《Apocalypse Healer - Path of Death》


 Chapter 1 - B1 1 - Pantheon

    David''s eyes shot open to the first rays of sunlight shining through the panoramic window. He sighed, his eyes drifting to the ceiling.


    The blanket rustled, and he heard a soft moan beside him, but his gaze stayed focused on the galaxy mural above. The corners of his lips tugged upward in a half-smile as he momentarily let thoughts of all his obligations fall away, but the bliss couldn''t last. His attention drifted back to the woman beside him.


    Even waking up beside a beautiful face no longer excited him. David felt nothing.


    Suddenly, the bed started shaking. His eyes widened and he nudged Rebecca¡ªor was it Sabrina?¡ªbut she adjusted her position against him, clearly still asleep.


    David turned back to the ceiling, which trembled alongside the bed. He had no idea what he was supposed to do¡ªhe''d never been in an earthquake before.


    Just as he was about to rock Rebecca awake, the tremors stopped. David rubbed his eyes in disbelief. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart.


    That was weird.


    He shrugged inwardly and resolved to look into it later. An earthquake would definitely make the news.


    ***


    What was he going to do today? Falling asleep was not an option anymore, but it was too early to do anything fun. William and Basti were probably still awake, but the night owls would disappear in their caves once the sun rose high above.


    I could meet up with Felix later.


    He sighed. No, that wouldn''t do. Felix was prone to getting distracted and running off with random girls. Roaming the streets alone sounded better than chasing after him.


    Unfortunately, it was the weekend and David''s office was closed too. Not that diving into work was exactly thrilling. It was just¡­ something to do. A minor distraction that made his life meaningful. Somewhat.


    At least the money is good.


    He snickered, but his smile stopped when his phone vibrated. Its screen lit up. David''s body turned as stiff as cardboard. He held his breath for several seconds and tried to calm his thoughts, but it didn''t help.


    The phone vibrated again.


    It almost felt like the lit-up screen was mocking him. Threatening him.


    He muttered a curse under his breath and reached for the phone. Two messages from his mother popped up.


    [Mother: Hello, son.


    I know you have been doing great, so I won''t waste our precious time with pleasantries.


    There are a few things you have to do in the following weeks!


    We received the reports about your workload and achievements and assessed you should receive your next promotion soon.


    Once you are the Senior Director, you will have more responsibilities within the company, but your father also wants you to pick up golf and boxing again.


    The third son of a renowned intelligence officer joined your father''s subsidiary boxing club recently.


    You have to socialize again. It is unpleasant, we know, but it has to be done. Your father needs your support. We need you!


    As for boxing, the CEO of Siex has been asking about you. His second daughter seems to be interested in you and your experience in martial arts.


    Since it has come to this, we need you to step up your game.


    I need you to stop meeting these scoundrels you call friends.


    If you won''t do it, and I know when you''re trying to hide something from me, you will have to face the consequences of your actions!]


    [Mother: I know you can do better. Make sure you don''t keep disappoint us. Love you.]


    David clutched his phone tightly until his knuckles turned white. A moment later, the screen cracked.


    He was good at his job, but hearing the likelihood of a promotion from his mother left a bitter taste in his mouth. Then again, it mattered little how good he was at his job. Everything was part of his parents'' scheme ¨C their great plan ¨C either way.


    His path had been paved, leaving barely anything for him to work for or toward. There was only one real challenge left¡ªhis own impossible mission: escaping his parents'' control.


    He loved them, but their love weighed on him, thick with something that burned like acid.


    As he remembered the day he''d resigned himself to his parents'' clutches, David let out an exasperated sigh. His shoulders slumped and he frowned as frustration, despair, and anger swirled within him, but it was of no use. He was powerless to change anything.


    The blankets rustled again, and this time David looked at Rebecca. She was just one of many women he''d met. Shallow, easy to impress: a challenge so small it barely felt like one. A way to show that he had some control over his life.


    Even ''winning'' over a woman had lost its meaning. There was no thrill in the hunt¡­ or anything else.


    His thoughts were interrupted as the mural shook again. This time the tremors were everywhere. David sat up straight and ignored Rebecca''s soft moans. He had no idea how she was still sleeping. His heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest. The sound of cracking concrete and screeching metal resounded, spurring David to get up. However, a hand shot out from beneath the blankets, stopping him. Soft fingers curled around his tense arm as a sleepy voice murmured from under the covers.


    "Where are you going?


    Her voice was heavy with weariness, yet she clung tightly to him.


    He wondered how she had made it this far in life with survival instincts like this. David couldn''t quite believe it. Earthquakes weren''t common in this area, but it shouldn''t have been too hard to recognize one when it happened. The floor trembled, the panoramic window shivered, straining under the pressure, and the bed was shaking violently.


    Escaping her grasp wasn''t easy. It was especially bad when the cracking intensified. He could almost feel the crack sweeping through the entire building. He turned to Rebecca, his heart drumming against his rib cage like it hadn''t for years as he dove in her direction.


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    A moment later, David felt as if he were suddenly weightless, suspended in midair. He was certain someone had screamed, but the sound was swallowed by inertia as everything blurred, and he was yanked to the ground.


    The world around David turned upside down for a moment. Then, everything turned dark.


    ¡­


    A spark of pain jolted him awake. He groaned and opened his eyes slowly to look around ¨C where was he?


    David tried to turn around and jump to his feet, but his body disobeyed. A pang of pain struck him square in the chest, his head pulsed like it had been cracked open, and his legs felt like they had been shattered in several spots. At least he was alive.


    The pain coursing through him was all the proof he needed.


    Blood poured down his face in streams, and a simple check-up was enough to tell that something hard must have fallen on his head. It was bad. His vision was blurry, and David kept losing control of his body. But David''s mind wasn''t messed up enough to think the mattress underneath was soaked in his blood. At least, most of it shouldn''t be his.


    Probably a concussion, and maybe a few broken ribs¡ªor maybe all of them.


    Even David''s legs felt like a mess, but no wound explained all the blood. In the first place, how long had he been unconscious? It could have been just seconds. Too much blood streamed down his face to survive several minutes bleeding like a pig.


    So, there were worse ways to start the day than getting a message from his mother.


    David sneered, sending a silent ''fuck-you'' to the world, while his attention drifted to his surroundings. He hadn''t been buried alive, but he wasn''t in his apartment anymore either. His position had changed drastically from the highest floor of the apartment tower to the ground. He must have been incredibly lucky¡ªor cursed¡ªto survive something like this.


    That was probably the best news of the morning.


    The early morning sun pierced through the lingering shadows, though piles of rubble and broken walls blocked most of his view to the left and ahead.


    The scene around him felt unreal, like something straight out of a Hollywood movie¡ªa disaster that had leveled everything in sight.


    Everywhere David looked, buildings had been reduced to rubble. Nothing but piles of rubble and remnants of the glorious skyscrapers had been left behind.


    A shudder ran through him, his skin prickled as he imagined being one of the people who''d lived on the floors below. Did anyone else survive the earthquake? How did he survive in the first place? Did the mattress soften the fall or was his survival the result of something else?


    Even if the mattress had helped, every inch of him hurt.


    His head was already hurting badly, but it wasn''t like his body had fared any better.


    In the midst of his pain, he suddenly remembered¡ªRebecca!


    He groaned and cursed through the pain as he checked for Rebecca, "Are you fi¨C..."


    The words died in his throat as he saw the rebar jutting through her chest. Rebecca wasn''t as lucky as David had been.


    So that''s where all the blood was coming from.


    Realization hit him. His gaze locked on the pool of blood drenching the mattress.


    Her death was bad, but David hoped it had been quick, painless.


    This is a disaster! How did nobody realize an earthquake of this size would hit the city?!


    David retched, his eyes trailing back to Rebecca''s dead body again and again, but no vomit came out. His stomach settled and his mind adjusted slowly.


    Was this all just from adrenaline?


    As if the earthquake wasn''t enough, probably claiming hundreds, maybe thousands of lives, David had a sickening feeling that this was just the beginning as a rectangular holographic screen appeared before his eyes.


    [Congratulations! You survived the integration!]


    David blinked, the words blurring slightly as he tried to focus on them.


    [The Earthen Union (Planet SD531IOP5) has entered the Pantheon. Primary Integration package has been engraved on the planetary system.] S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    More screens appeared before him, but his head pounded. Muffled screams rose from the rubble around him, pressing in on him. It was too much to process at once. It was bad enough to think people might be buried alive¡ªbut hearing their screams was worse, cutting straight through him.


    His eyes widened, and he should have been scared to death, yet he regained his composure after a few seconds. Why was he so calm? It was eerie, even to himself.


    David thought about checking the other holographic screens to find out what was going on. It might come in handy. First, he focused on Rebecca. She was dead. There was no doubt about that. But something about her was¡­odd.


    Her fingers twitched, or was it just his imagination? It could have been a natural reaction of her body. Like a final twitch of her nerves.


    That doesn''t make any sense.


    He inched closer. No, she really was twitching.


    "Are you okay, Rebecca?" David cursed as his eyes lay on the rebar piercing through Rebecca, "Of course, you aren''t fine. But don''t worry. Help will arrive soon. Don''t move and stay as calm as possible."


    He tried to reassure her, but she didn''t listen. She moved, blood gushing out of her chest as she lifted her body.


    David froze in his tracks for a moment. Too stunned to react, he watched as she shot upright. She sat up with a sickening crunch. ignoring the rebar embedded in her chest. Blood poured from her chest, but Rebecca didn''t flinch. She looked at David, her dark eyes were bloodshot with a tinge of sickly yellow shining in them.


    However, that wasn''t the first thing David noticed. The first thing he realized was that her eyes weren''t as vibrant as they used to be. They were dull and lifeless.


    She was dead.


    A hoarse groan escaped her lips. One moment, David recognized the woman he''d met the night before, and the next moment, she shot forward to attack David with sharp teeth.


    He responded a moment too late. His mind was foggy, his body crushed.


    Her teeth sank into his shoulder, harder and deeper than he thought possible. She had been small and weak before. Not anymore.


    [You have been infected.]


    His mind screamed at him to shove her away and run, but his body reacted differently. His hands pulled to the side, searching for something. Moving hurt. It was so painful that even the adrenaline shooting through his body wasn''t enough to push it down. Still, David moved until he found something. His right hand coiled around a fist-sized stone, gripping it tightly.


    David did something he''d never imagined he would and his hand shot forward, smashing Rebecca''s head with the stone.


    He didn''t hold back, smashing her head over and over ¨C six times in a row ¨C until the unnatural strength in her slim frame finally stopped and she went limp.


    David''s breath came in heavy gasps as he stared at Rebecca''s crushed skull


    His chest heaved up and down heavily, his hands trembled, and his mind was having trouble comprehending what had just happened.


    The rectangular interfaces popping up before him didn''t help David to clear his mind either. He stared at them, while his expression distorted


    [You have defeated an Infected(Common). The requirement to unlock the Class System has been met.]


    [You have been infected.]


    He didn''t have time to consider what the notifications meant as more jumped into existence.


    [Infection(Stage One) has entered your bloodstream.]


    [Infection''s level increased to stage two.]

 Chapter 2 - B1 2 - The Choice

    David gasped for air, his chest heaving up and down, his eyes lingering on Rebecca. He remembered their night together, and how playful she had been.


    Now she was dead, killed in an earthquake, resurrected by¡­ S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What is going on?


    David felt sorry for Rebecca, and it was bizarre to think he had to kill her after she resurrected as a bloody¡­something, but he didn''t feel as guilty as he''d expected. He was in agony, his whole body ached, his broken ribs felt like they were piercing into his lungs every time he breathed, and his sight was still blurry.


    His condition was getting worse, too. Something was clearly wrong. His body temperature was rising, and the pain was intensifying as his adrenaline wore off.


    It wasn''t his wildly beating heart or the eerie calmness spreading through his body that worried David. Even though his condition was terrible, he was oddly calm.


    His shoulder suddenly went numb, the pain vanishing in an instant. The numbness was spreading rapidly as well. He looked down and squinted at what was happening in the corner of his eyes.


    His skin around the bite mark on his shoulder was darkening to an unnatural black, while the flesh beneath began to bubble and blister. A foul stench hit David as blisters burst, exposing raw, decaying tissue


    That was enough to worry David, but it got worse. It had only been a second or two since he''d started inspecting the bite mark, but the veins around it were already changing. They expanded and transformed into a slippery, yellow mass. David was not a doctor, far from it. But even he could still see that something was terribly wrong.


    Death''s grip around his neck seemed to tighten. It was hard to imagine, but he was going to die. At least, that''s what he thought.


    That thought struck him hard. He was already injured and felt like collapsing on the spot, but the Infection, whatever that meant, was most definitely worse than some strained muscles, a head wound, and a few broken ribs.


    He needed to find help. But in a place like this? It was a disaster, and he didn''t know if anyone nearby had survived.


    More unfortunate people had died in the building, and it wouldn''t surprise David if they''d also resurrected as ''Infected.'' Somehow the deaths didn''t faze him. After all, he would be joining them soon, right?


    No!


    David grit his teeth and tried to calm his rapidly beating heart. Simply put, he was in a bad situation. The resurrection of the dead was not supposed to be possible, and the interfaces were confusing, to put it mildly.


    Still, he knew panicking wouldn''t solve his problem. If anything, it would make things worse.


    David considered his options bleakly. There was no one to help him. Even if others had survived, what could they do? They''d be just as lost, if not more so.


    David ruffled through his hair without feeling an ounce of pain. That was odd. He should be in hellish pain from something like that. That could only mean one thing. The infection and the numbness accompanying it spread fast.


    What could possibly stop this madness? All he knew so far was a mix of strange facts. The dead were rising, and strange interfaces were appearing before his eyes. It was as magical as it was terrifying.


    David checked the interfaces with the desperate focus of a dying man, his gaze landing on a particular notification.


    The Class System!


    "Whatever you are¡­access Class System! Summon Class System!! I want to pick a Class!" David had no idea if that would work, but he sure hoped this would be similar to some things he''d read in the novels he checked out when he was bored to death. This didn''t seem like your average cultivation novel, but David sincerely hoped it was similar to one of the light novels he''d read when bored.


    [The Survivor has unlocked the Class System. As a new subject to the Pantheon, you are given access to the four Basic Classes. Pick your favorite!]


    [Basic Classes: Hunter, Warrior, Mage, Cleric.]


    [Hunter(Basic Class) ¨C Hunters are known for their extraordinary combat experience with the bow and other ranged weapons, but their expertise doesn''t end there. Hunters accumulate experience by tracking and pursuing prey over years. Their¡­.]


    "Stop that bullshit and give me the Cleric Class!" David clenched his jaw, dismissing the lengthy descriptions.


    He hadn''t played games much growing up, since his parents forbade it, but he''d spent the first summer after moving out trying to understand the obsession with games. By the end of that summer, David grasped their appeal¡ªthough he eventually had to quit as they clashed with his work responsibilities.


    Nonetheless, David knew what some Classes were capable of. A Warrior couldn''t heal. That was the Cleric''s job. It was his only option for survival.


    [Cleric Class has been selected.]


    [Your energy reservoir has been prepared.]


    A warm feeling formed in his stomach region, but it wasn''t like the rise in temperature from the Infection. The warmth was soothing and invigorating.


    [Holy Sea has been formed!]


    [Congratulations! The Survivor(Cleric) has advanced to [Iron I].]


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    [Basic Class Skills [Cure Wounds] and [Cleanse] have been added. Prepare for the influx of information!]


    David ignored the warm and soothing feeling gathering behind his navel and focused on the pulse of information crashing into his mind. He couldn''t do anything about it as foreign information spread through his mind and settled down.


    A heavy wave of nausea hit him, nearly forcing David to the ground. He swayed to the side but caught himself before anything worse could happen.


    The sensation struck him as anything but normal, adding to the unsettling realization that maybe ¨C somehow ¨C all of this was real.


    David hadn''t doubted the sudden twist of reality¡ªespecially after what happened with Rebecca¡ªbut the surge of information still took him by surprise. Though his mind was foggy, he could piece together enough to understand what might save him.


    The strange, newly imprinted knowledge had to be enough to survive. He wouldn''t let himself die here!


    He considered his options: while [Cure Wounds] looked helpful, [Cleanse] seemed crucial for his immediate problem, or so David hoped.


    David''s heart raced as he clung to whatever fragments he could grasp, piecing them together enough to understand that his skills could help him. The sickly yellow veins were spreading even faster and occupied a good portion of his shoulder.


    David closed his eyes and focused on the Holy Sea. He had never done something like that, but the glimpses of information imprinted on his mind helped him locate and understand what he had to do. Normally, he wouldn''t see anything with his eyes closed, but when he focused on the Holy Sea within him, that changed.


    A small sea, glowing brighter than stars on a cloudless night, appeared in the darkness. This was his Holy Sea: tiny, but hopefully powerful enough to fight the infection. Around it swirled even tinier objects, like stars, minuscule but essential.


    David tried following the bits and pieces of the newly acquired information to use [Cleanse]. He tapped into the Holy Sea''s power, trying to draw some of its energy. But he was too rough, gripping it too tightly, and nearly shattered it.


    David pulled out far too much energy at once.


    But he didn''t mind at this moment. He had a patient ¨C himself ¨C to heal and channeled the energy to one of the two glittering objects revolving around the Holy Sea.


    [Cleanse has been activated manually.]


    [Excessive holy power has been detected. Initiate Skill Rune overlock.]


    David kept his eyes shut as [Cleanse] worked its wonders. The numbing receded, a flood of warmth replacing the numbness. Simultaneously, the heat building up in his body transformed into a faint flicker that kept him warm in the morning cold.


    [Bloodstream has been cleansed. Level of Infection decreased to stage one.]


    [Proficiency of Cleanse increased.]


    Nice!


    He nearly shouted aloud. David wouldn''t die today. Not due to the Infection, at least.


    His body was still a mess, utterly destroyed, and hard to move without the ever-present pain, but he was not dead yet.


    One step at a time.


    He reminded himself, taking a deep breath and wincing as his ribs jabbed his insides.


    David was about to use [Cleanse] like that again when he checked the notifications. He read them thoroughly to make sure he wouldn''t miss anything.


    The objects revolving around the Holy Sea are called Skill Runes. That''s good to know. Controlling holy power freely¡­seems feasible¡­after thorough training. Fighting while using Skill Runes should also be feasible. Also after some training, of course.


    He looked at the ground where the stone drenched in brain mass had landed. It wasn''t a good weapon, but it was the only thing he had at his disposal. The blood-drenched metal bar that had killed Rebecca would have been better, but it was still a part of a wall or ceiling. Fighting beings who''d come back from the dead unarmed would mean certain death, yet the stone didn''t give him any means to remain at a safe distance.


    He would be scratched or bitten again, risking more infection.


    If the notification says ''manually'', shouldn''t it be possible to use [Cleanse] differently as well? Automatically or half-automatically?


    That would be ideal in battle, especially if he could apply the same strategy with other Skill Runes.


    He opened his eyes and made a mental command.


    Use [Cleanse]!


    The Holy Sea stirred when he ushered the word [Cleanse] into his mind. Or was it the intent behind the word? David had yet to find out, but he was in no hurry to start any thorough experiments. He closed his eyes for a moment and focused on the Holy Sea again, revealing a small but steady stream of holy power creating a path to the Skill Rune of [Cleanse]. It connected to the Skill Rune, albeit slowly, and activated [Cleanse.]


    The effect was less pronounced this time, but it still fulfilled its purpose. David opened his eyes and examined his shoulder. The foul odor dissipated, and the sickly yellow veins reverted to their original appearance. All that remained was the dead flesh around the Infected''s bite mark.


    [Infection has been cleansed.]


    [Proficiency of Cleanse increased.]


    After using [Cleanse] twice, David''s head felt like someone had cracked it open with an axe.


    This is a lot more exhausting than I thought it would be.


    Despite that, David didn''t stop there. He ushered his intent to use the other Skill Rune on himself before the pain of his wounds could get worse.


    [Cure Wounds]!


    His Holy Sea was drained slowly. This time, however, the stream of holy power poured into the other Skill Rune.


    [Cure Wounds] was activated and filled him with warmth. David''s entire body started itching as the warmth spread through him. The pain was still there, but it wasn''t as bad as before. The itching sensation intensified, dulling the pain. However, the itching got so bad, spreading into his bones, that he nearly cried aloud.


    David endured it silently, his eyes trained on the bite mark. The fresh flesh underneath the dead, rotten flesh grew rapidly. For a second, it looked like the dead, rotten flesh was about to recover, but it was expelled, and the wound was healed all of the way.


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds increased.]


    His bones were still broken and heavily damaged, but David felt much better.


    That''s crazy. I am wielding magic.


    David couldn''t help but laugh at the absurdity that he was wielding magic, but he quickly silenced himself when he heard the rattling groans of more Infected nearby.


    Considering this a ''disaster'' was the understatement of the century. This is nuts!


    With that thought, David used [Cure Wounds] again, the corners of his lips curling upward. Mystic energy surged through his body, slowly mending what was broken.

 Chapter 3 - B1 3 - Escape

    His heart was beating wildly again. David had just fought the dead, gotten infected, and healed himself using magic. If he put enough effort and holy power into it, perhaps he could mend his broken body properly.


    All he had to do was to use [Cure Wounds] often enough. Probably.


    That would be an extraordinary achievement. No. It would be much more than that. It would be miraculous, impossible¡­ in the world he used to live.


    However, the Earthen Union was not what it used to be. Everything had either changed already or was changing now.


    Despite all the trouble and the pain fueling him, David''s eyes landed on a pair of sneakers. His chest was beaten black and blue, and drenched in both sweat and blood, yet his bare feet troubled him the most.


    He chuckled, wondering if he was weird for thinking like that, but grimaced when a pang of pain assaulted him.


    He swallowed hard, used [Cure Wounds] again, and approached the pair of sneakers. They were torn and dirty but probably the best shoes he would find in this mess.


    David reflected on his behavior with a pained smile.


    Being this excited about a torn pair of sneakers is a new low.


    He had to mend his wounds and be in as good a condition as he could be in order to survive whatever lay ahead of him. A pair of sneakers, albeit damaged, would do well enough to protect his feet.


    As [Cure Wounds] jumped into effect, the Holy Sea''s energy level dropped below half. His ribs didn''t hurt as much as before, and the throbbing pain in his head had subsided.


    His situation had improved significantly, which was a relief because he might have died putting on the sneakers and getting dressed.


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds increased.]


    Beads of sweat poured down his forehead, yet David took several seconds to recognize that he''d broken into a cold sweat.


    But he didn''t feel too bad. In fact, David felt like he was on the verge of achieving something great, though he couldn''t grasp what it was.


    Suddenly, his mind turned blank for a moment. He took a deep breath as mental exhaustion assaulted him.


    He wondered if he had pushed himself too far.


    David crumbled inwardly. His Holy Sea was still half full, meaning he should be able to use his Skill Runes two, perhaps three more times.


    The manual [Cleanse] consumed roughly two or three times more holy power than the second skill. Though it was probably worth it. Overclocking [Cleanse] helped remove the Infection faster. It also activates much more quickly than the automatic activation with a mental command.


    David made some quick calculations and decided that he could use [Cleanse] and [Cure Wounds] between six to eight times, depending on how much holy power he used. However, that also meant his Holy Sea had to be filled to the brim to use his Skill Runes that often.


    David had no idea how to actively refill his Holy Sea. He wondered if that was even possible.


    The only advantage he''d discovered was that the Holy Sea seemed to replenish the used-up holy power passively. He didn''t have to do anything if he could accept that his Holy Sea needed hours to be full again.


    That should be a problem for later.


    David turned to the rattling groans and discovered Infected coming his way. He didn''t know the Infected or who they had once been, but it wouldn''t have changed anything even if he''d known them. They were dead already, and threatened his survival.


    David lowered his body slowly and reached for the stone covered in brain mass. He''d much rather pick up another stone or search for a loose metal bar lying around, a mace, or something even better, like a machine gun. Unfortunately, David wasn''t given the luxury of time to search the ruins of the building complex he''d once called his home. Not that he expected to find a machine gun in the ruins in the first place.


    One of the Infected was already close by. It stumbled forward slowly, its movements uncoordinated, but David couldn''t find a way to escape. The Infected inched closer, ready to capture him if he moved in their direction.


    Broken walls blocked him in two directions, forcing him to face the Infected, even if that meant he could be infected again.


    David expected himself to panic in a situation like this; he felt everyone would react the same way. He was oddly calm as he weighed his chances. A quarter of a second was all David needed to make a decision.


    He clutched the stone tightly and dashed to the closest Infected. His body screamed in pain, telling him to slow down and rest until he''d recovered, but his condition was already a lot better than before. David pushed the pain aside, gritted his teeth, and dashed toward the Infected. Suddenly, the Infected accelerated. Or was David too slow to react to the Infected''s sudden movement?


    David''s vision blurred for a moment. His body felt like it was about to burst apart from a sudden wave of pain overwhelming him, while the Infected''s hands shot forward, reaching him in his moment of weakness.


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    The creature''s hands swept across his skin, its nails scratching him deeply.


    [You have been infected.]


    He would have loved to avoid the Infected''s initial attack, but David had to think creatively since his earlier attempts had failed.


    He used the accumulated momentum and ignored the rapidly increasing threat to his life as he raised his arm. A moment later, with the Infected''s face inching closer to his neck, ready to tear him apart, David''s hand smashed down with the stone hard on the Infected''s head, perfectly hitting the spot he''d wanted to reach.


    A loud crack echoed. It rang through David''s ear like a sonorous melody even as the stone in his hand cracked. It may have been luck, great fortune bestowed upon David, but the stone cracked open after crushing the Infected''s skull, creating the opening he needed to lift his arm to thrust out again.


    Time seemed to crawl as everything around him unfolded simultaneously. It almost felt like time had slowed to show David what was happening in his last living moments. But David refused to die like that. He was unwilling to just give up.


    The Infected behind him inched closer. It was only a matter of seconds before it would reach him, its foul scent filling the air, breathing down David''s neck to feast on his blood and flesh. However, nothing shook him this time. He was eerily calm, his attention solely on the enemy before him. If the Infected before him survived, he would be dead either way.


    Die!


    David screamed in his mind as the cracked stone passed neatly through the Infected''s crushed skull, obliterating the creature''s brain in one swift motion.


    [You have defeated an Infected(Common).]


    David didn''t bother pulling the stone out of the Infected''s skull. The Infected collapsed dead, truly dead, to the ground while his body continued screaming at him. The screams intensified as David pushed through the rubble. He reached the surface but wasn''t able to take in the morning sun.


    Instead, he was forced to sprint, evading the other Infected by a hair''s breadth as he moved through the uneven rubble.


    Just like zombies in the shows and movies.


    He noted the lessons learned from his brief encounter with the undead. The Infected behind him groaned and hissed, but was too slow to keep up with him.


    Unfortunately, his struggle didn''t end even after he escaped the encirclement. The commotion had attracted other Infected.


    They appeared out of nowhere. The once-quiet building ruins transformed into a cacophony of snarls and hisses. Some Infected shoved rubble aside to chase David, while others were stuck in place.


    Unfortunately ¨C only for them, of course ¨C only a few Infected could move naturally. Most Infected had been crushed when the building collapsed.


    Even if the dead couldn''t feel any pain, they couldn''t move in broken bodies. Their movement was restrained by their own crushed legs.


    That was to David''s benefit. He discovered a few Infected in his way as he escaped but rushed past a pair when he noticed that they moved even slower than the average Infected.


    He ran for a few minutes, turning his head left and right to search for a safe spot without Infected, and to assess the situation. Of course, he didn''t forget the infection.


    [Cleanse]!


    Holy power drained from his energy reservoir, leaving him with even less to use later. While he hoped to replenish it enough to activate his Skill Runes more frequently, that remained uncertain. David lacked the information to make any definitive conclusions. The one thing he knew for sure was that the holy power coursing through his veins possessed mending properties. Even without using [Cure Wounds], he felt an undeniable sense of relief as the holy power fueled him.


    [Infection has been cleansed.]


    [Proficiency of Cleanse increased.]


    The cleansing process was the same as before, but it felt less mentally taxing this time.


    He believed he had made progress, but the infection might not have been as severe as the one earlier.


    Either way, it was beneficial, just like the notification that popped up a moment later.


    [Your Rank increased by one..]


    [Iron I] ¡ú [Iron II]


    [One Attribute Point has been added]


    A burst of vigor filled David, easing some of his mental and physical exhaustion. The vigor surged toward the Holy Sea, but didn''t enter the energy reservoir. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The energy within the Holy Sea rippled and stirred, hastening its replenishment.


    Even though David had little understanding of the situation, he considered it lucky.


    This feels like a game. You level up and grow stronger, only to fight stronger enemies. The only downside is the lack of a respawn point. Death is permanent, except for the Infected. Well, they''re still dead, but in a different sense.


    David looked around and noticed no Infected nearby. Some Infected crawled out of a destroyed skyscraper, but they were too far away to notice him. He felt like sitting down to rest for a while, and maybe he would have done that if he hadn''t been unarmed in a world full of undead creatures trying to eat him alive.


    David started searching for a useful weapon. A metal rod would be best, but he wouldn''t complain about finding some jagged stones. While walking across a concrete street that couldn''t have looked any worse, David was graced with his first moments of silence. Everything had been hectic until it came to a sudden halt now that he was in a safe area, if something like that still existed in the first place.


    Was the earthquake only in this area, or did it happen all over the Earthen Union? If it''s the latter¡­what happened to my parents? My family and friends?


    David didn''t like thinking about it, but he would have to accept the bitter reality whether he wanted it or not.


    He reached for his phone, but it wasn''t with him anymore.


    Good job, David!


    He cursed inwardly and kicked a small stone in a fit of rage. Unfortunately, the turmoil of emotions raging within him didn''t help anyone. If anything, it would push David toward stupid decisions, something he couldn''t afford to make right now.


    "Dad is a fighter. He won''t die that easily," he reminded himself out loud, "And he will never allow anyone or anything to kill Mom either. They''ll be fine."


    At least, that was what he sincerely hoped.


    No matter how much they had tortured him with their acts and attitude, David didn''t want them to die.

 Chapter 4 - B1 4 - Reinforced

    David stared at the pair of long, jagged stones resting in his hand with a deepening frown. They had to be as durable as they looked. If not, he would have to search for stones after every fight until he found something to fight Infected with properly.


    That reminded him of the Attribute point he''d earned. It might not be a weapon, but the Attribute Point should still be helpful in combat.


    Attribute Points. He remembered them from games. They were among the most important resources for growing stronger. But how was he supposed to use them?


    He licked his lips in anticipation as ideas popped up, some exciting, others absurd.


    "Interface! Status! Status window! Stat sheet! Information board!" His deep voice rang out, ushering as many names as he recalled from games, but his chest tightened when the first command succeeded¡ªit seemed intent was the key once again.


    A blue, rectangular screen materialized before him.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Class ¨C Cleric


    Rank ¨C Iron II


    Body ¨C Low(Basic)


    Mind ¨C Low(Basic)


    Soul ¨C Lowest(Basic)


    [Skill Runes]


    [Cure Wounds] ¨C [Tier-0 I]


    [Cleanse] ¨C [Tier-0 I]


    Attribute Points ¨C 1


    David had been expecting something impressive, but the interface was disappointingly plain.


    That''s simple.


    He had one Attribute Point since he leveled up only once, and there appeared to be only three characteristics to improve: Body, Mind, and Soul.


    David''s attention drifted away from the Attribute Point and lingered on the Skill Runes for a while. What would happen when his Skill Runes leveled up? How strong were Skill Runes of a higher Tier?


    Questions flooded his mind¡ªhow Skill Runes leveled up, how strong higher-tiered runes might be¡ªbut he dismissed them for now. He''d figure them out with time and effort


    "Upgrade Body!" David muttered, and the system followed his command at once.


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Body.]


    Low(Basic) ¡ú Low(+)(Basic)


    As the rectangular screen popped up, time seemed to slow to a crawl. The next few seconds felt like tens of minutes to David as he waited impatiently for the live-changing improvements to his physique.


    He visualized his bones cracking and his muscles bulging as his physical strength increased significantly. But from the looks of it, nothing like that would happen. He wasted several minutes on nothing.


    "Seriously?" His eyebrows arched up. Was the system a scam? His expectations were already low, but this was worse than he''d imagined. Had he just wasted his only Attribute Point on nothing? The thought clawed at him.


    David growled and kicked a nearby stone. He braced for the searing pain from the sudden movement. Instead, the stone shattered, and he felt only the faintest twinge of pain.


    "What the?!"


    His eyes widened and drifted to the stone fragments as they blasted everywhere.


    He''d never been this strong before¡ªnot that he''d ever tried shattering stones with a kick¡ªbut something had clearly changed.


    He considered testing his strength. Lifting heavy stones wasn''t new to him, though he''d used weights, not rocks.


    His fingers dug into the edges of some heavier stones, and a sharp ache flared through his wounds as he lifted them. His body protested, but his mind found satisfaction in confirming his suspicion.


    The changes were clear: increased strength, speed, and endurance. He didn''t feel it before, but it was obvious now that he focused on his body. His muscles felt taut, his reflexes sharper.


    He had much more to test to determine what else the Body property indicated. However, once again, David didn''t have the luxury to do so. It was fortunate that he could determine a few things without extensive testing. His body appeared to regenerate faster than before, but the combination of [Cure Wounds] and the enhancement of his Body property were likely the deciding factors to his rapid regeneration.


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    Just a little testing couldn''t hurt. It might even save his life someday, right?


    David knew it was foolish, but he did it anyway. Knowing his limits could be the difference between life and death. He had to know when to fight and when to flee.


    He pinched himself a little and sprinted across the least damaged areas of the sidewalk as a simple test. It wasn''t enough to determine his durability, but the sprints helped study his stamina, agility, and endurance.


    The changes weren''t dramatic, but they were enough to ease David''s initial disappointment.


    Strength, speed, and endurance were needed to survive in the new world. Improving Body was the perfect way to do that.


    David wondered what he could achieve by improving the other statistics. Would Mind increase his intelligence? That was¡­unlikely. It might improve his memorization and accelerate his thinking speed. Maybe it would also enhance his Holy Sea''s recovery rate, but that was even more uncertain than the rest.


    He would find out sooner or later.


    But for now, improving Body appeared to be the best solution.


    He rested briefly and checked his Holy Sea before it was time to move on. David grasped the jagged stones tightly, his thoughts a jumble of hunger and survival. He walked beside the cracked concrete streets, his mind drifting to what lay ahead.


    Losing his home didn''t bother David as much as he thought it would; hunger was a far more pressing issue. His stomach growled, and he wondered how to find enough food and water for the days ahead.


    Maybe just food. Mashorn Park''s lake was nearby, and with [Cleanse], drinking from it wouldn''t be a problem.


    David had made several plans to move forward, but after walking for twenty minutes, he realized none of them mattered.


    A large intersection appeared before him. It was wide and irreparably destroyed, with a shopping center to his left and a small supermarket to his right.


    He''d expected more devastation, but the shopping center stood strong. In fact, it almost looked like more buildings across the intersection had survived the earthquake. There were still signs of destruction, but it didn''t seem as bad as the area behind him. That was good. Maybe he could find some more survivors!


    David had never been much of a talker, but he wasn''t a loner either. He spoke when necessary. That had to be enough to survive. Fighting Infected with others would increase his chances of survival. It was worth a shot.


    A wave of relief washed through him at the news he''d gathered from the shopping center''s condition. The earthquake''s center had to be his home if the shopping center and the building behind were mostly fine.


    But he was still hungry.


    Unfortunately, the supermarket was in poor condition, far from its former glory. He tried to recall the supermarket before the world turned upside down; It had two floors and was always crowded before the earthquake. But now the supermarket was no more. The entire building, except for one wall, had collapsed. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It should be empty since nobody was supposed to work there at this hour. That meant plenty of food to scavenge without disturbances!


    The supermarket was wrecked, and most of the food was probably crushed. But there had to be something left to scavenge. There might be even more if he cast [Cleanse]. David''s mind raced, trying to devise the most cost-efficient solution, but he discarded most ideas.


    Wasting holy power to cleanse food and water? No, thanks. Not now!


    David crossed the cracked pavement of the intersection, the crunch of debris underfoot breaking the eerie silence until he reached the supermarket''s crumbled walls


    His head flicked left and right to search for Infected, but when he couldn''t find any, David started searching for salvageable food. He couldn''t remember where everything was located since he hadn''t been to the supermarket often, but some memories surfaced in his mind.


    That pile should be where the vegetables are supposed to be¡­moving left and past the¨C


    As he surveyed the ruins, movement across the intersection caught his attention. He was interrupted by a sudden commotion. A high-pitched scream, followed by several shouts, came from the intersection.


    David tensed, turning toward the source of the screams and shouts.


    David tensed as he spotted three figures running from the shopping center. At the front, a short, agile man with a grimace clutched a bow and quiver. Behind him, a stocky giant wielded a longsword, his muscles straining as he ran. Struggling to keep up was a young woman with short black hair, clutching a wooden staff as she stumbled forward.


    Where did they find these weapons? David couldn''t accept that someone would have a bow and longsword at home. Well, he could accept the staff and the bow, but the sword? No way!


    The sound of shattering glass drew David''s gaze to the shopping center''s entrance, where a horde of Infected poured through the broken doors.


    His first encounter with survivors promised to be interesting.


    The short man spun around at her scream and David watched him as he drew and fired with practiced ease, his movements smooth and efficient.


    The first arrow pierced an Infected''s throat, which didn''t inflict any lasting damage. The Infected continued moving and charged forward. It took a second arrow to eliminate the first Infected. The arrow pierced the Infected''s eye and into its brain.


    Impressive. He must be a Hunter.


    The woman screeched again, this time in pain. One of the Infected lunged at her, its claws raking across her arm. Before David could react, the staff in her hand glowed with bright blue light. Something materialized and shot toward the Infected, piercing its head.


    "Fuck!" The giant of a man cursed as he arrived behind her. "Why the hell are you so slo¨C..."


    He cut himself off abruptly, his expression hardening as he glanced at her. Grasping his longsword tightly, the man faced the incoming horde of Infected.


    "Keep fighting! We can only help you once they''re dealt with!" He shouted though the confidence in his voice was fleeting.


    Why is he doing that?


    David eyed the towering man.


    Why is he staying?


    The woman had been scratched. She was as good as dead.

 Chapter 5 - B1 5 - Aid

    The scene unfolding in the intersection was interesting. The world had turned upside down not too long ago, but the survivors weren''t doing a bad job of dealing with the Infected even though they looked like humans. David expected more restraint from other survivors, but they didn''t seem to have any major problems fighting ¨C or killing ¨C Infected.


    The Hunter missed some arrows, but his accuracy improved after a few accurate shots. The improvements were enough to hit a few more targets, piercing the eyes and brains of a few Infected in one go.


    Not too bad.


    If David had been fighting the Infected with a bow, he would have been killed within seconds, unable to kill any of them. Or maybe, with fortune on his side, he would have killed one Infected using a bow before he would have been torn apart and eaten alive.


    The Hunter was also good at keeping away from the Infected while the Infected charged the hulking man and injured woman. The woman, probably a Mage, was desperate. She bawled her eyes out, snot pouring down her nose, yet she didn''t surrender that easily. That surprised David the most. He expected the girl to give up after the Infected scratched her. She was already crying loudly, yet her body never stopped moving.


    She released five more deadly attacks, which David assumed were energy bolts or some Skill Rune with a similar name, but collapsed a moment later, her body drenched in sweat.


