the dragon''s will, a challenge to Val''s own resolve. The tribtion beast sought to bring him to his knees, to force him into a posture of submission. If it seeded, Val would never gain the recognizing of his innate bloodline, and his white devil ss would forever be stuck at level 2.

    Val had no intention of allowing that to happen.

    He felt his muscles strain and his bones creak as he resisted the crushing force bearing down on him.

    His heart pounded in his chest like a war drum, each beat a reminder of the stakes at hand.

    His teeth gritted, his eyes narrowed, and his entire being focused on a singr thought.

    In that moment, a roar akin to the dragon''s emerged from his mouth!

    "I refuse to yield!" Val dered, his voice tinged with indomitable resolve.

    Activating all his stat boosting bloodline skills and using blood maniption to increased the flow of blood to his brain and throughout his body, Val gained enough power to push back against the pressure.

    It was as if an immovable object was meeting an unstoppable force.

    Slowly but surely, he began to regain his posture, rising up against the will of the dragon.

    At this point, he was not just resisting a tribtion that wanted him to fail.

    He was dering his sovereignty over his destiny!

    Under the shocked gaze of the dragon, he straightened his back and smiled triumphantly.

    "Now, its your turn to be at the receiving end of my wrath!" He red at the dragon and dered.

 Chapter 255 252: Turning the tides (2in1)

    <h4>Chapter 255 252: Turning the tides (2in1)</h4>

    Within the outskirts of the Wysmire Mountain Range, surrounded by jagged mountains and cloudy skies, Val stood at the peak of a crumbling hill with a defiant expression on his face, staring at the Tribtion Lightning Dragon with a cold gaze devoid of emotions while resisting its mighty aura relying on nothing but his raw strength.

    The dragon couldn''t believe its eyes. A mere mortal had survived being crushed by its aura that could tten trees and rocks alike. Not only that, he was able to regain his footing and stand upright and properly on his own two feet despite being constantly assaulted by its aura.

    Val was staring at it as if he was looking at a corpse. The Tribtion Lightning Dragon felt deeply offended by his gaze.

    Something snapped in its mind, and it roared so loudly that its voice deafened everything in its immediate surroundings, forcing Val to lose his sense of hearing. Even then, Val''s emotionless gaze remained fixed on it. He was reading its every move to react appropriately.

    Just then, he saw a torrent of energy, which was so potent it distorted the very air, exploding out of the Tribtion Lightning Dragon and surging down straight towards him.

    His fists clenched, eyes narrowed, and a determined expression etched onto his face.

    "You aren''t the only one who can do this!"

    With a battle cry that echoed across the wastnd, Val released an immense amount of his soul power from his arcane heart, letting it flow out of his body like a massive tsunami.

    It erupted from him like a volcanic explosion!

    Boom!

    A resounding reverberation rang out, reaching as far as a hundred miles away as the soul power flowing out of Val collided with the dragon''s pressure in a spectacr sh, producing shockwaves that shattered the nearby mountains and hills and sent them flying like mere pebbles.

    The power of their attack turned out to be the same as neither of them gained an upper hand from this sh.

    ''This can''t be! I refuse to believe it!''

    The Tribtion Lightning Dragon snarled in indignation. It was unwilling to believe what it saw.

    With a deep guttural roar, it unleashed an even more powerful wave of aura that was stronger than the first and secondbined and it streamed out of it like a ferocious storm, shing with the tsunami of soul power exploding out of Val.

    However, the dragon''s pressure had increased exponentially, so much so that it began to push back Val''s soul power.

    The power of their attack was so longer equal.

    The dragon''s aura pushed back Val''s attack and was threatened to engulf him in a crushing sea of force.

    Val felt the strain. He could sense his soul power being suppressed, forced back towards him by the overwhelming aura of the dragon.

    His feet dug into the ground, and for a moment, it seemed like he would be overwhelmed. But then, his eyes red with renewed determination.

    "No! I won''t let it end this way!" Val thought.

    Summoning every ounce of his willpower, Val injected an even more massive torrent of soul power into his initial burst.

    It was as if a second volcano had erupted, doubling the intensity of his attack.

    His power shed with the dragon''s pressure in an even more extraordinary spectacle. The atmosphere itself seemed to tremble, as if unable to contain the monumental sh of energies.

    Val''s amplified soul power attack began to turn the tide against the dragon. It surged forth, overpowering the dragon''s pressure and pushing it back. The dragon roared in disbelief, its eyes widening as it felt its own aura being repelled by the attack of a mortal.

    "This... this can''t be!" the dragon thought, its pride wounded, and its confidence shattered.

    It wanted to do something to regain its pride.

    But it was toote.

    Val''s soul power had gained the upper hand. The dragon could no longer contain it, and with a final, overwhelming burst, Val''s energy struck the dragon point nk.

    The impact was so forceful that the dragon was rocketed into the sky, propelled at such a speed that it vanished into the tribtion clouds.

    Thud!

    A dull thud reverberated in the air as Val''s knees hit the ground. Utterly drained, he felt like a hollow shell, devoid of energy. His reckless use of wizardry had depleted him almost entirely. Each breath he took wasbored, each muscle in his body screamed in agony. He closed his eyes for a moment, teetering on the edge of consciousness as if he might copse into the abyss of exhaustion right then and there.

    However, a surge of determination washed over him. He clenched his fists and forced himself back to his feet, steadying his wobbly legs. His eyes snapped open, aze with resolve.

    "The battle isn''t over yet," he reminded himself, his inner voice brimming with urgency.

    His instincts, that uncanny sixth sense of his, were sending him an unmistakable warning. This was not the time to becent or to show any signs of vulnerability.

    Switching on his heavenly eye, Val lifted his gaze skyward, his eyes narrowing as they cut through the obsidian curtain of tribtion clouds. Amid the roiling darkness, he discerned the form of a dragon preparing an attack of apocalyptic proportions. The dragon''s jaw was unhinged, almost impossibly wide. It was absorbing the raw power contained in the surrounding tribtion clouds, consolidating it into a singr point within its gaping maw. It was as though it were siphoning the lightning with the power to create tribtion beasts from the tribtion clouds, concentrating it into a condensed ball of pure energy.

    Then, with a terrifying force, the dragon unleashed its cataclysmic attack.

    Whoosh!

    The energy ball rocketed out of the dragon''s mouth, exploding through the dark tribtion clouds as it hurtled towards Val.

    As it traveled, the energy attack began expanding at an rming rate.

    What started as a small sphere soon morphed into a vortex of overwhelming magnitude, growingrger and wider than a mountain.

    It became a devouring whirlpool in the sky, threatening to consume everything in its path as it bore down on him.

    Val steeled himself.

    This was the test he had to pass, the challenge he had to ovee if he wanted to advance his innate ss.

    On top of that, he knew he couldn''t afford to fail.

    Or else, he would lose everything, including his life.

    His mind raced. He was at a critical juncture.

    "I can''t block this iing attack with my current abilities. It''s just too powerful. I guess I have no choice but to use ''it''.''

    He had hoped to save ''it'' for a more dire situation. Still, what could be more dire than this?

    ''It''s a do-or-die moment. There''s no time for hesitation. I have to use it now!''

    With resolve solidifying in his heart, V summoned an object to his hand from the Void Orb. It was an orb with a ck hue that matched the depth of his own eyes.

    This was the Orb of Darkness.

    It was an item of immeasurable power that had the dual capabilities of absorbing and releasing any type of attack.

    The orb was an expendable object, meaning its number of uses was finite. He couldn''t remember how many times it could be employed, but considering how powerful this thing was, it should only be a few.

    Anyway, right now, it was his only option.

    ''I hope this works.''

    Val hoped that the orb would be able to absorb the dragon''s fierce attack. Without a moment''s dy, he tossed the orb towards the menacing vortex of energy that was descending upon him.

    The Orb of Darkness acted as if it had a life of its own; it swallowed the vortex entirely, leaving nothing but emptiness where once there had been an overwhelming force.

    "W-what?!"

    The dragon above was struck dumb. Its vortex, a manifestation of its ultimate power, had not just been halted but devoured. As a mythical creature long ustomed to being the epitome of destructive might, this oue shattered its understanding of the world. It was a blow not just to its attack but to its very essence, shaking it to the core. Could a human really neutralize and even suck its most fearsome attack out of existence? Could such a heaven-defying being still be called a human? Wouldn''t the moniker Devil God suit him more?

    ''Wait, could I actually be facing a Devil God?''

    The thought sent shivers through the dragon''s gargantuan frame.

    Val saw cracks appearing all over the surface of the Orb of Darkness. It had bitten off more than it could chew. He realized it wouldn''t be able to hold the attack of the dragon for too long.

    ''I have to do something before that.''

    Before it shattered, he made his move.

    "Have a taste of your own medicine." Val dered with a smirk on his face.

    Using the unique psychic link he had established with the Orb of Darkness, Valmanded it to release the energy it had absorbed towards the tribtion beast.

    The orbplied, shooting the vortex back at the dragon with astonishing speed all too suddenly just before breaking apart and disintegrating.

    As a result, the dragon in the sky waspletely caught off guard. It didn''t know its attack would be used against it in such a manner. It wasn''t expecting it at all. Its reaction was so dyed it had no time to dodge.

    Boom!

    A deafening noise rang out as the vortex impacted it with a colossal explosion, erasing it from existence and sending shockwaves that sted apart the surrounding tribtion clouds.

    The sky cleared, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, the sun shone through.

    "Phew~it''s over!"

    Val sighed in relief, realizing he had done what had seemed impossible for a beginner warrior��he had eradicated the tribtion-lighting dragon!

 Chapter 256 253: Void Force Bloodline skill

    <h4>Chapter 256 253: Void Force Bloodline skill</h4>

    [System Notification: Congrattions Host! You have sessfully passed the Feral Thunderstorm heavenly tribtion. As a result, you''ve gained the acknowledgment of your bloodline, and your innate bloodline has upgraded from level 2 to level 3.]

    [Your White Devil ss has leveled up, and you have unlocked a new bloodline skill!]

    The new bloodline skill was called Void Force.

    Eager to understand the full scope of his newly acquired bloodline skill, Val focused intently on it and cast Detect.

    As a result of his actions, a semi-transparent screen materialized in front of his eyes, providing detailed information about the skill.

    [Name: Void Force

    [Bloodline skill level: 3]

    [Description: Once activated, this skill enables the host to passively emanate the force of the void, which materializes as a distinct purple aura around the host and can jump on anyone the host wants to harm. The force of the void is not merely an aesthetic manifestation; it exerts significant pressure on any entities within its radius, mentally and physically pushing them towards submission. The aura functions as a sphere of influence wherein the host gains an element of control over any beings caught within it. If a target within the aura''s range is sessfully pressured into submission, it bes enved to the host''s will for all of eternity. Unlike traditional magical or physical envement, which can be resisted or potentially broken, envement via the force of the void establishes a metaphysical, almost enigmatic, link between the host and the enved, making thetter utterly subservient to the former. Moreover, enved entities are bound to obey themands of the host, irrespective of their prior allegiances or motivations. Resistance against the host''s will triggers punitive mechanisms built into the skill, which can vary in severity and are decided by the host at the moment of envement. The enved can suffer from mild difort to extreme physical pain, or even metaphysical disintegration, depending on the rules set down by the host.]

    [Limitations: The intensity of the Void force is directly proportional to the host''s power level. The higher the host''s power level, the more powerful the void force emanated by you. The range of the skill is limited to the Host''s vision. The skill will target only those who are in the Host''s line of sight.]

    Val''s mind raced.

    Normally, Whitmores with average bloodlines unlock yet another body-strengthening skill once they upgrade their bloodline to level 3, but he in the same scenario unlocked an offensive envement skill that was beyond powerful��it was practically game-changing.

    ''This is no ordinary upgrade; it is a leap that defies the usual limits.''

    The Void Force skill would give him an enormous advantage, not just in one-on-onebat situations but also inrge-scale conflicts, and if used wisely, it could also serve as the ultimate espionage tool.

    ''With this skill, I can not only cultivate an army of beingspletely loyal to him but also raise spies and nt them in the influential families of the kingdom to spy on their secrets!''

    ''A skill like this is to die for.''

    ''No wonder my tribtion was so strong.''

    Val was thoroughly impressed by his new bloodline skill.

    A pondering look appeared on his handsome face. Val had an otherworldly appearance, with a smooth whiteplexion, V-shaped jawline, thin lips, and ck eyes that seemed to draw you in. He was already striking, but when he was deeply engrossed in thought, the seriousness added anotheryer to his allure. It was during these moments, when he was lost in his own world, that he looked irresistibly charming.

    ''Maybe it canplement my authority as this generation''s Devil God of Evil.''

    ''Let''s check it out.''

    Val''s undead-creating energy dwindled rapidly as he created a level 3 undead. Made of pure evil, its first instinct was to attack and destroy everything in its sight. However, before it could even move an inch, Val used the Shadow Bind ability, intending to immobilize it. The undead''s own shadow rose from the ground and wound around it like a devilish serpent, restricting its movement.

    Val focused his gaze on the level 3 undead and activated the Void Force skill.

    Almost instantaneously, an aura of a deep, mesmerizing purple erupted from his very being and crashed into the disobedient Level 3 undead like a relentless tidal wave. The aura swept over the undead, filling the air with an oppressive weight that could not be ignored.

    The undead was a creature created of pure evil. Thus, it was normally resistant to any form of control. But under the constant assault of Val''s Void Force skill, it found itself brought to its knees in mere moments, kneeling before Val.

    A series of system notifications rang out in Val''s mind.

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Host! You have sessfully enved the Level 3 undead using the Void Force skill.]

    [The status of the Level 3 undead has changed from ''Disobedient'' to ''Utterly Loyal.'']

    [You can now order it around.]

    A satisfied smile flickered across Val''s lips as he read the system notifications. The skill seemed too good to be true, but the proof was right in front of him.

    Val retracted his Void Force aura and spoke, "Rise."

    To his immense satisfaction, the undead obediently followed hismand and rose to its feet from its kneeling position. Then, it stood just there, with its head lowered, not daring to look its creator straight in the eyes. It was almost as if it were waiting for its nextmand.

    ''It is no longer the rebellious entity it once was.''

    Val felt overjoyed at the level 3 undead''s subservient behavior.

    "Jump down the cliff and crawl back to me," Val wanted to check the extent of its effect, so he ordered it coldly.

    Hearing his words, the undead didn''t even hesitate before obediently leaping off the nearby cliff.

    The cliff was by no means of average size; it was a substantial drop.

    When it crashed into the ground, its bones broke and limbs detached in a grotesque manner.

 Chapter 257 254: Return

    <h4>Chapter 257 254: Return</h4>

    Almost miraculously, the broken shards of the level 3 undead''s limbs began to move on their own. Like maized pieces, they realigned, reformed, and reattached themselves to the undead''s body!

    This Level 3 undead was significantly more formidable than any of Val''s Level 2 undead. Not only was it stronger and faster than them, but it also boasted enhanced durability that made it harder to take down.

    However, what truly set it apart from its lesser counterpart was that it had a total of three skills.

    While the first two skills were simr to those possessed by a Level 2 undead, the third skill was something else entirely.

    It was called ''Partial Immortality.''

    It allowed the level 3 undead to survive situations that would otherwise be unsurvivable for lesser undead.

    It had used this very ability to recover from the damage of the fall.

    Also, this allowed Val to know the full scope of what ''Partial Immortality'' entailed.

    After recovering its limb, the level 3 undead, in an almost unnatural disy of loyalty and obedience, began to crawl up the steep hill back to Val, following his order to the letter.

    Val watched this disy of utmost loyalty, and a rare smile appeared on his usually stoic face.

    ''It really works and is far better than I expected,'' he thought, deeply pleased with his newfound ability.

    The envement effect of the Void Force skill seemed to be even more impressive than he had initially thought. It reduced the enved entities to a state of fanatic loyalty, on par with the most fervent worshipers of the God of Light.

    It was to such a point that if he told them to kill themselves, they would immediately slit their throats, and if he told them to kill someone they would go as far as sacrificing themselves toplete his order.

    Basically, the Void Force skill was quite wicked.

    Val cracked a sinful smile.

    ''But I like it.''

    Val then proceeded to use his remaining undead-creating energy to create as many level 3 undead as he could and enved them all using his Void force skill. Then, he stored them in the shrine of evil before returning to the northern frontier.

    Eliana was in the ''haunted house,'' and she was worried sick for Val. She hadn''t seen him at home the previous night, which had prompted her to brave the dangers of the streets of the lower city at night in search of him. However, the night patrol of the lower city had stopped her, insisting it was too risky for a woman to roam alone in the dead of night, even if she was a revered priestess.

    They had escorted her back home, but her worry had only deepened.

    Upon entering the house, Val found Eliana sitting listlessly, her thumb absently in her mouth. She looked so lost in her thoughts that she didn''t even notice hime in.

    Her pretty eyes had dark circles under them, suggesting she had been up all night.

    Val felt aplex mix of emotions at the sight.

    On one hand, he found it a pity that a beautiful and young woman like Eliana was devoting so much emotional energy to someone like him, who was sick in the head.

    On the other hand, he found himself surprisingly pleased.

    The fact that she had been so affected by his disappearance meant she cared for him more deeply than he had initially thought. Maybe it had already reached the point where Val could manipte her tomit a crime, but even if it had, he would never wrong her so badly. After all, he no longer saw her as a tool. She meant much more to him.

    "Eliana, I am home," Val said, his voice tinged with a sweetness that was unusual for him.

    Hearing his words, Eliana snapped out of her thoughts and looked up, her eyes meeting his.

    Val looked unscathed, and that alone seemed to lift a weight off her shoulders.

    She stood up swiftly, closing the distance between them to envelop him in a tight hug. Val hugged her back, feeling her soft and slender body melting into his arms. After a few moments, she pulled back and her expression turned into a pout.

    "Where have you been?" Eliana asked, her voice tinged with aggrievement.

    Val looked into Eliana''s concerned eyes. Telling her the truth might harm his interest. The only way to keep their rtionship stable was to tell her what she wanted to hear.

    Thus, he told her a fabricated story he made on the spot.

    "The uing expedition to the lesser dimension has been on my mind. I thought I wouldn''t survive it if I didn''t rapidly increase my strength. So, yesterday, I went to the mountain range to survive my heavenly tribtion and break through to the 3rd level of my bloodline. Unfortunately, it took longer than I expected. By the time I overcame the tribtion and leveled up, it was already dark, and the gates to the frontier were closed. I had no choice but to spend the night in a rtively safe cave back in the mountain range."

    Val told this lie to Eliana to keep her from feeling indignant. He knew she would believe him because love often blinds us to the incongruities in the stories of those we care about deeply. And she did believe him, wholeheartedly.

    "You''re not mad at me, are you?"

    "No, I''m not."

    Eliana shook her head. How could she be made at her man for working hard?

    Rather, her face blossomed into a smile and her eyes glowed with pride when she found out he had be a level 3 bloodline user at the tender age of 17.

    "Anyway, congrattions on advancing to the next level," she said to Val, joy filling her voice.

    "Thank you, my love. Your encouragement means a lot to me."

    Saying so, Val leaned in and softly kissed her forehead. As he did, he felt her eyshes tremble like delicate butterfly wings.

    At this moment, he found her cuteness irresistible.

    He allowed his surging emotions to control his actions. His lips then trailed from her eyes down to her nose and finally met hers. She offered no resistance to his touch and instead reciprocated, kissing him back passionately.

 Chapter 258 255: Eliana & Val!

    <h4>Chapter 258 255: Eliana & Val!</h4>

    "I brought a gift for you," Val said as he gently embraced her, whispering the words into her ear. His husky tone resonated warmly within her, causing her earlobe to flush with a tinge of red. It was a tender, intimate moment between them.

    "What gift?" Eliana lifted her head and looked into Val''s eyes. His eyes were warm and full of kindness, while her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and curiosity.

    She wasn''t one to long for material things, and she always felt indebted when Val gave her things without asking for anything in return. However, a part of her could not help but feel thrilled when she received a gift from the man she loved and had devoted her entire self to.

    With a gentle smile stered on his face, Val carefully pulled out the Fortified Armor from his Void Orb and held it out for Eliana to see.

    "This armor is unlike any other. It has top-notch passive defensive properties, ensuring your protection. What makes it even more special is its ability to adjust its size to fit you perfectly. You won''t have to worry about it being too tight or too loose. But that''s not all; the armor can absorb the damage from up to three attacks every day, storing that energy. Later, it can release that stored energy in a counterattack."

    "Most impressively, it is designed to be discreet. A special rune not only makes it sofortable that it''s like a second skin but also ensures that no one will even realize you''re wearing a piece of armor."

    Val took his time detailing everyst feature of the armor to Eliana.

    It wasn''t just because he wanted her to be aware of the capabilities of this incredible piece; it was also a subtle way to deepen her feelings for him.

    In his mind, the more she understood the value and utility of the armor, the more she would feel indebted to him, and indebtedness could sometimes be a powerful catalyst for love. In this case, it would deepen not only her feelings for him but also her dependency on him. Later on, she might dread the idea of living without him.

    Additionally, she needed to know what the armor was capable of to use it effectively in times of need where a single moment decides life and death.

    Eliana listened to him attentively.

    Her eyes widened as she realized that the armor''s value surpassed even that of rank-2 cursed artifacts.

    She thought about her own contributions to their rtionship and felt they paled inparison to what Val was giving her. How could she ept something so valuable when she had done so little to deserve it?

    It was clearly a precious item. Any other person would have just taken it. However, she was a unique case. Instead of swiftly epting it before Val changed her mind, she attempted to hand the armor back to him.

    "Val, this is too much. I can''t possibly ept something so valuable from you for free, regardless of how close we are. As much as I appreciate the gesture, you should wear it yourself. You''re the one going on a dangerous expedition," she said to him earnestly.

    Val shook his head, refusing to take it back from Eliana. Instead, he pushed it towards her once again.

    "Look, this armor might be a valuable item to others, but for me, it isn''t worth a single inch of your body. When I''m gone on the expedition, this armor will keep you safe on my behalf," Val looked into her eyes earnestly as he added, "So if not for yourself, then at least keep it for my peace of mind. Or, do you really want me to be constantly worried about you while I''m in a dangerous ce like the lesser dimension?"

    Eliana felt butterflies dancing wildly in her stomach. When ites to her, Val had always been incredibly considerate and caring, which just made it even harder for her to ept such an extravagant gift from him.

    Her lover was too to her. That was all the more reason why she couldn''t take advantage of him!

    However, what he said made sense. If the armor wasn''t there to keep her safe, it might make him worry unnecessarily when he was away on dangerous expeditions. She had been targeted multiple times by devils as if she held something they were attracted to, so his worries weren''t unfounded. Besides, if she refused to ept his gift again, it might hurt his feelings.

    She found herself at a crossroads, unsure how to proceed. Unable to make a decision, she neither refused nor epted his gift.

    Val made the decision for her, putting the armor on her body swiftly.

    "Thank you," Eliana thanked Val sincerely.

    Val gave her a yful smile, "I only ept thanks in kisses."

    Val had learned this trick from Gruul, and he was now using it on Eliana romantically.

    There was a reason for it.

    Keeping the romance alive was important for maintaining the ''strength'' and ''happiness'' of their rtionship, after all.

    At his words, her cheeks warmed with a blushing glow blushed. However, as she finally gained the chance to do something for him, she asked, "Where do you want me to kiss you?"

    Val pointed at his cheek, and because of the height difference, she stood on her toes to ce a gentle kiss there.

    Val gestured to his other cheek, his eyes twinkling mischievously, "And don''t forget this side, it''s getting jealous," he said to her teasingly.

    Eliana couldn''t help but blush even deeper, yet sheplied with his wishes and ced a gentle kiss on his other cheek.

    Val then pointed to his lips, making it obvious what he wanted next.

    "Lastly, here."

    Eliana''s face turned a shade that could only be described as beet red, almost like a steamed crab, but she leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

    Val skillfully used his tongue to part her soft lips, turning the simple contact between them into a French kiss full of passion and longing.

    As they kissed, Eliana felt something hard poke her tummy. She was far from naive; she understood immediately what it was.

    After the kiss broke, she ced her hand over his hardness, feeling his desire beneath her silky soft fingers that were pinkish-red at the tip.

    She looked into his eyes seriously, and said, "I want to do it with you. And I know you want me too."

    Val locked eyes with her, "Are you absolutely sure about this?"

    "Yes, I''m sure," Eliana confirmed with a nod, her gaze never leaving his.

    At the end of the day, Val was a man with his own desires and needs, and Eliana was a woman who he had developed feelings for.

    Thus, he had no desire to resist her needlessly. That night, he embraced her and took from her her chastity. He felt good to know that he was her first man.

    It has been a while since they''ve gotten together, but today, Eliana has finally shared an intimate night with her beloved. Her feelings for him surged to another level, crossing the 90-point mark!

 Chapter 259 256:

    <h4>Chapter 259 256:</h4>

    Val abused her for some hours in bed, leaving her in a state of utter bliss and exhaustion. If not for the fact that her raw strength wasparable to a beginner warrior, she would''ve broken into two by her beloved. However, even though her body creaked with exhaustion, she couldn''t help but deny it was a pleasant and addictive experience.

    ''I want to do it with him every day until death do us part.''

    "What are you thinking about?"

    "N-Nothing!"

    "It didn''t look like that to me."

    Just then, Eliana''s stomach grumbled.

    This gave her a way out of it and she grabbed it without hesitation as she was too shy to make her dirty thoughts clear to Val.

    Elianained that she was hungry to Val. He was the one who reduced her to such a disheveled and hungry state so he should also take responsibility and feed her.

    Responding to herints, Val reached into his Void Orb and pulled out a cauldron.

    As he lifted the lid of the cauldron, a fragrant aroma filled the room.

    The cauldron contained meat from an Eldertail snake. It had no foul odor and was surprisingly aromatic, even though it had been cooked without any spices. The texture of the huge chunks of meat was also invitingly soft.

    "You''ll like this," Val assured her, handing her a piece to eat using soul power.

    Eliana took a bite and felt her cheeks puff up as she chewed. It was delicious. Not only that, she felt a surge of energy coursing through her, revitalizing her exhausted body with each piece she gobbled up like a little gremlin.

    Val found her quite cute at this moment.

    "Wow, this is amazing. What kind of meat is this? Just having a bit of it, I already feel so much better, and it tastes great too," Eliana said as she looked at Val.

    Val replied, "It''s Eldertail snake meat."

    Eliana felt as though she''d been suddenly doused with cold water.

    She opened her mouth, preparing to spit out the meat. It wasn''t the fact it was snake meat that bothered her. Rather, eating meat from powerful creatures could be dangerous, potentially transforming one into a monster.

    Before she could spit it out, Val gently stopped her.

    "Don''t worry, it''s safe to eat," he reassured her. "I''ve purified the meat using a method I learned from a kind and knowledgeable senior. All the corrupting elements have been removed from the meat. You''ll only experience the benefits from eating it, not the harmful side effects."

    She calmed down after hearing his words and acknowledged that Val was telling the truth as she hadn''t experienced any adverse effects associated with the act while eating the meat of the eldertail snake.

    She admitted to herself that she might have overreacted a bit, but she couldn''t shake off the initial jolt of fear he''d inadvertently caused her.

    "Feed me," she grumbled to him. She was still a bit shaken but was willing to let it slide if Val fulfilled her request. Ever since he looked after her when she was down with a fever, she had developed a weird obsession. She wanted to be fed by him. It was a weird kink of a sort. And she finally found a chance to have it realized.

    Valplied with her wishes. He lifted her gently from the bed and ced herfortably on hisp.

    He began to feed her, scooping up pieces of the aromatic snake meat from the cauldron using wizardry and cing them into her mouth. She obediently let herself be fed by him, gradually filling up while feeling both nourished and cared for.

    "Actually, I''m starting to feel a little hungry myself," Val looked into Eliana''s eyes as he spoke to her.

    "Well, there''s plenty of meat left in the cauldron. I can''t eat it all by myself, so you are wee to have some."

    "I''m hungry, Eliana, but it''s not for the meat. It''s for you," Val whispered into Eliana''s ear sensually before gently nibbling on her reddish earlobe. This made her squirm a bit as she sat in hisp, and as her buttocks rubbed against his sword, it hardened and grew, poking her private area. Redness suffused her cheeks immediately, turning them rosy.

    "I''m feeling sore down there, Val," Elianained to her beloved softly.

    Val looked into her eyes with a soulful, almost sad expression. "So, does that mean I can''t satisfy my hunger?" He put on a pouty face that resembled a sad puppy.

    His face was just inches from hers, and Eliana waspletely captivated by how good-looking he was. Saying no to him felt like an impossible task. Thus, she relented, "You know I can''t say no to you."

    ...

    Later that day, Val went to the treasure pavilion and made quite a scene while selling his stuff. During that time, he also made sure it was known that he was nning on exploring the lesser dimension with Oliver.

    Val had an ulterior motive for being so open about his strength and ns.

    He strongly believed that this news would catch the attention of Clea, who had ns to assassinate Oliver.

    He expected that Clea would react by beefing up his own preparations, perhaps even calling in more reinforcements and cursed artifacts for the assassination attempt on Oliver''s life.

    For Val, this was all the more advantageous.

    After all, more people involved in Clea''s n meant more potential spoils to loot after thwarting the assassination.

    Besides, Val was confident in his abilities. In his estimation, only an advanced-stage Bloodline user could genuinely pose a threat to him. Anyone below that level couldn''t kill him as he had many trump cards to preserve his life.

    As for those below that level, He was not at all concerned about lesser foes��beginner-level Bloodline users or even mid-rank Level 2 wizards were like ants beneath his feet. He could effortlessly crush them to death.

    Thus, he dared to take such a risk.

    Basically, Val''s performance in the Pavilion was a carefully calcted move designed to manipte the circumstances in his favor.

    If Clea indeed got wind of this and decided to bring in more forces, it would y right into Val''s hands, making his forting expedition all the more lucrative and engaging!

 Chapter 260 257: Start of the Expedition!

    <h4>Chapter 260 257: Start of the Expedition!</h4>

    Led by Marshall, arge group of level 2-3 bloodline users, along with six low and two mid-rank wizards, left the Frontier on the back of fire-tailed steeds and set out on an expedition to the lesser dimension just as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon.

    "How far is it?" Clea asked.

    "The lesser dimension is located in the 4th region of the Verdant Deepwood Forest as discovered by the Northern Frontier''s scout team," Ron, his eye-sses-wearing subordinate, replied.

    While riding a moving steed and leading an entire group deeper into the forest, Marshall turned to them and spoke,

    "Ordinarily, the journey to the recently formed lesser dimension would take us a grueling four hours on foot. That''s four hours through dangerous terrain filled with God-knows-what just to get to our destination. Hence, I requested the fire-tailed steeds from the Ruling family of the Upper Haven. They are renowned for their speed and endurance. So, it will take us a mere half-hour."

    "Are you wondering why I am telling you this?" he suddenly asked.

    "Y-yeah, we are."

    "I want you to know who helped us and feel grateful to them."

    Marshall satisfied their curiosity and cleared their confusion with his words.

    "Once we get there, I''ll brief you on the critical things you need to keep in mind while exploring the lesser dimension. While it might not fully prepare you for the dangers inside the lesser dimension, I dare say it could very well save your lives," Marshall added.

    Val wondered what important thing he could tell them that would be an immense help in the lesser dimension.

    Rustle!

    Suddenly, as they were moving through the dense forest, a bear with striking stripes across its fur burst out of the dense and thick foliage of the Verdent Deepwood Forest and came charging towards them. It was enormous, towering like a small hill.

    "It''s a striped mana bear."

    The onlookers sucked in a cold breath at the sight of it.

    The striped mana bear was amongst the strongest dwellers of the forest. It was a rare and powerful level 60 beast. It posed a significant threat even to level 6 bloodline users. Not only did it possess immense physical strength, but it also had magical abilities. One of its most feared attacks was the "Elemental Roar," which allowed it to channel elemental energy through its vocal cords and unleash a devastating shockwave of mixed elements like fire, ice, and lightning, which could easily eradicate an army of low-level bloodline user.

    It was truly a force to be reckoned with, at least for them.

    The bear suddenly stopped, stood up on its hind legs, and opened its massive jaws wide. It was a sign that it was preparing to let out its fearsome Elemental Roar. If it sessfully pulled it off, a majority of their group would be annihted.

    ''I can''t allow it to happen.''

    Marshall, sensing the urgency of the situation, didn''t hesitate before taking the risky maneuver of vaulting off his fire-tailed steed, shooting straight towards the bear like a swift and deadly arrow and kicking it squarely in the chest.

    Marshall''s kick was so strong it instantly lifted the bear off its feet and hurled it backward through the air with tremendous force.

    It crashed through several trees, splintering trunks and snapping branches, before finallying to a rest on the forest floor.

    Ity there, thoroughly disoriented, unable to muster the strength to move even an inch. The sheer power of Marshall''s kick had rendered it incapacitated.

    ''He is petty, but he has the quality of a leader,'' Val praised him in his mind as Marshall''s quick action had averted a catastrophe, saving the lives of his expedition members.

    ''Anyways, I should always make a move. Marshall is handing valuable resources to me on a silver tter. It will be quite regretful if I don''t take it.''

    Val unsheathed Voidyer from the scabbard that hung at his waist. The scabbard was a heartfelt gift from Eliana to him. To honor her and show that he valued her, he had decided to make her gift the permanent home for his sword, tying it to his side.

    With the sword in hand, he vaulted off his steed just like Marshal and leaped out from the group, his emotionless eyes locked onto the disoriented bear.

    He had a specific reason for jumping into this fray: he wanted to steal the kill from Marshall. Normally, taking on a beast of this level would be unthinkable for him, but the situation was different today. The bear was already weakened by Marshall''s powerful strike, making it vulnerable and easier to defeat. And Val knew that if he could finish off this formidable creature, there could be significant rewards awaiting him, though he didn''t know exactly what they might be. Thus, he dared to take this risk.

    As Val shot towards the creature like a cannonball, he tightened his grip on Voidyer and thrust it forward with a focused strike.

    Many in the group held their breath; they knew the bear''s hide was incredibly resilient, akin to rank-3 cursed artifacts. It was so strong that even the attack of a powerful warrior like Marshall failed to shatter its bones.

    Thus, no one thought Val''s de could do more than scratch the surface.

    But then, one unbelievable thing after another happened.

    First off, lightning bolts burst out of Val''s sword, catching the Striped Mana Bear off guard. They stabbed into its eyes, blinding it and overwhelming it with pain, further disorienting it and making it impossible for it to do anything to dodge or block Val''s actual attack that was aimed at its life.

    As a result, Val''s sword not only pierced the bear''s formidable exterior but did it with uncanny precision. So precise was the strike he struck the bear with that the de found its way straight to the creature''s heart.

    "Voidyer, it''s time to feast," Val mentallymunicated to the spirit sword through the mysterious connection they shared. "Enjoy its blood to your heart''s master.

    "Yes, master!"

    An awe-inspiring scene unfolded: Voidyer began devouring all the blood inside the heart of the Striped Mana Bear as well as all the blooding towards it, causing the creature''s heart to turn a ghastly shade of white.

    This also filled the sword''s ''rage meter,'' thereby making its first special and active ability, the Crimson sh skill, avable for use.

    Although he could have ended the battle immediately, Val decided to not use this trump card to further damage the bear, as he was convinced that the bear would not survive for long, not with an empty circtory system. He just needed to survive till then.

    He pulled out his sword from the Striped Mana Bear and decided to create some distance between them. However, before he could even start moving away from it, the beast let out a deafening roar.

    Whoosh!

    In a desperatest effort, the beast swung its massive w toward Val with such speed it tore through the air and raised shockwaves.

    The beast knew it was on itsst legs, but it had the resolve to take at least one enemy down with it!

    The situation looked so dire for Val that the onlookers thought Val was done for; after all, the beast''s attack was swift andunched from extremely close to Val.

    Even a level 6 bloodline warrior would have found it challenging to evade if they were attacked by a Striped Mana Bear from such a range and at such speed, let alone Val, who was just a level 3.

    Clea also wished that Val would die under the paw of the beast.

    But he and the others have clearly underestimated him.

    Val had multiple bloodline skills that directly and instantly boosted his stats. If he activated them, he would be faster than a level 6 warrior. But his sixth sense was telling him he wasn''t in a desperate situation. He didn''t need to go all out and expose his true strength to the onlookers. He also didn''t do it as it might cause Clea to give up on the assassination altogether.

    And as he expected, just as the bear''s w was about to tear him to shred, something unexpected happened.

    A surge of soul power emanated from Oliver.

    It was so strong that it was discernible even from a distance.

    Bam!

    An echoing reverberation rang out as this burst of power from him rocketed through the air and collided with the bear''s enormous paw, failing to halt it, but managing to to veer it off its intended trajectory.

    Val sensed the shift in the beast attack caused by Oliver and, seizing the moment, tilted his body ever so slightly.

    As a result, the w of the beast missed him by inches!

    "Finish it!" Marshallmanded him in a voice that cut through the tension like a knife.

    The order he had given to Val was clear, and the room for error was nonexistent.

    ''It is time for me to end this encounter, one way or another,'' Val thought.

    Before the bear could react or make another move, Val already shed out with his sword.

    Voidyer was a unique spirit sword as it had a special passive spatial ability that allowed it to ignore all forms of defense of any creature.

    So, when he swung it at the bear''s neck, the sword went through as if the beast''s tough hide and flesh were made of paper as if the beast''s copper-like veins and steel-like bones were non-existent.

    The bear''s head was cleanly severed from its body by a single swing of Val''s sword.

    The monster didn''t even get the chance to let out a final, agonizing roar before it was eliminated!

 Chapter 261 258: Marshalls Familiar

    Chapter 261 258: Marshall''s Familiar

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Host. You have in a Level 62 Striped Mana Bear.]

    [You have gained 8000 Experience points. Due to the level difference, you have gained an additional 8000 EXP for killing it.]

    [Rewards Obtained: Essence of Despair, Orb of Elemental Mastery, Elixir of the Forgotten King.

    Val was already aware of the effect of the Essence of Despair as he had received it while hunting beasts and devils in the Shadow Valley, and he had sold it to a lucky someone when he visited the treasure pavilion of the Northern Frontier''s Lower City.

    The Essence of Despair was an item with a very rare effect. It could fortify the mental resistance of any person who consumes it and survives the act. A strong mental resistance provided a crucial advantage to people who relied on elixirs to upgrade their bloodline, which included the majority of the bloodline users. It also provided a crucial advantage in battles that involved mind-altering effects, the force of corruption, or psychic attacks. Thus, it was highly sought after by bloodline users and wizards alike.

    Val didn''t consider the Essence of Despair valuable as it couldn''t help him increase his mental strength due to his traits.

    However, its true value wasn''t lost on him.

    After all, he had sold the previous one for a whopping 10k contribution points to the Lower City''s Chief Chronicler just recently.

    The old man had also told him that if he acquired such an item again in the future, he shoulde straight to him, and he would purchase it from him for the same amount.

    Basically, it made him 10k cp richer!

    Val didn''t know the effect of the other two items he was gifted by the system for defeating a level 62 beast, so he looked at the semi-transparent screen that showed them and cast detect.

    Two more screens containing detailed information about the new and foreign items popped up in front of him.

    [Name: Orb of Elemental Mastery]

    [Description: This orb allows a wizard without an elemental affinity to permanently gain an affinity with a chosen element.]

    [Name: Elixir of the King of Kings]

    [Description: It grants the user a temporary boost in physical and magical strength and a special skill called absorption upon consumption. When absorption is in effect, any attack the consumer makes and sessfullynds on his enemy will absorb a portion of the enemy''s strength, enhancing the consumer''s own capabilities. When the effect ends, the consumer''s strength will return to normal, but the enemy will remain weakened.]

    Val read their description and thought both the items were good. However, the Elixir of the King of Kings was better than the Orb of Elemental Mastery in his personal opinion. After all, he could use it to gain an unfair advantage in any battle. As for the Orb of Elemental Mastery, he had no use for it, at least for now.

    The items appeared directly in the inventory of his system. He could take it out from there with a simple grab-and-pull action.

    Thus, It wasn''t known to the rest of the group that Val had made a fortune by ying the level 62 beast. They still thought it was foolish for him to intervene in their battle as Marshall was going to monopolize everything and all the effort he had put into ying the beast would go unrewarded.

    "What are we waiting here for?" Clea impatiently asked Marshall.

    If it was someone else who had spoken to him in such a manner, Marshall would have pped them so hard they would fly back to the frontier, but he couldn''t treat Clea with such respect as he was the son of the lower city''s lord and the grandson of the lower city''s grand master who was also the chief chronicler.

    "The corpse of a level 62 beast is nothing short of a treasure. Leaving it here is a bit of a waste."

    So Marshall decided to do something about it.

    "Hurry up," Clea told Marshall and looked away.

    Marshall opened a scroll adorned with intricate runes. He bit his thumb, drawing out blood. He then smeared the blood trickling down his thumb onto the scroll.

    Instantly, it lit up, summoning a humanoid, wide and tall treant.

    The treant had bark that resembled aged oak, with moss for its beard and leaves sprouting like hair.

    "You have summoned me for?" the treant looked deeply at Marshall and asked.

    "Deliver this corpse to my residence at the Frontier," Marshallmanded the treant.

    "What''s in it for me?"

    The treant asked him skeptically.

    "You can have its blood "

    Marshall replied to it.

    The blood of beasts, especially high-level ones, was exceedingly valuable to tree spirits.

    They could use it to nourish themselves, speeding up their growth, and it was a known fact that the more they grew, the stronger they became. It wasn''t losing out in this deal.

    Marshall was confident that with such an offer, the treant wouldn''t refuse.

    "Alright, I will do it."

    The treant agreed to fulfill hismand, just as he had anticipated.

    "Take the main entrance. The guards at the gates know you''re my contracted spirit, so they won''t stop you from entering the lower city," Marshall informed it.

    "I understand."

    In a sh, the treant picked up the giant corpse and headed towards the Frontier like a gust of wind.

    Val watched the treant''s swift departure and felt a bit unsettled.

    Despite its size, the treant moved as fast as the tentacle of the giant squid he had encountered in the Forest of Dread. It was a stark reminder that he wasn''t the only one with trump cards up his sleeve.

    ''I can''t afford to offend people like Marshall who are close to ascending to the advanced stage and have an influential position in the kingdom,'' Val thought to himself.

    He have finally realized he needed to tread more carefully than ever if he wanted to survive and thrive in this part of the kingdom that was overloaded with experts.

    This also brought a change in the way he would deal with Clea and his group if he encountered them in the lesser dimension.

 Chapter 262 259: An overview of the plan to assassinate Oliver

    Chapter 262 259: An overview of the n to assassinate Oliver

    "Alright, now that we''ve resolved this unexpected encounter, let''s continue on our journey."

    Marshall announced to the group as he vaulted gracefully onto the back of his fire-tailed steed with practiced ease.

    Val also hopped onto his own horse before he turned to Oliver, who was sitting on the horse parallel to his, and said, "Thank you. If not for your timely intervention, I would''ve been in quite a pickle."

    The rewards for killing a level 60+ beast had

    appeared more lucrative to Val than whatever he might earn from defeating Clea and his group of assassins if he came across them in the lesser dimension.

    Thus, despite the risk of exposing his true strength to the rest of the group��and thereby perhaps deterring Clea from attempting to assassinate Oliver in the lesser dimension��Val had chosen to attack the beast weakened by Marshall''s disastrous kick.

    Thanks to Oliver''s unexpected aid, Val had managed not only to kill the formidable creature but also to keep his own strength a secret from the rest of the group.

    This meant that Clea had no reason to alter his assassination ns, and that was invaluable to Val as it also meant that the efforts he had put into this n of his so far hadn''t gone to waste.

    It was still in y.

    It could be said that Oliver had really helped him a great deal this time!

    "Don''t mention it," Oliver spoke to Val with a warm smile on his face. "We''re literally brothers under the same banner of the Destiny Walkers. If I can''t step in to help you when you need it the most, what face would I have left to assist others who are strangers to me?"

    Val responded vaguely.

    He was using Oliver''s misfortune to himself a fortune, and yet Oliver had shown him nothing but sincerity and kindness.

    His consciousness took a blow, nagging at him, making him feel more ufortable by the minute

    Now that he was already above a level where not just anything could kill him, he was no longer desperate enough to take advantage of someone as naive, gullible, and genuine as Oliver, who has been nothing but good to him, to grow stronger. He felt the same towards Eliana.

    It just didn''t sit well with him.

    ''Once all of this is over, I''m going to set some new rules for myself. I won''t entertain any ideas where I have to put Oliver''s life at risk just to line my own pockets. It''s not right, and I can''t let it continue. I will also be more sincere towards her.''

    Val made a silent vow then and there. He would be good to those who showed him sincerity and kindness, starting with Oliver and Eliana. It was a small but significant decision that marked a change in his approach to rtionships and life itself.

    .....

    Marshall led his horse deeper into the forest, and the others followed suit, each riding their own steeds as they continued on their journey to the lesser dimension.

    Meanwhile, Ron had grown visibly concerned after seeing Val effortlessly take down a Striped Mana Bear. "Clea, should we reconsider our ns? We didn''t anticipate Val being strong enough to defeat a level 60 beast. We haven''t made the proper arrangements to deal with someone of his caliber," he hesitantly voiced out his fears to Clea.

    Clea offered a reassuring smile to Ron. He was clearly unshaken by this development. "Ron, you worry too much. We don''t need to change our n because of him. The Striped Mana Bear was already heavily injured by Marshall before Val even began to fight it. Not to mention, during that skirmish, Val would''ve just been another notch on that beast''s kill count if it hadn''t been for Oliver''s help. Moreover, the way he killed it is suspicious. It''s obvious hecks the strength to prate its defenses. So, it must be that sword that let him kill it. Being able to prate the defense of a level 60+ beast suggests that it''s a rank-2 artifact at the very least. But that artifact won''t help him if he can''t get close to us. So, there''s no need to be cautious around him. After all, no matter how strong he is, against a group of dark wizards and the two of us, he will be like a fish on a chopping board. If he decides to stick his neck where it doesn''t belong, he''ll be beheaded alongside Oliver."

    After learning that Val could not only navigate the perilous terrain of Shadow Valley but also sessfully hunt there, Clea had became increasingly concerned. He felt that if Oliver had Val''s assistance in the lesser dimension, their original n to assassinate Oliver would almost certainly fail. With this in mind, Clea had decided that he couldn''t rely solely on his and Ron''s abilities toplete the mission of assassinating Oliver and that they needed additional firepower to make it possible.

    Thus, he discreetly made his way to a seedy part of the city and enlisted the help of a group of dark wizards who specialized in assassination.

    Now, dark wizards are a particr subset of magical practitioners. These individuals have been ostracized and emunicated from the wizardmunity due to criminal behavior or hical magical practices. They usually live in hiding and are willing to undertake dangerous and morally dubious tasks for the right price.

    Clea, however, was very selective in whom he hired. He didn''t bring on board anyone ranked higher than a low-level wizard. The reason for this was simple but chilling: Clea had orders from his immediate higher-up and the person he had sworn loyalty to to eliminate everyone involved in the assassination operation, sessful or not. This directive even included Ron, his right-hand man. The goal was to remove any and all evidence that could possibly link back to Leon and him as the masterminds behind Oliver''s assassination. It was a measure to ensure their tracks were impably covered, thereby leaving no room for the invigtor of the Thunderspear Tribe to suspect Leon''s involvement.

    This level of precaution was necessary because Oliver wasn''t an ordinary member of the Thunderspear Tribe. He was far more important. Oliver was the direct descendant of the Thunder Lord, the current chief of the tribe. To make matters even more sensitive, Oliver was the sole student of Lord Lucious, a highly influential figure. The death of someone with such connections would not go unnoticed. It would trigger an immediate and thorough investigation, and if any foul y were detected, those responsible would not just be facing severe punishment; they would be courting certain death.

    To minimize the risk, Leon decided that the assassination should take ce in a dimension where conducting an investigation was almost impossible and only two people should know the full extent of the operation��himself and Clea.

    Even if they somehow be the primary suspects, without solid evidence, they could not be touched. Lord Lucious might be powerful, but he couldn''t act recklessly. There were plenty of advanced-level bloodline users in the kingdom who wouldn''t hesitate to unite and take him down if he acted without proper justification.

    "You make a strong point, but there''s another issue. I''ve been watching the dark wizards we''ve hired for the assassination, and theirmitment seems to be waning. They''re having second thoughts. If we don''t do anything to keep them on board, it wouldn''t be a surprise if they suddenly pull out of the expedition and run away." Ron''s expression was tinged with worry as he spoke to Clea.

    "Just tell them what I told you. Also, add that whoevernds the finishing blow on the target and his assistant will get to keep their most valuable item. That should be enough to keep themmitted," Clea said to Ron while disying his typical cool demeanor.

    "Understood," Ron replied obediently.

    He had no idea that he was just a disposable pawn in Clea''s grand n, expendable once he''d outlived his usefulness!

    "Don''t waste any more time. Speak with them right away. Strengthen their resolve before they decide to do something foolish," Clea instructed. "We can''t afford for them to lose their nerve and mess this up."

    Ron responded with a nod, "Yes, I''ll handle it right away."

    With Clea''s instructions in mind, he rode back to the rear of the group and engaged the dark wizards in conversation, sessfully suppressing their fears and ensuring they remainedmitted to the mission at hand.

 Chapter 263 260: The Lesser Dimension

    Chapter 263 260: The Lesser Dimension

    Following the encounter with the Striped Mana Bear, which ended with Val strengthening his reputation as the second most powerful member of the group right after Marshall, the group finished their half an hour long journey through the dense forest toward the lesser dimension without encountering any additional beasts, a clear sign that the group''s formidablebined strength and numbers was enough to deter any local wildlife of the first four regions of the Verdent Deepwood forest to prey on then, ensuring not only that there were no losses among their ranks, but also reinforcing the perception that they were a force too strong and too numerous to be trifled with.

    The group found themselves gazing in awe at a massive, dome-like structure that loomed ahead as they pulled the reins on their horses and came to a stop. They dismounted in a synchronized fashion, their attention fixated on the mysterious structure before them.

    "Is this the awe-inspiring gateway that leads to the lesser dimension? It''s unlike anything I''ve ever seen." Someone in the group finally broke the silence that had overtaken the ce as he asked Marshall a question.

    Marshall, who had been silently observing the group''s reactions, nodded affirmatively. With an air of authority, he borated, "Yes, indeed, this is the entrance. The structure you see here is sustained by a set ofws generated by the Core of Corruption. It serves as both a gateway and a barrier. Its unique properties are designed to keep intermediate and advanced-level bloodline users from entering the lesser dimension.

    "In other words, only low-level bloodline users can pass through it and enter or exit the lesser dimension. And let me tell you, this barrier is so incredibly strong that not even an advanced-level bloodline user would be able to put a dent in it."

    Everyone absorbed this information silently.

    Val, who had been particrly quiet, suddenly spoke up. "So, if I understand correctly, destroying this Core of Corruption would effectively dismantle the barrier, thereby allowing you, Sir Marshall, to go in and clean up, so to speak?"

    His eyebrows furrowed in deep thought as he questioned Marshall

    Marshall looked at Val, appreciating the sharpness of his inquiry. Then he gave a response to him, "Exactly, you''ve hit the nail on the head. Once the Core of Corruption is destroyed and the barrier is neutralized, I''ll take over. My role is to eliminate any remaining threats and monsters inside the lesser dimension."

    Marshall said this with utmost confidence. It wasn''t simply that he thought he could take on the monsters of the lesser dimension; he spoke as if he already knew the oue as if he had no doubt that he could single-handedly confront and defeat all the menacing creatures that lurked within.

    Val felt a tinge of excitement bubble up within him at the prospect of seeing a true powerhouse in action. Witnessing Marshall go head-to-head with the mysterious denizens of the lesser dimension would not only be thrilling but also educational. Val believed that this experience would also give him a clearer understanding of where he stood on thedder of strength that defined their kingdom''s hierarchy.

    "Sir Marshall," another member of the group interjected, breaking the brief silence that had fallen over them. "You said earlier that you''d share some crucial insights with us as we stand on the threshold of the lesser dimension. Is this the appropriate time for that discussion?"

    It was Ron who was speaking. Marshall liked the fact that he was speaking formally to him, unlike his master. Hence, he didn''t intentionally make trouble for him.

    Instead, Marshall nodded at him, "You''re correct. I did say that, and now seems like the perfect time for it."

    "First and foremost, be prepared for the possibility of being randomly teleported once you step through its entrance. You might find yourself separated from the group. If that happens, resist the urge to immediately seek out others. Firing off a re or making any sort of spectacle to reveal your location to the members of your group could jeopardize your life. If you make a loud enough noise, your allies won''t be the only entities drawn to you; the monsters of this realm wille looking as well."

    Marshall warned them with a grim expression.

    "Do you understand?"

    Marshall asked.

    "Yes, we do."

    Most of the members of the group nodded in unison.

    Marshall cleared his throat, then heunched into a detailed exnation about the things one must and mustn''t do in the lesser dimension.

    "Secondly, make sure you''re careful about leaving tracks. The inhabitants of the lesser dimension aren''t your run-of-the-mill forest creatures; they''re often smarter than trained hunting dogs in our own world. If they notice any signs that someone foreign has entered their territory, they''ll investigate. Their curiosity knows no bounds, and they won''t stop until they''ve tracked down the source of their intrigue. They often move in groups, so you''re done for if you make a mistake and they get on your case."

    Marshall took a breath, scanning the faces around him to ensure he had their undivided attention before continuing.

    "Now, let''s talk about the third point. Dimensions like this one are hotbeds of the unusual and the bizarre. If you encounter something that defies your understanding, don''t waste precious moments contemting it. Making sense of the inexplicable is thest thing you wanna do in a dimension, trust me."

    "Then... What should we do?" Oliver asked.

    "Either run or take proactive action. If youe across something that defies understanding in the dimension and just stand there in awe or confusion, it will very well result in your death," Marshall answered.

    "Fourth, lesser dimensions are also rife with odd and inexplicable phenomena. If you find yourself ensnared in one of these strange situations, don''t panic. Instead, focus on understanding the phenomenon you''re entangled in. That''s the key to surviving it. The better you grasp the rules andw of the odd phenomena, the greater your chances are of getting out of it with your life intact."

 Chapter 264 261: The Lesser Dimension

    Chapter 264 261: The Lesser Dimension

    "Lastly, you should know that devils often make dimensions their hunting grounds. If you sense that you''re being pursued by one, do not, I repeat, do not confront it unless you''re certain of its abilities and have the utmost confidence in your ability to defeat it."

    Marshall''s voice carried an authoritative weight, making it clear that this was not advice to be taken lightly. Everyone absorbed his words with serious faces, fully aware that their very survival might depend on heeding his wisdom that he have selflessly shared with them as they prepared to take the next perilous steps into the lesser dimension.

    Val, after listening intently to Marshall''s thorough advice on navigating the dangers of the lesser dimension, feltpelled to explore a lingering question in his mind.

    "Sir Marshall, you''ve told us a lot about what to expect and how to protect ourselves against the dangers of the lesser dimensions. But there''s one thing that''s been bothering me. Say someone in our group is really unlucky enough to encounter a devil in the lesser dimension, and they do not know whether they are strong enough to take it on. What would be their best course of action to avoid losing their life?" he asked.

    Marshall looked Val squarely in the eye, seemingly pleased by the thoughtful question.

    "If you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation, the first thing you should do is seek shelter. Find a cave, an alcove, or any kind of enclosure. Then hang the protective talisman I gave you at the entrance. This should create an invisible barrier strong enough to keep a devil from entering, saving your life in the process." Marshall replied curtly.

    Marshall then took a deep breath and scanned the faces of everyone in the group.

    "Well, I believe that covers everything I wanted to share. It''s time for you to take action and invade the lesser dimension. I wish you all the best of luck."

    After that, the group charged into the massive, dome-like structure that served as the gateway to the lesser dimension and vanished from sight.

    Oliver and Val also followed suit.

    Just as they were about to cross the threshold, Val suddenly raised his voice to call out to Oliver, who was a few steps ahead. "Oliver, wait up a second!"

    At that very moment, Val also tossed an object through the air toward him.

    Oliver stopped in his tracks and turned sharply at the sound of his name, his eyes meeting Val''s just in time to see something being tossed toward him.

    Reacting quickly, Oliver caught the object out of the air and looked down at his palm to see a finely crafted white ring.

    Curious but also a bit puzzled, Oliver looked back at Val and inquired, "What''s the meaning of this? Why are you giving me a ring now?"

    Val gave Oliver a serious butforting look.

    "Put it on. It''s a lucky charm that will help me get to you if we get separated in the lesser dimension," Val responded to him.

    Oliver slid it onto his forefinger. The ring seemed to fit perfectly, almost as if it were custom-made for him.

    Actually, Lucious didn''t have children of his own, but he considered Oliver as his own son. He was overprotective of him. He had hand-made the Tracker using the materials he had collected over the years with the intention of wearing the ck ring himself and making Oliver wear the white ring so that he would be there for him when he needed him the most.

    However, as he couldn''t apany Oliver in the lesser dimension, he let Val have it.

    Just as Oliver wore the ring, a notification materialized in Val''s field of vision.

    [The condition to activate the effect of the Cursed Item ''Tracker'' has been met.]

    [You, the owner of the ck ring, have gained the active ability to track the wearer of the white ring at any time. The ability can be activated by infusing soul power into the ck ring.]

    Curious to see how it worked, Val poured his soul power into the ring.

    The ring only devoured a few units of it before it worked its magic.

    A semi-transparent screen appeared before him, disying a terrain with a white dot on it.

    The terrain closely resembled the area they were currently in, and he intuitively understood that the white dot symbolized Oliver''s location. Moreover, noticing that no one else reacted to the screen, he surmised that only he could see it.

    "Well, that''s certainly good to know," Val thought, feeling a sense of relief that the Tracker would not draw unwanted attention.

    "Thank you."

    A heartfelt gratitude was evident in Oliver''s expression as he spoke to Val. It honestly meant a lot to him that Val would go to such lengths to be of help to him. He was the second person besides his master who cared so much about him.

    The people he was connected to by blood couldn''t wait to get rid of me, but this person who was once just a stranger to him was doing so much to help him

    Oliver sighed in heart. His own father never batted an eye when he was bullied and injured and his second brother was aiming for his life. Val, on the other hand, was dead set on helping him survive the assassination and live through difficult times. He was like the elder brother he always wished he had.

    ''Now that I think about it, he has fulfilled a wish of mine.''

    Val didn''t know but he have gave Oliver another reason to feel indebted to him.

    "Like you said the previous time you helped me, who would I help if not a fellow Destiny walker?" Val said, earning a chuckle from Olver.

    Oliver then took a deep, steadying his breath and then he stepped into the lesser dimension through its massive entrance.

    Immediately, Val too passed through the dome to enter the lesser dimension.

    As a result, the world around him blurred and shifted in an instant, leaving him momentarily bewildered as he found himself transported to an entirely different location within the lesser dimension.

 Chapter 265 262: Forest of Hypnosis

    Chapter 265 262: Forest of Hypnosis

    Val blinked his eyes several times, rapidly clearing the fog of disorientation that had clouded his vision. Once his vision cleared up, he looked around with heightened alertness, his eyes darting from one point to another to take in every detail of his immediate surroundings.

    He found himself standing in a secluded, almost magical, patch of forest. Thousands of luminous mushrooms carpeted the ground around him, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated the space in an otherworldly light. Above, the night sky was a spectacle in itself. A crescent moon, its outline partly veiled by rolling dark clouds, dominated the celestial scene. Stars, twinkling like tiny diamonds, added a sparkling ent to the dark expanse of the sky.

    While the scenery was undeniably captivating, something within Val told him not to get too lost in its beauty.

    A saying from Earth echoed in his mind: the more beautiful something in nature is, the more dangerous it could potentially be. It was a principle that had served him well in the past and one he was not about to disregard, especially in this foreignndscape.

    Besides, exercising caution was especially important when encountering the unfamiliar. After all, being cautious allows one to better assess the situation, understand potential risks, and make informed decisions that minimize harm or danger.

    Not to mention, he felt a weird tingling sensation in both his eyes and brain a few seconds after he appeared in this part of the forest. This was basically his sixth sense signaling to him that something was not quite right with the forest he had found himself in.

    Thus, he didn''t let his guard down, vigntly surveying his surroundings for any sign of danger.

    Val''s sixth sense was urgently alerting him that he was in danger, and after thoroughly scrutinizing his surroundings, he saw nothing but the mushrooms; this led him to suspect that these warm, glowing fungi, emitting a green light so pleasant to the eyes that it almost felt rxing, might actually be the source of the looming threat he sensed.

    Val decided to employ his ''detect'' spell on the mushrooms to confirm if they were as harmless as they appeared.

    Almost immediately, a semi-transparent screen materialized in front of him.

    [System Notification: "Luminous Entrapment Mushrooms detected. The light emitted by these fungi has a hypnotic effect. Gazing at the glow for more than 15 seconds will render the viewer entranced, immobilizing them. Prolonged exposure will result in permanent transformation into one of these fungi, making them an eternal part of this forest.]

    ''I was right all along. Had I not exercised caution from the very start, these seemingly benign mushrooms could''ve been the end of me!''

    Val had been in this forest for seven seconds already, and his eyes had been open for those seconds, meaning he had been exposed to their glow for that amount of time too.

    It also meant that if he continued looking at them for 8 more seconds, he would lose himself in their hypnotizing allure and eventually be another mushroom in this part of the forest!

    To avoid this, Val immediately closed shut his eyes.

    Just then, a valuable thought crossed his mind.

    He reflected on what Marshall had said before they entered the lesser dimension.

    Marshall had warned them about the strange and dangerous aspects of this ce but had also cautioned them against trying to understand them.

    Val thought about what he had just faced and realized that Marshall was both right and wrong in his advice.

    Indeed, the lesser dimension was filled with bizarre phenomena, but Marshall''s advice to not try and understand them was a double-edged sword.

    On the one hand, the advice made sense for the average person who, unlike Val, might not have the quick analytical skills to assess threats. Lingering around trying to make sense of the unknown in the lesser dimension could be fatal to them. On the other hand, the opposite could be said for the people who have the skills to quickly understand whatever they set their sight on like Val.

    ''Some of Marshall''s advice is only good for people whock skills like ''Detect'', not me. I shouldn''t blindly follow them.''

    Val thought to himself before he began to think about how he should navigate the tricky situation he was in.

    He could navigate through the forest with his eyes closed using the skills he had learned in his past life, but doing something like this would be akin to suicide if devils or simr creatures were lurking in the forest.

    He would be in great danger if he moved through the forest blindly. At that point, getting to safe ground in one piece would depend on his luck, and he wasn''t lucky in recent days, taking into ount his encounter with the three-headed dog, the Nameless and the Fog that almost jeopardized his life. So he definitely couldn''t take actions that relied on luck to seed.

    Using his "Heavenly Eye" skill would also put him at risk, as it would allow him to see the glow of the mushrooms despite his eyes being closed.

    He had already looked at them for seven seconds; he could only stare at them for seven more seconds. Any more than that, and it wouldpletely enthrall him.

    ''These seven seconds are extremely precious. I can''t afford to waste them.''

    ''Is there no other way to safely navigate the forest without using my eyes?''

    Val pondered for another minute before a sensible idea shed in his mind.

    ''Why not use the same skill that Oliver used to sense his surroundings?''

    Val decided to go for it as it seemed like a good idea. Since it came from him, how could it be bad?

    He activated his wizardry. His arcane heart released a torrent of soul power that spread through his body and outwards in the form of hundreds of thin, long threads.

    These threads acted as extensions of his senses; whatever they touched, he could feel and identify!

 Chapter 266 263: The Eerie figures in the shadows of the trees!

    Chapter 266 263: The Eerie figures in the shadows of the trees!

    Oliver had used this skill once or twice in his presence, yet Val had learned it from observing him. This showed that hisprehensive ability was far greater than the average man.

    "So this is what it feels like."

    Val was being fed information about his surroundings by the soul threads that were spread throughout the forest but also connected to him.

    This information told him where obstacles and traps were in the forest.

    As a result, he easily avoided the pitfalls and hazards that he would have otherwise stumbled into as he moved through the fungi-infested part of the forest with his eyes closed.

    Val was getting closer and closer to leaving the patch of the forest with the mushrooms when suddenly the threads made of his soul power came in contact with several things that were indescribable but chilly, and the sensations traveled back to him.

    Before he even had the time to interpret what these strange forms could be, they began to absorb the soul power that he had extended outward in the form of thin threads.

    This would have given Val quite a fright if not for his Unfeeling Trait blocking it all out, allowing him to keep his rationality. As he was able to stay rational even in this situation, Val took quick but well-thought-out action.

    In order to protect himself, he severed the flow of his soul power, effectively disconnecting the threads that had beentched onto by these unidentified beings. This move had its downsides, of course; now he was blind to his environment in a sense, unable to use his soul power to feel out his surroundings, but the alternative��having his soul power drained by the unknown entities and potentially copsing from the side effects of soul power exhaustion��was far worse, and he saved himself from it, so it was a good move.

    ''I managed to save myself, but at what cost? I''m back to square one, and this time I don''t have the time toe up with a reasonable n.''

    Val sighed in his heart.

    He decided to open his eyes for a few seconds and see for himself what the things were that could even suck his soul power as the mushrooms won''t hypnotize him unless he looks at their glow for 8 whole seconds.

    Val cautiously opened his eyes, quickly spotting human-like figures in the forest. They were a considerable distance away from him, lurking in the shadows among the trees, but their green and pale grey eyes were staring straight towards him menacingly.

    At first nce, hepletely ruled out the possibility that they were part of his original expedition into the lesser dimension. These figures were translucent and had features that could only be described as horrifying. Their visages were twisted in unsettling ways, suggesting that they were far from ordinary creatures.

    Either belong to a category of entities known as either the Nameless or the Unknown or they were a unique breed of devils with the ability to consume soul power, an energy generally considered harmful to such beings.

    ''Whatever they are, won''t I find out after using my Detect ability?''

    But then, just as he was about to cast Detect, something unexpected urred.

    The figures vanished from his sight without a trace. But almost immediately, they reappeared in different locations within the forest. Not only that, they were now significantly closer to him than they had been just moments before.

    This unsettling development led Val to an unnerving realization: these entities seemed capable of perceiving his intentions. They were able to somehow sense that he was about to use Detect on them and had taken countermeasures to thwart his n.

    Otherwise, it wouldn''t have been possible!

    ''Detect won''t be effective against these strange figures.''

    Val believed that they would simply disappear from his vision if he tried to cast Detect, thus making it ineffective. He had to rely on other methods to deal with them.

    They reminded him of devils in some respects, their eerie and terrifying features made that much clear. Val believed that the defensive shield generated by the talisman he carried would be sufficient protection against them. But for the talisman to truly work its magic, he needed to find an enclosed space, ideally with just one entrance or exit.

    In a forest, a cave would be such a ce.

    Without hesitating, Val activated his heavenly eye skill to scan his surroundings for a cave. He found one not too far from where he stood. To guide himself to it, he stretched out tendrils of his soul power towards the cave, almost likeying down a thread to follow through abyrinth.

    Satisfied with his preparations, Val closed his eyes and deactivated his heavenly eye skill to prevent the hypnotic effect of the mushrooms from fucking him over.

    Then, he used his soul power to sense obstacles in his immediate surroundings only and also activated all his bloodline skills that would enhance his physical stats��speed, agility, and strength��and began to run towards the cave.

    Although his eyes were closed and he couldn''t see a thing, his soul power helped him navigate through the forest with rtive ease, allowing him to sidestep roots, dodge low-hanging branches as well as scenarios where he would make a fool out of himself by running into mushrooms and trees, and avoid tripping over treacherous vines thaty like traps on the forest floor.

    The eerie figures watched silently as he moved further and further away, but a hint of anger could be seen in their eyes. Suddenly, they teleported, appearing closer to him than before, making it clear that the chase was far from over!

    The faster he moved, the more they teleported. They teleported again and again, getting ever closer to him.

    As he neared the cave, they teleported for the fourth time.

    A sudden sensation of warm breath tickled the nape of his neck. Even without turning his head, he knew with every fiber of his being that they were there, standing directly behind him!

 Chapter 267 264: To safety (2in1)

    Chapter 267 264: To safety (2in1)

    The tense situation Val found himself in had escted to a perilous point, yet not a single wave of fear washed over him, thanks to his Unfeeling Trait.

    But something else happened; something so unexpected that it left him deeply disturbed.

    The moment their breath touched his skin, an overwhelming sense of fatigue surged through his body.

    This sensation was unlike anything he had felt before.

    It was as if his vitality, which was extremely abundant, was being drained away, leaving him teetering on the edge of physical and mental copse. It was a weird sensation, and he was certain that the weird entities were the cause of it.

    Suddenly, the system notification rang in his mind.

    [System Notification: "You have been touched by the Breath of the Withering Spirits. Your Stamina and HP have decreased significantly."]

    The name "Withering Spirits" was exactly suitable for these ghosts for their breath seemed to hold the power to wither away one''s very life force, leaving them drained and weakened.

    With the help of the notification, Val realized that their breath could sap his stamina and life force.

    He didn''t bother looking at his status screen to determine his condition; the mental and physical exhaustion he felt was proof enough that his stamina and HP bars were nearly depleted by their insidious attack.

    If he was touched by their breath again, he would die!

    A droplet of sweat trickled down Val''s sickly pale face. Death had never felt this close.

    Val''s mind shifted into overdrive.

    Since these haunting entities resembled humans in form, he spected that their breathing patterns might be simr to humans as well.

    In a state of rxed and normal breathing, a human typically takes three to five seconds toplete one full breathing cycle, which includes both inhaling and exhaling.

    Half a second had already passed since they exhaled a breath. That meant he only had approximately two seconds left to make it to the cave and hang the talisman, or else he would certainly die!

    He had to use these two seconds efficiently.

    He didn''t bother attacking them as it was already tried and tested that the soul power of a wizard, which was effective against the devil, doesn''t work against them. On top of that, there was no guarantee that his strongest offensive skill, the Hellfish Fist skill, would work against them. The chances were high that these eerie figures were impervious to any attack he could muster. There might be no way to forcefully kill them.

    Thus, he had never entertained the idea of using hisst bit of strength tounch another assault on them. Actually, if he was confident about winning against them, he wouldn''t have started running away from them in the first ce.

    The only thought in his mind was using Marshall''s strategy to survive the ghosts'' certain kill strike.

    Val''s eyes suddenly snapped open. He was in a grievous situation, but not a hint of panic could be seen on his face. Rather, an unprecedented amount of determination was reflected in his eyes.

    The ghosts needed 2 seconds to breathe again. He would use these 2 seconds in the most efficient and effective way to secure his life.

    A small cave was so close it was in his sight, its mouth gaping open as if inviting him to safety.

    If he reached it and hung the talisman at its entrance, while there was a 50% chance he would die at the hands of the Witherings, there was also a 50% chance he wouldn''t. It all depended on whether the power of the talisman was effective at keeping them at bay or not.

    The cave was separated from him by a distance of 20 meters.

    With his strength and speed, he calcted in a fraction of a second that he should be able to make it within the 2 seconds he had if he gave it his all. It was risky; he could very well copse from exhaustion once he reached the cave, but it was a risk he had to take as he had no other method of oveing their certain kill strike.

    Stomp!

    Val''s foot hit the ground so hard that it cracked open, sending out a shockwave thatunched him airborne and propelled him at breakneck speed straight into the safety of the cave.

    Eerily, at that same moment, the Withering ghosts vanished as if they were mirages dissolving in the wind. Their disappearance was so eerie it would send chills down one''s spine if they were to see it.

    Meanwhile, afternding inside the cave, Val''s muscles were crying out in agony, and his stamina was practically depleted. He was on the edge of copsing, but he had a very important thing to do. So he didn''t give in to the feeling.

    With the speed born of sheer necessity, he took off the mystical talisman that hung around his neck. Then, without wasting a second, he hung it at the entrance of the cave in a fluid motion. All of it happened in one-tenth of a second.

    [System Notification 1: Conditions to activate the talisman''s effect have been met.]

    [System Notification 2: A barrier that denies unauthorized entry to devils and lowers the strength of all devils inside of it has been erected around the cave.]

    This happened before they could reappear.

    The system notifications were followed by an event that filled him with a sense of triumph: the Withering ghosts reappeared, but this time they were on the outside of the cave. It was as if they had collided with an invisible wall.

    "They can''t breach the protective barrier generated by the talisman!"

    Val took a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh of relief.

    "My gamble worked. Itted me a fortune."

    Val grinned. There was no greater wealth in the world than one''s own life.

    Then the inevitable happened.

    Thud!

    Val''s legs gave way, and a dull thud sounded as he copsed to the ground butt-first

    As he sat there inside the cave, his eyelids started to droop, feeling as if they were made of lead and his consciousness blurred at the edges, teetering on the edge of oblivion. His stamina bar had emptied to nothing, making even the act of staying awake feel like an exhausting marathon.

    "I can''t just yet."

    Val went against the immense desire to fall asleep that was like a mountainous waterfall crashing down on him with sheer willpower alone and kept his eyes from closing, as he wasn''tpletely safe.

    The ghosts were standing outside the cave, staring at him in deathly silence. It seemed like they were nning something. Anyway, he couldn''t sit around and do nothing.

    Val immediately came up with a simple n.

    Before they could breach the defensive barrier set up by the talisman and reach him, he had to gain a better understanding of them using his Detect, to know their strengths and weaknesses.

    Once he had that knowledge, these beings would be less intimidating, less of an unknown, and easier to deal with.

    However, they had already disyed an uncanny ability to evade his attempts at scanning them. If he made it too obvious, they would teleport out of his sight before the skill could work its magic. He had to be clever this time around.

    He had to catch them off guard by fooling them with what he knew best, a skill he had honed to perfection back in the Ironspire Stronghold under the torturous guidance of his sick and twisted father.

    Acting.

    Summoning the image of absolute fear into his mind, he allowed tears to flow from his eyes, simting the appearance of absolute terror. He pulled his legs toward his chest and buried his face in his knees, mimicking the posture of someonepletely paralyzed by fear. For a few moments, he just stayed like that, letting the ghosts think they had broken him.

    To his relief, the ghosts seemed to buy his act as their guard lowered just a notch, but it was enough.

    It was the moment Val had been waiting for. While maintaining his defeated posture to keep them fooled, he stole a furtive, sideways nce at the creatures. It was a brief moment, barely a fraction of a second, but it was all he needed to make his Detect skill work as intended.

    And this time, they were caught off guard. For once, they didn''t disappear before his skill could take effect.

    His n to better understand them immediately bore fruit as a semi-transparent screen appeared in front of him. Information flooded Val''s senses, providing him with invaluable insights about the creatures.

    [Detect Sessful!]

    [Detected Entities - "Withering Devils."]

    [Danger level: 3]

    [Origin: These entities are born from the collective hatred and regret of a fallen civilization.]

    [Abilities: The Withering Devils possess the capability to designate an individual as their target. After sessfully teleporting five times around this target, they acquire the ability to reap the target''s soul.]

    [Immunities: The Withering Devils arepletely impervious to harm, whether it be soul-based, physical, magical, or spiritual.]

    [Weaknesses:

    1: They are vulnerable to elements designed specifically to grasp the soul.

    2: They are susceptible to being sealed or confined by barriers created through high-level ancient rituals or talismans with simr properties.

    3: If they fail to reap the soul of their designated target within a set time limit, they will suffer death due to the bacsh of their own power.]

    A grim smile spread across Val''s face.

    Now he knew what he was up against.

    He had to admit these Devils were formidable, no doubt about it, but they were not invincible. They had weaknesses that could be exploited to kill them!

    ''All I need to do is fight this intense urge to sleep, stay awake, and ensure they don''t break down the talisman''s barrier until their power backfires on them and they perish.''

    Val thought.

 Chapter 268 265: New Form!

    Chapter 268 265: New Form!

    Outside the cave, the Withering Devils raised their hands and channeled the collective hatred and regret that had spawned them into one spot, forming a concentrated vortex of dark energy that could destroy all manner of life.

    They then pushed their hands forward, hurling the vortex against the talisman''s barrier surrounding the cave with ferocious force.

    Boom!

    A deafening explosion sounded as the vortex mmed into it. The resulting impact was enormous, causing cracks to spiderweb across the invisible wall of energy surrounding the cave.

    "If they hit it like that a few more times, the barrier won''t hold. It will shatter."

    He had to do something about it, and he had to do it fast. There was no more time to lose.

    At this moment, Val remembered one particr detail about their weaknesses.

    They were vulnerable to specific elements designed to grasp the soul. It was a long shot, but perhaps his elementalized soul energy could work

    He had only ever used it to activate the Shadow Bind Rune to immobilize his enemies, but he had never used it directly on a living being. This time, circumstances forced him to use it for a different purpose. And who knows, it might just work!

    With absolute focus, Val thought about attacking the Withering Devils using his elementalized soul power in his mind.

    Reacting to his thoughts, his arcane heart releasedyers of darkness that represented his elementalized soul power. Theseyers wafted off of him one by one, coalescing around him in a swirling aura of shadowy might.

    Val intuitively felt that he could control this aura to attack and defend.

    The barrier was designed to keep things out, not in, which meant he could project his power through it.

    Taking a deep breath, Val let the darkness coalesce around his outstretched hand.

    Then, with a thought, he unleashed it.

    A torrent of shadowy soul energy surged from the cave''s entrance like a tidal wave of darkness. The power in it was concentrated and deadly, filled with all the elemental properties capable of grasping a soul. It roared through the air and smashed into the Withering Devils,pletely catching them off guard and sting them into smithereens.

    Their dark forms dissipated like smoke in the wind for a moment before slowly reforming.

    They weren''t about to give up so easily.

    The Withering Devils raised their arms once more, attempting to channel their collective regret and hatred into another vortex of dark energy.

    But before it could take form, Val unleashed another surge of his elementalized soul energy, sting them with it.

    His shadowy aura disrupted their focus, scattering their malevolent energy before it could coalesce. Their efforts to channel their powers into a devastating attack were thwarted by a single move from Val, and it all went down the drain.

    A semi-transparent screen popped up in front of Val.

    [System notification: Despite designating you as a target, the Withering Devils failed to hunt you down within the given time limit. They will now face the bacsh of their own power.]

    Val intently watched as the Withering Devils disintegrated before his eyes, their forms crumbling into indistinguishable particles before vanishing entirely from the face of the earth. They had been formidable foes, possessing a terrifying ability to seal anyone''s fate by teleporting a mere five times. However, they had paid a high price for their failed endeavor. Their unique abilities hade with severe conditions, and now they faced the ultimate consequence of failing to meet them: a devastating and irreversible self-destruction.

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Host! You have sessfully eliminated 5 Withering Devils. You have been rewarded with 15,000 EXP and a Profound Elixir of Ethereal Passage.]

    Val''s eyes widened at the sight of the item description. He couldn''t believe his luck.

    [Profound Elixir of Ethereal Passage: This rare elixir is a wondrous concoction that grants the drinker a teleportation ability that greatly mirrors the unique powers of the Withering Devils. Once you consume this elixir, you gain the ability to designate any individual as your target merely by focusing your thoughts on them. From that moment on, you can teleport to that designated target up to five times, irrespective of their location or whether you can actually see them. What makes this elixir even more astonishing is theck of repercussions for using its power. You won''t suffer from any side effects or face the dire consequences that the Withering Devils did.]

    "Whether I decide to kill the designated target or not, there will be no side effects? Damn, this elixir is a formidable tool," Val mused, already considering the myriad ways this new ability could serve him. He realized it would be especially useful against Clea Thunderspear.

    After all, the elixir''s power directly countered Clea''s rune ability, which allowed him to teleport to safety when facing imminent death.

    Without a second thought, Val pulled it out of the semi-transparent screen.

    Then he uncorked the small vial and brought it close to his lips.

    Gulu, Gulu was the sound produced as he drank the Profound Elixir of Ethereal Passage.

    ''It feels funny.''

    As the liquid slid down his throat, he felt a tingling sensation spread throughout his body, as if new possibilities were being unlocked within him.

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Host! You have acquired the Ethereal Passage skill.]

    Val couldn''t help but feel ted; he had not only defeated formidable foes but also gained an invaluable tool that could very well change the course of his future battles.

    Now that he had dealt with the source of danger and also benefited greatly from it, Val finally allowed himself to give in to the overpowering sense of exhaustion.

    He didn''t have unlimited willpower as despite having the status of a devil god, he was a human being in the end. He couldn''t keep relying on his willpower to stay awake like an actual God who could bend reality ording to his will. He needed to rx and rest to recover.

    Besides, the power of his talisman was protecting the cave. He didn''t need to worry about being killed in his sleep. He closed his eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep.

 Chapter 269 266: A unique dimension!

    Chapter 269 266: A unique dimension!

    Sometimeter, beams of morning light prated the cave, not only casting a warm glow over Val''s features but also disturbing him from his sleep. His eyshes fluttered for a moment before his eyelids fully opened, revealing his inky, ck eyes that were slightly dazed.

    "I must''ve really passed out after that challenging ordeal with the Withering Devils."

    Val thought as he yawned and stretched, feeling the tension in his muscles release and a sense of renewed energy course through his body. It was like his system was rebooting, shaking off the lingering exhaustion and mental fog from the grueling experiences he had just gone through justst night.

    After he waspletely awake, his gaze turned toward the wide-open entrance of the cave.

    He peered out of the cave and saw a golden sun positioned high in the sky, illuminating the forest below.

    "Okay, it''s definitely morning. But the morning of what day? For how long have I slept?"

    Val felt disoriented as he didn''t have a clock or any real way to track time in this lesser dimension, and he also didn''t know how the cycle of night and day worked here.

    But he decided to no longer remain ignorant about it.

    ''From now on, I will start counting the passage of time to determine how long the days and nights are here.''

    His thoughts then drifted to Oliver.

    "I wonder where he is right now. Is he safe?"

    Val nced down at the ck ring adorning his middle finger and touched it. By using it, he could not only track him down but also know his current status. If Oliver was dead, the ring would simply not respond. It would also show if Oliver was injured and in need of help.

    With a thought, a wisp of his soul power escaped his finger and channeled into the Tracker. As a result, it materialized a holographic screen before his eyes.

    The holographic screen disyed a map of the forest with a bright white dot representing Oliver. The brightness of the dot indicated Oliver was in good health. He hadn''t met Clea and his party.

    From this piece of information, Val estimated he hadn''t slept for long and that the cycle of day and night of the lesser dimension was actually very small.

    ''I wonder how far Oliver is from my position.''

    As this thought crossed his mind, the tracker also manifested a red arrow indicating his own position on the screen it projected. Val rubbed it twice for doing a good job.

    ''Good, Oliver isn''t too far away from my current location. And he seems to be stationary. Maybe he''s found a safe ce to rest. If I start moving now, there won''t be any additional distance to cover; I can get to him fairly quickly."

    Val picked up the talisman at the entrance of the cave and hung it around his neck. Then he exited the cave and embarked on his journey to find Oliver.

    He was past the zone of the forest which was infested with hypnotic mushrooms, so he didn''t have to squint or close his eyes to avoid their effects.

    He sprinted energetically through the dense forest with his eyes wide open the entire time. His senses were on high alert, allowing him to dodge pitfalls and avoid encounters with monsters with rtive ease.

    He covered the ground quickly, fueled by the urgency to find Oliver. After some time, he arrived at Oliver''s location, as indicated by the white dot on his cursed artifact''s map. It was another cave, somewhat simr to the one he had just left. He peered inside it. The inside of the cave was dark, but because of his Noctune Vision Trait, he could see everything clearly.

    "Huh?"

    His eyebrow raised as he was surprised to see that Oliver wasn''t there even though the tracker was saying something entirely else.

    "What''s going on?" Val wondered to himself, feeling a mix of concern and confusion. "Could this device actually be malfunctioning at this crucial moment?"

    He quickly dismissed that notion. The cursed artifact was a creation of Lord Lucius, a person of immense power, skill, wealth, and authority in the kingdom. Something designed by such a formidable figure wouldn''t likely have such a fundamental w. It just couldn''t be that simple or that lousy. Val refused to believe it.

    There might be some other reason behind it. But what could it be?

    Val''s mind began to churn, sorting through the myriad of possibilities that could ount for Oliver not being here despite the Tracker saying otherwise. His eyes narrowed as the most usible idea urred to him after a moment of intense thought.

    This dimension they were in, this lesser dimension, might have anotheryer to it��some kind of Other Side that''s separate but connected, like two sides of a coin.

    It honestly made sense. After all, both Eldrich and the dungeons found in it had an Other Side. So why couldn''t the dimension have one too?

    Only Val coulde up with such a reasonable exnation in so little time because he had been exposed to it many times. Others wouldn''t have been able to do it no matter how hard they racked their brain.

    "That must be it. It''s the most reasonable exnation. The ring isn''t broken; Oliver might just be on the Other Side of this dimension."

    Val concluded in his mind.

    Then he thought,

    "Can I use the power of the Mystical Shovel to get to the other side of this dimension?

    "It''s definitely worth a try."

    "I can''t leave any stone unturned when ites to Oliver''s safety."

    Val was certain he would lose what could be a great friend, even better than a brother if Oliver died. He was also certain Lucious would be greatly disappointed in him if Oliver died, and might even kick him out of the wizardmunity because of this, eliminating his chance of ever reaching high-rank wizard.

    To avoid a misfortunate future, he had to be by his side before the assassins found him!

 Chapter 270 267: Trifold realm and a sneaky rat!

    Chapter 270 267: Trifold realm and a sneaky rat!

    Val used the power of the mystical shovel to enter the Other Side of the lesser dimension after retrieving the tool from the pocket dimension of his Void Orb cursed artifact.

    In this obscure space, Oliver was unmistakably there, seated calmly in the cave just as the Tracker had indicated.

    His form was visible, yet something felt amiss. Val couldn''t point out what was wrong, but he kicked it to the back of his mind as he felt great to have finally found Oliver, who was in one piece.

    "Finally found you," Val said with a hint of relief in his voice.

    But despite his words, Oliver remained undisturbed, not showing the slightest recognition.

    A creeping sense of unease instantly settled in Val''s chest.

    He triedmunicating with him again, this time he even raised his voice as he spoke,

    "Oliver? Can you hear me?"

    Again, his attempt was met with the same unyielding silence from Oliver. It was as if he didn''t exist for him for some reason, and it was honestly creeping him out.

    Val stepped closer to the young man. He reached out, trying to shake Oliver and snap him out of his apparent trance. However, to his rm, his hand went right through him, as if he was attempting to grasp a mere wisp of smoke or a phantom.

    A pang of frustration and confusion hit Val.

    "He can''t hear, see, or touch me," he murmured to himself. "But why? What''s causing this barrier between us?"

    Val''s eyes lowered thoughtfully, his long and thick eyshes casting a delicate shadow on his eyelids. It was evident he was deeply immersed in contemtion, sifting through the vast knowledge he had acquired over the years, trying to decipher the enigma before him. Each passing moment weighed heavily, filled with the silent tension of unanswered questions. After what felt like an eternity but was only a few moments, a spark of understanding lit up his face. He had pieced together a theory.

    In his vast experiences and encounters, Val hade to understand that virtually every world, dungeon, and dimension possessed its own Other Side, a kind of mirror realm. With the aid of the mystical shovel, he had the unique ability to traverse to these Other Sides.

    This particr dimension, however, presented an intriguing twist.

    It wasn''t simply binary, with two opposite sides.

    It was more akin to a trifold structure.

    If one were to visualize it, it would be somewhat like a coin with two primary faces - if Val upied the left side of this coin, then Oliver was surely on the right. But what made this dimension truly fascinating was the intermediate realm, lying snugly between the two primary sides.

    essed through the mystical shovel, this intermediate zone mirrored both primary sides. It borrowed elements from Val''s side and Oliver''s side, reflecting them in a harmonious blend, yet it was distinctly its own entity. It was as if this middleyer was a bridge or a nexus point, connecting the two main sides yet remaining separate and unique.

    ''I am in a realm that bears the mark of both sides of the lesser dimension but belongs to neither.''

    Val understood that while this other side burrowed elements of both sides of the lesser sides, he couldn''t interact with the people on either side from here even though they were being shown here.

    ''What will it be?''

    Val pondered where he mightnd if he used the mystical shovel to exit the Other Side. He fervently hoped it would be the same side of the dimension where Oliver resided as it would simplify everything. Otherwise, he''d have to find a route to Oliver''s side of the dimension, and it would be like a blind goose chase. Who knows how long it would take or if the effort he put into it even bears fruit?

    Val used the power of the mystical shovel to leave the intermediate side of the lesser dimension.

    In an instant, he was back in the cave inside the forest, surrounded by familiar sounds and scents. But as he observed his surroundings, he realized he had returned to the very spot he had entered the Other Side from.

    ''Damn it.''

    As it turned out, one always exits the Other Side at the very point of entry if they use the mystical shovel.

    ''It must be because of the limitation of the Mystical Shovel. If I had the same power, things would''ve gone much smoother.''

    Val believed that if he had the power to enter and exit the Other side at will, he would have appeared on Oliver''s side of the dimension and already united with him.

    Fate has dealt him with a handful of cards, and he could only y by them.

    Val''s shoulders slumped slightly as he exhaled a prolonged sigh of disappointment,

    For now, he was left with no other alternatives but to wander the forest in search of a way to reach Oliver''s side of the dimension.

    The sun could still be seen in the sky of the lesser dimension, its bright and dazzling rays filtering through the dense canopy of the forest.

    The meaning behind its lofty presence was unambiguous.

    As long as the golden orb hung high in the sky, Val would not have to worry about any encounters with the devils while wandering through the forest.

    This basically provided him with a small window of safety, and he decided tomence his search without any dy as he didn''t know how long it wouldst. After all, he was still ignorant of the day and night cycle of this dimension.

    Val began maneuvering through the forest, keeping his senses keen.

    Rumble!

    Suddenly, the ground beneath him trembled. Without warning, a monstrous beast erupted from the earth,unching itself towards him, but it failed to catch him off guard as Val''s acute sixth sense had preemptively sensed the impending danger, affording him the crucial moments needed to evade the surprise onught of the hulking beast by leaping backward.

    Thud!

    Hended several meters away from the beast and took a moment to observe it.

    It had ck, armored scales that reminded Val of hardened coal. Its scales served as an armored fortress, sheltering it from harm. Its eyes were aze with a crimson hue and radiated malevolent intent, and its teeth, jagged and sharp, looked like they could tear through steel easily. Lastly, it had two thick legs, a human-like torso with eight abs, and a hand that was like a weapon.

    He recognized the beast. He had read about it in a book. It was a level 40+ dungeon monster. He couldn''t quite remember its name, but he knew it was like an area boss. Its stats shouldn''t be that impressive. He should be able to handle it. Val decided to fight it as if he killed it and applied its blood on his body, no one in this part of the forest would dare to confront him!

    Shuaaa!

    The beast let out a deafening roar that echoed ominously through the forest dense with trees and other vegetation. It was attempting to scare Val, but he didn''t even flinch when it roared, causing it to feel pissed.

    With a tenacity that spoke of its predatory nature, the beast lunged forward.

    Whoosh!

    Its appendage, akin to a spear, tore through the air, honing in on Val with lethal intent.

    ''It''s like an open book.''

    Val thought with a smirk. The way the beast attacked was too simple. It would only work against someone slower than the beast itself. However, Val was far faster than it. There was no it was going to work on him.

    Demonstrating remarkable agility, he spun to his side, narrowly evading the oing assault. Then, using the built-up momentum from his evasive spin, he retaliated with an explosive kick.

    Bam!

    His foot connected with the beast''s midsection with such force that it was violently propelled backward until it met a tree with a deafening crash and lifelessly slumped to the ground.

    Val didn''t buy its act as he didn''t receive a notification from his system telling him that he had killed it. That meant it was very well alive but pretending to be dead to fool him.

    "Dumb bastard, what are you pretending for? Your tricks won''t work on me!" Val said after sting its ass with a bunch of blood bullets, drilling finger-sized holes in its body.

    The beast spat out blood and stared at Val with bloodshot eyes after raising its head. Every inch of its gaze was filled with animosity and intense hatred as if its very soul yearned to dismember Val. The depth of this loathing was so immense it would cause anyone to misunderstand they were lifelong enemies.

    ''Ah, I remember.''

    A monster that can show such raw emotion... It could only be a Skarnik. Val remembered its name. Along with that, he also remembered how spiteful these beings could be. They were more spiteful than a woman. It was said that once you form an enmity with them, you''ll not see a single day of peace unless you die or you kill them!

    Now that bad blood had been formed between them, Val had to kill it no matter what to avoid additional trouble. If it escaped with its life intact, he would be met with trouble every step of the way.

    [Blood Maniption: Crimson sh!]

    Val executed a sharp hand chop, and with it, a zing sh of red light propelled towards the Skarnik, whichy sprawled by the tree.

 Chapter 271 268: Finishing the Skarnik

    Chapter 271 268: Finishing the Skarnik

    Only the sound of Val''s attack cutting through the air and descending towards the Skarnik could be heard in the dense and deadly forest. Except for that, nothing could be heard in the tense environment, not even the rapid beating of the Skarnik''s heart that almost burst out of its chest when Val saw through its ridiculous but on-point act and attacked it.

    The Skarnik, however, was a unique type of monster that was renowned for its cunning, strength, defense, agility, and reflexes. It was an all-rounded monster that not only knew how to y dead andunch an assassination to catch his target off guard but could also respond well to sudden attacks.

    As long as it had a reasonable amount of time, it could dodge almost any attack. Today, in the face of danger, it clearly exhibited this fact in action.

    It was still lying motionless on the forest floor when Val had attacked, but an instant of a secondter, it rolled hurriedly to the right side, narrowly dodging a deadly arc of blood that was sharper than a de by the sheerest margin.

    A smug smile immediately propped up on its insidious face as it silently gloated that it had avoided Val''s deadly attack.

    But its feeling of triumph was short-lived.

    The skarnik''s smug smile, a grimace that exposed its fanged teeth, vanished almost immediately when it noticed the unflustered and calm expression of the person who stood across from it. On top of that, there was a self-assured smirk visible on his face. It was subtle, but it was as smug as the smile the monster had exposed when it dodged Val''s attack.

    ''Why does the human still look so pleased even though I have dodged his attack?''

    An unsettling dread crept up the Skarnik''s spine.

    It was a situation that utterly perplexed it. Here it was, having deftly evaded what should have been a lethal blow, yet Val''s demeanor remained unchanged. The unwavering confidence in his posture and the gleam in his eye suggested that he was still in control, that he had already signed the death warrant for the beast''s life.

    Looking at his expression, dread, cold and unyielding, began to wash over the Skarnik. Its instincts, honed over years of survival in the harsh wilderness of the lesser dimension, sounded rms in its mind, screaming at him that something was terribly amiss.

    ''I can''t just wait here to find out his next move. But can I even run?''

    In a desperate bid for survival, the Skarnik considered fleeing from Val, but Val''s initial assault had left it badly injured. While it could muster a quick burst of speed in a dire situation by straining the hell out of itself and worsening its internal injuries, sustaining that pace was now out of the question due to the harm Val had already done to it.

    ''Damn it.''

    The Skarnik felt trapped, cornered in a game where the odds seemed increasingly stacked against it.

    Crack~

    Suddenly, the stillness of the forest was interrupted by the ominous sound of creaking wood.

    The Skarnik''s heart raced as its head whipped around in rm, instinctively turning to the source of the noise that echoed from behind it. Every muscle of its body tensed, preparing for the unknown.

    Its eyes which were already wide with alertness expanded even more in sheer horror as it saw a gigantic tree beginning its swift descent towards it

    with terrifying speed, its dark shadow expanding over the forest floor and engulfing the Skarnik.

    The thought, ''Holy fu-'' shed across the Skarnik''s mind, but it remained iplete as the treended squarely on it, crushing it underneath its weight, pressing it against the forest floor, and rendering it immobile and gasping for breath.

    Val''s nimble form shot up from the forest floor, propelling him through the air until he deftlynded on the massive tree trunk beneath which the Skarnik was trapped.

    "You misunderstood," Val spoke with a calm tone, "From the beginning, you weren''t my target, the tree behind you was; and now, see where that''s gotten us.

    You''re trapped right where I wanted you to be."

    The tree was severed from its base by Val''s earlier attack, meaning it was all a part of his n to catch the cunning beast off guard. Besides, he considered this little bit of teasing an appropriate punishment for a naughty bastard who dared to fool him with its terrible acting.

    The Skarnik couldn''tprehend what Val was saying as they spoke differentnguages, but it could guess what his next step was going to be, and that thought put it in fight or flight mode.

    ''It''s too soon to give up. There must be a way out of this.''

    Knowing that it was no match for Val, it chose to flee.

    The Skarnik''s eyes darted around in panic as it tried to find a way out of its current predicament, but it was pinned helplessly beneath Val''s and the tree''s weight.

    There was no escape.

    All of a sudden, its attention suddenly focused back on Val and its eyes bulged in terror as a sword, radiating a mysterious but suffocating power, materialized in his hand out of thin air.

    Holding it with both hands, he raised it slightly, allowing the golden light of the sun of the lesser dimension to y upon its de.

    Then, with a swift and elegant motion, he swung the sword.

    Whoosh!

    It cut through the air, painting a picturesque arc before biting into the Skarnik''s flesh, slicing through its thick and scale-covered neck as easily as a hot knife passing through butter.

    Just like that, Val severed its head from the rest of its body, bringing a timely end to this battle.

    A system notification popped up in front of him.

    [You''ve killed a level 45 Skarnik. You obtained 3200 EXP, +1 Dragon Elixir, and +1 Neb Pill.]

    Dragon elixir? Neb pill?

    They sounded impressive but this was the first he''d ever heard of them. He didn''t know what they did.

 Chapter 272 269: New region of the forest.

    Chapter 272 269: New region of the forest.

    It was never a good idea to blindly take something without knowing what it was, so he inspected them.

    Two more semi-transparent screens popped up into his view, each containing a description of the items he''d just received.

    [System Notification 1: Name: Neb Pill. Description: It''s a mysterious pill that is condensed from the essence of dead stars. This pill can be used to push beyond one''s inherent power limits. Once the host consumes it, the host will undergo a subtle but certain change which will elevate the peak power level your body can achieve]

    [System Notification 2: Name: Dragon Elixir. Description: A rare and potent concoction brewed from the essence of a newborn dragon''s core. Consuming it can amplify the strength of a mid-rank wizard''s elemental core.]

    Both of these items were great and should be used on the spot to increase his strength.

    He didn''t waste any time before pulling them out of the system interface, materializing them into his hands.

    He began with the Neb Pill, tossing it into his mouth.

    The pill was the size of a rice grain. It smoothly went down his throat.

    He swallowed it effortlessly.

    Almost instantly, he felt an intense warmth emanating from his stomach, like a starburst, which spread rapidly to every fiber of his being, helping his body undergo an evolution.

    A new system notification appeared.

    [You''ve consumed a Neb Pill. Your stats limit has increased from 100 to 120 points!]

    ''This is astounding.''

    Now if he activated his blood rush skill, his agility go up to 120 points.

    He didn''t how fast that was as he had never met anyone with such a point in their agility stat, but he thought it might be faster than anyone below advanced-level bloodline users or at least as fast as level 6 bloodline users.

    In other words, just by relying on his blood rush skill, no one would be able to catch up to him except for advanced-level level bloodline users and their equivalent!

    ''Let''s take the elixir too, and see what happens.''

    Val uncapped the "Dragon Elixir" and downed it in one go.

    Almost immediately, he could feel the elixir''s warm energy entering his arcane heart and charging into his core, rapidly enhancing its capabilities.

    [System Notification: The durability of the host''s darkness core has increased significantly. It has doubled.]

    This implied that he could inscribe another level 1 rune on his core despite being a level 1 mid-rank wizard!

    ''It is something unprecedented.''

    In the wizardmunity, there had never appeared a wizard-like Val before who could construct two runes in his core at the first level of the mid-rank wizard stage. He was the first. Essentially, he had defiedmon sense once more!

    ''Under the heavens, I am the most unique wizard.''

    Besides these rewards, Val also meticulously extracted a few glowing level 4 stat strengthening cores from the Skarnik''s body. He tossed them into the pocket dimension of his Void Orb.

    Third skill of the Blood Devil ss: Corpse Sacrifice!

    Val cast the Corpse Sacrifice skill on the Skarnik''s remains.

    As a result, the Skarnik''s body vanished, devoured and transformed into a sinister energy by the shrine of evil.

    The shrine then transmitted it to Val, and he could feel a surge of undead-creating energy filling him.

    Sacrificing a beast of this caliber without wringing it dry of its blood really offered an immense amount of undead-creating power, far more than what he''d get from a group of lesser creatures!

    Val used it all to summon three level 3 undead warriors of rebellious natures. Almost instantly, he brought them under his absolute control using the Void Force skill.

    Now he had several level 3 undead who were absolutely loyal to him!

    Val resumed his journey through the vast expanse of the forest.

    After some time, he ventured into a new region of the forest where he found himself surrounded by a magnificent sea of trees, each glistening with a unique silver sheen. These silver giants of the forest reached the sky and had trunks thicker than buildings. Their height and size suggested their considerable age and they exuded a sense of weightiness.

    Upon examining one with the Detect skill, Val was astounded to discover that these enormous trees weighed in excess of a hundred tons each.

    But there was more to these trees than just their weight and unearthly appearance.

    The trees'' blue hue actually resulted from an abundance of soul power, which they radiated during photosynthesis, causing them to glow!

    Trees teeming with soul power were useful to wizards.

    While Val was a wizard himself, he refrained from harvesting them.

    He was driven by the urgency to reach Oliver, after all. Moreover, he knew what he was capable of and he had no method of harvesting them. The blue trees were so resilient that they would resist any attempt to break them. And even with his immense strength, uprooting them would be impossible, given their roots that plunged deep into the very essence of the dimension.

    He was never one to engage in meaningless endeavors. Thus, he didn''t waste any time harvesting them.

    Instead, he rapidly moved through this part of the forest with his heavenly eye skill activated.

    He surveyed the surroundings intently, ensuring he didn''t miss any details that could point him to the other side of the lesser dimension.

    As he looked around, a vast clearing came into his view.

    Beings that seemed a blend of the familiar and the utterly alien densely infested it.

    In the clearing stood creatures reminiscent of goblins, but they bore differences that made them stand out distinctly, and not in a good way.

    These creatures were tall, towering 2 to 3 meters above the ground, dwarfing the average human.

    Their skin was white contrasting strikingly with the blue stripes that adorned their bodies. These stripes gently pulsated with a unique type of power releasing a mesmerizing, sapphire-like glow that illuminated their immediate surroundings in a mesmerizing glow.

    ''Don''t tell me they can use soul power,'' Val thought after a moment of silence.

 Chapter 273 270: Against a tribe of wizards

    Chapter 273 270: Against a tribe of wizards

    Val went closer to the clearing which was inhabited by the tribe of glowing goblins. They didn''t notice him as he took cover behind one of thergest trees that surrounded the clearing and spied on them from there.

    After making sure that no one was looking in his direction with the heavenly eye skill, he dared to poke his head out from his hiding spot, focus his gaze on the glowing goblins, and activate his "Detect" skill.

    A momentter, a system notification with a lot of detail floated into his field of vision.

    [Name: Lumisoul Goblins

    Type: Evolved Variant

    Monster level: 30-50

    Stats:

    STR: 15

    STA: 25

    AGT: 26

    Soul power: 100-1000

    Description: The Lumisoul Goblins are amongst the most special inhabitants of Mon. They are considered special because, over generations, they''ve transformed, adapting to the unique environment they reside in to be the ruler of their world. The oue of their evolution is the manifestation of additional sets of extraordinary vessels that crisscross the outer surface of their bodies in the shape of stripes. These stripes grant them the unparalleled ability to soak up soul power from the atmosphere around them and wield it like a weapon inbat, making them stand apart from other goblin breeds.]

    From the notification, Val grasped two crucial insights.

    Firstly, dungeons were not mere artificial constructs but genuine worlds with their own histories and tales. They had been manipted into what they now were and sent on a course to invade Eldrich by either a certain force or a ridiculously powerful creature. In any case, whoever was behind the appearance of the dungeon in Eldrich wielded tremendous power and most likely a terrifyingly twisted intent. Val couldn''t grasp their intention, but he knew it would be anything but good.

    The second was that the physiology of the Lumisoul goblins made them strikingly akin to human wizards. After all, they had the ability to not only umte vast reservoirs of soul power within their unique vessels but also expel it directly from them in the form of strong magical eruptions. In terms of wizardry, their lethality was no less than that of a low-rank wizard.

    He had to be extremely careful if he wanted to confront them.

    Val''s eyes narrowed in contemtion.

    He had faced many foes in his time, but going against an entire tribe of wizard-like goblins would be the first even for him.

    ''I won''t mess with them if theyck what I need.''

    It''s a fight he wasn''t certain he was gonna fight, but he might have to fight it if the treasure they were guarding was the item he needed to get to the other side of the lesser dimension.

    In the midst of the verdant clearing stood a dignified altar. It seemed to have been meticulously carved and appeared as though it had weathered many seasons.

    On top of it was a mirror-like object.

    Its smooth and reflective surface was punctuated by odd scribbles that resembled ancient runes. These runes not only added to its aesthetic allure but also hinted at an underlying power that it held within. An aura of mystique surrounded it, making it stand out even from a distance.

    Its significance was quite evident from the protective ring of Lumisoul Goblins surrounding it. Val believed it must be something extraordinary.

    He focused his gaze on it and cast Detect. Instantly, a semi-transparent screen popped up in front of him.

    [Name: Dimensional Mirror

    Rank: Level 2 Artifact

    Description: The most important treasure of the Lumisoul goblin tribe.

    Function: When ced over a body of water, the Dimensional Mirror has the ability to transform it into a teleportation pool. Thid pool can transport an individual to the other side of the lesser dimension.

    Limitations: This artifact is only usable within the lesser dimension.]

    Upon reading the system''s description, Val''s eyes lit up in tion and his face broke into a wide grin.

    "This is it! This is precisely what I''ve been searching for," he thought to himself.

    His tion, however, was soon overshadowed by the realization that before he couldy his hands on the Dimensional Mirror, he''d need to deal with the entire tribe of Lumisoul Goblins guarding it.

    ''There''s no time for hesitation. Every fleeting moment I let slip by brings Oliver closer to the risk of certain death.''

    ''This confrontation, it''s inevitable anyways. So what''s wrong with making it take ce right away?''

    A steely determination became evident in Val''s eyes. His gaze became razor-sharp.

    Taking a deep breath, he summoned his army of undead from the shrine of evil.

    One by one, they began to materialize around the periphery of the clearing. Their imposing and sinister silhouettes were cleverly obscured by the dense foliage of the trees. Thus, the Lumisoul goblin didn''t notice them. They were still blissfully unaware that they were about to be embroiled in a battle to the death.

    "I only have onemand for you all. Kill them all!" Val said to his undead while pointing at the monsters in the clearing.

    The level 1 to 3 undead didn''t hesitate for a moment before blindly following hismand, indicating they were utterly loyal to him. They stepped out of their hiding spots and charged at the Lumisoul goblins in unison to fulfill their master''s order.

    Rustling noises emerged from all around the clearing, alerting the lumisoul goblins. Immediately, they turned their heads to the source of the rustling noises. As a result, they were met with a surreal sight that left them shocked to the core. A shiver went down their spines as they saw arge number of monsters they''d never seen before emerge from the tree line and burst into the clearing. Each undead looked more menacing than thest to the evolved goblins.

    The battle between the undead and Lumisoul goblins began with a big loss for thetter.

    At the very start of the battle, a level 3 undead swiftly ran up to a level 37 Lumisoul goblin that was at the edge of the clearing. Before the goblin could muster any defensive reaction, the undead''s jagged bony fingers, which eerily resembled ancient, rusted daggers, closed around the goblin''s throat. The goblin''s eyes widened in sheer terror and it struggled to free itself from its deadly drip. It threw wild punches at the undead and delivered frantic kicks. However, its desperate efforts were all in vain. Against a creature that knew no pain or fear, its strikes had little to no effect, and the undead''s grip on its neck remained as unyielding and lethal as ever.

    Crack!

    A crunching sound rang out as the undead squeezed the life out of the goblin by crushing its neck. Seeing that it was dead, the undead released it.

    Thud!

    The goblin''s limp body dropped to the forest floor with a dull thud as the level 3 lunged towards its next prey like a freaking spider and tackled it to the ground.

    Woosh!

    Before the goblin could react, the undead, with a swift, merciless motion, ripped its head from its shoulders so violently that the entirety of the goblin''s spine was wrenched out of its body, trailing gruesomely behind the severed head.

    Not far from this chaos, another level 3 undead, its fingers as jagged and sharp as the first, maneuvered its body in a zig-zag pattern to dodge the attacks of a level 39 Lumisoul goblin before retaliating. It shed repeatedly at its opponent. Each sh was delivered with such force and precision that the goblin was shredded to pieces, as though it were made of paper.

    A number of notifications rang in Val''s ears.

    [Your level 3 undead has killed a level 37 Lumisoul goblin. You''ve gained 370 EXP.]

    [Your level 3 undead has killed a level 38 Lumisoul goblin. You''ve gained 380 EXP.]

    [Your level 3 undead has killed a level 39 Lumisoul goblin. You''ve gained 390 EXP.]

    ''Not bad.''

    It had only been 5 seconds since hemanded his undead to eradicate the tribe of lumosoul undead, and they had already killed 3 of them.

    "At this rate, the battle will end sooner than I expected!" Val jinxed himself.

    Suddenly, their chief barked orders, urging them to snap out of it and face the undead assants, emphasizing that if they didn''t act, they would fall without even putting up a fight.

    ''Yeah, we gotta fight back!''

    The goblins'' stripes brightened as a surge of soul power erupted, colliding with the several undead leading the army, exploding them into countless little pieces. However, these undead were all level 3, meaning they all possessed the semi-immortality skill. Although they were shattered into pieces by the goblins'' coordinated attack, it didn''t mean they were dead.

    The fragmented remains of their body rolled towards one another, fusing back into several level 3 undead.

    The sight terrified the goblins. They were left stunned and bewildered. How can one recover from such extensive damage? Just what the hell were they up against?

    "Ssh them with acid."

    Val telepathicallymanded his level 2 undead to attack the motionless and confused goblins.

    Without hesitation, the level 2 undead raised their arms and when their palms faced the goblins, they activated their strongest offensive skill. Waves of acid streamed out of their palms and sshed on the goblins.

    The goblins shrieked in pain as soon as they were doused in acid as the corrosive substance not only devoured their skin and muscles but also dissolved their vessels. These vessels were withholding vast amounts of soul power. The second they ruptured, the soul power trapped inside could only go out instantaneously.

    The consequence of this was the goblins exploding on the spot and reducing to a mess of flesh and blood that rained down and sttered everywhere on the ground.

 Chapter 274 271: Pushing an entire tribe to the afterlife (a)

    Chapter 274 271: Pushing an entire tribe to the afterlife (a)

    The chief of the Lumisoul goblin tribe was a 3-meter tall and imposing figure with a rich blue hue to his skin. His energy-containing vessels seemed to have perfectly merged with his body. There was no difference between his skin and his vessels. Hecked the greatest weakness that the rest of his tribe had, making him the strongest Lumisoul Goblin to ever exist.

    He stood at the highest point in the clearing, observing the situation unfold with bloodshot eyes as one member of his tribe after another died at the hands of the undead.

    He had been preserving his strength for what he believed would be the true challenge �C facing the mastermind behind this sudden and unprovoked attack on his people. Undead had appeared out of nowhere in theirnd, catching many of his tribe members off guard. The stealthy emergence of the undead and their well-coordinated assault on his tribe was a clear indication of a higher intelligence guiding them.

    Unfortunately, as he scanned the clearing and the surrounding areas with discerning eyes, he couldn''t spot anyone who appeared to be inmand of the undead forces.

    Ultimately, with the undead ughtering one member of his tribe after another, he realized he couldn''t hold back any longer. If he continued to hesitate, he''d soon be left without a tribe and without a home.

    With a heavy heart, he issued an order for all goblins to retreat back to his position, even if it meant abandoning theirrades who were currently engaged inbat with the undead. The attack he nned to unleash was going to be so strong that it would annihte all of the enemies along with everyone around them.

    Most of the goblins, upon hearing the chief''smanding call, began to disengage from the battle with the undead immediately, retreating back towards him.

    Many were hesitant, frequently ncing back at therades they were leaving behind on the battlefield, but trust in their chief''s wisdom was deeply ingrained in their very being, and they obeyed.

    The goblins who were deep inbat with the undead couldn''t retreat even if they wanted to as it was taking them their all to survive the assault of the undead. In other words, they would be killed the second they turned around to retreat.

    They felt a pang of betrayal when they saw their brethren, who were supposed to support them from behind, retreating back to the chief of their tribe, leaving them amidst the ruthless and relentless onught of the undead. Their eyes widened in disbelief and powerful emotions such as confusion, betrayal, and fear became evident on their faces.

    The shock and sense of abandonment momentarily clouded their judgment, making their movements sluggish and their defenses vulnerable.

    This briefpse in concentration was all the undead needed to overwhelm their opponents. They capitalized on the goblins'' momentary weakness by striking them with all the strength they could muster when the goblins'' were feeling down. As a result, many of these isted and overwhelmed goblins died, theirst moments filled with a blend of rage, desperation, and sadness. If they could return back in time, they would never serve such a merciless ruler.

    As the goblins retreated back to him, the chief of the tribe, standing tall and dominant, raised its two thick and meaty arms. The very air around him began to vibrate with an unseen power.

    Almost at the same time, the radiant glow emanating from his very being became brighter and more intense, as wave after wave of blue energy rose from his skin, gathering at a single point above his outstretched palms. There, the energies merged, pulsating and swirling, to form a massive blue orb that shimmered with contained might.

    "You want to end me and my tribe? Heh, you can all go to hell!"

    The chief brought its hands down, and the massive blue orb that was like a small mountain was hurled forward with an unstoppable force.

    The impending explosion from the orb had the potential to wipe out the entire army of undead but it would also obliterate the Lumisoul goblins who were still embroiled in battle with the undead!

    The realization was a bitter pill to swallow for these elite members of the Lumisoul goblins. They were taken as a necessary sacrifice to ensure the survival of the tribe as a whole, even though they were among the strongest members of the tribe.

    They had always been at the forefront of every battle they encountered, safeguarding their kin. Their loyalty and dedication to the tribe was unmatched, but in the end, that did not matter.

    Honestly, they had somewhat expecteded something like this to happen the second they were abandoned by the tribe to confront the undead alone without support.

    After all, the tribe of Lumisoul Goblins thrived on cruelty and ruthlessness. Last winter, when there was nothing to eat, they didn''t hesitate to turn on the weaker members of their tribe, cannibalizing them to preserve their own lives. This brutal way of life was ingrained in their culture, and it clearly showed the lengths they would go to survive.

    Still, knowing this and experiencing it firsthand were two vastly different things.

    The sting of betrayal, the cold abandonment by the ones they considered family, weighed heavily on their hearts. Every time they blocked an attack, defended their position, or took down an undead as the chief''s attack closed in on them, the thought of their tribe''s betrayal festered. The chief, whom they had once looked up to, now became the object of their quiet rage. They cursed him, not just once, but a thousand times over in the privacy of their minds. The regret of having ever pledged allegiance to such a treacherous leader consumed them as they fought the undead.

    If, by some miracle, they emerged from this battle alive, they vowed to leave the tribe that so easily cast them aside since nothing good was going toe out of staying in a tribe that would betray you at any time. Sadly, they weren''t going to get this chance in this life.

 Chapter 275 272: Pushing an entire tribe to the afterlife (b)

    Chapter 275 272: Pushing an entire tribe to the afterlife (b)

    It seemed like Val was on the brink of witnessing the obliteration of his meticulously crafted undead army at the hands of the enemy leader''s devastating attack.

    Every single undead soldier under hismand had been a product of his hard work and strategic nning. Each of them represented a piece of his journey. To think that they would be wiped out in an instant by a single attack from a fatass was uneptable to him. He would never let his painstakingly crafted undead army be annihted without a fight!

    Before the dire prediction could manifest into a nightmarish reality, Val decided to step in. With a swift and calcted move, he thrust his prized weapon, Voidyer, in the direction of the massive blue orb.

    A radiant beam of crimson light erupted from his de, not only cleaving the orb into two perfectly distinct halves but also redirecting each segment in opposite trajectories.

    Boom!

    A resounding reverberation spread throughout the forest as these halves exploded beyond the confines of the clearing.

    The shockwaves from their detonation were immense, turning the lush green surroundings into a wastnd.

    Trees, shrubs, and everything else in the vicinity were obliterated, and in their ce, two vast craters emerged, with each being roughly half the size of the clearing where the intense battle was unfolding between Val''s undead and the elites of the Lumisoul Goblin Tribe.

    "Are you finally going to battle them head-on a move?"

    Voidyer''s voice echoed directly in Val''s mind, its tone tinged with anticipation. While it was a pleasure to watch Valmand his minions to wreck an entire tribe of monsters, it couldn''t beat watching him in action. It was something entirely else, and Voidyer was looking forward to it.

    "Yeah," Val responded to his sword as a glint of determination shed in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out from the protective shadow of the trees that ringed the clearing, revealing himself fully to his adversaries.

    The chief of the enemy tribe momentarily froze when he caught sight of Val. The orchestrator of this chaos, the one who had brought this battle upon them, now stood before him. If he could just capture Val, the tide of the battle would instantly turn in their favor. However, how could he possibly breach the defenses of the undead and reach their leader?

    While he was lost in thoughts, Val looked at him deep in the eyes and said, "Your opponent is me," before dashing directly towards him.

    The chief of the enemy tribe scoffed internally at the audacity of the young man charging at him. He didn''t put Val in his eyes as what could a tiny human that was half his size do to him? In his mind, Val was just another who would be crushed beneath his massive stature just like all the enemies before him.

    The tribe chief let out a whistle and a group of Lumisoul goblins turned towards Val and released waves of water.

    Thebined might of these waves that were roaring and thrashing with potent force, was enough to bowl over even thergest of foes. The chief was certain that Val would be overwhelmed and swept away.

    However, Val tapped into his reserves of soul power before their attacks could hit him. Like an erupting volcano, soul power radiated outwards from him, forming an explosive shockwave that met the iing water waves head-on. The collision resulted in a spectacr disy as all the water attacks were forced back and redirected at the Lumisoul goblins who had conjured them.