    Six energy bolts in quick succession. No wonder she is exhausted.


    David was certain the infection was also draining her, yet the Mage never surrendered. She didn''t look tenacious, but her actions brought a smile to David''s face. However, he was even more impressed with the hulking man, who''d clearly chosen the Warrior Class.


    He wasn''t too bad, raising his longsword like it didn''t weigh anything as he cleaved through the closest Infected.


    David''s eyes bulged.


    He caught sight of the Warrior''s swift movements, slashing and twisting his blade with practiced precision. The Warrior wasn''t fast, yet his attacks were ''unique''. His second attack beheaded an Infected before it crashed heavily into another Infected, severing one arm and cutting through half of the Infected''s chest.


    The Infected''s chest slumped down, and it fell head-first to the ground.


    David tilted his head, watching the Warrior with interest as he stepped forward, crushing the Infected''s head with his foot. The Infected''s skull shattered from the impact, and brain mass splattered in all directions.


    What a savage. I like it!


    David''s heart was beating wildly. He would have loved to be in the Warrior''s place, swinging a sword and cleaving through his enemies. Unfortunately, he wasn''t a Warrior and didn''t have a sword. But David wasn''t weak, it was more like his field of expertise was different.


    Some Infected are getting cut more smoothly than others. Is that a Skill Rune?


    The glint in his eyes intensified as something unexpected occurred. He tensed up and studied the fight more intently as one of the Infected, an oddly fast example, arrived beside the Warrior. The Warrior spun around and shifted, switching from a highly aggressive stance to a defensive position near-instantly.


    He parried the incoming claw strikes and thrust his sword deep into the Infected'' wide-open mouth before twisting the blade with great force, but David wasn''t looking at that.


    His mind was stuck with the Warrior''s defense.


    He was slower before. His movement was too sudden. Too¡­unnatural. Did he really parry the attacks on his own? Maybe that''s what his Skill Rune does.


    Observing the battle ahead, David fell into deep thought.


    "That''s what you can do with a proper weapon, some skill, and a good Class." He mumbled, looking at the stones in his hands. No matter how effective the stones seemed, they were still just stones.


    Fuck this shit. This is getting on my nerves!!


    Only half a dozen Infected were alive, but half had switched their targets. They turned to the Hunter and chased him when he stepped into a crack in the intersection. He''d been retreating, his eyes glued to the enemies, and didn''t check what lay behind. A scream escaped his lips as he lost his balance and fell to the ground.


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    The Infected closed the distance to the Hunter in no time. The Warrior shouted something, but the Hunter couldn''t hear him. He''d frozen in his tracks. The Infected towered above the Hunter, his eyes wet. The dam in his eyes burst, and tears streamed down his cheeks as the Infected reached down to scratch and bite him.


    Right before the first Infected could touch the Hunter, David arrived at the scene. He rushed to the Hunter''s side and smashed one of his jagged stones into the Infected''s eye. The stone was the perfect length, digging through the target''s eyeball before piercing deep into its brain.


    [You have defeated an Infected(Common).]


    David didn''t need the notification to know that he''d eliminated the Infected. He spun around on his heel, pulling the jagged stone out of the defeated Infected''s eye while lifting his other arm. The thick backside of his other stone slammed into the side of the next Infected''s skull, cracking it open like an egg.


    The Infected was not dead, but by twisting his other arm and using enough momentum, David managed to drive the jagged stone through the Infected''s cracked-open skull, eliminating the threat on the spot. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [You have defeated an Infected(Common).]


    The last Infected might have noticed David, but it toppled over the Hunter and was about to drive its foul teeth into the young man''s neck when David kicked it as hard as possible. His foot crashed heavily into the Infected''s side of the head, jerking it to the side. David was certain he heard something crack, but he kept going.


    David''s mind was blank, his heart was racing like there was no tomorrow.


    He inched closer and bent down, thrusting both jagged stones into the Infected''s eye sockets when it turned around to bite and scratch him.


    [You have defeated an Infected(Common).]


    That was batshit crazy!


    David was amazed and excited. He pressed his hand flat against his chest to feel his heartbeat and smiled, only to recall that there had been more Infected.


    David turned to the Warrior and the unconscious Mage, but they didn''t need his help. The Warrior had just beheaded the last Infected. The group of Infected was taken care of, yet the situation was not at its end. A myriad of glowing particles burst out of the final Infected and gathered above its carcass. The particles compressed and transformed into a¡­bat.


    Not the animal, but a baseball bat.


    That is¡­new¡­The Infected drop loot as well. Neat.


    "Thank you¡­" David heard from behind. The Hunter had gotten up, his cheeks blushed in embarrassment, "Without you, I would be dead."


    David nodded curtly.


    "Jack, check the surroundings. We''ve probably attracted the attention of all the Infected around us!" The Warrior shouted.


    The Hunter, Jack, groaned, "Only if you collect my arrows!"


    Are they friends? Probably not. Maybe they''re from the same apartment complex.


    David couldn''t make sense of the unlikely pair. Their banter sounded relaxed, but to him, it seemed forced, as if tension boiled beneath the surface. Either way, Jack moved toward the highest spot in the intersection, climbing as if scouting for something. There were multiple elevated positions in the intersection ¨C all thanks to the earthquake, transforming the streets and intersections into an abstract concrete landscape, but only one was suitable to sit or stand. The other spots were either too narrow or too dangerous to climb and remain. Except for those with the necessary skills, of course.


    The Warrior glanced at David, but only for a moment. He turned to the Mage girl and checked her wounds.


    David approached them. The Warrior didn''t seem to mind. He didn''t even look at David as he arrived beside them.


    "Thanks for helping Jack. I''m Sebastian," He introduced himself, his eyes narrowing at the sight unfolding before him. The Infection spread rapidly through the Mage''s body. Even the second stage of Infection inflicted on David didn''t spread that fast.


    Is it because she fainted from overexertion, or because she has a weaker Body stat? It could also be that I''m more resistant to the Infection because of the Holy Sea. A Mage''s energy core is probably related to mana or mythical energy.


    David cocked his head to the side as he studied the girl. His lips parted to say something, but at this moment, Sebastian turned to look at him.


    He noticed Sebastian''s gaze trailing from his blood-drenched clothes to the scratch marks on his arm, and finally to the bite mark.


    Sebastian''s expression hardened, his eyes narrowed, and his hand reached for the longsword.


    That''s an interesting response. To think someone like you has been living a normal life until¡­one hour ago¡­or has it been two? Probably one hour and a bit.


    David shrugged inwardly and smiled.


    "Calm down, buddy. I am not one of these weirdos," He pointed at the Infected, "I can help her if you want."


    Unfortunately, Sebastian wasn''t convinced. He stared daggers at David, ready to behead him at any moment.


    Healing simple wounds is possible, but reattaching a head¡­No way!

 Chapter 6 - B1 6 - Scammed by the System

    They were at an impasse. Sebastian was clearly not listening to him, and David had no idea what he could say or do to prove his point. He wasn''t Infected!


    This is getting us nowhere.


    He cleared his throat and stared sternly at the hulking man, "Look at my wounds. Study them intently, if you have to, and tell me whether I am an Infected!"


    David didn''t like the situation and found his patience slowly seeping away. He did not need to stay if they didn''t want his help. He could leave!


    Footsteps rang out to his left. Hunter Jack returned from checking the surroundings, his gaze lingering on the girl, which caught David''s attention.


    "There are Infected down the street to our left. About three dozen," He announced, "Let''s leave before they find us."


    David stared impatiently at Jack as he looked up. The Hunter returned David''s stare and looked at Sebastian a moment later. He cocked his eyebrow and frowned deeply.


    "What are you doing, Sebastian?"


    "That guy is injured. There is a bite mark, and he is covered in scratches. He is infected!" Sebastian grunted, his expression hardening, which only annoyed David further.


    "That''s not true, though," David retorted.


    What an idiot. The clich¨¦ about muscleheads being foolish seems to be true. Who would have thought?


    Brawn but no brain.


    David noticed Jack nod subtly, his pupils dilating as his eyes flicked from one of David''s wounds to the next.


    "You''re right, Sebastian," Jack agreed with the Warrior''s comment, but David noticed a sharp glint in the Hunter''s eyes and remained calm. Sebastian got up, grasping the longsword, but Jack raised his hand, stopping the Warrior.


    "But only about his injuries. He was injured, to be precise, probably by an Infected like you guessed. However, he is not infected," Jack commented. "Can''t you tell? Flora is suffering beside you. Look at her wound and tell me what the infection is doing to her. Then compare that with what you see with¡­ him."


    Jack''s eyebrows rose slowly as he returned David''s gaze, "You are not infected, but you¡­"


    "I was infected, yes. But I picked the Cleric Class and healed myself," David nodded.


    Jack began to smile, his eyes flicking to Flora, while Sebastian remained tense.


    "I can leave her to die," David said coldly, "I wouldn''t feel guilty about it either."


    He shrugged, his eyes drifting to the Warrior, "I''m merely telling you that saving her is no problem for me. I healed myself multiple times, as you can tell from my wounds. If it hadn''t worked, I would be like those rotting Infected by now. Dead."


    Jack walked up to Sebastian and tried to shove him aside.


    "Just let him help her, man. She will die if we leave her like this! I don''t want Flora to die! Not¡­Not if we can rescue her¡­ Or do you want her to d¡ª"


    "Don''t say anything you can''t handle," Sebastian glared daggers at Jack, reached for his collar and pulled him closer, "Don''t even think about gaslighting me, boy!"


    Sebastian pushed Jack to the side and made space.


    They have a really nice dynamic. David mused.


    He approached the little Mage girl and bent down. He studied her for a moment and pressed his hand over her wound. Maybe that wasn''t necessary, but David had to make sure not to waste any holy power.


    [Cleanse]!


    David''s hand began to glow, a dim light pulsing through his skin until it burst through his pores, coating his palm in a faint but pristine light. Using [Cleanse] on someone else felt weird. Different.


    It was almost like he invaded the Mage''s body to fight a battle. A battle she was currently losing.


    The pristine light surged from his pores, but David barely noticed. He was too focused on the Mage''s improving complexion.


    A few silent seconds passed before David got up.


    "Will she be fine?" Sebastian asked curtly.


    David ignored the Warrior. He looked at a bunch of interfaces.


    [Patient''s Infection has been cleansed.]


    [Proficiency of Cleanse increased.]


    [Proficiency of Cleanse reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 I] ¡ú [Tier-0 II]


    David wasn''t surprised by [Cleanse]''s rank up but was slightly disappointed that he didn''t receive any rewards. His expression soured briefly, but a smile crept on his face when a strand of information entered his mind. It joined the other information of [Cleanse] squeezed into his mind.


    [Cleanse] should be more efficient now. That''s neat.


    He had a few theories revolving around applying Skill Runes, but digesting the intel would take a while.


    "Thanks¡­" Sebastian murmured. David turned to the hulking man and saw him tending to Flora. The infection was gone, "Sorry about earlier."


    David waved a hand dismissively, none of it mattered.


    Flora stirred, and her eyes shot open. David stood there as she gasped for air, a tear slipping down her cheek.


    "I''m not dead?" She asked in a whisper, and more tears welled in her eyes, "I''m not an Infected!"


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    She bawled her eyes out, while Sebastian put his longsword aside to embrace Flora tightly


    "It''s okay. Everything will be fine. Our friend helped us. He removed the infection," Sebastian spoke in a low, reassuring tone, though David barely registered his words as his gaze fixated on the longsword beside the hulking man.


    It was a beautiful weapon. A double-edged sword. A real weapon made of cold steel.


    David''s attention lingered on the weapon before drifting to the wooden staff beside Flora and the bow on Jack''s back.


    "Where are these weapons from?" David asked, his attention finally locking onto the baseball bat.


    Maybe they were lucky and received them as drops? That would explain the weapons'' flawless appearance. They look like they''ve never been used before.


    "Didn''t you receive anything?" Jack asked. David turned, his gaze following the Hunter as he approached a fallen Infected and pulled an arrow from its eye. "The weapons appeared after we picked our Classes."


    That¡­


    David''s eyes narrowed to tiny slits. Realization dawned upon him.


    "Fuck this shit! Even this world-ending event is scamming me!" He growled while Jack accelerated his steps. He retrieved all the arrows in a hurry and returned to the others.


    "We have to leave. There are still Infected close by."


    David ignored Jack and headed to the baseball bat, "I can have that, right?"


    "Take it. You deserve it." Sebastian said.


    David didn''t waste any time and reached for the bat. It was shorter than his forearm but thicker and heavier than an average baseball bat. David didn''t recognize the material used to make the bat. It had to be something special, some sort of dark wood maybe.


    He swung it a few times and nodded in satisfaction.


    Even though the stones were great, this is much better.


    "Guys¡­" Jack grumbled, "The Infected are on their way?"


    "Are you asking us or telling us?" David couldn''t help but respond. Jack glared at him while Sebastian moved. He grasped his longsword with one hand and lifted Flora from the ground with the other hand.


    "How about we kill the Infected?" David proposed suddenly. "There might be three dozen, but they''re slow¡ªmost of them, at least¡ªand we could eliminate half a dozen or more before they reach us. Sebastian can cut through them easily, and I am not too bad when it comes to thrashing walking corpses, either. I think we can make it work as long as we work together. Even if we''re getting scratched, I can cleanse the infection."


    David noticed Jack''s expression twist in disgust, but it was Sebastian who finally answered.


    "Normally, I would agree, but Flora''s mana reserves are empty, and I''m running out of stamina. Using [Slash] and [Parry] close to a dozen times drained me," He explained, "Don''t get me wrong. I can still keep going, but fighting thirty or more Infected when it''s not necessary is just dumb."


    To think the musclehead would start a lecture like that. Maybe he''s smarter than he looks. But do we need Flora to fight the Infected? Sebastian and Jack can deal with a dozen Infected while the heavy bat deals with the rest!


    David felt a grin creep across his face as the thrill of battle surged within him.


    His eyes widened slightly at his thoughts. His heart stopped beating wildly a moment ago, and he wanted to return that sensation.


    Is that what they call ''addiction''?


    David scoffed and shook his head. He cussed himself and nodded after a good second.


    "You''re right," He agreed, "But you guys don''t have any food, right?"


    The trio shook their heads in unison, bringing a smile to David''s lips.


    "In that case, we should return to the supermarket once everyone is ready!"


    He didn''t care about their stares or what they thought of him. The thought of fighting the Infected en masse excited him.


    Maybe we can find something stronger soon. One of the Infected was stronger than the rest.


    That would be terrifying but also exciting. David licked his lips.


    "Whatever. Let''s leave!" Jack said, yet he turned to David first, "I guess you''re coming with us."


    "As long as it''s fine with everyone."


    Nobody said anything. The vote was unanimous.


    Jack''s gaze flicked left and right before landing on the shopping center entrance."


    "How about some more shopping?" He asked, jogging to the entrance. Jack didn''t even wait for the others. He entered the shopping center and disappeared.


    "I hate this guy," Sebastian grumbled but followed him inside the shopping center, not forgetting to help Flora, who was having difficulty keeping up with the rest.


    David glanced to his left, spotting the group of Infected that Jack had mentioned earlier. They weren''t close yet, but the group headed in their direction.


    He sighed and followed the trio inside the shopping center.


    "Quiet," Jack''s calm voice rang out when David entered the shopping center. The dim light from the morning sun shining through the high windows illuminated a lone Infected.


    Did he lose his group? Sorry, mate, but your colleagues are dead. Like dead dead.


    There shouldn''t have been people in the shopping center. It was closed the day before and hadn''t been close to the opening hours when the world turned upside down. Maybe that was why Jack returned to the shopping center.


    Whatever.


    David wasn''t going to avoid a single Infected. His heart rate quickened, and he rushed forward, ignoring Jack''s whispered outcry. The Infected turned to David and snarled, but all that followed was a loud crunch when the heavy baseball bat crushed the Infected''s skull and brain in one go.


    [You have defeated an Infected(Common).]


    That was easier than expected.


    "What the hell are you doing?" Jack hissed as he appeared beside David, grasping his arm firmly and yanking him back.


    "I removed the obstacle," David responded in a matter-of-fact tone.


    "By being a bulldozer? Do you want to bait all the Infected in the building??"


    David''s expression turned ice-cold, his eyes trained on Jack''s arm holding him.


    "First of all, you''d better let go of me."


    Jack''s hair stood on end as he quickly released David''s arm.


    "Second, you and your friends have attracted more than enough Infected already. I have no clue what you guys were doing in the shopping center, but I''m fairly sure it was empty this morning. Plus, your clothes are stolen. You forgot to remove the price tag."


    Jack looked at the back of his shirt and cursed when the price tag peaked out, "So what?!"


    "So what? Nothing. Really. It''s just that, since the shopping center was empty this morning, you and your friends must have lured the Infected inside. That said, I doubt there are any more Infected in the shopping center since they''ve been following you guys. Of course, that is just a guess. There might as well be other survivors in the shopping center, and they lured the Infected inside, but given your expression, I can tell that I''m right." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David shrugged lightly.


    "It''s not too important, either way. I don''t care. I also plan to take some stuff from the shopping center. Some clean clothes to wear instead of my old clothes drenched in a mixture of blood and sweat and a bag, I guess," David sighed softly.


    "The point is that you guys were loud enough to pull all of the Infected out of the shopping center. Our conversation is probably quieter than smashing an Infected''s head."


    David watched Jack''s face turn red, rage clear in his eyes. He wondered why the Hunter was so angry.


    Was he upset about putting the group in danger? Probably not. Maybe he was fuming because he''d exposed him so easily- David was certain his theory was right, even if Jack was fuming about it.


    But maybe it wasn''t that simple. To David, Jack seemed lost, even confused. Why was he so on edge?

 Chapter 7 - B1 7 - Food & Information

    At last, David changed his clothes. He found a comfortable tracksuit, boots, which he put on right after he cleansed his feet, and a large backpack. Once ready, he joined the others, who were resting in a small restaurant. He recognized the brand: a popular pizza chain. However, the oven was turned off, and David doubted anyone would be switching it on again.


    "I would kill for a slice of pizza," Jack joked lightly, his gaze lingering on Flora in a way that didn''t escape David''s notice, "I hope you learn some better Skill Runes soon. No. Don''t get me wrong, Flora. I want you to conjure flames soon. Once you can do that, we can make pizza!"


    "Or we can search for a lighter and start a small fire to make a pan-style pizza," Sebastian added with a smile. He raised his Coke and toasted to the others, who lifted their soda to clink cans.


    "Well, you guys are relaxed," David said casually, walking to the fridge to reach for a Coke. The refrigerator was turned off, but the Coke was still cold. It was probably one of the last cold soft drinks he would drink for a while.


    He opened the can with one hand and sat down with the others.


    "What do you want us to do? Panic and cower in fear, hoping the police or military will rescue us?" Jack said coldly.


    David''s brows furrowed slightly, but he shrugged.


    That was actually what he would have expected from the average survivor: to panic, act delusional, and wait for the military even though they would never arrive. At least, that was David''s guess. Maybe the military would come for them soon; however, David didn''t bet on it.


    Sebastian offered a smile. "I think everyone here is afraid, but the Infected are everywhere. We need to be strong enough to defend ourselves. It''s always been like that."


    This attracted David''s interest, "Always? So, you guys know each other before this happened?"


    Jack shook his head weakly, but Sebastian nodded enthusiastically.


    "We have been together for years. I might be slightly older than the kids, but we were all raised in the same orphanage. I returned to help the staff at the orphanage even after I started working, and I slept at the orphanage last night as well. My job is ¨C or was ¨C near the orphanage, so commuting was no problem," Sebastian explained with a smile.


    However, his smile faded, and David guessed it had something to do with his job or the other children at the orphanage.


    That explained a lot. Sebastian and Jack seemed to know each other, but their interactions felt distant. They might even be at odds.


    Sebastian''s interactions with Flora seemed protective¡ªlike an older brother looking out for her. He was probably ten years older than her, but she clung to him. David noticed the way Flora stayed close to Jack and Sebastian, her movements were calculated and deliberate, as if sticking with them gave her the best chance to survive. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She''d thanked David for rescuing her, but her guarded glances told him she was still wary. David didn''t mind. He didn''t need to be Flora''s friend.


    David''s understanding of the situation improved with the new information.


    Sebastian is the oldest, but he''s not the shot-caller. Not really. He looks rough but is a foolish softie¡ªor maybe not foolish. Naive and overprotective, perhaps. Jack makes the decisions. He likes the power. That could be a bit¡­rough to deal with.


    David had met various people in his line of work, but the old-fashioned, narcissistic people in higher positions were, by far, the most annoying. He could easily handle gullible workers at his level and deal with greedy and attention-seeking fools, but old-fashioned superiors were frustrating.


    And to David, Jack felt like one of them. It was nothing certain based on evidence, but a gut feeling that nagged at him. Jack considered himself the group leader, and expected everyone to follow his orders.


    But it did not look like Sebastian had grasped that yet, which was why he had given Jack an order earlier. Maybe Jack didn''t see Sebastian''s commands as a challenge to his authority ¨C his power ¨C, perhaps because the Warrior''s orders sounded reasonable. Regardless, he couldn''t look into Jack''s mind, but that was probably for the best.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    "That''s interesting," David took another sip of the Coke, his attention diverting to Sebastian again.


    After David rescued Flora, Sebastian''s attitude toward him had changed drastically. He was like an overprotective mother bear, which wasn''t too bad as long as the mother bear remained on his side.


    "Do you guys have a plan?" he asked, but Sebastian shrugged. "Survival is our highest priority."


    Jack cleared his throat, glared at David, and smiled at the others, "I think we should stay in the shopping center for a while. We can gather the beverages from the shopping center and collect all preservable ingredients. I don''t think we will have to go hungry today with all the ingredients even if we don''t stock up with whatever survived in the supermarket''s ruins."


    He guessed the Hunter''s glances in his direction were meant to gauge his reactions¡ªtrying to figure out the unknown.


    "There should be ten or more restaurants with preservable ingredients and enough beverages to get us through a few days." David had to acknowledge Jack''s comment. He may not like the kid, but that didn''t mean he was stupid.


    "We can have a small barbecue, too," Sebastian chimed in, smiling. "There''s probably a lighter somewhere, and this pizza place uses dry wood for its brick oven.


    David and Jack looked at Sebastian, their confusion apparent, while Flora asked the truly important question, "How do you know that?"


    Sebastian smiled shyly, and to David, the sight was almost comical¡ªsuch a timid expression on a hulking giant of a man.


    "I usually go here on my cheat days."


    Everyone was silent for a moment, but they couldn''t contain their laughter any longer after Sebastian looked at them with a pout.


    Sebastian scowled at first, but it only took a second before he joined the others.


    Even with the world turned upside down, David couldn''t help but marvel at how people adapted. It wasn''t the end of the world, not entirely¡ªnot if they could still laugh and push forward. Humans were tenacious. Maybe they weren''t on the same level as cockroaches, but their adaptability surpassed everything known to them.


    It might look like the end of the world to everyone else, but David was certain they could make it, and he was definitely not alone with that thought.


    The group jumped into action once they were ready. They split into two groups to search the shopping center for some good stuff, mostly food and water.


    Jack offered to team up with David, which didn''t surprise him in the least. The duo didn''t talk a lot, and if they talked about something, it was mostly small talk. Even then, it was mostly Jack talking, trying to assess David''s personality, his background, and much more with sneaky, personal questions.


    David noticed the young man''s eyes following his every move as if cataloging every twitch of his lips or shift in his posture. Most of the latter was intentionally exaggerated, which didn''t happen too often, no matter how fun it was to see the cogs in Jack''s head turn.


    David didn''t bother hiding much. The monotony of his old life felt distant now. It had only been a few hours, but David already struggled to see himself as the man he once was. It was weird, but it made sense. In the past, he''d been bored out of his mind. It hadn''t been a huge disruption before, but it had always bothered him.


    The last few weeks had been worse than ever before. David had felt more restrained than ever, and nothing excited him.


    The integration into the Pantheon, whatever that meant, changed everything. It opened doors to something more. To something David never expected to obtain.


    A proper fight. Desperately struggling to survive. That kind of excitement. He''d never felt it before¡­and he didn''t want to let it go.


    Most of all, freedom. The thought of losing it now sent a spark of defiance through him. He wouldn''t let anyone take it away¡ªever.


    He was finally himself. Truly. Maybe that meant he was a weird, crazy bastard, but that was okay!


    The corners of his lips curled upward.


    Jack glanced at him, his expression briefly twisting into something David interpreted as disgust before smoothing over.


    You are not that different. Accept it.


    David chuckled inwardly, finishing his mental sketch of Jack. The boy was easy to read¡ªmaybe too easy.


    But maybe that was for the best.


    The lack of immediate problems made collecting food and beverages from the restaurants scattered throughout the shopping center surprisingly easy.


    They didn''t encounter any Infected, which was interesting. It felt like the shopping center was a small safe point, a hideout from Infected. Of course, that was nonsense, but looking outside at random times showed them how lucky they had been.


    David''s pulse quickened as he watched the chaos outside. Dozens of Infected shuffled, crawled, and dragged their shattered bodies through the streets.


    It was exhilarating.

 Chapter 8 - B1 8 - Unwelcome Guests

    David didn''t bother alleviating the awkward tension with Jack. On the contrary, he enjoyed the heavy steps as they rang through the hallway. They returned successfully from looting the shopping center, though Jack trudged beside him with a sour expression, as if someone had bitten him on the butt.


    David watched with interest as Flora excitedly waved at them, and Jack responded equally enthusiastically. He waved back, the corners of his lips tugging upward. The Hunter''s expression improved, and he rushed to the Mage girl without another comment.


    Jack began chatting with Flora, and soon a vibrant smile spread across his face. Flora chuckled at one of his comments and blushed ¨C David wondered what they were talking about.


    David watched Jack and Flora''s interaction with growing curiosity. Was this sudden closeness a sign they were a couple? Jack leaned toward Flora, his expressions brightening or dimming depending on her reactions. Flora, meanwhile, played with her hair as she laughed at his jokes¡ªthough they were far from funny in David''s opinion. If anything, they were disturbing.


    Far too much.


    David shook his head.


    It would be fine if they liked each other, but Jack likes her a lot more than Flora likes him. Or she''s still uncertain. Is that a TV show or what? Escaping a world-ending event with your crush? Are they shooting a drama?


    David scoffed and walked past the lovebirds. A strong scent filled the air forcing its way into his nostrils. It was the rich aroma of a perfectly grilled steak.


    A faint but familiar sizzling sound rang out from the back of the pizza shop. He found Sebastian grilling a big steak on a large pan using a small camping stove. The window beside him was wide open, acting as an extractor hood.


    "I was sure you were joking," David smirked as he sat down across from him.


    "Joking? About food? No way!" Sebastian replied, his tone uncharacteristically grave.


    David chuckled softly, but his stomach seemed to agree with the hulking giant. It grumbled loudly enough to overshadow the sizzling steak.


    "How can I help you?"


    Fortunately, there wasn''t much to do before breakfast was done. Sebastian grilled a few steaks for them and made some eggs on the side, preparing as much protein as possible. It was far from a balanced diet, but nobody knew how long they would have to wait for their next steak or eggs. Neither was easy to preserve for a long time since the electricity was off.


    "Is it okay to ask about your Classes? You guys are the first survivors I''ve found, and I think it would be very helpful if we could learn a bit about all the Basic Classes. Devising fighting strategies and plans to kill Infected or to escape should be a lot easier once we know what everyone can do," David asked after taking the second bite of his steak.


    "You really want to go out there again?" Flora''s voice wavered, but her eyes met his for the first time, wide with worry. "Even after what happened?"


    Sebastian swallowed his food and nodded, "Your name is Damen, right? It makes sense to fight the Infected strategically. I''ve ranked up twice by fighting the Infected. We''re growing stronger while fighting them Dealing with a larger group of Infected should be feasible once we''ve leveled up a little.


    "David," David''s eyes narrowed.


    Sebastian looked at him, cocking his head to the side, "What?


    "My name is David, not Damen" David clarified, "Either way. And what do you mean when you say you ranked by fighting?"


    Isn''t it normal to rank up after using one''s Skill Runes often? Was that a misinterpretation?


    "I ranked up in the fight as well," Jack said lightly, while Flora added quietly, "Me too. But I only saw the message after I regained consciousness. It popped up after I killed the sixth Infected. There was also a message related to mana exhaustion."


    David''s ears perked up when Flora spoke.


    He considered what he''d learned so far: Hunters seemed to grow stronger through combat, Mages perhaps through mana use.


    Could ranking up differ for each Class?


    "Are the requirements for everyone''s rank-ups different?" He wondered aloud. David thought about it for a few seconds and nodded. That was his best theory at this point. Even though both Jack and Sebastian ranked up from killing, Jack only ranked up once while Sebastian ranked up twice.


    Hunters are known for hunting and tracking. Warriors are melee fighters. Mages are supposed to grasp and comprehend the fabric of the universe, manipulating it to their will, and Clerics are healers. Is that how it is?


    At least, that was what David learned from the short period he''d spent playing games. His knowledge was far from perfect, but he''d retained the core information.


    After mulling it over, David shrugged inwardly and turned to the trio once again. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Since I asked you to tell me about your Classes, I should tell you what I know about the Cleric Class. I don''t know what items other Clerics receive, but I didn''t receive a weapon or the like after picking my Class. However, I obtained two Skill Runes. One is called [Cleanse], which I used to remove Flora''s infection, and [Cure Wounds], which heals. I was a little injured right after the world turned upside down, which [Cure Wounds] mended. To a certain extent, at least."


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    His entire body was still rattled from falling, but David tried ignoring the pain. Being alive after falling so deep was already a stroke of great fortune. David couldn''t bother complaining about some minor inconvenience.


    "I am a Warrior, and you''ve already seen my Skill Runes [Slash] and [Parry]," Sebastian didn''t even look up from his plate. He moaned in pleasure as the juicy meat melted in his mouth, "My Skill Runes use Stamina to activate."


    "I''m a Hunter, and [Eagle Eyes] and [Archer Mastery] are my basic skills," Jack saidd, though he hesitated.


    "I have [Mana Bullet] and [Mana Manipulation]..." Flora whispered.


    Everything appeared similar to his guesses.


    Jack glared at him, his expression tight¡ªDavid wouldn''t have been surprised if the guy was cursing him silently. As long as Jack answered his questions, David couldn''t care less.


    And that was exactly what Jack and the others did. David asked a few more questions about their Skill Runes, their stats, and so forth. At some point, it became confusing¡ªapparently, Flora''s Body stat wasn''t lower than Jack''s, even though Jack was clearly faster and slightly stronger. Still, the discrepancies taught David a lot.


    Flora seemed more flexible, and her stamina was surprisingly good. She was small and had to make multiple steps where Sebastian stepped once, but she kept up with the rest. Even though she''d collapsed before and was infected, Flora recuperated rapidly.


    Their average of all characteristics forming Body is probably roughly the same. It''s similar enough to put them in the same bracket. Does that mean you can improve your stats with workouts?


    David tilted his head, his thoughts racing. The human body might have limits, but with the mystical energy coursing through them now, why couldn''t they replicate techniques from martial arts movies or cultivation novels?


    They''re called body refinement techniques, right?


    It might be foolish thinking, unchartered territory, and theorizing with half-knowledge ¨C if one could call it that in the first place ¨C but the corner of David''s lips curled upward when he thought about it.


    Jack glared, his lips curling in disgust. "Your smile is creepy, dude."


    "Don''t be like that, Jack," Sebastian tried to mediate, but something interrupted them. A snarl rang through the surroundings. Jack and Sebastian looked out of the window, "That''s weird. I can''t see any Infected."


    David''s ears perked up. He faintly heard a cracking noise from somewhere. He got up, reached for his baseball bat, and entered the shopping center''s wide-open hall.


    The others also got up, leaving the remains of their breakfast behind. Jack''s lips parted, but they shut tight when a cacophony of shattered glass and snarls rang out.


    "Everyone, get ready to fight," David told them with a smile.


    He grasped his backpack, slung it around his shoulder, and adjusted it within seconds. In the meantime, the others hurried to do the same. They scraped as much food and drink into their bags as they could before hurriedly grasping their weapons.


    David walked to the railing surrounding the inner area of the second floor and bent over to see what was happening on the first floor. First, he only saw a few rotten faces¡ªmaybe a handful of Infected. But that was only the first row of undead appearing in his field of vision. The first Infected walked across shattered glass, ignoring the large pieces of glass digging into their rotting flesh.


    They spread out in all directions until a groan rang out. It didn''t sound like an Infected, but more like a muffled, pained scream. The Infected turned to the right and headed to the stairwell.


    "Someone''s there!" Jack exclaimed, pointing to the stairs on the second floor.


    David only saw a glimpse of a black jacket and blood. Droplets of blood sprayed in all directions.


    The Infected poured out of the stairwell like water from a broken dam. They spread across the hall, some stumbling over shattered glass while others pressed forward relentlessly.


    There were so many Infected that an unfortunate pair was pushed forward until they reached the railing. But that was not the end of it. They were pressed against the railing, yet the force from behind never stopped. It didn''t stop until they were shoved over the railing.


    David watched the Infected fall, and though no one spoke, he could sense the unspoken relief in the group¡ªtheir chances of survival had just increased.


    Jack and the others froze, their silence heavy as the Infected poured from the stairwell like a freshly unclogged pipe and stared at David. Their eyes screamed at him, telling him not to make a move and to ignore the Infected. That was exactly what David did. He didn''t make a move.


    While the others froze or backed away in fear, David found his pulse quickening for a different reason¡ªanticipation. The chaos, the danger...it thrilled him more than he wanted to admit.


    But he remained silent and unmoving.


    Flora was the first to step back. All David saw was fear distorting her features. But retreating in fear had been a mistake. Her shoes squeaked softly against the floor. The sound was faint¡ªbarely audible to David¡ªbut it was enough. As if on cue, the Infected shot around. Their heads flicked in their direction, their dead eyes staring at them like one would look at a delicacy.


    Then they inched closer, their snarls transforming into a heinous chorus as the flood of Infected inched closer.


    Most of the Infected were slow, making escape relatively easy. However, there were also slightly taller Infected. Their flesh was rotten through and through, their bones were exposed in certain spots, and yellow liquid poured down their lips. They were larger but also stronger and faster than the rest.


    They pushed their brethren aside, throwing a few more Infected over the railing onto the first floor, and dashed forward.


    David and Jack might have been able to make a run for it, but her overstuffed backpack too weighed down Flora.


    Sebastian planted his feet, his imposing frame like a wall between the group and the advancing horde, while Flora hovered uncertainly behind him, clutching her staff tightly.


    "Go! I''ll hold them off!"


    David snorted, walking beside him, "What''s that nonsense? I have been waiting for this!"


    His heart was jumping out of his chest, and fear threatened to occupy every part of his body.


    Before either of them could make more or say another word, a blue mass whizzed past their heads ¨C probably Flora''s [Mana Bullet].


    Her shot missed the Infected''s head but struck its side with enough force to send it flying. It smashed against the railing and toppled over, just like the Infected it had pushed aside.


    The Infected snarled loudly before it crashed to the marble floor down below.


    "Shit!" Flora cursed, earning her a gaze filled with contempt.


    "Young lady, watch your language!" Sebastian corrected her sternly, though the corners of his lips twitched upward as he muttered, "Good shot, though."

 Chapter 9 - B1 9 - Inferior Horde

    David watched the faster Infected rush toward Sebastian, who stood unmoving, a towering figure against the tide. One of the creatures had already been knocked to the first floor, the sickening crunch of its fall still fresh in David''s ears. Maybe they weren''t as strong as they seemed.


    David glanced at Sebastian, whose eyes drifted to the masses of Infected splurging out of the stairwell. For a moment, the hulking man looked afraid. A bead of sweat trickled down his temples. Nope. Thinking this was going to be easy was delusional. Even if Sebastian planned to block them all, it was impossible.


    The Warrior was the first to move and pounced forward. His sword hummed in the air and turned into a blur as it cleaved through the air. David''s eyes narrowed, and his body tensed as the Infected before Sebastian accelerated.


    Sebastian swung his blade, but the strike landed poorly, leaving the creature staggering but still upright. It lunged at him, claws flashing. For a moment, David thought Sebastian might be in trouble, but the Warrior''s arm seemed untouched, even as the creature struck wildly.


    The Infected didn''t stop there. Its head shot forward, and it struck with frantic movements. Sebastian was too slow to evade most of its attacks and David watched the scene impatiently, a bubble of worry growing within him, until he noticed a subtle change in Sebastian''s stance. Sebastian retreated few steps, seemingly ready to use Parry, but it would be too late at that point. Several Infected were already pressuring the Warrior, forcing him to retreat with their constant attacks.


    Something blurred past Sebastian just as the Infected''s claws swiped at his chest. An arrow! David only registered it after it narrowly missed Sebastian''s head and buried itself deep in the creature''s eye socket.


    The Warrior shuddered once but pushed forward, acting like nothing had happened. David took the opportunity and joined him. He twisted his body until he could no more to avoid the Infected''s attack. Its fingertips missed him by a hair''s breadth as David shifted into a better position to use the heavy baseball bat as intended.


    His weapon crashed heavily onto the Infected''s head with a sickening crunch. He smiled wildly at the cracking sound that followed but his expression soured a moment later.


    The Infected''s skull was cracked open, revealing its rotting brain, but the undead was still moving. He''d missed, just like the Infected had missed him.


    David retreated, but the Infected was persistent. It was fearless and couldn''t be feeling any pain. He side-stepped and evaded the incoming attack, only to see a flash in the corner of his eyes.


    [You have been infected.]


    How?


    David''s attention flicked to his arm for a moment. He didn''t notice anything for a moment, but there it was. A shallow scratch at the back of his hand. The scratch was not deep, and David wasn''t even bleeding. He wouldn''t have noticed anything wrong without the notification.


    Unfortunately, a shallow scratch seemed enough to infect someone. It was a death sentence to those without the means to cleanse it.


    David ignored it.


    Since I''m already infected, I might as well go for it.


    He pushed forward, dodged underneath the Infected''s arms, and slammed into it without hesitation. The Infected scratched him a few more times, and this time, it actually hurt. Its claws carved deep into his flesh.


    David''s eyes narrowed, and he found himself losing control. Fury fueled him. His hand shot forward without hesitation, even as the Infected opened its jaws wide. It crunched down, but the heavy baseball bat was in its way, blocking the Infected from ripping his arms to shreds.


    David''s arm holding onto the heavy baseball bat ached as the Infected pushed forward, but he endured it. He had to.


    His hand was still full in motion and smashed heavily into the Infected''s cracked-open skull. It burst open and cut David''s hand several times ¨C a few more notifications popped up, probably informing him about the infection worsening ¨C but all he noted was the squishy sensation enveloping his fist as the Infected''s brain splattered.


    At last, a more pleasant notification materialized before his eyes.


    [You have defeated Infected(Uncommon¨C)]


    "Their durability hasn''t changed much. They''re just faster and stronger!" David shouted, grimacing as he wrenched his hand free from the Infected''s shattered skull.


    Stay calm and get your act together! The infection is only at stage two, and the numbing sensation helps you in battle. Remember this¡­if you cannot feel the pain, you won''t feel the pain!


    David''s gaze flicked to the right to see Flora, her arms trembling as she raised her Mage Wand. A twinkling blue mass gathered at its tip, transforming into a Mana Bullet.


    Flora hurled the glowing mass of mana toward the Infected, but her aim was off. It struck the creature''s chest, sending it stumbling backward. It recovered quickly, dragging itself forward once more.