    Their own attacks crashed into them. The goblins found themselves drowning and dying in their own tidal waves while Val continued his charge towards the chief of the enemy tribe, who, without any warning, lunged forward, covering the ground between them in an instant before swinging a colossal punch aimed squarely at Val. The sheer might behind the chief''s attack picked up wind and promised to be bone-crushing.

    Val, in response, also threw a punch, propelling his clenched free hand forward with immense force, all the while strategically keeping his other hand, which firmly gripped the Voidyer, behind his back.

    The stark size difference between their fists was impossible to overlook. If one were topare Val''s fist to an object, it would be akin to an egg. In contrast, the tribe chief''s fist was so massive it could easily be likened to a gigantic boulder.

    It''s a simple concept in nature: what happens when an egg is hurled against a boulder? Naturally, the egg would shatter upon impact. This exact analogy yed out in the tribe chief''s mind. His already grotesque face contorted further, twisting into an ugly, triumphant grin. Clearly, in his mind, he had already visualized the aftermath of this confrontation. He firmly believed Val''s bold choice to face him directly would lead to a tragic end for the young warrior.

    However, when their fists collided, the oue sharply deviated from the tribe chief''s confident predictions, and his smug expression faded instantly.

    Crack!

    The unmistakable sound of bones cracking resonated throughout the clearing. The intense pain emanating from the shattered bones wasn''t Val''s to bear, though. Instead, it was the tribe chief who found himself on the receiving end of the excruciating pain, and he let out an agonized cry, much to the shock of everyone present.

    Now that he was visibly overwhelmed by pain, he wouldn''t be able to react properly to any attack. In other words, a great opportunity had been presented to Val, and he took it without a second wasted, bringing his hand that was behind his back and holding a sword forward as he activated the Crimson sh Skill.

    An arc of crimson light burst out of the sword when it was brought forward, where it was between Val and the Tribe chief. This deadly skill was activated from such a range that it was impossible to dodge for the chief of the Lumisoul Goblin tribe, who was only as fast as a newly ascended level 5 bloodline user.

    The arc of crimson sliced through him in a sh, drawing a red line on his body that stretched from his groin to his head.

    The red line marked the point from where its body separated into two equal halves in the very next breath, its blood and innards sprawling onto the ground. Then, a dull thud sounded as its two halves fell to the ground simultaneously.

 Chapter 276 273: Pushing an entire tribe to the afterlife (last)

    Chapter 276 273: Pushing an entire tribe to the afterlife st)

    [Ding! Congrattions, Host! You have defeated the Chief of the Lumisoul Goblin Tribe.]

    [EXP Gained: 5000]

    [Additional EXP due to level difference: Several thousand]

    [Reward obtained: 1�� Lumisoul Essence]

    [Item Name: Lumisoul Essence

    Description: A crystallized essence condensed from the very core of the Lumisoul Goblin Chief. Consuming this essence can greatly increase a mid-rank water wizard''s understanding of water-based magic and boost the potency of his/her water-rted spells for a limited time.]

    A flicker of disappointment crossed Val''s face. As he was a shadow wizard, the Lumisoul Essence was simply of no use to him. His disappointment, however,sted only for a brief moment as his astute mind quickly highlighted the value it held for others and how he could use it to benefit himself.

    ''If I y my cards right, this could be my ticket to forging meaningful connections within the wizardingmunity,'' he thought.

    Nearby, witnessing their tribe chief''s brutal and swift execution at the hands of Val, two nearby goblins were consumed by intense rage and grief. Their faces distorted with rage, and their eyes filled with tears, reflecting their intense fury. To them, the audacity of Val''s act was the ultimate provocation.

    Without thinking rationally and letting their emotions take control, they lunged at Val, eager to avenge the sudden and brutal death of their leader. They didn''t think twice; they simply reacted out of sheer fury and grief and jumped Val.

    Upon seeing the two goblins charging at him with unbridled fury, Val briefly assessed the situation. Their movements, though swift, were uncoordinated, a clear indication that they were acting on raw emotion rather than strategy.

    Noticing the blind rage in their eyes, Val couldn''t help but let out a scoff.

    "You overestimate yourselves."

    As he spoke, his eyes transformed into a deep shade of crimson, and from his shoulders emerged thick waves of blood.

    These waves took shape rapidly, solidifying into formidable wings adorned with jagged, feather-like decorations. These wings also had sharp, pointy ends that looked like the ws of a beast.

    In a synchronized move, the wings extended to either side, catching the goblins that were lunging towards Val from either side off-guard andnding a swift p on their bodies.

    As a result, they were sent flying, crashing onto the battlefield''s dirt-strewn ground with a dull thud.

    Val, without hesitation, plunged the lethal pointy ends of his wings into their heads. As they were dazed and struggling to regain their senses, they never got the chance to react or defend themselves against this attack of his.

    The single strike was precise and lethal, ensuring they''d no longer be a threat and putting them out of their misery swiftly.

    [Systems Notification: You have gained 8000 EXP for defeating two Level 49 Goblin. Due to the level difference between you and the Mons, an additional 8000 EXP has been awarded to you.]

    The total EXP he gained from defeating the two strongest Lumisoul Goblins right after the chief of the tribe was 8000. A small and brief grin found its way on his face. His EXP has gone way above 100 thousand!

    After finishing off the two goblins, Val raised his head and took a moment to observe his surroundings.

    He noticed dozens of goblins rooted in ce within the clearing. It seemed that they were terrified out of their minds. Their faces, previously fierce and determined, were now painted with sheer terror as the rapid demise of the most powerful members of their tribe at the hands of the leader of the undead army hade as the greatest shock of their lives. Their morale was devastated, and whatever remaining hope or confidence they harbored about triumphing in this battle was nowpletely obliterated.

    As Val''s gaze swept past them, they trembled like leaves in the wind, unable to stay calm any longer.

    Val didn''t look like a human to the Lumisoul goblins. In their eyes, he resembled a horrific and humongous monster with eyes as red as blood. He reminded them of a scary story told in Mon. He reminded them of the Dreaded Gorlok. In their own words, he was the devil who had stepped out of the abyss bearing the mark of evil. Wherever he goes, destruction follows. His sole purpose was to extinguish any and all signs of life.

    Realizing the monumental danger they were in, and with hearts pounding wildly in their chests, a majority of the goblins decided that flight was their only salvation in this situation. Seeing no other option and hoping to save their own lives, they turned on their heels, making a desperate dash out of the clearing, attempting to flee from the looming threat Val and his army presented.

    "Don''t think you can run away."

    Val''s eyes narrowed coldly as he observed the goblins'' futile attempt to flee.

    Without hesitation, he activated his Shadow Bind Rune by expending a small amount of his elementalized soul power.

    Suddenly, the ground beneath the fleeing goblins came alive as their own shadows rose, coiling around them like serpents, ensnaring them in ce.

    The goblins'' eyes widened with terror and disbelief as they found themselves locked up in ce by their own shadows.

    In the very next moment, the entire clearing echoed with their panicked shrieks.

    "What are you being so loud for? No one''s gonnae and help you. This is going to be your grave," Val spoke like a viin.

    With a simple, nonchnt gesture, Val signaled his undead army to deal with the incapacitated goblins. The undead responded to hismand instantly, advancing towards the immobilized creatures.

    Seeing the undead approach, the goblins struggled fiercely against their shadowy constraints.

    However, their efforts were in vain, and they were unable to defend themselves as the undead attacked them.

    Their terrified screams echoed through the clearing onest time as the undead mercilessly ughtered them like cattle, ending their lives.

    [System Notification, Congrattions, Host! You have annihted the entire Lumisoul Goblin Tribe!]

    [Experience Gained: 55,000 EXP]

    Rewards Obtained: 1�� Lumisoul Tribe''s Secret Technique Scroll]

 Chapter 277 274: An important lesson!

    Chapter 277 274: An important lesson!

    Val immediately used his Detect skill on it to find out more about it.

    It was a scroll that contained the strongest technique of the Lumisoul Tribe that could only be learned by the chief of their tribe. In other words, studying this scroll can grant the unique skill exclusive to the chief of the Lumisoul Goblins!

    Val set it aside for now, as he decided to learn itter.

    Then, with the help of his undead, he quickly collected dozens of cores from the corpses of the Lumisoul goblins.

    These cores were called Constitution Improving Lumisoul cores!

    They were packed with a type of energy that could improve one''s strength, agility, reflexes, stamina and even HP stat upon consumption.

    But there was a catch.

    If the energy inside the core wasn''t properly circted throughout the body, it would lead to an inevitable explosion.

    But for Val, these cores were nothing short of treats, akin to candies.

    He tossed them in his mouth one after another, performing a feat that would''ve left anyone else in smithereens.

    The pain associated with the act of consuming the cores would have been agonizing for most, but it was literally non-existent for him because of his Unfeeling Trait.

    This allowed him to maintain a lucid mindset, perform wizardry without a single mistake, and use his soul power to guide and channel the energy of the cores he consumed throughout his body.

    As the energies of the cores circted throughout his body, his strength increased rapidly.

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Host! You have sessfully absorbed several dozen Constitution Improving Lumisoul cores. As a result, you experienced major improvement in your constitution.]

    It wasn''t mentioned how much he improved. He had to find it out for himself. And what better way than to look at the system interface?

    "Status," Val uttered.

    Within his field of vision, a semi-transparent screen containing details about himself appeared. He skipped the unchanged part, only focusing on the areas where he has improved.

    Name: Val V. Whitemore

    Race: Half-Human, Half-Devil

    Age: 17

    ss: Blood Devil

    Exp: 170k

    Level: 13 (0/4500 EXP)

    Sub-ss: Wizard

    Level: 10 (0/2000)

    Innate ss: White Devil Disciple Level 3

    Hidden Ailments: none

    Trait: Unfeeling, Emotional Impairment, Nocturnal Vision, Minor Corruption Resistance Trait, Detect, Heavenly Eye

    Stats:

    ?Health Points (HP): 30/30

    ?Strength (STR): 87 (80)

    ?Agility (AGT): 80

    ?Stamina (STA): 80

    ?Reflexes (REF): 82 (80)

    ?Soul Power: 1200/2500 units

    ?Shadow elemental soul power

    ?Soul Power production rate: 50 units/min

    Blood Bar: 1200 units of blood

    tion welled up within Val. To see such a significant jump in his stats just from consuming the cores of the Lumisoul goblins was not something he had anticipated.

    The idea that Lumisoul goblins were extremely precious resources for humans immediately solidified in his mind. After all, their cores had the ability to dramatically boost one''s stats, even up to a staggering 80 points. If he knew how beneficial their cores were to a human before he fought them, he would''ve left some of them alive and subdued and domesticated them with his Void Force skill to raise them like cattle in his shrine of evil.

    He wouldn''t have ughtered all of them.

    s, in the heat of the moment and without this vital piece of information, he had made an oversight and eradicated them all.

    ''Instead of crying over spilled milk, I should take it as a valuable lesson.'' Val reflected on his recent actions but didn''t chastise himself as it was meaningless to scold oneself over something that have already been done. Instead, he admitted his mistake and decided to do better in the future like a mature gentleman. ''In the future, I will be more thoughtful.''

    As he had recently acquired the Void Force skill, he hadn''t centered his ns around it, but he was beginning to notice the various ways it could be put to use and the potential benefits it held. From now on, he might start asionally centering his ns around it.

    Val took a moment to survey the corpses strewn around the clearing. Their blood, fortunately, wasn''t of a poisonous nature. As the blood was safe for consumption, he absorbed their blood using the Blood Absorption skill. This act resulted in a massive increase in his blood bar, bringing it above 10k points.

    Now he could use attacks like Red Death without any hesitation.

    The corpses in the clearing werepletely dried out of their value. No one else could milk out any benefits from such corpses, but Val still had a use for them.

    He cast the Corpse Sacrifice skill on them, and it resulted in him gaining enough energy to create a few more level 3 undead. He could also create a level 4 undead if he used all the undead-creating energy in his possession.

    However, Val had always been a pragmatist.

    Engaging in actions without meaningful oues was not in his nature.

    Even though the energy at his disposal was sufficient to create a level 4 undead, the risks associated with the endeavor deterred him.

    His Void Control Skill, while formidable, had its limitations, after all. It promised a 100% sess rate only when subduing beings that matched his own level. Any disparity, even by a single level, could introduce uncertainties.

    His skill could certainly dominate those who gave in, but he was certain the level 4 undead would rather die than give in as it was bound to be more stubborn entities than its level 3 counterpart.

    ''Undead creatures are neither bound by reason nor emotion. They are driven by their primordial instincts, which are to cause chaos and destruction. Even if I manage to beat a level 4 undead inbat, demonstrating my clear superiority, it would continue to resist the effect of my void control skill until it dies. The only way to bring this ss of undead under my control is to reach level 4. Then, even if they resist, as long as I subdue them, my will will overwrite their instincts once I use the Void Force skill.''

    Thus, Val decided against the creation of a level 4 undead. Instead, he allocated the amassed energy to produce 3 level 3 undead and promptly employed the Void Force skill to bring them under hismand.

 Chapter 278 275: Dimensional Mirror at work!

    Chapter 278 275: Dimensional Mirror at work!

    Val gingerly picked up the dimensional mirror, which was delicately resting on the altar at the center of the clearing.

    He then reverse-summoned his undead.

    Having ensured the safety of his undead army within the confines of the shrine, he turned his attention to his next objective: finding a body of water as it was necessary to make the magic of the dimensional mirror work.

    ''The forest isrge, almost like a small world of its own. But with my skills, finding a body of water in it should be a piece of cake.''

    Val thought, overflowing with confidence. His confidence wasn''t misced. He possessed unrivaled skill. One of his skills was so great it made him somewhat omnipotent. It was the heavenly eye skill.

    As he invoked the power of his heavenly eye skill, the forest around him became translucent in his eye, and all its hidden secrets were revealed to him.

    His vision expanded dynamically, and he saw what he was looking for.

    Amongst the dense foliage, he discerned the shimmer of a body of water.

    It was a serene creek nestled snugly between two dense thickets of trees. It looked like a sight that seemed to havee straight out of a fairy tale.

    "It''s quite close."

    The distance between him and the creek, he estimated, was about 500 meters from where he stood.

    "It will take only some breath of time to reach it if I sprint at full speed."

    And that''s exactly what he did.

    With the mirror securely held in one hand, Val didn''t waste a moment. He broke into a brisk pace, darting through the shrubs, bushes, and small trees growing beneath therger trees of the forest like a chaotic god of war and heading towards the creek.

    The forest was alive, and not all its inhabitants were going to let him move past them without causing him trouble.

    As he moved through the forest, several audacious low-level beasts, perhaps sensing a lone and potential prey or perhaps just driven by their rudimentary predatory instincts, lunged at him.

    Their intelligence was minimal as their level was lower than 40, thus they failed to sense he was stronger than him and dared to attack him.

    He maneuvered his body like the god of lightning, not only darting past their attack but also effortlessly swatting them all to death in the process. These creatures actually never posed any real challenge to him. It was so bad that they didn''t manage to cause even a single second dy in his journey to his destination before they met their demise at his hand!

    Gulu! Gulu!

    Soon, the gentle babbling of the creek reached Val''s ears.

    His pace decelerated as he approached its banks. Soon, he was standing next to him.

    The water of the creek glistened under the sun, reflecting the canopy above and the world around it.

    Val paused only for a moment to appreciate its tranquility as he didn''t have the time to admire it, someone was in dire need of his support, after all.

    He squatted down quickly and submerged the dimensional mirror into the creek''s clear waters.

    The very next moment, Val got to observe the fascinating transformation of the water caused by the dimensional mirror.

    From its original clear state, it began to shimmer and emit a soft, ethereal glow, signaling its transformation into a teleportation pool.

    This pool had now be a gateway between the two sides of the lesser dimensions.

    Using his wizardry skills, Val carefully extracted the dimensional mirror from the depths of the pool as he knew its importance and thought it best to keep it with him as an insurance policy for future travels, and using any other way to retrieve it would bear no fruit.

    Without hesitation, he stored it safely in the pocket dimension granted to him by the Void Orb, and then, he took a moment to steady himself before diving headlong into the shimmering teleportation pool.

    The sensation that he experienced next was a mix of both exhrating and disorienting.

    His surroundings looked like a blurry vortex of colors, and he felt as if he was being pulled in multiple directions simultaneously.

    ''So cold.''

    A sudden cold engulfed him as if he had been thrust into the heart of a frozen ocean.

    The bone-chilling temperatures would''ve been agonizing to anyone else, but Val''s unique constitution rendered him immune to such sensations. So he managed to retain his rationality and remain calm despite feeling he was in ice-cold waters.

    He opened his eyes and surveyed his new environment while holding his breath. Due to the environment that he suddenly found himself in, he didn''t dare breathe as otherwise he would choke on water and die.

    It was a crystalline pool that was neither too shallow nor too deep that he was inside of.

    He didn''t need to swim too much to get out of it as showed by his Heavenly Eye skill.

    Inside the pool, he began to swim upwards. He knew how to swim as he had learned a lot of things in his past life, and swimming was one of them.

    As he swam upwards, the surface of the water grew nearer.

    Soon he emerged from the pool and gasped for air, his breathsing in heavy, rapid pants as he wiped the water off his face with the back of his hands.

    Where was he?

    Had he sessfully bridged the vast expanse between dimensions to reach where Oliver, the young individual whom Lucious had entrusted him to guard, was located?

    Well, there was only one way to find out.

    He allowed his divine senses to absorb the view of the surroundings.

    The terrain appeared eerily simr to the forest he had just left, but there was a distinct difference.

    Back where he hade from, the sun had been high in the sky, casting its golden glow on the forest below. Here, the shroud of night had already nketed thend.

    This stark contrast between the two sides of the lesser dimension confirmed that he had indeed teleported to that side of the lesser dimension where Oliver was.

 Chapter 279 276: Olivers difficulties!

    Chapter 279 276: Oliver''s difficulties!

    ''Now it''s time to find him!'' Val thought.

    With a sense of urgency, Val channeled his soul energy into the ck ring adorning his middle finger. Almost instantly, a holographic screen materialized before him. On it, a white dot moved in a fric pattern, distancing itself further from a stationary red dot with each passing second.

    His eyebrow raised.

    Oliver was clearly being pursued. The assants could either be Clea, along with the mercenaries she''d recruited for the assassination, or they could be devils. As it was already night on this side of the dimension, it made sense to think that devils could be hunting Oliver.

    The exact details didn''t matter at this moment.

    After all, no matter who they were, it didn''t change the fact that Oliver was in imminent danger.

    ''I have to get to him before them,'' Val thought.

    All he knew was that Oliver was not only vulnerable and alone but also in grave danger. And he needed to act swiftly if he wanted to save his life!

    Val''s agility surged to a remarkable 120 points as he activated his Blood Rush skill.

    Now as he moved through the forest, his movements were so rapid that they generated gusts of wind, powerful enough to rustle and flutter the leaves on trees, and he was moving so fast that in a mere heartbeat, he covered hundreds of meters, his speed so unparalleled that it would be indistinguishable from teleportation to a casual observer.

    The creatures of the forest, from the smallest critter to the mightiest beast, could only catch fleeting glimpses of his form.

    To them, he resembled an apparition, a ghostly presence that vanished from their sight as quickly as it appeared.

    Before they could even process what they''d seen, he''d already reemerged hundreds of meters away.

    Whoosh!

    He quickly hurtled through the forest, drawing ever closer to Oliver with the velocity of aet slicing through the vast expanse of the night sky.

    ****

    About half an hour ago.

    A young man, with a slim yet muscr frame and a sword strapped to his side, sat inside a cave, his right leg crossed over his left one and his back resting against the wall.

    He wasfortably seated next to a fire, one that he had painstakingly built using the wood he''d gathered from the forest before nightfall.

    The light of the fire inside the cave illuminated his youthful face, revealing him to be none other than Oliver.

    Strikingly absent from its usual ce around his neck was his amulet, which now dangled prominently at the entrance of the cave.

    The forest of the lesser dimension bes an execution ground at night for beasts and humans alike.

    Wandering it at this time of the day all alone was too risky, especially for Oliver, who was only a low-level wizard and couldn''t deal with powerful devils.

    He could only spend the night in the cave under the protection of the amulet his godfather had given him.

    The pitter-patter of the rain could be heard. Outside the cave, the temperature grew colder. The coldness, however, couldn''t enter the cave as if kept outside by a mysterious force.

    Oliver started to rx upon hearing the sound of rain. Whenever it rained, he would oddly feelforted. His mother had never sung a luby to him, but he liked to believe the sky did in the form of rain.

    He pushed his knees closer to himself, finding himself to be quite lucky as the second night he spent in the lesser dimension was quite beautiful and peaceful.

    Swoosh!

    He seemed to have jinxed himself as the tranquil atmosphere was shattered when, suddenly, five brilliant rays of light streaked down from the sky. With the speed and precision of arrows, they aimed directly for the cave''s entrance. However, just as they were about to breach the entrance, they met an unseen resistance. The amulet''stent power rose to challenge these intruders, deflecting them effortlessly and forcing them to touch down outside the cave!

    Themotion wasn''t loud, but how could it escape the senses of a sensory-type wizard?

    Oliver noticed it.

    He redirected his gaze from the warm, wood-fueled fire and peered outside.

    To his astonishment, standing just beyond the cave''s entrance were five off figures. Odd because each was enveloped in a mysterious glow, which acted as a veil, making their true appearances elusive to Oliver''s prying eyes.

    Immediately, from his chest pocket, Oliver retrieved a peculiar, intricately designed figurine. he clutched it in his palm, allowing its mysterious energy to meld with his own senses. Taking a deep breath, he directed his attention once more towards the figures lurking outside. As if the figurine had granted him a heightened perception, he could suddenly pierce through the dazzling aura that previously obscured the beings, unveiling their true appearances to his discerning eyes.

    Their faces resembled that of donkeys, but their faces were distorted in an unsettling manner, and they had horns jutting out from their heads. Their bodies were packed with muscles and cloaked in ayer of coarse, unkempt brown fur, and they stood upright on two sturdy kangaroo-like legs.

    Each being had sturdy hands with a unique three-fingered structure. In these hands, they tightly gripped bone staves that bore an ominous skull at the top.

    Despite everything wrong about them, Oliver felt the most unnerved by their eyes, which were intense, prating, full of evil desires, and focused solely on him.

    The menacing gaze of the devilish creatures sent a shiver down Oliver''s spine, momentarily unsettling him.

    Yet, almost as quickly as the fear had gripped him, he found reassurance in the memory of having strategically ced the cherished amulet at the cave''s entrance. Its mystical essence radiated outward, forming a robust shield that these creatures couldn''t prate.

    The recent memory of a simr situation yed vividly in his mind. Just the previous night, devils, with their sinister intentions, had trailed him.

    In that harrowing chase, he''d shown foresight, seeking refuge within the safety of a cave and hanging the amulet at its entrance. And just like now, he had relied on the amulet''s unmatched protective power to defend against the devils whom he couldn''t deal with with his own powers.

    That imprable barrier that the amulet had projected around the cave had effectively nullified every attempt made by his adversaries to enter the cave and harm him.

    With that experience fresh in his memory, Oliver felt a renewed surge of confidence.

    He believed that, once more, the amulet''s protective barrier would guard him against any harm these creatures might intend.

 Chapter 280 277: Olivers Difficulties (b)

    Chapter 280 277: Oliver''s Difficulties (b)

    Oliver has already spent an entire day in the lesser dimension, making him well-acquainted with its day-and-night cycle.

    In the lesser dimension, there were 16 hours of daylight followed by 8 hours of night.

    He had been diligent in tracking the passage of time ever since he arrived in this dimension, and he was certain that 5 hours of the night had already psed. In about three hours, the sun of the lesser dimension will swap ces with its moon, and that''ll signal the end of the hunting time for all the devils in it.

    "Once dawn breaks, these fiends will bepelled to retreat to areas where the sun''s shine can''t extend to. All I need to do to stay safe is stick around in the cave until then."

    The cave''s confining nature provoked feelings of ustrophobia in Oliver, but he reminded himself that he didn''t have the luxury to yearn for open spaces right now as he wasn''t in a position to be choosy, enduring the difort in silence and suppressing his fears.

    The daunting power emanating from these devils certainly dwarfed his own capabilities by arge margin. Hecked the courage to confront them directly as he was certain hecked the strength to defeat them, leaving him with the sole option of lying low in the cave, and leveraging the amulet''s protection.

    Unable to enter the cave, the devils, with their distinctive donkey faces �� often referred to as "Equus Demons" �� showcased expressions of confusion and frustration. They had willingly epted the task of assassinating Oliver from their summoner, who sacrificed several innocent lives just to summon them.

    In their estimation,pleting the mission would be swift and straightforward. After all, to them, Oliver was merely a puny human, a low-rank wizard, the kind of which they routinely feasted on. They hadn''t anticipated that he would have an artifact that could hinder their approach, especially given their immense power that rendered most barriers that were effective against their kind inconsequential.

    Ordinarily, the effect of a typical runic amulet wouldn''t impede them from breaking into a dwelling. After all, they were so powerful they could effortlessly obliterate the protectiveyer erected by suchmon amulets and invade one''s dwelling, killing them in their sleep. However, Oliver''s amulet wasn''t like the many amulets given to the residents of the Northern Frontier''s Lower City. It was far more special than theirs as it had been enhanced by Lord Lucious himself, imbuing it with capabilities potent enough to repel both intermediate and high-tier devils.

    Equus Demons were level 3 devils, but with several of them working together, they could even take down an intermediate-tier devil. It was their ability to work together with their own kind that made them a truly terrifying force in this world. But that didn''t change the fact that they were helpless against the barrier as they knew nothing about it and it was strong enough to repel them.

    This unforeseen obstacle was basically something neither their summoners, who orchestrated the assassination attempt, nor the devils themselves had anticipated!

    They didn''t know how to get past it and get to Oliver, so he was safe for now.

    "What barrier is this to be able to repel even us?"

    The inquiry came from one of the devils, his voice possessing a deep, grinding quality reminiscent of sandpaper being vigorously scraped against a rough surface. It was the kind of sound that, in tales of horror and the supernatural, would make the bravest of souls quiver in trepidation.

    Oliver, despite all his experiences and encounters, found himself profoundly affected by hearing it speak. Each word that the devil pronounced resonated in his ears, making his heart palpitate with unease, its malevolent undertone chilling him to the bone.

    Outside the cave, turning to the third devil, the second one, with a hint of impatience and curiosity in his tone, remarked, "You''ve always boosted yourself as the one with the most knowledge of barriers and magical fortifications among us. Can you make any sense of this one?"

    Drawing a deep breath, the third devil replied with a touch of uncertainty, "Throughout my long existence, I''vee across myriad barriers, each with its own unique construct. But this... this is unlike any I''ve ever seen. However, I can give it a try and attempt to decipher it, but I must admit, itsplexity may be beyond even myprehension, and it might as just a useless goose chase."

    "Take your time and give it your best effort. I promise no one here will fault you if you''re unable toprehend its weaknesses." The first devil, in a reassuring tone, spoke to the third one.

    "Wouldn''t that be too wasteful?" the second devil said.

    "I don''t need all the time in the world. I just need five minutes," the third devil said, "If I''m unable to crack the code of this barrier within that brief window, then no amount of time will suffice unless I can somehow augment my wisdom."

    The other four devils nodded, even the second devil who had a beef with him didn''t cause any unnecessary trouble.

    Gaining their approval, the third devil cautiously extended his hand towards the barrier created by the talisman dangling at the cave''s entrance. As his fingers neared the invisible barrier, the barrier emitted a soft sun-like glow, its surface pulsating like the heartbeat of some mystical entity. Just then, the devil''s fingers were met with what felt like an electric jolt, causing him to swiftly retract his hand in surprise.

    The next moment, recovering from the unexpected shock, he rubbed his chin, eyes narrowing in contemtion, visibly determined to decipher this enigma.

    While the third devil attempted to discern the characteristics of the enigmatic barrier, the remaining four devils maintained a respectful distance and silence, ensuring that they did not interfere with his crucial examination or risk interrupting his focus with unnecessary chatter.

    After a couple of minutes, the second devil, with a hint of impatience in his voice, spoke to the third devil, who was working onprehending the barrier. "The allotted five minutes have passed. Have you managed to glean any insights about it that could be of use to us?"

    The third devil nodded.

    "I''ve indeedprehended it to a great extent. Firstly, it''s intricately woven from the rays of the sun, our greatest weakness. Secondly, it''s generated by that amulet you see there hanging at the cave''s entrance. Moreover, the amulet might seem small, but inside its seemingly modest form lies a vast expanse, a kind of reservoir teeming with sun rays. Should the barrier sustain any form of damage, the amulet can promptly draw from this reserve to instantly repair it."

    "So, if I understand you correctly, you''re implying that simply using brute force might not guarantee us entry?" The second devil said.

    The third devil shook his head and, with a measured tone, borated, "I didn''t im that."

    "There''s a way?" the first devil asked.

    "Indeed, there is. The amulet''s reserve of sun rays is limited, so it doesn''t make our task impossible. Yes, it will be challenging, and yes, attempting to shatter this barrier will sap a significant chunk of our strength. However, if we pool our energies and maintain a relentless onught, I am confident we can breach its defenses before the first light of dawn makes its appearance," the third devil replied.

    Without wasting another moment, all five devils raised their bone staffs and waved them. As they did, a menacing ck skeleton head materialized around each staff,unching itself with great velocity towards the barrier.

    There was a deafening Boom! as a series of ghostly skeleton heads detonated upon contact with the barrier. The force was so devastating that the barrier seemed to falter, quivering as if on the verge of shatteringpletely.

    Just then, the amulet dangling at the entrance emitted a brilliant, nearly blinding glow.

    From within it, countless rays of light poured forth, rushing to the barrier''s aid.

    The seemingly disintegrating barrier absorbed these rays, rejuvenating and restoring itself to its former intact state.

    The devils didn''t seem disheartened by this experience as they already knew what to expect. Instead of sulking, they attacked the barrier again, but it rapidly healed from all the damage done to it using the sun rays present inside its source.

    This sequence of events repeated itself again and again. Although there didn''t seem to be a difference and the devils looked like they were back to square one each time, each assault theyunched at the seemingly eternal barrier was actually draining the amulet''s reserve of stored sun rays.

    Once the amulet runs out of sun rays, it will only take a few rounds of attacks to destroy the barrier and then there will be nothing left to stop them from killing Oliver.

    The devils knew it.

    Oliver also knew it, and he sucked in a cold breath.

    Death has honestly never felt this close!

 Chapter 281 278: Olivers difficulties (3)

    Chapter 281 278: Oliver''s difficulties (3)

    Oliver felt anxious. Every moment the five devils continued their assault on the barrier was bringing him closer to peril.

    He went over everything he knew and had, hoping to find a solution to his current predicament.

    Desperation fuelled his creativity, and in that moment of urgency, a brilliant n began to take shape in his mind.

    The n was quite simple.

    If it worked, he would live to see another day.

    If it failed, he would be the next meal of the devils.

    Moreover, there was no guarantee that it would work.

    But all the signs said if he hesitated now, thenter he''dck the time to act and would face certain death.

    ''I guess I''ve no choice but to gamble with my life.''

    As this thought crossed Oliver''s mind, without wasting another second, he rose to his feet from his seated position in the cave.

    Using his proficient wizardry skills, he swiftly snuffed out the crackling fire.

    As the only source of illumination went out, the once dimly lit cave was immediately submerged in an oppressive darkness.

    Inside this shroud of ck, Oliver was hidden from view, rendering him invisible to the prying eyes of the devils outside the cave.

    This sudden change left the devils puzzled.

    "What is he up to now?" the first devil murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and caution.

    "Why even bother specting about his actions?" said the fourth Equus, Draconis, with an air of casual disdain. "Whatever ploy he might be conjuring, it''s irrelevant. Once we breach this barrier, there will be no nooks or crannies for him to hide in. Nothing will save him from us. He''ll be as vulnerable as a mouse in a snake''s den."

    "Draconis has a point. The amulet''s store of sun rays is being rapidly consumed by our persistent attacks. Every strike brings us one step closer to our goal. It''s just a matter of time now before its energy ispletely exhausted. We should double our efforts and strike with even more force. Sess is not far away." The second devil uttered with his glib tongue.

    With sess seemingly in reach, all the devils felt motivated andunched fiercer and more forceful attacks on the barrier, determined to bring it down once and for all.

    Whoosh!

    Suddenly, from the mouth of the cave, a figure bolted into the open with startling speed.

    Every aspect of this individual, from his attire to his mannerisms, was an impable mirror of Oliver. It was a likeness so precise that even if Oliver''s own kin andrades were to catch a glimpse of this figure, they would without a doubt, assert it was Oliver himself.

    The devils, believing this figure to be Oliver, were filled with a triumphant tion which became vividly clear to the naked eye as their expressions morphed into ones of jubtion.

    Their quarry, whom they had been hounding with unyielding determination, appeared to be recklessly delivering himself into their clutches. Such a turn of events was beyond their wildest expectations.

    Oliver suddenlying out of the cave was unexpected, but the devils'' reaction to his sudden appearance was swift and appeared almost instinctual.

    Without missing a beat, they raised their bome stave with practiced ease and brandished it in a violent arc. The atmosphere grew thick with a malevolent energy. Out of thin air, a multitude of skeletal visages materialized, each more menacing than thest. They plummeted earthward with the force and intensity of falling meteors, each set on obliterating the fleeing figure.

    Boom!

    A ground-shaking explosion erupted after a moment as the skeletal visages detonated upon contact with the fleeing figure, sending clouds of dust and debris billowing into the air and enveloping the area in a thick, choking cloud of dust and rubble.

    The explosion was ridiculously strong.

    Even an intermediate-level bloodline user wouldn''te out of it unscathed.

    The devils thought Oliver was done for.

    Once the dust settled, they decided to collect his remains and return to their summoner to get the reward forpleting the mission.

    However, their eyes, on their donkey-like faces, widened beyond the size of boiled eggs, almost popping out of their sockets, and their jaws dropped in disbelief. A silhouette emerged from the clouds of dust. One look at it, and they could tell it was Oliver. He was alive, and even more shockingly, he was miraculously unharmed!

    "How can this be?!" One of the devils eximed, his voiceced with shock and a hint of fear. They hadbined their strengths, and their attacks were not something that could be easily shrugged off. So how did he, who was at the center of the explosion, do it?

    The third devil was initially taken aback by this development like the others, but he quickly deduced that Oliver must be in possession of a formidable defensive artifact that shielded him from all their attacks and he quickly shared it with the others to bring rationale into the situation and keep them motivated about the assassination and focused on the mission.

    "He must have relied on a cursed artifact."

    The third devil came to such a conclusion because it was hard to believe that Oliver relied on his own strength to survive theirbined attacks. After all, if he possessed the might to withstand their onught on his own strength, why was he fleeing rather than facing them head-on?

    The logical conclusion was that his true strength wasn''t noteworthy, but he had a prized defensive relic that could save him from being harmed by an attack that could severely injure or kill a level 4 bloodline user.

    The third devil''s words made sense to the other devils and they no longer felt afraid that Oliver had some magical technique up his sleeve with which he could burst their asses.

    Their initial shock and fear could be seen dissipating, reced by a determination to capture Oliver.

    With renewed confidence, they immediately sprung into action, giving chase.

 Chapter 282 279: Fooling the Hunters!

    Chapter 282 279: Fooling the Hunters!

    In the vast and treacherousndscape, the devils moved with an agility and swiftness that could only bepared to level 3 warriors. They seemed almost like shadows darting across the ground. On the other hand, Oliver, having a physique that many would deem remarkable despite being a wizard, simply couldn''t match up to a level 3 warrior in both strength and speed.

    As they relentlessly pursued him, the once considerable distance between Oliver and his pursuers dwindled at an rming rate.

    Their hauntingly swift approach filled the air with palpable tension. It became evident that they would catch up to him in mere minutes.

    Caught in this dire situation, Oliver could only keep running at full speed even as his lungs burned and his breathing grew audibly ragged.

    However, before he could conjure any defensive spell or even think of a countermeasure, a devil, with a gleam of triumph in his eyes, lunged at him from the side. With practiced precision, the devil extended his staff, striking Oliver''s legs. As a result, Oliver was crashing to the ground, the air knocked out of him.

    Desperation and fear clouded his vision as he tried to regain his footing. But fate was not on his side. Before Oliver could even push himself off the ground, the first devil, with a terrifying gleam in his eyes, could be seen falling down the air,nding straight on his back, knocking the air out of him, and pressing his body against the forest floor.

    Then, without a shred of hesitation or mercy, the first devil delivered a devastating blow to Oliver''s head, stomping on it heavily. The sheer force of the attack was such that it turned his head into nothing more than a gruesome paste, ending Oliver''s life instantaneously.

    "We have done it!"

    The devils, in the immediate aftermath of what they believed to be their victory, exuded an aura of pride. Their elongated, donkey-like faces were adorned with smiles, smirking with the satisfaction of a job well done. They basked in the glory of the moment, taking a brief second to exchange triumphant nces among themselves. Yet, the universe, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor.

    Just as they were reveling in their supposed achievement, the scene before them began to change dramatically, much to their astonishment.

    Oliver''s "corpse" started to fade away, slowly evaporating like morning mist under the sun''s harsh rays. In the very spot where Oliver''s body hadin, a piece of paper with a drawing on it could be seen.

    The drawing on the paper resembled a crudely drawn hand gesture��a middle finger curled with two fingers surrounding it, bearing an uncanny resemnce to a phallus and balls sack.

    A heavy silence fell upon them as they processed what they were seeing.

    Their faces, a moment ago filled with triumph, now contorted in sheer disbelief and mortification. The weight of their miscalction pressed down on them, and the realization that they had been chasing a mere clone of Oliver dawned on them, but the true sting was in the paper''s graphic, a tant mockery that seemed tough at their overconfidence.

    Their donkey-like faces reddened, burning with shame. Not only had they beenpletely fooled, but the enemy had also chosen to add insult to injury by presenting them with such a disrespectful rune. This was the kind of humiliation that would haunt them for eons toe!

    With the aftermath of their blunder still fresh, a critical question began to gnaw at the devils'' minds: where could the real Oliver be hiding?

    Without wasting any time, the devils darted back to the cave, hoping to find some clues. However, the scene that greeted them only deepened their despair. The cave was deserted, not even the amulet that once hung at the entrance remained

    The first devil, already struggling to cope with the humiliation of being fooled by a mere brat, lost hisposure. In a fury-driven act, he mmed his fist against the cave''s interior with such force that the very foundation of the cave began to tremble as dust and rocks began to fall.

    It was about to cave in!

    Recognizing the impending danger of a cave-in, the devils, driven by survival instincts, scrambled to evacuate. They managed to dart out of the cave just moments before the cave copsed behind them and a cascade of rocks and debris sealed its cave''s entrance.

    Angry shouts filled the air, with the other devils berating the first for his impulsiveness.

    "Do you realize the peril you just put us in?"

    "You nearly got us buried alive with that stunt!"

    "I couldn''t help it, alright!" the first devil shouted back angrily. "Don''t you guys also feel angry having been fooled by a mere waste?"

    "We do, but do you see us harming each other?" the second, fourth, and fifth devils chastised the first for his reckless actions, causing his heart to lower in shame and igniting a deep hatred for Oliver in his heart. If not for him, he wouldn''t been humiliated by his own people. He med him for everything.

    The third devil, always the voice of reason among them, stepped in to mediate. He sternly admonished the first devil, "Now''s not the time to give in to rage. We need a clear head," before saying, "He couldn''t have ventured too far from here. Our top priority should be to find him, and we must spare no effort in doing so. Understood?"

    "Yes!"

    Nods of agreement followed, and with renewed determination, the five devils dispersed in different directions to track down the target of their assassination and fulfill their mission.

    Choosing the southern path, the first devil moved with a determined pace.

    As he ventured further, a glint of hope shined in his eyes.

    He became increasingly confident that he was on the right trail as the distinctive scent of Oliver grew stronger in the air with each step he took in the southern direction.

    After navigating through the maze-like thickets and tangled underbrush for what felt like hours but was only a few minutes, a familiar silhouette appeared in his view.

    And this figure was unmistakably Oliver.

 Chapter 283 280: Hunting the hunter with a strategy spanning hours

    Chapter 283 280: Hunting the hunter with a strategy spanning hours

    Oliver suddenly paused and looked around, ncing cautiously to his left and then to his right. A visible sigh of relief escaped from his lips as he saw no sign of the devils hunting him.

    Seeing this, the devil became certain that the target was clueless about his presence.

    "This is my chance," thought the devil as he immediately made a move, sneaking up behind Oliver without making a noise. As no noises were made as it moved, Oliver seemed to have failed to notice it sneaking up on him.

    The devil dered, "Caught you," as in a single swift motion his hand, equipped with three sharp, metallic digits that resembled the hooves of a horse but were infinitely sharper, prated Oliver''s body from the center of his upper back and came out of his chest, effectively skewering him to his arm.

    "They say revenge is the sweetest when served cold, but I am having the time of my life here."

    The devil beamed with triumph, relishing the sweet taste of revenge.

    He looked down, admiring his handiwork and expecting to see the life drain from his target''s eyes.

    However, in mere moments, his face contorted from tion to utter disbelief.

    The Oliver he believed he had sessfully vanquished wasn''t the genuine Oliver at all.

    Instead, it was merely a decoy, an illusion that began to disintegrate right before his very eyes, disappearing like a mirage in the desert.

    The devil''s eyes thinned to the size of needles as he realized he had been duped yet again by the same kid, and his instincts screamed at him that something was amiss, that he was in grave danger, but he barely had time to understand the nature of his mistake when the very tree behind him morphed into Oliver who was holding a gleaming sword in his hand. Before the devil could even sense his presence, Oliver, with a swift and precise movement, drove the sword into the back of the devil''s head, catching himpletely off-guard.

    The devil never expected a low-rank wizard would have the guts to set up a trap and confront him. He

    fell victim to his ploy because blinded by his own arrogance, he underestimated Oliver.

    With a sly grin, Oliver leaned close to the devil who he had just stabbed and whispered into his ears, "I am the one that got ya, loser."

    Oliver had expected the devil to drop dead, but what he got was entirely unexpected.

    Hahahaha!

    With a glint of amusement shing in its eyes, the devilughed. Hisughter was simr to the cries of a banshee. It was a sound that sent chills down Oliver''s spine, making him feel cold feet.

    How could he still be alive? He has driven a sword through his head!

    Slowly, with a smirk ying on his lips, the devil turned his head ever so slightly. His actions lodged the sword deeper into his head and allowed him to look at Oliver from the corner of his eyes. Oliver saw a glint of mockery dancing within the devil''s eyes and in that moment, he knew he had made a grave mistake. He had greatly underestimated the devil''s vitality.

    With an almost theatrical ir, the Equus sneered, "Do you genuinely believe such a tactic would be my undoing?" He continued, his voice dripping with derision, "Perhaps you''re not fully aware, but let me educate you on the robust resilience of an Equus'' constitution. This wound, as dramatic as it appears," he gestured towards the sword embedded deep within his skull, "is merely a scratch for our kind. Watch closely; once I remove this little annoyance," he grasped the sword''s hilt and started to put it out of his skull, "my injury will mend itself in the blink of an eye."

    Oliver''s resolve initially wavered, but a determined glint shed in his eyes in that very second. With a smirk that mirrored the devil''s own arrogance, he fired back, "Your dreams are rather lofty, aren''t they? Who said I''m going to give you the time to do what you want?"

    Upon hearing his words, a wave of unease washed over the devil, but before he could do a thing, Oliver unleashed the ultimate curse housed within his artifact.

    A torrent of wind des, sharp as razors and fast as lightning, burst forth from the sword embedded in the devil''s skull in a spectacr disy.

    Burst!

    The devil''s head exploded, a mess of blood, brain matter, bones, and teeth sttering everywhere as the wind des burst out and surrounded the devil, who wobbled around but didn''t copse to the ground. His hands with sharp digits swung through the air randomly, but by chance headed straight towards Oliver as he leaped backwards to avoid them.

    "How the hell?!"

    Oliver was honestly shocked by the devil''s ability to remain alive despite losing his head. Even without the most important part of the body, the devil was still alive. His vitality was truly terrifying.

    "He''s recovering?"

    Oliver''s shock doubled as the empty area above the devil''s neck began to grow a head.

    The devil was going to recover from the damage, but Oliver had no intention of letting that happen.

    "Like hell I''d let you," Oliver said as he clutched his fist and the swords surrounding the devil shed at him from every conceivable angle. Such was their speed and precision that the devil was rendered into countless shreds almost instantaneously. He didn''t even get the opportunity to emit a final, desperate cry before meeting his end!

    A relieved immediately adorned Oliver''s handsome pretty boy face. The chopped-up pieces of the devil''s body weren''t showing any signs of being alive. This time the devil was dead for real.

    Oliver, standing before the remnants of the Equus, took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.

    "Master," he whispered to the wind, but it seemed like he was speaking to the absent figure with a note of gratitude, "even though you aren''t here by my side, this victory belongs to you as much as it does to me. It''s undeniably thanks to your guidance and gifts that I managed to take down the Equus."

    Oliver was Lord Lucious''s only student, and their bond was deeper than that of a typical mentor and protege. He treated him like his own son. As a mark of his favoritism and trust, Lucious had presented Oliver with a unique cursed artifact every year on his birthday. And as told before, cursed artifacts were imbued with special effects. Over time, this consistent gifting resulted in Oliver amassing an arsenal of these powerful tools, each holding mysterious and awe-inspiring capabilities.

    Moreover, Lord Lucious didn''t just pick up any artifact he could and gifted it to Oliver. He was extremely thoughtful about it as a person, whether they be a bloodline, a wizard, or both, couldn''t bond with an infinite number of cursed artifacts, as the chances of bing corrupted increases each time one subdues a cursed artifact and establishes a contract with it. He only gave items that were extremely beneficial in diversifying the things Oliver could do, hence increasing his chance of survival no matter what situation he faced, and helped him subdue them as well.

    Among the many cursed artifacts he gifted Oliver was the "Doppelganger." A marvel of dark magic, it gave Oliver the ability to conjure a near-perfect replica of himself, deceiving even the most astute of observers. Another one of these gifts was the "Shapeshifter." It was an artifact of deception that granted Oliver the ability to change not just his appearance, but even his scent, to match any target of his choosing. All he had to do was set his gaze upon the subject, and he would be an indistinguishable copy of them. And, of course, his main weapon of choice, the wooden cursed sword �C a seemingly unassuming weapon, which in fact contained a formidable force �C this too was a cherished gift from Lucious.

    Without thebined strength of these artifacts, Oliver''s ploy would have been doomed from the start. So he couldn''t help but feel grateful to his master and attribute one part of his victory against the Equus to him. As for the other part, it naturally went to him.

    After all, it would be unjust to attribute his sessful victory over the Equus solely to the cursed artifacts since Oliver''s sharp intellect and cunning yed an equally pivotal role in the risky battle.

    His mostmendable achievement was, without a doubt, the way he managed to separate the group of Equus using only Doppelganger.

    These five devils were formidable when united. Their collective strength and synergy made them nearly invincible against anyone weaker than level 5. However, Oliver''s strategy ingeniously managed to fracture this unity, drawing them apart. After all, he knew all too well that if the five Equus had coordinated their efforts and attacked him simultaneously, he wouldn''t have stood the slightest chance. Their sheer might would have overwhelmed him. So, he divided them first.

    And by sessfully dividing them and ensuring only one pursued him, he tilted the scales in his favor. But even then, he meticulously strategized, using the Doppelganger to create a diversion and the Shapeshifter to blend seamlessly into his surroundings to fool the Equus chasing him into falling into a trap. Oliver had transformed a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a manageable one-on-one confrontation, which he won by being meticulous till the end!

    ''With this, I have earned the right to see another day.''

    Oliver thought he had thrown the devils off his trail.

    What he didn''t know was that he had made a fatal mistake by killing the Equus, and it was a mistake so great that it might very well cost him his life!

 Chapter 284 281: Trapped

    Chapter 284 281: Trapped

    The Donkey-faced devils shared a strange connection with one another. If any one of them met their end, the others would instantly feel the weight of that loss.

    Thus, the remaining four Equus sensed that the unimagianble have happened to their leader when Oliver killed him.

    However, they were unwilling to believe that he had died. He was the strongest member of their group. How could he have died just a few minutes after they each went their own way in search of Oliver? They wouldn''t believe it unless they have seen it with their own eyes!

    Reacting swiftly to this rming sensation, they immediately changed direction, darting towards the same area of the forest where their leader had gone to in search of Oliver.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Fueled by the urgency of the situation, they moved so fast through the forest that it made them appear as if they were rays of light, reminiscent of rockets set on a lunar course, sting off from Earth. They too appear as just bright rays of light from afar.

    Soon after, they abruptly as they came across the ce where the remnants of their leader were strewn chaotically across the terrain.

    Seeing what the Equus had been reduced to, a powerful tempest of emotions enveloped the four donkeu-faced devils.

    Even though they were devils, embodiments of pure malevolence in every sense of the word, they weren''t devoid of feelings. Not to mention, these five Equus weren''t just a group; they were akin to a family. They were born from the same pool of negativity on the same night, had always been together, and their bond was strengthened by the battles they fought for each other''s sake and the sacrifices they made for one another.

    And within this family, their leader, now lying lifeless on the forest floor, was undoubtedly their elder sibling as he was born from the pool of negativity that gave birth to all of them before all of them on that night and he was the strongest devil amongst them, and he had been guiding and protecting them since day one!

    And now, seeing him lifeless, seemingly taken down while they were searching for their target, stirred a raw anger and a deep-seated pain in their chests. A mix of sorrow, confusion, and primarily, anger simmered beneath their donkey-like visages.

    Their leader, their "big brother" had been taken from them, and the sense of loss they felt was so great it filled them up with a burning thirst for vengeance, and their eyes, which usually emitted a cold, dispassionate glow, now burned with a fury so intense it seemed to light up the forest. Their nostrils red, and their bodies tensed, each muscle taut with rage. They wanted to do nothing but find the killer of their leader and rip him to shreds!

    "How did he die?! Who was behind it?" The second devil''s voice cracked with emotion as he bellowed his questions at the third devil.

    "From the looks of it, it seems to be the handiwork of one man," the third devil replied, trying to maintain a semnce ofposure, even as his eyes scanned the scene with a mix of disbelief and rising anger.

    The expressions on the faces of the second, fourth, and fifth devils changed at his words. Their expression was now a mix of shock, grief, and brewing rage.

    "You mean?" The second devil''s voice trembled with a blend of rage and disbelief, his eyebrows drawn tightly together in a fierce scowl, eyes burning with unspoken questions.

    "I am afraid we''ve severely underestimated our target, and that miscalction has tragically cost us the life of our dearrade." the third devil replied with a somber tone.

    "But he looked weak as hell! How on earth could he have bested our leader?" the fourth devil blurted out, unable to hide his confusion.

    "The same weak bastard fooled all of us. Besides, our leader was never strong in the intelligence department. He must have used some kind of trick to catch him off guard and finish him," the third devil said.

    The third devil''s analysis was sharp and incisive, cutting through the confusion like a knife, and the logic behind his conclusion was undeniable. The remaining three devils agreed with him on this. Oliver was the killer of their big brother.

    "We cannot let this transgression go unpunished! We must avenge our fallen brother!"

    The second devil dered, his voice echoing the group''s collective sentiment.

    For them, Oliver''s offense was unforgivable.

    He had killed their leader so he must die at all cost.

    They were willing to exhange their life to make it happen!

    ****

    A while ago.

    Oliver, having dealt the fatal blow to the first devil, made a hasty retreat from the scene.

    The urgency of his exit was evident in the way he navigated through the dense forest.

    He did not take the time to mask his presence or obscure his trail. He didn''t know at this time thag it was an oversight that woulde back to haunt him.

    In his mind, Oliver believed it would already be day before the other devils realized what had transpired, that he had killed their leader. He was unaware of the unique bond the Equus devils shared, a bond so profound that they could not only sense the demise of one of their own but could also pinpoint the exact location of their fallenrade!

    Thisck of awareness became Oliver''s Achilles heel.

    His hurried footsteps imprinted on the moist forest floor, and his distinct scent wafted in the cool breeze, marking a clear path for anyone �� or anything �� looking to track him down.

    For the remaining devils, these unintentional breadcrumbs left behind by Oliver were nothing short of a godsend. They acted as clear indicators, beacons even, illuminating the path Oliver had taken.

    They followed the trail he had left behind to chase him down.

    Their rapid movement through the forest was a sight to behold. The sheer velocity at which they moved made them appear as ck whirlwinds, darting between trees, rustling leaves, and disturbing the creatures of the forest.

    As they were moving too fast, the distance that would have taken any normal being significant time to cover was traversed by these devils in moments.

    Every second that ticked by lessened the gap between the hunters and the hunted.

    And soon, they were moments away from confronting Oliver.

    Oliver, who was gleefully running through the forest thinking he had shaken off his pursuers, heard rustling noisesing from far behind him.

    As these noises grew clearer and nearer, he felt something was amiss and nced back without halting his steps.

    What met his gaze was a sight that sent chills down his spine, causing his pupils to widen to ten times their original size.

    To his horror, the very devils he believed he had outsmarted were now just a mere 40 feet behind him, and they were moving so much more faster than him, each of their steps fueled by burning anger, that they were rapidly diminishing the distance between them.

    "Little bastard, hand over your life!" The second devil, with a voice dripping in malice, bellowed as he swung his bone stave through the air. A thick skull, submerged in the aura of death and dread, emerged in the forest out of thin air and hurtled through the air straight towards Oliver, who spotted it out of the corner of his eye and yelled,

    "Holy fuck."

    Reacting swiftly, Oliver sidestepped to avoid the oing skull.

    But as if it possessed eyes of its own, the skull altered its trajectory, once more aiming directly for him.

    Panic coursed through Oliver''s veins, pushing him to resume his sprint, and this time he was running far faster than when he first escaped from the devils.

    Every ounce of his being was focused on escape, but the skull appeared to have a speed advantage over him.

    It relentlessly pursued him, and with each heartbeat, the distance between them shrank ominously.

    With a heart-pounding urgency, just as it seemed like the menacing skull would explode on his back, Oliver demonstrated a maneuver so amazing and clever that it would have left many in awe.

    He leapt towards the towering tree right ahead of him before his foot made a solid connection with the rough bark of the tree''s trunk, providing him just the right momentum to soar upwards. With impable precision, he reached out with one hand, grasping onto a sturdy branch, using it to further propel himself up and away from the impending doom below.

    Boom!

    The ominous skull collided violently with the tree as it hadn''t anticipated Oliver''s deft move and couldn''t change its direction in time. An ear-splitting explosion followed as the skull exploded right when it impacted the tree. Fragments of wood shot out in every direction like deadly missiles, and billowing clouds of dust mushroomed into the air.

    Oliver wasn''t the least bit hurt as he had ced a safe distance between himself and the st''s radius before the skull crashed into the tree and exploded.

    However, although he had managed to evade the immediate threat to his life with mere seconds to spare, it cost him a lot of time to get rid of the skull. And the consequences of this was finding himself being surrounded by an Equus from all side.

    They had strategically positioned themselves around him, effectively cutting off his escape path!

    Oliver realized with a growing dread that there was no way to escape their encirclement.

    This time it seemed like he was done for!

 Chapter 285 282: Saved!

    Chapter 285 282: Saved!

    It was one of those rare moonlit nights, where the vast expanse of the heavens shimmered brilliantly, and countless stars twinkled resplendently in the night skies, appearing like precious diamonds scattered across a velvet canvas.

    This ethereal and breathtaking view was reflected in the myriad of small, isted ponds scattered throughout the expansive forest of the lesser dimension.

    Only from an elevated bird''s eye perspective could one truly appreciate and savor the enchanting sight of a thousand beautiful skies at the same time, And in the entire lesser dimension, only Val, the astute observer, had the privilege to hold this unparalleled view in his eyes as he gracefully flew across the sky on his broom, relentlessly and determinedly honing in on Oliver''s precise location.

    One might ask, why had he taken to the skies using the Flying Broom when he was in a rush to reach Oliver?

    Well, the answer was quite simple honestly.

    This side of the lesser dimension was teeming with wildlife, ying host to numerous beasts.

    But all of these creatures were terrestrial in nature, making the skies of this side of the lesser dimension notably devoid of aerial predators.

    Thisck of sky-bound threats gave Val a strategic advantage.

    He chose the unobstructed aerial route to bypass potential confrontations on the ground, ensuring he could reach Oliver in the shortest time span possible!

    Meanwhile, in a clearing close to one of the many shimmering ponds, Oliver felt afraid and anxious as he was effectively surrounded by the menacing devils that were thirsting for his blood on all fronts.

    His hair, wet with his sweat, stuck damply to his forehead. Simrly, his back bore the evidence of his escting stress, being soaked with perspiration due to the dire circumstances he was enmeshed in.

    Whoosh!

    Without any warning, the devils lunged at Oliver in unison. Their razor-sharp ws sliced through the air with deadly precision, each targeting the vital parts of Oliver''s body, intending to incapacitate and then finish him.

    Facing such a coordinated onught from multiple adversaries, even if Oliver had been blessed with four arms and two heads, he would still have found it nearly impossible to fend off their simultaneous attacks, much less now when he was running so low on his soul power that he couldn''t perform wizardry or feed his cursed artifacts the soul power they needed to function.

    His trusted cursed artifacts ran on soul power, but since they were basically starved of the very thing they required to spring into action, he couldn''t whip out a trump card to turn this situation around.

    All Oliver could do was stand rooted to the spot, his eyes widening in sheer terror as the devils brought his death ever closer to him.

    "Guess this is where my journey ends," Oliver thought somberly.

    He sighed deeply, letting out a weighty exhale that seemed to carry with it all his fears and regrets.

    Raising his gaze from the devils closing in on him with the promise of certain death, he looked at the sky as if trying to find some sort of sce in the vast expanse of the night sky.

    He hoped that in his final moments, he could at least feast his eyes on the tranquil beauty of the stars decorating the night sky rather than the monstrous visages of the devils that sought his life.

    The cold gleam of countless celestial bodies in the sky of the lesser dimension seemed distant yet theyforted him.

    He had tried his best to stay alive and be strong, but his best wasn''t enough and he was going to die here of all ces.

    Facing certain death, he only had one regret. He regretted that he wasn''t able to repay his master and friend for all they had done for him before his death!

    And he hoped they wouldn''t me him for leaving them all behind as he really couldn''t do anything to change the oue this time.

    ''I will miss them.''

    It looked like Oliver was destined to die here.

    But as he set his eyes on the sky onest time, a peculiar sight caught his attention �� a tiny, inky speck was plummeting down the sky rapidly, anding directly toward their location.

    As it drew nearer, Oliver''s pupil constricted as he discerned that this was no mere fleck of debris or bird; it was something �� or someone �� entirely different, something unexpected.

    In the split second when the sharp, menacing ws of the devils seemed destined to end Oliver''s life, the dark speck crashed down from the sky like a sword immortal, which, upon closer inspection, was none other than a devilishly handsome with an unparalleled demeanor, and with a resounding Bam, hended with such immense force in front of Oliver that the ground beneath them cracked and clouds of dust kicked up, billowing around them like gs of victory in the wind.

    The devils and Oliver were shocked as a person appeared out of nowhere, standing between them like a wall that couldn''t be breached. The person was dressed in ck.

    Oliver, from his position, could only view the broad and steadfast back of this neer, rendering him unable to discern his identity immediately.

    He pondered the stranger''s motives for suddenly interfering in his execution at the hands of the devils. The devils, on the other hand, were taken aback; they hadn''t sensed him approaching, much less seen how he appeared between them and their target.