    The creature surged forward, unnoticed by anyone but David. He hefted the heavy baseball bat high and brought it crashing down onto the back of its head. The Infected staggered but pressed on, forcing him to swing again. This time, the bat struck with deadly precision, cracking its skull like a coconut. The blow carried enough force to drop the creature just before it could reach Flora.


    [You have defeated Infected(Uncommon¨C)]


    The fight wasn''t over. Stay calm. Focus. Analyze the battlefield. David repeated the mantra in his mind. Combat wasn''t his strength, but he knew how to assess a situation¡ªand he had no choice but to adapt.


    David spun around, ready to deal with another Infected, but Sebastian was faster. He had already taken care of another fast Infected and was fighting a second head-on. But fighting so many agile and fairly strong Infected wasn''t easy. Defeating them didn''t come at a cheap price.


    Sebastian''s arm was streaked with thick lines of dark red. David hadn''t noticed them until now, but the Warrior had taken several deep scratches while fighting. Blood trickled steadily, and yellowish veins were creeping from the wounds, marking the slow advance of infection.


    It''s not spreading as fast as Flora''s infection.


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    David rushed to Sebastian''s side as the Warrior cut down another swift Infected, following it with a powerful strike that ripped through several ordinary ones. Despite the horde closing in, Sebastian held his ground, his movements growing sharper and faster with each attack. It was as if his strength had surged.


    He ranked up, didn''t he? Isn''t that the third time he''s ranked up?


    It was surprising but definitely a welcome gift. David smiled, seeing Sebastian pushing forward to face the small horde of Infected head-on. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You''re getting addicted to it, aren''t you?" David snickered, following the Warrior. He reached the final faster Infected and was about to hit it when his hair stood up to its end. He jumped to the sight and evaded a thick mass of blue as it brushed past where he stood a moment ago.


    A curse escaped his lips, but the blue mass struck the Infected square in the face with a deafening crunch. It cracked its head in one go,


    And your Skill Rune ranked up. But your aim sucks!


    David noticed Jack''s attacks were landing more often, faster than before as well.


    He''s improving, though he still needs some work.


    David pushed past Sebastian, crushing three skulls before he got scratched again. It was another shallow scratch, but it spread the infection.


    So what?


    A cacophony of snarls, bone-breaking crunches, and body-splitting squishes filled the air. Occasionally, a [Mana Bullet] and an arrow joined the fray, but it was mostly Sebastian and David who were taking care of the ordinary Infected.


    [You have been infected.]


    The notification flashed before his eyes, but David barely had time to process it before the pain hit. His calves burned as if someone had put them on fire.


    Looking down, David saw a crippled Infected. The creature''s lower half was gone, severed and discarded, yet it continued its relentless crawl toward the living. Hours ago, the sight might have made David shudder. Not anymore. His mind had already adjusted to the grotesque sight unfolding before him.


    If anything, David wouldn''t be surprised to see worse things now that he''d seen the dead roaming around among the living like this.


    The Infected slowly crawled across the floor and ignored the stampede overhead. Its upper body had been crushed several times, and its undead brethren must have stepped on the half-infected dozens of times. Its arms had been crushed, and the creature''s chest was deflated. It was already as good as dead. One way or another.


    Unfortunately, none of that seemed to matter. David felt the sharp pain as the undead''s teeth clamped onto his leg, its jaws threatening to tear into his flesh.


    He responded instinctively. The heavy bat crashed down, crushing the Infected''s head before it could rip a chunk of flesh out of his calves. It worked, but the damage was already done. He was injured, unable to put his full weight onto his left leg, and the infection entered his bloodstream,


    [Infection(Stage One) has entered your bloodstream.]


    There was another notification, but David ignored it. He focused on casting his Skill Runes.


    [Cure Wounds]!


    [Cleanse]!


    Holy power surged from his Holy Sea and through his body, splitting into two streams as both Skill Runes activated in unison. [Cleanse] worked immediately, purging minor infections and flooding his body with warmth. The lingering pain dulled, replaced by a steady, calming energy that pushed the infection toward his leg, where [Cure Wounds] awaited.


    The infection in his leg was quickly taken care of along with the wound.


    Is it the synergy, or because I took care of the infection in my leg right after it entered my bloodstream?


    David had many theories about his rapid recovery, but only one thing mattered at the moment.


    [Infection has been cleansed.]


    He continued fighting while his Skill Runes took care of his conditions, but there wasn''t much left to do. Sebastian did an amazing job. He must have killed close to two dozen Infected with Jack''s help.


    In total, there had been three dozen, maybe more, Infected. They didn''t charge them simultaneously, given how narrow the stairwell was, but the fight hadn''t been easy.


    Despite deep scratches down to his bone, Sebastian never complained. He didn''t even groan, instead, he smiled reassuringly at the others. His eyes lingered on Flora and Jack, and David could feel the tension leave the Warrior''s body when he saw they weren''t injured.


    What a softy¡­ A savage softy.


    David chuckled.


    "You are a savage, dude," He praised Sebastian as he walked over. He didn''t rush and focused on the holy power still circulating through his body instead.


    Every bit of holy power is working efficiently, even the excess energy is subtly improving my condition.


    David''s hand glowed dimly as he used [Cleanse] first. The holy power first surged through David''s body, improving his condition again until it reached his hand.


    Sebastian wasn''t faring well, his injuries were worse than expected, but David had some tests to do either way. That was important for future battles and, thus, a necessity. Sebastian wasn''t at risk from a little experimentation, David assured himself.


    Cost-efficiency it is¡­[Cleanse] first and [Cure Wounds] next, then both together, and in the next few battles, I should use them randomly to see if the order matters, or if everything is fine.


    His power surged into Sebastian, whose complexion improved within seconds. The color on his face returned while the infection receded. David frowned as the infection lingered. He pushed holy power into Sebastian again, combining [Cleanse] and [Cure Wounds] to finish the job.


    [Patient''s Infection has been cleansed.]


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 I] ¡ú [Tier-0 II]


    David''s Holy Sea was running dangerously low. His mind was strained and pulsed dangerously as if it was about to explode. Despite that, the smile on his lips didn''t cease.


    "Thanks," Sebastian smiled at him, yet the Warrior didn''t look the same as before. Something about Sebastian had changed. He had a wild look in his eyes.


    "No problem," David turned around. Jack looked how he usually did ¨C like your average asshole ¨C but Flora was breathing heavily. He noticed her hair plastered to her face, her clothes drenched in sweat. She looked exhausted, and he made a mental note to keep an eye on her.


    "The Infected are growing stronger," Jack said, his eyes trailing the Uncommon Infected''s corpses.


    They might have defeated the group of Infected, but the situation was progressively getting worse. It was hard to believe how quickly the Infected were getting stronger. It had only been a day, but ''Uncommon'' Infected didn''t seem so rare anymore.


    "But they''re not growing more durable. At least not these Uncommon ones. They''re slightly faster, taller, and stronger, but their endurance and behavior haven''t changed a bit," David said. "The Infected are probably blind or cannot see well and instinct-driven rather than intelligent tacticians. But they aren''t weak. Their senses of smell and hearing are sharp, especially for sweat and blood."


    He looked at Flora, who''d been the focus of attack whenever the Infected inched closer. The faster Infected turned to her whenever they reached her range, which was only a few meters.


    The scent of blood isn''t as strong. Blood is more potent and can be smelled over an extended range but sweat can turn into a problem as well.


    Flora''s sweat seemed to draw them in. That could be a liability¡ªor a tool.

 Chapter 10 - B1 10 - Magical Creatures

    Now that the Infected had been defeated, the group made a run for it. The snarls and groans of Infected rang through their ears, but the they ignored them. At last, with a Cleric by their side, there was no need to fear getting infected.


    But that didn''t mean they were ready to fight multiple groups of dozens of Infected in a row. David felt ready, but the others didn''t. They ran away from the commotion, only to rush into more Infected near another stairwell on the other side of the shopping center.


    David caught Jack muttering under his breath, frustration etched across his face. "Why are there so many all of a sudden?"


    He didn''t respond, though he had a guess. You guys didn''t expect to be the only survivors seeking refuge in the shopping center, did you?


    The shopping center was a good hiding spot, but only until the Infected charged inside. Staying inside would only grow more dangerous.


    "We need to leave the shopping center," Sebastian said, his expression souring as one of the common Infected turned in their direction.


    David barely had time to turn before more Infected spilled out of the stairwell, blocking their escape route. It was almost like Infected started spawning in the stairwells. After a few minutes of running around, David noticed that the first and second floor were flooded with Infected. There were easily more than one hundred Infected on every floor.


    "The escalators!" Jack hissed, pointing ahead.


    Snarls echoed from the direction Jack had indicated, but there was no other choice. David sprinted alongside the group, his heart hammering in his chest. As they approached the escalator, the sight of dozens of Infected occupying the stairs made Jack pale.


    He turned to the others and gestured to them to hurry up. David and Sebastian were the next to arrive. David stepped forward, ready to block the escalator and take on the Infected, so did Sebastian.


    Flora, on the other hand, rushed to the escalator and ran up to the second floor while Jack pulled Sebastian and David''s arms. David clicked his tongue inwardly but followed the others to the third floor. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David scanned the third floor, his stomach sinking at the sight of collapsed walls and rubble where shops once stood. Bad turned to worse as his eyes landed on the fourth and final floor. It was utterly destroyed.


    "Rest¡­please¡­" Flora breathed heavily. From the way she swayed and gasped for air, Flora looked ready to collapse. Then, one of her legs gave out beneath her, but Jack was already on the move. He jumped forward and helped her without hesitation.


    Is magic that exhausting? Using Skill Runes is exhausting, but not like that. You''re supposed to get used to the strain once you use them repetitively.


    That was how it worked for David.


    "Let''s stay here for a few minutes, then. The fourth floor, or what''s left of it, will probably fall apart the moment we go up," David muttered, his eyes flicking to the stairwells and the other escalators. The Infected had yet to reach the third floor, but that was only a matter of time. They had to prepare for the worst case.


    He considered that as he headed to a nearby furniture store with collapsed walls, unraveling the beauty of nature. David stared at the cloudless, blue sky through the broken walls. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the world had never changed.


    Moments like this remind you that life can feel normal again¡­ as long as you''re strong enough to stay in full control.


    David forced a smile and peered at the others.


    "Wake me up when the Infected reach the third floor." He crashed on the couch and closed his eyes, giving in to his instincts.


    A moment later, the world around him turned dark. All he heard was some comments.


    "Did he really just fall asleep?" Flora whispered.


    "It¡­looks like that¡­" Sebastian responded.


    Jack snorted, "Crazy bastard."


    ***


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    It felt like he''d barely closed his eyes when hushed voices reached his ears.


    "W-what are these¡­things?" Flora''s voice quivered.


    David opened his eyes and jumped up with one hand, holding onto the heavy baseball bat.


    He might not have slept long, but he felt much better. His body was still in pain from moving around, but his natural recovery hadn''t disappointed him. Unfortunately, Holy Sea was still far from full, but it should be enough to use his Skill Runes a few times.


    Resting seems to accelerate the natural recovery rate of holy power. That''s¡­good to know.


    "They look like humanoid reptilians, but look how small they are!" Jack''s voice trembled, betraying his fear despite his attempt to mask it.


    "I don''t like this," Sebastian muttered.


    David joined them at the edge of a broken wall, peering down at the street where roars and bellows echoed, drawing their full attention.


    At first, David thought the commotion was caused by humans, but the conversation around him told a different story. He leaned forward, squinting as he scanned the chaos below.


    It was hard to make out the creatures from this angle, but a few details stood out. They were humanoid, just as Jack had said, though not towering like Sebastian. David''s eyes lingered on their weapons¡ªcrude but oddly long. Some of the swords looked longer than the creatures themselves.


    Either they weren''t wearing clothes, or their jagged, scale-covered bodies made it impossible to tell. Their muscular frames gleamed in the light, and long, sinewy tails lashed behind them.


    "They look like crocodiles walking on two legs," David said.


    The creatures¡ªthe group decided to call them "Crocs" for now¡ªcharged into a pack of Infected on the street below. Among their enemies were stronger variants, but the Crocs didn''t hesitate. They leapt forward with startling speed, closing the distance in moments and slicing through the Infected like paper.


    No effort. No struggle. Nothing.


    David''s stomach churned as he realized there were at least a dozen Crocs, maybe more. They decimated the Infected in minutes, leaving piles of bodies in their wake before turning their attention toward the shopping center''s entrance.


    They''re aggressive, almost seeking danger. But what the hell are they? David wondered. Mutated animals? Or something connected to the system and the Pantheon?


    He glanced at the others. Their stiff postures and wide-eyed stares mirrored his own unease.


    The Crocs stormed into the shopping center, leaving behind the remnants of their slaughter. The screams that followed weren''t from the Infected¡ªthey didn''t scream, and they certainly didn''t feel pain. These were human cries of terror.


    "Fuck," Jack muttered, while Flora began trembling like a leaf in a storm.


    "We have to run!" she cried.


    Sebastian clamped a hand over her mouth. "Don''t panic," he hissed. "You''ll expose us."


    Flora''s eyes welled with tears, but she nodded, forcing herself to stay quiet.


    "How do we run?" Jack asked, biting his lip. "If we take the escalators or stairwells, we''ll run into either the Infected or those things. We might be able to handle the Infected, but any commotion will draw the Crocs to us."


    Sebastian muttered under his breath, "Kobolds."


    David blinked. "What?"


    "They look like life-like versions of Kobolds from Dungeons and Dragons," Sebastian said.


    "Kobolds, Crocs, whatever." David shook his head, clearing the questions forming in his mind. "They''re fast and strong. We have three options: barricade ourselves here, hide and pray they don''t find us, or¡ª"


    "Or what?" Jack snapped.


    "Or we fight our way to the emergency staircase. It''s outside the building, but it connects to every floors. If we''re fast, we might get there before they find us."


    Jack looked ready to argue but closed his mouth, nodding instead.


    "The emergency staircase it is."


    He dashed to the side of a shop, scanning a map that displayed all escape routes. "I''ve got it," he said, relaying the plan to the others. Without waiting, he sprinted toward the third-floor hall.


    David followed, his heart pounding as he ignored the chaos erupting on the lower floors. Adrenaline coursed through him, mingling with a strange excitement. Creatures like these felt like something out of a fantasy novel.


    Facing them should be thrilling¡­ just not right now.


    As they rushed past a stairwell, a blood-curdling scream froze them in their tracks.


    David turned, spotting a man at the bottom of the stairwell. The stranger''s hand stretched out in desperation, his face twisted in terror.


    "Help m¡ª"


    A blue flash cut through the air, silencing the man mid-sentence.


    David barely caught sight of the blade¡ªa spear with a glowing, blue edge¡ªbefore it pierced through the man''s skull with surgical precision.


    Fuck this shit.

 Chapter 11 - B1 11 - Kobolds

    A scaled arm shot forward, claws curling around the spear shaft and twisting it. A sickening crunch echoed in David''s ears as the man''s skull yielded to the spear blade.


    A single Kobold stepped into view, ascending the stairs with slow, deliberate movements. Its long snout glinted under the dim light, and its claws flexed rhythmically as it climbed. Its thick tail lashed against the steps, each sharp strike a drumbeat of impatience. A strange gurgling noise escaped its throat, and its vibrant yellow eyes scanned the group.


    The creature''s gaze lingered on Sebastian the longest. Its lips peeled back, revealing jagged teeth, as it growled something unintelligible. The guttural tones grated on David''s ears, sending a shiver down his spine.


    They can speak, too? What language is that? And where the hell are they from?


    Amid the flood of questions, one fact stood out to David: it was tiny. Barely a meter tall, the Kobold still moved with unsettling confidence.


    As if sensing his thoughts, the Kobold turned its piercing gaze on David, its spear blade rising to aim at his chest. It snarled as it approached the third floor, and David saw more scaled figures climbing behind it.


    Four Kobolds? That''s bad.


    David''s heart thudded painfully in his chest.


    "Stay calm. Maybe they won''t do anything¨C..." Sebastian began, but the words barely left his mouth before the Kobold charged.


    The spear darted forward with blinding speed, forcing Sebastian to block. David saw him move from the corner of his eyes. Sebastian''s muscles bulged as he lifted his longsword, deflecting the strike. The Kobold attacked again, but this time, the Warrior adjusted his stance, parrying the second blow and shoving the spear aside.


    "Now!" Jack shouted, releasing an arrow without hesitation. His movements were sharp and deliberate, the shot landing with almost unnatural precision. The shaft zipped past Sebastian and struck the Kobold''s chest, piercing its scales. But the Kobold remained unfazed.


    "Damn it," Jack cursed, grabbing another arrow.


    The Kobold hissed, its attention snapping back to Sebastian. The spear lunged faster than before, slipping past the Warrior''s defenses. A sharp gasp escaped Sebastian as the blade sank into his shoulder.


    Sebastian groaned as the Kobold''s force impacted, yet instead of defending again, he surged forward. The Warrior''s blade hummed as it sliced through the air. Meanwhile, the Kobold twisted the spear in Sebastian''s shoulder.


    David watched the longsword with a thin smile as it curved beautifully through the air, but the attack inflicted less damage than expected. The Kobold pulled the spear out of Sebastian and backtracked in time, escaping the deadly blow. David''s eyes widened slightly as the Warrior''s sword pulled to the side, hitting the blue spear and cleaving it in two.


    Sensing his opportunity, David kicked off the ground and appeared beside the Kobold a moment later. He heard the blue spear''s blade hit the ground with a heavy thud, a devious smile curling across his lips. His bat struck the Kobold''s snout with a sickening crunch. Its face twisted slightly, but its yellow eyes remained cold and unflinching.


    There was no sign of pain in its eyes. Worse, a cracking noise rang out, and David''s gaze darted to his weapon. The bat had cracked!


    This was supposed to hurt the Kobold, not the bat.


    Thin, cobweb-like cracks covered the bat''s surface. It looked similar to the shattered scales on the Kobold''s face.


    David''s hair stood on end, and he retreated instinctively. But another Kobold lunged at him, its short blade gleaming like a massive Zweihander in its small claws. The weapon scraped across his chest, tearing through his shirt and grazing his skin.


    The wound wasn''t life-threatening, but it was something. And it caught David by surprise.


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    He stumbled back, his mind racing. The Kobold cackled and advanced again, its sword raised high for another strike.


    Suddenly, a blue bullet of mana shot past David. It tore through his pants, narrowly missing him, before hitting the beast. Flora''s [Mana Bullet] arrived at the perfect moment, striking the Kobold mid-cackle when its maw was still wide open. He didn''t think Flora had planned it that way when she released the Mana Bullet, but the Kobold''s shriek turned into a choking scream as the projectile struck.


    The Kobold''s sword clattered to the ground as the creature screamed in agony. It coughed up blood, tears of pain gathering in its eyes, and it swayed left and right. David used the momentum, pressed his feet deep into the ground, and pushed forward again. He took a full swing and put all his strength into smashing the Kobold''s head.


    Several cracking noises rang out. The Kobold''s head scales shattered, and the skull beneath cracked. However, the skull didn''t burst open. Instead, the heavy baseball bat shattered, transforming into countless shards of wood that flew everywhere. Some struck David, scratching his arms and face, but he kept moving.


    He saw another latecomer heading his way, but David leaped into the air and rolled across the ground, grabbing the sword the Kobold had dropped moments before.


    The sword didn''t feel well-balanced, and it didn''t look like it had been made by an experienced blacksmith either. However, David knew how sharp the blade had been. His chest was still burning.


    Another Mana Bullet hurtled through the air, separating the latecomer from David, while several arrows pierced the injured Kobold, two puncturing its neck. It squirmed in agony before collapsing to the ground.


    That should be enough.


    David''s attention shifted to Sebastian. The Warrior didn''t look well. Even though one of the Kobolds had lost its weapon, it still had claws and fangs to fight. Sebastian''s only advantages were his weapon and endurance. The Kobold''s scales could absorb a lot of damage, but they weren''t enough to block the force behind Sebastian''s sword.


    David hadn''t seen how Sebastian did it, but his sword impaled the unarmed Kobold. The creature was on the verge of death but kept scratching and biting Sebastian. Its claws dug deep into his chest and sides, while its fangs ripped large chunks of flesh from his upper chest and shoulder.


    Sebastian was drenched in blood but didn''t falter, holding the line with sheer determination. He protected Jack and Flora from the Kobold''s threat, putting his life on the line. His body was shredded, but Sebastian didn''t give up and kept protecting the youngsters.


    The Warrior''s muscles tensed, and his gaze sharpened as he surged forward. He headbutted the impaled Kobold and twisted the sword inside it, ending the creature once and for all. The Kobold let go of Sebastian and slipped seamlessly from the sword. It collapsed dead to the ground, leaving only two Kobolds to deal with.


    He ranked up again. That''s great, but what the hell?


    A few more arrows zipped past David, hitting the other latecomer Kobold that had thirsted for his blood, followed closely by Flora''s voice.


    "Save Sebastian!!" Her voice trembled with exhaustion but carried an unmistakable urgency. That made sense. Sebastian looked like he was on the verge of death.


    A [Mana Bullet] and two more arrows came his way, forcing the Kobold to slow down. It snarled and turned, heading for Jack and Flora instead of pursuing David. Flora squealed aloud, and David barely recognized what was happening as he accelerated. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He reached Sebastian in two hurried strides, activated [Cure Wounds] with the intent to use it twice simultaneously, and slapped the Warrior''s back with his brightly glowing hand. His Holy Sea churned wildly as holy power surged into the Skill Rune.


    The power surged into David''s hand, where it was forwarded to Sebastian. The soothing warmth flowed through his body and into his arm, but the sensation disappeared when he touched Sebastian. David urged the Skill Rune to heal Sebastian as quickly as possible before turning to Jack and Flora.


    There was no time to check Sebastian''s condition or help him further. The others'' lives were in danger.


    A system message flickered in his mind.


    [Excessive holy power has been detected. Initiating Skill Rune overclock.]


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds increased.]


    That has to be enough. You can do it, Sebastian!


    David turned and saw Flora trying to gather mana at the tip of her Mage Wand, but her legs gave way beneath her. Flora''s chest heaved as she clutched her wand, her movements sluggish and strained.


    She''s used her Skill Rune too often. Her Mana Core must be empty, too.


    Jack released a quick series of arrows, slowing the Kobold, but it wasn''t enough. The Kobold''s sword became a blur as it cleaved downward. Jack''s eyes narrowed, sharp and focused. He shifted to the side, narrowly avoiding the full force of the blade.


    He didn''t evade the entire attack, but instead of being gutted, Jack only sustained a "minor" injury in comparison. The blade cut Jack''s leg, leaving a deep wound.


    David appeared behind the small creature a moment later, his sword flashing.

 Chapter 12 - B1 12 - Death

    David''s body felt ready to explode as he thrust forward. His muscles burned while the Kobold spun around. The creature''s scales clattered, its sword whipping upward, but David was already in motion.


    His weapon scraped against the Kobold''s sword before plunging into its neck, slicing through thick scales with ease. David''s lip twitched at the sensation of the razor-sharp blade cutting through living flesh, but he didn''t falter. The Kobold writhed in pain and lashed out desperately, but David could feel its strength fading. The creature''s desperate strikes started coming slower, weaker.


    He avoided the worst without breaking into a sweat, then tore the blade free, wrenching it from the dying creature. He watched as its movements grew weaker until a notification flashed before his eyes.


    [You have defeated Kobold (Iron III).]


    That looks different, he noted as he turned to assess the others.


    David tapped Jack''s bleeding leg lightly, casting [Cure Wounds]. As the Skill Rune fulfilled its purpose, a strange sensation stirred deep within him¡ªsomething gathering, like standing before an invisible barrier. Just like last time.


    He lowered his upper body, the muscles in his legs bulging in preparation for a sudden launch when his eyes fell on Sebastian.


    Blood-soaked and pale as paper, Sebastian towered before one of the ferocious Kobolds. Crimson blood dripped steadily from his blade as more gushed from the massive gash in the Kobold''s chest. It pooled beneath the lifeless creature, creating a crimson river across the floor tiles.


    This guy is a fucking savage!


    David smiled. Jack and Flora weren''t bad to team up with. Their support had been exceptional, and without their interference, he would have suffered far worse injuries. But Sebastian? Sebastian was on another level entirely. David couldn''t have been happier to have a Warrior like him by his side.


    "Can we leave now?" Flora asked weakly, her voice cracking. Her legs buckled, but a small smile graced her face. They had defeated the Kobolds, and escape through the emergency staircase was within reach. In minutes, the looming dangers would be behind them.


    Jack dashed over to Flora, catching her before she could collapse. "Let''s get out of here," he urged, steadying her.


    David nodded, taking a stride toward Sebastian, who turned to them with a bloody grin.


    "We aren''t too bad, are we?"


    David''s smile widened. Their teamwork had exceeded his expectations. There was room for improvement, sure, but that was something they could address in the future. He approached Sebastian, intending to cast [Cure Wounds] again¡ªbut hesitated. His Holy Sea was nearly dry. Only a faint trickle of holy power remained. Too little to fully stabilize Sebastian.


    No. It had to be enough!


    You''ll be fine. This is nothing!


    David reassured himself inwardly, rushing to Sebastian. But as he neared, something blue glistening in the stairwell caught his attention. At first, he noticed only one flash, but then more appeared¡ªa dozen shimmering points reflecting a faint light.


    He tensed and slowed, and Sebastian must have sensed something too. His ears perked up, his head snapping toward the stairwell¡ªbut it was already too late.


    Three spears shot through the air with horrifying speed, striking Sebastian with deadly precision. Each blade plunged deep into his chest, one piercing his heart outright.


    Sebastian crumpled. His body went limp before his back even hit the floor. The shock frozen on his face burned itself into David''s mind. The light in Sebastian''s eyes had already vanished, leaving them dull and lifeless as they stared at the ceiling, locked in disbelief.


    David''s mind blanked. His gaze drifted slowly to the source of this new terror.


    A trio of Kobolds emerged from the stairwell. They paused, their reptilian eyes flicking to their dead brethren, then to Sebastian''s corpse. A guttural sound rumbled from their throats¡ªlaughter?¡ªas they approached the fallen Warrior, ignoring David and the others entirely.


    Fuck.


    David''s face twisted in anguish. This couldn''t have been worse. Their strongest member, their anchor in this fight, was dead¡ªkilled in a single, careless moment.


    Sebastian had been a good guy. He didn''t deserve this. None of today''s victims deserved what had happened to them. But the world didn''t care. It was cruel, merciless. Only the strong survived, and David knew he had to keep moving.


    Calm down. You aren''t dead yet.


    David crouched slowly, his empty hand groping for the fallen Kobold''s sword. His fingers curled around the cold metal. Two short swords now in his grasp, David rose to his feet once more.


    Three unarmed Kobolds. If Jack helps a little, this should be feasible. Maybe Flora can fire off one more [Mana Bullet] before she collapses.


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    Cold sweat trickled down David''s back, drenching his tracksuit. His expression darkened as more footsteps echoed through the stairwell. More Kobolds were on their way. Mere seconds separated them from certain death.


    David''s heart pounded in his chest.


    If we kill the three Kobolds quickly, we can run for it.


    "Back me up with all you''ve got!" David commanded, surging forward.


    One of the Kobolds reached Sebastian''s corpse but didn''t retrieve their spears. Instead, it walked around the body and stomped on Sebastian''s head. The deafening crunch sent a jolt through David''s entire body, but he forced himself to press on.


    Behind him, Flora screamed, but David barely registered it. The Kobolds grasped their spears, ready to pull them free, when David''s arms shot forward. He didn''t target their limbs or vital points. Instead, his blades cut cleanly through the spears'' wooden shafts.


    The Kobolds hissed and lunged at him. They didn''t seem to care about their lack of weapons. If anything, the three of them pushed harder, forcing David to retreat a step. Claws tore across his chest and arms, gouging deep wounds into his flesh.


    They''re faster and stronger. Fuck this shit. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A sharp pain flared through his veins, and the burning message seared into his mind.


    [Your blood has been contaminated.]


    David cursed, deflecting a strike from the Kobold on his left with one sword while pushing sideways to create distance. It wasn''t much, but it was enough. His other arm slashed upward, slicing through the left Kobold''s scales, chest, and abdomen in a single motion.


    The wound was deep¡ªseveral centimeters¡ªbut not enough. It was far from enough.


    More!


    He groaned as the Kobold clawed him again, even deeper this time. But David wasn''t the type to leave things unfinished. He kicked the creature hard, his foot connecting with its gut.


    The Kobold roared, intestines spilling from the gash as its abdomen burst open.


    A sickening gush of blood and entrails covered the floor, silencing the Kobold''s roars. Its death gurgles faded to silence, but David barely spared it a glance. Two more remained, unscathed and closing in fast. Too fast.


    David narrowed his eyes, retreating in hopes of Flora''s [Mana Bullet] or Jack''s arrows coming to his aid. But nothing happened. The Kobolds pressed forward, their claws eager to tear into him.


    Did Sebastian''s death break them? Are they out of their minds? Grieve later, you fucking morons!


    He didn''t scream it aloud. Even if he''d wanted to, David couldn''t. His throat burned like fire, just like the claw marks crisscrossing his body. He was bleeding heavily¡ªtoo much. At this rate, he''d bleed out in minutes if nothing changed.


    You''ll all be beaten black and blue once this is over!


    David swore silently, deflecting another set of claw strikes. It was easier said than done. The Kobolds were vicious, their strength surpassing his by a notch or two. Their punches were brutal, the impact rattling his arms, but their swift claw strikes were worse.


    [Cure Wounds]!


    His Holy Sea screamed in protest as he poured the last of his holy power into the spell. He knew it wouldn''t fully mend him, but it would have to be enough.


    The holy power surged through his body, closing his wounds slowly. Simultaneously, a threshold deep within him shattered.


    He barely registered the notification that lit up in his mind:


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Iron II] ¡ú [Iron III]


    [One Attribute Point has been added.]


    David moved instinctively, dodging a Kobold''s punch with a risky weave. His mind processed the notification quickly, and a grim smile spread across his face.


    Reinforce Body!


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Body.]


    Low (+)(Basic) ¡ú Middle (-)(Basic)


    The first enhancement of his Body didn''t usually make a dramatic difference, but this was different. It was intense ¨C just like David had hoped from the improvement to Middle.


    The change hit him immediately. Strength surged through his veins, flooding him with vigor. His exhaustion vanished like a tide retreating from the shore.


    He was still bleeding, but the pain was dulled. His wounds healed faster under the influence of [Cure Wounds]. Even his Holy Sea rejoiced, the first traces of holy power beginning to refill its dry reservoir.


    David was faster, stronger, and more durable. His swords gleamed as they sliced through a Kobold''s side, cutting deeper than before. The remaining Kobolds shifted, their tails sweeping low across the ground.


    The unexpected attack caught David off guard as he adjusted to his newfound strength. Their tails struck his legs, sending him tumbling to the floor.


    But the looming threat of the Kobolds was the last thing on his mind.


    From the corner of his eye, David saw Jack dragging Flora away. Her screams echoed faintly, distorted by the pounding in his ears.


    Jack wasn''t even trying to help. He slapped Flora to snap her out of her panic and continued dragging her from the battlefield.


    They were fleeing, abandoning him as more Kobolds poured into the stairwell.


    Did they just sacrifice me?


    The realization hit like a punch in the gut. Anger surged in his chest, but there was no time to dwell on it. The Kobolds closed in.


    David''s eyes turned ice-cold, his focus snapping back to the fight in front of him.


    So be it.


    The battle came first. Revenge could come later.

 Chapter 13 - B1 13 - Alone

    David was supposed to be angry at their betrayal. He should curse at them as they escaped and left him to die. It should have shocked him and made him feel like Jack and Flora had swatted him square in the face, knocking him out and making him lose faith in humanity.


    But at this moment, David couldn''t care less. His life was on the line. Allowing emotions to take full control of him would probably kill him.


    It was not that their support didn''t matter. Maybe he would have betrayed someone else in their situation too. There were too many enemies, each stronger than anything their group had faced before. He would survive. Whether Jack and Flora helped him wasn''t important.


    He was already on the verge of death, fighting desperately against Kobolds while more were trying to overwhelm him. The only important fact was that David''s heart was still beating. He was still alive!


    Trusting someone as rotten as Jack had been stupid. David made a mistake¡ªa grave one. He acknowledged his foolishness and accepted the consequences of his actions.


    He rolled on the ground, escaping the first attacks, and thrust his sword upward. The blade in his left hand slashed deep into the Kobold''s tail, inflicting little damage compared to his other attack. David had moved instinctively and didn''t expect the sword in his right hand to connect with the other Kobold''s chest.


    The blade pierced through one of the few soft spots unprotected by scales, lodging too deeply for David to retrieve while lying on the ground. His eyes narrowed as he let go of the blade in his right hand and kicked the Kobold. The creature screamed and squealed in a foreign language, but David ignored it.


    He jumped up as a third Kobold clawed at him. Blocking the attack, the blade in his left hand cut into the Kobold''s claws. The creature didn''t seem to mind the injury, instead grasping the blade tightly and shoving it aside. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A moment later, the Kobold''s head shot forward. David braced himself for a bite, but that assumption proved another mistake. Instead, he experienced a fierce headbutt.


    The impact wasn''t a joke. David gasped as their heads collided, and something in his skull cracked. Blood streamed down his face as his mind turned foggy, and he swayed for a moment. He nearly allowed the Kobold to disarm him, but his body seemed to switch to autopilot.


    His hair stood on end, and a newfound surge of power from his up-rank coursing through him. He grabbed his sword firmly in both hands, and burst forward, his body transforming into a cannonball. With one powerful strike, he severed the Kobold''s claws.


    David steadied his breath as he turned around. His vision was obscured by the stream of blood pouring down his face. His head throbbed like it was about to burst, and the wounds he had tended to earlier tore open again. Still, his movements weren''t restrained, and his will remained unbroken.


    Something blue glistened in the distance. It was faint, barely noticeable, but David remembered what had happened only moments earlier: Sebastian had been impaled, killed instantly after he''d seen the blue flashes.


    More spears!


    David pushed to the side, using the clawless Kobold as cover. The creature was still screaming, though not for long. A loud noise rang out, overshadowing its cries, and it froze mid-scream. The noise stopped abruptly as the Kobold jolted once, a spear blade protruding from its chest.


    David acted quickly. His blade twirled, slicing the Kobold''s throat to ensure it couldn''t lash out in a desperate attack.


    [You have defeated Kobold (Iron III).]


    [You have defeated Kobold (Iron IV).]


    The second message came as a welcome surprise. The Kobold he had gutted earlier was dead.


    The Kobold before him collapsed to its knees, the spear of one of its brethren still embedded in its back. It had served as a great meat shield.


    David braced himself for another volley of spears. Instead, more Kobolds emerged. Some had red, almost crimson scales, while others bore brown scales of varying shades. But none of that mattered right now.


    David had heard a ringing in his ears after the Kobold headbutted him, but it had disappeared suddenly¡ªjust like every other sound.


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    He could have sworn he heard the snarling and groaning of Infected earlier, but now there was nothing. The world around him turned eerily, unnervingly silent. David couldn''t hear anything¡ªnot even his own thoughts.


    Even the vibrations in the ground as the Kobolds charged forward were gone.


    His senses¡­ disappeared?!


    No, that couldn''t be it. Panic surged through him like a tidal wave. For a fleeting moment, David couldn''t tell what was happening. But no¡ªhe wasn''t blind. He could still see and move, even as the world shrank into a muted, indistinct blur.


    However, it didn''t feel like the sight belonged to him. It was as if his senses no longer belonged to him.


    David didn''t panic at the realization. He didn''t lose his mind. Instead, he embraced the feeling as it surfaced.


    So what if he was going to die here? At least he had given his utmost. David had tried hard. He gave everything he had. But what was he supposed to do if his body stopped listening to him? If it started to feel alien to him?


    No!


    David screamed from the bottom of his heart. He was not going to die here. He wasn''t ready to die yet! David had barely earned his freedom.


    Give up? Not now. Not after fighting like this. Not after enduring so much!


    His senses didn''t clear up, but his body kept moving. David moved. He evaded the incoming attacks with surprising precision and counterattacked. He bled badly. His tracksuit clung to him, soaked in sticky crimson, and his sneakers squelched with every step. Every inch of his body was covered in wounds and smeared with his own fresh blood.


    But David didn''t slow down. Instead, he sped up.


    He wasn''t dead yet and refused to die to some reptiles!


    David couldn''t see how many Kobolds were left, but he felt their claws and weapons. They pierced his skin and cut deep into his flesh. Some attacks reached his bones, while others left wide gashes designed to bleed him out. It should have hurt, but all David felt were faint touches on his skin and the constant pouring of blood from his body.


    When something pierced his leg, David instinctively cast [Cure Wounds]. He had also picked up a new weapon at some point but lost it quickly when a deep slash to his right arm left him unable to hold it.


    Nonetheless, the third floor wasn''t just drenched in his blood¡ªit was soaked with the lives of his enemies. David had bled an astonishing amount. It should have been enough to kill him on the spot, but he was still standing. His blade danced through the enemies, reaping one life after another, even as blood continued gushing out of him.


    David never slowed. He continued casting [Cure Wounds] to mend his wounds and replenish his lost blood. His Holy Sea screamed¡ªan ear-piercing, internal roar that seemed to echo through every corner of his body. At least, that''s what it felt like as the Holy Sea cracked.


    He was forcing his Skill Runes to work even though there wasn''t even a trace of holy power to draw from.


    At some moment, David''s vision split. He was still fighting the Kobolds, desperately trying to survive as his condition worsened. At the same time, he could see his Holy Sea. It was cracked in multiple places and looked pitiful compared to its former glory.


    But there was something else. Something red and vibrant glimmered around the Holy Sea, circling the Skill Runes. Like vibrant red stars, crimson motes twinkled brightly and surged into the [Cure Wounds] Rune whenever he activated it.


    The crimson motes seemed to replace holy power, acting as a substitute. They didn''t feel like holy power. They felt stronger¡ªmore potent. It took David a moment to register, but just a trace of the crimson motes was enough to cast and overclock [Cure Wounds]. The Skill Rune was unleashed to its fullest, rapidly mending David''s wounds even as he sustained new ones.


    Yet, as his wounds healed quickly, David couldn''t help but feel that something was wrong. His mind was a foggy mess, making it hard to gather his thoughts, but one thing was certain: something belonging to him had been drained to replace holy power.


    He had no idea what the crimson motes were. They seemed dangerous, draining something he couldn''t quite fathom. Yet they were the only thing keeping him alive at this moment.


    Did it really matter? It wouldn''t matter if he died. So what if something was being drained?


    David shuddered inwardly at the realization. If he died, it would all be over.


    A steely resolve appeared in his eyes as his movements accelerated once more. The number of injuries he sustained decreased, and it kept decreasing, even though it didn''t feel like he was killing more Kobolds.


    He surrendered his mind and body to his instincts, letting them guide him. Eventually, he noticed something in the corner of his eye. Gradually, his senses sharpened as the haze lifted with every pang of searing pain.


    David''s entire body was sore. It felt like he had been torn to shreds, which wasn''t far from the truth. A quick glance revealed missing chunks of flesh, dozens of shallow and deep cuts, and countless other injuries that were either healing or had already healed.


    Now that David was back to his senses, the pain he''d been ignoring crashed down on him all at once.


    A high-pitched scream escaped his lips, and tears trickled down his cheeks as he endured the pain.


    No matter how much pain he felt, he knew one thing: he was still alive.