    It usually meant one of the following two things.

    Either he was so weak they couldn''t sense him, or he was a formidable force of such magnitude that he could skillfully avoid their detection, sneaking up on them effortlessly.

    Given the aura he exuded that was covering up his surroundings in ink, ck darkness that was impossible to look through as it was the reflection of the depth of the abyss, thetter seemed closer to the undeniable truth!

    Realizing that this neer could wipe the floor with them, the devils wanted to retreat, but they had gone all in when they pounced towards Oliver so they found it challenging to halt their momentum and retreat.

    "You did well, surviving for so long against such overwhelming odds. I will handle them from here," said the man who just appeared.

    Oliver thought the voice sounded eerily familiar, as if it belonged to someone he knew, prompting his eyebrows to knit in thought.

    Then, a realization hit him like a bolt of lightning: This was Val!

    Just when that realization hit Oliver, with Val as the epicenter, an awe-inspiring and tumultuous outburst of soul power erupted.

    Its intensity and force were akin to a volcanic explosion, threatening to engulf everything in its path.

    Yet, like a miracle, this power that burst out from Val surged past Oliver without disturbing even a single hair on his head before it ominously headed straight for the bbergasted devils.

    The four devils were still in the act of lunging towards Oliver with their ws stretched out. But before they could pull back, the massive and violent wave of soul power discharged from Val hit them with the force of a thousand thunders. They flew backward like kites with broken strings and broke through dozens of trees beforeing to a stop after smashing into a boulder and falling to the ground.

    Like anyone who was attacked out of the blue, they too wanted to know who attacked them, but more than that was the fear they held for their attacker. He came out of nowhere and so fast that even they couldn''t notice his arrival, and then smacked them across the terrain. Clearly, He was so strong they didn''t hold a candle to him.

    If they stuck around, they would die.

    Now that their own lives were on the line, forgot about avenging their boss.

    Instead, they scrambled back to their feet and made a run for it, desperate to put as much distance between themselves and this formidable enemy.

    "Who allowed you to run? You''re going to stay here and give up your life!"

    They had just started running when Val focused his eyes on them and activated the Void Force skill.

    An intense pressure radiated off of him; it was like a high wave as it took to the sky before falling on the focus of his gaze.

    As Val''s Force of the Void settled over them, the devils felt as though an enormous mountain, cold and unyielding, was ced on their backs.

    Crack~

    The devils'' expression contorted in pain instantly as under its weight, not only did their backs snap, but their bodies were also forcibly pinned to the forest floor.

    And just when they thought it couldn''t get any worse, the pressure acting on them as per Val''s will. escted, driving them deeper into the mossy ground beneath, so deep it seemes like they were buried alive.

    As they had already shown cowardice before the battle even began, Val''s Void Force skill worked exceptionally well on them. After all, it was a formidable technique that was specially crafted to be most effective against adversaries who had, in one way or another, conceded their imminent defeat, either through their hesitant actions or through their very words!

    The devils were suppressed by his Void Force skill. He could enve them to his will, but he didn''t want weaklings as his underlings. So he decided to follow through with his words and kill them.

    Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!

    Val drew his arm back and punched the air in front of him, not once, but several times.

    Each time he punched the air, an unusual change took ce.

    A total of four hellish fireballs manifested and flew off his clenched fist.

    Whoosh!

    They tore through the air, leaving a trail of smoky haze behind them as they fell into the craters where the devils were suppressed.

 Chapter 286 283: An encounter with the inexplicable

    Chapter 286 283: An encounter with the inexplicable

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

    The fireballs exploded once they went inside the craters, not only producing noises so loud that they echoed intensely through the forest but also creating powerful, deafening waves that spread from the center of the craters, causing thend to quake.

    As for the devils thrown inside the crater by Val''s Void Force, they were caught squarely in the center of the st and quickly became prey to the ravenous hellish mes sparked by the explosion of the fireballs.

    As told before, these weren''t ordinary mes; they were insatiable and voracious, always consuming whatever theytched on to with a fervor that left no trace behind.

    Not to mention, the devils were unable to mount any form of resistance against the hellish mes due to Val''s Void Force Skill''s overwhelming dominance.

    Kuagh!

    Their agonizing screams filled the air, reminiscent of the wails of banshees, as they felt the indescribable pain of being devoured by those unforgiving mes while fully conscious.

    The horror of their situation was palpable, and their desperate cries resonated with the torment they endured.

    But as moments passed, a silence began to envelop the scene.

    The screams, once loud and heart-wrenching, gradually faded away, signaling the end of their existence.

    [System Notification! You have eliminated 4�� Equus. Total

    [EXP gained: 4,000.]

    [Additional rewards: Bone Stave of ck Curses acquired.]

    [This stave has the ability to absorb the force of corruption and release it as explosive skills that detonate upon contact with a tangible entity. Any individual caught within the radius of the explosion will have their soulpletely eradicated!]

    ''Not bad,'' Val thought in his mind as it was surprisingly rewarding to kill the donkey-faced devils who were only at the peak of level 3.

    Twisting around, Val''s eyes settled on the figure standing just behind him.

    The sight that met his eyes was both unexpected andical.

    Oliver, usually soposed, now stood with his lower jaw dropped to an almostical extent. It seemed as though it was on the verge of detaching from its hinges, threatening to break free from the boundaries of its current dimension and venture into an entirely different realm.

    Oliver couldn''t believe what he had just witnessed.

    The devils that had previously overwhelmed him, reducing his morale to a point where he felt it futile even to lift a finger in resistance, had been taken down by Val as effortlessly as one might swat away pesky flies!

    Only one question echoed in Oliver''s stunned mind was: Just how formidable has he be to be able to do something like that?

    "Buddy, you there?"

    Suddenly, Val snapped his fingers in front of Oliver''s eyes, and thetter seemed to snap out of his daze and return to reality.

    Oliver gazed at Val, his eyes shimmering with clear idolization, and with a tone of genuine admiration, he uttered, "Man, that was so cool."

    ''His gaze is saying more than that. But, oh well, I will save him the embarrassment and not point it out.''

    Val had always been exceptionally adept at deciphering the thoughts swirling in a person''s mind, almost like a seasoned reader navigating the pages of a familiar book. Besides, Oliver wasn''t adept at hiding his true feelings. What he actually felt was usually evident on his face or in his eyes.

    Thus, just like Eliana, Oliver was also like an open book to Val, extremely easy to read.

    Through Oliver''s expressive eyes, Val could discern more than just the evident idolization. Lurking subtly was a hint of envy, an emotion Val hadn''t expected to see. He pondered over it, reflecting on their shared past. Eventually, he deduced that this envy possibly stemmed from the growing chasm in their respective strengths.

    When they first met, Oliver was close to his level, but now he had left him in his dust.

    Thus, it was only natural for Oliver to harbor a hint of envy, seeing someone he considered a peer surge ahead.

    Val had studied human emotions extensively back in the Ironspire stronghold when he was still young and weak and could only obey his ruthless and shameless father''s order, and it allowed him to understand Oliver''s feelings, and out of respect and friendship, he chose not to address it directly, avoiding any chance of causing embarrassment.

    He just hoped that Oliver would not let this emotion escte further. Such sentiments, if left unchecked, could sour even the strongest of bonds, after all.

    But he also didn''t think it was something he needed to worry about as Oliver had a sensible and grounded nature. He trusted that Oliver would not let a fleeting feeling like envy get in the way of their friendship.

    "It''s nothing impressive." Val waved off Oliver''s praise.

    "After witnessing you single-handedly dominate a group of devils, I can''t help but wonder, just how formidable have you be? What''s the extent of your strength now?" Oliver asked with curiosity evident in his voice.

    "I can confidently say I am stronger than almost every mid-rank wizard," Val replied with a contemtive look. "However,pared to a high-rank wizard, I am still a little bitcking."

    Val wasn''t bluffing.

    On top of being a mid-rank wizard, he had two different types of level 3 bloodlines coursing through his veins, several cursed artifacts, and trump cards, so he could totally sweep the floor with a mid-rank wizard.

    Only top-notch wizards with a Domain and advanced-level bloodline users were a threat to him.

    As for the others, if they dared stand in his way, they would be in for a beating for a lifetime!

    ''He is already so strong? Amazing. I wonder how strong he would grow in the future.''

    Hearing Val''s words, Oliver felt a mixture of shock, excitement, and awe. It was truly astounding to realize how powerful his friend had be. The revtion left him both stunned and thrilled, eager to witness the heights Val would reach in the future.

    And while Oliver did feel a small amount of envy towards Val, it was insignificant inparison to the immense pride and happiness he felt for his friend''s aplishments. In simpler terms, any jealousy he felt was overshadowed by his positive feelings of admiration for Val.

    "Let''s get moving and find a cave to spend the night in," Val said, surveying the surroundings with a vignt eye.

    Oliver nodded, also not wanting to remain in their current location a moment longer. After all, the recent battle had not been precisely quiet, and he felt that lingering would invite unnecessary trouble.

    "You''re right," he voiced his agreement with Val''s suggestion in a voice edged with caution, "We should start moving, lest we encounter unsavory creatures."

    The duo immediately began to traverse the dense forest, passing through towering trees and moving through thick foliage. Suddenly, the voice in their surroundings started to die out as if being muffled by a dark and insidious force.

    Oliverpletely missed it, but Val felt the change and thought something was amiss. He was about to alert Oliver when an ethereal melody wafted through the forest, echoing in their ears and deafening all the that came out of Val''s mouth, stopping them from reaching Oliver.

    The haunting melody echoing in the forest seemed to weave a spell around Oliver. His eyes grew distant, and he started walking towards the sound as if in a trance,pletely hypnotized.

    Val felt the melody''s pull as well.

    However, his unique Emotional Impairment stat greatly diminished its hypnotic effects, granting him enough time to save his life.

    He knew what had targeted them.

    It was the "Melody of the Moonlight."

    He had heard about it back in the Lower City.

    ording to rumor, it was an alluring melody that put wanderers in a trance and led them into treacherous traps or right into theirs of predatory beasts so that they would die!

    The only way to ovee it was to not hear it!

    Acting quickly, Val drew upon his invisible soul power from inside his arcane heart, creating earplugs that he promptly inserted, blocking out the sound.

    As he was unable to hear it, he was naturally not affected by it.

    But Oliver was not as lucky.

    His focus shifted to Oliver, who continued his entranced march towards the source of the melody. Val used his heavenly eye and realized it was pulling him towards a horde of level 50 beasts. If nothing was done to stop it, Oliver would lose his life for sure!

    "Oliver!" Val shouted, hoping to break his friend''s trance, but nothing changed.

    When his calls went unanswered, Val acted decisively.

    He lunged forward, trying to restrain Oliver, but the melody seemed to have enhanced Oliver''s strength. Oliver, with a force Val hadn''t anticipated, pushed him away and began sprinting towards the sound.

    "You asked for this, don''t me me for being rude," Val gritted his teeth. He activated the Void Force skill, targeting Oliver.

    In an instant, Oliver was rooted to the spot, immobilized. Val dashed to him, hoisting Oliver over his shoulder effortlessly, like one might carry a sack of potatoes, then he ran in the opposite direction of the melody.

    He didn''t know the exact nature of the "Melody of the Moonlight," but he was certain of one thing: it wanted to lead them into a death trap, and since it failed the first time but still didn''t stop, it was bound to try another way, and it was going to be more aggressive than thest one. They had to get away from it beforees for them!

    The deeper they ventured into the forest, the fainter the melody became, and Oliver''s trance started to wane.

    Soon, the haunting Melody of the Moonlight was but a distant echo, and Oliver began to stir, his eyes slowly regaining rity.

    "Wha- what happened?" Oliver asked groggily, clearly disoriented.

    Val sat him down gently and answered,

    "You were ensnared by the Melody of the Moonlight. It''s a phenomenon known to entrance wanderers and lead them to certain death. I saved you from it. You owe me one."

    Oliver shuddered, realizing how close he hade to an unknown fate.

    He looked up at Val and whispered, "Once again, you have saved my life. Thanks."

    Genuine gratitude was evident in his voice, and a slight smile popped up on Val''s face.

 Chapter 287 284: The enemy in plain slight!

    Chapter 287 284: The enemy in in slight!

    The side of the lesser dimension Val and Oliver were currently in was a realm of unparalleled danger. It was decidedly more treacherous than its counterpart as itsnds were rife with menacing threats, from devils lurking in the shadows to ferocious monsters that roamed freely, each more formidable than thest.

    But its perils were not just limited to these creatures.

    As night descended upon this dimension, it brought with it a series of bizarre phenomena.

    These strange urrences, ranging from eerie sounds to mysterious apparitions, made navigating and surviving during the nocturnal hours on this side of the lesser dimension a gamble, teetering on the edge of unpredictability.

    However, there was a beacon of hope amidst this chaos.

    Spending the night within the confines of a cave that was shielded by the power of the protective amulet that was granted to everyone in the Northern Frontier under the orders of the Thunderspear Tribe could greatly bolster one''s chances of making it through the night unscathed.

    With this knowledge in mind and the dangers of the night looming, Oliver and Val were on a pressing quest. They hoped to locate a cave, get inside it, and make it their sanctuary using their amulets as swiftly as possible, to not only seek refuge and get some rest but also ensure their safety until dawn.

    In a forest so vast and sprawling that it stretched endlessly, merging with the horizon and covering no less than a few thousand miles, the search for a cave could seem like finding a needle in a haystack. For most, their chances of sess would undoubtedly be a game of luck, especially if they hoped to find a cave and turn it into a sanctuary before confronting any lethal threats.

    But Val was not like most.

    His unique ability, the ''Heavenly Eye'' skill, transformed the daunting quest into a manageable task.

    With its activation, the trees inside the forest, the tangled underbrush, and every other thing turned translucent in Val''s eyes.

    The hidden contours of thendscape were revealed. Among these, a cave''s silhouette could also be seen.

    A gleeful glint shed in Val''s eyes as from the looks of it it wasn''t too far away.

    "There''s a cave just north of here, and it is quite close to our location. If we maintain a brisk pace, we''ll find shelter there within minutes." Val, with a hint of relief in his voice, informed Oliver of the good news.

    Oliver''s eyes sparkled with curiosity and amazement. "In such an expansive forest, how did you pinpoint its location so swiftly?" he asked.

    "It''s because of the innate wizardry technique I possess, the ''Heavenly Eye'' skill. It grants me the ability to see past obstructions, revealing hidden sanctuaries and potential threats in my surroundings," Val replied.

    Oliver whistled in awe and remarked, "That''s incredibly handy."

    The very next moment, with determination in his eyes, Val instructed, "Fow now, follow me closely," to which Oliver responded with a firm nod. "Sure!"

    With Val taking the lead, they began to journey north.

    Their journey northward had barely begun when the earth beneath them rumbled ominously.

    In an unsettling spectacle, thick, sinewy vines burst forth from the ground, racing towards them with an rming speed. These vines were like venomous vipers as not only were their tips menacingly sharp like the fangs of a beast but they were also glistening with a dark, viscous liquid.

    A few droplets of this venomous concoction slid down the tips of the vines and fell to the ground, immediately corroding and eating through the earth and creating small, sizzling craters.

    The deadly potential of the venom secreting from the tips of the vines became crystal clear.

    "Getting touched by those vines can be deadly. Make sure they don''t get anywhere near you," Val warned.

    "Got it," Oliver nodded with a grim expression.

    More than half of the vines went for Val, while the others attacked Oliver.

    As the vines drew closer, a sword withplicated ruins materialized in Val''s grasp. His ensuing movements were so swift, so precise, that to the untrained eye, it appeared as if his sword had multiplied, dancing wildly in the air. Within a heartbeat, he had unleashed a flurry of shes, each finding its mark, chopping the iing vines into pieces. When they were cut apart, toxic fluid burst out, but all of it was blown away by the powerful gusts generated by his rapid movements.

    Val nced sideways. Several vines were whipping the soul power shield Oliver had constructed to keep himself safe from harm. This barrier was the result of the little bit of soul power Oliver''s arcane heart had produced over the past ten minutes. It meant that once it was destroyed, he would be left utterly defenseless.

    Worst yet, under the assault of the vines, it didn''t seem like his defensive barrier would hold for long.

    Recognizing the dire predicament Oliver was in, Val acted instinctively.

    Swoosh!

    With a deft flick of his wrist, several crimson des emerged from thin air, soaring forward with deadly precision. These ethereal des made short work of the menacing vines that were trying to get past Oliver''sst line of defense, shredding them to pieces and ensuring Oliver''s safety.

    Oliver dispelled his shield and shot Val a grateful look while looking particrly exhausted. Val stared back sternly, his gaze was as sharp as a hawk''s as he spoke, "Don''t let your guard down. We are not out of danger just yet."

    However, Val''s next course of action wasn''t at all strict like his gaze. Rather, they were as warm as a father''s embrace. With merely a thought, he conjured multiple sturdy protective barriers around Oliver, ensuring his safety. Oliver counted that there were five of them. Even if one of them broke, there would be four more to keep him safe.

    Oliver felt touched.

    Actions spoke louder than words, and Val showed with his actions that he considered Oliver a valuable friend.

    "I understand," replied Oliver, a hint of weariness still evident in his voice.

    Val remained on high alert as he scanned his surroundings with a gaze of scrutiny.

    The vines they encountered earlier behaved like living entities. However, when Val destroyed them, he didn''t receive any system notification. This indicated that another force was controlling all of them.

    As for what it could be, Val believed that it must be something like a Treant, and he was sure it must be close by.

    As the heavenly eye skill was still active, Val had a panoramic view of his surroundings, granting him an unparalleled rity of everything around him. By focusing intently and harnessing the skill''s full potential, he was capable of inspecting each individual tree within a specific radius with him as the central point, all at the same time!

    While the vast majority of trees appeared just as one would expect - ordinary and unremarkable - there was one that looked the same but wasn''t a tree at all.

    This particr tree was, in reality, a Dryad. She had artfully employed an illusion, disguising herself as one of the many regr trees that dotted Val''s surroundings, seamlessly blending in and remaining inconspicuous.

    Her disguise was perfect. Even if she failed to kill the people who came across her, at least she would be able to escape their retaliation and preserve her life.

    Unfortunately for her, Val''s heavenly eye granted him many unique abilities. One of them was the ability to pierce through deceptions and see the truth behind lies!

    To Oliver, this Dryad still bore the appearance of a simple tree.

    But Val was able to see her for who she truly was.

    The Dryad was an enchanting beauty with long, flowing hair that shimmered in shades of deep emerald and teal, reminiscent of dense forest canopies intertwined with serene river streams. Her face looked delicate as she had high cheekbones, a slender nose, and lips that held the soft pink hue of dawn. Her eyes were as deep and mysterious as ancient woods, and her gaze was both captivating and slightly mischievous.

    Lastly, her figure boasted an elegant bnce of curves. She had big breasts, a narrow waist, and curvaceous hips, giving her an hourss figure.

    All in all, she was a breathtaking beauty, the kind that might be described in legends.

    Her ethereal presence could easily captivate the heart of any man, evoking profound emotions even in the most stoic of individuals.

    Some might be so entranced by her allure that they''d forget the danger she represented, bing utterly smitten. They might fall in love with her at first sight and start simping for her on the spot.

    Her breathtaking appearance, however, failed to sway Val.

    Well, it was quite understandable.

    His nature was unyielding, with a coldness that rivaled the iciest of winters. If mere beauty could sway his resolve, he would be unworthy of the title many in his previous life knew him by.

    He directed his gaze towards the disguised Dryad, a mere 20 feet from where he stood. In that brief moment, a glint of intense ruthlessness was revealed in his eyes.

    The Dryad was arguably the most breathtakingly beautiful woman he had everid eyes upon, but sadly she had a murderous heart and she liked to prey on unassuming victims.

    She had also made an attempt on their lives, and in Val''s unwavering moral code, this act alone deemed her deserving of death.

    With an unshakeable belief in his convictions, Val prepared to mete out his judgment.

    Choosing to act swiftly and silently, he decided against giving her any warning. He didn''t utter a word, nor did he show any signs that he had seen through the Dryad''s clever disguise. His intent was clear: to catch her off-guard and ensure she couldn''t mount a defense as her life was snuffed out.

    Drawing upon his profound knowledge of wizardry, Val channeled his formidable soul power. It was a unique energy, colorless and imperceptible to the untrained eye. In a masterful disy of control, he shaped this power into countless tiny des, as sharp as the real thing, but more deadly.

    Whoosh!

    These des, unseen and undetectable, cut through the air as they were unleashed upon the unsuspecting Dryad.

    They found their mark, piercing her body relentlessly, wreaking havoc not just on her physical form but also tearing apart the very essence of her soul.

    The entire sequence of events unfolded in a single moment, too fast for any conceivable reaction. Before the Dryad could even process what was happening, let alone emit a cry of distress, she was killed!

 Chapter 288 285: Dealing with the beast in the cave!

    Chapter 288 285: Dealing with the beast in the cave!

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Val! You have sessfully eliminated the mini-boss of the lesser dimension. You have been awarded 10k EXP. Additionally, from the corpse of the mini-boss, a unique item has been secured. The name of this item is the Truth Reflecting Mirror. This mystical item grants special insight into the intricacies of the lesser dimension, but only when destiny decrees it''s the right moment.]

    The Truth Reflecting Mirror was undoubtedly the most precious reward he gained from killing the Dryard.

    While its secrets were locked away for now, Val knew that when the fateful moment arrived, this mirror would assist him immensely, providing him the guidance and knowledge he needed to destroy the lesser dimension.

    Oliver, meanwhile, tried to process what had just unfolded before him. The tree, which had seemed so ordinary and innocuous, had in reality been a formidable adversary. The realization was jolting, and he felt a chill run down his spine, causing his lips to tremble in disbelief.

    Seeing his friend''s distress, Val reached out, cing aforting hand on Oliver''s shoulder in a reassuring gesture, silently conveying that everything was alright.

    "Cheer up," Val advised with a hint of warmth in his voice, "The danger has passed. It''s already been dealt with."

    Silently, Oliver nodded in response.

    "How did you notice it? I didn''t sense it at all," Oliver asked as they continued their journey.

    "It''s thanks to my heavenly eye skill. On top of what I''ve already told you about this ability, it also lets me pierce through any deception as well,ying the truth bare to my eyes. The Dryad was using a powerful illusion to mask her true appearance and blend in with the surroundings to prey on unsuspecting passersby, but my skill allowed me to see her as she truly was," Val, with a hint of pride in his voice, exined to Oliver.

    Oliver''s eyes widened in admiration. The world of wizardry was vast and diverse, but he had never encountered or even heard tales of a wizard whose innate technique was so versatile and strong, akin to a jack of all trades. Val''s was the first.

    While the innate techniques of some wizards were so weak they could be considered negligible, he thought that Val''s innate technique was almost on par with a mid-rank wizard''s runes.

    In fact, it surpassed that.

    However, Val had kept a majority of its effects concealed from Oliver because he didn''t want to create a possibility where the vast reservoir of power he possessed could be brought to light or estimated by friends or foes alike.

    Thus, Oliver was oblivious to the true magnificence of his innate technique and was unable to urately gauge its worth.

    "We''re finally here."

    After traversing for a while through the dense forest, they were greeted by the sight of a cavernous entrance, which resembled the wide-open mouth of a cave. It looked as though they were about to be swallowed by the gaping jaws of some ancient, monstrous beast. Inside, the cave was cloaked in an imprable nket of darkness. Even the gentle light cascading from the moon, which shone brightly in the sky of the lesser dimension, struggled to illuminate it.

    "Is it safe to step inside?" Oliver said.

    "Wait, let me check," Val replied.

    For Oliver, gazing into the cave was like staring into an enigmatic void. Its depths and contents were hidden from his vision, so it was like aplete mystery.

    However, the opposite could be said in Val''s case.

    As he had extraordinary traits that gifted his eyes the power to not only see through the thickest darkness but also see past obstacles, the inside of the cave was as clear as day.

    Every detail within the cave was distinctly visible to him.

    The cave wasn''t vast or sprawling nor too small. It was the size of an average cave, and it was almost entirely devoid of life with only one beast currently inhabiting it.

    It was a very colossal beast that bore a striking resemnce to a tiger. However, its massive frame and its pair of grand, powerful wings, set it apart from an actual tiger. The winged tiger was at least 12 feet tall, with a wingspan that stretched a good 20 feet from one tip to the other, its form a blend of majesty and menace.

    Thest time Valid his eyes on the cave, it was devoid of any inhabitants. There was no such beast inhabiting it. It must''ve chosen the cave as its newir during their journey. It was quite unlucky as a single wrong decision might end up costing it its life.

    Val didn''t know a thing about this thing and he thought it rather wise to understand it a little before confronting it.

    Thus, he invoked the detect spell while looking at it.

    A system notification popped up instantly.

    [System Notification: Man-Eating Winged Tiger Beast Detected - Level 50. This beast possesses a range of skills that make it a formidable opponent. ''Life-preserving shield'' grants a magical shield to the vital parts of its body such as its neck, head, and so on. ''Shadow Pounce'' allows it to move rapidly, almost bing invisible in low light, catching its prey off guard. ''Roaring Tremor'' is another skill where it can harness the power of its roar to create a seismic shockwave, disorienting its adversaries. Cautionary Note: This beast has a unique trait. When its hp drop below 30%, it will enter a state of rampage. In this state, all its stats double, enhancing itsbat abilities for a short duration. Current Stats - HP: 150, STR: 45, AGI: 55, Stamina: 60, Reflexes: 45.]

    While the creature''s stats and abilities made it a formidable adversary, Val was undeterred. His extensive experience and skillset gave him the confidence that he would not only confront this beast but also swiftly dispatch it.

    Turning his gaze to Oliver, who was likely unaware of the magnitude of the threat inside, Val advised, "There''s a formidable level 50 beast lurking inside the cave. I intend to confront it head on and neutralize the threat. For your safety, I''d rmend waiting outside the cave until the situation is resolved."

    Hearing the level of the beast, Oliver immediately realized the gravity of the situation. He understood his current capabilities and knew that he stood no chance in such a confrontation. Engaging in a battle with a beast of that magnitude, he wouldn''t be of any assistance to Val. On the contrary, he might end up being a liability, potentially hindering Val''s efforts. Given these considerations, the most logical and safe course of action was to heed Val''s advice. Recognizing this, he nodded in agreement with Val, signaling his understanding andpliance. Oliver then said, "Sure, I will."

    "Good, I will be back in a minute," Val dered with a determined and confident tone, taking a deep breath before he stepped into the shadowy mouth of the cave.

    He had stepped only one foot inside the cave when the winged tiger sensed his presence.

    Roar!

    The beast, feeling its territory threatened, responded with a roar so powerful it echoed throughout the cave''s vast chambers and burst out of its entrance, causing the person standing outside to feel thoroughly shaken.

    But for the person whom the roar was intended for, he waspletely undeterred.

    Yes, Val''s resolve to kill the winged tiger remained unshaken. He moved forward, seemingly impervious to the beast''s intimidation tactics. Each step he took, longer and more deliberate than thest, was a testament to his unwavering courage and focus. To an onlooker, it would seem as if Val hadn''t heard the beast''s roar at all, such was his level of concentration. Well, actually, he had already taken proper precautions against the beast''s Roaring Tremor skill, and inserted earplugs made of soul power into his ears. Thus, the roar of the tiger that could leave his enemies disoriented didn''t work on him.

    The winged tiger, perhaps not used to being ignored or defied in its domain, grew increasingly agitated. A subtle twitch in its powerful muscles, a brief curl of its limb, gave away its next move. With an agility that was far too surprising for its size, it lunged towards Val.

    Whoosh!

    It sounded like the fabric of reality was being torn apart as its sharp ws shot forward. They appeared to be razor-sharp instruments of death, looking more than capable of tearing through the most resilient of armor, and they were going straight for his chest.

    Every split second counted as the beast''s razor-sharp ws, aiming with deadly precision, threatened to sink into Val''s flesh and wreak havoc. Their lethal tips were merely an instant away from realizing their grim purpose when Val, with unparalleled speed, managed to bring his sword between them and swiftly activated the Crimson sh skill.

    This resulted in a fierce arc of blood-red energy emanating from the de.

    The power it radiated was undeniably more potent than the tiger''s formidable ws, allowing it to effortlessly shatter them into pieces. It then continued its trajectory, cutting deep into the beast''s resilient hide. A painfulceration was the result, causing blood to gush profusely.

    Thud! Kuagh!

    The mighty creature, overwhelmed by the unexpected assault, copsed to the ground, its agonized moans echoing throughout the cavern.

    As the blood flowed freely, pooling and coalescing beneath the wounded creature, Val knew he was on a ticking clock. With each drop of blood lost, the beast''s life force waned, inching it closer to a dangerous state of rampage.

    Understanding the peril that awaited should the beast enter its berserk mode, Val wasted no time. Demonstrating remarkable agility, he leaped onto the creature''s head, positioning himself for a decisive strike. With grace and deadly precision, he swung his sword, Voidyer, in a fluid arc. The de effortlessly bypassed the beast''s magical defenses, finding its mark on the creature''s vulnerable neck.

    Puchi!

    A torrent of blood erupted, cascading and sshing onto Val''s determined face as, with a final, resolute sh, he effectively beheaded the monstrous winged tiger.

 Chapter 289 286: The curse

    Chapter 289 286: The curse

    [System Notification: You''ve killed a level 45 Man-Eating Winged Tiger. You have gained 9k EXP.]

    Val ignored the notification and went out of the cave to get Oliver.

    As soon as he stepped out, a crease formed between his brows, his eyes widened slightly, and his lips tightened in a thin line as he didn''t spot Oliver anywhere near the cave.

    "Damn, where did he go?"

    Without wasting a moment, Val used the Heavenly Eye skill to scan his surroundings in a desperate search for Oliver.

    His gaze pierced through the dense foliage of trees and underbrush before finally settling on a lean, muscled figure standing near a pond.

    The figure was adorned in clothing identical to what Oliver had been wearing. When his face appeared in his gaze, Val became certain it was Oliver.

    Val scrutinized him thoroughly.

    Oliver didn''t have a single wound on his body. But there seemed to be something wrong with him as he was standing eerily still next to the pond, just staring at its shimmering surface that reflected the sky above, showing no sign of acknowledgment to the world around him.

    There was something about his behavior that screamed of unholy forces being at y here.

    A sinking feeling gripped Val''s heart as he felt that something had gone terribly wrong.

    With quick, determined strides, he sprinted towards Oliver. The distance between them shortened and his hair fluttered in the wind as he raced past trees and obstacles, reaching him in mere moments.

    "Oliver! Can you hear me?"

    Val called out, his voice echoing with urgency, but Oliver remained unresponsive.

    Val sprinted all the way up to him and frantically waved his hand in front of Oliver''s vacant eyes, trying to snap him out of his trance, but to no avail.

    Oliver''s eyes didn''t, not even for a moment, follow the movement of his hand. His gaze remained fixed on the pond.

    Even a sudden jolt, which Val administered to Oliver with growing desperation, elicited no reaction from him.

    A chilling thought crossed Val''s mind.

    ''It''s as if he has been spirited away!''

    Val couldn''t help but feel frustrated. He had only looked away for a brief moment, and yet, Oliver had already been victimized. It was as if he had a unique constitution that attracted all sorts of danger to him and made him susceptible to harm!

    Val cast a wary nce at the pond that Oliver was staring at with bloodshot eyes without blinking.

    ''This has to be it.''

    In Val''s heart, he had no doubt that the pond was the culprit behind Oliver''s odd behavior.

    While staring intently at the pond, Val cast the ''detect'' spell.

    In response, a semi-transparent screen materialized before him.

    Upon it, the following information was disyed:

    [Name: Pond of the damned

    Description: This pool does not show the reflection of a living entity. Instead, if an individual looks into it, their consciousness will be dragged into an unending nightmare of their worst fears, where they can be driven mad if they''re unprepared.

    Caution: When encountering such a pond, it''s advised to avoid direct eye contact with its surface.

    Escape Mechanism: To release an ensnared individual from the pond''s clutches, the water''s surface must be disrupted. This can be done by throwing a stone or any object into the pond, causing ripples to distort the reflection. Once the surface is disturbed, the trapped individual will be released from the nightmarish grip.]

    Val took a moment to process the information. The pond before him was so still and pristine that it reflected the night sky with an unparalleled rity. It was deceivingly beautiful, disguising the insidious trap it held beneath its tranquil surface.

    "Who would''ve thought that such a serene pond would harbor such a dark secret?" Val muttered.

    Interestingly, even though he had also gazed upon the pond, unlike Oliver, he hadn''t been ensnared by its curse. He deduced that the pond had no effect on him due to his unique nature. Since birth, Valcked the capability to feel fear, so he held no fear in his heart. The pond that used one''s fear against them was thus naturally useless against him.

    "Let''s save Oliver first before anything else," Val muttered, concern evident in his voice. Without wasting any time, he bent down to pick up a smooth stone from near the pond''s edge. Positioning himself, he threw it with precision. The stone skidded gracefully across the pond''s surface, creating a series of expanding ripples that disturbed the water''s deceptive stillness.

    As the ripples spread, the hypnotic hold the pond had over Oliver began to weaken. With a sharp gasp, Oliver blinked, his zed eyes regaining focus.

    The color drained from his face. His face became as pale as a ghost, and not only was he unable to breathe properly, but he also felt so weak he couldn''t stand properly.

    He staggered back, taking in deep, ragged breaths, each one sounding as if it were tearing at his insides. The memories of the torturous nightmares he had just experienced seemed to linger, ying out in his mind, torturing him endlessly.

    "It was... it was so real," Oliver whispered, a shudder running down his spine.

    Val, realizing the emotional turmoil his friend was undergoing, quickly stepped forward, cing a steadying hand on Oliver''s back. With gentle pats, he tried tofort him, attempting to bring him back to the present.

    "Oliver, breathe," Val said, "What you saw, what you felt, it was all an illusion created by the pond. It wasn''t real. Can you hear me? It wasn''t real."

    In the very next moment, Oliver''s eyes, clouded with fear and confusion, met Val''s, and tears streamed out of them as if a dam had been loosened.

    "But it felt so... so real. The fear, the pain... It was like I had returned to the days when I was at the mercy of others, being tortured day and night."

    Val sighed heavily, "That''s the nature of such cursed ces. They draw upon your deepest fears, making them seem tangible. But you''re out now, and you''re safe. Don''t let it sit in your head rent-free. That''s the way you can get one up on it."

    After his encouragement, Oliver took several more deep breaths, each one steadier than thest, as he tried to regain hisposure. Soon, he looked okay. At this point, it would not be wrong to say that Val''s presence and support were instrumental in helping Oliver feel more stable and centered, allowing him toe back to his normal state after the unsettling event.

    After what felt like an eternity, Oliver finally managed a weak smile and looking at Val, said, "Thanks, man. I... I don''t know what I would have done without you."

    Val returned the smile, his eyes warm with genuine concern, "That''s what friends are for. Just remember, no matter what you face, you''re never alone. I''ll always have your back."

    "The same goes for me," Oliver said.

    They were like two good brothers. Support and care were mutual between them. But in this rtionship, Val was definitely the more cooler one as he had saved Oliver more times than Oliver had helped him, like an elder brother looking after his younger brother!

    Oliver reflected on his turbulent past, feeling as though he was born into a living hell.

    From the start, his family seemed to despise him, which culminated in them selling him off to Lord Lucious for some personal gain.

    However, in Lord Lucious, Oliver found a fatherly figure. And he has now found an elder brother in Val. Who could be as lucky as him? Oliver felt like all the difficult time he had to go through was worth it. In the end, he had everything that mattered!

    These positive thoughts overwhelmed him so much that the recent nightmare he experienced, where he felt like he was living through a personal hell, seemed distant. The trauma had nearly shattered him, but thanks to Val, who came to his rescue in the nick of time, he was pulled back from that dark abyss. A profound sense of gratitude for Val welled up in him, and he thanked him again.

    ****

    "I''ve cleared out the cave of any threats. It''s safe to upy now. We should head back, share our findings about this dimension, and rest until dawn," Val said to Oliver.

    Oliver nodded.

    As they began their journey back to the cave, Val''s hand flicked backward discreetly.

    The Hellish Fist skill was activated so silently that its activation escaped Oliver''s notice, and the target of this skill was none other than the deceptive pond.

    A hellish fireball erupted from Val''s fist, barreling towards the pond and sinking into it.

    The water began to boil and bubble vigorously, and within moments, it started steaming and evaporating, transforming into a thin, ghostly mist.

    [System Notification: Congrattions, Host! You have sessfully eradicated the primary trap of the dimension and have been rewarded with the ''Droplet of Guidance''.]

    Curiosity piqued, Val inspected the Droplet of Guidance, which had appeared inside the notification screen.

    The droplet of guidance was a crystal-clear droplet, shimmering with an inner light that pulsed gently. After Val cast ''Detect'' on it, he found out that the droplet held the unique ability to show its possessor the way but the way has to have appeared and he must be looking for it.

 Chapter 290 287: Treasure Hunting

    Chapter 290 287: Treasure Hunting

    The droplet of guidance, in Val''s estimation, was akin to apass that would point him towards the correct path when certain conditions were met.

    It should be noted that the droplet of guidance wasn''t the first artifact of its kind that Val had in his possession.

    He also possessed the Truth Reflecting Mirror that he got from killing the Dryard not too long ago. It was an item that promised to show him valuable information about the lesser dimension when the time was right.

    Merging the insights derived from both artifacts, an epiphany dawned upon him. By vanquishing the primary elements within the lesser dimension, he was collecting pivotal tools, akin to keys. These "keys" were instrumental in his quest to seal the dimension and prevent its unpredictable forces from wreaking havoc on Eldrich, the world that he came from with Oliver and many others!

    Val held a strong belief that there was a connection between the Truth Reflecting Mirror and the Droplet of Guidance. The Mirror would provide answers to his questions about the lesser dimension in due time. Once those answers were revealed, it would signify the emergence of the ''way,'' and then the Droplet of Guidance could be put to use, showing him where he needed to go and what steps he needed to take to put an end to the lesser dimension.

    ''My conclusions mightn''t bear any fruits.''

    Val was introspective enough to recognize that he might be stretching the realm of possibilities a tad too much and might be wrong altogether as these were, after all, his interpretations and theories, but in the end, to him, even if they seemed fictitious, they were the most coherent exnations he could stitch together from the pieces of the puzzle he currently had.

    ''Only time will reveal if my assumptions hold any merit,'' he thought as he silently led Oliver back to the cave.

    Upon reaching their destination, they strategically ced their talismans at the entrance of the cave. Almost immediately, two ovepping barriers invisible to the eye materialized around the cave, creating a formidable defense against any malevolent force and promising to keep them at bay.

    One amulet alone would have sufficed in repelling most threats, but using two added an extrayer of security. As it was always better to be safe than sorry especially when dealing with devils, they didn''t think they were being wasteful.

    With their defenses securely in ce, they settled down, sitting opposite each other with their backs resting against the inner walls of the cave.

    Coincidentally, they looked at each other at the same time, and their eyes held the same look. Without saying a word, they knew, it was time to exchange what they hade to know about the lesser dimension during the few days they''d spent inside of it.

    "Would you like to go first? Or should I?" Oliver asked.

    "You can take the lead," Val replied.

    Oliver shared insights into the dimension''s day-night cycle with Val, telling him that it consisted of 16 hours of daylight followed by 8 hours of the night. Val, on the other hand, divulged the most unique aspect of the dimension to Oliver.

    Oliver looked thoroughly shocked as if he had been struck by a bolt out of the blue. A world with two sides, like a coin? This was the first time he had been exposed to such aplex concept. It was hard to take it all in, but when Val worded it in a way that even a prep school student could make sense of it, suddenly it was not so hard, and Oliver clearly understood it.

    "Do you still have it?" Oliver asked.

    He was talking about the mirror that could change the nature of any type of body of water, and turn them into a two-way portal from which either side of the lesser dimension could be essed.

    "Yeah, I''ve kept it with me. Felt like it mighte in handy down the line," Val responded with a nod.

    "Is the other dimension''s side any safer than this?" Oliver questioned.

    Val looked thoughtful for a good few moments before replying, "Both sides have their inherent dangers. It''s challenging to definitively say which one poses more threats. But during my time there, I didn''t experience any unnatural phenomena. So, in that regard, it might be slightly safer than this side."

    After that, they fell silent.

    Val had deliberately chosen not to disclose the existence of the mirror and the droplet to Oliver. He was concerned that his conclusion would turn out to be the ramblings of a fool and he would embarrass himself in front of Oliver. He had worked extremely hard to establish himself as a dependable character in Oliver''s eyes. He didn''t want that to go to waste because of one wrong decision, so he kept his conclusions to himself.

    ''Ah, I am tired.''

    ''But I can''t fall asleep, not in a ce like this.''

    Oliver was visibly exhausted. The relentless pursuits by devils, and the numerous traps he''d been ensnared by thereafter, had both mentally and physically drained him. His eyes felt heavier than lead, but fear prevented him from surrendering to what his body desired the most and falling asleep.

    Observing this, Val assured him, "Don''t worry, I''ll be on the lookout for the devils. If they dare to approach and try to tamper with our barriers, I''ll deal with them. So for now, you can rest. You seem like you really need it."

    "What if there are too many of them, and you can''t handle them all by yourself?" Oliver asked.

    Val said, "Then I will wake you up and we''ll make a run for it."

    It sounded like a tease, but he was being absolutely serious. He believed with utmost conviction that if you can''t win against something, the only other choice you have is to run as far away from it as possible. If you''re too ashamed to do that, you really deserve to die.

    Oliver was at a loss for words. He didn''t expect someone as strong as Val would hold the same beliefs as him.

    His words brought a sense of safety to Oliver, who soon sumbed to his exhaustion, drifting into a deep sleep.

    Oliver didn''t know how long had passed since he had fallen asleep, but he was woken up by gentle nudging. As his eyes fluttered open, the first thing he registered was Val''s voice.

    "The sun has risen. I''ll going out for a while to search for clues and treasures. Wanna tag alone?" Val said to Oliver.

    There were primarily two reasons why anyone dared to venture into the lesser dimension.

    The first was to locate and annihte the dimension''s core of corruption, the prize for which, being offered by Lord Lucious, was invaluable.

    The second was the treasure hunt. After all, despite the inherent dangers of the dimensions, they were a hotbed for invaluable items. If one could navigate through it and survive its danger, immense wealth was no doubt within their grasp!

    Initially, Oliver had merely aimed to survive within the lesser dimension, hoping against hope that he might serendipitously stumble upon the dimension''s core of corruption, eradicate it, and achieve widespread recognition throughout the kingdom, thereby honoring his master. Although he wouldn''t be able to repay his master even 1-100th of the gratitude he had shown him with this, at least he would take the first step. However, with Val by his side, the prospect of treasure hunting in the lesser dimension didn''t seem impossible or too bad for Oliver.

    Thus, he nodded in agreement to Val''s suggestion. "Sure, let''s go together."

    The two young men collected their amulets from the cave''s entrance before exiting it and meandering through the forest in pursuit of wild magic herbs and simr treasures.

    Fortuitously, the forest was teeming with such items, and with the aid of Val''s Heavenly Eye skill, discovering and pinpointing these became significantly easier. Within hours, they amassed dozens of invaluable magic herbs.

    "We''re going to be rich! Each of these could fetch a thousand contribution points in the frontier!" Oliver eximed, ted.

    Oliver wasn''t pricing them wrongly. Items from dangerous ces like Dimensions are usually sold for a lot. And these were magic herbs that could be used in alchemy or research purposes. Their value was bound to be astronomical.

    Val said, "Let''s continue our search for another two hours, then head back to rest. We can cover more ground afterward."

    Oliver had no problem in following his lead.

    Venturing deeper into the forest under Val''s guidance, they encountered higher-grade herbs, which were zealously guarded by formidable monsters. However, with Val leading the charge, they easily subdued these creatures, and swiftly collected the herbs. Some of the herbs were shared with Oliver, while the rest Val pocketed. Oliver didn''tin as he got more than what he worked for. Val was the one who did most of the work to collect the herbs, so it was only right for him to keep the majority of the loot.

    At one point, a peculiar blend of sweet and tangy aroma wafted towards them. Exchanging nces, they simultaneously arrived at the same conclusion: "It''s the scent of a high-ranked herb."

    The duo decided to investigate further. Such treasures typically had robust guardians, prompting Val to caution Oliver, "We must tread carefully when we near it."

    "I understand," Oliver replied.

    They started heading in the direction of the enticing scent. The further they moved in that direction, the stronger the scent got. Suddenly, their mouths watered as each fiber in their body was screaming at them to devour the source of the scent.

 Chapter 291 288: The Life changer

    Chapter 291 288: The Life changer

    Pushing their way through the dense forest, the duo came across a sight that was unlike any other they''d seen before.

    A radiant flowery nestled amidst thick vines.

    The flower was half a meter long and had two palm-sized petals, each glowing with the shimmering hue of blue sapphires, reminiscent of polished diamonds.

    At the sight of it, the intense feeling that had gripped their hearts when they smelled its scent intensified.

    Oliver scrutinized the flower for a while, searching the recesses of his memory to recall any prior encounter with such a nt. It looked vaguely familiar, yet he couldn''t ce where he had seen it. Drawing a nk, he turned to Val, "Do you recognize it?"

    Val paused, then responded simply, "Yes, I do."

    In reality, Val was just as clueless as Oliver about the flower''s identity

    However, he had a way to ascertain its identity. Thus, he replied to Oliver in such a way.

    Without hesitation, Val focused on the herb and activated the ''Detect'' skill. A translucent notification materialized before his eyes, enlightening him about the nt''s true nature.

    "It''s called the Lunar Dewdrop," Val revealed to Oliver while gazing at the herb with newfound respect as what he found out about it from the usage of his skill was tremendous.

    "And what does it do?" Oliver asked.

    "It..."

    The information in the system notification was detailed.

    The Lunar Dewdrop was an extremely rare herb that could transform a normal person into something exceedingly special.

    For those whocked the inherent constitution to assimte with a bloodline, consuming a petal from this flower could alter their very being, allowing them to harness the primary effects of bloodline potions and thus, be bloodline users.

    As for those already possessing a bloodline, this flower held the promise of elevating their bloodline skills to unprecedented levels.

    However, for those bloodline users with multiple bloodline skills, it was said that the flower''s effect was unpredictable.

    It would enhance any one of their bloodlines at random.

    Moreover, there was no way to control this process.

    If one was lucky, they would get their best skill evolved into something even more impressive by eating the petal of the flower, but if they were unlucky, the opposite would happen, then they can only shed tears in silence!

    "It''s any normie''s wet dream," Val replied to Oliver.

    Normie was a derogatory term.

    But Oliver''s expression remained unchanged.

    He knew Val''s word didn''t have any hidden implications. He wasn''t trying to insult him.

    "Bro, can you be more specific?" Oliver said.

    Val took a deep breath before revealing its properties to Oliver. "It''s a rare herb with the ability to transform one''s very constitution into one that can register bloodlines and it can also improve the bloodline skills of a bloodline user at random."

    "Do I need to borate further?" Val questioned, a hint of yfulness in his tone.

    Oliver, for his part, was utterly thunderstruck, so dumbfounded he didn''t reply to Val.

    He stood there, his mouth hanging open in a state of sheer astonishment that made it appear as though his jaw might just detach and descend to the forest floor.

    The capabilities of the Lunar Dewdrop, as described by Val, were beyond anything Oliver had ever heard of or imagined. Such a herb had the potential to transform the life trajectory of any ordinary individual. The weight of its significance caused a myriad of thoughts to flood Oliver''s mind, primarily centered on whether Val would consider parting with one of those invaluable petals for his sake.

    ''I hope he does.''

    He shot a nce,den with hope and a pinch of anxiety, towards Val, seeking any indication of his friend''s intentions.

    ''But even if he doesn''t, I will not fight for it. No matter what he decides to do with it, he will not hear a single word ofint from my mouth.''

    Internally, Oliver prepared himself for any oue.

    If by chance, Val decided to keep the magic flower exclusively for himself, Oliver was bound to be disappointed, but he was determined not to let disappointment sour their bond.

    Desires and personal gains could often lead to unexpected rifts, even among the closest ofpanions.

    Deep-rooted familial ties like that between parent and child could also be strained over material pursuits, friendships were no exception.

    But Oliver was resolute in his decision to not let an herb, regardless of its unmatched value,e between their friendship.

    But just as these thoughts swirled in Oliver''s mind, Val, with his ever-perceptive nature, seemed to have read the turmoil in his eyes. With a casual gesture, Val spoke, "Let''s split it. You take one petal, and I''ll have the other."

    A profound sense of relief washed over Oliver. His heart swelled with gratitude, and he struggled to find the right words to convey the tumult of emotions he was experiencing. To think that Val, without hesitation, was willing to share such a priceless treasure with him rendered him speechless for a moment.

    "Really?" Oliver asked.

    "Yeah. You need it more than me, after all," Val replied calmly.

    "You... you truly are the best brother one could ask for," Oliver said after a moment, his voice tinged with emotion and sincerity. His face beamed with joy and appreciation. Gathering himself, he dered with fierce determination, "From today onwards, know this - no harm shalle your way unless it passes over my dead body first."

    The bond between the two, already deep, was further cemented in that moment. It wasn''t just the shared adventures and perils they had faced and ovee together but the unwavering trust and support that made Oliver promise to repay Val with his life.

    Seeing the profound gratitude and determination in Oliver''s eyes, Val couldn''t help but crack a smile. It was moments like these that highlighted how good of a sociopath he was. He was so good he became Oliver''s second most important person within a few months. That too because Lucious had literally saved Oliver from hell.

    Anyways, like said before, a good rtionship with Oliver was necessary to establish a strong link with Lord Lucious and gain a proper backing as well as a better understanding of this world and the wizardmunity!

    "I just did what felt right," Val said, shrugging his shoulders nonchntly. "What are brothers for, if not for sharing and caring?"

    "Yeah. Right," Oliver said.

    Together, they cut through the vines and approached the Lunar Dewdrop flower. Its luminescent glow painted the surroundings in a serene blue hue, making it look all the more mystical.

    With utmost care, Val plucked one petal and stashed it in his pocket dimension.

    Meanwhile, as Oliver extended his hand to pluck the other, a gleam of excitement in his eyes, he contemted consuming it on the spot. Before he could act on that impulse, Val''s hand shot out, tightening around his wrist, stopping him from putting it in his mouth.

    "Why did you stop me?" Oliver asked, startled.

    There was a fleeting moment of anxiety in his eyes, apanied by the unnerving thought that maybe Val had decided to go back on his words.

    Val read him like a book and shook his head, "It''s not what you''re thinking, Oliver."

    Oliver felt embarrassed, but he asked,

    "Then what is it?"

    Val replied, "These petals aren''t something to be consumed directly. Their essence is deeply interwoven with the force of corruption, after all. Fortunately, during my travels and experiences, I''ve gained some knowledge of alchemy. So I can purify these petals to neutralize their potentially harmful effects. Once we''re back in the cave, that''s the first thing I''ll do."

    Oliver, not only realizing his mistake of thinking Val would go back on his words but also shocked, eximed, "Did you just say you''re an alchemist?!"

    Val, with a slight chuckle and a nod, responded, "Indeed, I got into it a few weeks ago. It''s a fascinating field, and I''ve been fortunate enough to pick up its intricacies rather swiftly."

    Oliver''s eyes shone with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. "That''s... incredible, Val! Most people spend years, sometimes even a lifetime, trying to grasp the basics of alchemy. Yet, you''ve managed to do it in just a few weeks? That''s nothing short of remarkable!"

    "What can I say? Maybe I have a knack for it." Val chuckled, "Or perhaps it''s just my determination to master skills that can aid me in my journey."

    Whatever the reason was, Oliver felt a newfound respect for Val. Despite being multifaceted and ridiculously strong for his age, Val was always dedicated to always improving and learning. This ever-evolving nature of Val gave Oliver motivation and also impressed him. He realized that there was always room for growth, and one should never stop seeking knowledge.

    Taking a deep breath and looking around cautiously, Oliver said, "With such valuable treasures in our hands, the safety of the cave sounds really appealing right now. I know we had ns to venture further, but perhaps, for today, we should prioritize safety and self-improvement. What do you think about calling it a day and heading back to our shelter?"

    Val, pausing for a moment to take in Oliver''s words and gauge the surroundings, responded thoughtfully, "You have a valid point, Oliver. The day has already brought us substantial rewards, and there''s no harm in being cautious. Given the unpredictable nature of this dimension, I agree with you. We should make use of what we have to increase our strength before thinking about our next step. Heading back to the cave sounds like a wise decision for now."

 Chapter 292 289: the sound of doom!

    <h4>Chapter 292 289: the sound of doom!</h4>

    In the heart of the forest, under the shade of towering trees and amidst the rustling leaves, the world had always felt calm and serene. Nature''s luby was often aforting backdrop for dimension explorers like Val and Oliver. However, on this fateful day, that luby was interrupted by a sensation neither had ever felt before.

    The ground beneath them trembled, shaking and vibrating as if Mother Earth herself was resonating with an unknown frequency.

    Oliver, slightly less stable on his feet than hispanion, almost stumbled and fell as the shockwave rolled through the ground beneath them.

    The world spun for a moment, his feet struggling to find purchase.

    But before he could fall victim to the unexpected jolt, Val''s reflexes kicked in. He reached out, swiftly grabbing Oliver, ensuring he remained upright. His grip was strong and reassuring, steadying them both in that unstable moment.

    Just as they were trying to make sense of this unexpected turn of events, the ambient noise of the forest and the gentle rustling of leaves were suddenly overshadowed.

    The symphony of nature was disrupted by a sound so distinct and powerful that it felt as if a thousand horses were galloping with fervor. It was a rhythmic, pulsating noise that approached them with increasing intensity.

    The source? It wasing from directly behind them.

    In the face of danger, instincts can sometimes override thought. It''s as if the primal part of the brain takes charge, and for both Val and Oliver, that instinct was to identify the threat.

    Turning on their heels, they faced the direction of the advancing sound that was getting closer and closer with each passing moment.

    What greeted their eyes was a horrifying sight, the likes of which they had never imagined in their wildest dreams.

    A vast group, appearing to have the lower bodies of horses but the upper torsos of well-muscled humans, charged towards them.

    Some among this massive group had sheaths tied to their waists, from which the hilts of swords menacingly protruded.

    Others bore quivers filled with arrows on their backs, holding bows in their hands, ready to strike at a moment''s notice.

    And they did just that when they caught sight of a small group of monsters, shooting them dead.

    It was clear they weren''t friendly.

    The moment they spotted someone, they would kill it!

    Val''s mind raced. He''d seen creatures resembling these in both the movies of his previous world and the books of this world. Centaurs, they were called in those movies. But here, in Eldrich, they were known by a different, more fearsome name.

    That name was Ashtines.

    The Ashtines were not only physically imposing, but their jet-ck eyes, deeply set, hinted at a keen intelligence. On top of having a strong physique, they were strategic, observant, and always alert. These eyes, piercing and vignt, could catch even the most subtle of movements. Their reputation preceded them - they were known to be ruthless, their cruelty legendary. They relished in hunting prey that could move and offered a challenge.

    Luck, it seemed, was momentarily on Val and Oliver''s side, for the dense foliage provided a temporary cloak, shielding them from the Ashtines'' piercing gaze.

    The duo was invisible for now, but they knew that this respite would be short-lived. Once spotted, the Ashtines would relentlessly pursue them. But Val and Oliver, hidden under the canopy of leaves, didn''t think they would be able to evade detection for too long. Their cover was useful only for now as there was a considerable distance between them and the Ashtines. But this distance was rapidly diminishing, and once it was gone, the Ashtines would be upon them.

    The weight of the situation pressed down on them. The Ashtines, with their sheer numbers and might, posed a grave threat.

    The next course of action was crucial, for the slightest misstep could lead to a chase, and possibly, a deadly confrontation.

    With a grim expression, Oliver looked at Val and spoke with an urgency that betrayed his inner turmoil. "Val, it''s inevitable."

    Val, always the more contemtive of the two, raised an eyebrow, urging him to continue.

    "If we stay here," Oliver continued, a tremor in his voice, "The Ashtines will surround us in no time. And once they do, our fate would be in their hands. But given what we know about them, expecting mercy is a fool''s dream. They never let anyone survive on that frail hope. They''d certainly kill us without a second thought." He paused, taking a deep breath, "And if we attempt to flee, the moment they catch sight of us, they won''t hesitate to rain arrows upon us."

    Val nodded, his face an unreadable mask, "I''m well aware, Oliver."

    Oliver''s voice quivered with anxiety, "Then what''s the n? Do we stand our ground and fight or do we risk it all and flee?"

    Val responded with a stark rity, "They''re too fast, Oliver. You can''t possibly hope to outrun them. Running isn''t an option for us."

    Oliver''s eyes widened as a thought struck him, "You said ''I'' can''t outrun them. Are you implying that you can?"

    Val looked straight into Oliver''s eyes, his gaze unwavering, "I can, but I won''t."

    A heavy silence filled the space between them as the weight of Val''s statement settled. The reason why he wasn''t escaping was because he didn''t want to leave him behind to die. But if he was willing to go so far for him, who said Oliver also didn''t have the same intention?

    Breaking the silence, Oliver''s voice held a tinge of desperation, "You know what? it''s better one person dies than two. I''ll create a diversion, draw their attention. That''ll give you the chance to escape."

    He had no intention of dragging him down with him.

    Without waiting for Val''s reaction, Oliver was about to dash out of their hiding spot, ready to sacrifice himself. But just as he made his move, Val''s hand shot out, gripping Oliver''s arm firmly, pulling him back into concealment.

    "You crazy bastard!" Val whispered, his voiceced with anger and concern, "There''s absolutely no need for such a reckless act. Yes, the Ashtines greatly outnumber us, and it''s true that standing against them head-on would be futile.

    "And while they''re so swift that fleeing together might seem impossible, there''s still a way out," he added with a mysterious smile.

    "Val, we''re running out of time. No room for riddles! What are you suggesting?" Oliver''s frustration was palpable as he spoke in a voice that was low.

    Val took a deep breath, readying himself for the revtion.

    "The solution is rtively simple, Oliver. But you need to trust me. Completely, unconditionally. Can you do that?"

    Locking eyes with Val, the urgency and fear in Oliver''s gaze was reced with sheer determination, "Always."

    Val had won his trust for life the very first time he saved him from the ws of death!

    As the looming threat of the Ashtines weighed heavily upon them, Val leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper as he outlined the details of their escape n to Oliver

    Oliver''s brows furrowed as he listened, trying to process the audacity of the n. "Will this even work?" he asked, skepticism evident in his eyes.

    Val met his gaze, a fierce determination evident, "It''s our best shot." Reaching into his pocket, he produced a pristine mirror, its surface reflecting the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees. Handing it to Oliver, he inquired, "Do you remember the path you need to take?"

    Oliver''s eyes darted momentarily in the direction of their escape route. "The western path," he said.

    Val nodded, "Get ready. The moment I give you the signal, you make a break for it."

    Taking a deep breath, Val began a rapid sequence of motions. With each punch he threw into the air, a radiant fireball manifested. The first, then ten, then twenty. As the count climbed, so did the intensity of the ze, until fifty fireballs roared in the forest''s silence. By the time the fiftieth fireball was released, Val was on the brink of exhaustion, his stamina bar down to its veryst count as he had drawn from his White Devil bloodline too much power in too little time.

    Boom!

    The fireballs collided with the ground, creating a series of massive explosions that resonated through the forest.

    The force of the sts decimated several Ashtines instantly, while others were thrown off-bnce.

    A thick cloud of dust and debris rose, mingling with the intense heat of the fire, forcing the Ashtines to instinctively halt and retreat.

    Seizing this opportune moment, Oliver, with the mirror clutched firmly, broke into a sprint towards the western path.

    "Hmm?"

    The tribe leader''s gazetched on to a hazy silhouette through the dust and smoke.

    Then, it clicked.

    The explosions, he realized, were a diversion meant to allow the figure to escape��a diversion that imed the lives of many of his brethren.

    The tribe leader''s eyes shed with unbridled fury. Enraged, he wanted the person responsible for all the misery caused to his tribe dead. After all, he viewed the massacre as not only a physical attack on his people but a direct affront to his leadership and pride.

    ''I have to kill the wrongdoer, or else what kind of leader would I be?''

    Grief-stricken voices pleaded for orders to tend to the fallen, to mourn their passing and honor their memories. However, consumed by his fury, the tribe leader had only one objective in mind: retribution. He shouted, pointing towards Oliver''s retreating figure, "After him! Do not let him escape!"

    A brave tribesman, perhaps one of the elders, mustered the courage to reason with the leader, "But sire, the mes are overwhelming. It''s too perilous to pursue through such an inferno."

    The leader''s eyes zed with impatience, "Fool! Who speaks of chasing him on foot? Archers, to the front! Take him down from a distance!"

    Murmurs of uncertainty rippled through the ranks. The expenditure of so many arrows, a valuable resource, on a single target seemed excessive. Yet, no one dared challenge the leader''s authority openly. With disciplined precision, the archers stepped forward, each retrieving an arrow from their quivers and notching them onto their bows.

    "Release!"

    Themand was absolute, and in response, a thousand arrows soared upwards, arcing gracefully in the dusky sky. They all had only one destination. It was Oliver!

    From a distance, the scene might have resembled a rainstorm, with shafts of arrows descending like raindrops, but there was an evident menace in this storm. Oliver, despite sensing the imminent danger, didn''t stop running at the top of his speed, his breathing shallow, his heart pounding fiercely against his chest.

    And as his imminent doom seemed certain, something miraculous transpired.

    Blood Maniption!

    A low and thick voice roared out and a crimson tide, like a surge of blood, rose from the ground.

    It soared upwards, stretching high into the sky, forming a formidable barrier between Oliver and the deadly shower of arrows. The liquid rapidly solidified, taking on the consistency and appearance of a massive blood-red shield, its intention was as clear as day. It has appeared to protect Oliver from the lethal rain of arrows.

 Chapter 293 290: Sacrifice

    <h4>Chapter 293 290: Sacrifice</h4>

    Thud! Thud! Thud!

    The relentless onught of arrows struck the solidified blood barrier with intense force. Each impact resonated with a dull thud, and with every arrow that met its mark, a web of cracks began to form, branching out and crisscrossing over the surface of the barrier.

    The barrier was under immense pressure. As the 988th arrow made its mark, the umted stress became too much. With a resonating crack, the once-solidified tide of blood shattered, leaving Oliver exposed to the threats looming overhead.

    Whoosh!

    A dozen arrows descended directly towards Oliver simultaneously. Their sharpened tips gleamed menacingly under the sun, promising a fatal blow. However, just as doom seemed certain for Oliver, a sudden and unexpected force intervened.

    A torrent of invisible energy surged from the ground, meeting the arrows in their downward trajectory. Each arrow was caught by this powerful energy and snapped cleanly in two halves as if they were mere twigs. The remnants of the arrows were then blown away, scattering in the wind.

    Throughout thend of Eldrich, the Ashtines were renowned for their heightened senses, which were said to be tenfold sharper than those of regr humans, but their tribe leader stood in a league of his own.

    His senses were three to five times more sharper than his fellow Ashtines!

    While soul power remained invisible to his eye, the tribe leader could sense its existence, and thus, he traced the origin of the soul power polluting the air right back to Val!

    Although he discovered the true culprit, unfortunately for this beast, a towering wall of mes separated him and the rest of his tribe of Ashtines from Val.

    The inferno roared, and its heat was felt even from a distance.

    Having witnessed the fiery demise of theirrades, none dared approach it.

    Even the fearless tribe leader didn''t dare, respecting the deadly power of the mes

    However, he wasn''t willing to give up.

    "Attack him!"

    He signaled towards Val''s position, directing his archers to focus their assault there.

    In response, a massive volley of arrows was unleashed, each one aimed with deadly precision at Val. But Val, ever the strategist, had already anticipated their move. It was evident from the fact that he had already the flying broom out of his pocket dimension. With agility and swiftness, he mounted his flying broom, ascending into the sky. The rain of arrows that was meant to be his doom missed him by a significant margin, striking the spot where he once stood.

    Without pausing to weigh the loss of their provisions or the potential depletion of their resources, the tribe leader, undeterred by their previous failed attempts, shouted amand to his archers, urging them to strike at Val once more.

    At hismand, the sky swiftly became a canvas of deadly projectiles. The horde of arrows took flight, each one directed with precision, with the intent to bring Val down. The sheer number and speed of the arrows showcased the Ashtines''mitment to fulfilling their leader''s orders.

    Yet, Val, exhibiting not only exceptional control over his flying broom but also an understanding of the terrain and air currents, danced through the storm of arrows. He weaved through the gaps, soared to higher altitudes, and dived swiftly, evading every single projectile with the elegance and agility reminiscent of an expert witch from ancient tales.

    A momentary lull followed this intense barrage. Val, still airborne, noticed that no more arrows wereing his way.

    ''Seems like they''ve given up.''

    He smirked.

    "Why have you ceased firing?" The tribe leader screamed at his archers.

    One of the leader''s subordinates approached, hesitating slightly before exining, "My lord, the enemy has distanced himself too much. Our arrows can no longer reach him at that range. It will be a waste to continue attacking."

    They all knew that, but their leader didn''t as he was blinded by rage. They felt he was quite ipetent, and once they return, they wouldin to the dimension master that he was not fit to rule them and have someone else rece him as their tribe leader.

    A growl of frustration rumbled deep within the tribe leader''s chest. Taking a moment to gather hisposure, he finally dered with resolute determination, "Gah! If that is the case, then it falls upon me to avenge the dead. I shall take matters into my own hands!"

    The tribe leader, in a final bid to halt Val, reached for the amulet that rested against his chest. The intricate piece of jewelry had been with him for ages. It was given to him when the dimension was still a dungeon. He had challenged the dungeon boss for its position. But the dungeon boss sweet the floor with him. He though he would be killed but the dungeon boss gave him a way out. He epted it and became its subordinate, and that was when he was granted the amulet. With the two strongest monster of the dungeon working together, it grew faster and became a dimension. The dungeon monster evolved into the dimension master, and he further enchanted the amulet of his subordinate, strengthening its effects.

    It was strong enough to seriously harm the dimension master, but it trusted him like family and thus gave it to him just in case.

    He decided to use it here!

    Without a moment''s hesitation, he took it off and hurled the amulet with all the strength he could muster in Val''s direction.

    As it sailed through the air, the amulet began to glow, radiating a menacing red light. Then, in a spectacle of magic and might, it split apart, transforming into a thousand gleaming red arrows. Each of these arrows held a deadly intent, homing in on Val with unerring uracy.

    Val''s instincts, honed through countless battles and encounters, screamed warnings at him. He felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck and quickly turned to nce over his shoulder. The sight that met his eyes was nothing short of terrifying �C a barrage of a thousand arrows, each promising imminent doom, bore down on him.

    At this point, his sixth sense conveyed a clear message to him.

    A single strike from any of these arrows would be fatal.

    Desperate for an understanding of the danger, Val activated his ''Detect'' skill.

    The insight he gained was even more rming.

    These were not ordinary arrows! They were explosive arrows with immense destructive potential, each packing enough power to obliterate mountains!

    To make matters worse, they moved at an astonishing speed, faster than his flying broom, and were rapidly closing the distance.

    With mere moments to decide, Val made a split-second choice. He gritted his teeth, tightened his grip on the broom''s handle, and then, with a determined exhale, leapt off.

    Boom!

    The once serene sky erupted in a cacophony of deafening explosions. Every red arrow exploded with a force that lit up the sky in hues of fiery orange and deep red and rattled the very bones of the forest, causing animals to scurry in fear.

    Val had escaped the very epicenter of this maelstrom thanks to his quick thinking and equally quick action. But he could still feel the heat and shockwaves as the arrows exploded, their powerful sts manifesting as both sound and force.

    He saw that there was only one casualties of this aerial assault. It was his Flying broom. It was caught in the very heart of the explosions, its wood and bristles disintegrating instantly, leaving no trace of its prior existence.

    As Val plummeted, memories of his adventures with the broom shed before his eyes. The enemies he had killed by sneaking up behind them through the other side on the broom, and the serene moments when he would simply glide above the treetops, feeling the wind rush past him. The loss was personal, but with the immediate peril he faced, there was little room for grief.

    Survival was paramount.

    With the ground fast approaching, Val''s instincts and training kicked in. He channeled his soul power, spreading it all over his body in a unique manner. Almost immediately, the gravitational pull he was subjected to began to wane. Val''s expression became a lot lighter. He had sessfully pulling off the anti-gravity technique. Although he wasn''t on Eldrich, the G force remained the same.

    His rapid descent turned into a slow, controlled drop. It was as if time itself had slowed down, allowing him to navigate hisnding with the precision and grace of a seasoned acrobat. He touched the ground, not with a crash, but as softly as a feather settling after a gentle breeze.

    However, Val knew that the danger was far from over. The Ashtines, known for their persistence and ruthlessness, wouldn''t be deterred by a mere wall of fire for too long. He had to move, and he had to move fast.

    While running, he looked back and saw that what he was worried about was already happening. The Ashtines had decided to continue the hunt for Val and Oliver under the aggressivemand of their leader. They were taking the long way, going around the fire to go after them!

    ''I better speed up.''

    Val activated the ''Blood Rush'' skill, and his agility increased to the limit that his body could register.

    His movements, already swift and precise, now became a blur.

 Chapter 294 291: A new destination

    <h4>Chapter 294 291: A new destination</h4>

    Moving with such speed that he could only be registered as a sh of ck to the naked eye, Val dashed through the forest, dodging trees and leaping over obstacles with an ease that seemed supernatural.

    Each step he took left behind no traces. As there were no footsteps, the Ashtines, who had crossed over to the other side of the forest by moving around the wall of fire, were clueless as to where he had went. So naturally they had to split up to cover more ground, lest he get away.

    "My experience as an assassin in my previous life is helping me a great deal now."

    Every twist and turn Val took in the forest was the umtion of his life as an assassin and quite strategic, intended to throw off his pursuers.

    Under his maniption, the dense underbrush and the towering trees of the forest had be his allies, offering cover and camouge.

    The archers couldn''t see him.

    Thus, he was met with no attack, allowing him to reach the destination where he was supposed to meet Oliver without any dy.

    Oliver was waiting for Val by the edge of a serene pond, the water''s surface smooth like ss. He had already ced the mirror inside it, causing it to transform into a portal to the other side of the dimension and vice versa.

    As Val emerged from the thick underbrush, Oliver''s face lit up with sheer relief and joy.

    The sight of hispanion, safe and without a tail of pursuers, was more than he had hoped for.

    Overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn''t contain himself and eximed, "Bro! Your n worked! We both made it out alive from an impossible to survive situation!"

    Val, catching his breath from his exhrating sprint, grinned at his friend, saying, "It''s all thanks to ourbined effort. but we''re still not out of danger. Let''s celebrate after getting out of this ce."

    "Jump in," Val directed, his voice firm and filled with urgency.

    Following hismand, Oliver plunged into the pond. The water rippled and then stilled, with Oliver nowhere in sight. Val followed suit but not before retrieving the mirror with his wizardry.

    In what felt like the span of a heartbeat, they broke out of the pond cold and suffocating embrace. They took a moment to catch their breaths, their chests rising and falling in tandem.

    Looking around, one could barely make out a forest because it was too dark. There were no stars in the sky. Overhead, only a crescent of a moon was present.

    Despite the overwhelming quiet, a silent understanding passed between the two. They had indeed sessfully teleported to the other side of the dimension, just as they had hoped, leaving the Ashtines in their dust for good!

    A sense of achievement flickered in their eyes, but it was quickly reced by caution.

    Night had already begun in this side of the lesser dimension.

    And faint, distant howls revealed that devils and other unsightly creatures were prowling the forest in search of prey.

    At this moment, every second was crucial. Lingering wasn''t an option unless they were looking for a confrontation with a devil. However, for humans, any encounter with a devil was worse than none at all. They had to act swiftly.

    Knowing they were short on time, Val grabbed Oliver''s arm and jumped out of the pond. The cold, damp sensation of the water was quickly reced by the sturdy feeling of the ground beneath them. As soon as they were on solid ground, Val released Oliver, spun around, and unleashed a powerful punch, activating his hellish fist skill as a result. mes erupted from his fist and made contact with the pond''s surface, setting it aze.

    It started to rapids vaporize. In mere moments, nothing was left behind.

    Oliver, taken aback, questioned with widened eyes, "Why did you do that?"

    Any disturbance caused at night had the possibility of attracting unwanted attention. It wasmon knowledge that was taught even to the children of the kingdom, So why, despite knowing all that, did Val took such a risk?

    Val replied, "It''s to ensure the Ashtines can''t follow us through the portal we left open."

    Val was a meticulous guy. He didn''t like leaving behind loose ends. Moreover, in his perspective, the actions he took were justified. Neutralizing the potential threat of the entire Ashtine tribe pursuing them was worth the gamble, even if it risked drawing the attention of the devil. Devils could be killed. He had the skills to do that. But fighting off a massive army of levek 30-50+ monsters all by himself? That was well impossible even for him. He could run away for them. He could hurt them hard too. But in a face to face battle, he would lose.

    After knowing that the effect of the mirror wasn''t momentary, Oliver also thought he did the right thing.

    Seeking shelter was their immediate priority in the menacing darkness of the other dimension.

    There were many ces in the forest that could be used as shelter, but the forest was akin to a treacherous maze, riddled with hidden dangers. A single misstep could mean a gruesome end.

    Fortunately, Val possessed the ''Heavenly Eye'' skill. With its aid, he was able to discern every concealed threat in their vicinity, the deadly pitfalls, the lurking predators, and every other conceivable danger. This knowledge was invaluable as he meticulously plotted the safest route to their destination��a cave nestled in a nearby mountain.

    "Follow me closely," Val instructed, his tone leaving no room for doubt about the gravity of their situation.

    With unwavering trust, Oliver nodded and trailed behind Val as he led the way.

    Minutes passed before they stood in front of a towering mountain with its peak surging all the way up to the skies.

    On their way there, they didn''t encounter a single danger, leaving Oliver awed at Val''s ability to avoid peril.

    "Man, you''re good," he praised.

    "Thanks, but it''s just a skill. Everyone has their strengths, and mine just happened to be particrly helpful in this situation," Val replied with a modest shrug.

    "Too humble," Oliver muttered under his breath. Of all the people he had met, Val had the best personality. He was amazing, able to do almost anything. Others would already be conceited at this point, but he didn''t let his aplishments and capabilities get to his mind, staying true to his noble roots. He was elegant in the ways he did things and quiet gentlemanly.

    Nowadays, a person like him was too rare, almost like a single leaf in a forest.

    What he didn''t know was that his good brother had two faces: a kind one and a very ruthless one. Those who had only ever seen his kind and humble face were like Oliver. They only had many good things to say about him. But the unlucky many who had seen his other side were not alive to tell the tale.

    Val raised his hand and pointed ahead, asking, "Can you see that?"

    There was a crack in the face of the mountain; it was a bit hollow from the inside. The space wasn''t big but it would fit two peoplefortably, and it met all the conditions for the defensive amulets to work their charm.

    Responding to Val''s inquiry, Oliver nodded.

    "Good." Val said, "We will be spending the night there."

    Then, employing the anti-gravity technique, they both effortlessly floated into it. Once inside the cave, they set up their defenses before sitting down.

    It was cold, but they didn''t start a fire as it was a sure way to attract devils on such a dark night. Although barriers were set up to keep the devils at bay, they could only hold on for so long. If too many appear, which might happen if they start a fire, it would result in a situation where a bloody fight would be inevitable.

    "Let''s increase our strength," Val suggested.

    "How?" Oliver asked, puzzled.

    "Did you already forget? We got the Lunar Dewdrop," Val reminded him.

    Oliver''s eyes lit up as he eximed, "Ah!"

    "I''ll start the purification. Bring out yours too," Val instructed.

    "Free of cost?" Oliver inquired with a smirk.

    "Since it''s the first time, it''s on the house," Val replied, both of them chuckling.

    Following their brief conversation, they each took out their portion of the Lunar Dewdrop.

    The two shiny blue petals were ced in front of Val.

    He positioned his hand next to them, and after activating the heavenly eye, he inspected them inside and out, pinpointing the areas where the force of corruption was concentrated

    He then employed wizardry, with streams of soul power radiating from his palm, targeting and entering directly into the pockets of corruption deep inside the two petals.

    Each petal had about three such pockets of corruption. As Val''s soul power seeped in, their size diminished. After a few moments, they were non-existent. And Val ceased his flow of soul power.

    Just then, a notification sounded.

    [System Notification: Purification processplete.]

    [System Notification: The two petals of the Lunar Dewdrop have been purified of all the force of corruption. Their effects has improved!]

 Chapter 295 292: Choices

    Chapter 295 292: Choices

    Previously, the petals only had the capability to assist a normal individual in acquiring the ability to register a bloodline, and could randomly enhance a bloodline skill of a bloodline user.

    However, after the purification, their capabilities had dramatically improve.

    Now, they promised to grant a special Constitution that would not only bestow the ability to register a bloodline on a normie but would also enable them to absorb high-level bloodline elixirs. As for the bloodline users, an upgrade in their existing bloodline was now guaranteed!

    Val''s eyes gleamed with excitement upon understanding the newly acquired properties of the Lunar Dewdrop. He took a deep breath, trying to contain the surge of emotions bubbling within him.

    ''This is phenomenal,'' he thought, quivering with a mix of disbelief and tion. ''With this, my chances of achieving my goals have just skyrocketed!''

    Oliver noticed the difference in the petals immediately and became curious.

    His curiosity was evident in his voice as he asked,

    "Why do the petals look shinier now?"

    Val smirked, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Take a guess. What could possibly improve the appearance of a magical ingredient?"

    Lost in thought, Oliver racked his brain.

    The answer dawned upon him after a few moments of contemtion.

    While he wasn''t an alchemist, he was well-aware of themon knowledge about alchemy ingredients because his nosy master had forced fed him not only basic sense but also all sorts of important information regarding the world and the society they lived him, all of which he was clueless about throughout his childhood thanks to his neglecting and abusive family.

    He knew most of these ingredients had traces of the force of corruption, which hampered their true potential. However, if one managed to dispel this force of corruption, the ingredients would undergo an incredible transformation, bing even more potent than their original state when affected by the force of corruption.

    For such a profound change to manifest, the expertise of a high-ranked alchemist, like his master Lord Lucious, was essential. Yet, here was Val, having achieved this miraculous feat on his own.

    This realization struck Oliver like a bolt of the blue with the weight of its implications.

    "This means... your purification skill is on par with the top alchemists in the kingdom!" he gasped, his voiceden with shock.

    "I learned from the best," Val nodded with a grin.

    "I am curious about the upgraded petals. Tell me, what can they do now?" Oliver asked eagerly.

    Val leaned in, his voice filled with a mysterious excitement. "For you, it guarantees a special constitution, elevating you to the level of a prodigy. As for me," he paused for a beat before continuing, "it could potentially upgrade both of my bloodlines."

    He wasn''t certain about it as the description he got from the system didn''t exim how the petal would react if taken by a persom with two bloodlines. Maybe it would upgrade only one. Maybe it would upgrade both. He would''ve to find that out by himself. But Val hoped it would be thetter.

    ''I would be hitting a jackpot in that case,'' he thought.

    Hearing about Val having two bloodlines didn''t faze Oliver much, as he was already privy to that information. But he looked shocked as the potential benefits of the purified petals were mind-boggling. His hand reached toward a petal.

    Without further ado, they both took their respective petals, biting into it. The taste was reminiscent of sawdust �C dry and unptable. Yet, understanding the immense value of what they held, they didn''t let even a bit of it go to waste, oveing their natural revulsion to it as they put the rest of it in their mouths and swallowed it down.

    Moments after consuming the mystical petal, Oliver felt an overwhelming sensation engulfing him. An intense, burning pain began to ripple throughout his body, starting from the depths of his stomach and radiating outwards, wrapping itself around every sinew, muscle, and bone. The agony was so intense that it felt as if he was caught in the very core of a raging inferno, akin to a crab being steamed alive in scalding water.

    Refusing to let out a cry of distress, Oliver gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, enduring the tormenting pain in grim silence like a man of resolve. He clenched his fists so that his nails dug deep into his flesh, breaking the skin and causing warm blood to trickle out.

    Each pulse of pain seemed to further test his resolve as every fiber of his being screamed in torment.

    As he endured the pain of evolution, his breathing grew rapid and shallow, and droplets of sweat formed on his brow, merging and rolling down his face.

    "You seem to be in a lot of pain. Need some help?" Val inquired after observing Oliver''s pained expression.

    Turning to Val with sweat glistening on his forehead, Oliver rasped, "What about you? You also took the herb. Aren''t you in pain?"

    Val looked at him with a serene expression, revealing no hint of difort. "Well, pain is like a second guardian angel to me. It has never harmed me."

    "That was quite poetic I must say," Oliver remarked, gritting through his pain.

    "I wonder if it''s because the petal is upgrading my entire body, while it''s only enhancing your bloodlines," Oliver voiced.

    Val listened intently, choosing not to interrupt Oliver''s train of thought. He had indeed spoken the truth earlier, but as often happens, the straightforward truth was interpreted through a different lens by the listener. Val pondered how, when faced with simple truths, people tend to weave their own intricate narratives around them, oftenplicating and mistaking what was originally clear and uplicated for something else. It has always amused him.

    The gentle pitter-patter of rain began to sound against the earth, creating a rhythmic luby that echoed through the night. The sky wept as droplets, clear and round, cascaded from the heavens. Each drop, like a tiny pearl, sshed upon the ground outside the cave, quickly saturating the thirsty earth beneath. Within moments, thendscape outside the cave transformed, now shimmering under the wet embrace of the rain. The moistened terrain sparkled, reflecting the sporadic light from the overcast sky above.

    Amidst the soothing sounds of nature, a sharp notification echoed within Val''s mind, breaking his train of thought. It stated:

    **Bloodline Upgrade Notification:**

    - **Bloodline:** Blood Devil

    - **ss:** Advanced to Level 4

    - **New Skill Unlocked:**

    * **Name:** Blood Reincarnation

    * **Description:** The host can store a portion of his blood in a body, whether dead or alive. If he falls in battle or dies due to natural causes, his stored blood will automatically form a new body for him, granting him a second life.

    * **Side Effect:** Following the process, the host will lose all his strength and would need to start from scratch.

    Val''s thoughts raced. This skill was exceptional, for there was nothing more valuable than life itself.

    Even if one lost everything, as long as they could keep their life, it mattered.

    ''Of course, I don''t have to worry about all that.''

    Moreover, what made this skill all the more better for Val was its synergy with his innate technique, the Soul Archive.

    These two skillsplemented each other perfectly!

    With the Soul Archive skill, he would be able to literally ovee the penalty of the Blood Reincarnation skill in no time right after reincarnation.

    Basically, if the situation ever called for it, Val could now die and be reborn in a new body without losing any of his rued strength.

    Another notification rang in Val''s mind, bringing with it a pleasant surprise. As he read through the content of the alert, an emerging grin crept across his face. With each passing word, his grin expanded until it stretched from one ear to the other.

    [System Notification]

    Congrattions, your Whitemore bloodline has upgraded! Your White Devil ss has advanced to Level 4. You are given a choice to upgrade any one of your three White Devil bloodline skills.

    [Option 1] Upgrade "Titan''s Reinforcement" to:

    "Titan''s Dominion"

    Description: Amplifies all of Host''s stats by 100%, turning him into a formidable force in anybat situation.

    [Option 2] Upgrade "Hellish Fist" to:

    "Infernal Touch"

    Description: Grants Host the power to manifest, control, and extinguish hellfire at will. Elevates the skill''s raw power, allowing it to scorchnds and set the heavens aze!

    [Option 3] Upgrade "Void Force" to:

    "Monarch''s Decree"

    Description: Elevates the Host''s status as the Devil God of Evil and his godly authority to unparalleled heights. This skill will not only allow the Host to subjugate level 1 to 9 undead and level 1 to 8 bloodline users but the host can also infuse his creations with a fragment of his own power and will, making them more formidable and loyal. Additionally, the skill allows the Host to merge multiple undead into one to create a more powerful entity, and this skill also grants the host the ability to control ancient and more potent undead beings that once resisted hismand!

    "Which one should I choose?" Val pondered the choices before him, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

 Chapter 296 293:

    Chapter 296 293:

    The upgraded versions of all three skills sounded spectacr to Val. However, upon close examination, "Titan''s Dominion" wasn''t as enticing. He could already push himself to the brink of his speed with the "Blood Rush" skill. And as for other physical stats, he could maximize them using the cores of beasts.

    Thus, he cast aside the thought of selecting this skill.

    This left him torn between "Monarch''s Decree" and "Infernal Touch."

    However, upon deeper observation, the decision wasn''t as challenging as it seemed at first nce. After all, one skill clearly held more potential and advantages for Val''s current and anticipated future endeavors!

    While the "Monarch''s Decree" was tempting due to its ability to simplify the process of amassing an undead army, itcked the versatility and importance that "Infernal Touch" held.

    Val pondered internally, ''While the ''Monarch''s Decree'' is indeed a must-have for anyone dreaming of conquering the world, it''s only effective against creatures bound to their physical forms. Once the physical forms of these creatures are destroyed, they are as good as read. But what about the foes that don''t rely on a tangible body or those that can''t be vanquished merely by destroying their physical selves? ''Monarch''s Decree'' wouldn''t hold much weight against them. However, ''Infernal Touch''... now that''s a skill that could tackle such challenges head-on.''

    The "Infernal Touch" skill would provide him a significant advantage, not just against monsters and devils but also against strange and unpredictable phenomena.

    Thus, after much contemtion, Val settled on upgrading the "Infernal Touch" skill.

    A system notification popped up in front of his eyes.

    [System Notification]

    Skill "Hellish Fist" has been upgraded to:

    "Infernal Touch"

    Description: This skill grants the Host the ability to conjure, manipte, and quell "Abyssal Hellfire" onmand. The Abyssal Hellfire born from this skill possesses an intensity so profound that it can incinerate everything in its path until nothing is left of it, including the very world. Even entities that exist in their soul form or are intangible are not immune to this all-consuming ze.]

    This contained more exnation than the previous one.

    Val realized not everything was mentioned in the description issued by the system when he inspected the petals and their effects on bloodline users and normies.

    Since this was the case for him, it might be the same for Oliver.

    What the evolution would bring might be more than he initially thought.

    Val raised his head and looked ahead. Oliver still looked pained, meaning his evolution was far from done.

    Val lowered his head again and his thoughts raced as he reflected on the newfound power he had acquired.

    ''Abyssal Hellfire,'' he pondered, ''It possesses the potential to be a game-changer for me.''

    Images of his most formidable foes shed across his mind: the enigmatic "Nameless," the unpredictable "Fog," and the most unsettling of them all, the "Unknown."

    Previously, these adversaries seemed insurmountable. They were simply too overwhelming to confront. But now, with the Abyssal Hellfire at his disposal, the tables might have turned.

    He could finally have a fighting chance against these formidable entities.

    The mere thought of this filled Val with a sense of twisted craving and determination.

    His eyes glinted with newfound resolve as he thought, ''The next time they cross my path, I will show them hell!''

    He was even considering making a trip to the Shadow Valley to settle his score with those two nuisances after this.

    As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Oliver spoke up, his voice sounding steadier than before. "It has suddenly started to feel... different. I think I''vepleted my evolution."

    Val turned to him with an eyebrow raised. "How do you feel now?" he asked.

    Oliver took a moment, searching for the right words. "When I was undergoing the evolution, it felt as if my very soul was being torn apart. But now... it''s as if I''ve been reborn. I feel stronger, rejuvenated, and more talented."

    Curious about Oliver''s changes, Val cast Detect.

    A semi-transparent system notification appeared before Val, showcasing Oliver''s statistics.

    [Name: Oliver]

    Hp: 20

    Agt: 50

    Str: 40

    Sta: 38

    Ref: 35

    ss: Low-level Wizard

    Special Physique: Celestial Progenitor Constitution

    Val noticed huge differences. Oliver''s stats weren''t this impressive before he took the purified petal of the miracle flower and he also didn''t have a special physique!

    ''Let''s see how special it is.''

    Val''s attention was particrly drawn to the ''Special Physique'' part.

    As he focused his gaze on it, another notification popped up, providing more detail:

    [Celestial Progenitor Constitution]

    A: This unique physique allows Oliver to inherit any type of bloodline, from low to high level, with a 100% sess rate. However, this can be done only once, either by drinking blood or consuming a bloodline potion.

    B: Due to this physique, the upper limit of the raw strength his body can achieve has increased to 150 points in each stat.

    C: All his stats will continuously increase over time until they each hit their limits.]

    After taking a moment to digest the information, Val looked at Oliver with a proud smirk, "You weren''t just feeling things. You''ve truly grown stronger. And I dare say, you have an exciting future ahead."

    Oliver furrowed his brows. He looked visibly puzzled as he tried to process Val''s words.

    "Wait a moment, can you exin that a bit more? What exactly do you mean by all this??"

    Val, sensing Oliver''s bewilderment, took a deep, steadying breath, readying himself to provide a more thorough exnation.

    "Alright, let''s take this step by step. Remember when I mentioned you''d gain a special physique after consuming that petal? That wasn''t an exaggeration. You''ve been blessed with what''s known as the Celestial Progenitor Constitution. This doesn''t just grant you the ability to inherit any type of bloodline, from the simplest to the most intricate, without a problem. It also elevates the potential of your physical body to that of a high-level warrior and improves every aspect of your being with the passage of time," Val exined.

    "Meaning?" Oliver asked.

    "You''ll continue to grow stronger and stronger until you hit your limits, even if all you do is breathe. And yeah, thanks to this special constitution, your natural vitality has also soared to new heights," Val answered.

    Oliver''s eyes shimmered with a mix of awe and disbelief as he tried to fathom the magnitude of Val''s words. The weight of what had been gifted to him settled in his heart. A lump formed in his throat as gratitude overwhelmed him.

    ""I... I can''t believe this," he whispered, voice thick with gratitude. "Val, your kindness is unparalleled. How can I ever repay such a monumental favor? Dedicating my life to your service wouldn''t even scratch the surface of the debt I owe you."

    "Cut it out." Val waved his hand dismissively, a yful smirk on his lips. "We''re family, aren''t we? Just use this gift wisely, and you will have repaid me enough."

    After a brief pause, Val added, "So, what will you do now? Any particr bloodline you''ve got in mind? If you''re feeling adventurous, you could even try drinking my blood. I have two powerful bloodlines, and I guarantee you would not be disappointed no matter which one you end up with."

    Oliver felt tempted. The temptation was evident in Oliver''s eyes, a light that hadn''t been there before. The very idea of finally possessing a bloodline, after all the years he had yearned for it, was an irresistible siren call. Every fiber of his being seemed to lean towards it. But after a moment, his face set in a mask of determination, he firmly said, "I''m immensely grateful for your offer, but I cannot bear the thought of you harming yourself for my sake. I''ll consult with my master first before deciding."

    This reaction, this very decision of Oliver, was exactly the oue Val had anticipated. It was all going ording to his n.

    In the recesses of his mind, Val hoped that Oliver''s discussion with Lucious would lead to Oliver inheriting Lucious''s esteemed bloodline. Having an ally like Oliver, especially one bonded with the blood of the D. Dragon and owing him a life debt, would be invaluable.

    "I understand and respect your choice. Whatever path you choose, I''m sure it''ll be the right one," he said.

    Time seemed to pass quickly, and soon the rain''s persistent drumming ceased, leaving behind a serene silence.

    Val cast a sideways nce at Oliver and asked, "Think you''re up for moving around?

    Oliver, despite feeling a bit drained from his recent transformation, nodded. "Yes, I can. But why do you ask?"

    "I think we should resume the search for the core," Val said as he stood up.

    Oliver''s eyebrows knitted in concern. "In this darkness? Aren''t you worried about encountering the devils that roam freely at night?"

    "We''ve got nothing to worry about. The petal upgraded my strongest bloodline skill to a bane of all things unholy and granted me full control over it. If any devil dares cross our path, they''ll be courting death," Val replied with a smirk

 Chapter 297 294: Getting Closer to the truth!

    Chapter 297 294: Getting Closer to the truth!

    As they journeyed deeper into the forest, Val took the lead, his senses heightened and on alert.

    The path they were on looked like something straight out of a nightmare. It was dark, and here the trees were so dense and thick that they seemed to merge into one another looking like an abomination that would fit in hell.

    Oliver felt disturbed by how quiet it was.

    "I feel like we''re walking into a trap," Oliver said.

    "And I feel like you''ve just jinxed us," Val said as his sixth sense was reacting to hidden danger!

    The haunting silence of the night so far was only broken by the asional rustle of the leaves underfoot and the chirping of insects, but this tranquility was destined to notst the second Oliver opened his mouth and jinxed them.

    Whoosh!

    Out of nowhere, a volley of darts whizzed through the air towards them. Their speed was so great that they barely registered as a blur. These weren''t ordinary projectiles; they carried with them a deadly curse, evident from the ominous glow they emitted. A curse so potent, it could reduce bones and flesh to nothing but dust.

    "Gotta keep them from touching us."

    Almost instinctively, Val activated his Infernal Touch. Suddenly, a ck dome of hellfire sprang up around them.

    The fire was so dark it seemed to absorb all light around it, yet within this ckness, wisps of mes flitted around like butterfly wings �� eerily beautiful.

    Oliver, taken aback by the sudden appearance of the dome, took a moment to admire its mesmerizing beauty before his warrior instincts kicked in, "Why did you summon this?"

    His question was answered as he watched the cursed darts make contact with the dome. Upon touching the hellfire, the darts disintegrated instantly, melting away into nothingness. Even the fumes that were released weren''t spared, keeping them safe from harm.

    "It''s like the most powerful form of defense. Nothing can breach it." Val had to admit. The infernal touch skill, although offensive in nature, was better than all the defensive skill he had ever seen!

    "Damn bro, your reflexes are fire," Oliver said to Val.

    "Where is the enemy?" Oliver whispered, trying to pierce the surrounding darkness with his gaze.

    But to no avail.

    The darkness was so intense and all-consuming that even if one had exceptional vision, they would find it challenging to discern anything unusual in their environment.

    However, Val was extraordinary even among the supernatural like a dragon amongst men.

    The darkness was never a problem. He could see clearly. Despite this, he couldn''t see the bastards who attacked them.

    ''The nocturne vision trait isn''t enough? Guess I will have to use that.''

    He used his Heavenly Eye skill. His vision underwent a profound change. What was hidden in the pitch ck surroundings became transparent in his eyes.

    He saw three inky figures with no faces.

    The humanoid bodies of these three figures were so intertwined with the night''s shadows that they seemed to be an extension of the darkness itself. It made perfect sense why they had gone unnoticed.

    "Die!"

    With a swift movement of his hand, Val manipted the protective dome of hellfire. Streams of the dark fire, like ferocious tornados, spiraled out, zeroing in on the concealed devils, who leaped out of their way, but with a wave of his hand, Val redirected them towards the devils.

    They weren''t expecting this and thus were caught off-guard.

    Kuagh!

    The forest was suddenly filled with the shrill cries of the devils. Their screams reflected the agony that they felt as the hellfire consumed them.

    Oliver''s heart trembled, hearing their heart-wrenching cries. Their screams, however, stopped as soon as they began. So he wasn''t profoundly affected.

    Val watched silently as the devils burned away reduced to nothing by his attack. Theirbined power level was no less than an intermediate-level devil. Yet, he had killed them in one breath of time. It clearly showed how strong he had grown!

    Hismendable feat was celebrated by a notification from the system.

    [System Notification]

    Enemies Defeated: Narak, Mordis, Shaden

    Experience Earned: 10,000 EXP

    Item Acquired: +1 True Strength Orb

    Item Description: This orb can increase strength stat by ten points after absorption. Effective only on individuals with less than 100 points in their stats. Half as effective on those with above 100 points.

    Val studied the notification briefly, an idea forming in his mind.

    ''Good,'' he mused internally, ''When Oliver''s not paying attention, I''ll consume it.''

    Val had his reasons for wanting to keep it a secret. He didn''t want to face a barrage of questions from Oliver as to where he had got it from or exin his actions.

    Moreover, he didn''t consider sharing it with Oliver. Due to Oliver''s unique physique, his stats would eventually max out naturally. Offering him the orb would be an inefficient use of resources. Not to mention, his own growth was most important to him.

    The entire skirmish had taken mere moments, but its aftermath was clear. Val had won. And it was an overwhelming victory. Oliver, still reeling from the rapid turn of events, turned to Val, admiration evident in his eyes. With how quickly he had taken care of the devils, the realization dawned on him that with Val by his side, even the darkest of nights held no terror. He suddenly felt not so afraid of moving around in the dark.

    "Did the devils leave behind any loot?" Oliver inquired, breaking Val''s train of thought.

    "No, nothing," Val replied nonchntly. "We should keep moving. The core won''t find itself."

    The two resumed their trek.

    The forest, with its myriad sounds and shifting shadows, felt alive, almost sentient. The chirping of insects and the gentle rustle of leaves underfoot created an orchestra of nature. The cool night air was heavy with the scent of moss and wet earth as it had rained not long ago.

    As they continued, Val noticed Oliver momentarily distracted by the nocturnal beauty of their surroundings.

    ''Now''s the time.''

    Seizing the moment, he discreetly essed his system inventory and retrieved the True Strength Orb. Without any hesitation, he swallowed it. The very next moment, he looked like he was high on drugs as he was feeling a euphoric rush of power surging through him.

    [System Notification]

    [Strength Stat: +10]

    Val felt good. His strength has increased to 90 points, and with all the boost his item provided, it was a staggering 97!

    ''I am getting closer and closer to Joshua''s level. That day is not far when I''ll stand toe-to-toe with him. Once he finds out, will he regret sacrificing me for the greater good of the family?''

    Regardless of the circumstances, he had resolved not to return to his family until he achieved the fifth level of his White Devil ss. Why? Well, he was uncertain about the path to advancing this ss further. However, Joshua held that knowledge. Even if the idea was unptable, he would have to seek a meeting with him when the timees!

    After an hour of journeying through the forest, they found themselves in a meadow whose beauty was undeniable. The area was nketed with a field of vibrant flowers, each one seeminglypeting with the next for brilliance. Their colors meshed together in a harmonious tapestry, and the air was filled with their intoxicating scent.

    Oliver couldn''t help but get lost in the spectacle. "This is truly captivating," he murmured. "This can easily be ranked among the top five most beautiful sights I''ve ever witnessed."

    "Remember," Val warned. He didn''t like one bit how carefree Oliver was being although they were in a lesser dimension. "The most beautiful things can sometimes be the most poisonous. Tread carefully."

    "What''s the worst that could happen?" Oliver chuckled as he went ahead.

    Ahhh!

    Just momentster, a high-pitched scream escaped Oliver''s mouth.

    Val felt startled. He looked in his direction and asked. "What''s wrong? Why did you scream like a little girl?"

    He was definitely not teasing him~

    "It... It''s my ankle. Something''s holding onto it, and I can''t break free!" Oliver replied. His voice wasced with panic. It wasn''t odd for him to feel this way, considering his wizardry wasn''t affecting the evil that had grabbed him.

    Val''s vision had lomg since reverted back to its normal state, so he couldn''t immediately identify the threat. Only when he focused on Oliver''s feet did he spot the issue - a shadowy hand, seemingly emerging from the ground itself, gripping Oliver''s ankle. To make matters worse, the ground beneath Oliver began morphing into quicksand, threatening to pull him under.

    "I am being dragged away. Help!" Oliver pleaded, terror evident in his eyes.

    "I got you."

    Without wasting another moment, Val snapped his fingers. A clear sound rang out as in an instant, the shadowy hand was enveloped in ck mes. It disintegrated quickly. Before the fire couldtch on to someone else, with another snap, Val put it out.

    Oliver looked relieved.

    What he didn''t know was that a deadly trap had been triggered!

 Chapter 298 295: The inevitable showdown

    Chapter 298 295: The inevitable showdown

    All around the meadow, patches of the ground transformed into quicksand, and from their unfathomable depths, dozens of jet-ck hands reached out.

    The intent behind these hands was unmistakable; they sought to grab, to clutch, to drag their prey into a hellish abyss.

    Their inky fingers writhed with a desperate hunger, and with their vast numbers, annihting an entire army would be child''s y.

    Yet, astonishingly, they struggled to ensnare two young men.

    Val, with his sharp senses, had detected the threat before it manifested, allowing him to take appropriate action to save his and Oliver''s life in time.

    To avoid their grasp, he tossed Oliver into the air before taking to the sky like an agile sparrow himself and employing the anti-gravity technique to stay afloat and out of the hands'' reach.

    Words weren''t needed for Oliver, who was shocked as he was suddenly tossed to the sky, to do the same. When the sight of the hands iling around in the meadow entered his eyes, he also used the anti-gravity technique to stay afloat.

    As Oliver found himself floating in the air, a flurry of thoughts coursed through his mind.

    "That was too close," he mused, still feeling the lingering touch of the cold, shadowy hand that had grasped at his ankle. "These hands... what are they? Spirits? Cursed souls bound to this meadow?"

    His gaze darted down to the writhing mass of ck hands reaching out from the quicksand below. The sight was enough to send chills down anyone''s spine, and Oliver felt the same.

    "Thankfully, Val was quick to react. I would''ve been dragged under in seconds to who knows where if it weren''t for him," he reflected, gratitude swelling within him.

    He then looked over to Val, who was also using the anti-gravity technique, positioned next to him.

    "Like him, I need to master more techniques that can detect danger," Oliver determined. "The world is full of dangers, and one can never be too prepared."

    Shaking off his reverie, he focused on the situation at hand.

    The meadow below, once a picturesque vision of serenity, now resembled a nightmarish battlefield. Being suspended in the sky provided both him and Val only a momentary reprieve. They didn''t have the soul power to fly all the way across. Before they cross it, they would run out of soul power and drop straight towards their death. Moreover, staying still was also rapidly consuming their soul power as anti-gravity was a heavily taxing skill to maintain.

    "We need a n," Oliver thought anxiously, watching the countless hands stretching to reach them. "We can''t stay up here forever."

    But that''s where Oliver was wrong. The situation was escting rapidly, and there was no time for them to sit and contemte a strategy. The hands were stretching longer and longer, trying desperately to drag them down.

    Nervousness gnawed at Oliver''s insides. The sheer number of hands and the relentless nature of their pursuit left him feeling trapped and cornered, like a prey desperately trying to escape from its predator. His heart pounded loudly in his ears, each beat echoing his rising panic.

    Val, on the other hand, seemed to be in an entirely different realm. Contrary to the fear and anxiety one might expect from someone in such a predicament, Val appeared rxed, almost nonchnt. The countless hands inching ever closer to him didn''t evoke fear. Instead, they seemed to irritate him.

    "Hmph! You''re aiming for an unattainable goal.".

    With a cold, disdainful snort, Val waved his hand. Out of thin air, waves of mes appeared one after another, seeming to escape from the Void itself. They surged downward with an intensity and purpose that was hard for any mortal to ignore, reminiscent of divine punishment meted out from the heavens.

    Every single one of the dark hands was instantly engulfed by this fiery onught. The intense heat caused them to burn away rapidly. They were burned until not a trace of their existence remained. Then the fire also vanished.

    In the aftermath of Val''s disy of power, the meadow returned to its tranquil state, as if the terrifying incident had never urred. The calm beauty of the ce now stood in stark contrast to the chaos that had just transpired.

    [System Notification]

    Enemy Defeated: Abyssal Shadow Hands x100 Reward: Shard of the Core of Chaos

    Description: The Shard of the Core of Chaos is an enigmatic item that holds a dual nature. It brims with the potent force of corruption, threatening to engulf those who dare to approach it. Yet, hidden deep within this tumultuous force lies its counterpart �C the power of creation. For those with an indomitable will, who can resist the temptations of corruption, the shard offers immense benefits. Upon absorption, the user''s vitality and core will be elevated to the next tier.

    Special Note: If the Host absorbs this shard, his HP bar will increase in size and his Core of Darkness will advance to Level 2!

    Val''s eyes widened in surprise and tion as he read the system notification.

    The shard was exactly what he needed! One of the essential requirements to ascend from a low-rank wizard to a level 2 mid-rank wizard was to upgrade the core. And this shard was the key to that upgrade.

    He could barely contain his excitement.

    "It''s safe now. Let''s get down," Val said with a tone of authority, ncing at Oliver.

    Oliver, still rattled by the previous events, nodded obediently. "Alright," he replied, his voice shaky.

    They both started their descent, and their feet soon touched the soft grass of the meadow.

    As they walked, the atmosphere felt eerily calm.

    The once treacherous meadow now seemed tranquil, with no signs of any impending threats.

    But this serenity was short-lived.

    The sudden sound of a whistle pierced the silence. Acting purely on instinct, Val stretched out his hand and pulled Oliver forcefully, shoving him behind. A beam of menacing ck light shot past, exactly where Oliver had stood moments ago.

    Oliver gulped audibly, his face pale. "That... that was close," he whispered.

    If it weren''t for Val''s quick reflexes, he would have been annihted by that deadly ray!

    Another whistle echoed, its shrill tone chilling them to the bone.

    Once again, Val reached out, his hand moving with lightning speed. He caught an arrow in mid-flight, stopping it merely an inch away from piercing Oliver. The arrowhead, imbued with a dark aura, hummed menacingly, threatening to break free from Val''s grip. But to no avail.

    "There are two of us here, but it''s only targeting me. Could it be that they''re...?" Oliver wondered aloud, his eyes darting anxiously.

    Val''s brows furrowed, his expression turning grim. Oliver being targeted twice wasn''t just a coincidence. It only confirmed what he had suspected.

    "Yeah, the assassins are behind this," Val said before his eyes narrowed and he continued, "They''ve finally caught up to us. You need to focus on protecting yourself. I''ll handle drawing them out."

    "No," Oliver said, "We''ll face them together."

    Val was going to protect, but he hadn''t even said a word when another whistle rang out, and the arrow in his hand heated up. Trusting his instincts, Val hurled the arrow he still held with all his might.

    It flew forward and hit the ground.

    For a moment, nothing happened.

    And then...

    Boom!

    A violent explosion ensued. Fiery tendrils shot upwards, fanned by the night''s wind, quickly turning the way forward into an inferno. Their forward path was consumed by fire, and their retreat was cut off when dozens of menacing figures emerged from the shadows.

    Each of them had a cold, emotionless expression. Dressed in dark cloaks, they formed a semi-circle behind Val and Oliver, effectively trapping them. The moonlight glinted off the sharp edges of their weapons, making it evident that they weren''t there to negotiate. They were there to kill.

    An immediate confrontation with them seemed inevitable for the two youngsters as the wildfire was expanding towards the meadow

    Val and Oliver knew that time was of the essence. Their options were limited, and they needed to act swiftly.

    Three of the cloaked figures charged at them with lethal intent, but their advance was unexpectedly halted. Their faces contorted in shock as they felt a sudden tug at their feet. ncing down, they found their own shadows rising from the ground, coiling around their ankles like dark serpents. They tried to pull away, to wrench themselves free, but it was in vain. The shadows were unyielding, binding them with a force that was impossible to counter.

    Val watched them coldly. Without uttering a word, he released one-tenth of his soul power, directing it towards the immobilized assants.

    Ugh!

    They grunted in pain as an immense pressure, crushing and relentless, bore down on them. It felt as though the very weight of the world was pressing against their chests, squeezing the life out of them.

    There was a momentary silence before...

    Crack~

    ...the chilling sounds of bones snapping echoed in the meadow.

    The once formidable assassins, now ovee by Val''s formidable power, saw the light fade from their eyes. The shadowy tendrils, having served their purpose, retreated into the ground. With nothing to support them. the lifeless bodies of the three cloaked figures copsed to the ground with resounding thuds.

 Chapter 299 296: Plans

    Chapter 299 296: ns

    System Notification:

    You have eliminated the "Shadowed de Apparition" �C mere specters of the true assassins.

    EXP Gained: 0.

    Val''s eyes narrowed, absorbing the system''s message. These were only shadows? How surprising. But it also made sense. No wonder they were so weak.

    "That should''ve drained quite a bit of your reserves," came a taunting voice. "It will be easier to defeat you now."

    Emerging from the shadows, Clea appeared, nked by a group of formidable-looking individuals. A confident smirk yed on his face, echoed by simr expressions on the faces of his associates.

    The shadow assassins were evidently deployed to exhaust Val and deplete his soul power reserves. Clea and his group seemed quite satisfied, assuming that their strategy had seeded.

    ''Foolish,'' Val thought, chuckling inwardly at their presumption. Their approach might''ve worked on a novice, but Val was not a low-level wizard. He was a mid-rank wizard, and his soul power pool exceeded that of his peers because his arcane heart was extremely stronger than what it should be, and his core... It was of a superior grade.

    They were ignorant about his true level. Val decided then and there to ensure that their underestimation would be their downfall!

    "I know what you''re thinking," Val said coolly, "but you''re mistaken. That barely scratched the surface. I will be honest. You''re against a being you can''t hope to defeat. I will give you a chance to run away. Of course, Clea and that man with the eyesses has to stay behind and ept their death."

    Oliver nced sideways. Bro, is it really okay to be so haughty?

    Humans often struggle with discerning truth from lies.

    It was like hearing a fantastical tale; even if the story were true, its incredibility would make it appear false.

    Simrly, Clea and his group misinterpreted Val''s genuine statement as a mere bluff, their beliefs clouded by ignorance and underestimation of his truth power level, which was alreadyparable to a level 6 bloodline warrior or a peak-level mid-rank wizard.

    "This is the shittiest act I''ve seen this year, but surprisingly it''s funny!"

    Clear pointed at Val and startedughing.

    The other assassin remained silent, but it was evident from the odd stares they were giving Val that they thought he had gone crazy.

    Val was speaking like he was a god who could determine their life and death with the toss of a coin, causing them to believe that he had a mental breakdown since death seemed inevitable. And thus they just couldn''t take him seriously.

    Clea''s right-hand man found his behavior quite odd. But he attributed it to desperation.

    He thought that when a man was desperate, he would do anything to survive. As Val also seemed to be in a desperate situation, it looked like he was acting so arrogantly to bluff them into retreating.

    ''His acting is really bad. How can two people fight off several assassins, especially when one of them has exhausted a majority of his soul power to deal with the Shadowed de Apparition? Only a fool would fall for his terrible act,'' thought Ron.

    "Do you take us for kids?! No one is buying it!"

    Seeing their dismissive expressions, Val couldn''t help but smirk. "Why don''t youe and see if I''m bluffing?"

    In his mind, Val was preparing a straightforward strategy. He would bait them into going all out in their attack. Once they attacked with all they had, they would be left defenseless for only a moment, but that moment was enough for Val''s n to take them down in one full sweep to work. He stood silently as a smile of anticipation made its way to his face.

    Cleaughed heartily, "You spoke my mind." Raising a hand, he gestured to the wizards in his group. "Finish them."

    Their standoff had reached its climax. The tension was hard to ignore. Both sides knew that the next moves would determine their fates.

    Following Clea''smand, a pulsating, sinister energy emanated from the dark wizards, casting a foreboding ambiance over the meadow. The once-calm atmosphere became thick and heavy, as if a malevolent force threatened to suffocate everything in its path.

    Oliver suddenly stepped in between Val and the iing attacks. His voice carried an unyielding determination as he spoke, "I won''t let my family be harmed!"

    With that, he summoned forth a wave of his own soul power, pushing back against the oppressive energy unleashed by the dark wizards.

    Val looked at Oliver, and said as a matter of factly, "You don''t need to do this."

    But it was mistaken for care and concern.

    Oliver felt touched and responded, his voice filled with resolve, "It''s time I did something that mattered. Don''t stop me."

    Val hesitated, weighing the situation. Letting Oliver take action could be beneficial for the young man''s growth. Moreover, it would help him hide the truth about his evil bloodline for a while longer. So he let him do whatever he was up to.

    Respecting Oliver''s wishes for multiple reasons, Val didn''t intervene in the sh that was going on.

    Meanwhile, with unmatched determination, Oliver countered the relentless onught of the dark wizards'' soul radiation, drawing from his reserves until there was nothing left.

    As thest of his energy faded, a searing pain surged through him��

    a result of recklessly wielding wizardry. Darkness crept into his vision, and Oliver crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

    With the protective barrier of Oliver''s soul power gone, the menacing energy from the dark wizards raced towards Val and the fallen Oliver, promising certain doom for both of them.

    But then, in a dramatic turn of events, Val calmly took a step forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Oliver.

    The dark wizards, assuming victory, wore smug expressions. They already seemed to see Val being crushed by their malevolent force followed by Oliver.

    However, their arrogance soon gave way to astonishment.

    Val summoned a shroud of darkness, which effortlessly absorbed the soul radiation.

    Bam!

    The sound of a drum being beaten rang out as the hostile energy crashed against Val''s protective shroud, causing it to flutter momentarily like fragile leaves caught in a gust, yet leaving Val and Oliverpletely unscathed.

    The dark wizards exchanged disbelieving nces, their faces painted with shock.

    "What sorcery is this?" one eximed. "Ourbined power... was it just absorbed?"

    Another voiced his realization, "To have survived that... He''s at least a peak mid-rank shadow wizard! We''ve been deceived! He isn''t a prey we can hunt. He is a predator!"

    Panic settled in.

    "We should retreat!" one wizard urgently whispered, only to be silenced by a piercing re from Clea.

    Val felt happy to see that they''d realized the truth. Things would be much easier if the canon fodder went away. He would kill Clea and Rom first. Then he would take his sweet time eradicating all the evidence. It''s not like they could actually run away. After all, there was no other way out of the lesser dimension except for shattering its core! They were trapped in this ce with him!

    However, his joysted only for a brief moment. Before the retreat suggestion could gain traction, Clea struck down the very wizard who''d suggested it, killing him in cold blood.

    This terrified the remaining assassin into stillness.

    With cold fury in his eyes, Clea proimed, "Any who dare retreat will meet their end by my hand! He''s just one mid-rank wizard. What do we have to fear? I too am a mid-rank wizard!"

    Intimidated by Clea''s show of power and his threat, the dark wizards hesitated no more.

    Despite their initial shock, they regrouped, preparing to follow Clea''smand, even though doubt clouded their minds.

    Tsk! Val clicked his tongue, his expression a blend of annoyance and defiance.

    "Follow my lead," Clea ordered, his voice ringing with authority. Electricity arced around him, transforming him into a bolt of pure energy. He lunged towards Val and Oliver with unparalleled speed. Almost simultaneously, Ron teleported, materializing behind the duo with an aura of deadly intent. In a fraction of a second, Clea hurled a thunderbolt, while Ron, with fist clenched, aimed a crushing punch straight for Oliver''s head. The double assault, especially from such proximity, seemed absolutely inescapable.

    In that dire moment, Val activated Blood Rush. An innate ability that pushed his agility to an astonishing 120. The world around him seemed to warp; events yed out as if time itself had slowed, granting him a surreal advantage. It wasn''t that the world had truly slowed, but his enhanced perception and agility allowed him to process and react to threats at a hyper-elerated rate.

    With fluid motion, Val scooped Oliver into his arms, and before the deadlybination of thunder and fist could make contact, he darted out of their attack radius.

    Clea and Ron were left dumbstruck, their attacks connecting with nothing but air. They looked up, scanning the vicinity, and spotted Val standing at a distance, Oliver safely in his arms.

    "Don''t let him escape!" Clea barked at the other dark wizards, his frustration evident.

    Responding to hismand, the dark wizards unleashed waves of soul power towards Val. Yet, Val''s heightened agility enabled him to dodge their distant assaults effortlessly as he sprinted away from the meadow.

    However, the dark wizards weren''t amateurs. They predicted his escape routes and targeted those areas with their attacks, attempting to corner him. But Val was no longer in a mood to be chased.

    "Since they''re so eager to embrace death, I might as well grant their wish," Val mused silently, his eyes shing with glints of cruelty.

 Chapter 300 297: Killing the killers!

    Chapter 300 297: Killing the killers!

    [Shadow Bind.]

    Val''s elementalized soul power decreased a little as the only rune in his arcane heart activated.

    Instantly, he was granted absolute control over the lurking shadows around him.

    A thought crossed Val''s mind, and its effect yed out in real life.

    Following his will, like tendrils of the night, the shadows of the dark wizards snaked out, ensnaring them one by one. They couldn''t even muster a scream, as Val sealed their mouths shut with their own shadows to ensure their incapacitation would be silent and swift.

    In mere moments, the majority of the dark wizards found themselves helplessly bound and muted.

    This all happened in the span of a single breath. So no one was able to stop it.

    The dark wizards, trapped in the vice-like grip of their own shadows, quivered uncontrobly. They struggled to escape but it was all in vain. Fear seeped into their souls as they came to a horrifying realization: they were powerless against the very essence of their being that had now turned against them.

    ''It feels as if the immutable hands of destiny itself have ensnared us, ensuring we won''t be able to escape our impending doom. Is this karma getting back to us?''

    ''I don''t want to die.''

    They all thought the same thing. None of them was a good person. They were killers. Their hands were drenched in the blood of countless innocent souls. They had not regretted the life they lived. They were just afraid that they were at the receiving end of a killer''s wrath and couldn''t do anything to survive it!

    Clea''s usually unwavering gaze widened with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. He hadn''t expected Val to be a level 2 mid-rank wizard. Actually, he was mistaken. Val was only a level 1 mid-rank wizard. But because he had used two different types of shadow powers, Clea misjudged him.

    Anyways, even among wizards, shadow wielders were renowned for their elusive and unpredictable nature. Facing a shadow wizard with a n that has already proved to be useless was an astronomical mistake.

    Despite knowing this, he had no intention of stopping the hunt.

    The tables had turned, but his resolve remained undeterred.

    "I didn''t n for this, but I will not let him get away with Oliver," he thought.

    Ron, on the other hand, felt a creeping sensation of dread. After all, even a peak mid-rank shadow wizard couldn''t immobilize several targets simultaneously, yet Val had done it effortlessly. The recollection of Val''s earlier words echoed ominously in his ears. It dawned upon him that Val''s ims might not have been mere boasts. The young wizard could genuinely be a formidable adversary, capable of confronting them head-on

    Ron, on the other hand, felt a creeping sense of unease that was fast evolving into genuine fear. His knowledge of shadow magic told him that what Val had achieved was far beyond the scope of a regr mid-rank wizard. He must either be at the peak stage or had a superior quality darkness core.

    As this realization dawned on him, the haunting echo of Val''s confident words began to take on a sinister edge in Ron''s mind.

    ''Perhaps they weren''t just arrogant ims; perhaps Val truly holds the power and the capability to bury us all in this meadow.''

    "Ron, get to them! Free the assassins!" Clea''s voice rang out sharply, pulling Ron out of his daze.