 Chapter 14 - B1 14 - Interest

    David''s fight didn''t go unnoticed¡ªnot that he had expected it to. His fresh blood, the clash of metal, and the Kobold''s screams echoed throughout the area, drawing attention from all directions.


    David couldn''t imagine the Kobolds defeating hundreds of Infected. Not with how quickly they had reached the third floor and how few injuries they''d had.


    So, it was no surprise when dozens of Infected flooded the third floor. Their snarls and groans reverberated from the stairwell the Kobolds had used earlier, while others climbed through the escalators and other stairwells.


    David saw it all through blurred vision, unsure what to make of it. Could he turn the Infected''s arrival into an opportunity?


    His right leg caved beneath him, blood spurting from a deep wound caused by a spear thrust. The spear had pierced cleanly through and inflicted worse damage when it was yanked free.


    David gritted his teeth. The wound in his leg¡ªdeep and brutal¡ªwas going to slow him down. He still felt like screaming at the top of his lungs but funneled that energy into fighting instead.


    Think of the pain as a way to ensure you''re still alive. Pain makes you mortal. It shows you that you''re alive.


    David realized too late how bad the injury was. He''d been sure his movement wasn''t restricted¡ªuntil now. Maybe it had been, and he simply hadn''t noticed. Either way, escape was no longer an option. Five Kobolds remained to be killed, and dozens of Infected were closing in.


    There was no path out. Perhaps he could use the chaos to slip toward the emergency staircase, but he was slower than the Kobolds and the Uncommon Infected. His leg wound didn''t help; if anything, it made him an even bigger target.


    He was bleeding the most heavily. The Infected would come for him first.


    That being said, everyone had to die. Now!


    One of the Kobolds charged at him, but David didn''t waste time. He hurled his sword, the blade piercing the charging Kobold''s chest with surprising accuracy. The creature didn''t collapse. Instead, it grasped the sword handle tightly and yanked it out.


    "I wouldn''t have done that," David mumbled, his gaze shifting to something behind the Kobold.


    Kobolds were smarter than Infected¡ªbarely. This one didn''t understand what David had said, but it noticed where he was looking. It spun around, preparing to face the threat, but found nothing there. Meanwhile, its brethren roared and charged at the Infected, their rage blinding them to caution¡ªor so it seemed to David.


    The injured Kobold didn''t join the attack. It spun back toward David, but he was already moving. Gripping a spear in his left hand, he drove it into the Kobold''s chest. The creature screeched, its claws gripping the spear shaft in a desperate attempt to pull it free, but the effort was futile. The blade had pierced its heart.


    [You have defeated Kobold (Iron III.)]


    David cast [Cure Wounds] both before and after killing the Kobold. The spell dulled the pain coursing through his body and soothed his strained muscles, but it also left him weaker. The crimson motes that replaced holy power drained his energy even as they healed him.


    It wasn''t a solution¡ªbut it was something.


    His eyes darted across the battlefield as he pressed his right hand to his chest. Blood gushed from deep gashes along his arm, but all he could focus on was his heart hammering wildly in his chest. It felt like it was trying to escape his ribcage.


    Is that excitement?


    He couldn''t quite believe himself. Was he excited to fight with his life on the line?


    A dangerous glimmer sparked in his eyes, and the corner of his lips curled into a faint smile. Tightening his grip on the spear shaft, he kicked the Kobold''s body to retrieve the weapon. For a moment, he considered the short swords scattered across the floor but turned his attention back to the battlefield as the Infected approached.


    Some were fast¡ªclose enough to reach him in seconds¡ªbut David reacted first. He thrust the spear into one''s eye, driving it deep into the brain. The creature collapsed as he retreated.


    Two Kobolds were still fighting near the stairwell. David moved toward them, stabbing his spear into their calves before shoving an Infected into their midst.


    One of the Infected scratched him as he pushed it away, and the infection took root in his blood. His battered state did little to slow its spread, but his plan succeeded. The undead, drawn to the Kobold''s gushing blood, swarmed their new target.


    David wasn''t done yet. More Infected, following trails of blood, entered the battlefield. They ignored the Kobolds at first, as if they neither heard nor saw them.


    Blood is a stronger trigger than sound. If that''s the case.


    David pulled his left arm back, ignoring the aching muscles and the reopened wounds. A smile broke through the blood covering his face as he hurled the spear. The weapon struck true, piercing its target and sending a spray of blood through the air.


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    The Infected, who had been passing by the Kobolds, immediately turned. Their focus shifted as they swarmed the Kobolds from every side.


    David didn''t bother to watch the rest¡ªhe already knew what would happen.


    ***


    David sat unmoving.


    He wasn''t sure how he had found the bench amid the bodies of rotting Infected and dead magical creatures, but somehow, he had.


    His breath came in rough gasps, his throat burning as though it had been scorched. Though his neck and throat were uninjured, every breath felt like it drained a piece of his life.


    But he didn''t dare to cast [Cure Wounds] any longer. The crimson motes were dangerous. They had nearly killed him. The battle was over, yet cleansing the infection almost took his life.


    The crimson motes were both a blessing and a curse¡ªpowerful yet far too dangerous. Everything had its price, and this power-up seemed particularly expensive.


    David didn''t move¡ªnot even his lips parted. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to, he was trying.


    The blood-soaked battlefield stretched before him, likely attracting more Infected at this moment, but all David could do was smile. Even that small gesture seemed to drain him. He had no energy left to fight, yet the smile never left his lips.


    This feeling¡­feeling alive. When was the last time¡­?


    He couldn''t move, and it was clear that the last ten minutes had been the most dangerous experience of his life. But what stayed with him was how good it felt. Was it the experience or the freedom that gave him this feeling? Or was it the change? Every bone in his body felt like it had been ground to dust. Breathing was hard, and staying conscious grew even harder. Still, David felt nice.


    Not giving up. Winning against all odds. Overcoming Death. Surviving.


    It felt great.


    David had yet to fully comprehend his situation, but one question lingered in his mind: since when had he been so desperate to stay alive? When did it all start?


    A few minutes of silence passed. No Infected or Kobold reached the third floor, and there were no survivors either. David expected someone¡ªor something¡ªto appear, but nothing did.


    At some point, his foggy mind cleared, so he turned his attention to the notifications he''d missed while fighting.


    The first notification to catch his eye was a crimson-red rectangle. There were several similar ones, all bearing the same warning, which David had ignored.


    [Emergency Warning! Your Holy Sea has been damaged due to excessive usage. Do NOT use your Holy Sea!! Time until recovery [11H:48M:25S]]


    That was unexpected.


    He hadn''t expected the System to issue warnings like that, and it didn''t seem logical either. David could feel the state of his Holy Sea when he pushed it too far. He could easily perceive its cracked, damaged condition.


    But more surprising than the system chastising him like a worrying mother was the countdown. He hadn''t thought his Holy Sea would recover so quickly. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Facing death head-on, you put a heavy weight on your Soul. However, the User remained unfazed and overcame the dance with death.]


    [Your Soul has grown.]


    Lowest (Basic) ¡ú Lowest (+)(Basic)


    The pair of notifications appeared simultaneously. David hadn''t seen them before, but they seemed connected to the earlier warning. He hadn''t paid much attention to that first message as it faded, but the countdown in the corner of his vision piqued his curiosity.


    [5H:48M:10S]


    The countdown kept dropping. Was it caused by the Soul''s upgrade?


    If an upgrade to his Soul could speed up the recovery of his Holy Sea, perhaps it would bring other changes as well. It was worth investigating once his Holy Sea had fully recovered. David considered the possibilities and nodded inwardly. It was possible. He''d have to check how much had changed once the recovery was complete.


    For a fleeting moment, David felt good, but the sensation was quickly overshadowed by doubt.


    Why did it feel like the system encouraged self-destructive actions, like breaking the Mind, Body, and Soul? And why hadn''t his Body stat grown?


    His body had clearly gone above and beyond during the battle, yet it wasn''t enough. David clicked his tongue, wincing at the pain, but it worked well enough. He hadn''t lost any limbs and was slowly regaining control of the remaining parts of his body. But there was no rush. He was still the sole spectator of the magnificent bloody massacre.


    [Proficiency of Cleanse increased.]


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds increased.]


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 II] ¡ú [Tier-0 IV]


    Several more notifications awaited, but only one truly caught his attention. The rest were generic, mentioning the contamination of his blood, the infection, and the increase in his Skill Runes'' proficiency. But this one was different.


    A purple message stood out, glowing faintly with intricate, star-like symbols. Its ornate design captured David''s attention even through his haze of exhaustion.


    It was fancier than any message David had seen before.


    Abandoned. Injured. Infected.


    Betrayed. Slashed. Survived.


    You survived against all odds.


    You murdered instead of healed.


    You did not die.


    Death''s grasp around your neck tightened. You were bound to die, yet you didn''t.


    You were supposed to give up. Surrender, but you did not.


    You are alive.


    You, David Stears, have attracted the interest of [Bereth, the ???]


    That was a strange message. But who the hell was Bereth?


    David had barely finished reading when something materialized before him. The fabric of space and reality seemed to twist as an object formed out of thin air.


    It was black, rectangular, and about the size of his palm.


    The object resembled an ordinary graphite slate, except for the symbol engraved into it.


    It looked like a Skill Rune.

 Chapter 15 - B1 15 - Gifts

    David''s hand reached out to the levitating slate but froze mid-reach. The purple notification dissipated, and his broken, aching body began to glow.


    Golden, sparkling motes materialized around David and revolved in slow, deliberate circles. His eyes narrowed to tiny slits, but even that was painful. He groaned softly, following the motes with his gaze until they disappeared. At first, they swirled around him, forming a shimmering cocoon, and then, in a sudden burst, they shot toward him.


    All David could see was the golden trail they left as they seeped into the deep gashes across his skin. The motes carved a path through his body, spreading rapidly until every inch of him was saturated with their glow.


    What is that? It feels warm? But it''s not like the infection. It doesn''t feel dangerous.


    The golden motes settled inside David''s body and dimmed, their energy seeping into him.


    He frowned deeply and closed his eyes, trying to make sense of what was happening. Something was changing, though he couldn''t tell what. In the darkness of his mind space, his Holy Sea appeared. It was still damaged¡ªlarge, cobweb-like cracks covered the energy reservoir¡ªbut it didn''t look quite the same as before. The cracks seemed narrower and less jagged now.


    Dim, barely visible sparks glistened across the fractured areas. That must be it. Why else would the countdown trickle down so fast?


    [4H:12M:58S]


    Vigor flooded every part of his body as the golden sparks dispersed, filling him to the brim and then some. The excess wasn''t wasted. It flowed efficiently, mending his battered body.


    His skin began to itch. The sensation spread, burrowing deep into his skull and throbbing within his fractured bones. It was almost worse than the pain¡ªexcept the pain itself had vanished.


    [2H:57M:11S]


    David opened his eyes, squinting as he glanced at his arms. Cautiously, he flexed them, though the gesture proved unnecessary. There was no pain left to feel.


    His wounds were healing rapidly. Surprise flickered in his eyes as he watched deep gashes regenerate. Tendrils of flesh, muscles, and veins writhed as they knit themselves back together, sealing wounds inflicted by blades and claws. Even the hole in his thigh closed in seconds, just like the chunks of flesh the Kobolds had ripped from his body.


    His bones were whole again. His rib cage had been fixed. The concussion was gone.


    In less than thirty seconds, David found himself back in peak condition.


    [0H:0M:7S]


    ¡­


    [0H:0M:0S]


    [The User''s Holy Sea has been repaired and can be accessed again.]


    David took a deep breath, half-expecting a sudden wave of pain to assault him¡ªbut there was nothing.


    A thin smile spread across his lips. For the first time since the world turned upside down, he wasn''t in pain. It felt incredible¡ªuntil the pungent stench of rotting flesh and congealed blood hit his nostrils.


    His smile crumbled. The smell was so overpowering it nearly made him retch. He barely managed to hold back his gag reflex, but nausea twisted his stomach into knots. It wasn''t just the battlefield stinking to high heavens. David himself was drenched in bodily fluids: blood, sweat, chunks of Infected brain matter, and probably more unpleasant substances. The foul mixture was enough to knock out anyone with a weak stomach.


    He pressed his lips together tightly, taking short, shallow breaths in an effort to adjust.


    These golden motes. What were they? Were they from Bereth? And who even is that guy¡ªand why was he watching me?


    David sprang to his feet, his expression twisting as emotions churned in his chest. Anger, gratitude, confusion¡ªthey all collided within him.


    Looking up through the shattered glass ceiling, he glared at the cloudless sky.


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    "If you are¡­" He clenched his fists, his voice sharp and raw, "¡­fuck you! And thanks, I guess." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His thoughts spiraled as he stood there. If Bereth had instigated the integration into the Pantheon, then David should hate him. Billions of innocent lives had probably been lost because of him. And yet, Bereth was also likely the one who had healed him, not to mention the probable source of the slate hovering by his face.


    Still, David didn''t hate the new world.


    He should. Death was omnipresent, and not long ago, he''d been betrayed¡ªabandoned by those he trusted so they could save themselves. The memory burned within him, raw and bitter.


    But even with all that¡­did he truly hate the new world?


    David shrugged. Trusting Jack had been his mistake. It wasn''t the world''s fault. Not really.


    He closed his eyes and focused on his Holy Sea, again. It was already replenishing its holy power, slowly refilling the reservoir.


    The Holy Sea was slightly larger than before, and it seemed his holy power was regenerating at a faster rate.


    This verified one of David''s theories. He was certain the Soul stat was connected to his energy reservoir, but he had yet to discover how.


    The Holy Sea had grown larger and replenished energy faster than before. But how exactly was the Soul responsible? Were the Soul and energy reservoir merely linked, or were they part of the same thing? How had the energy reservoir even formed in the first place? Was it something metaphysical?


    David could sense the Holy Sea in his mind space and holy power gathering somewhere near his navel. Yet it didn''t feel like a new organ had formed inside him. He hadn''t experienced physical pain when it broke. Unlike his other injuries, the Holy Sea hadn''t healed with [Cure Wounds] either. It was part of his body, but it was¡­different.


    He also hadn''t felt much when the Holy Sea first formed inside him.


    Though he had learned to use both the Holy Sea and Skill Runes with relative ease, it wasn''t out of understanding but necessity. Using every means at his disposal had been critical to his survival. But that didn''t mean he had understood anything about how they worked.


    In truth, David had yet to understand much of anything. The appearance of Bereth, whoever that was, and his evident interest in David only made things harder to figure out.


    For now, Bereth could wait. Surely, there had to be other magical creatures like the Kobolds. Perhaps he could learn to communicate with them.


    But was that possible, or was it just wishful thinking? After all, the Kobolds had invaded the Earthen Union. Their reasoning was still uncertain.


    David ruffled his hair, grimacing as his fingers brushed against the half-dried blood crusting it.


    "I should leave first. Change my clothes and¡­" His gaze drifted to the hovering slate, and he smiled grimly. "Bereth, or whoever''s watching¡­ Watch me all you want, but donate some Skill Runes and equipment while you''re at it! I''m a greedy bastard, so open your damn wallets!"


    That said, David reached for the black slate. A sharp jolt shot through him as his fingers brushed against its surface. The etched symbol flared to life, glowing vibrantly.


    [You have discovered a Skill Slate]


    [Draining Touch ¨C Tier-2 I]


    [Do you wish to use the Skill Slate to acquire the Skill Rune?


    Remark: The Skill Slate can only be used once.]


    There was no way he would reject the Skill Rune.


    "Yes!" David exclaimed, fully intending to acquire [Draining Touch].


    The symbol engraved on the slate flickered, and a flood of information entered his mind. Yet just as David expected the Skill Rune to form alongside his others, a dim red notification popped up.


    [Skill Rune [Draining Touch] cannot be engraved on your Soul. [Draining Touch] goes against the Cleric Codex. The acquisition of [Draining Touch] has been rejected!]


    "No! Hold on! I don''t even know what the Cleric Codex is!" David shouted. "Give me [Draining Touch]! It fits my fighting style perfectly. I''m a fighter, not a healer!"


    The system, of course, didn''t care. The Skill Slate shattered as a new notification materialized before him.


    [A similar, more suitable Skill Rune has been detected. Binding process has been initiated. Prepare for the influx of information!]


    "At least it''s¡­something," David muttered, the notification easing his fury slightly.


    He waited impatiently as the influx of information hit him like a crashing wave, imprinting itself deep into his mind. Streams of light gathered near his other Skill Runes, illuminating the dark mind space. The glimmer intensified into a vibrant maelstrom of pristine light.


    The new Skill Rune etched itself onto his Soul as its knowledge solidified in his mind.


    [Skill Rune has been successfully bound.]


    David hoped for the best, but the information entering his mind left him¡­confused. The maelstrom faded, revealing his newest acquisition.


    [Holy Touch ¨C Tier-1 I]


    "System¡­ I don''t want to sound rude," David began slowly before abandoning his calm pretense entirely. "Actually, I don''t care how it sounds." He cleared his throat.


    "Are you serious? [Draining Touch] was a Tier-2 skill, and you''re giving me a measly Tier-1 skill instead? What kind of joke is this?! If you''re going to cheat me out of a well-deserved reward over some bullshit codex, at least give me something equally powerful in return!"

 Chapter 16 - B1 16 - Different

    He accepted the dead silence around him with a shrug. It wasn''t like he expected the system to respond to his complaint in the first place.


    [Holy Touch]¡­ you''d better be worth it.


    There were no detailed descriptions for the Skill Runes, but the information etched into his mind was enough to gain a rough understanding of his new power.


    A Skill Rune to augment holy energy, pushing it to another level.


    Maybe it could remove infections with a touch, but David would need to test it first. And that would take time. Unraveling the secrets of his Skill Rune required time, practice, and effort: a lot of it. David could tell at first glance that [Holy Touch] would be far more difficult to study than [Cleanse] and [Cure Wounds]. It would be a challenge, albeit a welcome one.


    He didn''t have enough holy power to activate [Holy Touch] and wasn''t about to damage his Holy Sea for no reason. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His new ability didn''t appear bad, but [Draining Touch] would have been better. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, and his eyes drifted back to the battlefield.


    David''s gaze landed on Sebastian''s corpse. The warrior''s body lay still, his head crushed. Blood and other corpses surrounded him, forming a pitiful scene.


    David winced as he strode through the bloody pool covering the floor. His shoes squished, and the sound reverberated throughout the third floor, but nothing responded. A sea of corpses. The shopping center was now a graveyard¡ªa resting place for the unfortunate.


    A shiver ran down his spine, and his eyes shifted between the bodies.


    At last, he reached Sebastian and picked up his sword. He looked at the flawless double-edged longsword and sighed again.


    "It''s lighter than expected," he muttered, his expression souring before he forced a smile to his lips.


    He thought of the last few hours. Most had been exciting, his heart pounding with the thrill of survival¡ªa reminder of what it felt like to be alive. But not everything could be great. No matter how exhilarating it was to feel alive, to grow stronger, people were still dying all around him. The world had turned upside down. Death was everywhere.


    David had to get used to it.


    He turned to a nearby kobold and shoved its body aside, revealing one of their short swords. Ignoring the blood, he retrieved it. A few swings later, he snorted. The kobold short sword''s balance was horrendous compared to the warrior longsword.


    Still, David kept it with him.


    A spare won''t hurt.


    He considered using both weapons simultaneously, but his experience with cold steel was lackluster, to put it simply. Although it may have looked like it worked against the kobolds, he''d sustained too many wounds to call himself a professional fighter.


    Once David was done on the battlefield, he checked the situation on the third floor. He cast a few glances to the first and second floors, but all he saw were corpses. They were everywhere.


    The scene could have been pulled from a horror film, the kind that would have terrified David a day ago. But now, after everything, it barely registered.


    He inspected several shops to replace his tracksuit with a clean set and grabbed another backpack to store more goods, only to realize that most of the cans in his old backpack were dented; their contents spilled everywhere. Some water bottles had survived, but even the snack bags had burst open. The backpack was covered in claw marks. It was already a miracle it had made it this far.


    He spent a few minutes rummaging through the damaged backpack to salvage undamaged goods and stored them in his new backpack. The final result was not as pleasant as David had hoped; his new backpack was barely half full, and he had yet to start squeezing stuff. David cursed softly and turned back to the bloody battlefield.


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    He frowned, realizing Sebastian''s backpack wasn''t there earlier.


    Did he forget it?


    David shrugged and removed his old clothes, another burdensome task. It took a frustrating amount of time to peel off the blood-soaked garments, most of which were saturated with his own blood.


    After thinking about it for a moment, David grabbed more clean clothes to dry his body. He''d prefer a shower or a warm bath over this, but he couldn''t even find a towel¡ªforget about a shower.


    Once he was dry, David put on his new clothes. He found a pair of running shoes that fit him, alongside some comfortable socks and continued searching for clothes to store in the backpack. Since there was enough space left, he decided to pack a second set of clothes, underwear, and shoes. Who was going to stop him?


    David hesitated when found several belts. He wasn''t a craftsman and had never worked with leather, but his creativity got the better of him. Connecting the belts proved far more difficult than he''d expected, and David didn''t want to know how much precious time he''d wasted putting them together.


    In the end, he wore the finished product with a sense of grim satisfaction.


    The belt might not look particularly special to others. But to David, the two parts he had added were essential. Several strips of leather hung awkwardly from his left hip. At first glance, it looked like a tangled mess of leather straps, but everything made sense once he sheathed the longsword in the makeshift sheath.


    The weight of the sword hilt pulled the leather downward, creating an odd angle. The sword swayed with each step but didn''t cut through the leather straps. It wasn''t loose and wouldn''t fall, and most importantly, it didn''t restrain David''s movement.


    It was a makeshift sheath¡ªugly, but efficient.


    A smaller version hung at his right hip, designed to hold the kobold''s shortsword. Like the other sheath, it wasn''t perfect, but it was good enough. The shortsword was tightly secured but could be drawn swiftly if needed. Just like the longsword. Sure, the sheaths would wear out quickly, but David was satisfied with his handiwork.


    How about some rest?


    His feet led him back to the furniture store they had visited earlier. Even though his body was healed and the Holy Sea refilled with holy power more quickly than before, David still needed to rest.


    Unfortunately, the roars of monsters reverberating through the streets reminded him where he was and what was happening.


    That didn''t sound like a kobold. It sounded like something far more feral.


    His hair stood on end as he approached a collapsed wall in the shop and peered outside. They had seen kobolds in this same spot earlier, but a lot had changed since then. Not even a full hour had passed, yet everything felt different.


    The sky remained blue and cloudless, the sun shining as if mocking the chaos below. Infected roamed the streets while strange, magical creatures flickered in and out of sight like living nightmares.


    David hadn''t noticed them earlier, too focused on survival. But now, as he took in the whole picture, the reality hit him: the world wasn''t just chaotic¡ªit was spiraling into something unnatural.


    Bolts of lightning crackled somewhere to his left. An explosion followed, punctuated by a bestial roar. A large creature dashed across the street, disappearing into a smaller alley. Other creatures¡ªDavid only caught blurs¡ªpursued it, leaving crackling trails of electricity behind.


    Further back, buildings crumbled. David thought he saw something humongous towering over a nearby structure¡ªits shadow, or maybe its outline¡ªbut it vanished when he blinked. His stomach churned as he wondered what kind of monster could do that.


    "The world is fucked, isn''t it?" David murmured.


    He turned, spotting something in the corner of the furniture shop: a large wardrobe with an inbuilt mirror.


    David leaned closer, frowning at his reflection. He removed the upper part of his tracksuit and swallowed hard as the scars covering his face, arms, and shoulders came into view.


    His dark-brown hair was still streaked with blood, though less than before, and his features looked sharp and grim. Only his emerald eyes glowed as vividly as ever. But, other than that, David''s appearance had undeniably changed.


    Not much could have changed in just a few hours. After all, it had been a day since the transformation began.


    But as he stared at his reflection, David couldn''t deny it¡ªhe looked different. More dangerous. Something about him had shifted, even if it was just the scars, the ice in his expression, or the way his hands hovered near his weapons.


    His posture had shifted; his hands hovered near the weapon hilts, poised for the next fight.


    "The scars will only get worse. Looks like I''ll have to live with them," David chuckled.


    Even if he didn''t like the scars, they gave him a raw, untamed look. Savage, maybe¡ªbut fitting for this new world.


    He might only be a Cleric, but with this appearance, no one would take him lightly.


    Probably.

 Chapter 17 - B1 17 - Served Cold

    David looked outside again, taking in how much the world had changed. How much he had changed.


    Though he wasn''t physically exhausted anymore, and his mind was steady¡ªbarring the strain of digesting [Holy Touch]''s information¡ªDavid gave no thought to rest. His eyes flicked to a spot near the shopping center.


    David''s expression darkened His hands drifted to his weapons, clutching them tightly.


    Repay kindness with kindness and betrayal with¡ª...He took a deep breath, keeping his emotions under control.


    Let''s see what they''re up to first.


    ***


    "Sebastian is dead!" Flora cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. "We left him to die!"


    Jack''s eyes lingered on the window of the building they''d just entered. It must have been someone''s cozy home before everything went downhill, but now it was empty.


    A low groan from an Infected reached Jack''s ears. He spun around and grabbed Flora, clamping a hand over her mouth. The tears pouring down her face intensified. Snot smeared against his palm, but the slimy sensation was the least of his problems. Even as she struggled for breath, Jack didn''t budge.


    "You need to stay silent, or we''ll get caught!" he hissed quietly.


    Their escape had been far from easy. When they''d reached the emergency staircase, it hadn''t been empty. Three Infected loomed over the corpse of a middle-aged man, blocking their path to safety. The creatures weren''t particularly strong, but without a Warrior¡ªor someone who could cleanse infections¡ªdealing with them was no small task.


    Five arrows wasted, Jack thought bitterly, glancing at Flora. Useless.


    He liked her, but she was far from helpful. If anything, she made things harder. Flora couldn''t keep her voice low, bawling and sobbing uncontrollably, which attracted more Infected. That might have been tolerable if she could still use [Mana Bullet], but her Mana Core must have been completely drained. Even if she had enough energy for her Skill Rune, her lack of focus rendered her useless.


    Jack had been forced to take on the role of protector. He fought off Infected despite having only a bow and a handful of arrows left, all while dragging Flora behind him.


    Ensuring their survival hadn''t been easy, and finding a somewhat safe place took far longer than it should have.


    "There''s no time to grieve!" Jack whispered in Flora''s ear. "And we didn''t leave Sebastian to die. He was gone the moment he hit the ground. As for David... we don''t know him. He was a troublemaker. Nobody will miss him."


    Flora''s eyes widened. Her lips parted, but no words escaped. Instead, she shuddered, and fear filled her eyes as she looked at Jack.


    A flicker of movement in the corner of Jack''s vision pulled his attention back to the windows. Three Infected swayed past the entrance. They snarled and shuffled like mindless puppets, unaware of the two survivors hiding inside.


    Jack remained perfectly still, his eyes fixed on the glass. Minutes passed. He expected the Infected to return, but the snarls eventually faded into the distance.


    Jack sighed in relief. Flora, however, started crying again. He shot her a withering glare, certain his expression would be intimidating enough to silence her, but she didn''t seem to notice.


    "It''s already too late. You saw it yourself¡ªSebastian is dead," he said, his tone colder than before. "Check your stuff. We need to figure out how much we have and how long we can¡ª"


    A shadow flashed past the window, cutting Jack off mid-sentence. Even Flora seemed to notice, her body tensing.


    A shriek escaped her lips as the house''s front door burst open. Splinters flew in all directions as the door crashed loudly to the floor.


    Jack reacted instantly. He grabbed his bow, pulled an arrow from his quiver, and nocked it. He didn''t draw the string back fully, unable to maintain a steady stance, but the weapon was ready to fire.


    Jack froze, the arrow trembling on the string.


    A familiar figure stepped inside¡ªa man who wasn''t supposed to be alive.


    They hadn''t known each other long, but Jack recognized him. A few things had changed. His body was covered in scars, marks of battles he''d survived alone, and his cold gaze felt like frozen glaciers bearing down on him.


    "D-David?"


    ***


    David looked at the trembling children. They didn''t make it far without him ¨C without Sebastian. It looked like they''d struggled, but it was not like he felt sorry for them ¨C not after they left him to fend for himself¡­ to die for them.


    David walked down the hallway, his eyes locked onto the pair. They stared back, paralyzed.


    "You fucking left me to die¡­you could have at least tried to help rather than running away like cowards¡­" He snarled, making Flora flinch. She looked at the ground.


    At last, Jack moved as well. The glimmer in his eyes gave him away. He pulled his bowstring to full draw and released the arrow without hesitation.


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    David twisted his body. The projectile whistled past his head, missing by a heartbeat.


    "Seriously?!" David asked in an icy tone, "And now I show up alive, and you want to shoot me dead? I fucking considered forgiving both of you¡­ but now this?"


    His gaze narrowed as Jack prepared another arrow.


    And now you''re nocking another arrow? David knitted his brows, watching Jack. He was not sure what to do earlier, but these cowards deserved a punishment. It might even help them¡­Maybe they would grow stronger ¨C faster ¨C if they hated him. He smiled at that thought. Making them hate him shouldn''t be too difficult. All they needed was a little push.


    David darted to the side, entering a small room with an open doorway leading to the kitchen.


    "Oh, this place is nice. All the rooms are connected," he commented, feeling a sense of amusement rising within him.


    "Fuck you!" Jack bellowed. "Leave!"


    "You want me to leave?" David stepped into the kitchen, his smile sharp. Jack stood stiff in the living room, bow raised. David took a step back into another room, disappearing before Jack could fire again.


    He entered a small storage area connected to yet another room. The layout intrigued him.


    "Why would you want me to leave? Aren''t we friends?" David called out. "No, maybe we''re not friends. Survivors in arms, then? No... that''s a thing of the past too. What are we now? Acquaintances? Strangers? Enemies?"


    David heard Jack''s hurried footsteps and muffled curses.


    "Why are you doing this? I am glad you survived, but you know better than anyone that we would have lost this fight. Even if you survived, the Kobolds would have killed Flora and me. Flora''s Mana Core was drained after what happened to Sebastian¡ª"


    David barely gave it a thought before he responded.


    "You''re funny. I''ll give you that much. Why am I doing this? ¡­ I was curious how you guys were doing, knowing deep down that everyone could have survived the last fight. You are good at bullshitting your way out of troublesome situations, aren''t you?" His voice echoed through the entire building. That was eerie, even to David. Was he overdoing it? Doubts surfaced.


    The wooden flooring creaked as David stepped into the living room. He caught a glimpse of Jack, who turned to him. Jack would have to shoot through Flora to hit him. While Jack seemed to have improved as an archer, David was certain he wasn''t confident enough to hit him without killing Flora.


    "W-we couldn''t do anything. Sebastian was¡­he was dead before anyone reacted," Flora spoke up for the first time, though hesitation crept into her voice. "Or¡­could you have saved him? H-how did you survive?"


    David didn''t answer. He stepped back and moved around the building again. The floor creaked once more, but the sound was farther away this time. David hadn''t made it, and it seemed too far off to have been Jack or Flora. A doubt crept into David''s mind, intensifying as the sound of an arrow whizzing through the air echoed. It struck something with a dull thud, followed by silence.


    That''s odd, David thought, quickening his pace. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He heard Flora gasp and the sound of something¡ªor someone¡ªhitting the ground. Jack cursed.


    At last, David returned to the living room and saw it: a rotten face, gray skin stretched taut over sickly yellow veins and chunks of missing flesh. It was an Infected stepping inside.


    Jack lay on the ground, wide-eyed, his trembling hands fumbling for an arrow. He reached for his quiver but was too slow. The Infected, small and hunched, moved with alarming speed.


    The rotten face flashed before the Hunter, who winced as the Infected''s maw opened wide.


    That was David''s signal to move. He looked at Jack, whose face was about to be torn off, and sprang into action. His hand glowed pristine white as he struck, piercing the Infected''s skull in one clean blow. The undead''s head burst apart, coating Jack in rotted flesh, skin, and brain matter.


    Jack froze, the color draining from his face, and retched before vomiting. He squealed and screamed until David, unable to take it any longer, silenced him with a kick to the stomach.


    "You''re a funny little hypocrite. Didn''t you tell Flora to stay silent? So why are you screaming like a three-year-old? Get your fucking act together, asshole," David snarled, wiping brain matter and sweat from his forehead as a flicker caught his attention.


    [You have defeated Infected (Uncommon).]


    [Proficiency of Holy Touch increased.]


    A surge of energy filled David''s body, catching him off guard as another notification appeared.


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Iron III ¡ú Iron IV]


    [One Attribute Point has been added.]


    Jack said nothing, retreating until his back hit the edge of the couch. As he tried to rise, groaning in pain, the remaining arrows in his quiver spilled to the ground.


    David shook his head at Jack''s pitiful display. His initial plan seemed to have failed. . Regardless, the rank-up surprised him; he hadn''t thought fighting could trigger such progress. Until now, only healing and cleansing had done so.


    The revelation improved David''s mood. He considered continuing his lecture and teaching Jack and Flora what could happen if they were to betray someone ever again, but the warmth and vigor coursing through him were too pleasant to ignore.


    "I think I wasted my time here." David glanced at the headless Infected, then at his glowing hand. "Or maybe not."He shrugged and turned to the traitors. "I won''t dirty my hands with your deaths, BUT¡­"


    David unsheathed the kobold shortsword and stepped toward Jack, whose face turned as white as paper. Jack''s expression worsened, and tears welled in his eyes.


    "Please¡­don''t kill me¡­"


    Definitely too much.


    David rolled his eyes, "I won''t kill you."He cleared his throat, "But that doesn''t mean others will be as tolerable."


    He sighed deeply. He felt like a fool for behaving like this ¨C like a child. He was better than that, or so he thought."Get out of my sight," he snapped.


    David heard Flora whimper faintly as Jack scrambled to his feet. The Hunter bolted past him, too afraid to look back. But he still had his backpack slung across his shoulders. David''s shortsword swept past Jack''s head, forcing the teenager to stop abruptly.


    "Don''t forget your bow and arrows¡­" David pointed at the spilled arrows on the ground, turning to Flora, whose lips parted, "Don''t say anything, or I might change my mind and keep the bow, and take your backpacks as well."


    He watched the boy collect everything in a hurry.


    Whether they survived or not was not David''snot business. It was cruel, but he was not going to run behind them. They had chosen to leave him earlier, so they were the ones who hadto live with the consequences of their actions¡ªor succumb to them.

 Chapter 18 - B1 18 - Squatter

    The silence following Jack and Flora''s departure was deafening. It was overwhelming.


    Was that the right thing to do?


    David had to see them one last time since he got the chance. He had to see how they would react¡­and respond accordingly.


    Maybe things could have ended differently¡­but what does it matter now?


    David wasn''t perfect. He would probably never be, and that was okay.


    His eyes momentarily trailed to the cans of food and beverages before turning to the headless Infected. His head started to ache, but David tried suppressing it.


    "Using a Tier-1 Skill Rune has been an¡­interesting experience," he murmured.


    It cost more holy power than he''d expected and burdened his mind heavily, but the power output was excellent. Even if [Holy Touch] couldn''t be considered a Skill Rune with great offensive powers, it enhanced David''s strength.


    The only issue was the severe headache assaulting his mind after using the Skill. How was he supposed to use [Holy Touch] in battle if he couldn''t maintain it without dying from a fried brain? There had to be a better way to use [Holy Touch].


    If not, David might as well not use it at all. Not in battle, at least. It was an unknown variable, a threat to his life if used at the wrong moment. He cocked his head to the side and went through the last notifications, hoping to find something of use.


    That might work. David thought and jumped into action.


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Mind.]


    Low(Basic) ¡ú Low(+)(Basic)


    The headache eased up as the Attribute Point disappeared, reinforcing his Mind. It merely took a few seconds before the headache was no more, leaving David somewhat satisfied.


    "I had to enhance my Mind to remove the strain on my mind. That makes sense. Using a Skill Rune of a higher Tier means I can wield more potent power. That ¨C probably ¨C puts a heavy toll on my mind and body, depending on the Skill Rune''s effect," David murmured to himself, "I expected [Holy Touch] to put a toll on the Holy Sea, or my body when its power surged to my hand, but not the Mind."


    David ignored the headless Infected, the arrows sprawled around the couch, or Jack''s backpack lying ownerless. He removed his backpack, put it next to the other, and crashed on the couch.


    So, what do we have here? The Holy Sea is larger and it replenishes holy power much faster, but holy power isn''t everything. Skill Runes also require concentration? Mental power? What exactly do they consume? Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David recalled feeling exhausted after using his Skill Runes the first few times. His condition improved as he used [Cleanse] and [Cure Wounds] more often, but the strain remained. It never disappeared.


    Flora''s condition was even worse. Casting [Mana Bullet] a few times overwhelmed her.


    That was enough proof to validate one theory: Using Skill Runes required an adequate Mind stat.


    The more potent the Skill Rune, the more mentally challenging it is to activate.


    Did that mean using [Draining Touch] would have killed him? David shuddered as he imagined his head bursting apart and shook his head.


    "Whoever is responsible for replacing [Draining Touch] with [Holy Touch]...Thanks, buddy! I misunderstood your intention!"


    After increasing Mind, David noticed several things. His senses were more focused on the details in the vicinity, but it might also be his mind finally learning to sort out everything his senses were taking in. David also had a much easier time remembering events of the past. His memory was never bad, but it improved considerably with Mind''s enhancement.


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    He also started wondering how long he could use his Skill Runes now that his Mind was stronger than before.


    That was worth testing, but David didn''t have enough holy power to experiment. That being said, he got up again. Since his Holy Sea naturally replenished energy, David chose to spend his time more efficiently.


    The first thing he did was secure the perimeters. He thoroughly checked the house and was glad to find it empty. Once the house was clear, David moved to the entrance. He walked outside, but no unwelcome guests were waiting for him.


    He moved some furniture around, blocking the entrance with the refrigerator, a wardrobe, and the couch. It wasn''t enough to block several uncommon Infected, Kobolds, or the like, but it would make enough noise to warn David while he climbed the flight of stairs to the second floor with the backpacks.


    David walked back and forth several times to collect all the cans and other goods before he rested in the bedroom. A large window connected him to the backyard, which had to be enough in case of an emergency.


    It took a while to finish everything, so David opened a Coke and a can of ravioli to quench his thirst and fill his stomach.


    What now?


    His parents were too far away to reach by foot. Not anytime soon, at least. He considered short-circuiting a car or motorcycle, but driving around would attract too many Infected, Kobold, or worse. David recalled the creature coated in lightning from earlier and shuddered. It had been too fast. Escaping its pursuit while driving through an earthquake-ridden region was suicidal.


    David was deep in thought, his fork poking into the can of ravioli. It was cold and not as pleasant as the food he had eaten the last few years, maybe even decades, but it was food, and it filled his stomach. It reminded him of a camping trip with his friends years ago. The trip had been his first and last with his friends. Reminiscing, David winced.


    William and Basti should be fine. Those bastards were probably waiting for something like this. As for Felix¡­who knows what he''s up to? The others, they''re probably dead.


    Even if it sounded harsh and heartless, David didn''t have high hopes for most of his friends. Then again, most of them had been friends of convenience in the first place. They liked his parents'' money. David never bothered pushing them away, hoping being around them would fill his heart with something. Excitement or maybe even purpose.


    But now that he thought about it, that wasn''t it. He understood that now.


    Felix is probably a Mage now. He''s smart and will probably not suffer as much from mental exhaustion as other Mages. He did some martial arts too, so maybe he will be fine.