    Nodding, Ron prepared to teleport, "I''m on it."

    However, as he emerged amidst the incapacitated dark wizards, the very fabric of space began to undte and twist.

    From these eerie spatial warps, skeletal beings burst forth.

    Their hauntingly hollow eye sockets were ignited with an unsettling ck me.

    "Kill them," Valmanded.

    Without a moment''s hesitation, the undead plunged their skeletal hands into the dark wizards'' chests, cruelly wrenching out their throbbing hearts with a gruesome efficiency.

    A notification rang out in Val''s ears.

    [System Notification]

    Dark Wizards Eliminated Congrattions! You have defeated the group of dark wizards. Rewards:

    Experience (EXP): +8,000

    Item Acquired: Mystic Shadow Amulet

    Description: An ancient amulet known to amplify shadow magic and provide protection against dark energies.

    He took it out of the system space and wore it.

    Meanwhile, the color drained from Ron''s face, his eyes reflecting the horror of the scene unfolding before him.

    "What dark sorcery is this?" he whispered, his voice nearly inaudible.

    Guwah!

    Without warning, one of the undead, its burning eyes locked onto Ron, let out a guttural roar and lunged ferociously. Its sharpened ws, appearing more lethal than any de, cut through the air aiming straight for him.

    Reacting purely on instinct, Ron teleported behind the creature before channeling his soul power into a mighty blow thatnded on the level 3 undead.

    Bam!

    The impact shattered the skeletal figure into countless fragments.

    But the feeling of triumph was fleeting.

    "What the hell? It can''t be killed?"

    To Ron''s horror, the bone fragments began to move of their own ord, gradually reassembling. In moments, the skeletal menace stood erect, ready for another round.

    It lunged at him, but Ronshed out with a swift kick, sending the creature sprawling.

    Just then, he was hit by several objects. Looking down, one could see still beating hearts. He turned around, only to see a bunch of undead pointing their palms towards him.

    His eyebrow raised. What are they up to?

    His question was answered as the undead assant unleashed a torrent of corrosive acid in his direction.

    "Holy fuck!"

    Ron was shocked. But not caught off guard.

    Acting with split-second precision, he invoked a protective barrier of soul power. The radiant shield enveloped him, repelling the deadly acid and guarding him from immediate harm. He remained uninjured.

    The relentless undead continuously attacked Ron''s protective shield, their sharp, bony fingers digging into it with a fervor that seemed beyond the capacity of mere skeletons. With every pounding, cracks spider-webbed across the shield, indicating it wouldn''t withstand their onught for much longer. And just as Ron anticipated, the shield shattered into a million shards, each sparkling momentarily before disappearing into thin air. However, by the time the shield broke, Ron had already teleported to a safer location.

    However, teleportation, especially in rapid session, wasn''t without its ws. Each teleport caused a subtle distortion in space. To the average onlooker, this distortion was nearly invisible andsted for only a split second.

    However, those equipped with keen senses or special skills could detect this spatial distortion. Val, gifted with an ability that provided him with an eagle''s view of his surroundings, could pinpoint these disruptions with ease. Thus, he saw where Ron would reappear.

    Seizing this opportunity, Val unleashed one of his most potent skills - Blood Maniption: Red Torrent. The moment Ron rematerialized, he was greeted by a swirling vortex of deep crimson.

    There was no time to react.

    BOOM!

    A massive explosion consumed Ron. The raw energy from Val''s attack tore him apart, reducing him to nothing more than ash and memory.

    Ron, the Space Distorter Defeated Congrattions! You have vanquished Ron, a formidable foe. Rewards:

    Experience (EXP): +15,000

    New Trait Unlocked: Spatial Awareness

    Description: Enhances perception of spatial distortions and increases the uracy of teleportation-based abilities

    From a distance, Clea, who had been surveying the battlefield, witnessed the swift end of his ally. His face contorted with a blend of rage and shock.

    The tables had indeed turned. Not only the henchmen he had confidently employed were now lifeless, but even Ron - his most loyal subordinate and childhood friend - was dead.

    He was going to kill them after the assassination, but that didn''t mean he was fine with just anyone killing them, especially Ron. His right-hand man''s life was his to take, but now it was going to stay a dream forever!

    ''This humiliation is unbearable. I have to get at least one of them to make things right again!''

    Clea, driven by both anger and desperation, charged toward Val with the speed of lightning. But as he closed in, Val raised his head and looked in his direction. Their eyes locked in an intense standoff.

    Val''s lips moved, uttering a quiet yet spine-chilling promation, "You''re next on the list of people who will be buried here tonight."

    The weight of those words, coupled with the overwhelming aura Val exuded, transformed him in Clea''s eyes. No longer was he merely a man. Val appeared as a fearsome demon, ready to im another soul.

    For the first time that night, genuine fear gripped Clea''s heart. Without a second thought, he turned and bolted in the opposite direction.

    Val gentlyid Oliver on the ground and then hemanded his undead minions, "Guard him."

    After that, Val chased after Clea at the top of his speed, his figure blurring in and out of existence. Each time he appeared, he had covered hundreds of meters.

    Val''s speed was on an entirely different level, making him iparably faster than Clea. Each stride he took brought him closer to sealing Clea''s fate, the distance between the two diminishing rapidly.

    The chase was on.

 Chapter 301 298: Capturing Clea

    Chapter 301 298: Capturing Clea

    Val had inspected Clea in the past. It was when he first saw him in the lower city. So he knew Clea was a Level 2 mid-rank wizard as well as a Level 3 bloodline user. He was also intimately familiar with Clea''s arsenal of skills and runes.

    One rune, in particr, piqued Val''s interest, and not in a good way.

    This particr rune allowed Clea to miraculously dodge death and teleport himself to a safe location. This meant that if Val attempted tond a fatal blow, Clea could potentially escape unharmed.

    This was extremely problematic for Val. After all, if Clea managed to slip away, Val''s entire n would be ruined.

    Clea was a loyal servant of the second young master of the Thunderspear tribe, none other than Leon. Leon had meticulously plotted the assassination of Oliver. If Clea escaped Val''s clutches and reported back to Leon, it would be a headache for Val. The consequences would be dire.

    However, if Clea were to be silenced permanently, either by the cold grasp of death or through absolute control, no one would remain to spill the beans. Leon would be left in the dark, pondering over who had foiled his master n. Such uncertainty would make Leon wary of targeting Oliver again as he would be afraid of the mysterious protector who had outsmarted his most trusted aide.

    It also aligned with Val''s personal ambitions.

    It was important that Oliver stay alive if Val wanted to gain control over his life.

    The young boy''s existence ensured bnce within the Destiny Walker family.

    By safeguarding Oliver and aiding his growth, Val could seamlessly assimte into the wizard family.

    The backing of such a family would grant Val the political clout he needed to stop the queen and his family from influencing his life ever again!

    After all, Once Lucious, a figure of great influence, endorsed him, who in the kingdom would dare confront him? Even the Queen would have to think twice before making a move against him.

    Good days were ahead. Thest thing he needed to do was deal with a pest!

    Amidst the chase, Val couldn''t help but admire Clea''s tenacity.

    "Clea really is something," Val thought. "He''s forced me to resort to that one-time skill."

    Val had an ace up his sleeve, a skill that wasn''t tied to his bloodline or runes. He had acquired it through the profound elixir of ethereal passage. Named after the elixir itself, ''Ethereal Passage'' allowed him to lock onto a target and teleport to their vicinity a total of five times. This ability was the perfect counter to Clea''s evasive rune.

    Without hesitation, Val activated the Ethereal Passage, designating Clea as his target.

    In a blink, Val was behind Clea, his fist ready to strike. However, Clea''s finely tuned instincts red rms in his mind. Overriding all doubts, Clea burst out with immense electric power and shed to the right, narrowly avoiding Val''s punch.

    "Got you."

    Seeing an opening, Clea retaliated, shing behind Val to deliver a blow. He was attempting to catch Val off guard from behind. But Val was quicker. Clea''s punch met nothing but an afterimage of Val, which shimmered momentarily before fading.

    "No, It''s the other way around," Val''s voice rose from behind Clea.

    Clea shivered like a naked man in the cold as Val''s cold breath brushed against his nape. The enemy was behind him, and he felt like a fish on the chopping board. Before he could do a thing, Val had already made a move to im his life.

    Val had thrown a punch.

    His punch, which was strong enough to shatter a hill, was aimed at the back of Clea''s head.

    It would have been game over for Clea had it connected.

    However, Clea''s second rune activated in the nick of time, whisking him away from Val''s deadly assault.

    Clea, panting heavily, thought he had finally evaded Val''s relentless pursuit. As he looked around, he felt a momentary sense of relief. However, unbeknownst to him, the chase was far from over. Val, empowered with the Ethereal Passage skill, was capable of appearing near Clea in the blink of an eye.

    And that''s precisely what happened. Val, using the skill, materialized close to Clea. Clea''s eyes widened in horror as he spotted Val. Without a second thought, Clea turned on his heels and fled.

    Drawing the ancient de Voidyer from its sheath, Val pointed the weapon at Clea and proimed, "He''s all yours, Voidyer."

    The spirit sword replied, "Got it, master, before a burst of crimson energy arced out of it. The crimson arc cut down trees in its path as it zeroed in on Clea.

    The ominous glow threatened to bisect Clea, just like the trees it had severed. But in the nick of time, Clea''s teleportation rune red to life, saving him from an impending doom and teleporting him hundreds of meters away.

    This time, Clea didn''t pause to relish his temporary respite. He ran with all his might, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. The only thought on his mind was to escape the lesser dimension, with the hope of strategizingter.

    Yet, as if fate itself was conspiring against him, Val, using the Ethereal Passage, appeared directly in Clea''s path, blocking him.

    Clea skidded to a halt, his face contorted with fear.

    Val revealed a sinister grin, and it only served to intensify Clea''s dread. Val used the Shadow Bind rune to immobilize Clea before swinging his sword in his direction. The de was about to bite into his neck when Clea vanished again.

    The same thing happened a few more times.

    Every time Clea thought he had managed to escape Val''s vicious clutches, Val was there, ready to strike. And each time, Clea''s death evasion rune woulde to his rescue.

    But when this happened for the fifth time something was different. Val appeared in front of him with a confident, self-assured smile that sent chills down Clea''s spine, signaling that the end was near.

    "By now, you must''ve exhausted your elementalized soul power," Val taunted. "Your death evasion rune can''t save you anymore."

    The realization hit Clea like a ton of bricks. He closed his eyes and he could feel the void, the absence of the elementalized soul power in his arcane heart. What Val said wasn''t a bluff. He had really run out of the energy he needed to activate his death evasion rune!

    Panic surged through him.

    He tried to flee, but Val had enough of this game of chase.

    Grabbing Clea by his hair, Val ruthlessly mmed him into the ground.

    Bam!

    Dust and debris rose from the impact.

    But Val wasn''t done.

    With a force born out of years of training and anger, he lifted Clea and smashed him into the ground again and again.

    Bam! Bam! Bam!

    With every m, Clea''s once handsome face became unrecognizable.

    The ground around them bore the evidence of Val''s wrath, and Clea''s feeble body bore the brunt of it.

    Clea''s once striking features were now marred with blood, bruises, and broken skin. Each m into the ground left a fresh imprint of violence, turning his handsome visage into a grotesque mask. The crimson liquid oozed from several gashes, matting his hair and dripping onto the dust below.

    He was utterly defenseless, pinned under the weight of Val''s wrath. It was evident that Clea waspletely at the mercy of Val, who seemed like a relentless machine, programmed with a singr mission - to inflict pain.

    Clea''s voice, choked with blood and tears, croaked out a plea. "Please... mercy..." But even as he uttered the words, Val, with cold precision, rammed his face into the ground once more. The wet thud echoed eerily in the quiet of the night.

    Gasping for breath, Clea tried a different approach, desperation evident in his eyes. "What can I do to make you stop?" he begged, but his plea was met with another ruthless m.

    With every bone-crushing impact, Clea''s spirit waned further. The pain became unbearable. The humiliation, the physical agony, and the emotional torture mingled, driving him to a breaking point. "Just... just kill me," he sobbed, the weight of hopelessness pressing down on him.

    Val, looking down at the pitiable state of his opponent, sneered. "A ve doesn''t get the privilege of deciding what his master does with him," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

    The mention of the word ''ve'' brought forth memories of the Thunderspear tribe''s legacy. The Thunderspear tribe were revered as heroes within the human realm. They were not just warriors but symbols of hope and valor. To them, their honor was above all else. Their lineage carried tales of bravery, of facing death head-on rather than bending their knees to adversaries. How could Clea, a proud member of such a tribe, even fathom the degradation of bing someone else''s ve? Death seemed a sweeter option than enduring such humiliation.

    Spitting a mixture of blood and saliva onto Val''s face, Clea defiantly retorted, "Fuck you, I am not your ve."

    Val wiped away the spit from his face with the back of his hand. Even as he did so, his gaze never left Clea''s. The sheer intensity of his eyes sent shivers down Clea''s spine.

    "Oh, you will be," Val whispered, the menace in his voice palpable, "very soon."

 Chapter 302 299: Enslaving Clea

    Chapter 302 299: Enving Clea

    Val''s relentless assault on Clea continued unabated. Blow after blow, each one more ferocious than thest, rained down until Clea, against all odds for a bloodline user, sank into unconsciousness. For Val to have battered a level 3 bloodline user who was also a mid-rank wizard into such a state was no small feat. After all, such breeds of humans were iparably more tenacious than any other type of humans, and it was easier to kill than knock them out.

    Anyway, now Clea was in a state where he couldn''t resist anything being done to him.

    Seeing his chance, Val seized the opportunity and targeted Clea with the Void Force skill.

    Given Clea''s vulnerable state and the disparity in their strengths, the Void Force skill faced no resistance. The skill took root in his soul, and Clea was renderedpletely subservient to Val''s will.

    Val had specific reasons for making Clea his ve. He envisioned using Clea as a mole within the Thunderspear tribe. Through Clea, Val would be privy to Leon''s machinations and the tribe''s internal struggles. Such inside knowledge would afford him a tremendous advantage!

    However, it came with its own risk.

    If it was exposed that he had enved a member of the tribe, he would be in deep shit.

    Val knew the risks. So he imposed stringent conditions that Clea must follow unless he wanted to die or live in pain his entire life.

    First, Clea couldn''t breathe a word of this to anyone. Whether it be indirectly or directly, if Clea tries to tell on Val, he will die before he can roll out the words or jot them down for others to ''Coincidentally'' read.

    Next, he couldn''t harm or show ill intent towards Val or his allies or it would result in Clea''s instantaneous death. Merely entertaining the idea will have him experiencing hell!

    Lastly, Clea was to ry crucial information regarding the Thunderspear tribe, especially concerning Leon to Val. Nonpliance would make him feel such excruciating pain that he would beg to be killed.

    Val put a few more rules in ce to make sure he wouldn''t lose his new ve.

    ''Good enough,'' he thought before stepping away from the ve.

    When Clea regained consciousness, he found out that he was feeling a strange sense of obedience and it was for his worst enemy. It disgusted him.

    Looking at Val, he inquired with a mix of anger and confusion, "What did you do to me?"

    Val smirked, "I used the Void Force skill on you. It''s an ability that binds one''s will to mine. Now, you''re my puppet. You''ll serve me, betray your tribe, and keep me informed of their every move. Of course, you can choose not to do that, but the price of such disobedience, trust me, you don''t want to afford it."

    Clea''s eyes zed with defiance. "I''d rather die than be your pawn and betray my tribe!"

    He followed through with his words and tried to bite his tongue to end his life and escape Val''s control. But an invisible force stopped him.

    ''No, it''s more like my body won''t listen to me,'' Clea realized with a growing dread.

    "I anticipated that," Val remarked dryly, "I knew you''d attempt suicide to escape my control, so I''ve made sure you can''t do it. In fact, if you even contemte it, an agony far worse than death will consume you. It should be starting... now."

    As if on cue, Clea''s expression shifted from one of defiance to absolute terror.

    Waves of excruciating pain surged through him, making him feel as though every fiber of his being was set ame and a thousand needles had pierced every neuron in his brain.

    The pain was so intense, so all-consuming, he wished for dead.

    But he couldn''t die nor could he kill himself.

    He could only experience the torture Val had unleashed upon him.

    As a result, he began to break down both mentally and physically.

    "Make it stop!" Clea shrieked, writhing in unbearable agony, his eyes pleading. "Please, make it end!"

    However, despite hearing his pitiful cries, Val stood unmoved. No trace of emotion marred his features, be it pleasure or pity. He watched, merely watched, cold and indifferent, as Clea trembled like a dying cockroach under the weight of the torture his skill had unleashed.

    "I hope this lesson made it clear you''re in no position to refuse me." Val remarked after the torture ended, the cold undertones of his voice underlining the gravity of his warning.

    And honestly, it did.

    The sheer intensity of the pain Val had inflicted on Clea crushed the remnants of his pride.

    Before the torture, he would''ve died rather than bow to Val''s will, but now, after the torture, he was ready to do whatever Valmanded, even if it meant degrading himself to the lowest depths.

    His voice shaky, Clea asked submissively, "What are your orders for me, master?"

    Val, in a tone dripping with authority,manded, "Take refuge until the dimensional walls dissipate. Once they do, return to your master and inform him that as you were about to assassinate Oliver, a horde of devils attacked. While they ughtered Ron and the dark wizards, Oliver managed to escape amidst the chaos."

    Clea nodded.

    "I understand," he said before he hurriedly left the scene.

    Watching Clea''s retreating figure, Val murmured to himself, "I hope he doesn''t do anything foolish."

    After Clea''s departure, Val returned to Oliver''s side and recalled his undead minions.

    Then, using his soul power, he effortlessly carried Oliver and began to traverse the dense forest.

    As they moved, Oliver began to stir from his sleep.

    After a while, he groggily awakened, his eyes fluttering open.

    "What happened?" he inquired.

    "Devils attacked after you lost consciousness," Val replied tersely. "In the ensuing chaos, I grabbed you and fled deeper into the forest."

    A sigh of relief escaped Oliver''s lips.

    "I''m d you saved me. Thank you," he whispered, gratitude evident in his voice.

    Their exchange was cut short by the distant sounds of a skirmish. The two exchanged a knowing nce and moved towards the source of themotion.

    A certain distance away, Rowan and Alfred were locked in a fierce battle against a sinister white-haired witch.

    The witch''s hair resembled gnarled weeds, and her eyes were as dark as the abyss.

    Rowan charged at her with his swords, but she effortlessly parried his blows using her grotesquely long nails. Then she retaliated. Her retaliation was swift and deadly as her thick and long white hair ensnared Rowan, picked him up, and tossed him toward a massive boulder with incredible speed.

    Rowan, with no control over his body, shot towards it like a rocketunched from itsuncher.

    Death seemed imminent for Rowan, but just as he was about to crash headfirst into the rock, a voice rang out.

    "I got you!" Alfred shouted.

    Activating his bloodline ability, Alfredmanded vines to emerge from the ground. They surged upwards, grabbing Rowan and cing him gently on the ground.

    The very next moment, Alfred''s heart raced as the witch wailed like a banshee and fell to all fours.

    Crack! Crack!

    A nightmarish sight unfolded. The witch''s body contorted with an almost sickening flexibility, her limbs and neck bending in ways that would be impossible for any ordinary being. The haunting ck of her eyes locked onto Alfred, and she changed towards him, not with the elegance of a human but with the wild, unpredictable ferocity of a beast.

    ''This bitch is mad. Gotta keep her away, lest she bites me and gives me rabies.''

    Alfred thought as he summoned a flurry of vines from the ground and manipted them to attack the crazy witch.

    The thick and green vines surged forward, twisting and turning, eager to ensnare their target, but the witch, despite her seemingly ungainly form, was too fast for an attack of such caliber to reach her.

    With swift, fluid movements, she dodged the onughtunched by Alfred, her body bending and twisting to avoid being caught by the vines.

    Alfred barely had a moment to register his failure to stop her when she leaped towards him like a feral dog, and she did it with such strength and focus that the distance between them closed in a heartbeat and her elongated nails gleaming with malevolent intent cut through the air as they went for his neck.

    Desperation and instinct took over, and Alfred threw himself to the ground. As Alfred''s back hit the ground, the witch''s nails shed the air just where his head had been a moment ago.

    However, even in her frenzied state, she responded to his dodge with unnerving agility.

    Her body twisted mid-air, bending like a contortionist, changing the trajectory of her attack to strike him from an unexpected angle!

    The attack wasing from above and Alfred was lying t on the ground.

    Desperation fueled Alfred''s reflexes. Watching the witch''s nail inch closer and closer to his eyes, he crossed his arms defensively in front of his face. From the ground beneath, as if responding to his will, countless vines erupted, rapidly weaving together to form a thick cocoon around him. They entwined, formingyers of hardened nt matter.

    This barrier was the result of his best effort to stop the witch''s nails from digging into his flesh and reaping his soul, but would it be able to stop her?!

    Alfred hoped that it does. He really didn''t want to die so young!

 Chapter 303 300: Hunting the witch

    Chapter 303 300: Hunting the witch

    The witch tore open the barrier that protected Alfred with her ws.

    Looking at the man huddled inside, she smiled horrendously beforeunching an assault for his life.

    A wave of fear washed over Alfred, constricting his chest and making it hard to breathe as the witch''s elongated nail aimed for his eyes.

    Death was drawing closer and closer faster than he would have liked. The witch''s nail drew precariously close, mere inches away from sinking into his eyes. Just when it seemed that hope was lost and the darkness would consume him, an unexpected, forceful blow of immeasurable intensity struck the witch from the side.

    It wasn''t just any blow; it felt as if she had been caught in the eye of a furious storm or a tempestuous natural disaster. The sheer magnitude of the force sent her spiraling uncontrobly. She crashed through the numerous trees and massive bouldersid across the forest and she didn''te to a stop until she collided with the face of a mountain in the distance. The crash created a resounding echo that permeated the surroundings.

    Alfred''s heart raced, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. "Thank the stars," he muttered, his relief palpable.

    Suddenly, a shadow loomed over him. Turning, Alfred saw someone gently descending onto the cocoon of vines that had entrapped him. Despite the daze and the haziness clouding his vision, he recognized the familiar contours of the silhouette. "Master Oliver?" he questioned, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and relief.

    Oliver, with a reassuring nod, replied, "Yeah, it''s me." He extended a hand towards the shaken Alfred. With gratitude evident in his eyes, Alfred sped the offered hand, allowing Oliver to pull him out of the entangling cocoon.

    Catching his breath, Alfred said, "I can''t thank you enough for saving me, Master Oliver."

    However, Oliver, with a humble shake of his head, responded, "It wasn''t me who saved you."

    Puzzled, Alfred asked, "Then who was it?"

    With a hint of a smile, Oliver said, "Someone you know very well."

    The realization hit Alfred like a lightning bolt. His eyes widened in recognition. "It''s brother Val, isn''t it?" he deduced excitedly.

    "Correct," Oliver uttered.

    "Where is he now?" Alfred inquired after scanning their surroundings and finding no sign of Val.

    Oliver too looked around. He felt puzzled as he didn''t see Val in the vicinity. Their n was to rescue Alfred and Rowan and make a run for it. But now it seemed Val was not following the very n heid out.

    "That''s a good question," Oliver said. "Just where did he go?"

    Rowan, who had been silently observing the exchange, piped in, "During the chaos, I believe I glimpsed someone pursuing the witch. Perhaps it was him."

    Determination etched on his face, Alfred said, "Then we must go after them. We can''t leave him alone to face that dreadful creature."

    Oliver, raising a hand, stopped him. "There''s no need."

    Alfred looked at Oliver, confusion evident in his eyes. "But why?" he questioned.

    "There''s not a single devil in the lesser dimension he can''t handle on his own," Oliver assured.

    Alfred was baffled by Oliver''s unwavering faith in Val. Thest thing he remembered, Val was just a level 3 bloodline user. The witch, on the other hand, appeared to be an intermediate-level devil. He couldn''t fathom how she had entered a lesser dimension restricted to level 1-3 devils, but he was certain of her formidable strength. After all, had it not been for hisbined efforts with Rowan, focused solely on survival, and her unwillingness to kill her prey without teasing them first, they would have been killed by that damn witch. She was just that strong.

    "You really trust him, huh," Alfred said.

    "After everything I''ve been through, I''m certain that old hag is no match for him," Oliver stated confidently.

    Rowan, still on edge, asked, "So, what should we do now?"

    "We wait. Let''s trust Brother Val and wait for him here. I have a feeling he''ll return once he''s finished with the witch," Oliver decided after thinking for a moment.

    *****

    In the blink of an eye, a figure shed towards the distant mountain. With a swing of his hand that held the power and precision of a master swordsman, a brilliant burst of red light emanated from him and went towards the mountain the witch was smashed into.

    The red light was so sharp that it cleaved the mountain in two.

    The upper section of the mountain dislodged and tumbled down, resulting in a powerful earthquake that sent massive clouds of dust billowing into the air.

    But the witch had dodged all harm as her body dissolved into a mist at the veryst moment.

    Her physical form dissolved into an elusive mist that surged toward Val. Val tried to distance himself, releasing powerful sts of soul energy in an attempt to dissipate the encroaching mist. But she was nimble, weaving through his assaults as she closed the gap between them.

    His flight was considerably slower than her mist form, and she was catching up swiftly.

    "You''re not of a lower-level, devil," Val called out, confusion evident in his voice. "How did you infiltrate the lesser dimension?"

    The witch''s voice emerged from the mist, chilling and taunting, "What good would such knowledge do a dead man?"

    Rolling his eyes, Val retorted, "Why are all devils so insufferably arrogant? No matter. I''ll find my answers."

    With intense focus, Val activated one of his skills to inspect the witch in detail.

    A holographic game-like interface appeared before him, disying:

    [System Notification]:

    Name: Witch of the Nearths

    Strength (Str): 64

    Agility (Agt): 62

    Stamina (Stam): 58

    Health Points (HP): 60/60

    Skills:

    Morph into Mist

    Soul Reaping sh

    Witch''s Hair

    Possession (only works on enemies whose bodies she has entered)

    Equipments:

    Law Maniption Bracelet: Allows its user to manipte dimensionalws, granting them passage into restricted realms.

    Strength Amplification Bracelet: Doubles the user''s stats temporarily for three minutes. Each subsequent minute reduces the user''s lifespan by a year.

    Val''s eyes narrowed as he analyzed the data, "Oh, so that''s your secret." A smirk graced his lips. "You''re not as special as I initially believed."

    "Says a fool who is about to lose his everything to me," the witchughed and sped up.

    Val, with a calcted mind, quickly devised a strategy to counteract the witch''s strengths and exploit her evident weaknesses right there on the spot. He began to subtly slow down, intentionally reducing his speed. To the witch, it seemed as though he was running out of his reserves of soul power, which was causing the drop in his flight speed. She couldn''t think of any other usible exnation for his sudden deceleration.

    Seeing this perceived vulnerability, the witch''s mist form sped up again and swiftly surrounded Val, eager to take advantage.

    "Soon, your youthful body will be mine to control!" she dered with malevolent glee, as she tried to infiltrate him through every pore on his skin.

    Throughout this, Val remained an unyielding pir of calm, betraying no hint of his next move. Without warning, he manifested a thin yet potentyer of abyssal hellfire over his skin. Since he possessed full mastery over this particr me, it didn''t cause him even a hint of difort. The witch, however, was not so fortunate.

    Kuagh!

    The moment she made contact with the searing mes, she emitted a deafening scream. It was the sound of pure, unadulterated agony. Her once threatening misty form hastily retreated from Val, as if he was the most lethal thing she''d ever encountered.

    With a confident smirk ying on his lips, Val taunted, "Did you truly believe you could defeat me so easily? I have hunted a number of intermediate-level devils in my life. Anyways, now that the abyssal hellfire has touched you, there''s no escaping your doom."

    "No, I refuse to die like this!" the witch cried out. Trapped in the relentless grasp of the abyssal hellfire, her misty form began to deteriorate at an rming rate. Before she could even process what was happening, her soul was erased from existence and her misty body had evaporated into nothingness.

    Two bracelets fell down.

    Val picked them up with his soul power and tossed them in his pocket dimension.

    Then he looked back. His gaze travelled a considerable distance before catching sight of a few figures stranded in the forest, "They are still waiting for me there. Let''s get back."

    Valnded on the ground and raced towards the ce where he had seen Oliver and the others.

    *****

    The three of them settled down, using the ruinedndscape as a makeshift camp, and keeping a vignt lookout.

    Time seemed to stretch out as the quiet of the lesser dimension enveloped them.

    Every now and then, a distant beast''s cry or the rustling of leaves could be heard, but there was no sign of Val or the white-haired witch.

    Alfred began to grow impatient. "Shouldn''t we at least try to find them?" he asked, pacing back and forth. "What if Val is in trouble?"

    Oliver sighed, "Alfred, we''ve been through this. Brother Val is stronger than you think. I have faith that he can handle the witch."

    "But what if he can''t?" Rowan chimed in, his recent near-death encounter still fresh in his mind. "That witch was something else. She wasn''t like the regr low-level devils we''re used to dealing with in the frontier."

    Oliver took a deep breath and looked at the horizon as he said, "I understand your concern. But you have to understand mine too. If we rush in without a n or knowledge of what''s happening, we could end up being more of a hindrance than help."

    In the end, they sat down.

 Chapter 304 301: Traveling as a group of four!

    Chapter 304 301: Traveling as a group of four!

    After what seemed like hours, a silhouette emerged from the treeline.

    Their hearts stirred as they hadn''t noticed the figure until it was already in their sight. Focusing on it, they realized it was Val, and they calmed down.

    Val''s clothes were dusty, but there was not a single sign of battle evident on his body.

    Alfred was the first to rush to him. "Val! Are you alright?"

    Val gave a small smile, brushing some dirt off his shoulder, "As you can see, I am perfectly fine."

    His stride was confident and his gaze was sharp, reflecting he was in top-notch condition.

    "And the witch?"

    The one who asked this question was Rowan. He hadn''t considered the possibility that Val could defeat the witch without sustaining any injuries, leading him to ask what seemed to him a necessary question. After all, if the witch was alive, they needed to get moving.

    Val could guess what he was thinking. To ease Rowan''s worry, he smiled and said, "She won''t be a problem anymore."

    The implication behind his words was clear. The witch had been killed. Rowan felt reassured and the breath he had been unknowingly holding was let out.

    Oliver approached Val, patting him on the back, "I knew you could handle it."

    Oliver had witnessed Val''s capabilities in numerous situations before, so he was likely the person most aware of Val''s strength. For Val, tackling intermediate-grade devils ranging from level 4 to 5 was as simple as taking a leisurely stroll in the park. That was why he was never worried about him.

    "Good."

    Val couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction, appreciating that Oliver knew him well enough not to worry. In his mind, any concern directed towards him in such situations was utterly unnecessary.

    "Anyways, how did she get into the lesser dimension in the first ce? I thought only level 1-3 devils should be able to enter," Alfred inquired, his voiceced with equal parts curiosity and confusion.

    Val replied, "She had a unique artifact with her. That was her ticket into the lesser dimension."

    Everyone''s curiosity was satisfied upon hearing his words.

    "Where is the artifact now?" Alfred questioned as he was intrigued by the potential of such a powerful tool.

    "It''s right here with me, safe in my pocket," Val answered, slightly amused, "Why? Are you interested in taking a closer look at it?"

    Alfred nodded eagerly.

    "If it''s really possible to replicate this artifact, advanced-level bloodline users could enter the lesser dimensions without any trouble. And you know how strong they are. It would be a piece of cake for them to destroy lesser dimensions from the inside. And then low-level bloodline users like us wouldn''t need to risk our lives tackling such dangers. It would literally change everything," Alfred spoke a little too excitedly.

    "If that''s really possible, then we might actually have a more manageable winter ahead of us for once," Oliver added, optimism evident in his voice.

    Val and Rowan found themselves nodding in agreement.

    The winter was the harshest time of the year.

    The longer nights of winter provided the creatures tainted with the force of corruption more time to wreak havoc.

    During this season, dimensions posed the greatest threat to humanity, as the guardians of these dimensions would lead their monstrous minions in attacks on human settlements.

    That was why the northern frontier and the strongholds of the outer region of the kingdom traditionally worked tirelessly to close as many dimensions as possible before the onset of winter.

    Anyways, as Alfred had said, advanced level bloodline users had the power to easily shut down these dimensions from the inside, but the problem was that they needed to step into it. That problem would be solved by thew maniption bracelet. If this object could indeed be mass-produced, it would alleviate one of the kingdom''s major seasonal threats.

    "Alright, you can take a look."

    Val didn''t object to his quest. Without any hesitation, he retrieved the Law Maniption bracelet from his pocket dimension before tossing it over to Alfred.

    "Thank you."

    Alfred caught it adeptly, bringing it close to his eyes for a thorough examination. He scrutinized every detail of the item, taking in the intricate runes and craftsmanship.

    After a moment, he leaned back, addressing the group, "Well, I have good news and bad news. Which one would you like to hear first?"

    "Whatever you feel is fine," Rowan said.

    "Din''t keep us in suspense," Oliver said.

    Val also urged Alfred to get to the point.

    Alfred continued, "The good news is, this artifact follows the same principles as runic items crafted by wizards. So, in theory, it could be mass-produced with the help of the wizardmunity. However, the runes engraved on this bracelet are incredibly profound. I couldn''t grasp or memorize them; attempting to do so made me dizzy, and I had to look away. I doubt even a high-rank wizard could make sense of it."

    "So if we can figure out how to reverse engineer it, mass production would indeed be possible."

    "Exactly," Alfred nodded, "But from what I could tell, reverse engineering this artifact is going to be a monumental task."

    "But not impossible," Val said.

    "You have a way?" Oliver''s eyebrow raised.

    The other had the same expression.

    "Maybe I do. Maybe I don''t." Val said with a mysterious smile, letting the matter rest there.

    In his mind, a solution to this problem has already formed.

    Under the heaven, Gruul was the most knowledgeable existence from what he had discerned. If anyone could unlock the secrets of the bracelet andprehend its intricacies, Val had no doubt it would be him. He just needed to give him a visit and the solution to this veryplex problem would be in his hand.

    Val thought to himself, ''I''ll pay Gruul a visit once I have some free time and privacy.''

    After all, he couldn''t enter the shrine in front of people, could he? If he suddenly vanished they would go bonkers.

    The forest was vast, stretching as far as the eye could see. Searching for the core of corruption within its depths was more challenging than looking for a needle in a haystack. In fact, it was so challenging that despite utilizing the capabilities of his heavenly eye, Val wasn''t yielding any fruitful results in the search.

    The group of four navigated through the woods for hours, yet their efforts seemed to be futile as they didn''t find a single clue as to where it could be.

    During their journey, whenever they felt thirsty, Val would take them to a pond and they would find relief from drinking water from it.

    *****

    Rowan''s and Alfred''s stomachs were grumbling loudly, signaling their growing hunger. On the other hand, Val and Oliver were not experiencing the same level of hunger as they had previously consumed petals that had the effect of revitalizing their bodies and staving off hunger.

    Noticing the difort of hispanions, Val turned his attention to the two hungry members of their group.

    He heard the funny noises their stomachs were making and decided to do something about it.

    He instructed them to stay put with Oliver, assuring them that he would be back shortly.

    Curious, Oliver asked where he was nning to go, to which Val responded that he was going to hunt for something for them to eat.

    Without wasting any more time, Val set off on his quest for food.

    Utilizing his heavenly eye, Val soon located a beast in the vicinity that resembled a chicken. However, this was no ordinary chicken; it was significantlyrger, being roughly the size of a human. Wanting to ensure that the beast was safe to eat, Val cast the ''Detect'' spell to confirm its edibility.

    It was indeed safe for human consumption.

    With his target confirmed, Val wasted no time and sprinted towards the beast. Within minutes, he had closed the distance between them. He made his move, pouncing towards the giant chicken. The chicken, sensing danger, cawed loudly and pped its wings in a desperate attempt to escape. It tried to leap away, but it was too slow to evade Val''s swift movements. Val reached out, grabbed its neck, and with a quick motion, crushed it. The chicken now hung limply in his hand, its life extinguished.

    Val gained a few hundred EXP for killing it.

    After sessfully hunting the beast, Val made his way back to the trio, carrying the massive chicken with him. He presented the chicken to Alfred and Rowan, telling them that this was their meal and they should roast it over a fire and enjoy it.

    ''Wouldn''t it cause a problem?"

    Initially, Alfred and Rowan were hesitant about starting a fire, likely recalling the dangers that coulde with it.

    "Go ahead, there won''t be any problems."

    However, Val reassured them, confident in his ability to protect them, he insisted that starting a fire would not pose any problem.

 Chapter 305 302: Roasting chicken and devils.

    Chapter 305 302: Roasting chicken and devils.

    With Val by their side, a strong sense of security enveloped the group. Any previous fears about starting a fire during the night were now alleviated, and they felt safe under his protection.

    As a result, Rowan and Alfred proceeded to start a fire and prepared the chicken for roasting. Oliver also helped a little. Considering his past, it wasn''t surprising. After all, since young, he has been self-dependent. So although his identity was special, he knew how to do these things.

    Val watched them working together. He didn''t help. He sat around the bonfire.

    Methodically, they skinned it and soon had it roasting over the open mes.

    However, their activities attracted unwanted attention, just as Rowan and Alfred had feared.

    Whoosh!

    With the sound of rustling, a group of devils, drawn by the fire and the scent of roasting chicken, approached them with malicious intent from the trees.

    "Ah, shit! That''s why we were so hesitant about starting a fire. Now, look. Trouble has found us."

    Alfred and Rowan, upon seeing the devils, had their fears about starting a fire in a ce like the lesser dimension at night confirmed. This was exactly the kind of situation they wanted to avoid.

    "What are you worrying about? They can do nothing to us. They are just courting their own death by targeting us."

    Oliver, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. He looked at the approaching devil group, snickered, and then looked away, clearly not perceiving them as a threat.

    "What did the human say?" the leader of the group of devils said.

    "He thinks we''re harmless little ants. He is mocking us," A devil who could understand themonnguage of the kingdom said.

    "Tribal chief, give me the order and I will rip his spine out of his body!" the leader''s devout believer said.

    "A person who has humiliated us deserves to be brutally punished. Alright, go get him!" the group leader said.

    Actually, the devils felt pissed because of Oliver''s nonchnt attitude. He wasn''t putting them, who could kill level 3 bloodline user as easily as crushing a bug, in their eyes.

    Because of this, they decided to kill Oliver first in the most brutal of ways, but before they could put their thoughts into action, Val merely directed his gaze toward them, and in an instant, they were engulfed in mes, reduced to nothing, as if they had never existed in the first ce

    [System Notification]

    Congrattions to the Host!

    Due to your exemrybat skills and quick eradication of the devil group, you have been rewarded with:

    Experience Points: +3,500

    Item Acquired: Emberme Bracelet

    Item Description: The Emberme Bracelet is a rare defensive artifact forged in the heart of a dying star by the previous God of Evil. It is known for its unparalleled ability to absorb and dissipate energy attacks, providing the wearer with exceptional protection. The bracelet is encrusted with crimson fire runes, resonating with the power of ember mes. When activated with soul power, it can surround the user in a protective barrier of fire, which not only wards off iing attacks but also retaliates against attackers, dealing damage proportional to the attack absorbed. The barrier has a unique property of bing stronger with each attack it absorbs, making it an invaluable asset in prolonged battles.

    Warning: This item has a cooldown of 1 hour. So do use it strategically only when the need arises.]

    ''Finally, an item worthy of being worn by me,'' Val thought to himself, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction.

    On top of this item, he also had the shard of the core of corruption that he wanted to put to good use.

    But he didn''t want to do it in front of others.

    There were two reasons for that.

    The first was that the shard had enough force of corruption to corrupt them if they approached it without taking proper defensive measures. He didn''t want to gamble with their lives.

    The second was that the bracelet was too rare and human nature was unpredictable. They might feel greedy for it. He didn''t think Oliver would betray him. But he didn''t know about the others.

    ''I will use them after entering the shrine of evil. Let''s go on a short walk first to not make it seem suspicious.''

    Without wasting any time, Val gracefully stood up, preparing to distance himself from the group for a moment.

    Noticing his sudden movement, Rowan couldn''t help but ask, "Hey, where are you heading off to now?"

    Val, with a yful grin on his face, responded, "Nature calls, my friend. If you don''t want an eyeful of my dingdong, I''d advise against following me!"

    His words elicited a round of chuckles from the group.

    Alfred, trying to be considerate, called out to Val, "The chicken is almost perfectly roasted. Do you want us to save some for you?"

    Val, not missing a beat, replied, "I doubt you guys can finish it all, but if you can, go right ahead. I''m not really feeling hungry at the moment."

    With those words, he turned and made his way into the woods, his figure soon disappearing from their sight.

    Once he was certain he was alone, Val took a moment to survey his surroundings, ensuring that no prying eyes were upon him.

    Satisfied that he was inplete solitude, he stepped into the Shrine of Evil with a determined look on his face.

    Inside the shrine, Val quickly retrieved the shard of the Core of Chaos from his inventory.

    The shard, brimming with the vtile force of chaos, would have spelled doom for any regr individual daring enough to hold it in their bare hands. However, Val, unfazed by its menacing aura, could distinctly feel the subtle presence of the power of creation amidst the overwhelming corruption.

    Uncertain of the potential dangers thaty ahead, Val decided it was best to consume the shard within the safety of the shrine.

    Upon closer inspection, he realized that the shard was toorge to be swallowed whole, prompting him to bite into it instead.

    The sensation was akin to biting into ss; shards dug into his tongue and the soft flesh inside his mouth, filling his mouth with the taste of blood. While it was an ufortable experience, it wasn''t painful, thanks to his innate traits.

    In just a matter of seconds, Val hadpletely consumed the shard. Instantly, the corruption within erupted, attempting to overwhelm and demonize him. However, Val was unique; he harbored no internal demons, and he was devoid of fear. The force of corruption thus found no foothold within him, and it was unable to manipte or subdue him into bing its puppet.

    In the end, Val''s concerns proved to be unfounded; just like every other corrupt item he had encountered, the core failed to influence his mentality in any way.

    Simultaneously, the power of creation contained within the shard began to assimte with his body. Every cell in his body was rejuvenated and the most unique organ within him�� the core inside his arcane heart��also benefited immensely from it.

    Val could feel the energy coursing through him, and he knew that he had made the right choice in consuming the shard.

    A system notification popped up.

    [System Notification]

    Congrattions Host!

    You have sessfully ovee the disastrous effects of the Shard of the Core of Chaos. Your extraordinary mental fortitude and unique traits have allowed you to resist the corruption and fully harness the power within the shard.

    Upgrades to your stats and abilities are as follows:

    Health Points (HP): +100

    Your total Health Points have now increased, enhancing your vitality and endurance in the face of adversity.

    [Core of Darkness has been upgraded to Tier 2

    Your Core of Darkness has undergone a remarkable transformation, ascending to the second tier. This upgrade has significantly boosted your innate potential, opening the door to new possibilities. You can inscribe six level 1 or 2 level 2 runes on your core!]

    A normal rank-2 wizard could only inscribe 1 level 2 core on their core. But Val could do 2. It was because his core was a very special and sturdy one!

    "It was well worth it," Val, feeling the surge of power coursing through his veins, couldn''t help but feel pleased. He had taken a risk by consuming the Shard of the Core of Chaos, and it had paid off.

    Another notification sounded.

    [System Notification] Active Quest Updated: Committing Deicide (The act of killing a god)

    Description: Eliminate a Devil God residing in the Forest of Dread.

    Reward: Your Superior Quality Core of Darkness will be upgraded to the third level!

    Val took a moment to ponder upon the updated quest, his expression serious.

    "With my current strength, I''m still a bitcking. This quest will have to wait a little longer," he thought to himself, recognizing the gravity of the task at hand.

    Shifting his focus, Val decided it was time to equip the newly acquired defensive item.

 Chapter 306 303: Blinding light.

    Chapter 306 303: Blinding light.

    He elegantly took off his coat, rolling up his cuffs with meticulous care.

    With a sense of anticipation, he adorned the bracelet, feeling its power encircle his wrist.

    To ensure its concealment, he carefully rolled his cuffs back down and put on his coat, effectively hiding the bracelet from prying eyes.

    Then, Val couldn''t help but grin evilly.

    "If my enemies are fortunate enough to break through my defenses andnd an attack, they''re in for a nasty surprise," he thought.

    The bracelet was literally a hidden ace up his sleeve. It had added an extrayer of security and intimidation to Val''s already formidable arsenal.

    Val thought he should clean the mess left on his clothes and body due to absorbing the shard before returning to hispanion. He quickly brushed off any residue from the shard with his soul power, stepped out of the shrine, and then made his way back to hispanions.

    What the?

    Val was taken aback when he returned and saw the remnants of their feast; the massive chicken was now reduced to nothing more than a pile of bones. He couldn''t help but be surprised. After all, the chicken wasrge enough to feed an entire army, and yet it had beenpletely devoured by three men. Admittedly, the reason behind this feat was Alfred and Rowan''s extreme hunger as they hadn''t eaten in days, coupled with Oliver''s appetite which seemed to exponentially increase after his first bite, leading him to relish every part of the meal.

    "It looks like you guys enjoyed the meal," Valmented, sessfully capturing the attention of hispanions.

    Rowan, still licking his lips, replied with a satisfied smile, "Yeah, it was delicious. Thanks for hunting it for us."

    "No problem," Val responded, feeling a sense of aplishment at their contented expressions.

    Alfred, noticing the remnants of the meal around Rowan''s mouth, couldn''t help but chime in, "Rowan, you''ve got some oil on your mouth, wipe it off."

    Without a second thought, Rowan disgustingly wiped it away with the back of his hand, leaving a smeared streak.

    Alfred cringed at the sight, his face contorting in disgust. He shook his head, deciding it was better not toment any further.

    "Now, let''s get moving. We still have a core to find," Val promptly said, redirecting their focus to the task at hand.

    With renewed energy from their hearty meal, the group resumed their journey through the vast forest. With Val leading the way, they were more determined than ever to find the core of corruption and put an end to the dimensional threat.

    However, the day wore on without any sign of the core, and the fatigue of the journey began to set in for the group. Being just low-level bloodline users, the journey had taken its toll on everyone except for Val.

    "Guys, I think we should take a break," Oliver voiced out, his breaths heavy with exhaustion.

    "Yeah, I''m beat. We''ve been walking non-stop," Alfred agreed, feeling the weight of the journey in his limbs.

    Rowan chimed in, "A little rest wouldn''t hurt. Besides, I can barely keep my eyes open."

    Val observed hispanions. He noticed the fatigue that was evident in their posture and expressions. He knew that pushing forward in their current state would be unwise. After all, it was better if all of them were in top-notch condition when they find the core. For destroying it won''t be easy. They''ll have to fight the dimension master, and for that, they''ll need all the strength they can get.

    "You''re right," Val voiced out his agreement with the rest of the group. "Let''s rest."

    With the decision made, Val led them to a nearby cave he had spotted from a few kilometers away with his heavenly eye.

    The interior of the cave was surprisingly cozy, providing a good shelter for them to rest.

    Once inside, they set up their defenses to ensure a safe resting ce.

    Satisfied with their arrangements, they finally allowed themselves to rx and sumb to the exhaustion.

    Several hours passed as they slept soundly, recharging their energy for the challenges that awaited them.

    The sun had risen, hanging brightly in the sky of the lesser dimension, casting its light across the vast expanse of the forest. A gentle yet crisp breeze was blowing through the trees, making its way into the cave where the group had taken refuge. As the cool air touched them, Rowan and the others couldn''t help but shiver.

    Hm?

    Sitting with his back against the cave wall, legs sprawled out in front of him, was a young man d entirely in ck. With his handsome features andposed demeanor, there was no mistaking that it was Val.

    Realizing that morning had arrived, Val decided it was time for the group to get moving. They had rested enough.

    "Hey, wake up everyone. It''s time to get moving," Val called out, his voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space.

    One by one, the others began to stir, waking up from their slumber. They rubbed their eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

    "What time is it?" Alfred asked, his voice groggy.

    "The day has just begun. It''s early morning," Val replied.

    Rowan, however, wasn''t as ready to start the day. "Why''d you wake us up so early? Could''ve let us rest a bit more," heined, his voice filled with a hint of annoyance.

    Alfred rolled his eyes at Rowan''s words. "We''re not out on a pic here. The faster we solve this dimension problem, the faster we can go home, and then you can rest as much as you want," he retorted, his toneced with urgency.

    Val then took the lead, addressing the group, "Let''s start the search for the core early today, guys."

    "No breakfast?" Rowan immediatelyined, his priorities clear.

    "We''re in a tense situation here, and all you can think about is food?" Alfred couldn''t help but scold him, his patience wearing thin.

    "It''s not my fault I can''t think straight when I''m hungry," Rowan shot back, frustration evident in his tone.

    Val observed the exchange, slightly amused yet bewildered at Rowan''s capacity for food, especially after the massive meal he had the previous night.

    ''Does he have a ck hole for a stomach or something?'' he wondered to himself.

    Oliver, always the one to mediate, stepped in before the bickering could escte any further. "Alright, let''s stop bickering. We have a job to do," he said, his tone firm yet calming.

    With that, the group stepped out of the cave, ready to resume their search for the core of corruption, their energies renewed and their focus sharper than before.

    In the distance, a sudden, magnificent beam of light shot up into the sky, capturing the attention of Val and hispanions instantly. Its color was a brilliant golden, and its thickness wasparable to the legendary pirs of heaven, believed in ancient myths to support the sky and prevent it from crumbling.

    Just then, Val experienced an influx of information. Although it would''ve left anyone confused, he made sense of it instantly.

    ''Ah, it''s finally working. This must be the destined time when the mirror would reveal the truth if the dimension to me,'' Val thought in glee.

    The Truth Reflecting Mirror had responded, indicating that this was the destined moment mentioned in the item''s description provided by the system. Val, now granted insight into the intricacies of the lesser dimension, felt a wave of information flood his mind. It was overwhelming, and he needed a moment to process it all. Closing his eyes, he focused on assimting the knowledge in his brain.

    "What''s going on over there?" Rowan inquired, his voice a mix of curiosity and caution.

    Oliver, having read about such phenomena in books, responded, "The appearance of such a radiant light, especially in a lesser dimension, is often considered an auspicious sign. It could mean the birth of a rare treasure, maybe a unique magic herb of some kind."

    Rowan and Alfred exchanged nces, contemting whether they should investigate.

    "But it could be dangerous," Alfred voiced his concern.

    "Yeah, we don''t know what''s waiting for us there," Rowan agreed, his usual bravado tempered by caution.

    Turning to Val, Oliver asked, "What do you think we should do?"

    Snapping out of his thoughts, Val turned to hispanions and said, "Wait here, I''ll check it out."

    "No way, I''m not letting you take such a risk alone," Rowan interjected immediately.

    Val looked at him as if he had lost his mind, "Who said anything about taking risks?"

    "How else will you check out the situation?" Rowan challenged.

    Val simply replied, "I have my ways."

    Rowan and Alfred exchanged curious nces, clearly intrigued.

    Seeing their curiosity, Oliver decided to exin, "Val possesses the Heavenly Eye, a unique ability that allows him to perceive and analyze things from a great distance. He can see through obstacles and discern the truth of matters without needing to be physically present."

    "Ah, I see." Rowan and Alfred were both shocked and amazed.

 Chapter 307 304: The way and the truth!

    Chapter 307 304: The way and the truth!

    ''Let''s get to the bottom of it.''

    Meanwhile, Val activated his Heavenly Eye, projecting his vision towards the source of the golden light.

    Far away in the distance, on top of a mountain, a flower had bloomed.

    The flower had petals that shimmered like liquid gold, glowing resplendently in a dazzling disy. The golden beam of light that had captured their attention was emanating directly from this flower.

    Val did not recognize it. He couldn''t cast a spell to understand more about it since it was not in his direct line of sight. His detect spell only worked if his eyes were on the target.

    Anyway, he was certain of one thing; the flower was something special. He could see that the entire tribe of Ashtine was converging on the location, eager to im the flower for themselves. Bloodline users and wizards who had entered the lesser dimension were also making their way there, along with the native monsters of the dimension.

    A bloody battle was imminent.

    "There is indeed a treasure there. But if we decide to act and try to obtain it, we''ll be swimming in murky waters. Our life and death would be entirely up to fate."

    Val said to his group.

    "So, we should sit this one out?" Rowan asked, seeking confirmation from Val.

    Val nodded.

    "In my opinion, we should. However, the final decision is up to you." Val added, his tone serious. "But I won''t be fighting for it. I have somewhere else to be."

    "Where exactly?" Oliver inquired, curious about Val''s ns.

    Val pulled out the Truth Reflecting Mirror. Its pristine surface usually only reflected its surroundings but now it was showing apletely different thing. It showed the terrain of the dimension, and there was a distinct ''X'' mark on it.

    Pointing at the mark, Val''s voice echoed, "There. I believe the key to closing the dimension lies there."

    "I will be following him," Oliver quickly voiced his opinion, showing his loyalty.

    In his mind, Alfred weighed the value of life against material treasures.

    He reflected on a lesson from the founder and the most benevolent king of the Kingdom, King Valerius the First.

    The king had once asked his people what they would choose if presented with a thousand gold bars, with the catch being they would lose their lives the very next day.

    The overwhelming response had been a rejection of the offer, leading the wise king to remind his subjects to cherish their lives, for they were invaluable.

    Life was the most precious treasure in heaven and earth. It was as simple as that.

    With this thought swirling in his mind, Alfred knew what he should do. He should ensure his life.

    He chimed in, expressing his thoughts pragmatically, "It''s better to stick together in the lesser dimension than to venture out on my own for the sake of a mere treasure. I''m also going along with you guys."

    Rowan, though not the brightest of the bunch, was not blind to the truths of survival or the ensuing situation.

    Going solo in the lesser dimension was a recipe for disaster, a fact even he could understand.

    Not to mention, he had barely survived when he teamed up with Alfred; going alone, driven by greed, would surely lead to a brutal end.

    With this realization, he gritted his teeth and made his decision, "Fine, I''ming too."

    They quickly made their way toward the ''X'' mark indicated by the mirror. Val, aware of hispanions'' limitations, consciously kept his speed low to ensure everyone could keep up.

    After a rapid journey, they reached a clearing fifty miles away from their initial position.

    In the center of the clearing stood an ancient structure.

    The ancient structure was made of stone, with intricate carvings and symbols etched onto its surface, standing tall and stoic in the middle of the wilderness.

    "Is this it?" Oliver asked, looking towards Val for confirmation.

    Val nodded in response, "Yes, it is."

    Rowan, his curiosity piqued, turned to Alfred, "Hey, you''re the most knowledgeable guy here. What is this thing?"

    Alfred, despite his extensive knowledge acquired from countless books, had to admit ignorance this time.

    "I''ve read many books, but none have mentioned anything like this. I have no idea what it could be," he confessed.

    Val couldn''t help but chuckle internally at the conversation unfolding before him. Alfred was undeniably knowledgeable, especially concerning the northern frontier and this peculiar world, but Val, with his vast experience from his previous life and his extensive explorations of Earth, was the true sage in their group.

    The structure before them seemed foreign to the inhabitants of Eldritch, a sight they had never encountered before. However, thanks to his past life''s knowledge, Val could recognize it instantly.

    "It''s a sundial," Val exined confidently.

    "What''s a sundial?" Alfred inquired, his curiosity piqued.

    Val proceeded to exin the concept of a sundial in the simplest terms, ensuring they grasped the basic idea of this ancient time-telling device.

    As Val spoke, a thought crossed his mind, leaving him slightly taken aback. The presence of an Earth-like item in such an unexpected ce made him wonder if there was a connection between the curse on Eldritch and his home. Nevertheless, it was a fleeting thought, as he redirected his focus back to the matter at hand.

    "Why would a sundial be here?" Rowan asked, genuinely puzzled. "Does it serve any other purpose?"

    Val appeared thoughtful for a moment, but in reality, he was quickly scanning through a notification from his detect spell.

    [Secret Mechanism Detected: This sundial is aplex mechanism. Solving it may activate or deactivate traps within the dimension.]

    That was the extent of the information provided. Val was left without a clear direction on how to solve it.

    Turning back to the group, he shared his findings, "This sundial is more than it seems. It''s a secret mechanism, and solving it could affect the traps in this dimension."

    Oliver nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. Alfred''s mind raced, feeling a mix of admiration andpetition, while Rowan blurted out, "Wait, so you''re smarter than Alfred?"

    Alfred felt a sting of annoyance,beling Rowan an ungrateful dog in his thoughts.

    The group fell into a contemtive silence, pondering over how to solve the mechanism with no clear answers in sight. Val was in a simr position, but then it hit him. "Ah!"

    His eyes widened, and his eyebrows raised in a sudden realization. He remembered the Droplet of Guidance, which would be usable when the way appeared. Given that the Truth Reflecting Mirror had shown them the way, the droplet should now be active.

    Carefully, he took it out of his pocket dimension, ensuring the droplet remained stable in his palm, preventing any wastage.

    For a moment, nothing spectacr happened, leaving the rest of the group confused. Why was Val staring so intently at a droplet? What magic did it possess?

    Rowan found Val''s behavior utterly foolish, questioning the usefulness of a mere droplet of water. He didn''t realize that Val didn''t engage in futile actions; had he known, he wouldn''t have jumped to such hasty conclusions.

    Memories began to materialize within the droplet, dozens of images shing by. Val, with his sharp and inquisitive gaze, didn''t miss a single detail, quickly forming an understanding of what needed to be done. As the water lost its luster, having served its purpose, Val discarded it.

    Turning back to the group with a beaming smile, Val announced his discovery. "I''ve got it!"

    "Got what?" Rowan asked, his interest piqued.

    "The key to reaching the core of corruption. If you position the sundial just right��" Val exined, detailing the unique arrangement needed, "...you can open a portal to the third and most hidden realm of the lesser dimension."

    Val confidently approached the sundial, carefully positioning it under the sun, ensuring that its shadow fell perfectly onto a specific point on the dial''s edge. As he made these adjustments, the atmosphere around them began to change drastically, bing colder and more sinister.

    The moment Val had the sundial in the correct position, a portal abruptly materialized in front of them. It emanated a strong, ominous energy, making it clear to everyone present that whaty ahead was not going to be easy. The dangerous vibes emanating from the portal were impossible to ignore.

    Their gut feelings were immediately confirmed when a force of corruption surged out of the portal. Val and Oliver, quick on their feet, instantly put up a defensive barrier using their soul power.

    Bam!

    A resounding reverberation echoed throughout the surroundings as the force of corruption crashed onto their barrier like a relentless wave, only to be split in two as if the barrier was an unyielding boulder.

    The remnants of the wave washed over the surrounding grass and smashed into the trees around the clearing, stripping them of life.

    The grass lost its luster, dying out immediately, while the trees, though still standing, turned brittle and ck.

 Chapter 308 305: The Mobs and Mini boss!

    Chapter 308 305: The Mobs and Mini boss!

    A simple gust of wind blew, and the trees crumbled apart like a castle made of sand

    Witnessing this, Rowan and Alfred realized with a growing appreciation that had Val and Oliver not taken appropriate action, their end would''ve been the same as those trees.

    "The journey ahead will be difficult, far more dangerous than anything we''ve encountered so far," Val said, his voice steady. "But are you willing to risk your lives and follow me?"