    Thinking about his friends did not necessarily help David, but it prepared him for the inevitable. Maybe they were all dead. Even if his friends were still alive, he might never see them again.


    Fate will decide if our paths cross again.


    That thought put aside, David had to devise a plan.


    He considered his options, put the cans aside, and checked his Holy Sea again. Once he was certain that he had enough holy power, David cast [Holy Touch] again.


    He closed his eyes tightly and focused on the mind space. David watched as tendrils of holy energy channeled into the Skill Rune of [Holy Touch], empowering the Skill.


    One second¡­


    His holy power evaporated much faster than it would have if he''d used his other Skill Runes, but David kept it going.


    Two seconds¡­


    A light headache formed in the back of his head. It crept to the front and grew more intense.


    Three¡­barely three seconds.


    David slumped onto the bed, forced to stop due to his low amount of holy power and the distinct fear of his brain melting.


    He had no idea what was happening on the outside, but what he saw while [Holy Touch] was actively used was enough to put a smile on his face.


    A plan formed in his head.


    A plan filled with pain and torture.


    But even more important: It was a plan filled with excitement.


    The first day of the integration into the Pantheon was filled with chaos, death, and destruction. David had already learned a lot, not only about the new system and the changes happening to the world but also about himself. The desires rooted deep inside him were finally unraveled, but he was just getting started.


    It was only the first of many layers to discover who he truly was and what he wanted.


    David understood that. He also understood what it meant to take one step back to let the bigger picture unfold before him.


    So that was what David did. He took a step back and got started with his plan.

 Chapter 19 - B1 19 - Cultivation Replica

    David''s fist, glowing with pristine light, smashed into an Infected''s skull, crushing it. The Infected collapsed to the ground, joining several more headless corpses that rested in peace nearby.


    [Holy Touch] worked well against the Infected, but how would the pristine light fare against something that wasn''t undead?


    For now, [Holy Touch] could coat any part of his body, augmenting it. However, the augmentation behaved differently than expected. When David''s fist, coated in [Holy Touch], struck the Infected, it met little resistance, shattering the skull with ease. [Holy Touch] seemed to weaken the Infected''s defenses, stripping away some of the undead''s characteristics.


    David still struggled to grasp the full extent of [Holy Touch], but from what he''d seen, the pristine light seemed to purify the Infected, erasing whatever force had resurrected them. Around the impact area, the Infected''s skin charred as though burned, and at the same time, it seemed to retreat, almost as if it feared the light. How could that be possible? David didn''t know yet, but he had witnessed this phenomenon multiple times.


    Why was leveling [Holy Touch] so difficult? It''s a Tier-1 Skill Rune, but still¡­


    The bodies scattered around him barely registered in David''s mind¡ªthere were too many, and he couldn''t afford to dwell on them. He left the corpses on the narrow, empty street and returned to his temporary home. Climbing a small wall with practiced ease, he landed lightly in the backyard and continued his way inside


    Once upstairs in the second-floor bedroom, David sat on the bed without hesitation and closed his eyes, letting his thoughts swirl.


    The Holy Sea is still not locked. But defeating the Infected didn''t replenish the used-up holy power any faster. That means the energy doesn''t come from the monsters.


    It hadn''t been long since David noticed [Holy Touch]''s greatest advantage¡ªor at least, what he considered its greatest advantage. Activating [Holy Touch] opened his Holy Sea, channeling holy power into the Skill Rune. This was the case for all his Skill Runes, but with the others, the Holy Sea would ''close'' as soon as enough power had been drawn to activate them. Not so with [Holy Touch]. The Holy Sea remained open for several minutes even after the skill''s effects faded.


    David could always draw holy power from the Holy Sea, but when it was ''locked,'' accessing it became a frustrating challenge he hadn''t fully figured out. What he couldn''t do with a locked Holy Sea, however, was insert holy power.


    The Holy Sea replenished its energy quickly, but David noticed it recovered holy power even faster when he actively used his Skill Runes. Thus, he could recover more holy power whenever the Holy Sea was ''open.''


    The difference between an ''open'' and a ''locked'' Holy Sea still eluded him, but when the Holy Sea was open, the pathways connecting it to the rest of his body felt clear and accessible, making it easier to draw power.


    Initially, David hadn''t thought much about this, but now he wondered where the energy to refill a Cleric''s Holy Sea or a Mage''s Mana Core came from. Surely it couldn''t generate a specific type of mythical energy out of nothing. That didn''t make sense.


    Even if the Holy Sea generated holy power on its own, it must need some kind of input¡ªsome source of energy¡ªto transform into holy power.


    His first idea had been to fight a few Infected with [Holy Touch] active. Maybe defeating undead or magical creatures was the key, allowing him to absorb their energy.


    It had been a good idea at its core, especially since it reminded him of a summer spent gaming. In those games, slaying enemies granted experience points or dropped energy for power-ups. Maybe magical creatures and undead left behind invisible particles of mythical energy his Holy Sea could convert into holy power.


    It was a nice theory, but while his Holy Sea recovered power slightly faster during and after [Holy Touch] was active, there weren''t any sudden bursts of energy when he defeated the undead.


    That was why David had returned to another idea.


    The world hadn''t changed long, but it seemed like some people were changing ¨C adapting ¨C quickly, growing stronger by doing things aligned with their class. David couldn''t rule out the possibility that the world itself had fundamentally changed.


    His Holy Sea never stopped producing holy power, meaning it must have access to the necessary ''resources'' at all times. That thought pushed him to his second idea.


    What if he replenished his holy power like cultivators in Xianxia stories restored their Qi? David didn''t know much about cultivation stories, but William and Basti had shown him a few in the past. He hadn''t finished any of them but remembered bits and pieces.


    He hadn''t expected to recall so much from those old days, but if those fragments of gaming and cultivation stories could help him now, why not give it a shot?


    Cultivators use the energy of Heaven and Earth to recover their dantian. Let''s replace the dantian with the Holy Sea and Qi used by cultivators with holy power to replicate their techniques.


    It was unlikely to work, but even failure would provide more insight for future experiments.


    The Holy Sea had to stay open to absorb energy¡ªand there had to be energy out there. There was no ''if'' about it. The energy had to come from somewhere.


    But what if there was energy in the air or the ground? He couldn''t see or sense it. How was he supposed to channel it into his Holy Sea?


    David thought about it for a moment, then sat cross-legged on the bed, closing his eyes to focus on his surroundings. He visualized the Holy Sea in his mind space but cast it aside with a thought. Taking a deep breath, he worked to clear his mind.


    [Holy Touch]!


    There was no need to waste time. He activated [Holy Touch] immediately, intending to cover his entire body in pristine light. Holy power drained rapidly from his Holy Sea, but as his intent reached the Skill Rune, something changed. The Rune trembled, and far more power than expected was siphoned from the Holy Sea.


    Even then, David could tell he had failed. [Holy Touch]''s warmth engulfed his upper body, filling him with vigor, but the light stopped expanding.


    He severed the flow of holy power to the Skill Rune and rubbed his temples, greeting the light headache forming at the back of his head.


    It won''t work like this.


    David nibbled on his lower lip and activated [Holy Touch] again. This time, however, he only coated his head in pristine light.


    His eyes remained tightly shut as the rest of his body tried to perceive the energy in the surroundings. His theory might be wrong, but he believed in it.


    Nothing happened at first. Time passed slowly, tormenting David as he focused intently on his desire to find something. It wasn''t until his remaining holy power had been used up that David recognized his mistake. He was too tense, forcing himself into the idea of finding something that was ''probably'' somewhere around him.


    He groaned in pain, his hand reaching up to wipe away the blood dripping from his nose.


    "A short break¡­" he muttered, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Just a short break. I''ll be ready again."


    He needed to replenish more holy power and wait for the headache to ease up before starting again. As he rested, David noticed something he should have realized much earlier.


    "Why did I search for the unknown outside my body? Since the Holy Sea recovers holy power naturally, the resources used to produce holy power must already be inside me. Doesn''t that mean my body has already been absorbing some unknown energy¡ªor whatever is used¡ªto refill the Holy Sea?"


    David''s first guess had been that the Holy Sea ''opened'' and ''closed'' whenever he activated Skill Runes because it was easier to control holy power during those times. But what if that sensation was related to his body accepting more of the unknown energy around him?


    It was nothing more than a theory. Another theory, just like the rest of the thoughts, questions, and ideas forming in his mind. Still, it was worth considering.


    Before activating [Holy Touch] again, David shifted his focus to the Holy Sea. This time, instead of looking straight at it, he examined the Holy Sea''s edges. He paid attention to the instances when holy power entered the reservoir, observing how it happened and what it felt like.


    Holy power was warm and cozy. It purified, healed, and filled David with vigor. But there was more to it. Holy power was tied to the unknown energy in a way he hadn''t noticed before. They were connected and became part of the same construct only after the energy seeped into the Holy Sea.


    As the headache eased, David''s focus sharpened. He spent the next thirty minutes exploring the connection between the Holy Sea and holy power, trying to understand how they interacted.


    It seemed holy power wasn''t always warm and cozy. It changed gradually, becoming comfortable, purifying energy after entering the Holy Sea. Before that, it felt cold¡ªbut not unpleasant. This was the unknown David had been searching for.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    No wonder it was impossible to sense before¡­ Holy power''s warmth overshadowed this¡ªwhatever it is.


    David traced the tiny tendrils of energy, following them back to their origins and searching for ways to acquire more. A realization struck him as he observed them closely.


    The thickest energy tendrils led to his hand, with the largest connecting to his right hand: the hand he''d used to smash the Infected''s heads.


    It took him a while ¨C it was already late at night when David opened his eyes again ¨C, but he learned a great deal about the hundreds of tendrils attached to his Holy Sea. Some tendrils contained no energy, making them incredibly hard to perceive. However, once he knew what to look for, finding them became easier.


    It''s far from perfect, but it''s getting better. One step at a time.


    The system seemed to agree with his sentiment as an intriguing notification flashed before his eyes.


    [The User discovered his body''s Energy Pathways and Aether within 24 hours of the integration!


    Congratulations! The process of annexing Aether will come to you naturally for the next 48 hours.]


    David''s eyes lit up as a wave of understanding crashed into him in waves. The tendrils connecting his Holy Sea to every part of his body weren''t random¡ªthey were Energy Pathways, intricate and essential. And the cold, unknown energy flowing through them? It was Aether¡ªwhat he''d been searching for all along.


    He sensed it with surprising ease¡ªmuch more than he''d anticipated from the system''s boon. That made everything easier. First, he focused on the Aether within him. Now, David understood what Aether was, where it could be found, and how it could be annexed. Annexing Aether felt instinctive, as though his body already understood the process.


    Second, he felt a faint tingling sensation sweep across his skin, caressing him as if trying to garner his attention. The tingling grew stronger when unimpeded. Hesitating briefly, David stripped down to his underwear. Stripping in a strange bedwasn''t ideal, but it felt necessary.


    Once the tingling sensation engulfed him, David activated [Holy Touch] again. Holy power surged swiftly to the Skill Rune before flowing into the targeted energy pathways. David chose the thickest pathways and channeled [Holy Touch] through them.


    Time slowed to a crawl as the pristine light coursed through the pathways. Each moment felt interminable as the Aether within reacted drastically. It spread out, momentarily expanding the energy pathways and threatening to tear them apart. David winced, his concentration wavering as searing pain wracked him. Keeping his eyes closed, he focused on the Aether, watching it slowly stabilize.


    As seconds trickled by, he sensed the Aether more intently. It appeared stable now, faintly glowing, but that was only the beginning. The Aether seemed to pull slightly, its temperature rising until it enveloped him in warmth.


    The energy was mutating. As it passed through, it connected to [Holy Touch] and changed under its influence. Slowly but steadily, the Aether in the pathway transformed into holy power.


    Is this what it means to annex Aether naturally?


    David doubted it. The system boon might have made altering Aether inside him easier, but was that truly its purpose?


    Sweat trickled down his temple as he reached out to the mutating Aether. It wasn''t as easy to control as holy power¡ªwhich, for the record, still didn''t come naturally to him¡ªbut it was possible. Unlike natural Aether, David could grasp its mutated form.


    Without trying anything elaborate, he channeled the mutated Aether closer to the Holy Sea. The Holy Sea pulled it in smoothly, absorbing it.


    Interesting.


    The Holy Sea seemed to tug on natural Aether, initiating the creation of holy power. Additionally, the mutating Aether reacted more strongly to its pull.


    It''s not enough to pull mutated Aether into the Holy Sea instantly. But what would happen if [Holy Touch] were channeled through all the energy pathways or the ones with the largest Aether reserves?


    It should be possible to shorten his natural recovery rate that way. His experiment wasn''t finished, but the thought made him grin from ear to ear. If everything worked as intended, he could refill his Holy Sea in an hour, maybe less. Assuming his energy pathways remained filled with Aether, of course.


    David needed more than that. Relying solely on the natural Aether in his pathways felt too limiting. What if a fight dragged on and he needed more holy power, only for the pathways to be drained? There had to be a better solution.


    He tried controlling [Holy Touch] more precisely, circulating it through multiple pathways instead of letting it coat his hands or other body parts. Sweat poured from his forehead as the same mind-splitting headache returned, and blood streamed from his nose. Yet his plan appeared to work.


    The Aether in three of his pathways mutated. His Holy Sea was sucked dry, but the mutated Aether slithered toward it, filling it slowly.


    Decent progress¡ªa good start. Let''s keep going like this and¡ª


    His mind drifted. The splitting headache overwhelmed his willpower, making him black out.


    ***


    David woke to sunlight spilling over the horizon. He hadn''t realized how exhausted he''d been, or that the headache would force him into a deep slumber.


    How long¡­?


    The second day of the Pantheon''s integration had already begun! He must have slept for half a day, maybe longer.


    Leaving the house wasn''t an option. Quite the contrary¡ªhe only had roughly thirty hours left to experiment with the system''s boon.


    "What a waste of time. Was it really necessary to knock me out before I finished the last experiment?!"


    He cursed but quickly brightened as a notification blinked into view.


    [Proficiency of Holy Touch reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 I ¡ú Tier-1 II]


    Never mind. The experiment was totally worth it!


    Clenching his fists tightly, a victorious smile bloomed on his lips. Controlling [Holy Touch] at his previous level should now be far easier. Any Infected would do well to avoid him! sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After regaining his composure, he prepared a simple meal: a bottle of water and a can of tuna. It wasn''t gourmet by any means, but it filled him¡ªafter he emptied two cans.


    The food will last me a week? Maybe eight days?


    He shrugged lightly. There wasn''t any need to panic¡ªyet¡ªand began checking his energy pathways. A few moments later, his lips curled into a thin smile.


    His pathways contained enough natural Aether to fill the Holy Sea once, maybe twice. Possibly more, depending on how his next experiments went.


    Adjusting his position, he settled cross-legged on the bed, ready to dive back into his experiments. This time, instead of activating [Holy Touch], David circulated holy power manually through his pathways.


    Controlling holy power manually proved to be several times harder than using [Holy Touch] to alter Aether. With [Holy Touch], his focus kept the Skill Rune active, and his intent guided the energy through the pathways. Manually channeling holy power demanded far more precision and effort.


    Unlike [Holy Touch], this didn''t drain his holy power¡ªa relief, given how quickly the Skill Rune exhausted him.


    David circulated holy power through the energy pathways, attempting to alter the natural Aether. The process, however, felt less effective than he had hoped. The mutation progressed sluggishly, and his Holy Sea remained ''locked,'' preventing the mutated Aether from entering too quickly.


    He groaned, frustrated. While his recovery rate was faster than normal, it was nothing compared to [Holy Touch]''s raw efficiency.


    "At least I know I can fill the Holy Sea faster than before, even without using [Holy Touch]," he muttered. That realization didn''t mean he would focus on this method, but it was useful knowledge, especially since it helped him refine his control over holy power.


    He had to manage the holy power with extreme care, circulating it through his energy pathways without causing tears from the sudden influx of energy, all while monitoring several other factors. It required immense precision and a level of control he did not have yet.


    Thus, increasing his mastery of holy power became his primary focus for the next few hours. The effort was mentally draining but less taxing than keeping his Skill Runes active all day¡ªnot that such a feat was even possible with his limited holy power.


    David tapped his fingers against the bed, impatience gnawing at him. He hated wasting time or energy. Once his Holy Sea brimmed with energy, he switched back to [Holy Touch], but this time, not to replenish holy power. Instead, David began another experiment.


    Eager to test his theories further, he considered his energy pathways. He hadn''t bothered to count them yet but guessed there were at least several dozen¡ªlikely hundreds if the less conspicuous pathways were included. Their appearance frustrated him. They resembled atrophied muscles: fragile and prone to breaking when [Holy Touch] passed through them. But David had already accepted the danger. He embraced the thought of enduring unbearable pain for a chance to grow stronger.


    The pathways held a strange fascination for him. They had to be activated; otherwise, they wouldn''t absorb or store Aether. Though he was still experimenting, he noticed a pattern: larger, more frequently used pathways seemed to hold more Aether than the rest. He likened them to muscles in need of intense training¡ªdestructive training, if necessary.


    Tearing and damaging the pathways¡ªwithin limits¡ªmight prove beneficial. Like muscles, minor tears could trigger the body''s natural recovery, strengthening the pathways and spurring growth.


    Even if the theory failed, it posed no mortal danger. Being a Cleric, a Healer equipped with reliable Skill Runes, had its advantages.


    He sent [Holy Touch] through the empty pathways, even though it wouldn''t replenish holy power immediately. The long-term benefits were the real appeal.


    The first few circulations were excruciating, as though needles were threading through his veins. His attempts at channeling [Holy Touch] through the narrow, inactive pathways had been too rough, too rushed. Yet, no lasting damage occurred. Just as David had hoped, [Holy Touch] repaired the damage to the pathways as it happened.


    Still, the process was agonizing. Time dragged on, every second stretching endlessly as the pain gnawed at him without mercy.


    Now that [Holy Touch] was a higher rank, it was more efficient and potent. Circulating it through his body repeatedly became invigorating, fueling him in ways that felt almost life-altering. His once-atrophied pathways began to ''activate,'' though his method of doing so still felt clumsy and unrefined. As the pathways awakened, more Aether settled into his body.


    David could feel the natural Aether shifting subtly as [Holy Touch] coursed through it. The transformation was slow but noticeable. The mutation drained energy. Traces of [Holy Touch] merged into the natural Aether to initiate the mutation, but some seeped into the energy pathways, gradually nurturing them. While the process worked as intended, it consumed more holy power than David had expected.


    Despite the strain, he felt exhilarated. The experience reminded him of the cultivation stories his friends had often raved about. It felt as though he''d been thrown into one of the novels they used to share with him. But this was no story. This was real¡ªfar more intense, far more thrilling.


    Though he couldn''t expand his Holy Sea using this method, he could replenish his energy faster. For David, that was what mattered most.

 Chapter 20 - B1 20 - Racist?

    David knew Clerics grew by using their abilities, primarily by healing others. Yet, there were other ways to rank up. [Holy Touch] was the best example. It showed David how he could rank up without relying on others. The only downside was that focusing on [Holy Touch] wasn''t an efficient way to rank up. It didn''t meet some of the criteria that other Skill Runes did.


    To grow stronger quickly, he would have to work with others, healing them and himself as often as possible. But that wasn''t an option, not now, at least.


    David was alone, but that didn''t deter him. He was determined to grow stronger, even if it meant hurting himself.


    He trained himself to sense the subtle flow of Aether around him and coax it into his body, feeling it settle into his energy pathways like a gentle stream filling a reservoir. Once nestled there, the Aether could be used to replenish his Holy Sea. To smooth the process, David first had to gain a deeper understanding of [Holy Touch]. After all, the Skill Rune was his best means of quickly and easily replenishing his used-up power.


    Most of his time was spent practicing how to apply [Holy Touch] in various situations, hoping it would allow him to replenish his Holy Sea even during fiery battles. Casting [Holy Touch]¡ªpreferably all Skill Runes¡ªhad to come to him as easily as breathing.


    It worked out. Somewhat. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over the next few days, David learned to cover several body parts with an incredibly thin layer of pristine light, making it easier to perceive and absorb the surrounding Aether. But therein lay the issue. While his plan worked, it required far more time and effort than he wanted to spend.


    He didn''t realize this at first, his full attention lingering on attaining a deeper understanding of [Holy Touch]. But his rapidly dwindling food supply reminded him of the bitter truth: he had been holed up in the abandoned house for several days and had barely ventured outside.


    That wouldn''t have happened if the system''s boon hadn''t ruined his plan. David had been confident in his progress, only to realize that his replication of a cultivation technique wasn''t as effective as it seemed. When the boon disappeared, he stagnated, forcing him to experiment and practice relentlessly just to return to his former progress. Everything worked out somehow, but it took blood, sweat, and a few heavy headaches.


    Finally, David reached the state he had aimed to achieve days ago. He was done experimenting and had made significant progress. Most importantly, he still had some food left, albeit less than expected.


    He reached for a can of peaches, opened it, and started snacking while skimming through his interface.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Class ¨C Cleric


    Rank ¨C Iron VI


    Body ¨CMiddle(-)(Basic)


    Mind ¨C Middle(-)(Basic)


    Soul ¨C Low(-)(Basic)


    [Skill Runes]


    [Cure Wounds] ¨C [Tier-0 IV]


    [Cleanse] ¨C [Tier-0 II]


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 IV]


    [Bless] - [Tier-0 I]


    Attribute Points ¨C 0


    David skimmed the familiar display, his eyes lingering on [Bless]. His rank-up and [Holy Touch]''s improvement were the result of his tireless efforts. Upon advancing to Iron V, he had learned [Bless]. The Skill Rune wasn''t an attack rune, but that didn''t mean it was useless. It allowed him to bless multiple targets at once, momentarily increasing their speed, strength, and natural recovery. At least, that''s what he''d learned after some experimentation.


    David exhaled, eyeing [Bless]''s low rank. It needed improvement, but it would have to do for now.


    On another note, he had learned how to sustain his Skill Runes for longer durations. That was probably the most crucial benefit of staying in the abandoned house for several days. While his Mind stat hadn''t improved, something about it had subtly shifted¡ªgetting better despite the lack of a rank up.


    That left only his Soul stat, which hadn''t undergone any positive changes.


    David shrugged, brushing the thought aside. Even with his Soul stat lagging behind Body and Mind, it felt like his greatest advantage. After all, he held the key to rapidly recovering holy power.


    After days of grueling training, David decided it was time to move on. He packed his belongings, double-checked his dwindling supplies, and prepared to face the unknown.


    Two, maybe three days. That should be more than enough.


    He put on some clothes, swung his backpack over his shoulder, and left his temporary home through the backyard. David leaped across the fence to enter the neighbor''s backyard and climbed a small wall. He took a deep breath and looked around, only to freeze in his tracks as he made eye contact with a towering giant¡ªan Infected who loomed over him even from the ground.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    His eyes widened, and he swallowed hard as he saw a blur. The Infected''s massive hand shot upward. David''s body moved on its own¡ªhands darting to his weapons as his heart thundered in his chest. He cast [Bless] on himself. Power surged through him, but he couldn''t unsheathe his weapons before another blur entered his field of vision.


    A burly man slammed into the Infected with a shield nearly as large as himself. The Infected froze, but only for a moment. The man roared, retrieved a massive mace from behind his shield, and struck the Infected''s leg. A loud crunch rang out, stirring David''s heart.


    His feet remained rooted atop the wall, but they might have moved if not for the fist-sized ball of searing flames crackling through the air. The fireball left behind a brilliant trail before striking the Infected square in the chest.


    The Infected reacted in a way David hadn''t expected. It moved away, retreating a step, and clutched its burning chest as if in pain. David''s stomach twisted with unease. The Infected weren''t supposed to feel pain¡ªat least, that''s what he''d always believed. Had he misunderstood, or was this something far worse?


    David stared blankly at the scene unfolding before him. The Infected''s claws dug into its own flesh and twisted, ripping a large chunk of rotten tissue out of its body. There was no change in the undead''s expression as it hurled the burning chunk at the small, shield-wielding man.


    The man''s eyes widened, his movements turning frantic as he jumped back. David instinctively knew the man had moved too late. He gritted his teeth when the rotten flesh slammed into the man''s chest. Dark blood sprayed across the ground, splashing onto the man''s face.


    "Fuck!!" he roared. "I got infected!"


    Since when does the infection spread this easily? And more importantly, since when are there Infected like this? This is a fucking giant!


    David''s eyes narrowed to tiny slits at the sound of a sharp voice from his left.


    "Don''t panic, Torb! We will defeat this shitty mutant and bring you back¡­" The other man''s voice died off as David, coated in a faint glow from [Bless], appeared beside the small man.


    Torb, the shield-wielding dwarf, didn''t seem surprised by David''s presence. That was probably for the best. They had ''bigger'' problems to solve. David noticed the man''s tense stance, his shield slightly raised as though expecting an attack.


    "Calm down," David muttered, reaching out with his glowing hand. He cast [Cleanse] at the lowest level to remove Torb''s infection, then followed it with [Bless], targeting Torb and the long-eared man maintaining some distance.


    Wait¡­ Long ears?


    David''s eyes lingered on the young man with flawless skin, pointed ears, and silky, golden hair. Goosebumps rose on his skin as he processed what he was seeing.


    "An elf," David murmured, his mind racing.


    "So what if Melach is an Elf? I am a Dwarf, and you are a Human. Are you one of those disgusting racists?" Torb snapped, his tiny nose twitching.


    "No?" David responded, spinning around to face the towering Infected again. The creature hadn''t attacked them, which struck him as odd. The missing chunk of flesh in its chest was rippling, bubbling, and regrowing at an unnatural pace.


    "What the hell is that?" David cursed, unease tightening in his chest.


    Uncommon Infected had been a problem before, but this one was on a completely different level. The giant was huge, fast, and strong¡ªand its regeneration was terrifying. But the worst part was its intelligence. The undead weren''t supposed to retain any intelligence, yet its reaction to the Mage''s fire had been calculated. David could only assume the worst.


    "A mutant, obviously," Melach said, not unkindly. "That thing merged dozens of corpses and triggered a mutation. How about you help us a bit?"


    David shrugged. The thing would go after him once Torb and Melach were dead either way.


    He unsheathed his longsword and followed Torb as the dwarf charged at the Infected again. This time, the Infected was ready. Its massive arms came crashing down on Torb, forcing him to lift his shield. A crack echoed from the impact, drawing a groan from Torb. Still, he stood firm.


    A fireball sizzled past Torb, slamming into the Infected''s shoulder, while David appeared on the other side. He lifted his sword and brought it down in a smooth, powerful arc. The blade cut deep into the Infected''s arm, hitting bone and slicing partway through. But it wasn''t enough to sever the limb in one go.


    The Infected reacted much faster than expected. Its upper body creaked as it twisted, slamming a backhand into David''s chest.


    Several of his ribs broke on impact, shattering like twigs.


    David gritted his teeth and endured the pain. Instead of crying out, he activated his Skill Runes to heal himself.


    First, he cast [Cure Wounds] to target his chest, immediately following it with [Holy Touch]. Pristine light coursed through several energy pathways connected to his upper torso, altering the natural Aether there. This accelerated his recovery while replenishing the holy power he''d just used up.


    [Holy Touch] wasn''t as focused on mending wounds as a dedicated healing Skill Rune, but its potency made it an excellent complement to [Cure Wounds]. Together, the two skills worked seamlessly to repair his shattered ribs. Though the bones weren''t fully set after one use, the pain permeating his chest was gone.


    David rolled on the ground but didn''t stay down for long. He sprang to his feet just in time to hear Torb shouting.


    "Aren''t you a Cleric?! Use [Purification] when you fight the undead, you idiot!!"


    "I don''t have [Purification]," David shouted back, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. He might not have [Purification], but he was certain that the Skill Rune at his disposal was even better than that.


    "You don''t have [Purification]?" Melach exclaimed, disbelief thick in his voice. "What kind of weird Human Cleric are you?"


    "Who''s the racist now?" David chuckled, his grip on the longsword tightening.


    He kicked off the ground, surging forward. Simultaneously, he cast [Bless] on everyone and accelerated. Within moments, his entire body shimmered with pristine light. Warmth and vigor filled him to the brim as [Holy Touch] radiated across his skin, resonating with the Aether around him.


    The pristine light surged toward his hands, but it didn''t stop there. David poured holy power into his longsword, draining his Holy Sea rapidly.


    His Holy Sea churned under the strain, depleting faster than anticipated. Still, the longsword glowed brilliantly, sheathed in radiant energy.


    "You have this but not [Purification]?" Melach asked incredulously as Torb dashed toward the Infected with a grin. "I''m collecting weird-ass people!"


    You''re the weirdest one here, dude!


    David thought, his lips curling into a smirk.

 Chapter 21 - B1 21 - Pseudo Mini Boss

    Torb looked like he was in unbearable pain, his movements stiff and labored. David guessed that several bones were likely broken in the last collision, but the determined glow in Torb''s eyes remained unyielding.


    David watched as another fireball flew past Torb just as the dwarf reached the giant Infected. The ball of fire exploded in the Infected''s face moments before Torb''s mace struck. He targeted the same leg as before and crushed it with a thunderous impact.


    The Infected''s leg buckled under the blow, but the undead pressed forward. Its massive arms swept downward toward Torb. The dwarf evaded the first strike by a hair''s breadth, but the second slammed heavily into his shield. Torb screamed in pain, yet he stood firm, defiantly pushing forward against the towering foe.


    Drenched in sweat, David appeared beside Torb with a confident smile. His glowing sword streaked through the air, leaving a radiant trail as it severed the Infected''s arm in a single decisive strike.


    The shimmering blade didn''t falter, cutting through the Infected''s corrupted flesh and bone with ease. David pressed forward, and the Infected''s grayish, almost black, blood splattered everywhere, coating both him and Torb.


    [You have been infected.]


    David ignored the notification and advanced. His Holy Sea was depleting rapidly, but he had just enough holy power left to continue. Twisting sharply, he ducked under the Infected''s remaining arm and drove his blade into its uninjured leg. The sword passed cleanly through decayed flesh and brittle bone, severing the limb in one swift motion.


    A familiar throbbing pain pounded in David''s head, but he pushed through it while retreating. [Holy Touch] withdrew from his sword, coursing back through his energy pathways until the remaining power was spent. It was enough to stir the mutation of Aether, but now he''d have to fight without any Skill Runes.


    The severed leg remained rooted to the ground, but the rest of the Infected''s body toppled over, crashing down. David''s sharp eyes noticed its crushed leg already regenerating, while the severed one showed no signs of healing.


    "Good job!" Torb shouted. "Now heal me and cleanse our infections!"


    David grimaced, cold sweat running down his face. "Do you think it''s easy to coat my sword in [Holy Touch] this long?! My Holy Sea is not an ocean, flat-nose!"


    "Don''t talk about my nose like that, boy!" Torb snapped, his cheeks turning a fiery red.


    The Infected no longer looked as imposing now that one leg had been severed and the other crushed. Yet the undead was far from defeated. Its remaining arm lashed out, aiming for David, but Torb stepped in between. Raising his shield, he blocked the strike and countered with a fierce swing of his mace.


    "Good job keeping the undead off balance! Don''t let it recover! We''re finally at an advantage!" Melach barked from the rear.


    A large missile whistled through the air, soaring past David and Torb. It struck the Infected square in the face, tearing through its flesh and one of its eyes. The projectile failed to pierce the brain but inflicted significant damage.


    That''s Flora''s [Mana Bullet], but¡­bigger, stronger, and faster. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David thought, recognizing the magic.


    As a trace of holy power replenished his Holy Sea, David prepared to strike again¡ªbut Torb beat him to it. The dwarf''s face twisted in pain as he swung his mace with surprising ferocity, crushing the Infected''s arm. Torb raised his shield again without hesitation and surged forward, moving so quickly he became a blur. His shield slammed into the Infected''s face with devastating force, stunning it.


    Capitalizing on the moment, Torb swung his mace once more, smashing through the Infected''s skull in a single blow.


    David''s eyes widened as Torb let out a booming laugh, sweat pouring down his thick, brown beard.


    "Impatient fool," Melach muttered irritably, hastily casting another spell. A larger, enhanced version of [Mana Bullet] streaked through the air, zeroing in on the crack Torb''s mace had left behind. The Infected''s shattered hand jerked upward in a last-ditch effort to block the attack, but it was too slow. The glowing blue projectile shot through the exposed opening, splattering the undead''s brain.


    [You contributed to the elimination of a Mutating Giant Infected.]


    [You have defeated a Pseudo Mini-Boss.]


    "Pseudo Mini-Boss?" David asked, panting for breath as he wiped his face. He tried to ignore the grayish-black blood coating his clothes, but it still made him shudder.


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    He focused inward, circulating holy power through his trained energy pathways. Over the last few days, he had nurtured them diligently, and recovering his used-up holy power wasn''t difficult anymore.


    With his power restored, David cast [Cleanse] on Torb, removing the infection.


    [Patient''s infection has been cleansed.]


    [Proficiency of Cleanse increased.]


    [[Proficiency of Cleanse reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 II] ¡ú [Tier-0 III]


    "The Giant Infected was mutating and would have transformed into a proper Mini-Boss if we hadn''t killed it in time," Torb said, turning around with a small crystal in his hand.


    "It dropped a Fragment?" Melach, covered in sweat, approached the others with hurried strides, his brows furrowing narrowly. "That shouldn''t be possible."


    His expression soured as he inspected the purple crystal. Blue motes of light swirled in his palm as he willed them to revolve around it.


    "Fragment of Power," Melach muttered, his voice tense. "Not even full-fledged Mini Bosses at the Iron rank should drop something like that."


    He turned to Torb, gripping his staff tightly. "The intel was wrong. This wasn''t your average Mutating Giant Infected. The mutation pushed it close to the Bronze Rank."


    Torb''s expression mirrored Melach''s. His face turned sour, then grim. "You''re saying the Infected would have transformed into a Bronze Rank Mini-Boss if we''d wasted any more time? The mission was clear. I remember every little detail about the mission!"


    The Dwarf tapped his head a few times with an know-it-all expression.


    "That''s what I''m saying. Something went wrong!" Melach retorted, his voice heavy with frustration.


    David ruffled the back of his head and cleared his throat. "I have no idea what you guys are talking about. The Fragment of Power is one thing¡­so how about we''re just happy to be alive?"


    He had countless questions, but bombarding the Dwarf and Elf wouldn''t help. They were both clearly confused and angry about something.


    "I guess¡­ it''s good the mutant is dead. If we''d wasted any more time eliminating it, we would have died instead," Melach said, trying to force a smile, but it fell flat. His lips twitched upward before flattening into a thin line.


    David hadn''t had many good experiences with others since the Earthen Union integrated into the Pantheon. Yet, he didn''t feel too bad around Melach and Torb. That was likely because Torb had saved his life when the Giant Infected attacked him after severing his limbs.


    David felt something on his back, and he reflexively turned to attack¡ªonly to realize it was Torb''s firm hand slapping him.


    Torb laughed. "I guess you helped us a lot, human."


    Clearing his throat, his expression turned serious. "That''s also why I''m being generous today. I forgive you for insulting me! But this is a one-time thing. Do not ever call me flat-nose again!"


    David was ready to crack a joke but caught the warning in time. Torb was dead serious.


    Was it really that bad to call him flat-nosed? Then again¡­you never know how a Dwarf thinks.


    Even as Torb grumbled and Melach calmly studied the crystal, David struggled to reconcile the reality of standing beside a Dwarf and an Elf. It felt surreal. If it had been a week ago, saying something like this aloud would''ve landed him in a psych ward. Dwarves and Elves weren''t supposed to exist. But then again, neither were the undead, Kobolds, and everything else he had seen in the past week.


    He was a Healer, capable of mending broken bones with holy power.


    "If not for you, we would be dead. At least Torb would be dead since he got infected even before you jumped in to help," Melach said, ignoring the Dwarf''s glare. "I''m sorry for asking such a personal question, but did you say you have [Holy Touch]? I thought I heard it earlier¡­but that makes no sense."


    "A Cleric who has [Holy Touch], but no [Purification]. That''s just nonsense!" Torb interjected, ridiculing Melach''s confusion.


    Melach only shrugged. "You saw his sword and how easily he severed the Giant Infected''s arm and leg. His Body property is even lower than mine, yet he was strong enough to do that."


    Torb''s lips parted, ready to start a verbal spat with Melach, but David cut in.


    "I do have [Holy Touch], yes. Is there a problem with that?"


    The Elf and Dwarf turned to David in unison, their silence speaking volumes.


    "I got it for surviving a battle I shouldn''t have won. I guess someone has been watching me. Apparently, they''re interested in me or something."


    Torb''s jaw nearly hit the ground, while Melach''s eyes widened slightly.


    "You''ve garnered the interest of the Pantheon? Already?" Melach asked, his tone laced with disbelief.


    David only shrugged. "It''s only been a week since the integration of this world, hasn''t it?"


    He nodded slowly, losing track of time but fairly certain it hadn''t been longer than a week.


    "This world is different from what I expected," Melach murmured, his gaze drifting back to the Fragment of Power before returning to David. "Do you want to come with us?"


    David instinctively upped his guard at the Elf''s sudden offer, but curiosity won out. "Go where?"


    Torb snapped out of his stupor and nodded vigorously. "You should join us. Come with us to Arc!"


    Melach noticed David''s confusion and smiled.


    "Arc is what we call the nearby System Sanctuary."

 Chapter 22 - B1 22 - Questioning

    He had no reason to doubt Melach and Torb yet remained vigilant. His first experience with other survivors had been difficult, and he didn''t know much about dwarves or elves.


    "Your name was David, right?" Melach asked as they trekked through the destroyed city. "You''re a fighter, but you chose Cleric as your Basic Class. That''s rare."


    David shrugged. "It''s worked out well so far. I don''t have to worry about infections, and I can heal most wounds while fighting."


    The infection from the Giant Infected had been cleansed before it could worsen. David had learned not to take unnecessary risks.


    "That was a good call, I''d say. You humans have weak bodies. Your anatomy is weird, and your corpses are oddly attuned to the world''s Aether," Torb commented while carrying the Mutating Giant Infected''s skull in a thick leather bag.


    Is that why humans resurrect while Kobolds stay like this?


    David had yet to see a Kobold transform into an Infected after getting scratched. Maybe the attunement to Aether was the reason.


    "How does the infection work for others? You were scared earlier when the Giant Infected got you," David asked, glancing at Torb, whose cheeks turned crimson.


    "I wasn''t scared, human!" the dwarf barked, pointing a finger at him.


    Melach let out a dry chuckle. "Potent infections like those of the undead will kill us if they progress, but they won''t transform us. We were raised in Aether-dense worlds and are thus resistant to the Rise. Then again, our races are protected by multiple gods of the Pantheon. Their blessing is a powerful ward against the Death God."


    From other worlds¡­ David should have expected it. Magical creatures and foreign races had to come from somewhere, but his heart raced wildly at the mention of other worlds.


    "There are gods?" His chest tightened at the thought. The existence of gods changed everything he thought he knew. It wasn''t just odd¡ªit was terrifying. "I mean ''real'' gods. Or are we talking about overwhelmingly powerful creatures with miraculous abilities too hard to fathom?"


    Melach slowed and fixed his gaze on David, scrutinizing him for what felt like the first time.


    "What are you getting at, boy?" Torb asked before the elf could respond. "I''ve got no clue what gods are supposed to be in your world, but gods are obviously incredibly stronger beings."


    David noticed Torb''s irritated gaze and winced as the small man added, "What''s the difference between gods and overwhelmingly powerful creatures, in your opinion?"


    David''s lips parted, but no answer came.


    "I¡­ am not sure. How strong are we talking about? What''s overwhelmingly powerful? You mentioned the God of Death earlier. How strong is that god?"


    Melach cocked an eyebrow but answered without ridicule. "The God of Death is a major god. He is wherever you find life. Life and death belong together, like the sides of a coin. Since I''ve never met the God of Death¡ªwhich I am very grateful for¡ªI cannot tell you how strong he is exactly. But he governs death and gains strength from every death. That''s what I was told when I was younger. You can probably imagine how strong he is."


    The explanation was helpful but left him with more questions than answers. He couldn''t fathom how strong the God of Death might be, but if Melach''s words were true and the God of Death''s power increased with every death, he had to be incredibly powerful. The Earthen Union''s integration into the Pantheon must have killed billions already. And that excluded the animals and plant life spread across the Union.


    "And this God is also part of the Pantheon?"


    "He is one of their bigshots," Torb snickered. David felt no urge to laugh. Instead, his stomach churned with unease.


    Did the God of Death instigate the Earthen Union''s integration into the Pantheon to eradicate most of the Union''s life¡­ to gain strength from all deaths?


    Countless questions flashed through his mind. David wanted to ask them all, procuring answers to clear his doubts and confusion.


    "How far are we from the System Sanctuary?" he asked cautiously.


    "We can reach the outer perimeters in less than thirty minutes if we increase our pace a bit. Arc lies in the plains outside the city," Melach answered, ready to quicken his pace.


    David shook his head subtly. "Is it okay if I ask more questions until we reach Arc?"


    "I¡ª" Melach glanced at Torb. "We don''t mind answering your questions. All of this must be a lot for you. I cannot imagine how you must feel now that your world is part of the Pantheon. It must be overwhelming."


    Overwhelming was the perfect word. David felt utterly out of his depth.


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    "Okay¡­" he murmured, trying to sort his thoughts. Where was he supposed to start? What was he most curious about? What did he need to know?


    "Were your worlds integrated into the Pantheon as well?"


    "I don''t know about Torb, but I guess his situation is similar to mine," Melach said, his gaze drifting into the distance. David couldn''t tell whether the elf was proud or bitter¡ªit seemed like a mix of both.


    "The worlds of my race are said to have been filled with Aether since ancient times, but we were all alone. At first, at least. The Aether changed us. It altered our appearance to fit the environment we lived in. It changed everything and tore our folk apart. We split into countless tribes and waged war against each other.


    "According to ancient scripts, the Elven Wars lasted for centuries, ending only when the Pantheon arrived and unified the tribes. Our race has always been close to nature, close to Aether. Magic came to us easily, even more so after the system appeared," he continued, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "But the Pantheon''s arrival did much more than that. It created powerful warriors. Even gods, who went on to join the Pantheon."David listened intently to everything the Elf said. He wasn''t overly interested in their history, but comparing how other races had integrated into the Pantheon with the current situation could be useful.


    His eyes drifted to Torb, who shrugged. "I never paid much attention to our history. All I know is that the Dwarven God Fortress is my Patron. He''s our Guardian God. No idea if he''s part of the Pantheon, though. Probably not, since he always travels our world¡ªor so my mother once said."


    "Patron¡­" David tilted his head. "Am I right to assume that your Guardian God was interested in you and gifted you some Skill Runes?"


    "Boy, it''s not that simple. I don''t have the same Basic Class as the rest. Thanks to my Patron, I''m a Shield Warrior. I was given [Crush] and [Charge] Skill Runes as my Class'' Basic Skills instead of [Slash] and [Parry]. That''s why I''m wielding a shield and a mace."


    Torb''s case was different from his, which put David at ease. He didn''t want to owe anyone anything.


    "Okay, so he shared some of his power to give you new skills and a different Class. That''s¡­interesting." David forced a smile though unease simmered beneath it. Melach and Torb seemed polite enough, answering his questions readily, but something about their presence unsettled him¡ªa reminder that they didn''t belong to this world, even if they acted like they did.


    It wasn''t because he was confused by their appearance. No. What bothered David was that an Elf and a Dwarf had left their worlds to enter the Earthen Union. What was their plan? Did they invade the Earthen Union or was there more to it? Regardless, David felt like they acted like they belonged to this world.But that wasn''t the case. They were from other worlds¡ªworlds integrated into the Pantheon long ago. Their strongest specimens were already part of the Pantheon.


    "I don''t want to sound rude or anything, but why are you guys here in the first place? Your worlds have been integrated into the Pantheon already. There''s no need for you to be in the Earthen Union."


    "You don''t know why we''re here?" Torb''s thick eyebrow arched in surprise. "You really have no clue, do you? Yet you''ve fought by our side and helped us."


    He chuckled. "What a nutjob."


    David''s eyes turned a notch colder, and his hands shifted unconsciously toward his makeshift sheaths.


    "Calm down, human," Torb said, waving a hand dismissively. "I think you''re mistaken about something."


    Melach cleared his throat. "We came with Arc."


    The Elf acted as if that was explanation enough. David waited for several seconds, his brows furrowing when no further details followed.


    "Okay?"


    Melach seemed to catch the hint, offering a wry smile.


    "The Pantheon uses already integrated worlds to help create System Sanctuaries. The Sanctuaries are places the natives can use to learn more about the Pantheon, the System, and the gods. There are countless facilities in the System Sanctuaries, including libraries, shops from across the Pantheon, and training areas for all kinds of Classes. Someone has to run and protect these facilities," Melach explained.


    "We aren''t part of the workforce in the Sanctuaries, but we joined the System Sanctuary as Protectors. We cull monsters around Arc''s perimeter, ensuring the Sanctuary isn''t put in danger. Our mission, for example, was to kill the Mutating Giant Infected. It was considered a threat to Arc and everything within the Sanctuary''s range."


    David reasoned that everything Melach had said implied the Pantheon didn''t want the Earthen Union to fall. In fact, by keeping the threat level in the System Sanctuaries low, it seemed they were trying to protect those seeking asylum. They''d created a safe zone for those who couldn''t defend themselves while also helping the weak but willing to fight gain experience by hunting weaker monsters.


    If the Protectors cull the strongest heinous creatures, we can focus on fighting weaker monsters first. This would prepare us for exploring areas beyond the System Sanctuary''s protection. That is¡ªdoes that even make sense?


    "And why did you leave your worlds?" David asked, trying to piece everything together. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "To grow stronger and make my family proud," Melach answered immediately, his eyes glimmering. "Completing the Pantheon''s missions has always been rewarding, but doing so in a newly integrated world provides even better gains. Of course, newly integrated worlds are more dangerous, but they offer the greatest growth opportunities. The Pantheon invests heavily in their newest additions."


    Torb nodded, though his expression was sour. "I needed money. My family did¡­stuff. It doesn''t matter what they did. The System made a deal with my Patron, offering to pay my debts if I became a Protector in a newly integrated world."


    He opened his arms with a flat smile. "And here I am."


    David cocked an eyebrow at that.


    "But why does the System Sanctuary need protection in the first place? Aren''t the gods powerful enough to repel undead and other threats if they don''t want them near the Sanctuaries?"


    Melach and Torb exchanged a look before their silence dragged on.


    Maybe they don''t know either, David thought.


    Many questions had been answered, but each answer unraveled even more questions. Despite that, there was one more thing David had to ask.


    "Why is the Pantheon doing this? Why are we forced into a situation like this?"


    Melach sighed. "Only the gods know." He shrugged. "But there has to be a reason. If not, the Pantheon wouldn''t do it, right?"


    Are they this na?ve? David wondered, pressing his lips together, his voice heavy with doubt. "...Right..."

 Chapter 23 - B1 23 - Arc

    David''s mind rattled with new information, but he could hardly complain. It gave him a better understanding of the situation, even if some questions remained unanswered.


    Unlike the Earthen Union, Aether permeated other worlds, allowing races like the Elves to wield magic even before the system and Pantheon arrived. Still, David was more intrigued by the connection between the system and the Pantheon.


    Even though the integration destroyed the Earthen Union as mankind knew it, the Pantheon offered multiple ways to survive. It provided a Class to everyone who fought back, created System Sanctuaries, and rewarded those who exceeded the norms with boons, drops, and sometimes even Skill Runes.


    David had experienced all of that first-hand, but it wasn''t enough to satisfy his growing curiosity.


    Melach and Torb had been nice enough to answer his questions. They were patient, yet David could tell they were hiding things. He didn''t know what, but he didn''t like it.


    Whatever. One step at a time.


    He chose to accept the situation for the time being and kept following the unlikely pair in silence. Nobody said a word, but that might have been for the best. David had a lot to think about.


    He was certain the Pantheon had a reason to integrate new worlds into their system. Maybe it was for power, but the Pantheon would have acted differently if that had been their sole reason. What was he missing?


    David ruffled his hair, ignoring Melach and Torb as they stared at him. Melach and Torb exchanged glances, their voices dropping to hushed tones as they spoke, but David tuned them out. At that moment, he cared little about the benefits they would gain from defeating the Mutating Giant Infected.


    If one looked at society, or what it used to be, the strong ruled the weak. It has always been like that, and it will probably be even worse now that mankind has acquired the means to gain supernatural powers¡ªto become gods, just like others did before.


    The greed of the strong was bound to worsen, and they would rule the weak with iron fists. Nobody would allow others to rise to great power without gaining something in return.


    But was it the same with the Pantheon? It had to be.


    The Pantheon wouldn''t heavily invest in an Aetherless world like the Earthen Union for no reason. They wouldn''t watch them for no reason.


    Were they bored? David doubted it. They put too much effort into integrating worlds into the Pantheon to brush it off as entertainment. Their actions would have been far more chaotic if entertainment were their goal. Instead, they grant magical abilities and superhuman strength, reshaped the Earthen Union, observe it closely, and rewarded those who exceed their expectations with boons and power.


    The Pantheon shared the system with other worlds. It shared its power and willingly accepted new gods into its ranks.


    "Boy!" Torb suddenly called out, "You said a god from the Pantheon was interested in you, didn''t ya?"


    David nodded slowly. Bereth was probably strong enough to be considered a god. He could also access the system and gift David something.


    "Are you thinking of taking a Patron then? Since one of them is already interested in you, it shouldn''t be difficult for you to pick a Patron before your First Class Advancement Ritual."


    "Class Advancement Ritual?" David tilted his head.


    "You don''t know that either? Ah, right¡­newly integrated world," Torb laughed lightly, though his eyes remained serious. "Once you break through the limits as an Iron Rank, your Basic Class will evolve. If you have a Patron, he will prepare several powerful Classes for you."


    Melach nodded in agreement. "The Classes offered by your Patron God are usually greater than the Classes offered by the system. You do not need to bind yourself to anyone, but the system can be cruel. It uses your achievements, actions, personality, and other factors to make a list of Classes for you to pick from. You can acquire some powerful Classes that way. However, the general knowledge is that Classes offered by Patrons are more fitting. Some Patron Gods create a Class adjusted to your needs using their Essence."


    Being able to change his Class sounded like a great deal, but David didn''t like the thought of binding himself to any seemingly omnipotent being¡ªespecially not when they were responsible for turning the Earthen Union upside down.


    He was finally free. There was no way he would sell his soul to some god.


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    David cursed the gods inwardly while smiling at the pair before him. "That sounds interesting. I will think about it."


    Torb grunted in satisfaction. "Fortress is a great Patron. Maybe you can become a Paladin or a Sacred Knight if you serve him!"


    "We''ve arrived," Melach announced, spreading his arms as the glory of Arc unfolded before David.


    The first thing David noticed was the lack of noise. Earlier, he''d heard some Infected but hadn''t seen them. They didn''t attack their group either. However, as they approached Arc''s perimeters, the undead''s snarls and groans ceased.


    It was almost like they were back in peaceful times. Dreadful, boring times.


    The damaged city''s outer perimeters gave way to the System Sanctuary. The cracked concrete roads transformed into narrow, cobbled streets connected to stone pathways that wound behind buildings with stout stone bases and rustic timber frames.


    David smirked at the sight of the medieval structures.


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    His eyes drifted across the buildings unfolding before him. Not every structure followed the same medieval style. Various homes and shops featured modern touches. A few buildings had glass windows framed with subtle metal, and some rooftops discreetly integrated structures that reminded David of solar panels.


    The presence of technology in the System Sanctuary surprised David but pleased him. If they had something resembling solar panels, the sanctuary might have functioning showers and toilets, too!


    That felt like a dream to David.


    He followed Melach and Torb with hurried strides as they entered the perimeter. Some guards stopped them, but they stepped aside when Melach flashed a thin, hand-sized stone slate. David barely noticed the exchange, his gaze lingering on the buildings and the wide variety of people strolling around.


    There were humans¡ªquite a few, actually¡ªbut David also saw men and women of other races he couldn''t identify. Aside from the dwarves and elves, none resembled anything from fairy tales.


    The journey to Arc''s center was brief, but the sights along the way left David marveling at the intricate blend of eras. The center featured a bustling market square filled with wooden stalls and vendor carts selling all manner of goods.


    To his left, David noticed merchants at a stall brimming with metal armaments¡ªshields, maces, and more like the ones Torb carried. On his right, a small vendor offered modern essentials like toothpaste and toothbrushes.


    Near the market square stood a massive stone watchtower. Its moss-covered walls bore deep claw marks, speaking of countless battles. Though ancient, the tower now served a new purpose.


    Atop the watchtower, David spotted what looked like an antenna engraved with glowing letters. It didn''t interest him much, but his gaze lingered on the illuminated etchings.


    "We call them ''enchantments,''" Melach explained. "They act like Skill Runes, but they''re engraved on objects. You can activate them, regardless of Class, as long as you have Aether. You''ll see them on magical equipment and other essentials." He sighed. "We can''t afford any enchantments. They''re expensive."


    Melach pulled out the small crystal they''d acquired earlier, cradling it carefully. "Fragments of Power can be ground and concocted into an enchantment tincture," he explained.


    "A tincture?" David repeated, blinking as he tried to follow.


    Melach nodded. "It''s¡­complicated and expensive."


    "So money is a thing here," David murmured. "That makes sense. You were talking about it earlier."


    Torb flinched at the comment, but David waved dismissively. "Relax. I won''t take your money. If not for your help, I wouldn''t have found Arc¡ªor even entered it, for that matter. I''d probably have stayed prejudiced and avoided anything related to the Pantheon and foreign invaders for as long as possible."


    Torb visibly relaxed, but Melach snorted. "You saved our lives."


    The dwarf glanced at Melach, whose gaze bore into him. Torb''s shoulders slumped slightly as he looked at the ground.


    "Of course," Torb mumbled. "He cleansed my infection and helped us defeat the mutant. He''ll get a share."


    "A fair share," Melach corrected firmly.


    Torb winced but nodded. "A fair share."


    David smiled, letting his eyes wander over Arc once more.


    To his left, a long, wide cobbled street stretched away. The first building at the corner of the market square resembled a library, its thick stone walls and arched doorways lending it an air of quiet dignity. A large sign bearing a book symbol hung above the entrance, its animated pages flipping while glistening sparks shot in all directions.


    This place is nuts, David thought.


    His gaze followed the long street, narrowing as he noticed various stone statues lining the path.


    "The Panthea, the street of the gods," Melach said, following his line of sight. "You''ll find the Pantheon''s temple and statues of the most prominent gods down that street."


    Torb added sourly, "The Panthea looks the same in all System Sanctuaries, but none of them ever include a statue of Fortress!"


    "What''s the temple for?" David asked, his heart pounding like a war drum. "Can I talk to the gods there? Will they respond to me?"


    A plan was already forming in his mind.

 Chapter 24 - B1 24 - Pantheon Temple

    What was the best way to start his first day in Arc with a bang? David considered a light chat with some gods of the Pantheon a good way to start.


    "Do you want to come with us to the Familia, or should we meet later to give you your share of the loot?" Melach asked.


    David thought about it for a moment. Melach and Torb were members of the Familia, where they had obtained the mission to kill the Mutant Giant Infected. Earning a fortune and gaining special boons didn''t sound too bad, but David shook his head.


    "We can meet up later. I''ll roam the Panthea to learn some more about the Pantheon and their gods."


    As the group split up, leaving him alone in a place teeming with foreign creatures, David''s pulse quickened. The intensity of it all pressed down on him. Yet, nobody paid much attention to him as he scrutinized everything intently.


    The streets were crowded but not claustrophobic. The bustling energy felt oddly calming to David. Although thousands of invaders may have been in Arc, he didn''t feel a threat from this place. He watched the people rushing through the market square and connecting pathways to do their jobs, chat, and live pleasant, peaceful lives.


    Why does this feel so¡­normal? It shouldn''t feel like that, should it?


    How had he adapted so quickly? Just a week ago, the integration had thrust him into chaos. He''d spent most of it in an abandoned house, training, yet somehow, this all felt...normal. Even meeting mythical races from fairy tales hadn''t surprised him.


    Let''s go meet some gods!


    David''s eyes trailed some shops, especially those with magical armaments, but his interest died quickly. He was penniless and couldn''t afford anything even if he''d wanted to buy something.


    His attention shifted to the second-biggest building in the Sanctuary, the Pantheon''s temple, and he approached it with unhurried strides. The Panthea was short, but the road was magnificent and inviting.


    At first, David paid little attention to the large statues. But as his muffled steps echoed through the Panthea, a heavy pressure began to press on him, growing with each stride. He glanced in all directions until his eyes locked on a few figures kneeling before a statue. They uttered incomprehensible prayers but didn''t seem to be struggling while doing so.


    David slowed and scrutinized the statues for the first time. His eyes drifted from a scaled humanoid creature wielding a spear to a human-like figure clad in heavy armor. There were also men and women of various races clothed in robes, tunics, and other garments. David wouldn''t usually pay much attention to them if not for the heavy pressure they exuded.


    Their gazes seemed to pierce through him, leaving David with the unsettling sense that all his secrets were laid bare.


    Was that how the Pantheon demonstrated their superiority? David couldn''t tell, but he was impressed, nonetheless.


    How strong were the gods of the Pantheon if they could show off their powers like that? David recalled Torb saying that the Panthea in all System Sanctuaries looked the same. If that were true, the gods must spend tremendous power to fuel the statues. And for what? To flaunt their strength and remind everyone of their dominance?


    David cracked a smile. The lifelike statues carved with shocking detail were intriguing, but the power they exuded in a sorry attempt to push him down and force him to his knees was far more impressive. It was amusing, to some degree.


    The pressure on him increased as he strode to the end of the Panthea and the entrance to the Pantheon''s temple, but David''s smile never cracked.


    He licked his lips, scanned the temple one last time¡ªit was magnificent, its grandeur rivaling the cathedrals and historical churches David had visited in the past¡ªand stepped inside.


    The pressure weighing on him dispersed, replaced by utter silence.


    David saw several men and women kneeling on wooden benches. Their lips moved, but no sound escaped.


    Do as you please.


    David ignored the praying men and women and stepped closer to the front, his eyes trained on what appeared to be a hyper-realistic hologram. No. It wasn''t a hologram. It was a small structure showing a floating island. An island built on clouds.


    Damn. That looks super realistic.


    He nearly blurted that aloud as he checked the small city with countless pristine palaces built atop the island.


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    David cleared his throat, excitement bubbling in his chest. He understood how foolish this was, but he did it nonetheless.


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    "Hey, gods, or whatever you are... Why did you invade the Earthen Union? What''s the point of all this?" His voice boomed through the temple, but no one answered.


    A muffled shriek rang out behind him. Turning, David caught the wide-eyed stares of the praying men and women. Their disbelief was palpable.


    He turned back to the floating island with a shrug.


    "I am not mad or anything. Well, maybe a little bit. But that''s okay. Life has been more exciting since the world changed," David snickered. "Either way, I need answers. Now!"


    David heard murmurs behind him and only glanced back when he heard some bustling. The praying citizens jumped to their feet and scattered quickly. They stormed out of the temple as if their lives depended on it.


    That''s unexpected¡­ Are they afraid of their gods?


    Maybe he should have been more vigilant of the gods. Then again, David wanted answers from the Pantheon, and he wouldn''t leave the temple until he got them.


    "Is the Pantheon too afraid to speak the truth? Why are you not telling us anything?" David''s demanding voice resounded through the temple. "Why integrate the Earthen Union¡­ no, our entire planetary system, into the Pantheon? Was that really necessary? Even if it was, did you have to do it in such a gruesome way?"


    There was no answer. Again. David tapped his dagger impatiently. Did he have to go further?


    "You''re fucking scared, aren''t you? You call yourselves gods but are too afraid to stand up for your actions. Scaredy cats. Losers. No-names. You''re trying to inflate your egos with the Panthea, but you mindfucks don''t even realize how stupid you look! Nobody respects the Pantheon. Nobody likes you! You''re worth less than my sweaty socks!"


    A wave of satisfaction washed over David. Letting his anger loose felt amazing, even if it didn''t bring him closer to answers.


    But the Pantheon didn''t seem to share his sense of relief. A deep growl echoed through the temple, and a heavy pressure descended upon him. His legs trembled violently, threatening to buckle. Still, David stood strong, bracing himself against the overwhelming force pressing down on him.


    A vibrant light materialized above him, flooding the temple and overwhelming his senses. The crackling sound of electricity filled the air.


    David''s eyes widened as the pristine light gathered and condensed.


    The light formed into countless arcs of wild electricity that merged into one. Suddenly, a thunderous explosion rang out, and the currents burst downward in a single massive bolt of lightning that struck David mercilessly.


    David couldn''t react in time. Even without the pressure restraining him, he wouldn''t have been fast enough to evade it. The lightning bolt hit him with devastating force, slamming him to the ground.


    He writhed in agony, his chest blazing with pain, as though he had been hit by a flaming truck. His skin burned, and he doubted his clothes would survive this ordeal. Not that it mattered. The pain consumed him, overshadowing all else.


    So, it''s Divine Punishment, huh?


    He grimaced through the pain and activated [Cure Wounds]. But once wasn''t enough. David cast [Cure Wounds] more than ten times in rapid succession until only faint traces of holy power remained in his Holy Sea. That should be enough. It had to be.


    [Excessive holy power has been detected. Initiate Skill Rune overclock.]


    [Proficiency of Cleanse increased.]


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 IV] ¡ú [Tier-0 V]


    [Cure Wounds reached the first minor threshold.


    Healing potency increased. Energy consumption decreased. Control increased.]


    Even as his wounds healed rapidly, David''s face was twisted in pain. [Cure Wounds] prioritized the most grievous injuries first, mending the white electricity coursing through his body almost as quickly as it inflicted damage.


    Despite the torment surging through his veins, David pushed himself to his feet. A smile spread across his face¡ªa defiant grin that never wavered, even as pain more intense than his battle with the Kobolds consumed him.


    "Thank you for confirming that you, or at least some of you, are listening," David said mockingly, bowing deeply toward the floating island.


    His theory had been confirmed.


    The lightning bolt''s remnants didn''t just fade, they continued spreading through his energy pathways and Holy Sea, nourishing them.


    David''s eyes widened as the electricity surged within him, carrying an unmistakable charge of potent holy power.


    His grin widened further, and he cast [Holy Touch], draining the last dregs of energy from his Holy Sea. [Holy Touch] surged through his body, colliding with the electricity currents and following his instincts.


    He didn''t need to try hard to subdue the energy. Willing [Holy Touch] to consume the currents, he channeled the immense power into his Skill Rune.


    Even as the currents'' holy power was absorbed, [Holy Touch] didn''t stop. It devoured the remnants of the divine punishment, replenishing his Holy Sea in seconds.


    David chuckled and licked his lips, savoring the sensation of the potent holy power coursing through him.


    "That was nicer than expected," he said, his grin splitting from ear to ear. "Thank you for helping me rank up my Skill Rune! How about you give me a few more presents? A nice Skill Rune sounds like a great gift. What do you think, gods of the Pantheon?"


    David doubted they would indulge him, but he wasn''t about to let that stop him.


    Why?


    The answer was obvious.


    From what David had observed, the gods of the Pantheon were patient¡ªbut even gods had limits.


    All he needed was to find their weak spot, prodding it until one of them snapped under the humiliation.


    At that point, they''d be too enraged to realize they''d slipped up.


    Or so David hoped.

 Chapter 25 - B1 25 - Divine Tribulation

    "I am sorry, but this is too funny." He snorted, cocking his head to check the ceiling for another divine punishment. But the ceiling was clear. Only remnants of the devastating power that had surged through the temple were left.


    Nothing? That''s almost boring.


    "I''m sorry for tarnishing the Pantheon''s magnificent image¡­ Actually, not really. I lied. I am not sorry about humiliating you guys. Like, at all!" His laugh resounded, filling him with satisfaction.


    David was about to continue his tirade against the Pantheon when the space beneath the ceiling crackled. The air distorted, and a massive lightning bolt barreled to the ground.


    The Pantheon retaliated again. It had been that simple.


    Having already been struck once, David knew he had enraged someone in the Pantheon and was ready for the second strike. The lightning bolt came faster than the first, but David was already in motion.


    His hands, coated in [Holy Touch], shot high, prepared to intercept the divine lightning. But catching something so powerful wasn''t easy. David released a defiant roar, bracing himself for the impact.


    [Excessive holy power has been detected. Initiate Skill Rune overclock.]


    [Proficiency of Holy Touch increased.]


    The divine lightning passed mercilessly through his hands, splitting into streams that coursed down his arms and spread throughout his body.


    One moment, David looked up to find an empty ceiling; the next, a lightning bolt came crashing down, surrounding him in blinding currents that burned like fire.


    Unfortunately, they were as painful as they were majestic.


    David screamed, his voice echoing through the room, but he kept [Holy Touch] active, devouring traces of the lightning as it coursed through him. The potent energy within the lightning fueled [Holy Touch], naturally expanding the Skill Rune''s area of effect. It flowed down his wrists, engulfing his arms, and wreathed his upper body in a radiant aura.


    [Holy Touch] expanded rapidly, consuming more of the divine lightning''s immense power. The lightning, however, was leagues beyond anything he had encountered¡ªa storm compared to a mere breeze.


    But David had prepared for this. His mind and body were ready. As the bolt struck, he cast [Bless] and [Cure Wounds] in quick succession.


    His blood felt as if it were boiling, his flesh bubbling as it charred under the divine assault. The lightning spared nothing, tearing through his muscles and shredding his energy pathways. This wasn''t part of the plan, but the raw energy coursing through his body left little room for regret.


    David closed his eyes briefly, barely holding on. Death loomed closer with every breath, but he forced himself to stay calm. Panic wouldn''t help¡ªit might even make things worse.


    Focusing on [Cure Wounds] and the healing properties of [Holy Touch], he worked to mend the damage. He refreshed [Bless], creating a fragile shield to stave off the worst effects. Though [Bless] alone wasn''t strong enough to save him, it kept him teetering on the edge of survival.


    His Holy Sea churned and hissed as the divine currents surged through it, but David remained steadfast. He endured the pain, casting [Cure Wounds] and [Bless] repeatedly¡ªagain, and again, and again.


    The effort drained his Holy Sea in no time, forcing him to push his Skill Runes beyond their limits. It wasn''t safe, but survival demanded no less. He had to go above and beyond.


    Fortunately, [Holy Touch] ensured his Holy Sea replenished as quickly as it emptied. The ability spread through his body, consuming the remnants of the divine lightning even as it ravaged him. The lightning destroyed everything David repaired, but he cared little. Once he was certain he would survive, the rest didn''t matter.


    David had survived several life-threatening moments that must have lasted five seconds¡ªor perhaps even less¡ªbut his Holy Sea remained packed to the brim. His Skill Runes were overclocked, and his health was slowly recovering. The aftermath? Several notifications flickered at the corner of his vision.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    It couldn''t have taken more than ten seconds before the second divine lightning stopped.


    David lay sprawled on the temple ground, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths. His skin crackled with residual energy, and his flesh still felt as though it were boiling.


    He probably looked like a fried shrimp now, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his charred lips.


    Even the edges of his lips and cheeks had been reduced to cinders, yet David smiled. He could feel it¡ªhe was healing. The unpleasant tingling sensation of rapid regeneration spread across his body, occupying every part of him.


    Notifications flickered again at the edge of his vision, drawing his focus. Pride swelled in his chest as he checked them.


    [Proficiency of Bless reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 I] ¡ú [Tier-0 III]


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 V] ¡ú [Tier-0 VI]


    [Proficiency of Holy Touch reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 IV] ¡ú [Tier-0 V]


    [Holy Touch reached the first minor threshold.


    Control increased drastically. Power output increased. Skill potency increased.]


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Iron VI] ¡ú [Iron VII]


    [One Attribute Point has been added.]


    [The User managed to use three overclocked Skill Runes simultaneously, overcoming his limits to face death head-on.]


    [Your Mind has grown.]


    Middle(-)(Basic) ¡ú Middle(Basic)


    [You faced the Divine Tribulation and survived. Your body was torn, but your Thread of Life overcame the thread.]


    [Your Body has grown.]


    Middle(-)(Basic) ¡ú Middle(Basic)


    A sharp headache threatened to knock him out, but the notification about his Mind''s growth, alongside the actual increment, arrived just in time. He''d been too busy battling a god''s lightning bolt to realize how drained his mind had become.


    But it had been worth it. Facing a god''s fury had been¡­ interesting, to say the least.


    "Thank you very much," David muttered, a grin spreading across his face. This time, there was no mockery in his voice. Instead, a tinge of respect bloomed in his chest.


    As much as David disliked the gods, facing their power head-on forced him to acknowledge their might. After enduring the second divine lightning strike, he was certain the Pantheon''s gods could have killed him easily if they had wanted. But they didn''t.


    The lightning had been more than a warning. If he hadn''t pushed himself beyond his limits, he would have died. Yet if the god¡ªor goddess¡ªwho attacked him had truly wanted him dead, they could have sent a far stronger bolt when he first humiliated them.


    He dismissed the thought. It didn''t matter. He was alive, and he''d gotten the answers he needed.


    While the gods were undeniably powerful, they weren''t unlike humans. They had emotions, and they didn''t hesitate to lash out when provoked. Most importantly, they were real¡ªor, at the very least, something resembling gods existed.


    The lifelike statues were intriguing, but the divine lightning was different. It was a tangible display of power.


    So, gods exist. Or¡­ something like gods, he reasoned.


    Powerful beings that surpassed the limits of the possible¡ªor what humanity had considered possible before the integration.


    David tilted his head, ignoring the pain that shot through his skull.


    No, that doesn''t quite fit.


    He was already stronger than what humanity had once deemed possible. His physical strength and endurance were remarkable, but his magical abilities were the true game-changer. They were proof of how much humans could grow in this new world. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He continued casting [Cure Wounds], the spell coming to him effortlessly after countless battles.


    With each cast, David adjusted the speed and focus, prioritizing the parts of his body that hurt the most. These micro-adjustments, honed through experience, were second nature to him¡ªat least when healing himself.


    Finally, he pushed himself up from the temple ground, taking one last look at the floating island in the distance.


    The gods hadn''t spoken a word to him, but their actions revealed more than enough. They''d shown him everything he needed to know¡ªfor now.


    A grin spread across his face as he turned to the exit, his chest bare and covered in rapidly regenerating skin. He was sore and in pain, but satisfaction radiated through him.

 Chapter 26 - B1 26 - Capitalism

    A rumbling laugh echoed throughout a pristine hall that spanned wider and longer than the eye could see.


    "This mortal is interesting. I like him!" a man said, his eyes trailing the myriad images materializing above a liquid table.


    No image was the same. None of them even showed the same people as they flashed. Only a few images lingered, refusing to disperse. These held steady, focusing on the same individuals and revealing what they were up to.


    A massive frame beside the chortling man stirred. It rose to its feet, electricity currents forming in its hands. The currents blazed white, transforming into a great, untamed bolt of lightning, "I want him dead! Don''t interfere again!"


    "Do it," the man said, mockery dripping from his tone. His ruby eyes glowed with vibrant intensity as crimson mist seeped from every pore of his body. The corner of his lips curled upward. "But make sure you hit him with something stronger, or your attack won''t weaken my Seal. We want to see him struggle as he grows, don''t we?"


    The man cocked his head to the side, waving lightly with his hand. "But if you keep attacking him, he''ll reach the Bronze Rank before he meets the requirements. That''s no good."


    The massive figure turned to the man wreathed in crimson mist. "You really want to take him?! A trashy mortal with a foul mouth like that?"


    "What''s wrong with him? Is it really the first time a mortal cussed you out?" the man asked, then seemed to realize something and burst into laughter. "Ah, right! You''re one of the infants from¡­ I actually don''t know where you''re from. I would apologize, but it wouldn''t be sincere."


    He shrugged. "I don''t know who you are, and, as a matter of fact, I care too little to keep you entertained, infant."


    The man, still wreathed in crimson, turned back to the moving images, ignoring the massive figure''s growing fury.


    "Either way," the man continued with a smile, disregarding his companion''s anger, "I''m probably not the only one who wants him."


    "Bereth already claimed him," the gigantic figure spat through gritted teeth.


    A thunderous laugh erupted. "So what? I like him, and nobody claimed him last time."


    "We are talking about Bereth here. Asmodeus¡­" The man wreathed in crimson mist flicked his gaze to the hulking figure and stared him straight in the eyes. The giant''s rage dissipated instantly, replaced by a cold sweat.


    "Your Excellency¡­ this is no joking matter."


    Asmodeus cocked an eyebrow and snorted. "Whatever."


    He waved his hand, releasing sparkling crimson motes that merged with the images of the half-dead, smiling man Asmodeus had been watching with keen interest. The recordings pulled back, revealing more of the surroundings. They showed the Pantheon temple first, the Panthea next, and finally, the System Sanctuary.


    Asmodeus didn''t stop there. He zoomed out further, revealing the surrounding region and the scars left by the integration. Soon, Asmodeus and the other gods could see the entire Earthen Union. They observed vivid streams of Aether surging toward the Earthen Union from all directions.


    The Aether carved its way to the planet''s core, splitting into countless tendrils that raced toward other gathering points across the Earthen Union.


    Asmodeus'' eyes narrowed as his attention flicked to several different gathering points. "Looks like we were found out. Not that it''s surprising."


    The hulking giant and the other gods turned toward the same scream in unison.


    "They made a move? Who?"


    Asmodeus snickered, a small, rosy smile blooming on his lips. "Have you been asleep since the last time? Well, it''s not like it matters. Your presence wouldn''t have changed anything."


    The other gods seated around the liquid table glared daggers at him, but nothing could tarnish his mood now.


    "Did I say something wrong? Their timing is perfect. Our little mortal can show what he''s capable of¡­ and meet the requirements while you all keep watching Zachariah."


    Asmodeus rose as he finished speaking.


    The other gods shook their heads. There was no need to ask where Asmodeus was going or what he planned to do. Everyone who''d lived long enough in the Pantheon knew that trying to predict Asmodeus'' actions was a waste of time.


    He had a few loose screws.


    This wouldn''t have been a problem if he wasn''t so powerful.


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    Unfortunately, Asmodeus was as strong as he was insane.


    ***


    "Did someone attack the Sanctuary?" Melach furrowed his brows, his gaze trailing over David''s battered form in a mixture of disgust and confusion.


    Torb didn''t seem to mind David''s appearance as much. "What happened to you?"


    David didn''t put on new clothes right away, waiting instead for his flesh and skin to heal first.


    "The Sanctuary is not under attack," he said with a shrug, cracking his shoulder. "I was at the temple. Had a nice talk with my buddies."


    Melach''s eyes briefly widened as he focused intently on David, creeping closer. "How did you acquire divine energy? No, you didn''t acquire it. It was¡­ forced inside of you?"


    "Is that what pure holy power is called? Divine energy¡­ I like the ring to it," David chuckled.


    "You talked with some gods?" Torb asked incredulously.


    "It was more of a one-sided chat," David grumbled. "They''re not a very talkative bunch."


    Torb cocked an eyebrow. "Savage bastard. You provoked them, didn''t you?"


    "He''s just like the other idiots. Why am I even surprised?" Melach sighed. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So that''s why everyone ran out of the temple.


    It didn''t surprise David, but he wondered what had happened to the others. Were they dead, or had they survived the Divine Tribulation? Maybe they''d stopped provoking the Pantheon after getting zapped once.


    He laughed inwardly, assuming the gods overseeing the Pantheon temples had fragile egos if they punished everyone who provoked them in broad daylight.


    "Either way," David asked, waving his hand dismissively, "what are we doing now?"


    The day was still young. He was a bit tired, and the Divine Tribulation''s aftermath forced him to keep casting [Cure Wounds]. Still, he was in a new place with foreign races and unique magical armaments¡ªa place created by the Pantheon with a mixture of fantasy and science, medieval and modern age.


    Trob snorted and threw a small pouch filled with tinkling coins. "You should search for a place to stay. Arc is not yet at full capacity, but you want a decent place to stay, don''t ya?"


    David opened the leather pouch, revealing small slates made of different metals. There were a few dozen iron and some bronze slates. "How much is a decent room in the Sanctuary?"


    He counted 73 iron slates and four bronze slates.


    "Since we sold the Fragment of Power as well, you won''t have any issues paying for a nice room," Melach said calmly. "A room shouldn''t be more than ten iron these days. But we cannot say how long that will be the case. Once more natives and Protectors arrive at Arc, the demand for housing will only increase. If you plan to stay in Arc long-term, lease an apartment for a small upcharge or consider purchasing a building."


    David raised an eyebrow at that. Everything Melach said felt too much like the old Earthen Union.


    "On a good note, you won''t have to pay for a room if you sign up to the Familia¡ªfor the first ten days, at least. Natives are given a boon for working alongside the Familia against the threat consuming the newly integrated world," Melach added.


    That doesn''t sound suspicious at all.


    The Familia, a construct created by the Pantheon, hands out freebies to work with them against the very problem they created.


    That stinks!


    "What do I have to do to sign up?" David asked out of curiosity. "I doubt the Familia will pay 100 iron without demanding anything in return. What would my responsibilities be once I''m a member of the Familia?"


    "First, I should tell you that one bronze slate is worth 100 iron. 100 bronze is the equivalent of one silver slate. You won''t need more than a few iron to purchase daily necessities. Even if you feast on meat until you''re sick, it shouldn''t cost you more than ten iron. Of course, there are also expensive meals¡ªAether-infused dishes from other worlds or meat from mutated animals of the Earthen Union. They can benefit you, but they''re not worth your attention. You¡ªwe¡ªare not wealthy enough," Melach explained curtly.


    David did a quick mental calculation. If Melach''s words could be trusted, one Iron was equivalent to one or two Credits.


    Meanwhile, Torb answered his earlier question. "The only responsibility as a member of the Familia is to protect it when the Sanctuary is in danger. You can do whatever you want as long as you don''t harass, attack, or scam anyone. Thievery is also forbidden and will be severely punished, but I think that''s obvious."


    There didn''t seem to be a problem with protecting the Familia, but David was nosy. "What if I don''t protect the Sanctuary when it is attacked?"


    Torb shrugged. "I don''t know. Maybe they''ll throw you out and blacklist you. That way, you wouldn''t be able to enter any System Sanctuary until you''re taken off the blacklist."


    That was understandable.


    David rummaged through the pouch filled with slates again to count it once more.


    "I assume the Fragment of Power was worth quite a bit. If everyone got the same share¡ªand I wouldn''t blame you if you took a bigger share¡ªwe earned almost 15 bronze for defeating a single Infected. Of course, it was an Anomaly, but still¡­"


    "We could have earned a lot more than that," Torb said, clicking his tongue. "It would have been better to sell the Fragment of Power to an Alchemist, but we had to give the Familia the Fragment as proof."