    "If we don''t step into hell, who will?" Alfred responded, determination to risk his life for the greater good clear in his voice.

    "For the peace of the kingdom, I''m willing to risk it all," Rowan added, his gaze firm and resolute.

    "We''ve faced so many challenges before and came out on top. I believe we will conquer this too," Oliver stated, his confidence unwavering.

    Val felt a surge of satisfaction at their responses.

    It had not been a mistake choosing and leading this group.

    They were willing to face the dangers ahead, and he was confident that together they would close the dimension and he would obtain the final, most glorious reward that would push him one step closer to his ultimate goal.

    Val took a deep breath and jumped into the portal,

    The others, without a moment''s hesitation, closely followed behind him, ready to face the challenges of the lesser dimension together with him.

    After the teleportation, they were greeted by a vast expanse of sand, stretching as far as the eye could see, with numerous dunes rising and falling like waves in a stormy sea. The atmosphere was dark and cold, a stark contrast to the lively world they had just left behind.

    Val, always vignt and ready, activated his heavenly eye, his vision expanding exponentially. He could now see through the sand dunes surrounding them, revealing an ancient structure in the distance.

    It was a massive castle, so wide and tall that it seemed to touch the sky, as if it was made for giants rather than men. Its appearance was imposing and awe-inspiring, a testament to the strength and power of those who had once inhabited it. Inside, the castle was thick with the force of corruption, making it abundantly clear to Val that the core of corruption was indeed hidden within its walls.

    "Where should we go now?" Oliver questioned, his eyes scanning the destendscape.

    "There''s a castle in the distance. That''s where we need to go. The core is hidden there," Val revealed, pointing towards the structure with a determined gaze.

    "We''ll be following you, boss," Rowan stated, his tone full of trust and readiness.

    With that, Val took the lead, and they began their journey across the harsh desert.

    Unbeknownst to them, the sand dunes were not as empty as they appeared. Hidden within them were creatures, half-man, half-scorpion, known as E''ere. These creatures were formidable, possessing a poison that could prove fatal even to the strongest of bloodline users. They were also deadly assassins, their presence nearly impossible to detect. Any other group would have been caught off guard by the scorpions, but sadly for them, this group had Val, and thanks to his heavenly eye, he had seen them.

    Without a moment''s hesitation, Val unleashed a powerful Abyssal Hellfire attack. The sand dunes exploded, sending sand flying in every direction, and the scorpions inside them were set aze. Their screams filled the air as they were burned alive, their bodies turning to ash.

    "How? We were hidden so perfectly... How did you discover us?" one of the scorpions managed to scream out in agony.

    "Guess," Val said teasingly, a smirk on his face.

    Of course, the scorpion didn''t have time to guess; it was burned alive before it could utter another word.

    Val gained a bunch of EXP for defeating these mobs.

    "Man, that was brutal," Alfredmented, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and awe.

    "Now it can keep guessing in hell," Val replied nonchntly, his gaze already moving on to the horizon.

    "Damn, you''re a menace!" Rowan chuckled, clearly impressed by Val''s disy of power.

    With the threat of the eere eliminated, they continued their journey towards the castle, undeterred and ready for whatevery ahead. The air was filled with a sense of determination and camaraderie, as they knew they were one step closer to their goal.

    Val, perceiving the imminent danger, quickly gave a sharp, decisive signal for an immediate retreat, his eyes filled with a sense of urgency as the group propelled themselves away at their top speeds. They moved swiftly across the sand, leaving trails behind them as Val maintained his vignt gaze on the desertndscape, fully aware that they were on the brink of confronting a formidable adversary.

    From the depths of the desert, a sand giant began its awe-inspiring ascent, rising with an elegance that belied its colossal size. It towered above them, a behemoth made entirely of swirling, shifting sands, its form both vast and solid. The shimmering particles of sand created a y of light and shadow across its body, lending it an appearance of fragility which starkly contrasted with the undeniable strength it exuded. The giant''s eyes, two bottomless pits of darkness, seemed capable of devouring all light and life, creating an oppressive aura of power and might.

    Val, with reflexes honed through countless battles, responded in the blink of an eye as the giant lifted its gargantuan hand and brought it crashing down. He jumped backward with all his might, narrowly escaping the impact as the giant''s fist smashed into the ground, releasing a shockwave that rippled through the air, distorting the very atmosphere of the desert.

    Oliver, with his unparalleled mastery over soul power, exhibited a graceful dodging maneuver, evading the attack with precision and agility. Rowan, embodying strength and endurance, stood his ground, choosing to face the shockwave head-on with his formidable physique. Alfred, however, found himself at a distinct disadvantage. The desert provided no vines for him to summon, and as a result, he was caught off guard and sted away, ending up buried in the sand upside down, his feet iling helplessly in the air as he struggled to breathe.

    As despair began to take hold, thinking he was about to meet a sandy grave, he suddenly felt a strong grip hauling him out of his predicament. Gasping for air, he looked up to see Rowan, the group''s muscle-bound member, staring down at him with eyes filled with concern.

    "Hey, are you alright? That was a close call!" Rowan asked, his voice echoing with genuine worry.

    "Coughing* Apart from feeling like I''ve been trampled by a herd of elephants and having a few broken bones, I think I''ll live," Alfred responded, trying to inject a bit of humor into his voice despite the pain.

    Oliver, from a distance, called out to them, his tone sharp and focused, "Hey, if you two are done with your little reunion, we have a giant to deal with. Focus!"

    "Right, I''m on it," Rowan responded immediately, his attention snapping back to the giant. He charged forward, sword in hand, ready to strike. However, as he swung his weapon at the giant, it simply sank into its sandy body

    Alfred stared in disbelief. "Has he lost his mind? Does he really think that would work?" he thought, unable toprehend Rowan''s actions. "The guy is all brawn and no brains. It''s unbelievable that he''s still alive with that kind of intelligence."

    Val and Oliver exchanged a nce, their expressions filled with disbelief. "Does he not understand the basic principles ofbat? Does he only know how tounch blind attacks?" Val muttered, shaking his head.

    "Let go of the sword, you idiot!" Alfred shouted, realizing that the giant was absorbing both Rowan and his sword.

    But Rowan, with an unexpectedly serious expression, looked back at them and dered, "My attacks don''t work on the giant from the outside, so I''ve decided to defeat it from the inside!"

    And with that, he waspletely absorbed by the giant, leaving the rest of the group behind, their faces in their palms. "That idiot," Val muttered, his frustration evident. "The giant is made of sand. Whether you attack it from the inside or the outside with normal attacks, it''s not going to make a difference."

    After swallowing Rowan, the giant turned its focus back to the trio,unching a barrage of sand attacks in their direction.

    Blood Maniption: Crimson Wave!

    Val released a massive wave of blood, which solidified into a barrier, blocking the giant''s attack but crumbling under the onught. As the red shards fell to the ground, Val swiped his hand, and the giant''s body was set aze.

    Kuagh!

    The giant, in a frenzy, tried to douse the mes with sand, but to no avail. In ast-ditch effort to save itself, it discarded the part of its body that was on fire, significantly reducing its size but also stopping the spread of the fire.

    ..

 Chapter 309 306: Endless Wave of monstes!!!

    Chapter 309 306: Endless Wave of monstes!!!

    Crouching down, the sand giant ced its hand on the desert sand, attempting to absorb more sand to regain its lost size and strength.

    It had begun its healing process.

    That was when Oliver, with a determined shout, intervened.

    "I won''t let you," he dered, channeling his soul power into a a powerful st that struck the giant with the force of thunder, pulling it off its feet and sending it flying away.

    It was sent directly towards Val, who tapped into the dark and ominous powers of the Abyssal Hellfire, intertwining it meticulously with his blood maniption bloodline skill.

    This moment required a fusion of both precision and might.

    With a deep breath, he gathered his energy, channeling it into his palms.

    The air around him crackled with power as he shaped and forged the deadly attack, ensuring a perfect amalgamation of the two formidable forces.

    "This is the end!"

    His eyes glinted with ruthlessness as he released the chaotic orb of destruction, propelling it with an unmatched force toward the giant sand structure.

    Whoosh!

    The orb, now a massive entity of fiery wrath, grew exponentially as it cut through the air, bearing down upon the giant with a menacing promise of obliteration.

    Boom!

    Upon impact, the desertndscape was instantly illuminated as the explosion erupted, a cacophony of mes and force that reduced the giant to nothing more than dust and echoes.

    Remarkably, despite the overwhelming magnitude of the attack, Rowan, who had been engulfed within the giant, emerged unscathed. It was because Val''s control over his powers was precise and he had willed it. Thus, he had managed to obliterate the giant while sparing Rowan from the cataclysm.

    Rowan was pulled from the giant during the explosion. He dropped into the desert. He was covered in sand, coughing and wheezing.

    In that moment of victory, a Game-like system notification appeared before Val, acknowledging his triumph over the colossal adversary.

    [+10,000 Experience Points]

    [Item Acquired: Rune of Self-Activation]

    Intrigued, Val opened the system screen, eager to examine his newfound prize.

    He inspected it.

    And it was revealed to him that this was an item of great power, capable of enchanting equipment with a power that would automatically bring out their ability when most needed, sparing the user from the need for direct control.

    With a sense of anticipation, Val reached into the system screen, retrieving the glittering rune.

    The Rune of Self-Activation was a marvel to behold, glittering under the desert sun with ancient runes etched upon its surface. The runes seemed to dance, shimmering with a light of their own, inviting Val to unlock their potential.

    ''Which item should I enchant?''

    He held it in his hand for a moment before deciding to enchant his Emberme Bracelet with it. As he did so, the bracelet was bathed in a soft glow, the rune''s energy merging seamlessly with it.

    A notification appeared, confirming the sessful enchantment.

    [Emberme Bracelet has been sessfully enchanted with Rune of Self-Activation. Its defensive abilities will now automatically activate in response to iing attacks.]

    Meanwhile, Oliver, disying a sense of camaraderie and concern, approached Rowan and extended a hand to help him up.

    "Hey, you took quite a beating there. You sure you''re okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

    Managing to catch his breath, Rowan nodded in gratitude. "Yeah... That was something else. Never thought I''d be inside a giant made of sand."

    He also send a thankful nce Val''s way.

    Alfred, his body battered and bruised, managed to stagger over to the group, his steps unsteady.

    Val assessed his condition with a critical eye and said, "You''re in no shape to continue fighting. It might be best for you to stay back and find a safe ce to wait for us."

    Alfred waved off the concern, though his face was twisted in pain. "It''s just a few scrapes and bruises. Nothing a healing potion can''t fix."

    He reached into his pack, pulling out a vial of the potent troll''s blood potion. Without hesitation, he uncorked it and took a swig, grimacing at the bitter taste. Although the taste was bitter, the effects were as expected. His wounds started to heal. Even his broken bones started to mend!

    He then offered a vial to Rowan, saying, "Here, you look like you could use some of this too. You''re all banged up."

    Rowan eyed the vial warily and opened it, only to be immediately assaulted by the pungent aroma.

    "What in the world is this? It smells like a troll took a piss in a bottle!" he eximed, his nose wrinkling in disgust."

    Val retorted, "Quitining. If you want to stay on your feet and be of any use to the team, you''ll drink it."

    "Alright, fine."

    With a grumble, Rowan downed the potion, his face contorting as he swallowed the bitter concoction.

    Now somewhat recovered, the group continued their journey toward the imposing castle in the heart of the desert.

    The closer they drew, the heavier the air felt, as if the very sands beneath their feet were whispering warnings of impending peril.

    And then, as if to confirm their worst suspicions, the ground around them stirred and hundreds of sand soldiers arose from the desert floor.

    They were an army forged from the sand itself, their forms solid and menacing, their eyes aze with an eerie light.

    With military precision, they mounted a charge, their sandy forms shifting and flowing as they advanced, weapons drawn and ready for battle.

    Val and his group braced themselves, knowing that a fierce battle was imminent. The desert hade alive, and they were in the heart of the storm, facing an onught of sand and fury.

    In the heart of the raging battle, with sand soldiers swarming from every direction, Val stood resolute, tapping into the depths of his bloodline skill, Blood Maniption. Around him, the air thickened as wisps of his own blood manifested, swirling in a chaotic dance of power and precision. These wisps of life essence twirled and spun, gradually condensing into dozens of sharply defined bullets. Val''s focus was unbreakable, his control over his blood absolute, as he intricately wove the destructive essence of Abyssal Hellfire into each bullet, moments before he propelled them with deadly uracy toward the relentless wave of approaching sand soldiers.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    The bullets, now cloaked in the searing, malevolent mes of Abyssal Hellfire, cut through the air with unparalleled speed, piercing through the sand soldiers with such force that they continued on to strike additional foes standing behind the initial targets.

    The sand soldier didn''t have weaknesses like humans. Even if their bodies were destroyed, they could simply rise up as long as there was enough sand in their surrounding and their will was alive. However, if that very will was targeted, then they would meet their demise.

    As the ming bullets made contact, they didn''t just destroy the physical forms of the sand soldiers; they sought out and annihted their wills, ensuring a permanent end to their existence.

    Each bullet Val released was a double-edged sword of death, iming two sand soldiers with every strike. In total, he unleashed a staggering 72 bullets, resulting in the demise of 144 of these relentless foes.

    Sadly, despite this tremendous feat, the sea of sand soldiers seemed endless, their numbers undiminished.

    "The desert itself is birthing them anew with each moment that passed," Val muttered under his breath as he took in his surroundings with eyes squinted.

    *****

    The battlefield was a maelstrom of chaos and destruction as Val''srades also threw themselves into the fray with reckless abandon.

    "This is gonna leave me so exhausted."

    Oliver sighed as he utilized his soul power to its fullest extent, sending devastating sts of energy tearing through the ranks of the sand soldiers, scattering them like leaves in a storm.

    Explode! Explode! Explode!

    Alfred, with his trusty stick in hand, fought with a ferocity and precision that belied his earlier injuries. He struck at the sand soldiers with an expertise born of necessity, having honed this particr way of fighting for situations exactly like this. Each strike caused his foes to explode upon impact, adding to the cacophony of the battlefield.

    Hargh!

    Rowan, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of raw power and primal fury. He charged headlong into the enemy ranks, his weapon cutting a swathe through the sand soldiers, his roars of battle echoing across the desert. He was hit numerous times, but far from slowing him down, each strike seemed to invigorate him, fueling his strength and resolve. The more he was hit, the stronger he became��a masochistic fervor in his eyes as he reveled in the battle.

    They were a formidable team, cutting down hundreds of sand soldiers, but for every one that fell, another rose from the desert sands to take its ce.

    It was essentially an unending army of relentless foes, willing to do everything it takes to take them out of the picture once and for all.

 Chapter 310 307: Squashed like an ant!

    Chapter 310 307: Squashed like an ant!

    "There''s no end to these damn bastards!" Rowan bellowed, his voice a mix of fury and exhaustion as he swung his weapon with endless vigor, destroying the form of four more sand soldiers. He only destroyed their physical forms, not killed them as physical attacks alone weren''t enough for they were creatures whose very existence was centered around the will of their creator. Unless the will imbued in their physical form was destroyed, they could just keep on reviving by using the sand of the desert. But of course, Rowan''s efforts weren''t totally in vain as the sand soldiers needed some time to recover their forms. To be exact, it was a couple of minutes.

    "I believe they aim to wear us down, to exhaust our strength and resolve," Oliver analyzed, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the relentless waves of enemies

    Val, his mind working rapidly, nodded in agreement, his voice steady as he spoke. "Oliver''s right. The only way to put a stop to this is to go after the source, the Dimensional Master himself. We need to cut the head off the snake."

    He had inspected the sand soldiers earlier. So he knew they were unique entities born from the will of the Dimensional Master. He knew that as long as the will imbued in them remained intact, they would continue to rise even if their form was destroyed.

    In their party, only he and Oliver had the power to kill them, and just the two of them against an endless number of them was an unwinnable fight, and even if they somehow won it, they would be left exhausted by the end of it and the dimension master would take advantage of that situation to take them out.

    In his mind, the only way to ensure their victory in this ferocious battle was to destroy the Dimensional Master. With his death, the sand soldiers of the desert would also die.

    Oliver, sensing the urgency of the situation, turned to Val, and said, "Bro, you need to go now and deal with the Dimensional Master. We''ll hold them off here as long as we can."

    Val hesitated. His concern for hisrades evident in his voice as he spoke, "Are you sure? You''ll be facing an entire army on your own."

    Rowan, while blocking the attack of two sand soldier with his sword, managed a grin, his voice filled with a wild excitement as he spoke, "Just go and kick that bastard''s ass, Val! We''ve got this. We''ll hold them off and make sure you have your shot."

    Alfred chimed in, "Don''t worry about us, Val. We can handle this. You just focus on taking down the Dimensional Master and putting an end to this madness."

    Val felt encouraged to do what was necessary even though it meant leaving Oliver with two weaklings to face the danger alone. Of course, he wasn''t looking down on Alfred and Rowan for in his eyes although they were weak, their courage and loyalty was admirable, and these traits were enough to earn his respect.

    "Let''s clear the way and get on with it."

    Drawing in a deep, steadying breath, Val focused his energy inward, tapping into the depths of his power as he prepared to unleash a cataclysmic attack.

    His body became a conduit for the abyssal fire, a dark and ominous force that surged forth, steaming out of him and gathering into a concentrated point just above his right palm. Simultaneously, a maelstrom of blood units began to converge and condense above his left palm, swirling and twirling in a dance of power.

    Crimson Inferno Vortex!

    These two forces, one ck as the darkest night and one red as the most vibrant sunset, were hurled forward by Val, growing in size and intensity as they transformed into massive, destructive vortices.

    Everything thaty in their path was annihted, obliterated, erased from existence leaving nothing but the open road toward the castle.

    "Good luck, guys!"

    With onest, lingering look at hisrades, Val solidified his resolve. He seized the moment, surging forward with unwavering determination along the cleared path, his eyes locked onto the castle that stood majestically in the distance.

    A sbout came from behind. "Good luck to you too!"

    Val didn''t need to look behind to see who it was. He had already grown so familiar with the voice that he recongnized it was Oliver.

    Sand soldiers, relentless in their pursuit, emerged from the sides, attempting to swarm Val and halt his progress. However, Oliver, with his impable timing and formidable power, unleashed powerful sts of soul power. These sts exploded upon contact with the sand soldiers, disintegrating them into nothingness and ensuring Val could continue his advance, unhindered.

    Val raised his hands and gave him a thumbs up while moving forward.

    Soom after, Val was about to reacj the castle.

    The castle was big and its entrance was also clossal, framed by towering stone archways that seemed to be designed for beings of a size and scale beyond humanprehension.

    The castle itself exuded an air of ancient mystery and dormant power, standing as a silent guardian over secrets untold.

    Suddenly, the ground next to Val shifted, and from the sands arose a giant guardian. It was an awe-inspiring and terrifying sight, with a head resembling a ferocious dog and a body made from densely packed sand, brown and solid. In its massive hand, it wielded a spear, which it swung with deadly precision at Val.

    "Die, intruder." it barked.

    "No thanks," Val retorted.

    Quick as a sh, Val leapt into the air, effortlessly avoiding the giant''s lethal strike.

    While in mid-air, he drew his hand back, his fingers curling into a fist as an overwhelming amount of ck fire burst from his knuckles.

    This dark inferno enveloped his hand, transforming it into a weapon of apocalyptic destruction.

    "World Shattering Fist!"

    With a fierce roar, Val thrust his fist forward, sending waves of ck mes surging outwards. The mes engulfed the dog-headed giant, its sandy form dissolving under the onught. Val''s attack didn''t stop there; it continued forward, obliterating the gigantic castle doors andying open the path ahead.

    Immediately, Val received a notification from his his system.

    [Congrattions, Host! You have vanquished the Guardian of the Castle, a formidable mini-boss. Reward: 15,000 EXP, Sand Guardian''s Heart (Rare Item)].

    [The Sand Guardian''s Heart is a mystical item with the power to enhance sand-rted bloodline of sand-type wizards or upgrade the bloodline of sand type bloodline users. It can also be used in specific environments, such as deserts or sandy terrains, to grant the user control over the sand in their surrounding, allowing them to manipte it to their advantage.]

    Going through the notification, Val decided that unless the need to utilize this rare item became absolutely necessary, he would opt to sell it once he returned to the frontier. He wanted to put it up for auction because only then would he benefit the most, as its true value would be elevated in the biddin war by the demand of potential buyers.

    With this decision made and the item securely stashed away in the system screen, Val redirected his focus to the task at hand.

    Thud!

    With a thud, hended firmly on the ground, his body poised and ready for action like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey. Without a moment''s hesitation, he charged ahead, crossing the threshold and entering the castle, prepared for whatever awaited him within its ancient and mysterious walls.

    As Val prated deeper into the castle, he was immediately struck by the oppressive atmosphere within. The air was heavy,den with a force of corruption so dense that it seemed almost tangible.

    Only a person with immense willpower be able to move around in this ce and fight. Val didn''t know how good his will power was, but his mental fortitude remained unshaken despite the oppressive and chaotic atmosphere; however, his physical body bore the brunt of the corruption''s weight. He felt as if he was shouldering a mountain. It suddenly be more challenging to take a step forward than before.

    A system notification popped up, [Your speed has been halved due to the corruption''s force. Current speed: 40].

    This notification served as a confirmation. It wasn''t just his imagination, the corruption was indeed hindering his movements, shing his speed in half.

    "Got to get it back."

    Without a second thought, Val activated his Blood Rush ability, countering the corruption''s effect and bringing his speed back up to 80.

    Suddenly, Val sensed an impending attack.

    Whoosh!

    Cutting through the thick corruption, a mysterious force hurtled towards him. The dense corruption amplified the sound it made as it traveled through the air, allowing Val to pinpoint its location and trajectory. The force aimed straight for his head, a conclusion further confirmed by the throbbing sensation emitted by his sixth sense.

    ''Have to dodge it,'' Val thought as his sixth sense was telling him he would die if that thing hit him.

 Chapter 311 308: Val vs the dimension master!

    Chapter 311 308: Val vs the dimension master!

    With blinding speed, Val darted to the right, narrowly evading the attack as it exploded behind him, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

    "You dodged that?" A voice, filled with surprise, echoed through the corrupted air.

    Val lifted his gaze, his Heavenly Eye piercing through the dense corruption, allowing him to clearly see the source of the voice.

    Standing before him was a massive figure, its body covered in ck scales, two mighty wings extending from its back, and two horns protruding from its head. Its muscles were well-defined, exuding a sense of overwhelming power. Despite its intimidating appearance, its face was contorted in an expression of shock, its eyes wide and mouth agape, as if it couldn''t believe what it had just witnessed.

    Val, not one to miss an opportunity to taunt his opponent and aggravate them so that they would make a mistake in anger, smirked and retorted, "You''re a fool for thinking I''ll be slowed down to the point of being hit by such a pathetic attack just because I have entered yourir."

    The giant creature''s shock quickly morphed into anger as it growled, "We will see who is the foolish one."

    With that, it lunged forward, attacking once again. It threw a punch directly at Val. The force that apanied its fist was absolutely overwhelming, filled with a terrifying pressure that seemed as if it had the capability to crush all forms of life caught in its path.

    Val, quick on his feet and sharp in his assessment of the situation, immediately recognized the immense danger presented by the fist of the dimensional master. He realized that confronting this attack head-on would be tantamount to courting death.

    Thus, with no time to spare, Val utilized his incredible speed to deftly sh out of the way, dodging the punch by the narrowest of margins. He was barely an inch away from the oppressive force that enveloped the dimensional master''s fist as he made his evasive maneuver. Not one to miss an opportunity, Val then swiftly advanced forward,unching a powerful counterattack with a fist of his own aimed straight at the dimensional master.

    The dimensional master, in its overconfidence and underestimation of Val''s capabilities, didn''t see the need to dodge the iing punch. It couldn''tprehend how a human, whom it deemed puny and insignificant, could possibly pose any real threat to its colossal and sturdy body.

    However, the very next moment, it was pped in the face by the harshness of reality, and it realized how wrong it was.

    Boom!

    As Val''s fist connected with its body, a violent explosion erupted, sending the dimensional master hurtling through the air and crashing into the castle walls. Like a mere ragdoll, the dimensional master found itself being sted away uncontrobly, its massive form colliding harshly against the sturdy walls of the castle

    Shock and disbelief instantly painted the dimensional master''s face. It was utterly taken aback, having not anticipated that a human''s punch could inflict such severe damage to a being as great as it.

    This unexpected turn of events also served as a harsh and painful lesson for the dimensional master. With a low mutter, it acknowledged its mistake, saying, "I can''t underestimate him."

    Val, having sharp ears and having caught wind of the dimensional master''s admission, couldn''t help but smile triumphantly. He had made his point, and now it was time to drive it home. In a voice filled with mockery and confidence, he responded, "Don''t you think it''s already toote for that realization?"

    Confused by Val''s words, the dimensional master blurted, "What do you mean by that?"

    Val, with a knowing look, pointed at the spot on the dimensional master''s chest where his punch hadnded.

    As the dimensional master''s gaze followed Val''s finger, it discovered a patch of ck fire burning fervently, its mes dancing wildly like thousands of butterfly wings in motion.

    Just then, the aderline lowered and the gut wrenching pain kicked in.

    Kuagh!

    A sharp cry of agony escaped the dimensional master as it felt an intense wave of pain emanating from the burning area.

    In a desperate attempt to extinguish the mes, it tried to utilize the corruptive forces in the surrounding air, but the abyssal hellfire proved to be indomitable.

    Val''s taunting voice filled the space once again, "My abyssal hellfire can''t be put out. Once ittches onto something, it doesn''t stop until it has reduced it to ashes."

    The dimensional master, now in excruciating pain yet unwilling to show weakness, snorted in disdain and defiantly dered, "You''ve greatly underestimated me, human!"

    With a swift and determined motion of its own wing, it sliced its own neck, effectively separating its head from the rest of its body that was caught in fire.

    "What is he up to?" Val was forced to wonder by its weird behavior.

    Val watched as the abyssal fire consumed the dimensional master''s body, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake. However, to his utter surprise, the severed head remained suspended in mid-air, unaffected and determined. Moreover, drawing on the rich and concentrated power from the core of corruption, the head rapidly regenerated a new,pletely unscathed body. The dimension master was once again in top notch condition and ready to fight again!

    Val''s eyes widened in disbelief, "Fuck, this is cheating!" he eximed, frustrated by the turn of events.

    The dimensional master grinned menacingly and retorted, "Cheating? Think what you like, Human. I am just going to make sure you won''t return alive after invading my dimension!"

    As it spoke, the dimensional master, with utmost precision and control, began to weave the force of corruption in the surrounding into tangible form, creating orbs of tumultuous energy.

    These orbs, each pulsating with an immense chaotic force of its own, grew exponentially in size until they resembled gargantuan bombs, potent enough to obliterate homes and reduce them to nothing but rubble.

    "Die!"

    These ominous spheres of destruction, now fully formed and radiating an aura of devastation, were hurled with unerring uracy towards Val as the dimensional master shouted menacingly.

    The path of each was meticulously calcted, intending to box Val in and leave no room for escape. With this attack, it was confident it could kill him.

    "You want to kill me with this? You''re being overconfident!" Val eximed.

    Understanding the magnitude of the threat these orbs posed, Val knew he couldn''t afford to be hit by even a single one. But he was not worried as he was confident in his ability to dodge them.

    In an instant, he burst out with all the speed he could muster. As a result, he was moving so fast that his figure blurred out of existence. Like a phantom, he weaved through the rain of chaotic orbs, dodging them all while rapidly closing the distance between himself and the towering dimensional master.

    "World Shattering Fist!" Val roared, as heunched his signature attack. His fist, engulfed in fierce, crimson mes, streaked through the air like a meteor, aiming directly at the face of the dimensional master.

    He had learned from his previous mistake!

    He went directly from its head.

    If its head was destroyed, it would die! He had confirmed it when he inspected it with the Detect Skill!

    The dimensional master, sensing the immense power behind Val''s attack, didn''t dare to take it head-on. With a swift motion, it raised its hand and created a barrier of pure ck energy, positioned to intercept Val''s Crimson ze Fist.

    Val''s powerful punchnded on the barrier, and immediately, an explosion of fire burst out. However, the barrier proved to be more resilient than expected, as it deflected the mes straight back towards Val.

    Seeing Val caught in his own mes, the dimensional master couldn''t help but smile triumphantly. In its eyes, Val''s defeat was already sealed; it could already visualize him being consumed by his own mes.

    However, the very next moment, something so unexpected happened that the dimensional master''s jaw almost hit the ground in shock. "Impossible! How could he be unharmed?!" it screamed internally, itsical expression of disbelief almost cartoonish.

    The reflected wave of abyssal me parted ways, creating an opening that revealed Val,pletely unharmed and standing confidently in the air using wizardry with a petty and taunting smile on his face.

    "Really? That was your grand n? To reflect my attack back at me? I have to say, I''m pretty disappointed. For a being that calls itself a dimension master, you really are quite weak," Val taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.

    Without missing a beat, Val manipted the abyssal mes that surrounded him, redirecting them towards the dimensional master. The waves of fire, now under Val''smand, cleverly maneuvered around the barrier, engulfing the dimensional master in a sea of mes.

    Argh!

    The air was filled with its pained roars as the abyssal mes hungrily consumed it.

    Its entire body was caught on fire, including its hideous face.

    There was no literally no surviving this.

    "I have won." Val said confidently.

 Chapter 312 309: Fully Charged

    Chapter 312 309: Fully Charged

    "I won''t be defeated so easily! I will drag you down to hell with me!" the dimensional master, fueled by rage and desperation, roared defiantly in its final moments.

    Drawing as much power as it could from the core of corruption, it had prepared an attack of epic proportions, which appeared to be a massive sphere of chaotic energy.

    This sphere was the dimensional master''sst and most powerful attack. And with a final, enraged scream, itunched the sphere towards Val, intent on taking him out, even if it meant mutual destruction. It dared to do this as it was going to die anyway.

    The sphere, carrying with it an aura of sheer terror and magnitude, was incrediblyrge, dwarfing Val in its massive size.

    Whoosh!

    It propelled through the air at an rming rate, cutting through the thick atmosphere with ease, its momentum unfazed by anything in its path.

    Val, standing his ground, assessed the situation with a calm yet critical eye. He knew that even even with his agility standing at an impressive 80 points, dodging such a rapid and gargantuan and fast attack would be impossible. He quickly evaluated his options, considering the use of his Titan''s Reinforcement ability. However, he immediately dismissed it, knowing that even with the boost it provided, it would not be enough to outpace the iing attack.

    His attention then shifted to the Strength Amplification Bracelet, a powerful artifact that had the potential to tip the scales in his favor. This item, if activated, could grant him the necessary speed to outmaneuver the orb. However, it was not without its drawbacks, as utilizing such power woulde at the expense of his own lifespan. Val was not prepared to make such a drastic sacrifice, especially when he believed there was a more efficient and risk-free method to counteract this devastating attack.

    It was to sit back and rx and depend entirely on his Emberme Bracelet.

    With a look of disdain and confidence etched across his face, Val turned his attention back to the Dimensional Master and uttered confidently, "Fool! You''ve just hastened your own demise!"

    The Dimensional Master, upon hearing Val''s bold promation, felt a sudden surge of bafflement and a chilling sense of foreboding enveloping its being. A wave of realization hit it, and it understood that something was about to go horribly wrong. Its moment of triumph, which it thought was within grasp, was on the verge of slipping away, and it couldn''tprehend what trickery Val had up his sleeve.

    In the critical moment when the Dimensional Master''s final and most formidable attack was mere inches away from Val, the Emberme Bracelet on Val''s wrist sprang to life all by itself thanks to the rune Val had enchanted it with earlier. The bracelet, adorned with intricate runes, emitted a blinding light as it absorbed the entire chaotic orb, leaving no trace of the once formidable attack.

    The area was suddenly calm, as if a storm had just passed!

    The Dimensional Master''s eyes widened in utter disbelief, its face twisting into aical expression of shock and confusion. "How�� How is this possible?!" it eximed, its voiceced with disbelief and a hint of desperation.

    Val, standing unscathed with a smug smile gracing his lips, coolly responded, "You seem to be amazed too soon. That spectacle you just witnessed? That was merely the first act. Now, prepare yourself, for the grand finale is about to unfold."

    Before the Dimensional Master could process what Val meant and without the need for any further action from Val, the Emberme Bracelet, now glowing even more intensely, activated its secondary effect. The bracelet unleashed a torrent of destructive energy, equal to the power of the absorbed chaotic orb, directly onto the Dimensional Master.

    Caughtpletely off guard and with no time to react, the Dimensional Master''s form began to crumble and disintegrate, much like a sandcastle at the shore being eroded away by an unstoppable wave.

    It was a sight to behold. The once fearsome and towering figure was now nothing more than dust in the wind, utterly annihted by the clever use of an enchanted bracelet and Val''s strategic foresight.

    A notification from the system echoed in Val''s mind, clear and resounding, "Congrattions! You have sessfully vanquished the Ultimate Guardian of the Lesser Dimension. You get +25k EXP, and All-Stats Enhancing pill!]

    The message was apanied by a satisfying chime, signifying the end of a treacherous battle.

    In the wake of the Dimensional Master''s demise, Val was rewarded generously.

    The will of the world granted him two unique items materialized before him. The first was named "Orb of Abyssal Twilight," a mysterious dark sphere emanating an ethereal glow. The second was "Crest of Celestial Dawn," a radiant emblem shimmering with a divine light. Intriguingly, these items held a profound connection to the concepts of light and dark, and they possessed a peculiar requirement for activation.

    They could only be utilized when an individual with devilish roots copted with someone of divine lineage.

    They could be used to upgrade both parties'' bloodlines.

    Instantaneously, Val''s thoughts shifted to Eliana. He realized that she was the perfect partner for him to use these items with.

    "What is this I am feeling?"

    When he thought about her, an unfamiliar yet warm sensation blossomed in his chest. For a moment, he was perplexed, unable to decipher this strange feeling that seemed to envelop him. It was a feeling so foreign that he had almost forgotten its existence. However, drawing upon his knowledge of human emotions, he finally understood what it was.

    "I am missing her," he thought, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

    He yearned to see her gentle smile once again, to feel her loving embrace, to be cared for by her. He wanted nothing more than to return to her side, to hold her close.

    He thought that it was pathetic, but he had grown fond of her.

    Anyways, with the main task nowpleted, only a few more steps remained before he could return home, return to her side.

    ****

    Back at the battlefield, the army of sand soldiers, previously locked inbat with Oliver, Alfred, and Rowan, suddenly froze.

    Their movements halted abruptly, leaving the trio baffled and uncertain.

    "What''s going on?" Oliver eximed.

    "Why have they suddenly stopped moving?" Alfred wondered aloud, his gaze fixated on the now motionless sand soldiers.

    "Maybe Val has seeded," Rowan uttered, a hint of hope in his voice.

    "Don''t be ridiculous," Alfred retorted, skepticismcing his words. "Only two minutes have passed since we separated. How could he have defeated the master of this dimension already?"

    But before any more doubts could be voiced, the sand soldiers crumbled apart, transforming back into mere grains of sand that scattered across the desert floor.

    Seeing this, all doubts were erased from their hearts.

    They were no certain that Val had seeded. In a mere matter of minutes, he had vanquished the fearsome master of the lesser dimension!

    Relief washed over them, and Oliver copsed onto the ground, exhausted. "Finally, some rest!"

    Alfred followed suit,ying down beside him.

    "Shouldn''t we be more careful?" Rowan said.

    "Just enjoy the moment," Alfred said with a grin on his face. "Besides, Val will close this dimension soon. There''s not much we can do but chill out."

    "Alright, then."

    Taking Alfred''s words to heart, Rowan too decided toy down, embracing the moment of respite.

    *****

    Back in the castle, Val utilized his Heavenly Eye skill to scan the interior. His gaze pierced through the thick walls until he located the Core of Corruption, situated at the very top floor of the castle, resting inside a box ced upon a table. Rapidly, he flew towards it.

    Soon, the Core of Corruption was in his hand. With a thought, he transported himself to the Shrine of Evil, where Gruul greeted him, "Wee, master. What brings you here today?"

    Val presented the Core of Corruption, asking, "What do you think? Will this be enough?"

    Gruul scrutinized the core before finally nodding in approval. "The energy inside is enough to fully charge the artifact."

    Without hesitation, Val fed the energy from the core to the Door of Guidance. The empty spots on the door illuminated with resplendent light, signaling its activation.

    A notification from the system rang out in his ears, [You may now use the Door of Guidance to be directed to a dimension where you can upgrade your first ss.]

    Val''s lips stretched into a barely noticeable smile.

    Gruul, curious, asked, "Will you use it now?"

    "No," Shaking his head, Val replied, "I have some other matters to attend to first."

    He collected the remnants of the Core of Corruption, now reduced to a unique pile of ash, and stored it in his pocket dimension.

    Now, Why did he do that?

    Well, this residue would serve as undeniable proof that he had closed the dimension. By showcasing this proof, would get rewarded by Lord Lucious with a potion of his choosing! He was looking forward to it.

 Chapter 313 310: End of Dimension Arc!

    Chapter 313 310: End of Dimension Arc!

    With everything in order, Val stepped out of the Shrine of Evil, returning to the dimension which was now crumbling as it had lost the core that was supporting its existence and expansion.

    The castle had copsed. The sky above was shattering, sending fragments falling towards the ground, which itself was tearing apart, creating gaping chasms. The entire scene resembled something from an apocalyptic movie,plete with destruction and chaos.

    The copse of a dimension was a catastrophic event, one that could easily im the lives of any beings below the advanced level. Val''s sixth sense was ring rms in his head, warning him that he would die if he didn''t find a way out of the dimension anytime soon. However, Val stood unfazed amidst the chaos. He had unwavering trust in the will of the world. He had absolute trust that the will of the world would guide him to safety.

    And just as he expected, the will of the world, an ethereal and omnipotent force, washed over him, enveloping him and every other being in the dimension in its gentle embrace. In the next moment, they were expelled from the dimension, finding themselves in Eldrich.

    There was no barrier around the dimension, they noticed. So they were able to see it copsing in on itself, and it was horrifying to say the least.

    More horrifying than that was that they were not the only ones to be expelled; the monsters of the dimension were also teleported outside.

    "Damn it, Marshall was supposed to deal with these creatures, but now he''s nowhere to be found! We''ll have to clean up his mess."

    The wizards and bloodline warriors cursed Marshall''s name, frustrated that they now had to fight these monsters themselves.

    Without wasting a moment, the battle between the humans and the monsters of the dimensionmenced.

    During the chaos, someone pointed towards a certain monster, eximing, "The treasure of the dimension is in the possession of that one! Attack and im it!"

    Val''s gaze followed the direction of the pointing finger,nding on a face that was all too familiar. It was the leader of the army he had once deeply offended back in the dimension. A group of eager and greedy adventurers charged at the monster, seeking to im the treasure for themselves. However, they were swiftly and ruthlessly taken down by its subordinates.

    Oliver and Alfred, observing the scene, couldn''t help butment on the foolishness of the adventurers. "They got themselves killed because of their greed. Did they really think they could snatch the treasure with all those monsters guarding it?" they remarked, shaking their heads in disbelief.

    Phewfu!

    Suddenly, a whistle pierced through the air. It was Val, attempting to draw the attention of the monsters.

    The leader of the Ashtines, recognizing Val, eximed, "Well, isn''t this a surprise? The dimension copses, and yet here you are, crossing paths with me again. I''m going to avenge my brethren and kill you right here!"

    Val responded with a smirk, "I think you''ll find that the unlucky one is you."

    "Bullshit," the leader of the Ashtines spat, before ordering his army, "Show him what hell looks like!"

    The archers nocked their arrows, loosing a veritable rain of death towards Val. Simultaneously, the Ashtine warriors charged, weapons drawn. The onlookers could only stare in horror, realizing that even if they survived the arrows, they would be ughtered by the warriors. There seemed to be no way out.

    "Don''t worry. I got this," Val assured them confidently.

    With a swift motion, he pushed his hands forward, and waves of abyssal hellfire erupted from his palms.

    The arrows, the first to meet these waves, were instantly reduced to ashes.

    But the waves of fire didn''t stop there.

    They continued on their path of destruction, colliding with the Ashtine warriors head-on, melting their flesh and bones.

    "Un-fucking-believable!"

    The onlookers'' eyes widened in disbelief, threatening to pop out of their sockets as they witnessed the unbelievable scene before them.

    Countless Ashtines warriors were reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye.

    "Is this even real? My elite knights, capable of standing against tens of thousands, wiped out by a single move from him?" the Ashtine leader muttered, his face a mask of shock and disbelief, his previous confidence nowhere to be found.

    Val, the cause of all the chaos and death, calmly stated, "Numbers don''t matter when dealing with a being like me. You made a mistake. Now, you''re going to get punished for it."

    With a mere thought, he manipted the mes that were under his control, willing them to jump towards the archers situated behind the Ashtine leader. The mes, fluttering like the wings of a butterfly, eagerlyplied with hismand. They pounced on the vast wave of monsters with the ferocity of hungry beasts, engulfing them in a fiery inferno.

    The monsters were rapidly reduced to piles of ashes, leaving nothing behind. Even those ashes were not spared, as every trace of their existence was erased from the face of the world. It was a clean sweep, a disy of overwhelming power

    Now, of the once formidable army of Ashtines, only the leader remained. And he was staring at Val with eyes wide with horror. The monster''s face was pallid, and his confidence from earlier had vanished, reced by a paralyzing fear. Val licked his lips. He could almost taste the terror emanating from him.

    "Pathetic."

    With a smirk, Val made his move. He leaped towards him, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.

    The Ashtine leader, ovee with fear but also driven by it, swung his sword at Val in a desperateattempt to protect himself.

    Val, unimpressed and unfazed, effortlessly caught the de with his hand before applying just enough pressure to crush it, rendering it useless. Without missing a beat, he struck the leader dead, ending the life of thest standing member of the Ashtine army.

    Immediately after, a notification appeared in Val''s vision, enclosed within brackets. It read, [Ding! Congrattions, Host. You have annihted an army of Ashtines. You have gained tens of thousands of experience points." Val couldn''t help but smirk at the message; it was a satisfying conclusion to the battle.

    With the Ashtine leader now defeated, Val proceeded to search his body. His efforts were rewarded when he discovered the treasure that had been birthed in the dimension. Without a second thought, he pocketed it, iming it as his own.

    However, his actions did not go unnoticed, and not everyone was pleased with this turn of events.

    Someone from the crowd, emboldened by greed, voiced theirint, "You''re just going to take it for yourself?"

    Val''s gaze shifted to the man, sharp and piercing. The man, feeling the weight of Val''s stare, trembled uncontrobly. Val, his voice cold and unyielding, responded, "Why? You want to fight me for it?"

    The man, realizing the gravity of his mistake, rapidly shook his head. He dared not challenge Val.

    "I thought so," Val said, his voiceced with equal part mockery and satisfication.

    After witnessing Val''s overwhelming power and how easily he had decimated the Ashtines, the remaining monsters in the surroundings decided to flee, not wanting to share the same fate as the army. This sudden turn of events finally gave the low-level wizards and the bloodline users of levels one to three from the Northern Frontier the opportunity to catch their breath. Exhausted and relieved, they sat down, their bodies and minds finally getting a much-needed rest.

    However, it didn''t take long for them to notice that something was amiss. The air, which should have been warm andforting, was unnaturally cold. It was a biting cold that seemed to cut right through them, making every breath they took feel disturbing and uneasy.

    "Doesn''t the environment feel off to you guys?" one of them finally voiced out, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the group.

    Heads nodded in agreement all around, with worried nces being exchanged. "It''s colder than it should be for summer, but it''s not as cold as winter should be. It feels like that transition period that starts at the end of September," Alfred observed thoughtfully.

    "No way, right?" Rowan chuckled nervously, trying to dismiss the unsettling feeling. "We entered the dimension around July, and we''ve only been there for three days. There''s no way around three months have passed outside!"

    But before they could delve deeper into their spections and concerns, the environment took an even more dramatic turn. The clear sky overhead, which had been basking them in the warmth of the golden sun, suddenly darkened. Dark thunder clouds appeared out of nowhere, looming ominously above them. And then it started rumbling. These clouds were so unique they were recognizable at a nce. They were tribtion clouds. The breakthrough of someone with a very powerful bloodline had triggered their appearance!

    "Heavenly Tribtion? Whose is it?" Oliver questioned, his eyes widening in rm.

    "It''s mine," Val replied calmly, his eyes fixated on the brewing storm above.

 Chapter 314 311: Vals heavenly tribulation!

    Chapter 314 311: Val''s heavenly tribtion!

    Val had broken through to the next level of his White Devil ss inside the lesser dimension, where thews were different than in Eldrich. Thus, the tribtion hadn''t triggered at that time.

    Normally, one couldn''t upgrade their bloodline without facing the tribtion, but Val had used a very rare item, making the upgrade possible. However, this didn''t mean he had found a way to legitimize his power. He still needed to gain the eptance of the will of the White Devil residing in his bloodline by passing the tribtion.

    If he failed, the power of the Abyssal Hellfire would be stripped from him, and he would degrade back to level 3!

    Lastly, it should also be mentioned that the tribtion hadn''t begun immediately after he was teleported out of the copsing dimension because its implosion had temporarily affected thews of Eldrich.

    Now that thews had stabilized, the tribtion could finally take ce.

    "Head straight for the frontier. I''ll catch up with you all once I''ve passed the tribtion," he stated decisively.

    Oliver, albeit reluctantly, nodded in agreement. He could sense that something was amiss with the atmosphere in the Verdant Deepwood Forest. An uneasy feeling lingered in the air,pelling him to leave the area as swiftly as possible. Knowing what was most important at this moment, he took charge, leading the group back towards the safety of the frontier.

    Meanwhile, Val wasted no time. He moved as fast as his legs could carry him, with the ominous tribtion clouds trailing close behind him. He knew he needed to put some distance between himself and the others to ensure their safety.

    Upon reaching the peak of a distant hill, Val came to a halt and swiftly pulled out Voidyer, his trusted weapon. Voidyer, sensing the changes in the environment and the imminent danger, spoke up, "That''s quite a tribtion you''ve summoned, master."

    "I didn''t have much of a choice. My bloodline is so pure that every tribtion is ten to a hundred times harder than what others face at my level. You ready to tackle it?" Val questioned, his voice steady.

    "Count me ready," Voidyer responded confidently.

    Without any further dy, the sky began to rumble ominously, signaling the beginning of the tribtion. A bolt of lightning, significantly smaller than the ones Val had faced in his previous heavenly tribtion, descended from the sky. However, despite its reduced size, it was ten times more powerful and deadly, capable of rending him asunder.

    Reacting swiftly, Val activated the power of his strength-amplified bracelet. For the next three minutes, all his stats soared to 120, enhancing his abilities exponentially. The world around him seemed to slow down, including the descent of the lightning bolt from the sky.

    "It''s all you, buddy." Val said.

    "Leave it to me, master." Voidyer replied.

    With precision and speed, Val tossed Voidyer towards the iing threat.

    Voidyer, living up to its reputation, activated its special effect to bypass everything and chop apart anything it encountered. The lightning bolt, engulfed in the aura of the tribtion, was cleanly split in two.

    The divided bolts struck the trees on either side of Val, reducing them to ashes instantaneously.

    Val took a moment to catch his breath. Then, he looked up at the sky.

    The tribtion was showing no sigh of waning.

    It meant that there were two parts to his venomous-natured Heavenly Tribtion. Although he had survived the first onehe still had to face the second part and emerge victorious to gain the acknowledgment.

    Rumble!

    The skies overhead underwent a swift and drastic transformation, bathing the surroundingndscape in a vivid and intense emerald hue.

    Oncr again, Val found himself in the midst of a perilous situation.

    A colossal beam of thunder, its width alone spanning hundreds of feet, descended from the heavens with a terrifying force. Val, relying on his exceptional speed and reflexes, managed to narrowly escape the attack''s range in the veryst possible moment.

    Boom!

    The hill, which had been his previous location just moments ago, was not as fortunate; it took the full force of the thunderous assault, resulting in it beingpletely ttened and obliterated.

    Against all odds, Val had managed to survive this terrifying ordeal, a feat that left him breathing heavily with relief and adrenaline coursing through his veins. Despite this victory, the situation was far from resolved.

    The tribtion cloud still hung heavily in the sky, creating an oppressive atmosphere that weighed heavily on Val''s shoulders.

    The tribtion was still going on!

    "Don''t tell me it''s extra hard."

    Val couldn''t shake the feeling that his particr trial was proving to be exceptionally more challenging than usual.

    His apprehensions were quickly confirmed when the remnants of the destroyed hill began to stir.

    The rubble,prised of dirt, rocks, and debris, rose from the ground, taking on new and menacing forms. In an instant, sharp, rocky weapons, created from the very earth itself, hung in the air, poised to strike.

    At the same time, the natural world around him seemed to turn against him as well.

    Leaves detached themselves from the branches of trees, and des of grass were uprooted from the forest floor.

    All of these elements, under the influence of the tribtion''s aura, transformed, bing as hard and sharp as des before they joined the rocky weapons in their charge towarfs Val.

    Countless sharp objects were onverging towards Val from every conceivable angle.

    In this dire situation, speed was no longer an advantage.

    There was nowhere to run; no blind spots to exploit. It was as if the entire world was conspiring to end his life.

    Yet, in the face of such overwhelming adversity, a smile broke out on Val''s face.

    Retreat was not an option, but he still had one card left to y �C the age-old adage that attack is the best form of defense

    "Take this and disappear!"

    From Val, positioned at the very center of this chaotic storm, a wave of abyssal mes burst forth. The mes, dark and ominous, spread rapidly, creating a protective barrier around him. As the iing attacks �C the sharp rocks and hardened leaves �C met the wave of mes, they were instantly incinerated, reduced to nothing more than ash.

    In an instant, the myriad threats to Val''s life were eradicated.

    The sea of green light that had dominated the sky began to fade, and the tribtion cloud, its energy spent, vanished from existence.

    Tranquility returned to the Verdent Deepwood Forest, the sun once again gracing thend with its warm and reassuring presence.

    In the aftermath of this intense battle for survival, a notification appeared in Val''s field of vision. The words written on it were clear and concise, [Congrattions, Host! You have survived the Venomous Natured Heavenly Tribtion. You have gained the fourth acknowledgment of the White Devil. The Abyssal me has permanently be a part of your being.]

    Basically, as Val had ovee the tribtion, his innate ss level had now stabilized at level 4,

    Feeling a deep sense of satisfaction from surviving the tribtion without a single hitch, Val moved swiftly to retrieve Voidyer from where it hadnded in the depths of the forest.

    His heart was light and his steps were swift as he made his way back to rejoin the group.

    Upon his arrival, Oliver was the first to feel relieved. Rowan and Alfred, too, couldn''t hide their feelings of relief and happiness. The rest of the group, though not as close to Val, shared these sentiments to some extent. Val had, after all, yed a crucial role in saving them from the monstrous threats of the lesser dimension. So, even though he had monopolized the treasures birthed in the dimension for himself, there was no bitterness or hatred in their hearts. They were simply d to have him back, alive and well.

    Together, as a united front, they made their way back to the Northern Frontier, their spirits lifted and their steps light.

    The guards stationed at the station next to the entrance of the lower city were taken aback at their sudden appearance.

    Marshall, who was present at the scene, looked as if he had seen a ghost.

    Stumbling forward, he mumbled in disbelief, "You''re alive?"

    Rowan, never one to miss an opportunity for a cheeky remark, quipped, "Duh, if we were dead, what would you be seeing? Ghosts?"

    Alfred couldn''t help but offer a silent prayer for Rowan in his mind, knowing full well that speaking so disrespectfully in Marshall''s presence was like ying with fire. He braced himself for the storm toe, certain that Rowan''s days in the frontier were about to be a lot less pleasant.

    But, surprisingly, the storm never came. Marshall was so ovee with emotion that he didn''t have the time or the inclination to be petty. Instead, he looked at them with a mixture of relief and confusion, his eyes searching theirs for answers.

    "Sir, what''s going on?" Val asked, his voiceced with concern.

 Chapter 315 312: The dreadful truth!

    Chapter 315  312: The dreadful truth!

    Oliver, his face etched with concern and frustration, took a step forward, eyes fixed on Marshall. "You assured us that once we close the dimension, you''d handle whatever was left behind. But when we followed through, you were nowhere in sight. What happened? Where were you when we needed you the most? If it wasn''t for Brother Val fending off those monsters that were expelled from the lesser dimension alongside us, we might not have made it back alive!"

    Oliver''s words were not only sharp like a de but also direct and carried a weight of usation, stabbing Marshall where it hurt the most.

    To better understand what Marshall was feeling right now, one must know that although Marshall was the strongest intermediate-rank bloodline user in the entire frontier, he also had his fears.

    His greatest fear was disappointing his masters.

    His masters were the members of the main family of the Thunderspear tribe and it included Oliver, the youngest son of the Thunder Lord.

    Although Oliver had left the Thunderspear tribe with Lord Lucious years ago, Marshall had always regarded him as the youngest young master of the tribe. After all, Oliver was never truly expelled from the tribe. The Thunder Lord had never said anything like that. There were indeed rumors like these, but they were spread by the other young masters of the tribe to undermine Oliver''s authority, dirty his reputation, and make it impossible for him to ever return and gain a foothold in the tribe.

    At that time, there were two types of people. The first ones were the ignorant ones. They fell for it as they didn''t know the truth. The second type of people simply epted the lies as the truth as they have been bought by the people with malicious intentions.

    But who was Marshall? He was the direct servant of the Thunder Lord. He wasn''t ignorant about the truth of the matters rted to the tribe. And he couldn''t be bought by any of the young masters.

    He was as loyal to Oliver as he was to the other two young masters of the main family of the tribe. Although he didn''t dare to intervene in their matters under the explicit orders of the Thunder Lord, he still held them in high regard in his heart as they were the future of the tribe.

    Not to mention, Marshall had seen Oliver grow up and had witnessed his transition from a young, depressed, and almost suicidal boy to the strong, determined man he is today. In other words, their bond was deep, built over years of shared experiences and mutual respect. So, to see Oliver now, questioning him with such intensity, it was more than just a blow to his pride; it was a wound to his heart, a piercing pain that went beyond the surface.

    Now that Oliver was clearly showing that he was disappointed with how Marshall had handled things,Marshall was left feeling like his worst fears hade true.

    "I-I am sorry."

    Marshall could only stare back at them apologetically.

    His eyes, however, were filled with a myriad of other emotions and were heavy with words left unsaid.

    He was actually so overwhelmed that he found himself holding his breath after apologizing.

    He was not sure of how to start exining the truth to the confused crowd.

    Because he knew that the truth would be too much for the young victorious heroes who had returned mentally and physically exhausted from the expedition, he kept silent, lowered his head, and apologized again.

    Val and several other onlookers who had a high level of perception could sense the turmoil within Marshall, and their guts churned with unease.

    They had a foreboding feeling that whatever had transpired during their absence from the Frontier was far from good.

    The potential answers that they might be given, they realized, might not be easy to swallow. It could be devastating, even to the point of breaking them mentally.

    One of the lower city guards could no longer bear it. The sight of their captain apologizing not once but twice when he wasn''t even in the wrong to begin with was too hurtful to watch.

    So he decided to speak up for him and make things right.

    "Captain Marshall isn''t the one you should be pointing your fingers at." As he opened his mouth, the silence that hung heavily in the air was broken, and all eyes turned to him. Although he was being stared at by a group of wronged people, he continued speaking with a calm voice that was tinged with a sense of solemnity. "He waited. In the forest, against all odds and beyond the rmended time. Even when others lost hope, even when it seemed like all was lost, he believed in your victory. He didn''t abandon his post. Day in, day out, fighting monsters, covered in wounds, he stayed. He was ready to provide reinforcement the moment you stepped out. But two months passed, and there was no sign of you. Yet, he was willing to wait even longer. But as the captain of the lower city guards, his duties called him elsewhere. He couldn''t be allowed to wait indefinitely for what seemed like a lost cause. In the end, he was forced to return, under the direct orders of his eminence, the Lord of Thunder."

    The words were spoken by a guard stationed at the station, a man of average looks, with brown hair and brown eyes. The tag on his chest carried his name. Val''s eyes blinked as he captured what was written there.

    This calm guy was... Ilyan.

    The onlookers were dumbfounded upon hearing Ilyan''s words.

    Rowan''s eyes widened in shock.

    "Wait, what? He waited for two whole months? But...but it''s only been some days since we entered the dimension! How...how is that even possible?" Rowan was so shocked that he spoke like a broken radio.

    "No," Marshall finally found the courage to say what must be said. He uttered the harsh truth in a low voice that carried aplex mix of emotions. "It''s actually been three months since you entered the lesser dimension. The winter is upon us."

    His words left the group utterly stunned.

 Chapter 316 313: New Rule!

    Chapter 316 313: New Rule!

    As the cold truth set in, the expedition party was struck with the harsh reality of their situation.

    Winter, the most dreaded time of the year in Victoria Kingdom, was just around the corner, and they were utterly unprepared.

    Their hearts sank.

    Their despair wasn''t unfounded.

    What was the hardest time of the year?

    If you asked any citizen in the kingdom this question, they would unanimously agree that winter was the most challenging time of the year.

    Eldrich''s winters were abnormal. The days would dwindle, giving way to extended hours of darkness, creating a perfect yground for devils to wreak havoc across the Victoria Kingdom. Confrontations with these menacing creatures in the days of winter were inevitable, and everyone had to be on their toes, prepared for the worst.

    But during winter, the dark days and devilish disturbances were not the only worries.

    There was a much graver threat that loomed in the form of a potential invasion.

    If the temperatures dropped low enough in the northern regions, the Emerald Ocean that served as a natural barrier between the Victoria Kingdom and the devil realm would freeze over, creating a pathway for the devilish hordes to invade!

    The kingdom still bore the scars from a decade ago, when the Durcalians had traversed the frozen expanse andunched a brutal attack. It took the mobilization of the entire kingdom''s forces to fend them off and ensure the survival of the realm. The aftermath was bloody; countless lives were lost, painting the forests red with the blood of the fallen

    Aware of these looming threats, the citizens of the frontiers wouldmence their preparations before the arrival of winter, spending all their wealth to procure necessities that would increase their chances of survival during winter.

    Moreover, this ritualistic preparation was done for one more reason. It was crucial because prices would skyrocket during winter, with essential items doubling or even tripling in cost.

    Now, most of the members of the expedition party had ventured into the lesser dimension with the goal of acquiring treasures to sell, thereby gathering the funds necessary for their winter preparations. However, the harsh environment of the dimension proved to be more challenging than anticipated, and their haul was minimal.

    But they still remained positive.

    Back then, they believed there was ample time to prepare, but the revtion that winter was mere weeks away left them in a state of shock.

    They would have to face the dangers of winter unprepared.

    No doubt, the chances of them dying were high, as high as a mountain!

    Devastation was evident on their faces as they grappled with their new reality.

    "What are we going to do? How are we going to survive the winter with so little time to prepare?" they questioned amongst themselves, paning their voices.

    Feeling the weight of the situation, one of them eximed with trembling lips and tears in their eyes, "No one told us there was such a disparity of time between the lesser dimension and our world. It''s unfair. You shouldpensate us!"

    used wrongly, Ilyan immediately spoke up to defend himself and his group.