    Torb clicked his tongue again before a thin smile spread across his face, his earlier annoyance seemingly forgotten. "But, on a good note, we were generously compensated for the Familia''s mistake. Their information network was wrong, and they detected the mistake in the issued danger level too late, which nearly killed us. The money is great and all, but two skills of mine ranked up¡­ so I guess I shouldn''t complain too much."


    Skills level up by completing missions? That''s neat. You earn money, which can be reinvested in equipment, while your Skill Runes and Rank increase as well.


    "What do you say?" Melach asked. "Are you ready to be reborn?"


    David froze, his eyes narrowing to tiny slits.


    "What?"

 Chapter 27 - B1 27 - Team

    All that talk about being ''reborn'' had been nonsense.


    "Joining the Familia means you are cleansed. You abandon your old connections and accept your new life as a member of the Pantheon''s Familia," Melach explained while Torb shrugged. "Just take it as starting fresh. Opening a new chapter in your life."


    Melach''s words droned on, a stream of noise that entered one ear and left the other. David tuned him out but followed quietly as they guided him through the settlement.


    "Do I have to vow something? Not a normal vow or whatever, but some sort of binding oath, or whatever," He asked, his mind racing as doubts surfaced.


    "There is nothing like that. All that ''reborn'' talk mostly concerns the system adjusting a few things. Your memories will remain intact, and nothing about you, as an entity, will be changed."


    That didn''t sound too bad, though that didn''t mean he would mindlessly sign any contracts. He had a good eye for loopholes and was going to make use of everything!


    ***


    "That''s it?" David cocked an eyebrow as he infused a trace of holy power into his thumb. His fingertip glowed dimly as he pressed it onto a small ID-sized slate like the one Melach had shown the guards earlier. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Registration has been completed. Welcome to the Familia!]


    "Okay¡­" His attention drifted to the white slate as his glowing fingerprint merged. A moment later, letters formed on the slate.


    Name ¨C David


    Race ¨C Human


    Affiliation ¨C None


    Rank ¨C 1-Star


    David''s eyes bore into the slate, but nothing else happened. That was¡­ disappointing.


    Melach''s expression darkened, and before David could make sense of it, Torb stepped in with a casual pat on the elf''s back.


    "Calm down, buddy," he said, patting Melach''s shoulder. "You saw how other humans of this world reacted when they joined the Familia. Was anyone impressed? No. We are in a newly integrated world. Don''t forget that."


    Melach groaned. "You''re right. The natives'' senses are still dull. They cannot sense their growing connection to the gods. Still¡­"


    The elf appeared far from satisfied with David''s reaction, but David didn''t care. Even Torb didn''t seem to mind David''s carefree attitude.


    "Don''t mind Melach. Many leave their homes to become Protectors of System Sanctuaries from newly integrated worlds to join the Familia. They abandon everything to feel closer to the gods. Everyone has different reasons for needing the Familia. It doesn''t concern you, so I won''t bother you with it. Just know that the Familia is a big thing for many."


    David nodded and resumed inspecting the ID slate, as he decided to call it. The name wasn''t original, but it fit.


    "The ranking is very straightforward. 1-Star means you can select 1-Star missions. I am a 2-Star and can select 2-Star solo missions. To pick team missions at 2-Star, your group would require an average star rating of 2-Star or above," Torb explained, ignoring Melach, who had yet to stop sulking. "You can also pick team missions without a team, but your star rating has to be one star above the mission rating."


    David mulled over the system, wondering how difficult it might be to reach higher ranks¡ªor if it was worth the effort. The Familia seemed to pay attention to the safety of its members, but their safety net did not help with the Mutant Giant Infected.


    "No affiliation means no god vouched for you. In fact, you can also join a god''s Familia,accelerating the growth of all Skill Runes related to their power." Torb retrieved his ID slate with a proud smile, showing his affiliation.


    Affiliation ¨C Fortress (Dwarven God of Protection)


    Melach cleared his throat, drawing David''s attention back as he added, "By joining a god''s Familia, you can also increase your rank by pursuing other occupations. Lifestyle Classes exist, and you can pick them up as you progress. However, you don''t need them to grow stronger. For example, if you join the Alchemy God''s Familia, the Rank of your Main Class may still increase by concocting potions."


    That was good to know, but David wasn''t planning on joining any god''s Familia anytime soon. He only joined the Familia because of the benefits. It was also the only place that offered money and skill proficiency for slaying Infected and other magical creatures.


    After a few minutes of Torb and Melach explaining how everything worked, they helped David find suitable lodging for the next ten days. The room was small but clean, with a wooden foundation that smelled of fresh polish. The bed looked sturdy enough, though the mattress sagged slightly.


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    Arc was bustling with life, but despite the crowds, the innkeeper quickly found him a clean room.


    "I will change my clothes, and then we can¡­ I don''t know¡­ do something?" David studied the elf and dwarf, who nodded in agreement. He closed the door to his room. But that wasn''t enough to muffle the sounds from outside.


    "He''s a bit crazy. Don''t you think that''s going to be a problem?"


    David''s sharp ears picked up Melach''s whispered words through the thin door. A smile tugged at his lips as he unpacked his backpack.


    He hadn''t been like this before the integration, but the Earthen Union''s changes had affected him. David wasn''t the man he used to be, and he didn''t mind. If the Earthen Union wanted him changed, they''d get more than they bargained for.


    "He is a Cleric and not afraid of leaving the Sanctuary. You saw him fight. He''s like a Warrior mixed with a Cleric. I don''t think we can find anyone better. Or do you want to hire one of the Clerics in Arc? That would ruin us. We''d be lucky to earn enough to pay the Cleric and repair our equipment."


    Torb said, "I''d much rather have someone crazy by my side than a greedy bastard."


    Melach sighed deeply. "I saw him healing himself. I know how good it would be to have someone like him on our team. But what if he enrages the gods while we''re with him? He is a living disaster!"


    David chuckled at that. He felt like Melach and Torb were good people. They had good reason to question whether to accept him into their team. David understood their worries since he wouldn''t want someone like him on his team either.


    He snickered while putting on the other clothes he''d brought from the shopping center. Now that his flesh and skin had fully regrown, he dressed quickly, then left his new home with the room key, an empty backpack, his weapons, and a pouch filled with money.


    "Are you done contemplating?" David asked lightly. "Did I pass, or are we parting ways?"


    "You were eavesdropping?" Melach''s eyes narrowed, but David waved a hand dismissively.


    "If you didn''t want me to hear, you should have stepped away from the door. This place isn''t soundproof, and it''s not like you even tried to stay quiet. So¡­what do you say? Is the living disaster allowed to fight with you or not?"


    Melach nibbled on his lower lip but nodded. "You can join the team if you want to. I still think it''s dangerous to keep you around, but we would''ve been dead if not for your help against the Giant Infected. You also fight like a mix of two Classes, which makes it easier for us. Torb won''t have to endure all the pressure on the frontlines alone, and you can heal him too."


    "In that case, I shall join your team. For the time being," David said with a wink at the Elf, who muttered something in what he guessed was the elven tongue.


    Torb clasped his hands loudly. "Since that''s done, let''s move on. You have much to learn before we can accept our next mission."


    A lot to learn? No. Let''s just fight!


    David''s expression must have given away his thoughts because Torb looked at him and snickered.


    "Sorry, but your lack of knowledge will end up getting us killed. It would be best if you learned enough about the adjacent regions, the dangers, and the surrounding monsters. Not all monsters are hostile, but your world isn''t making things easy. The native lifeforms, including plants and animals, are mutating rapidly under the Aether''s influence."


    David nodded reluctantly. "I know where we are, but you might be right about the danger. I need to know where to find the strongest monsters to fight!"


    Melach groaned in exasperation while Torb smiled at David.


    "I don''t think you know how much the integration has changed. Come on, let''s buy a map for you."


    The team went on a short shopping spree to buy a recently updated map showing Arc and the surrounding regions. David glanced past the city ruins and focused on the map, a gnawing sense of confusion setting in as his eyes fell upon a certain region. The area was void of streets, villages, towns, or even remnants of the cities that should have been there.


    "This can''t be right. Wasn''t there supposed to be¡­"


    "The integration oftentimes replaces entire regions. That''s how it works. Parts of worlds are removed and replaced with aether-dense regions to stimulate the core of an aetherless world," Melach explained. "I don''t know much about it, but this is one of their tactics to awaken forsaken worlds."


    David gasped for air, the memory of an old friend surfacing.


    Didn''t he say he was going to move there?


    A wave of nausea churned in his stomach.


    "Where did everything go? They can''t just remove a part of the Earthen Union and throw it aside¡­right?!"


    It was one thing to know his friends and family had a fair chance at survival and a whole different thing to learn that entire regions had been cut out of the Earthen Union and discarded. These people didn''t even receive a chance at survival.


    "I don''t know. Maybe the cities, towns, and villages disappeared, leaving the citizens behind. Or everything was replaced, and the natives of this world were transported to a different world, where they can also gain access to the system."


    That didn''t sound great, but it was better than certain death.


    David''s eyes drifted back to the map. He studied where his family was supposed to be, and it looked¡­okay. Several System Sanctuaries were near their most likely location at the time of the integration into the Pantheon. But there were also dangerous regions nearby. They were framed in red, which couldn''t mean anything good.


    Then, David''s eyes fell upon the purple vortexes etched into the map. Unlike the rest of the map, which was still, the vortexes shifted and swirled unnaturally.


    "What exactly are those? They don''t give me a friendly vibe¡­"


    Melach and Torb checked the map simultaneously and frowned deeply.


    "They''re called Rifts¡­" David noticed Melach''s hands trembling violently as he muttered, "But why are they materializing so close to Arc?"


    "And so many¡­" Torb''s face drained of all color as he whispered.

 Chapter 28 - B1 28 - Rift

    Melach turned to a nearby merchant, muttering something about a defective product, while David caught Torb''s expression.


    The Dwarf was still pale, his eyes flicking back to the purple vortexes now and then, though his posture straightened slightly.


    "Rifts are portals connecting these places," Torb pointed at the few Rifts that had formed near Arc, "...with other planes. Usually, they connect to isolated dimensions and are often created by gods trying to expand their influence by deploying the creatures in their servitude to newly integrated worlds."


    "The maps aren''t defective," Melach returned, cursing. "The Rifts just formed."


    "I''m unsure if I read your expressions well, but we don''t like Rifts, right? Will monsters emerge from them?" David inquired.


    If that was the case, he wanted to go there, right now. There was no need to fill his knowledge gap immediately¡ªhe could do that later!


    "Rifts drain the surrounding Aether to fuel the Rifts'' cores. Once filled, the Rifts stabilize and materialize monsters. To sum it up¡­yes, we consider Rifts hostile entities," Melach nodded, his expression still sour.


    "The monster types of the Rifts have yet to be determined, just like their danger levels. But considering the number of Rifts materializing near Arc, we shouldn''t have trouble finding a low-rated Rift. That''s what you were asking about, right?"


    There were at least four Rifts near Arc. Two materialized south and west of the Sanctuary, while the remaining pair was up north. The distance between the pair of Rifts couldn''t be more than a few kilometers.


    "Materialize monsters? That''s possible?" David asked, but he was met with a pair of skeptical gazes.


    "You''ve fought your kin, resurrected as undead Infected," Torb pointed out, while Melach added, "And you can wield magic. If I''m not mistaken, it hasn''t been too long since you recuperated after being struck by a god''s divine lightning bolt¡ªwhat, ten minutes ago? Maybe twenty?"


    "Twice," David corrected the Elf.


    "What?"


    "Nothing. Forget it." Maybe it was better not to mention his encounter with the Pantheon to Melach. "Are those monsters special? How strong are they? Can we fight them?"


    Melach shook his head. "No, we cannot fight them yet. We don''t know the Rift''s type or star rating. We wait until the Familia issues exploration and culling missions and pick the one that best fits our needs."


    "We have to wait?" David asked, disappointed.


    "I wouldn''t call it waiting," Torb chimed in. "You still have a lot to learn. We will go to the library to teach you about Rift types, how to clear Rifts, what to do when a Rift evolves, and so forth. Once the Familia issues some emergency missions, we''ll be informed."


    "Emergency missions¡­ Do you think the Sanctuary is in danger? Are Rifts that much of a threat?"


    "This is a first for me as well," Torb admitted with a slight wince. "But I''ve heard enough about Rifts in the early stages of world integration to know that one is already incredibly dangerous. Four at the same time? That''s a tough challenge."


    Melach nodded in agreement. "Even a Rift of the lowest grading has a Boss and Mini-Bosses at the Bronze Rank. And I''m not talking about a Pseudo Mini-Boss like the Mutating Giant Infected. The Rift Bosses are on a whole different level¡ªa level most Protectors cannot handle just yet."


    David''s heart drummed wildly at that, but he tried not to show it. "How strong are the Protectors here? Shouldn''t most Protectors be fairly powerful since they come from already integrated worlds?"


    Melach winced. "Yes, but no. The power we acquired in our worlds has been sealed as we stepped into the Earthen Union. Everyone started with a Basic Class, though some were given an altered Class with multiple Basic Skills. The Basic Skills are part of the power we''d already unlocked in the past, which is why it was easier for me to evolve [Mana Bullet] into [Arcane Blast]."


    The Pantheon regulated everything around the System Sanctuaries down to the finest details, yet they failed to prepare countermeasures for situations like this.


    Or they used the Rifts as a test.


    David grinned slightly. He liked fucked-up tests like this. Still, it wouldn''t hurt to have a safe resting place when needed. If a single Rift was already a threat to Arc, how would they handle four of them?


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    David frowned, something about the situation nagging at him. Turning to the others, he muttered, "I want to know more about Rifts."


    "Good choice," Melach commented, gesturing to David to follow him.


    It was time to study.


    ***


    News of the Rifts reached them less than two hours after Melach and Torb had piled several books on him. He hadn''t even come close to finishing, let alone understanding them. Some of the information stuck with him, but David''s mind drifted to the Rifts outside Arc every other minute.


    The ID slate in David''s pocket heated up. Judging by the others retrieving theirs simultaneously, they felt it too. Their heads jerked up, their eyes scanning empty air as if reading something unseen.


    Ah, right.


    David inserted holy power into the warm device, conjuring an azure, rectangular screen.


    [Familia Emergency ¨C Rift Overflow]


    Several 1-Star Rifts materialized unexpectedly in the last four hours.


    Three out of four Rifts stabilized as Common Rifts and can be cleared, but the fourth Rift behaves oddly.


    Indicators perceived demonic waves and a high level of Aether emission. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Therefore, it is presumed the fourth Rift ushered the others into existence.


    No more Rifts have formed, and no signs indicate any more materializations, but changes can occur at any point!


    Emergency Missions have been issued to all Familia members.


    Gather your forces and clear the Rifts!


    "That doesn''t sound too bad," David murmured, rising from his chair. However, the expressions of the others told him he was missing something.


    Both Torb and Melach were still reading the message¡ªprobably rereading it¡ªtheir faces pale, their eyes flickering with an intensity that made David uneasy.


    "1-Star Rifts are the best we could have asked for," Torb nodded, though he looked far from relieved. "It''s good they''re Common Rifts¡­"


    "But the oddity is an issue," Melach squinted. "Demonic waves and high Aether emission. That means not only will many demonic creatures emerge from the Rift, but Aether and demonic waves will permeate the surrounding land and alter it permanently. If it had been a different type of Rift that wouldn''t have been of importance, but Demon-type Rifts are destructive by nature."


    That didn''t sound great, but David reasoned it wouldn''t be a major problem if the Rift was cleared quickly.


    "As long as we clear the Rift fast enough, we should be fine, right?"


    Melach seemed about to make a snarky remark when his eyes drifted to the library window. Several Protectors and Familia members gathered outside, preparing to face the Rifts.


    "If we clear the Demon-type Rift fast enough, it should be possible to avoid the worst case."


    "Which would be the manifestation of more Demon-type Rifts due to high Aether emission mixing with the demonic waves, right?" David continued, earning surprised glances from his team.


    David rubbed the back of his head, feeling self-conscious, and pointed to a page in the book before him. "That''s what it says here."


    Torb burst into laughter and patted David''s back, surprising him. Even Melach seemed to struggle to hide his grin, which was oddly satisfying.


    David smiled back, trying to steady his restless heart as he noted a detail in the Familia''s message. "The emergency mission says nothing about a reward. Do we have to go to the Familia to accept any missions before we go?"


    Melach shook his head subtly. "The Familia will reward us according to our contribution, actions, and the aftermath. If Arc is destroyed, even significant contributions will earn less than if Arc survives."


    That could be both good and bad. Did contribution mean just slaying enemies, or would he, as a Cleric, earn extra points for healing allies? Hopefully, it was the latter.


    "In that case¡­shall we leave?" David beamed at his unlikely partners in crime.


    Torb nodded, grasping his shield with one hand and shouldering the mace smoothly. Melach cursed but complied, grabbing his Mage Wand and gesturing for his barbaric companions to follow.


    "We have hardly any experience fighting together. Our only experience as a trio was against the Giant Infected. That wasn''t too bad, but this will be different." His lips pressed into thin lines, "Every Rift has one Boss Monster and usually one to five Mini-Bosses, but sometimes more. However, ordinary monsters are the greater problem. There will be dozens by now and more than a hundred once the Rift Core has accumulated more Aether. There will be hundreds more in a few hours, and they''ll stall us, wear us down, and force us to consume our stamina and energy before the real danger emerges."


    "I don''t see the problem," David shrugged. "You said you wanted to become stronger. Enduring and overcoming a threat like this is exactly what you need. At least, that''s how it worked for me."


    He momentarily activated [Holy Touch] around his finger, smiling at the Elf. "Your family would be proud if you caught the interest of a god¡ªor several," he added, igniting a fire in the Elf''s eyes.


    "Let''s go," Melach declared. "What are we waiting for?"


    "Which Rift are we heading to?" Torb asked, only for both Melach and David to answer simultaneously.


    "To the most dangerous one, of course!"

 Chapter 29 - B1 29 - Fangs

    No time was wasted. They weaved through the narrow side alleys and emerged at Arc''s outskirts. Melach rushed ahead, his robe fluttering as he clutched the Mage Wand tightly. Torb appeared next to David as they followed the Elf''s hurried strides.


    "Was it really necessary to mention his family?" Torb asked.


    David shook his head. "It wasn''t necessary, but it seemed like the easiest way to convince Melach to leave at once."


    "And now I''m headed to the southern Riftwith a bunch of idiots. Perfect," Torb grumbled into his beard.


    They were heading toward one of the three Common Rifts instead of the odd Demon-type Rift. It wasn''t the most dangerous per se, but the fewest fighters were heading toward the southern Rift. Only ten people, including their team of three, were headed that way, while more than twenty teams were attacking the Demon-type Rift.


    Melach led the way, leaving Arc''s safety behind and accelerating as they reached the highway connecting to the city. The southern Rift wasn''t located in the city but had materialized close to its outskirts near a small forest. Since the highway was mostly intact and nearly void of Infected, it only took them ten minutes to reach it. Along the way, Melach released a lesser version of [Arcane Blast] to eliminate a few pesky Infected.


    Melach barely slowed as they neared the Rift, his intense focus locked on the swirling vortex ahead. David followed his example, fixing his gaze on the vortex, which swirled in vivid purples¡ªunnatural hues clashing violently with the lush green of the surrounding land.


    At first glance, David couldn''t see much more than the vortex hovering several meters above a grassy field beside the highway. Behind it, the forest was alive with yellowish-glowing eyes.


    The vortex raged and shifted colors, expanding and deflating as it spat out gray-furred creatures. They walked on four legs, with long snouts, razor-sharp fangs, and extensive claws that dug deep into the wet soil. Their predatory eyes locked onto the prey that had come willingly to them. A cacophony of growls resounded, and the yellow slits blending with the forest began to move.


    The time to hide had ended.


    May the hunt begin.


    "Wolves. Dozens of them," David murmured, unsheathing his sword.


    Torb groaned. "We call them Fangs. The Aether fueling their bodies strengthens their senses and muscles, giving them more speed and strength than regular wolves."


    The Fangs were larger than average wolves, if only by ten to twenty centimeters. Their weapons¡ªtheir fangs and claws¡ªlooked dangerous, and they showed no fear of confrontation. The newly spawned Fangs turned to Melach as the Elf released an [Arcane Blast], breaking the neck of one of them. Meanwhile, other Fangs charged out of the forest in unison. Acting as one, they stepped onto the highway and circled their prey.


    Only twenty Fangs dashed toward David and his group, but nobody complained, not even David.


    His heart raced as he observed the Fangs. Their entire being exuded the terrifying essence of apex predators. They were fast, strong, and intelligent, working together to wear down their enemies and eliminate them cleanly.


    Their bloodlust filled David''s mind¡ªor was it something else? He felt as though he could sense their intent, their primal hunger. Every nerve in his body screamed warnings, amplifying both fear and awe at the apex predators closing in on him.


    The signs were enough for anyone to fight defensively, eliminating one Fang at a time¡ªbut David acted as he pleased.


    He charged ahead, activating [Bless] on himself, Melach, and Torb. The range of [Bless] didn''t reach the others, or he would have included them. But that was fine. He would get to them soon enough.


    A blur of blue¡ªa mana projectile¡ªwhisked past David''s head, its shocking velocity leaving him stunned for a split second before it smashed into a Fang''s face. The monster wasn''t dead but yelped in pain and was about to fall back when David appeared before it. The injured Fang''s companions jumped to help, but so did Torb. The Dwarf''s shield smashed into one Fang''s face before his mace followed, breaking its neck.


    David''s longsword cut deep into the injured Fang''s chest. Without waiting for the kill notification, he yanked the blade free and twisted to evade the pounce of another Fang. Its claws grazed him, but the injury wasn''t deep. David spun around, ignoring the wound, and beheaded the Fang in a single move.


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    Blood splattered everywhere¡ªa sight that would have horrified him a week ago. Now, it barely registered, though his heartbeat accelerated. The blood''s warmth on his skin and the cacophony of pained yelps, terrified screams, and metal slicing through flesh stirred something within him. It didn''t change him forever, but it affected him. Just for a moment.


    The scent of blood and death overwhelmed David, who suddenly began to move with more precision. He kicked off the ground and leaped forward. Someone shouted behind him¡ªmaybe Melach, whose [Arcane Blast] shot past and shattered a Fang''s skull¡ªbut David couldn''t make out the words.


    He moved through the battlefield, ignoring the Fangs pouncing on him, and focused only on one or two at a time. His shoulders burned as a monster''s fangs sank deep into them, but the weight was torn away when Torb''s mace smashed the creature''s head to smithereens. David killed a few more Fangs in the following seconds. The creatures tried to wear him down, inflicting cuts and wounds across his body, but they didn''t succeed.


    Another [Arcane Blast] nearly struck David but instead smashed into the Fang that had pounced on his back, breaking its spine. Torb''s mace followed, whizzing past David¡ªalways missing him by a beat but never the target.


    Only seconds had passed since David dashed forward, yet more than a dozen Fangs lay dead. Though his body was covered in wounds, a single use of [Cure Wounds] was enough to stop the bleeding.


    Leveling up [Cure Wounds] was worth it.


    He smiled faintly as he activated the Skill Rune again. The faintest claw marks disappeared immediately, while deeper wounds tormenting him knitted together rapidly.


    "Is everyone alright?" David asked, his grin widening almost involuntarily.


    "You look like a fucking lunatic," Torb said, shaking his head. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Melach snorted. "He doesn''t just look like one. He is one!"


    David smirked. "I''ll take that as a yes."


    Nearby Fangs hesitated, probably considering another attack. But when Melach conjured a fireball in his hand, their last shred of confidence shattered. They fled with their tails tucked firmly between their legs.


    David turned his attention to the other group. Blood soaked the ground as they struggled to hold back the relentless Fangs. Their wounds went untreated, forcing them to retreat in desperation.


    About a quarter of the Fangs had died to [Mana Bullets], arrows, or a Warrior''s [Slash], but the rest of the pack remained unscathed. The surviving creatures circled the Protectors, striking whenever one of them let their guard down. With every attack, they created openings for their brethren, retreating just as quickly to regroup.


    Their teamwork was impeccable, catching David off guard.


    "Why didn''t they fight like this against us?" he murmured as Torb rushed past him, shaking his head.


    "They tried to," Torb replied. "But it didn''t work. Who can blame them? Their prey was a crazy idiot, after all."


    Torb accelerated, reaching the pack in no time. He greeted them with his shield, crashing into their ranks and stunning one Fang while his vibrating mace descended on another.


    Melach strode past David, mumbling something in an unfamiliar language. Several small, blue masses appeared above his outstretched hand.


    The blue trails streaked through the air, slamming into three Fangs with devastating force. Despite their size, the projectiles tore through the Fangs with brutal precision. Eyes burst, throats exploded, and two out of the three collapsed dead. The third took an arrow to the neck and fell moments later.


    David clicked his tongue. "Don''t take all the fun!"


    He charged into the fray, cleaving through several Fangs as he made his way to the inner circle. The ground was slick with blood as he reached the injured group¡ªa mix of humans, two Elves, and a warrior from a race David didn''t recognize.


    "Hey there," David said, smiling as his hands glowed with healing magic. "I heard you could use some help."


    As two Fangs pounced toward him, David spun around, his blade slicing cleanly through their lower bellies in one sweeping strike. Without missing a beat, he turned back to the injured.


    "The bloody Cleric at your service!" He exclaimed.


    The Rift crackled loudly behind him, drawing his attention. He turned to see it expanding. His smile cracked as three massive wolves, and an even larger beast emerged from the vortex, their presence suffocating.


    The Rift Boss and its underlings had arrived.


    David barely registered the hulking forms before one of the great wolves blurred. A Mini-Boss disappeared and reappeared in the Protectors'' circle. Its claws swept through the crowd, tearing through a heavily armed Warrior as if he were paper.


    David''s eyes widened in horror as blood and body parts sprayed everywhere. He caught the Warrior''s wide, terrified expression the instant before it was obliterated. Swallowing hard, his stomach twisted in dread.


    Didn''t Torb say their idiot of a Warrior was already at the Bronze Rank?


    David''s gaze lingered on the remains, his lips pursed.


    Not anymore.


    He didn''t know how strong the Warrior had been, but one thing was clear:


    If the Mini-Bosses were this powerful, the Rift Boss had to be a monstrosity!

 Chapter 30 - B1 30 - Rift Boss I

    The Mini-Boss blurred and reappeared beside its brethren, licking its bloody claws. It growled low, its stance submissive as it lowered its head before the Rift Boss. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The massive wolf growled hoarsely, its eyes trailing to the Fangs¡ªfrozen at their leader''s arrival¡ªspurring them back into motion. What had been a slow fight of attrition transformed into bloody carnage. The Fangs, as if driven to insanity, charged ahead in unison, lunging at the closest enemy. The Mini-Bosses followed a similar tactic. They dashed forward but circled the group, studying their every move.


    Why aren''t they charging like before? The Mini-Bosses are too fast to evade, or was the initial attack something special?


    David scrutinized the Mini-Bosses. They appeared almost identical in size, but only one had blurred twice.


    As for the Rift Boss, David''s eyes lingered on the massive pack leader long enough to discern it wouldn''t attack. It stood motionless behind its pack, watching intently¡ªor so it seemed.


    Was the Rift Boss bored? Why didn''t it charge ahead to kill everyone while the Fangs and Mini-Bosses distracted them? Was it a power play?


    Whatever.


    David shrugged inwardly. The Rift Boss''s inaction worked to their advantage, though his heart pounded at the thought of facing the massive wolf in the chaos of the battlefield. One step at a time.


    The air was heavy with despair. Even without looking, David could feel the weight of the Bronze Rank''s sudden death pressing on the group.


    Melach was right. How annoying.


    There was no time to dwell on regrets. In the first place, David had nothing to regret. Not since the integration reached the Earthen Union.


    He unsheathed the kobold shortsword and pressed it firmly against the warrior longsword as he shifted into a more defensive stance. Taking a deep breath, he activated [Holy Touch] and wreathed both weapons in a faint, glowing hue.


    That should do something¡­


    David licked his lips and used the last boon he''d received from the Pantheon temple.


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Body.]


    Middle (Basic) ¡ú Middle (+)(Basic)


    Surviving divine lightning twice has its perks.


    Strength surged through his body as his muscles bulged. Planting his feet firmly into the ground, he propelled himself forward, charging toward the mass of Fangs.


    [Bless]!


    The Skill Rune encompassed everyone within range, increasing their power and durability considerably. Casting [Bless] three times, David strengthened the remaining survivors amidst the chorus of bloodthirsty growls and desperate shouts.


    The combatants shifted, gripping their weapons tighter.


    As the final instance of [Bless] took effect, David surged forward. Leaning into his stride, he beheaded a pouncing Fang with the longsword and stabbed another with the kobold shortsword. He twisted the blade in the Fang''s heart, ripping it free in a swift spin. The weapon whirled in his hand, smashing into the side of another Fang''s head and piercing its skull.


    [Fang (Common) has been defeated.]


    [Fang (Common) has been defeated.]


    [Fang (Common) has been defeated.]


    David barely registered the notifications. His eyes narrowed to slits as blood flooded his view. He twisted his body, evading a claw aimed for his neck, and drove the shortsword into a Fang''s eye.


    His chest burned as claws raked across it, but he pushed forward, severing the front legs of another Fang in a fierce sweep. The longsword danced in tandem with the kobold shortsword as David spun, his blood pooling on the ground alongside his enemies''.


    His movements were dangerous¡ªnot only to him, as his blood splattered everywhere¡ªbut lethal to his foes.


    David pressed on, his body screaming in pain and defiance. He held firm, transforming his deadly momentum into a dance of blood and death.


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    His blades tore through Fangs faster than he could register, their bodies crumpling around him. He caught sight of Torb crushing the spine of a nearby Fang and glimpsed the Hunter from the other group¡ªhis head clamped between the jaws of one of the three Mini-Bosses.


    A fireball flashed past David, missing his head by inches¡ªthough the divine lightning from the temple had already handled most of his hair.


    The fireball, larger than any David had seen before, collided with three Fangs and exploded in their faces. They yelped and thrashed in agony, only to be struck by several [Mana Bullets] that barreled toward them, dealing the final blow.


    David saw the mana projectiles approaching, but his hair stood at its end until the monsters died.


    His body tensed suddenly, and questions surfaced, but he didn''t have time to question what was happening. He kicked off the ground and jumped to the side. Something sharp slashed his leg, forcing him to cast [Cure Wounds]. The stab of pain was intense, but he could still feel his legs. Rolling on the ground, he jumped to his feet.


    His left leg buckled, forcing him to cast [Cure Wounds] again. Simultaneously, he channeled bits of [Holy Touch] to fill several energy pathways, altering the natural Aether within. His Holy Sea strained under the constant use, struggling to keep up with the extensive demands of his Skill Runes.


    A faint headache crept up the back of his mind, but it was bearable¡ªfor now. He could endure that much.


    But David wasn''t sure how long it would stay that way. Not with a wolf the size of an average human adult towering before him, growling deeply and glancing at the deep wound it had inflicted moments ago.


    The wolf lunged. It was fast, but David''s reaction wasn''t far behind. He moved instinctively, compressing the [Holy Touch] coating his kobold shortsword at the tip and releasing all of it in one burst. Instead of creating a magical projectile infused with holiness, he produced a dazzling light.


    The Mini-Boss looked directly into the brilliance and yelped. Almost simultaneously, a massive projectile¡ªlikely Melach''s [Arcane Blast]¡ªwhizzed past David and smashed heavily into the wolf''s face. A crunch resounded, followed by a deep growl. Seizing the moment, David surged forward. The Mini-Boss thrashed blindly, its eyes shut tight.


    Was it still blinded or simply afraid of another dazzling light? David wasn''t sure, but he knew how to capitalize on the opportunity. Torb''s sudden movements suggested he had the same idea. The dwarf appeared beside the Mini-Boss, his mace vibrating, while David emerged on the opposite side, channeling even more holy power into his longsword''s [Holy Touch] coating.


    Torb''s mace slammed into the wolf''s neck with tremendous force. The blow was far stronger than the dwarf''s usual attacks. Cracking noises echoed as the wolf hit the ground. David''s eyes narrowed slightly while Torb grinned triumphantly.


    The wolf wasn''t dead. It could still move. A deep howl escaped its throat, its eyes locked on the dwarf¡ªuntil David shoved his glowing sword into its maw. Twisting the blade deep in the creature''s throat, he ended its struggle.


    The monster tried to retaliate. Its fur expanded, and its muscles bulged. But everything stopped abruptly as David wrenched the warrior''s longsword free. He tore it mercilessly from the wolf''s throat.


    The massive creature collapsed. Torb didn''t hesitate, smashing the Mini-Boss''s head with his mace. Its skull burst open, and a kill notification appeared.


    "I just wanted to make sure it was dead," Torb muttered, his tone unapologetic.


    David waved a hand dismissively. "Keep going."


    Spinning around, David surveyed the battlefield. Most of the Fangs lay dead. Only a few remained alive, though they were injured.


    Unfortunately, the same could be said for the other Familia members. Only two of the seven combatants from the allied group were still standing. David pressed his lips together in frustration. Their only advantage was that the remaining Mini-Bosses weren''t faring well either.


    The allied group had crippled one Mini-Boss, while the other bore severe burns¡ªlikely from fireballs and arcane blasts. It was probably Melach''s handiwork.


    The Rift Boss, however, remained unscathed. It still hadn''t moved.


    The great wolf didn''t even flinch as the second Mini-Boss fell. The creature vanished into a blur and reappeared behind Melach, repeating the attack it had used to kill the Bronze Rank Warrior.


    But instead of succumbing to the ambush, Melach''s stance shifted subtly, almost as if he had been waiting for this moment.


    With a single move, the elf turned the tide.


    David''s eyes widened as Melach flashed a knowing smile. A flash of blue light erupted behind the elf, so bright that David had to blink. The energy compressed instantly, shooting forward and piercing the Mini-Boss''s chest without resistance.


    Melach collapsed, but the faint smile lingered on his face. He writhed on the ground, his work done. The Mini-Boss slumped lifelessly to the ground.


    To David''s surprise, the Rift Boss didn''t retaliate, even as its subordinate fell. Instead, it watched the final Fang''s death with an eerie indifference. Did it not care about its pack? That was beyond everything he knew about packs.


    David''s confusion deepened as the Rift Boss moved. It approached the crippled Mini-Boss with a low growl.


    The Rift Boss''s claws flashed, and a fountain of blood spurted in all directions, staining the massive wolf crimson.


    The last Mini-Boss collapsed, slain by its alpha.


    What was that?


    David''s eyes narrowed, his body tense. The battlefield''s atmosphere shifted suddenly. Sparkling crimson motes materialized everywhere, emerging from the blood and corpses strewn across the ground. The scene transformed into one of haunting beauty, with the motes resembling crimson fireflies... all converging on the Rift Boss.


    A deep howl escaped the monster''s throat, tugging at David''s nerves as it began to transform.


    The Rift Boss grew larger, its yellow eyes turning crimson. The bloodlust in the air thickened, pressing down on David with suffocating intensity.

 Chapter 31 - B1 31 - Rift Boss II

    He took a raggard breath, his eyes drifting left and right to seek support wherever he could.


    The other group looked like a wreck. Only a Warrior and a Mage were left, and they weren''t in good condition either. The Warrior was badly wounded, but David could tend to that as long as he got close enough. The Mage faltered, her legs buckling under her weight. She looked ready to collapse at any moment¡ªjust like Melach had.


    "Once the Boss is dead, the Rift will close, right?" David asked Torb, who''d sustained the least injuries. A trace of hesitation lingered in his voice. Deep down, he probably knew how dangerous this task was.


    The dwarf was drenched in sweat, his chest heaving with exertion. Blood and bits of something David couldn''t recognize right away were smeared across him, but it didn''t seem to be his own.


    "It should be cleared once that thing is dead," Torb nodded.


    Clearing the Rift should prevent any more Fangs from emerging. But defeating the monstrosity of a wolf wasn''t going to be easy. Maybe that was exactly what David needed right now¡ªa threat to dive into.


    The Rift Boss'' claws dug deep into the wet soil as it leaped forward. David''s eyes flicked to the side, tracking the monster''s trajectory. He barely predicted its path and watched as the Rift Boss stopped before Torb. It lunged at the dwarf and would have ripped him apart if not for Torb''s shield jumping into action.


    Torb groaned as he moved unnaturally fast to lift his shield arm, blocking most of the impacting force. A loud screech resounded as the wolf''s claws scraped across the shield, but Torb''s body was still intact¡ªthough his pained grimace hinted that he hadn''t escaped the attack unscathed.


    David tried reaching the injured Warrior to heal him, but his mind went blank when the Rift Boss shifted. It eyed the remaining foes and smacked Torb''s shield with its tail. To David''s dismay, Torb was shoved aside. The dwarf''s movements seemed sluggish against the massive wolf.


    His heart thumped loudly in his chest, muffling the noises all around him. He gritted his teeth, applied [Bless] to everyone, and returned to Torb''s side. His swords glowed with pristine light as they arced through the air, leaving behind magnificent trails. But that was all they did. The Rift Boss'' head lunged forward, crushing the kobold shortsword with a simple bite. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even recognizing the threat, David reacted too slowly. The wolf''s head was eerily close, its predatory crimson eyes lingering on him even after it crushed his shortsword¡ªwhat else was there to look at? A defiant growl escaped him as his head shot forward. He headbutted the Rift Boss with every ounce of strength in his body.


    A crack rang out, but the pain spreading through his head wasn''t as severe as expected. Coating his forehead in [Holy Touch] had been a good idea.


    His forehead, albeit drenched in warm blood, glowed pristine as he pulled back, but David wasn''t done yet. The radiant light intensified as his head bolted forward again.


    The first headbutt didn''t inflict much damage¡ªneither did the second. Even the third hit was similar. His head slammed into the Rift Boss'' unyielding skull three times in quick succession until it spat out the kobold shortsword''s fragment.


    The wolf growled in fury and returned David''s favor by headbutting him. David was pushed back and toppled over a corpse. He fell to the ground, the Rift Boss'' blood-covered head looming above him.


    The monster''s hot breath blasted into David''s face, saliva trickling onto his cheeks.


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    David''s heart skipped a beat, and he nearly botched casting [Cure Wounds] on his pounding head.


    This is not how it ends!


    He screamed in his mind, ready to thrust the warrior longsword into the monstrosity''s chest, when a high-velocity mana projectile struck the Rift Boss in the side of the head. The Rift Boss had locked its bloodlust-filled eyes on him, but the sudden blast of mana jolted its head to the side, saving David from the deadly gaze.


    The wolf growled deeply, its head flicking back to its original position, only to be greeted by a metal shield. Torb accelerated suddenly, presumably using [Charge] to appear before the Rift Boss and slam his shield into its face.


    David couldn''t see anything in detail as Torb pushed his small but sturdy body before him, but it had to be bloody. A cacophony of screams and shouts echoed, all while David''s attention was pulled to the body that had sent him sprawling to the ground.


    As he scrambled to his feet, David''s eyes caught something dim. The faint glow of crimson motes still lingered around the battlefield.


    They''re still there.


    Even now, crimson motes still emerged from the Fang''s corpses. They were dim and inconspicuous at this point, but they didn''t disappear.


    David pulled himself together. However, he didn''t return to the fight right away. His attention lingered on the dim crimson motes. They looked familiar¡ªoddly similar to the motes David had been forced to use when he fought the Kobolds.