    "You''ve got to understand, cing me on us for this unforeseen circumstance just isn''t fair. Nobody, and I mean absolutely nobody, saw thising. Our extensive research and studies, spanning centuries and generations, have all pointed towards a consistent pattern in lesser dimensions �C the time disparity has always ranged from 1 day to a maximum of 3 days whenpared to the time flow in our world. There hasn''t been a single recorded incident, not one in all our lengthy annals of history, where the disparity stretched as far and wide as it did in this lesser dimension. This urrence, it''s an anomaly, a first of its kind, and it caught us all off guard."

    With that, it was rified that the side who held the expedition wasn''t at fault.

    The expedition party understood that Marshall and the other officials of the frontier weren''t in the wrong. It is just that they were too unlucky. They stopped resenting them.

    However, the panic in their heart wasn''t quelled.

    The winter was approaching, bringing with it an air of uncertainty and danger. And they werepletely unprepared.

    What happens to a person who is unprepared in the face of danger? In a dire situation, such a person would die ten out of ten times.

    Thinking so, their panic only intensified.

    Their minds raced, overwhelmed by the gravity of their predicament.

    The chilling thought of defecting crossed some of their minds.

    While they were well aware that defecting carried severe penalties, it offered a glimmer of hope��a chance at survival.

    If they managed to escape undetected and start living undercover, they would lose all privileges that their current identity provided them but they would make it out alive.

    On the other hand, facing the winter unprepared was akin to walking willingly into the jaws of death. They would certainly die.

    What to do?

    Amidst the tumultuous storm of thoughts and fears, silent nces were exchanged within the group.

    Each nce was heavy with words.

    Wordlessmunication flowed between them as they weighed their limited options.

    It was at this moment that Marshall''s gaze swept across the crowd, piercing through the veil of panic. His eyes, sharp and discerning, seemed to delve into their very souls, reading their innermost thoughts and fears.

    "Worry not, the frontier provides for its brave warriors. Since you''ve returned victorious from the expedition, great rewards await you." Recognizing the signs of despair and contemtion of defection, he spoke up to reassure them.

    The expedition party exchanged confused nces. What was Marshall talking about? What rewards? At the thought of rewards, their eyes brightened. Their minds, previously clouded by panic, now buzzed with curiosity.

    Marshall turned to Ilyan, "Ilyan, please exin the newly implemented rule to them. They deserve to know."

    Following hismand, Ilyan, with aposed demeanor, began exining the newly implemented rule that had been set in ce a few months ago to the expedition party.

 Chapter 317 314: New Rule 2

    Chapter 317 314: New Rule 2

    He shared that the God of Light hadmunicated with the prophet of the Thunderspear tribe, delivering a grave message.

    "The god of light foretold of a cmity soon to descend upon the Northern Frontier, manifesting in the form of a dimension. He warned that the appearance of this dimension would bring about significant changes to the Northern Region, transforming the world of the northerners beyond recognition," Ilyan narrated, his voice steady, ensuring everyone could grasp the gravity of the situation.

    "He emphasized that if this dimension was allowed to persist, its influence would spread like a gue, not just affecting the frontier but also reaching the outer and inner regions, and eventually, even the divine capital would not be spared."

    For a while, the people who were ignorant of this sensational news up until this point couldn''t believe it.

    There were two reasons behind their disbelief.

    Firstly, in their mind, the kingdom was the strongest fortress under the heavens.

    Despite being at war with the Durcal Empire for countless years, the kingdom had only grown, its reach extending outwards.

    So how could its existence be threatened?!

    Their mindset was pitifully simr to Queen Victoria''s. When she first heard this news, she had the same thought.

    And had dismissed the ramblings of the prophet as mere nonsense.

    Secondly, in thest two decades, the God of Light has only spoken directly to the pope. However, there have been rare instances in history where hemunicated directly with his followers, thest of which urred half a century ago.

    Those individuals who had heard the voice of God were bestowed with the title of prophet.

    A prophet had appeared on the frontier, dering the impending arrival of this unforeseen cmity.

    There was no tangible evidence to validate the prophet''s ims, leaving room for doubt about the authenticity of the message.

    Nevertheless, when it was a matter of life and death, one could afford to take chances!

    Ilyan exined how the news had created ripples throughout the kingdom.

    The nobles from both the inner and outer regions advocated for immediate action, urging that the matter be taken seriously.

    In the divine capital, a coalition of ministers and a robust line of officials from the Queen''s court submitted a petition, imploring that the words of the prophet be given due consideration.

    Even the church, despite its initial confusion and concern over why the god of light had chosen not tomunicate directly with the pope on such a crucial matter, adopted a semi-neutral stance, avoiding unnecessarymotion and urging the Queen to do what was necessary for her people.

    "As a result, our Queen, heeding the will of her people and the counsel of her advisors, issued a decree that has marked the beginning of a new era in our kingdom," Ilyan stated.

    He went on to describe the monumental change that the decree had brought about.

    Unlike before, when rewards for closing dimensions andpleting dungeons were solely granted by the world''s will, individuals would now also receivepensation from the kingdom.

    It was rified, though, that this incentive program was applicable only to dungeons and dimensions situated near the frontier.

    To be more specific, onlypleting dungeons and dimensions found in the Wysmire Mountain Range and the Verdant Deepwood Forest would double rewards. Participating in dungeon clearing or dimension closing activities in other parts of the kingdom would not yield double rewards.

    That being said, the act of closing a lesser dimension was now associated with a generous array of benefits.

    "Anyways, since you returned from closing the lesser dimension after the decree was issued, it means that you are entitled to these rewards," Ilyan finished exining, "They would be rewarded to you in due time."

    Moving forward, he also revealed how much they would be rewarded with.

    "Thank God," eximed the members of the expedition group, their faces lighting up with relief as they were promised to be awarded thousands of contribution points upon their return to the Frontier.

    With such a substantial amount of points, they could now afford to acquire a cursed artifact or two.

    The pervasive feeling of unease that had previously tightened its grip around their hearts now began to dissipate.

    Just then, the train pulled up at the station, its carriages filled to the brim. Countless new faces emerged, stepping onto the tform with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. They were new faces indeed, unfamiliar to the regrs of the frontier.

    Oliver, standing among the crowd, felt a wave of surprise wash over him. His eyes scanned over the neers, his mind racing to make sense of the situation. With years of living in thesends under his belt, he knew that it was a rarity for people to join the frontier, especially when winter was just around the corner. The harsh conditions and unforgiving weather made it an undesirable time for new recruits. So, what was happening here?

    Val, silent up until now, took in the scene before him. He didn''t need long to connect the dots and understand what was unfolding. These people, drawn from various parts of the kingdom, were clearly enticed by the prospect of the double rewards. The decree from the Queen had sparked a me of interest, bringing them here, to the frontier.

    But joining the frontier was not as simple as just showing up. They would have to first pass the trial of fire, a challenging test that would determine their worthiness. Those who failed would be sent back, and their dreams of making quick money and earning glory would be dashed. Only those who pass would be allowed inside.

    Not to mention, neither the forest nor the mountain range was free of anomalies and devils. And their appearance would be a regr urrence in the winter.

    If they were ignorant about it, then they were simply foolish toe here.

    But if they knew yet still dared toe, then they were really brave.

    Val spared them only a fleeting nce, wondered who among them was foolish and who was brave, before he looked away.

 Chapter 318 315: Vals conclusion

    Chapter 318 315: Val''s conclusion

    Marshall stood silently in front of the expedition party as he took in the scene of neers crowding the station.

    ''There''s too many people at the station. Someone might take ill advantage of it to sneak inside the lower city.''

    This thought crossed his mind after careful consideration.

    If an average citizen of the kingdom were to sneak inside the lower city, it would not take long to find and deport them, but a normal person wouldn''t do something like this, to begin with.

    Only a person or devil disguised as a person would have to reason to sneak inside.

    Marshall had no intention of letting a devil with a tangible body sneak inside the lower city under his watch.

    The potential danger it poses shouldn''t be ignored. After all, these types of devils were typically at or above the intermediate grade. They were really, ridiculously strong. A prime example of this would be Morthos.

    Besides, the station was not designed to amodate such arge gathering of people, and the situation needed to be handled swiftly.

    "Take them inside."

    Subtly, he gave Ilyan a signal, a small nod that conveyed a world of meaning.

    Ilyan, quick to catch on, returned the nod and took charge.

    He began to lead the crowd inside the frontier, his actions calm and controlled, ensuring a smooth transition from the chaotic station to the orderly interior of the lower city.

    One by one, the members of the expedition party returned home.

    Val absentmindedly followed the group. Although his footsteps were in sync with theirs, his mind was far away.

    Thousands of thoughts were swirling in his head. He was trying to unravel the unexpected and significant disparity between the time in the now-closed lesser dimension and the main world.

    Just what caused it?

    As he tried to make sense of it, he went over all the odd and extraordinary events that had transpired in the previous few days. The now-closed lesser dimension was an anomaly, a deadly and treacherous ce that belied its ssification. It was a domain where low-level bloodline users stood no chance on their own, and even a small group of such supernatural beings would be decimated.

    Speaking from his personal experience, that''s just how dangerous it was.

    There was also proof.

    Many had ventured into the lesser dimension, but only a pitiful few had managed to return alive. The majority of the expedition met their demise within the mere three days it took Val to close the dimension from the inside.

    What did this signify? It was a clear indication that the lesser dimension, despite its recent formation, was on the brink of evolving.

    As he came to this point, Val''s instincts screamed at him, telling him that he had narrowly averted a catastrophe. If he had not acted in time, the dimension would have transformed into a higher dimension, bringing untold cmity.

    Actually, Val was incredibly close to the truth, more than he realized.

    In actuality, the dimension master had been nning ever since it was a dungeon boss. It had collected a vast amount of resources and information before it allowed the dungeon to evolve into a lesser dimension. It used the resources to quickly increase its strength to the peak of the intermediate level. And then it waited. It knew that the core of corruption grew by eating the world itself. And as it eats the world and its will, it would gain the energy to birth new monsters, expand its domain, and also give birth to heaven and earth treasure.

    The very first such treasure would be enough to elevate it to the advanced-level.

    Now the strength of the dimension master didn''t affect the dimension in any way beneficial for humans. Rather, it was the opposite. The stronger the dimension master, the stronger the lesser dimension. While the size and age of the dimension dictated its rank, the strength of the dimension master determined its true power within that rank!

    In a lesser dimension, essible only to low-level bloodline users and mid-rank wizards, an advanced-level dimension master was an insurmountable guardian. The gap between advanced-level beings and everyone below was vast and unbridgeable. Low-level bloodline users could band together to ovee intermediate-level adversaries, but advanced-level beings were in a league of their own. They experienced a qualitative change, whereas the lower levels underwent quantitative changes. A single punch from an advanced-level warrior could carry the force of a hundred, maybe even a thousand, lower-level bloodline users, obliterating anything in its path.

    The dimension master was seeking to achieve the strongest level so that its dimension would be impossible to destroy.

    That way, its dimension would grow and be a high-level dimension!

    However, when the treasure appeared, Val came and killed it. Its army of Ashtines seeded in retrieving the treasure for it, but it was no longer alive to enjoy it.

    Its master n was foiled and Val saved the world from having another higher dimension.

    Val was extremely intelligent, but in the end, he was a human, not an omniscient all-knowing god.

    He could not see theplete picture or grasp the full extent of what had transpired.

    However, he did understand that the lesser dimension was on the verge of evolution, and had he and his allies not intervened within those crucial three days, it would have seeded and they would have been doomed.

    And this fact provided the answer to his initial question.

    The time disparity of Higher dimension was uncategorized. There weren''t many higher dimensions. And out of the few that appeared, only one has been closed. And it was said the expeditionsted for 200 years in Eldrich, but for the expedition party that was inside the dungeon, only a few decades had gone by. By the time, they returned, their friends and families were already dead. Some of them lost the will to live andmitted suicide. Those who preserved struggled at first but eventually settled into society.

    ''In essence, the time disparity in a dimension on the cusp of evolving into a higher dimension, or in a higher dimension itself, is significantly greater than that in an Eldritch dimension. There is no other way to experience what we experienced. I should share this information with the spirit of the Arcane Library. When it''s confirmed in the future, I will be the first to benefit,'' Val thought.

 Chapter 319 316: Elianas story

    Chapter 319 316: Eliana''s story

    Val followed through with his words in the streets of the lower city. Then he separated from the group of people he had entered the lower city with, and with his heart light and steps eager, made his way back to the haunted house he had long exorcised.

    His heart was racing about and his mind was filled with anticipation, looking forward to the moment he would reunite with Eliana.

    Despite the entire expedition being dered dead months ago, Val had an unwavering belief that Eliana would be waiting for him.

    His confidence stemmed from his experiences of her overbearing love.

    Eliana''s affection for him was so profound and overwhelming that Val was certain she wouldn''t be able to move on, even if he were to die. He believed with utmost confidence that if the worst happened to him, she would live on carrying the title of his widow with unwavering fidelity.

    If her love was any less, he wouldn''t have fallen for her.

    Although he knew all that, he still wanted to see how she would behave seeing him alive.

    Upon reaching his home, Val found himself without a key.

    Unperturbed, he rang the doorbell, eagerly waiting for the moment the door would swing open.

    And when it did, Eliana stood there, silent, her chest heavy with a torrent of suppressed emotions.

    All around, everyone had insisted that Val was no longer of this world, that he had perished along with the rest of the expedition, but Eliana, with a heart steadfast and full of hope, had refused to believe it. The house, vast as it was, felt empty and deste without Val. Yet she chose to stay, day after day, month after month, fueled by a fear that if she were to leave, and Val was to return, he would be left disappointed and lost.

    So, she waited, her heart heavy with prayers for his safe return.

    And today, her prayers were finally answered.

    "I''m back," Val said softly, his voice filled with the warmth of home.

    Her home was where he was.

    Tears welled up in Eliana''s eyes as she stuttered through her sobs, "I knew you would be back." As she spoke, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

    Val reciprocated, his arms encircling her lithe body and his big and warm palms patting her back gently, making her realize how much she missed this feeling.

    "I missed you."

    Val whispered into her ears.

    "I missed you too," Eliana murmured back, her voice soft and filled with relief.

    The moment was tender, filled with the sweet ache of longing finally fulfilled, as they sealed their reunion with a kiss.

    After the kiss, with a flirtatious glint in his eyes, Val said, "Let''s continue the rest of our reunion inside."

    Eliana, despite her tear-stained face, couldn''t miss the hidden implication in his words. Her face flushed a deep shade of red, mirroring the hue of a ripe tomato.

    However, she had missed his touch, yearned for it, and now, seeing the desire in his eyes reflecting her own, she gave a shy nod.

    In a swift motion, Val scooped her up, princess-style, striding confidently into the house. He tossed Eliana onto the bed before peeling off his shirt and throwing it to the ground, his intentions clear as day.

    Eliana, blushing furiously at the sight of his muscr upper body, found herself momentarily lost in desire. However, she was not so ovee with passion that she failed to notice the open door.

    "You forgot to close the door," she said, her voiceced with a shy smile.

    "What? Are you worried someone might peek in on us while we''re doing that?" Val teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

    She blushed even more, if possible, and pursed her lips, choosing not to respond.

    Val decided not to tease her further, not wanting to ruin the mood with his yful banter. Besides, he shared her desire for privacy. He would hate it if someone else were to witness the intimate moments that were about to unfold.

    With a flick of his wrist, invoking his wizardry, Val closed and locked the front door without moving from his spot. The door to the house was locked. As a result, the bedroom was now a sanctuary, sealed off from the rest of the world.

    And for the next few hours, the house was filled with the sounds of sweet moans and deep grunts.

    By the end of it, Eliana was left in a state of utter bliss, and Val felt a profound sense of satisfaction, his desires fully satiated.

    Once their passionate reunion had simmered down to gentle embers, Val, with concern etching his features, asked Eliana how she had been during the months of his absence.

    "I''ve been fine," she responded, her voice almost a whisper,den with exhaustion.

    However, Val, with his sharp eyes and even sharper intuition, saw through her fa?ade. "Those deep dark circles under your eyes tell a different story," he pointed out gently, yet with a firmness that showed he wasn''t going to let it slide.

    "It''s nothing, really," Eliana insisted, attempting to brush off his concern.

    Val, refusing to be swayed, responded yfully, kissing her face and neck, whispering sweetly, "I like you, I really, really like you. But I don''t like liars. So you wouldn''t lie to me, would you? Otherwise, I might have to stop liking you."

    Eliana couldn''t help but smile at his childish antics, even though her heart was heavy. There was somethingforting in his yful chiding. "I''ll be honest with you," she conceded, giving in to his gentle prodding.

    She then went on to exin the peculiar and disturbing urrences that had transpired over the past few days. Apart from the sadness that clung to her like a second skin, due to Val''s uncertain fate and prolonged absence, there was one other urrence that deeply unnerved her.

    "It started a few days ago," she began, her voice trembling slightly as she recounted the tale. "I came back from work and found dirty footsteps inside the house. They couldn''t have been mine; I always wear indoor slippers inside, and they are never dirty like that. The footsteps had to belong to someone else. But there were no signs of a break-in. The house was protected by the amulet I had set up at the entrance. I was baffled and scared."

    She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "That night, I couldn''t sleep. Worry kept me awake, but thankfully what I feared didn''t happen. No one came in."

 Chapter 320 317: Elianas story 2

    Chapter 320 317: Eliana''s story 2

    Eliana continued her story.

    The next day, she had gone to the clinic, and her boss, Valentine �C Alfred''s great aunt and her boss �C had noticed her distress. Concerned, she asked, "What''s wrong?"

    Eliana, needing to share her troubles with someone, hadid it all out to Valentine.

    To her relief, Valentine neither mocked her nor dismissed her experiences as delusions.

    Instead, she asked if the footsteps were still there. With her bloodline skills, Valentine could trace things back to their origin, and she offered to use this ability to track the owner of the footsteps, and potentially reveal the culprit''s identity.

    "Are you really willing to go so far for me?" Eliana had asked, touched by the offer her boss made her.

    Valentine had responded with heartfelt sincerity, "You are like a little sister to me, and no one gets away with bullying my family."

    Eliana had told her that the footsteps should still be there as she hadn''t cleaned them away, but when they arrived at her house, the footsteps were gone. Confused and beginning to doubt herself, Eliana wondered aloud if she had been delusional.

    "No, you''re not. There''s nothing wrong with your head," Valentine assured her, her eyes glowing strangely as she stared at Eliana.

    "Then where did the footsteps go?" Eliana asked, her confusion growing.

    "Maybe the culprit returned and wiped them away when you were at work," Valentine spected.

    "Why would they do that?" Eliana questioned, struggling to make sense of the situation.

    Valentine offered a theory, "Maybe they know us well."

    She then offered Eliana a ce to stay for the night, concerned for her safety. "A young and beautifuldy like you living alone with an unknown stalker is dangerous. You shoulde and live with me until the culprit is identified."

    Eliana thanked her but declined, exining that she couldn''t leave, still waiting for Val.

    Valentine teased her, saying there was indeed something wrong with her: she was suffering from lovesickness.

    At her words, Eliana''s cheeks puffed out like a little roon munching on nuts and she told her not to tease her.

    Valentine then gave her amunication talisman, a new invention by Lord Lucious that had taken the world by storm, instructing her to call if she felt afraid or encountered the stalker, promising she woulde flying to her aid.

    Eliana thanked her but pointed out that Valentine''s house was far away, wondering how she could possibly get to her in time.

    Valentine then revealed her intention to stay with Eliana. She wasn''t going to leave her alone when she was being targeted. She would take the other room in Eliana''s house.

    Eliana felt safer with Valentine by her side. So she didn''t protest. Not that Valentine was going to listen to her. She had no say in this matter.

    And so, Valentine stayed.

    That night, the stalker did not return, but Val did.

    They made love and now they were lying in each other''s arms.

    "Um, baby, where is Valentine right now?" Val asked a bit hesitantly.

    Eliana recalled that Valentine had never left the haunted house. She pointed upwards, indicating that she was in Val''s room directly above them.

    "Last thing I know she entered that room to sleep," Eliana said.

    Val chuckled softly, "Well, all the noises we''ve made must have woken her up."

    Eliana''s face turned beet red, hearing his words.

    The shades of crimson that spread across her face rivaled the blooming roses outside the window of her room.

    She hadn''t exactly been quiet while fighting her beloved in the bed as he was a master in bed, hitting her good spot with each thrust, sending her to cloud nine and back, making her beg for more.

    While begging, she had been really, really loud, shamelessly asking him to do her harder and faster. Now it would have been fine if they were alone in their home. But they weren''t. There was a guest in the house.

    As a result, Eliana felt embarrassed to death.

    The intimate cacophony of her lovemaking with Val was not meant for an audience, yet it had pierced the silence of the night, and the walls of decorum, leaving her awash with a blend of post-bliss embarrassment and concern for Valentine''s inadvertent participation as an unintended listener.

    Unaware of her worries, Val found this flush of modesty on her face endearing. The contrast of her shyness caused by his teasing with the fervor she had exhibited mere moments ago was, to him, utterly enchanting. He couldn''t resist raining down gentle kisses all over her face.

    *****

    "They are really loud and shameless!"

    In the middle of the night, Miss Valentine had indeed rosed from her slumber by the unmistakable sounds of ecstasy. Her initial reaction was one of rm as she had thought that it was the mysterious stalker assaulting Eliana and she was ready to punch her way down the first floor to Eliana''s room and kill the stalker. But the distinct melody of Eliana''s voice, woven with the unmistakable timbre of Val''s name, reshaped Valentine''s concern into realization. The noises that had pierced her rest were not cries for help but exmations of love!

    Valentine, exercising a restraint born of understanding, refrained from interrupting the impassioned reunion. She settled back against the cool sheets, a knowing smile touching her lips. Young love, she mused, had a wildness that respected neither time nor ce, daring to make love loudly even when there was a guest at their home.

    Tsk! Tsk!

    She clicked her tongue twice in amusement.

    And then, with the patience of the night''s silent moon, she waited, sitting at the bed''s edge with her legs closed.

    Her gaze traveled to the most auspicious thing in the room. Hanging at the door was a talisman. It was usually ck, but now it looked like heated iron, indicating there was an unread message.

    After approaching, she picked it up and went through the message.

    Everyone had received this very message. It had appeared on their talismans, and everyone in the northern frontier had it.

    The message announced that the expedition team sent to the lesser dimension three months ago had returned victorious. Names of survivors and the felled were also mentioned. The members who died were honored as soldiers who died fighting for the peace and safety of the kingdom. The families they left behind were awarded with gold and silver. On the other hand, the survivors were given merits on top of the CP they''d received earlier. Once this merit reached a certain point, they could buy a nobility title, which would allow them to leave the frontier before the end of their service period and move back to the outer region or the inner region depending on the type of title they bought!

    In the message, it wasn''t explicitly mentioned who closed the dimension, but hints were given. Anyone with a discerning eye would be able to realize who it was.

    As Valentine absorbed the details, the gears of her mind turned, piecing together the likelihood that the heroic figure mentioned was none other than Val himself.

    "It''s good Eliana has him entrapped between her legs," Valentine thought naughtily. She felt a swell of pride for her healer friend who had won the heart of such a valiant man. Look, half an hour had gone by since they started, yet even now they were going at it like rabbits in heat.

    Val looked like a stoic man on the surface, indifferent by nature. Who would have thought that he would be so lustful once it came to Eliana?!

    ''I should keep quiet and not disturb them.''

    The mature woman that she was, Valentine did not intrude upon their privacy. Instead, she waited with the patience of the age-old stones that built the foundations of her home, eager to share in their joy once the storm of their reunion had calmed

    But the hours ticked by, with the sun and moon exchanging nces through the shifting sky, and still, the symphony of love continued from Eliana''s room. Valentine''s patience, saintly as it was, began to fray at the edges.

    ''Ah, young people, their stamina was really great, and their skin was even thicker.''

    Either that or Eliana hadpletely forgotten there was a guest in the house!

    Since her lover had returned, would she still have the time to care about other people!

 Chapter 321 318: Chillin

    Chapter 321 318: Chillin

    After hours of sex, Val and Eliana emerged from the room, dressed modestly. The morning light escaping into the house through the windows meant for venttion purposes cast a soft glow around them, giving off the illusion that they were newlyweds who had experienced a blissful honeymoon.

    They blinked away the remnants of a night spent wrapped in each other''s embrace, not quite ready to face the day.

    As their gazes adjusted to the light, they found Valentine sitting at the kitchen table, a look that was half amusement and half feigned annoyance on her face.

    "Oh, there she is. Looks like I was right," Val said.

    Eliana felt shy and ashamed because of obvious reasons. Val wasn''t loudst night. He let his actions speak for him. It was she who was moaning like there was no tomorrow, disturbing Valentine''s peaceful sleep.

    Without missing a beat, Valentine yawned widely and rubbed her eyes theatrically.

    "You two didn''t leave much to the imaginationst night, did you? Could''ve sworn the whole house was shaking," she said, her voice teasing yet thick with the weight of a sleepless night.

    Val leaned against the doorway, a sly smile ying on his lips. "Well, what can I say? That''s what young people in love do." he quipped back, pridecing his words as he draped an arm around Eliana''s shoulder, who by now was a portrait of embarrassment, her cheeks blooming a deep shade of red.

    Eliana cast her eyes down, the heat from her cheeks nearly tangible. "Valentine, I... we didn''t mean it... I''m sorry," she stammered, her words tumbling out in a bashful rush. She wasn''t intentionally being loud. Val had forced all those voices out of her. And in the midst of passion, she had forgotten all about there being a guest in the house.

    Val couldn''t be med either. At that time, he wasn''t aware Valentine was in the house. Otherwise, he would''ve exorcised restraint.

    After all, his love was heavy and dark.

    He was a possessive person. In fact, he was so possessive that he wanted to imprison Eliana and lock her away from the rest of the world.

    But that would hurt her and ruin what they already have. So he kept his dark thoughts to himself.

    He also didn''t like the fact that Valentine had heard Eliana''s sweet moans. That was a privilege only he should have. But he kept a jolly attitude from the start to not strain any rtions.

    Valentine was Eliana''s boss. She was also kind to her. It was better to not alienate her.

    With a soft chuckle, Valentine stood up from her chair, waving off the apology. "It''s fine, really. It''s good to see such passion, especially after everything that''s happened. And congrattions are in order for both of you��Eliana, for having your man back safe and sound, and Val, for emerging victorious in thepetition. You''ve earned your celebrations," Valentine said, her smile genuine and her eyes crinkling with joy for the couple''s reunion.

    Val''s chest puffed out a little at the acknowledgment. "Thank you, Valentine. We fought hard, and not justst night," he joked, earning an eye roll from Eliana but a chuckle from Valentine.

    With a knowing smile, Valentine announced her intention to leave them be.

    Nodding, Valentine gathered her things, ready to leave the two alone. Since there was a person to protect Eliana from unexpected danger, she saw no reason to stay behind and disturb them.

    "I''ll get out of your hair then," she announced, heading towards the door.

    But just before stepping out, she paused and turned back to Eliana with a considerate gaze. "And you, no need to show up at work today. Take some time to rest��you''ve had a long night."

    Eliana felt embarrassed but also treasured.

    "I... Thank you, miss. That''s very kind of you," she murmured, a grateful smile tugging at her lips.

    "No problem,"

    With a nod and a gentle smile, Valentine closed the door behind her, leaving the couple in the privacy of their home.

    Val steered Eliana back towards the room, telling her to get some well-deserved rest.

    Previously, he was rough and passionate, working like a well-oiled machine, not letting her get a wink of sleep, but now he was being so considerate and gentle, that Eliana''s heart melted.

    As he turned to leave, her hand reached out, her fingers lightly grasping the cuff of his shirt.

    He looked back with an unspoken question lingering in his gaze.

    "What do you want?" he asked gently.

    "Will you... hold me to sleep?" Eliana''s voice was soft, her eyes reflecting a mix of love and exhaustion.

    "Why not?" Val replied, his voice carrying a tender note.

    He climbed into bed beside her and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer, and she nestled into his embrace like a rabbit returning to its burrow.

    ''This feels so rxing.''

    Laying in his arms, a sense offort washed over her, and her weary eyes fluttered shut.

    Within moments, her breathing evened out, and Val knew she had sumbed to sleep.

    He watched her for a moment, a content sigh escaping his lips.

    ''I wonder how strong she has be.''

    Looking at her with a narrowed gaze, he cast Detect.

    Her strength had grown.

    She was a level 2 priestess with more than two skills.

    Hertest power was, to Val''s shock, not a bloodline skill.

    Rather, it was a power granted to her by the God of Light.

    The name of the power was Luminous Sanctuary.

    When Val focused on the name of the skill, he received its details.

    After going through its details, he realized it was a formidable one.

    In gamer''s terms, It was an AOE ability that allowed her to create a zone of pure light that could not only protect, purify, and heal the people within its bounds but also burn devils and reduce them to ashes.

    ''She exceeded my expectations yet again,'' Val thought with raised lips.

 Chapter 322 319: Confrontation with Abyss 1

    Chapter 322 319: Confrontation with Abyss 1

    Val had expected her to reach level 2 but he hadn''t anticipated this development. So he was a bit taken aback. He thought that in this life, he was never going to get tired of her.

    After a while...

    Val stepped softly out of the bedroom, careful not to rouse Eliana from her much-needed rest. The air outside the room felt dense with unsaid things and the echo of distant dangers.

    He activated his Heavenly Eye skill, allowing his vision to transcend the ordinary, piercing through the fabric of the house itself.

    His gaze cut through the floor, delving deep into the earth below. He was seeking the secret basement, a ce that was as veiled in darkness as the abyss itself. The skill, enhanced by his Nocturne Vision Trait, rendered the darkness moot, presenting the hidden space below as clear as day.

    He scanned the area with a meticulous eye, and there it was��that suspicious something he was wary of. The lid that sealed the abyssal well was conspicuously absent.

    "As expected," Val whispered, his voice barely carrying through the stillness.

    Since the moment Eliana had spoken up about her harrowing experience, a gnawing suspicion had taken root in his mind.

    He believed that the intruder wasn''t just a stalker as Valentine had surmised, but rather the maniacal mastermind behind the insidious charnel rite that created the abyssal well.

    Now, the sight of the unsealed well confirmed his worst fears.

    The mastermind hade to check on his dark handiwork!

    Val was correct. The footsteps Eliana witnessed were left behind when the mastermind came and went. It must have seen that the well was sealed and the monsters it created dead, shocking it so much that it left without clearing the evidence of its intrusion. It must have realized its mistake the following day and returned to clear the evidence.

    A chilling thought passed through Val''s mind��had Eliana been home at that time, the consequences would have been dire.

    She might''ve died at that bastard hands.

    ''I will find out who you are and kill you.'' Val thought with narrowed eyes, his expression serious. Those who knew the Unfeeling would know he was dead serious.

    The second he finds out who that person is, he will stop at nothing to dispose of them!

    Val focused on the problem at hand.

    The unsealing of the well must have been intentional, a prelude to something even more sinister. Although Val couldn''t fathom the full extent of the mastermind''s designs, he understood one thing with stark rity��if the well remained unattended, creatures of the abyss would undoubtedly begin their ascent into the world. And their house, being the epicenter of this malevolent force, would face the brunt of this incursion.

    ''I have to do something about it.''

    Otherwise, his uing peaceful days with Eliana would be disturbed.

    Resolved, Val descended through the secret passage that led to the basement. His steps were swift and silent.

    Reaching the well''s edge, he peered into the gaping void.

    The darkness was so profound and the force of corruption so thick that even his enhanced vision couldn''t prate it.

    Just then, an acrid stench wafted up, causing his nose to wrinkle in disgust.

    At the same time, a pulsating throb began at the base of his neck.

    He knew what that conveyed, and he instantly became vignt, reducing the chance of him getting caught off guard to zero.

    Whoosh!

    From the abyss, a hand sted through the air and shot up.

    It was unnaturally white, and the long, sharpened nails extending from each outstretched fingers seemed almost a meter in length, slicing through the air with deadly intent toward Val''s neck.

    "Commendable but ultimately futile," Val snorted dismissively.

    With a snapping sound, a cascade of sparks erupted from his fingertips, shimmering like the beautiful wings of a butterfly yet as deadly as nuclear radiation.

    The cascade of sparks fell into the well like a butch''s knife, meeting the hand with an ethereal whip.

    Kuagh!

    A pained roar echoed from the darkness below as the hand disintegrated instantaneously. Against the might of the abyssal me, it had not survived for even a split of a second, meeting an instant demise.

    *****

    On the other side of the portal, an immense shadow loomed. The creature''s size was monstrous, its feet nted on the floor of the darkness of the Abyss while its head seemed to brush against the inky ck clouds with many reddish veins.

    Its eye was a grotesque spectacle, each one dwarfing the well''s opening. The earlier cry of pain belonged to this behemoth, and its furious bellow shook the very foundations of the basement.

    "Huwaghhh!"

    It was furious and wanted to kill the impudent mortal who dared to wound it.

    Following the roar, tentacles with eyes as many as stars in the sky surged upwards from the abyssal well. If Val had a clear view of the unfolding situation, he would have recognized these tentacles as the hair of the humongous creature.

    "Whatever these tentacles are, they''re not good news," Val muttered to himself. His instincts screamed that anything from the abyss was a gue to be purged without hesitation. He couldn''t allow it to escape into the world. He had to deal with it here.

    Whoosh! Whoosh!

    The tentacles, like deadly swords,nced towards him, each moving with singr intent��to end Val''s life.

    In response, Val''s hands stretched outwards. Now they were positioned over the entrance of the well.

    For a moment, the air around him seemed to thicken, heavy with the power he was about to unleash as, with a deep breath, he focused all his soul power into the palm of his hand, the very air around him crackling with the intensity of his power.

    Then, torrents of energy erupted from his palm, surging into the dark maw of the well.

    An invisible, yet tangible force pressed down upon the writhing tentacles that emerged from the abyss, halting their sinister advance.

    They weren''t able to go up and Val''s soul power wasn''t able to push them downwards.

    For a moment, the two powerhouses standing on two different worlds entered a stalemate.

 Chapter 323 320: Confrontation with Abyss 2

    Chapter 323 320: Confrontation with Abyss 2

    For a brief moment, everything seemed to stand still, and then with a forceful thrust, Val pushed downward, driving the tentacles back into the chasm from whence they came. The gigantic creature below writhed in fury, its body trembling with rage that resonated through the abyss, thend and sky within it trembling as it raged.

    Val''s sixth sense was ring rms, a sensation of immense danger enveloping him. This was a feeling he knew all too well, a premonition that he faced a peril that could engulf him whole. If he were to confront this danger head-on, death awaited him, and following his demise, Eldrich would be plunged into unspeakable peril. Eliana, Oliver, and everyone he had met ande to care about because of selfish purposes would suffer.

    ''Must not let it cross into our world!''

    The rity of imminent danger sharpened his resolve, and instinctively, Val knew his next move.

    With deliberate speed, he conjured a ck Fireball in the palm of his hand, a swirling mass of destructive energy.

    Without a moment''s hesitation, he hurled it into the well.

    Boom!

    A deafening boom reverberated through the basement. The fireball had exploded after a moment, and the resulting mes engulfed the portal within the well, consuming it with ravenous hunger.

    In mere moments, the portal was incinerated, severing the connection between Abyss and Eldrich.

    On the other side, the abyssal entity could only look on in thwarted rage as the portal to the Eldritch realm vanished before its eyes, its n to invade the world cut short by Val''s decisive action!

    Meanwhile, Valughed.

    A system notification chimed in Val''s awareness, a message clear andpelling against the backdrop of his victory:

    [Congrattions, Host. You have destroyed an Abyssal Well.]

    Reward obtained: Divine Veil of Ebim.

    [This power cloaks your presence, shielding you from the divinations and gazes of lesser beings from other dimensions. Only entities of higher godly realms may perceive your existence.]

    Val exhaled a deep breath, relief washing over him.

    By destroying the well, he had undoubtedly offended something of the abyss, but with this reward he didn''t need to worry about it for the time being.

    After all, the Divine Veil of Ebim was a shield like no other, an absolute defense against the gazes from the abyss.

    That abyssal creature of insurmountable might wouldn''t know what he was up to even if it wanted to because of this divine skill!

    ''While I may have won this battle, the war against the darkness is far from over.''

    Val didn''t feelcent.

    There were too many dangers ahead. He had to start preparing.

    ''The most urgent danger I need to take care of is naturally the threat of the mastermind behind the cha rite,'' he thought.

    Val surveyed the secret basement with a gaze of scrutiny.

    His gazended on a series of footsteps scattered across the dusty floor, distinctivelyrger than his own.

    Seeing these footsteps, he concluded that the culpirt was a male with veryrge feet.

    Seeing these footsteps, he also smirked.

    The insidious mastermind who had visited the haunted house had evidently been meticulous in erasing his tracks, but maybe because of how dark it was in the badement or maybe because he was in a hurry, he had left behid a few of the footsteps he had left in the basement when he visited it!

    ''And I am going to capitalize on this mistake to catch him.''

    Now Valentine could track these footsteps to their origin but Val didn''t want to get her invovled in this because he had his reasons.

    After all, to involve Valentine would be to bring the full weight of thew down upon the mastermind once he was caught. However, that resolution seemed far too lenient for Val''s taste. The mastermind deserved not a trial, but retribution, a permanent end at Val''s hands to prevent any future threat.

    ''If I want things to y out as I like, I can only depend on myself.''

    Thus, he decided to track the mastermind down himself without getting anyone involved.

    Now he didn''t have the same skill as Valentine.

    But there was still something he could do about it.

    A token materialized in Val''s palm, glowing with a subtle luminescence.

    With this, he essed the ethereal repository of knowledge unique to the wizardmunity.

    The arcane library opened, and he started to sift through the list of level-2 shadow type runes.

    While Valcked Valentine''s extraordinary skill to trace origins from mere remnants, Eliana''s recount of such a skill had expanded his perspective on what was possible within this world, and he believed that in a world where skills like Valentine''s existed, there must be runes capable of simr feats. And he might very well find such a rune in the arcane library.

    Val carefully navigated through the level-2 shadow runes, bypassing those of offense and defense, seeking the ones with the subtlety and precision required for tracking.

    A rune caught his eye.

    It was the Echoes of Shadows Rune.

    With this rune, one could see the echoes left in the shadow realm by strong emotions or actions. The more intense emotion would be shown first, followed by the less intense ones. This wasn''t the first time Val was hearing about it. It was mentioned in the description of the shard of darkness too, an item he obtained from destroying Gruul''s clone but still wasn''t able to gain control of as he needed to prove himself worthy.

    ''This rune is good. Considering the mastermind was shocked to find its n ruined, the activation of this rune will reveal his identity,'' Val concluded.

    However, there was a problem, and Val wasn''t ignorant about it.

    It was not selective.

    If he were to rely on this rune, he would have a hell to witness before he could see who the culprit is.

    The Echoes of Shadows Rune was meant to uncover past events, but Val already knew that the basement was used as a ce for charnel rite.

 Chapter 324 321: Assassination

    Chapter 324 321: Assassination

    In this damned and demonic ritual, many people were brutally killed.

    The emotions they left behind in the shadow realm should be plenty and ridiculously strong, enough to break a normal person''s mind.

    If he used this rune, he would have to experience it all with his own eyes!

    Did he want that?

    When he was alone, Val didn''t mind gazing into the abyss, but now he had a few people he actually cared about, so of course, the answer was no.

    He wanted to keep his mind free of filth. As a result, he decided to look for another way.

    However, if he doesn''t find one, he would learn this rune and proceed with his self appointed mission of getting rid of trouble.

    After thorough research, he pinpointed two more promising runes:

    1. Whispersilk Rune - Capable of tracking the subtle disturbances in the weave of shadows created by any movement, it''s incredibly precise but requires a recent trail to be effective. While powerful, it''s not selective and could lead to a nexus of trails if multiple entities have crossed the same path.

    2. Tracestep Rune - A rune that locks onto the residual energies left by footsteps in the shadow realm, it can lead back to the location where the person spent significant time. Ideal for tracking movements within a limited area, but less effective over long distances or after significant time has passed.

    Val weighed his options carefully.

    ''The Tracestep Rune is the most fitting for my current needs,'' he thought after a few thoughtful moments.

    Val had an advantage that set him apart from his peers: his rank-2 darkness core allowed him the capacity to construct not just one, but two level-2 runes��a privilege that other rank-2 wizards did not possess. While the Tracestep Rune might not align with his usualbat-centric approach, its utility in the current situation was undeniable, and the amazing rune capacity his core had made it a viable addition.

    Decisively, Val expended the necessary Arcane points to acquire the rune. As he did so, a luminous beam shot forth from the token, piercing into his consciousness. The intricate design and form of the Tracestep Rune appeared in his mind with vivid rity.

    Before this memory could turn blurry, Val activated his Soul Archive skill to create a perfect mental replica of this, losing only 300 or so soul power in the process.

    Now that he had such a memory, creating the tune was a piece of cake.

    Relying heavily on it, Val proceeded to meticulously construct the Tracestep Rune upon his core of darkness, following the mental outline to the letter.

    Once the process waspleted, a system notification chimed within his mind.

    [System Notification: You have sessfully constructed the Level-2 Tracestep Rune on your Core of Darkness. Your Core of Darkness now has the capacity to bear one more Level-2 Rune or multiple Level-1 Runes.]

    With the rune now integrated into his core, Val was equipped to track the mastermind to his den through the footsteps he had left behind in the secret basement.

    ''It is time for the hunt to begin,'' he thought, as a cold, ruthless glint shed in his narrowed eyes, the expression etching a resolve into his features that would have made the most stalwart of foes pause.

    The Tracesteps Rune, now a part of his arcane arsenal, awaited its first true test.

    With a surge of intent, Val activated the Tracesteps Rune.

    The action consumed a hefty fifth of his elementalized soul power��a steep price for many, but a necessary expenditure for the gravity of the task at hand.

    The rune worked bytching onto the residual energies left by footsteps in the shadow realm.

    It was a faint trail invisible to the naked eye but as clear as day to the rune''s unique perception.

    ''Let''s follow it.''

    Afraid that the trial might start disappearing, Val immediately got to work.

    The faint trail formed a simple path, leading Val from the depths of the secret basement, through the winding streets of the city, to a destination that could very well be the den of the mastermind.

    It guided him unerringly to the central district where the richest of the lower city lived.

    As it was morning, the CD was bustling with life.

    The streets were crowded. People were out in the street, either going for a morning run or ordering breakfast.

    Although it looked like a bright ce to live, it now cast in a sinister hue in Val''s mind as he knew that that murderous bastard lived here.

    ''I have been here!''

    As he approached his destination, a sense of d��j�� vu enveloped him.

    An ordinary building sat before him as the end of a breadcrumb trail of darkness. This building was opposite to the cafe he had dined in with Lucious and Oliver!

    The building was aplex warren of apartments, life stacked upon life in neat, confined boxes. Yet, the rune''s guidance was unequivocal, pointing to one apartment located in the middle of the many.

    As he looked inside, disbelief took hold of Val.

    The man at the end of the trail was none other than Lorel��the artist who had, with the guise of benevolence, gifted them a painting.

    His identity as an aspiring painter who had recently moved to the lower city was just a disguise. He was in truth a psychopathic killer whose hands were stained with the blood of the innocent.

    Thankfully, by being prudent, Val had unmasked a monster hiding in in sight!

    The hunt had reached its climax, but it was far from over.

    Now, with the truth as his ally, Val stood on the precipice of justice or vengeance. The path he chose next would define not just the fate of Lorel, but the very essence of Val himself.

    Val had not anticipated that the killer would be hiding under his nose the entire time.

    "He is a smart guy. But he is too smart for his own good," he said under his breath as people passed by him.

 Chapter 325 322: Assasination 2

    Chapter 325 322: Assasination 2

    Lorel was indeed meticulous and cautious. The victims he chose for the charnel rite were carefully selected based on four specific criteria: A) they were neers to the frontier; B) they hadn''t formed any meaningful connections; C) theycked powerful backing; and D) they were not strong in themselves and couldn''t put up much of a fight. This approach ensured that their disappearance wouldn''t cause significant ripples. Even if an investigation wasunched, it would likely be short-lived and attributed to devil''s work, given theck of clues.

    Despite his careful nning, Lorel couldn''t shake off the fear of getting caught. So, after performing the rite, he faked his death and lived under a false identity outside the frontier. Only after years, when he felt the coast was clear, did he dare to return. But even then, he didn''t rush to the secret basement to im the Uglyface, fearful of traps. Instead, he disguised himself as a weak bloodline user who was a painter.

    Months passed, and as Lorel''s painter identity solidified, he felt secure enough to investigate the Uglyface situation. Discovering that the haunted house was rented, he felt a surge of resentment. At that time, Eliana was the sole upant. He decided to stalk her, biding his time.

    Retrieving the Uglyface was no straightforward task. It required a Binding Ritual, where if one defeats a devil summoned into this world, they gain ownership over it, turning it into a familiar. But this was no easy task. Lorel estimated that he needed at least half a day toplete thisplex ritual.

    He had no intention of confronting and killing Eliana unless absolutely necessary. She didn''t fit his usual victim profile. Her lover, Val, was a formidable fighter, stronger than Lorel inbat. Eliana was also a priestess affiliated with the Church of Light and had a solid backing. She was well-integrated into the frontiermunity and connected to the God''s Hand Clinic. The only criterion she met was that she was physically weaker than him. However, killing her would risk exposure and bing a wanted criminal across the kingdom.

    Lorel wanted tomit his crime and escape scot-free, so he refrained from the idea of killing her. He would only take that step if there were no other options.

    He meticulously observed her daily routine. Eliana worked as a healer at the clinic every day. Lorel nned to invade the basement early in the morning when she left for work, collect the Uglyface, and leave before she returned.

    The n was set into motion the following day. However, when he arrived at the basement, the Uglyface was gone. Shocked and fearful, he panicked and fled, worried about being caught if he lingered.

    After some time, when no one came after him, and he had calmed down, he realized that whoever had dealt with the Uglyface likely didn''t know about his involvement in the charnel rite. This realization brought him a sense of relief, although the undercurrent of fear and uncertainty never fully dissipated.

    As Lorel calmed down from the initial shock of the Uglyface''s disappearance, he realized the gravity of the mistake he had made. He had left behind footsteps that could easily be traced back to him. Then, he would easily be doomed. He knew his own limitations. A confrontation with the officials of the northern frontier wasn''t something he could survive!

    Thus, he became determined to rectify the situation. He meticulously nned his next steps. He patiently waited for Eliana to leave the house before entering it himself to wipe away any traces of his footsteps.

    Once he was confident that all evidence of his presence was erased from the haunted house, he discreetly left and returned to his own abode to wait. There, he monitored the situation closely.

    If any news of a break-in surfaced or if an investigation wasunched to catch the culprit, he nned to take the first train out of the Northern Frontier. As a volunteer rather than an enlisted member, he had the flexibility to leave whenever he wished. Of course, re-entering the frontier would require him to undergo the Trial of Fire again, a deterrent that kept many from leaving in the first ce. However, he wouldn''t hesitate to leave if he had a reason.

    What he feared didn''t happen. There was no news about a break-in or an investigation to catch the culprit beingunched. So he stayed. Besides, he had another reason for staying in the frontier. The culprit who was behind the disappearance of the Uglyface was most likely still in the frontier. He wanted to find out who it was and enact his revenge.

    ''The bastard who hadid waste to several years of my hard work, I will catch and kill him in the most brutal way!''

    He had thought before going to sleep with a mind full of bloody and insidious thoughts.

    Lorel was now lying on his bed, his eyes closed, seemingly in a peaceful slumber. He harbored a strong belief that nothing could harm him in his sleep.

    This confidence stemmed from a particr item ced on the side table next to his bed��a cursed artifact known as the "Watcher''s Warding Disc."

    The artifact was capable of erecting formidable formations that could block and hinder intruders effectively. It had the capacity to create three distinct formations, all of which were currently active within his room. Should anyone dare to barge in, they would inevitably face the wrath of these three formations and likely be reduced to cinders.

    What Lorel could not have anticipated was the existence of someone capable of not only seeing through his meticulouslyid traps but also oveing them.

    This individual possessed the skills and means to step foot into his carefully guarded nest, undeterred by the Watcher''s Warding Disc.

    It was Val!

    Before breaking into Lorel''s apartment, he conjured his mes and set aze all the formations inside with a thought. The formation was devoured by the ck mes in an instant. In that very instant, he put them out.

    The mes disappeared as soon as they appeared. Their sudden appearance did cause the room temperature to increase, but because it was winter, the heat wasn''t noticeable.

    Lorel didn''t even notice what happened. He continued sleeping peacefully.

 Chapter 326 323: Assassination 3

    Chapter 326 323: Assassination 3

    What kind of death is most horrifying?

    The answer varies depending on the person. Some might find the idea of a lonely, unnoticed demise to be their greatest fear, while others might dread a slow and painful end.

    For someone like Lorel, a scumbag who was rotten to the core, a fitting end would be one marked by brutality.

    Giving him this kind of demise would be the choice of someone overwhelmed by emotions and driven by a thirst for revenge. And while it wouldn''t be wrong to say that Val harbored simr desires to subject Lorel to such an end, he did not let his emotions override hismon sense.

    Assassinating Lorel in his sleep was a more strategic option than a brutal beatdown as the chance of sess was absolute. After all, how could a person, deep in slumber, evade the hands of death?

    On the other hand, a direct confrontation could give Lorel, an overly cautious individual, a chance to deploy unknown trump cards and possibly escape.

    ''Now that I have burned away the formations protecting him, let''s get rid of him.''

    The ck fire that had disappeared after enveloping and destroying the formations reappeared. The target of the fire this time was none other than the scumbag lying on the bed. The fire swiftly epassed Lorel himself. The fire was merciless, rapidly consuming his flesh like a swarm of beasts.

    Argh!

    Lorel, awakened by the searing pain, let out a horrendous, shrill scream that echoed through the room.

    The scream was abruptly cut short as the mes devoured himpletely.

    The man who hadmitted countless murders, who had orchestrated heinous rites, was now reduced to mere ashes scattered on the bed. But the fire did not even spare those. In its relentless consumption, Lorel''s entire existence was obliterated, reduced to nothingness.

    The deed was done. The man who had killed the most innocent and helpless of people in the most brutal of ways was no more. The man who was a threat to Eliana was no longer alive.

    With a casual wave of his hand, Val extinguished the mes, ensuring they did not spread further.

    As he killed Lorel, a notification popped up in his vision. He focused on it. As he went through it, his eyes squinted in surprise.

    [System Notification: You have eliminated Lorel, a cultist devoted to the Abyssal Entity known as Draugrath. For this act, you have been awarded 4000 EXP. Additionally, you have obtained an item: Veil of the Voidwalker. This unique artifact harbors the power to negate any single negative effect or remove the gaze of outer gods directed at you. It can be used only once, after which it will dissipate into the aether.]

    ''So it''s a consumable item.''

    He never expected to gain a windfall for assassinating a weakling. The range and effectiveness of the Veil of the Voidwalker were yet to be determined but considering the items given by the system were never faulty or normal, Val believed that this artifact would help him immensely if he was ever haunted by creatures like the Unknown or the Nameless!

    ''The thing about Lorel being a cultist is worrisome.''

    The existence of those who worshipped devils and other malevolent entities was not unknown to him, but the notion of someone revering a creature from the abyss was indeed a first. It brought a depth of darkness to his understanding of the world''s hidden evils.

    ''It''s more troublesome than it looks.''

    Not to mention, Lorel was an intermediate-level bloodline user. A study conducted by the Kingdom''s Arcane Council revealed that out of 100 low-level bloodline users, only a handful of people have the chance to advance to the intermediate level. The members of this arcane council could either be court wizards or retired court wizards. They could also be the qualified descendants of either one of the two. So the information they provided was mostly true. Yet someone as rare as Lorel was worshipping something from the abyss.

    Val pondered the implications of this discovery.

    If Draugrath, an entity from the abyss, had cultists like Lorel��a level 4 bloodline user��it suggested that Draugrath might be on par with a demon god in terms of power and influence!

    ''This is problematic,'' Val thought.

    Why was it problematic? Well, it implied that an abyssal entity was aware of the existence of the kingdom. Add on to the fact that It was cultivating cultists, it became certain it was nning an invasion.

    Val clicked his tongue in displeasure. The danger presented by the unknown was avoided as Lucious''s audience with the Queen bore significant fruit, putting the secret experiments on the altar to a halt. It happened a few days after Val left for the expedition.

    The Queen was ambitious but not foolish. After she went through the ''Diary,'' the risk became apparent. If the experiments weren''t put to a halt, the Unknown entity might invite itself to their home, then they would all suffer. After all, they had no way to deal with it. So after a lengthy conversation with Lucious, the Queen decided to do what was best for her kingdom and herself. Of course, she hadn''t given up on it. She had only paused it for now.

    Anyway, that trouble was avoided. But a new trouble had popped up, displeasing Val. The Draugrath was eying the kingdom from the abyss!

    ''How many followers of Draugrath areying low in the kingdom? Surely, Lorel can''t be the only one.''

    ''Lorel''s presence in the lower city suggests the cultist can bypass the widely used screening project to root out those possessed by devils and devil worshippers. They have been living among us.''

    His mind then wandered to the possibility of other followers in the Northern Frontier.

    How many were there? Were they connected to Lorel? Did theymunicate or coordinate their sinister activities?

    The prospect of such an organizedwork of abyssal worshippers was troubling. If they were indeed in close contact and aware of each other''s ns, it could spell significant danger, not just for Val but for the entire frontier.

    Val''s gaze drifted towards the bedside table, bing more pensive before he uttered,

    "Let''s just hope there''s something about it in his diary."

 Chapter 327 324: Lorel’s diary

    <h4>Chapter 327 324: Lorel''s diary</h4>

    When Val had earlier scrutinized Lorel''s room from the outside, his keen observation had led him to the discovery of a diary carefully stashed inside the bedside table.

    Given that the room was Lorel''s personal space, it was logical to conclude that the diary belonged to him.

    As for why he was keeping a diary, it wasn''t too hard toe to a conclusion.

    In this era, the absence of mobile phones and simr technology meant that people often resorted to more traditional means of recording and remembering important information. Some even treated it as their hobby.

    Not to mention, in a world devoid of digital notepads, diaries served a crucial function. They were more than just repositories for personal reflections or the indulgence of those who kept diaries as a hobby. Even individuals who did not habitually jot down their thoughts or experiences found themselves relying on these physical mediums for recording critical information. This was especially true for details too vital to risk forgetting��ns, contacts, secrets, and in the case of someone like Lorel, potentially incriminating evidence or ndestine activities.

    Thus, stumbling upon Lorel''s diary was potentially akin to discovering a treasure trove of insights into his mind and activities.

    ''A diary can be a window into the workings of a person''s life during an era when sensitive and private information was typically locked away in the pages bound by leather, hidden in the privacy of one''s quarters. Going through Lorel''s diary should prove worthwhile,'' Val thought as acting on the information he possessed, he opened the drawer of the bed side table and pulled out the diary.

    He didn''t open it immediately, thinking that he might activate a trap, causing the diary to get destroyed.

    For Val, this diary was not just a collection of pages; it was a key that could unlock many mysteries surrounding Lorel and perhaps even broader secrets of the dark cult he was a part of. He couldn''t afford to lose it. So he couldn''t help but treasure it and behave cautiously.

    He first used his skill to make sure it was fine to open it.

    After he confirmed it was safe, he began flipping through its pages with a growing sense of urgency. As he went through the pages, his eyes widened and his stoic and calm expression shifted to one of surprise. The content of the diary revealed a myriad of wicked and shocking secrets.

    Written in the first person, Lorel''s entries began with a recount of his past.

    "I, Lorel, hail from the once-esteemed house of Vanthorpe.

    "I was destined to inherit my family''s legacy as the eldest son. However, fate dealt me a cruel hand.

    "My father perished in thest Eternal Winter during the war with the Empire.

    "In the wake of his death, my stepmother, driven by greed and malice, conspired with officials of the Strongbone Stronghold. Her goal was to usurp the inheritance my father had left behind, a fortune that rightfully belonged to my mother and me. She first sourced a deadly poison from the officials themselves, those who were supposed to uphold justice yet were easily swayed by the lure of wealth and power.

    "She then used this poison to meticulously and covertly assassinate my innocent and easy-going mother. My mother, unsuspecting of the evil that lurked within her own home, fell victim to this sinister plot. I, devastated by her sudden death, began to suspect foul y. My suspicions eventually led me to the truth, but by then, it was toote for any form of justice or retribution.

    "Upon discovering that I had unraveled her nefarious scheme, my stepmother acted swiftly and ruthlessly. I was brutally attacked, and rendered unconscious by a blow to the head. In my helpless state, I was wrapped in a sack like mere cargo and tossed into the frigid river. It was intended for me to be nothing more than feed for the aquatic monsters that lurked beneath the surface. I closed my eyes in resignation.

    "But fate, it seemed, had other ns for me. The icy embrace of the river was not to be my end. I was rescued from the clutches of death, only to be introduced to a world far darker than I could have ever imagined."

    "I was saved by a peculiar and entric fellow. A crackhead if I may say, whoter revealed himself to be a follower of Draugrath. He extended an invitation to a world beyond my wildest imaginations, a world where I, a normie, didn''t need to be on the losing and painful end of the stick. Desperate for vengeance and power, I inquired if his path could lead me to retribution against those who wronged me.

    "''Yes,'' the cultist affirmed without hesitation.

    "It was at that moment, driven by a burning desire for revenge, that I forsake humanity and pledged my allegiance to Draugrath."

    Lorel''s diary unraveled further into the abyss of the cult''s dark world, each page steeped in mystery and horror. As Val continued to read, he was drawn deeper into the sinister underbelly of the cult''s activities.

    The diary detailed the cult''s structure and the hierarchy within. The cult, named The Shadowed Brethren of Draugrath, operated inyers of secrecy andplexity. The lowest ranks were mere pawns, their primary role being to lure potential followers into Draugrath''s grasp. These initiates often had no idea of the true nature of the cult or the depth of its depravity.

    The mid-ranking members, to which Lorel quickly ascended, were tasked with more ominous missions. They were responsible for creating abyssal portals, gateways that bridged the realm of the living with the abyss. These portals were key to the cult''s agenda, serving as conduits for Draugrath''s influence to seep into the world.

    The highest echelon of the cult wasprised of the Dark Priests. These elite members presided over sacrificial ceremonies, kidnapping rare and unique individuals to offer to Draugrath as tributes. These ceremonies were grotesque rituals, where the veil between worlds thinned, and the abyss''s dark energies were at their most potent.

    Lorel wrote of an invitation he had received to participate in one such ceremony. "I have been honored," he penned, "to partake in a ceremony of great significance. It is scheduled for the early days of October, on the 3rd, at the witching hour. The location is aptly chosen - the Land of the Dead, a ce where the veil between realms is naturally thin."

    The purpose of this ceremony was monumental and chilling: the descent of Draugrath into the real world. It was a pivotal event for the cult, one that would mark a significant shift in the bnce of power between the darkness of the abyss and the world of the living.

    Lorel''s anticipation was palpable in his writing. He described the preparations, the gathering of necessary artifacts, and the careful selection of the sacrificial victims.

    Val closed the diary, his mind racing with the implications of what he had just read.

    The existence of such a cult, operating in the shadows and plotting the descent of an abyssal entity, was a threat of an unimaginable scale. The ceremony, set to ur in mere days, posed an immediate and dire risk. Val knew that action had to be taken - the Shadowed Brethren of Draugrath had to be stopped, and their n to bring Draugrath into the world thwarted. The stakes had never been higher.

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