    Maybe they weren''t the same, but if he could use his Skill Runes by channeling crimson motes again¡­


    Fuck it!


    David''s hand glowed dimly from [Holy Touch] as he reached out. He grasped the nearest crimson mote while catching the Rift Boss closing in on Torb from the corner of his eyes. That was bad. Really bad. David grit his teeth watching as the monstrous wolf battered Torb''s shield aside with a relentless barrage of claw strikes and surged forward. Its fangs sank deep into the Dwarf''s shoulder.


    Torb screamed, his body locked in place, impaled by the creature''s massive teeth. He was thrashed violently, his cries growing louder and more agonized. Time blurred for David, and before he could react, the wolf flung Torb through the air. The dwarf hurtled toward Melach, who barely jumped aside in time to avoid being crushed.


    David couldn''t tell when Melach had recovered or how he was holding up but seeing him casting again brought some relief. Still, David''s focus remained on the Rift Boss and the crimson motes.


    [Holy Touch] connected to the first crimson mote, and he absorbed it. It entered his energy pathways, altering something deep within him. David had no clue what it was¡ªor if it was dangerous¡ªbut he didn''t know how to materialize crimson motes in his body. He had to use the motes of other beings, no matter how harmful they might be.


    Out of the corner of his eye, David caught the other Warrior''s expression¡ªa blend of fear and defiance¡ªas he charged the Rift Boss. The Warrior''s sword hummed and vibrated with energy as it cleaved down, biting deep into the wolf''s left hind leg.


    The Rift Boss yelped, but it seemed more surprised than hurt. It swung around, its claws glowing crimson as though soaked in blood, and slashed at the Warrior. The injured man''s blade darted to parry the attack, but he was too slow. The Rift Boss cleaved through him in a single, brutal strike.


    David broke into a cold sweat, his body heating up unnaturally. Was this the effect of the crimson motes coursing through him? He couldn''t be sure. But he did know the dim motes scattered across the battlefield felt just as potent as the ones he''d used against the Kobolds.


    He guided the crimson mote into his Holy Sea while reaching for more nearby motes. The mote dispersed within the Holy Sea, staining the holy power with its crimson hue.


    A subtle shift rippled through him as the crimson energy merged with his holy power, leaving an unsettling charge in its wake.


    The Rift Boss turned to David, its blood-red eyes locking onto him with chilling intensity. For the first time, it seemed to truly see him.


    It must have noticed what he was doing. Lowering its body, the creature growled deeply, its claws digging into the ground as its bloodlust surged.


    Playtime was over.

 Chapter 32 - B1 32 - Main Rift I

    David''s mind raced as the Rift Boss turned toward him. He continued absorbing the crimson motes, hoping they would trigger a change.


    [Bless]!


    [Superior energy has been detected. Skill Rune overclock has been initiated.]


    [Proficiency of Bless reached 100%.]


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    David cocked an eyebrow at the notifications. He hadn''t used more holy power than usual to activate [Bless], but there was no need to complain about the Skill Rune overclock. If it could occur without his doing, all the better. Perhaps the merging of the crimson motes with his holy power was the cause¡ªor perhaps it wasn''t.


    The Rift Boss tensed, its massive body coiled as though ready to barrel toward him and tear him apart, but a high-velocity projectile interrupted. A blue blur whizzed through the air, striking the Rift Boss precisely where it hurt most. The shot pierced its left eye, which burst apart in a fiery explosion.


    The Rift Boss spun around, roaring in rage and agony. It kicked the ground, launching itself toward the source of the attack¡ªthe female mage.


    A surge of excitement coursed through David when he realized the Rift Boss had been so focused on him that it hadn''t noticed the mana bullet. However, the joy evaporated quickly. The wolf reached the female mage in moments. She was drenched in sweat, her breathing labored, and her legs spasmed wildly as she struggled to stand.


    David saw everything. The Rift Boss lunged at her, crimson claws flashing. He winced as her scream cut short, guilt stabbing through him. But it wasn''t as though he could have done anything to save her. He wasn''t fast enough to intercept the Rift Boss.


    Grinding his teeth until they hurt, David continued absorbing the crimson motes. Most motes near the Fang corpse had already been consumed or had vanished before he could claim them. He scanned the battlefield, searching for new targets, and waded toward the area with the densest concentration of monster corpses.


    The scene was oddly mesmerizing. Hundreds of crimson motes filled the air around him, wreathing the battlefield in an eerie red glow.


    David felt his Holy Sea shift. Its once-pristine energy now carried an unfamiliar, crimson warmth.


    He couldn''t discern the exact changes yet, but absorbing the motes became easier with each passing moment. Even the mental strain of perceiving them no longer overwhelmed him.


    David clenched his fists. It still wasn''t enough.


    Sweat-soaked clothes clung to his tense body as glowing tendrils of energy erupted from his skin. He cast [Holy Touch], overclocking it with the energy formed by the fusion of crimson motes and holy power.


    David extended it outward instead of restricting [Holy Touch] to his body or the warrior longsword. Vibrantly glowing tendrils shot in all directions, eagerly seeking more crimson motes. The tendrils succeeded, but their light also turned David into a human lighthouse.


    A searing pain coursed through his mind, making his brain feel as though it were melting. David cursed his own stupidity, but the pain eased within moments as a warm, soothing sensation circulated through his head.


    Turning sharply to the left, David saw Torb locked in combat with the Rift Boss. He quickly used [Bless] on Torb to stall for time. That''s when he noticed something peculiar¡ªthe crimson motes emerging from the Mini-Bosses'' carcasses were the most vibrant. They flooded into David''s system, quickly resolving his brain-melting dilemma.


    Satisfied, David retracted the tendrils of [Holy Touch], now drenched in crimson motes. He observed his Holy Sea, its pristine energy now resembling a blood-filled sea. He wanted to use the motes to upgrade his Skill Runes or perhaps even push his Rank higher, but the Rift Boss clearly had no intention of giving him the time to do so.


    The massive wolf hurled Torb through the air with a deafening crash. The dwarf''s mace had struck the side of the Rift Boss'' head, leaving it dented, but the beast charged toward David instead of finishing off Torb.


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    David''s eyes narrowed. The side of the Rift Boss'' head was caved in, and its left eye was gone. Even the blood-drenched fur couldn''t conceal the severity of its injuries.


    The Rift Boss was hurt.


    Exhaling heavily, David coated his warrior longsword with a thick layer of [Holy Touch]. Draining his holy power, he pushed both [Bless] and [Holy Touch] to their maximum levels. Holographic screens materialized in his peripheral vision, but he barely noticed them as he prepared to face the charging beast.


    [Excessive superior energy has been utilized. Skill Rune overclock has been initiated.]


    [Excessive superior energy has been utilized. Skill Rune overclock has been initiated.]


    It worked¡­ but the result was different than he''d expected. The pristine light shrouding the warrior longsword transformed into a crimson wreath as he jumped into action. Surprised by the power surging through him, he pressed his feet deep into the soft ground.


    First, he turned into a cannonball, the kick propelling him forward with shocking speed. Second, his body couldn''t keep up with the sudden power-up. Pain shot through his calf as he kicked off, tearing the skin around his right leg. His left leg dug deep into the ground as he pushed ahead, burning as though set on fire. The skin ruptured again, sharp pain radiating with every step.


    David gritted his teeth and pressed forward, embracing the agony. Lifting the crimson-wreathed longsword, he closed the gap to the Rift Boss in no time. The wolf lunged toward him, but David veered to the side, evading a direct clash and slipping into its blind spot.


    The wolf''s head snapped to the left, its neck twisting as it sought him. But David was already moving. Ducking low, he dove beneath the Rift Boss and slashed deep into its chest. Using his momentum, he carved a long, gaping wound across its torso and emerged on the opposite side.


    The wolf jerked its head back to the right, locking its remaining eye on him. David stood there, the longsword raised to eye level, its crimson glow unwavering.


    First, he thrust the blade forward, targeting the Rift Boss'' remaining eye. At the same moment, an [Arcane Blast] soared through the air, exploding against the left side of the wolf''s head with a thunderous impact. Torb, despite his bloodied, battered state, charged in from behind, his mace raised high.


    Then, everything blurred.


    David''s vision faltered, his thoughts scattered, and chaos enveloped him. He felt the weight of it all pressing down, threatening to crush him. Yet, amidst the confusion, one purpose shone through: the Rift Boss'' death.


    His Holy Sea drained completely, leaving nothing behind. Though fresh holy power and crimson motes surged through his pathways, neither was ready for use. His Holy Sea, now strained and fragile, seemed to scream at him, urging caution.


    But David had already accepted its fate.


    A thin crack ran through the Holy Sea. As he demanded more energy for one final attack, the crack widened. The crimson-dyed [Holy Touch] surged along his longsword, a flood of energy racing to the tip as he drove the blade into the Rift Boss'' right eye.


    The blade scraped against bone before cutting deeper. At almost the same moment, Torb''s mace slammed into the back of the wolf''s skull with a sickening crunch, forcing the sword deeper.


    The Rift Boss twitched once. Twice. It yelped weakly as David twisted the blade with the last remnants of strength left in his body. Only then did the final message flash before them.


    [You have defeated the Rift Boss, Alpha Fang.]


    [Common Rift - Fang Den - has been cleared!


    Rewards will be distributed shortly!]


    A faint smile crossed David''s lips as he saw the notifications. But the relief didn''t last long. More holographic screens appeared, and one stole his attention.


    [Fang Den''s connecting link to the Main Rift has been severed. Overflowing Aether cannot be evenly distributed without initiating¨C...Reboot! Aether overflow has been detected in the Main Rift. Horde formation has been initiated.


    Time remaining till the Horde''s spawn: [5H:59M:59S]]


    David turned to Torb, ready to speak, but the dwarf seemed frozen in place, staring at him¡ªno, at his chest.


    A heaviness settled over David, though it seemed like an ordinary aftereffect of pushing past his limits. But Torb''s haunted expression unnerved him. He furrowed his brows and looked down, realizing what Torb had been staring at.


    The Rift Boss was dead, but its claws were still embedded deep in his chest.


    "Fuck," David muttered under his breath, feeling his strength drain away.


    He''d poured everything he had into defeating the Rift Boss. There was nothing left to heal himself.


    He was so fucking dead.

 Chapter 33 - B1 33 - Main Rift II

    David lay among dead bodies, soaking in his blood. The Rift Boss'' claws hadn''t disappeared. They remained embedded in his chest, piercing through.


    Another notification popped up from the ID slate, materializing before him as he looked at it through a blur.


    [The Demon-type Rift is expanding. The spawn rate of demons has come to a sudden halt, but the Aether overflow affects the surrounding environment. A connecting link has been detected, spreading the Main Rift''s Aether to maintain and supply the Common Rifts. However, with the clearance of the first Common Rift, the distribution channel has been destroyed.


    To avoid further problems, do NOT clear the remaining Common Rifts! Cripple the Bosses if possible and retreat right away!]


    David had expected the Familia''s emergency notification, but he had hoped for something else. He didn''t know how he came to think the Familia would reward him by healing his cracked Holy Sea, yet that was exactly what David had been hoping for.


    Delusional.


    He cursed himself softly and took matters into his own hands. Despite the crack in the Holy Sea, no message indicating it had sustained too much damage to be used came through, yet. Instead, the Holy Sea continued absorbing the crimson motes and altered Aether in his energy pathways. David tried focusing on his energy pathways to absorb everything a little faster, but his mind wasn''t listening to him. Every mental command felt like someone was stabbing his brain with a searing hot blade.


    The pain was unbearable.


    His breath was rough, and time seemed to trickle slowly. David lost track of time as he struggled to gather enough mental power and energy to use [Cure Wounds]. He glanced at Torb, who had been guiding him; although David couldn''t hear him, he saw the Dwarf''s worried grimace through the blur.


    Worry about yourself, dork!


    David thought before gesturing to Torb, who didn''t look much better, to get started.


    Torb hesitated, but only for a second. He bent down, tearing his wounds open again, and ignored the blood spurting in all directions as his arms coiled around the Rift Boss'' claws. Torb heaved heavily, pulling the Alpha Fang''s claws out of David. When he was done, Torb collapsed to the ground. He didn''t get back up.


    Don''t you dare die!


    David shouted inwardly, feeling far from well himself. A wave of cold washed through his body, his fingers went numb, and his mind threatened to drift away. David didn''t think he had ever been this close to death before. There had been bad times before, especially in the past week, but his current condition was the worst.


    David refused to surrender. He had come too far to give up now. There was no way he''d allow someone to take away his hard-fought freedom. David wouldn''t give up his freedom, whether it was to his parents or death. They could all fuck themselves if they kept trying to control his freedom!


    David endured it. His body screamed in defiance while [Cure Wounds] jumped into action.


    One instance of [Cure Wounds] wasn''t enough to mend his wounds, but the Skill Rune overclocked version was enough to stabilize his condition. Somewhat. David still felt like he might turn into a block of ice at any moment; however, fatigue no longer weighed heavily on him. Death''s beckoning no longer loomed over David.


    David continued using [Cure Wounds] at any possible moment, but he barely remembered what had happened. Everything he did after using [Cure Wounds] the first time had been swallowed by what felt like a long, eerily long, fever dream.


    The only reason he wasn''t panicking and asking how many days or weeks had passed was the countdown of the Horde''s emergence.


    [5H:21M:45S]


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    A little bit more than half an hour had passed. That was not too long, but not too short either. It was the perfect time to heal from a massive hole that went through his chest. David had been lucky the Alpha''s claws hadn''t severed his spine as they pierced through his back. If not for that, the outcome would have been¡­different.


    He closed his eyes and checked his Holy Sea for a moment. The small cracks mended quickly as the energy reservoir consumed the crimson motes while his holy power recuperated slowly. He got up slowly. His legs trembled, and he nearly toppled over. David planted his feet firmly in the ground, gritting his teeth to regain full control of his body.


    The corners of David''s lips tugged upward as he stared down at his body. His clothes were torn into shreds again, drenched in blood, and beautiful new scars were added to his collection. The warm, wet blood all over his body was sickening, and it only took a few moments before the remains of his shirt landed on the bloody battlefield.


    With a smile, he walked over to Torb using [Cure Wounds]. The Dwarf, still breathing, sighed in relief as David''s Skill Rune sprang to life.


    "That was a mess," Torb smiled and tried to get up, but he fell back and winced.


    "[Cure Wounds] isn''t omnipotent. Your body is a mess, Torb. Rest a little bit while you still can," David lectured Torb, his attention diverting to the battlefield, "We survived."


    Melach was still alive, but to David, he looked as though he belonged among the Infected. His eyes were bloodshot, his complexion deadly pale, and he swayed left and right like he was one of the undead.


    "Not everyone survived," The Elf grimaced. He inched closer to David and Torb, but his eyes were glued to their dead allies.


    "Not everyone¡­that''s right," Torb nodded, his gaze fixated on the cloudless sky, "But it''s not our fault. If not for us, nobody would have closed the Rift."


    "And if not for us, the Aether overflow wouldn''t be threatening Arc''s survival either," Melach added sourly.


    "You are such a pessimist," David said, shaking his head in mild frustration. People like Melach were¡­unique and hard to please. They would never be satisfied with anything.


    "If we hadn''t cleared the Rift, someone else would have cleared one of the other Common Rifts. It doesn''t matter who cleared the Rift. What''s important is that we''re alive, even though the Boss was... weird," David added.


    "Are Rift Bosses from Common Rifts always like this?"


    Torb hinted a shrug. "I don''t think I''ve heard of a Rift Boss killing his subordinates before. That''s possible if a Double Rift and the Rift Types spawn two predatory monsters that hate each other to the core. But that wasn''t the case here. The Alpha Fang killed one of its Betas while watching the rest die without making a move."


    "As a Rift Boss, and the leader of a pack, the Alpha Fang must have had some unique abilities related to its pack. Since it killed its own pack, it probably could summon the remnants of power within the recently deceased Fangs. If I''m not mistaken, the Alpha Fang was willing to sacrifice everything to possibly evolve," Melach explained, but the hesitation in the Elf''s voice got to David.


    He''s hiding something.


    "It absorbed those crimson motes to gain strength and¡­evolve?" David asked while studying Melach''s reaction.


    "What crimson motes?" Torb asked. Melach''s features contorted at the same time. He stared right back at David, "You can see them?"


    David nodded, "They emerged after the last Mini-Boss died. The Alpha Fang did something, but I don''t know what exactly it was, and the crimson motes emerged after that. I forgot about them and couldn''t see them until I toppled over a Fang carcass.


    Melach''s expression changed, and he suddenly looked like a researcher on the verge of making a world-changing discovery. David considered telling Melach he could absorb the crimson motes and ask questions about them, but the Elf''s behavior stopped him.


    Fortunately, Torb sat upright before Melach could ask any more questions. He got up while cursing and complaining.


    "I think we should leave soon. I would much rather stay here and recover, but I don''t think it''s safe here."


    They were surrounded by a sea of blood, corpses, and innards, and the commotion they''d caused was not to be underestimated. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nobody could fight anymore. They were beyond exhausted.


    "Let''s leave," David nodded, but Melach shook his head.


    "Why would we leave like this?"


    David wondered if that was really Melach speaking. Had he finally lost his sanity?


    "The Bosses are not looting themselves!"


    Torb''s eyes lit up, "Of course, the loot!"


    Right. They hadn''t been given any rewards for clearing the Fang Den or for slaying the Rift Boss and its underlings.


    Lots of loot was waiting for them!

 Chapter 34 - B1 34 - Clearance Rewards

    As he followed the Dwarf and Elf, David used [Cure Wounds] on himself and Torb whenever possible. Since he had no idea how to loot the Bosses, David watched silently as Melach strode toward them at an agonizingly slow pace. The Elf walked around the first Mini-Boss, his eyes locked on the dead creature.


    After a few seconds, he slowed, and a thin smile blossomed as he picked up a small, gray slate. Melach and Torb made eye contact before the Elf handed Torb the slate. A moment later, Melach turned away to continue his search. He found two crystals sprawled around the other Mini-Bosses.


    "A Skill Slate of [Block] and two Fragments. That''s not too bad." Torb grimaced.


    Melach sighed in exasperation. "It could have been worse, but I wouldn''t say it was worth the near-death experience."


    "What about this then?" David asked, pulling a long dagger ¨C or was it a shortsword? ¨C out of the Alpha Fang''s body.


    Instead of trailing Melach like a duckling, David had approached the Alpha Fang, realizing there was no need for a special looting technique. An eye for detail was all it took ¨C except for locating the dagger.


    It was a beautiful weapon, jutting from the Alpha Fang''s corpse in a way that made it impossible to miss.


    It looked so majestic to David that he struggled to consider it merely a weapon. Its handle was a mixture of vibrant obsidian and onyx, but it wasn''t cold. Quite the contrary. The handle was warm and filled David with a sense of familiarity. David felt like he had been carrying the dagger for decades. The blade was unlike anything he''d seen before. It was flat with two sharp edges and reminded him of a machete with a pointed tip. Yet, while resembling a machete, it also looked like a long dagger.


    The blade, about 30 centimeters long, was made of the same material as its handle. But what surprised David was that the blade wasn''t coated in the Alpha Fang''s fresh blood. Not even a droplet of blood dripped from the blade when he''d pulled it out.


    How weird.


    David didn''t think twice before thrusting the blade back into the Alpha Fang. He twisted the blade easily and retrieved it, only to see it was still clean. The only change was in the blade''s pattern. Initially inconspicuous, it now displayed thin, crimson vein-like lines etched through the obsidian-black material.


    First, they looked beautiful but otherwise useless. It took David a few seconds to note that the crimson veins were pulsating.


    David''s smile widened as he looked at the others, who turned toward him. But their expressions didn''t change; if anything, they looked confused, which left David puzzled in turn.


    Is the weapon worthless? Why aren''t they saying anything?


    David watched as Melach cocked an eyebrow while Torb stroked his beard thoughtfully.


    "What are we supposed to see, buddy?" Torb asked at last.


    Huh? Were they blind?


    David tilted his head and pointed at the dagger. "This dagger, of cour¡ªWait...where did it go? It was here just a moment ago!"


    The blade was nowhere to be seen. David''s gaze darted left and right. He searched everywhere, but the dagger was gone.


    David could still feel the blade, as though it were with him, yet no one else seemed able to see it. A pulse of pain spread through David, and he winced. His Holy Sea was suddenly under a lot of pressure. Something pressed hard on the energy reservoir, making it incredibly difficult to stay connected to it at all times.


    What''s going on?


    He just lost the Alpha Fang''s loot, and now his Holy Sea was acting up? What would happen next? Would his heart explode?


    David closed his eyes and focused, entering his mind space. There, he found the answer to his confusion. The dagger was manifesting beside his Skill Runes. It was merely the symbol of a dark blade, but David could immediately tell that it was the weapon dropped by the Alpha Fang. It appeared in his mind space and connected to the Holy Sea.


    That''s why it is under so much pressure. Establishing a connection strains the Holy Sea¡­


    It was annoying that nobody asked him for permission to connect anything to his Holy Sea, but curiosity almost immediately swallowed his annoyance.


    He opened his eyes as the strain on the Holy Sea eased up and saw Melach and Torb inching closer. They might have called out his name multiple times, but David heard them only now.


    "David?" Torb roared.


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    "I am back," David responded in a hurry, his eyes drifting to a new notification.


    [Obsidian Blade has been bound to the User. Summon it at will to best your enemies!]


    David tilted his head, imagining the Obsidian Blade back in his hand. His intent was crystal clear, and he felt something stir within him.


    The Obsidian Blade materialized in his palm, taking Torb by surprise. The Dwarf exclaimed and stepped back, his face a mix of shock and surprise. David glanced at Melach, who had frozen in place, his gaze fixed on the dagger.


    "Is that a magical armament?" The Elf asked immediately, stepping up to David and reaching for the Obsidian Blade. His eyes trailed across the weapon''s beautiful blade, only for it to disappear when Melach took it. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Obsidian Blade returned to David''s mind space, forcing him to materialize it again.


    "It''s soulbound!" Torb exclaimed. David noticed the gleam in the Dwarf''s eyes, even brighter than Melach''s, as Torb stepped closer to study the weapon in David''s hands.


    "A soulbound weapon drop," Torb murmured. "There are no enchantments on it, but to think something like that would drop from a Common Rift''s boss..." Melach chimed in, "That has to be the first-clearance bonus! It has to be!"


    David couldn''t help but wonder if Melach had lost his mind. But as he glanced at Torb, he noticed that the Dwarf looked just as agitated¡ªand maybe even confused.


    "I guess a soulbound weapon is quite rare," David hesitated. "Nobody can steal it, which is great, but¡­ is that all to a soulbound weapon? I can summon and de-summon it, and nobody can take it away from me¡­"


    He was trying hard not to sound sarcastic. However, David was struggling to understand why Melach and Torb seemed so excited. The Obsidian Blade was nice, but weren''t they a little bit over the top?


    "You don''t understand," Melach muttered, turning to Torb. "He doesn''t understand it."


    "Obviously, I don''t get it," David snorted, "This is my first week in the goddamn integration!"


    Melach''s lips parted, but Torb elbowed the Elf.


    "Soulbound weapons are unique because their strength adapts to the User''s Rank. This dagger will grow alongside you as long as you can nourish it," Torb explained patiently, "And before you ask, I don''t know how you nourish this dagger. Some soulbound weapons need pure Aether, others require special materials, substances, or unique types of energy. You have to search for it independently but don''t be discouraged. It will be worth the effort!"


    David wasn''t discouraged. If anything, his expression lit up as he spun the blade in his hands before piercing it back into the Alpha Fang''s body.


    "I was wondering why the blade wasn''t drenched in blood earlier," David said, pulling a small portion of the blade out to check on the wildly pulsing crimson veins, "Yep. It''s definitely absorbing the Alpha''s blood."


    David left the Obsidian Blade where it was, already planning to experiment with it soon. He had to research how much blood was needed to strengthen the Obsidian Blade and what it meant when a soulbound weapon grew with his Rank increases. Would its sharpness and durability improve with a Rank increase, or was it possible for enchantments to manifest as his rank increased? He had no clue, but the thought of discovering the answer thrilled him.


    "It dropped a Fragment of Blood as well," Torb noted, pointing somewhere behind David. The Dwarf walked over to the corpse''s lower body and retrieved a crimson-colored crystal.


    "It would be best to have enough storage space or time to skin them. The furs of Bronze Bosses are quite valuable," The Dwarf added, patting the dead Alpha Fang before his eyes drifted to the claws and fangs.


    "Are you really going to do this? Didn''t you say that we''re short on time?" Melach frowned deeply.


    Torb waved his hand dismissively, "David''s soulbound weapon needs more time to digest the Bosses'' blood."


    Torb looked at David, "You can probably try nourishing the weapon with the blood of ordinary monsters, but it won''t be as efficient. Furthermore, I''m unsure if absorbing the blood of weak, low-potential creatures will help you. The greater the source of nutrients, the better. Especially if you want your weapon to evolve. The chance of that happening is low, but if you nourish it with the best of the best, it should be feasible."


    Torb shrugged, looking less than certain about what he''d just said. David took his words with a grain of salt, which was probably for the best.


    Torb turned away, retrieved his mace, and smashed the Alpha Fang''s paws, shattering its bones to retrieve the claws. It wasn''t a smooth process, but it was efficient. Torb worked quickly, collected the claws, and turned to the fangs. He retrieved them as well, but the extraction process looked a little bit more complicated there. The Dwarf was more careful not to damage the fangs since they were likely more valuable.


    Torb moved fast, and he finished extracting most claws and fangs intact. Not even ten minutes must have passed before he pushed forward to repeat the same process with the Mini-Bosses.


    David watched Torb work for a few minutes, then turned his attention back to the Obsidian Blade. He retrieved it with a satisfied smile. The crimson veins were thicker, and the blade looked sharper.


    He wanted to test it out, to find out how powerful the Obsidian Blade was and how it would react to [Holy Touch], but the rewards he had forgotten about grounded him back to reality.


    [Rift clearance rewards have been determined. Survivors: Three.]


    [Contribution has been calculated. Distribute rewards!]


    Right. There was that.


    [You contributed greatly to the Fang Den''s clearance.]


    [Your weakest Stat[Soul] has been improved.]


    Low(-)(Basic) ¡ú Low(Basic)


    [Your Skill Runes'' proficiency increased drastically.]


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Iron VII] ¡ú [Iron VIII]


    [One Attribute Point has been added.]

 Chapter 35 - B1 35 - Return

    The clearance reward was a lot to take in. His Holy Sea expanded, and his Skill Runes improved, implanting even more knowledge into his mind.


    His updated status was interesting, to say the least.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Class ¨C Cleric


    Rank ¨C Iron VIII


    Body ¨CMiddle(+)(Basic)


    Mind ¨C Middle(Basic)


    Soul ¨C Low(Basic)


    [Skill Runes]


    [Cure Wounds] ¨C [Tier-0 VIII]


    [Cleanse] ¨C [Tier-0 IV]


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 VI]


    [Bless] - [Tier-0 V]


    Attribute Points ¨C 1


    All Skill Runes leveled up, some even twice. Not too bad.


    The surprise on Melach and Torb''s faces was evident. Their growth must have been substantial as well. Everyone was happy, but Melach winced again.


    "We only got this much because everyone else died. Their contribution to the battle was given to us."


    David''s face distorted in mild frustration. He didn''t know if that was true or not, but it wasn''t like they could revive the dead.


    Why didn''t the dead rise as Infected? Some of them have been humans.


    At the beginning of the integration, death alone had been enough to cause a transformation into an undead Infected. That didn''t seem to be the case anymore. David wondered if their bodies had developed a resistance to Aether, which, according to Melach''s theory, could make becoming Infected more difficult. Or was it a proven fact? David couldn''t tell.


    A sudden roar resounding in the vicinity surprised the group. Torb stopped scavenging everything of value while Melach scanned the surroundings.


    "Should we leave?" David proposed. There was no need to linger around any longer. The Rift was closed, and they had only a few hours to prepare everything required to stop the inevitable emergence of the Demon Horde.


    "That sounds like a plan," Torb said, though his eyes stayed fixed on the shield.


    Even though his shield hadn''t been destroyed, it was barely usable at this point. The Alpha Fang had marked the shield more than once.


    "We can replace your shield," Melach patted Torb''s back. He consoled the Dwarf even though it looked like the Elf needed someone to do the same to him. David shook his head at the unlike duo.


    Melach hardly knew these people, but he was acting as though he''d lost a loved one. Is that normal¡­ or is it odd not to feel like that?


    After everything he''d experienced, death no longer felt abstract. No one wanted to die, but it was becoming a regular occurrence. The Earthen Union had changed, and countless deadly challenges awaited them. Would Melach react like this every time an ally fell?


    David tried not to show his confusion, but the Elf must have noticed something. His expression shifted to anger, then defeat. He didn''t say anything to David. However, Melach walked up to their dead allies to collect their ID slates before he joined the others.


    The Elf remained silent on the short journey back to Arc.


    Torb and David didn''t have much to say either. Torb sulked. He might have collected a bunch of valuable fangs and claws, but David couldn''t tell if they would earn them enough to purchase a new shield. Meanwhile, David was caught in his own world of thoughts.


    The Obsidian Blade rested in his mind space, revolving around the Holy Sea with a thin crimson thread connecting them.


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    The thread wasn''t visible before. Is that another effect of the nourishment, or did it take a while for the connection to stabilize?


    Absorbing the Alpha Fang''s blood should have played a crucial role, but that was just a theory. David had yet to find hard proof.


    He shrugged inwardly. He was happy with his soulbound weapon, whether there was evidence to prove some theories or not. It hardly changed some hard facts: David had acquired a soulbound weapon, which could be nurtured with blood.


    A lot more thoughts flashed through David''s mind on their way back to the Sanctuary. Most were related to the upcoming challenge. His Skill Runes and Rank increased a lot today, but something felt odd.


    Everywhere he went, death seemed to follow like a shadow. The chaos of it all felt almost too familiar, creeping up on him in every new place. How long had it even been since he''d met Torb and Melach? Two hours?


    Too many doubts plagued his mind. It took him a while to realize they were already close to Arc and that Torb was talking to him.


    "David? Are you listening?"


    David jolted, and his head flicked to the Dwarf. He was searching for an excuse, but Torb waved dismissively.


    "No need to make excuses, it''s fine," the Dwarf said with a smile. "Anyway, we were talking about the loot distribution."


    What about it? I got the Obsidian Blade, and you guys can split the rest." David shrugged. The Obsidian Blade was probably dozens of times more valuable than some Fragments or a Skill Slate.


    "Don''t be like that. It''s not like the Obsidian Blade would bond with a Mage or a Shield Warrior of Fortress."


    Torb chuckled as Melach raised an eyebrow. "And bonding with a Cleric makes sense to you?"


    "Right. I forgot he''s a Cleric," Torb replied as if a lightbulb had switched on in his mind. "He is a bloody Cleric, though. The Obsidian Blade must have sensed that, or the bond wouldn''t have worked. It doesn''t really matter. You found the blade first, and it wasn''t like you knew what was about to happen."


    Melach stepped forward, "You''re talking too much, Torb."


    "We''re trying to say that Torb doesn''t want to take more than the Skill Slate of [Block] and some of the fangs and claws he''s scavenged. I, on the other hand, won''t touch the Fragment of Blood. It feels¡­"


    Melach shuddered, looking like a mere thought about the Fragment of Blood was enough to disgust him.


    "So you want me to take the Fragment of Blood and do what I want with it?" David asked.


    "You can take the Fragment of Blood," Torb added before reluctantly adding, "And a small share of the profit made from selling the claws and fangs. After I purchase a new shield."


    "Don''t bother. Purchase a good shield and maybe some plated armor. Or, at the very least, buy some leather armor," David snickered. A Shield Warrior without armor was suicidal. Then again, he didn''t have armor either. At this point, David didn''t even possess a shirt. All of them had been torn to shreds and drenched in blood ¨C mostly his blood.


    "Are you sure?" Torb asked, his eyes glimmering.


    David didn''t want to jump to conclusions, but Torb''s deference made him wonder if the Dwarf considered him the group''s leader. Melach wasn''t like that, yet the Elf didn''t interfere either.


    "If you sell the Skill Slate and the Bosses'' fangs and claws, you should be able to buy some good gear. Improve your equipment as much as possible," David said. "Every bit helps."


    "I won''t sell the Skill Slate, but you''re right. The more protection I have, the higher is my chance at survival."


    "Why won''t you sell the Skill Slate? You already have [Block], or am I missing something?" David tilted his head.


    Arc''s outskirts came into view. The Sanctuary stood in full glory, one of the few safe hideouts. Though it wouldn''t be safe for long.


    "[Block] is about to reach its limit as a Tierless Skill Rune, so I will nourish my Skill Rune with the [Block] Skill Slate. It might be enough to push [Block] to Tier-1."


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    If you''re filthy rich, you can purchase as many common Skill Slates as you want. That''s how you push one Skill Rune to Tier-1, maybe even Tier-2, without ever using the Skill Rune.


    David snorted at the thought but smiled at Torb, "It''d be great if you could push [Block] to the 1st Tier. [Holy Touch] is incredibly powerful, so if [Block] grows to similar heights, it would increase everyone''s chances at surviving this mess."


    They reached Arc, where they met one guard. Melach asked the guard something as they flashed their ID slates, but they proceeded without saying anything.


    Arc''s streets weren''t as crowded as they used to be. After a few hours, everything was bustling with life. Now, all David could see was a few merchants in the market square and a bunch of Protectors preparing for war.


    "Apparently, the guards are deployed to the northern part of the Sanctuary to prepare the perimeters for the Demon Horde," Melach mentioned as they reached Arc''s center, "And the Familia seems to be handing out potions."


    "Are we talking about the same stingy Familia?" Torb asked, earning a deadly glare from the Elf. "Alright, Alright. Calm down. I was just joking."


    The way Torb said it made it clear he wasn''t really joking.


    "Whatever. Whatever. We''ll get some potions, and we should be able to negotiate some good deals with the merchants. No matter how greedy these bastards are, they cannot leave the System Sanctuary easily. Not without breaking their contracts, which would cost a lot more than giving the Protectors some nice discounts. And since they don''t want to die¡­" Melach didn''t finish his sentence, but David got the gist of it.


    He burst into a vibrant smile, and so did Torb. They looked at each other, their smiles slowly transforming into devious grimaces.


    "Let''s extort some merchants!"

 Chapter 36 - B1 36 - Loan

    They split up. Melach said he had something to do and left, but David noticed something odd. The elf had been acting strangely since their return to Arc. His face turned as he muttered something in the elven tongue, and David couldn''t quite grasp what was happening. Maybe it was just one of Melach''s weird antics.


    But upon closer scrutiny, he noticed Melach''s hand lingering near the pouch with the Fragments as he walked away.


    David''s gaze drifted to the dwarf, who shook his head. He must have noticed, too, "That guy is as crazy as you are."


    "I don''t understand," David said, tilting his head.


    "You don''t have to. Just know that he''s better at hiding his weirdness than you," Torb snorted and retrieved the crimson Fragment of Blood. It twinkled beautifully in the early afternoon sun before settling into David''s hands.


    "I have a few merchants to deal with," Torb said, his expression shifting slightly as the corners of his lips curled upward.


    Torb really loves money. Then again...who wouldn''t?


    David chuckled. "Go ahead. But don''t forget to use the Skill Slate."


    Torb waved and disappeared into the stream of fellow Warriors and Protectors.


    It was blissful to be alone again. He liked Torb and Melach, but they were different. David couldn''t help wondering what might happen if the Pantheon ever decided to move against the Earthen Union''s natives. He had no reason to think that would happen, but then again, he never thought the Earthen Union would change as it had. It seemed like a valid point to keep in mind.


    Organizing his thoughts, David began searching for a food stall. Following the mouthwatering scent of juicy meat wafting through the air, he found a suitable option within a few minutes. A dwarven woman managed the stall, selling gray bread¡ªlarge loaves that resembled hard and crunchy stones¡ªand skewers of meat from an unknown source. Both the skewers and the bread looked as unusual as they sounded, but David trusted his Skill Runes to guide him in trying unfamiliar foods. He had [Cleanse] and [Cure Wounds] to tend to food poisoning and worse if needed.


    The dwarven woman bustling behind the stall wasn''t very talkative, but David caught her sneaking glances at his well-trained physique. His chest, still bare, wouldn''t be covered anytime soon. Clothes that would only be ripped to shreds in a few hours seemed pointless, though he felt a bit weird walking around half-naked.


    Devouring the first meat skewer, David was pleased to find no food poisoning notification. Encouraged, he continued eating. The meat was as juicy as expected, tender enough to melt on his tongue. The bread surprised him even more; instead of biting into the hard texture its appearance suggested, he found it fluffy and light, almost like a cloud.


    That''s worth the money. Three Iron is nothing for such a feast!


    Satisfied, David could have left the stall, but he stayed, eavesdropping on the men and women around him. Their gossip was interesting.


    "Is everyone too afraid to kill the Mini-Boss of the Demon Rift?" a young human man cursed. "We should have killed it. Why leave it alive until the Horde comes for us?"


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    David glanced toward the group seated near the stall. Only one was human¡ªthe speaker¡ªwhile the others were dwarves.


    "We''ve told you this often enough, Sven," one dwarf said, his expression tense. "There was no way to defeat the Mini-Boss without getting contaminated by the Rift. What do you think would''ve happened if we fought the Demon near a Rift spewing demonic Aether? You''d have been the first to drop dead. Don''t look at me like that, Sven! You''re a human and a Mage. Your natural resistance is worthless."


    From the looks of it, Sven didn''t like that answer. He jumped to his feet, slammed his hands on the wooden table, and stormed off.


    What a drama queen.


    "What are we doing about him?" another dwarf asked.


    "What is there to do?" the first dwarf responded with a shrug. "Sven is a lost cause. The Horde is forming, and he''s whining like a child. Defeating the Mini-Boss would''ve been great, but it''s not worth the risk."


    "If the others hadn''t retreated, we would''ve killed it," a third dwarf muttered, but the first silenced him.


    "It doesn''t matter. We''re alive, and we can kill demons by the hundreds later."


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    David felt a sudden shift in the tension at that. The atmosphere appeared soured following the dwarf''s words, sinking into something beyond normal gloominess. It was as if death''s grip had already tightened around their necks. David, on the other hand, smiled through the bleakness. Encountering demons and fighting them head-on sounded exhilarating. A Horde? That was even better.


    The combination transformed the thought into something irresistible¡ªa bloody feast of endless slaughter against demonic creatures. There was no way he could feel gloomy about that. He was thrilled, the memory of his earlier near-death experiences already fading.


    But he was probably alone in his excitement. Everyone else seemed to be struggling to accept that their lives would constantly hang by a thread once the Horde emerged, with no guarantee of survival¡ªnot even for Arc itself. That was only logical. David knew he should also feel like that ¨C but he didn''t. The looming uncertainty spreading through the bustling streets never reached him.


    As the gossip died down, David left the stall. He passed the Panthea, which now overflowed with people. A few hours ago, it had been much quieter, but it seemed that a few Rifts, a Horde of demons, and imminent death were great motivators for people to start praying.


    Relying on someone else for your survival seems like a foolish way to live.


    David trusted the Pantheon as far as he could throw them. As long as Arc benefitted them, perhaps they might intervene. But if that were the case, why hadn''t they acted already? He wasn''t sure if the gods had any plan¡ªor if they even cared¡ªbut one thing was certain: he wouldn''t rely on them for anything.


    He reached the Familia in no time, seeing it was crowded. That suited him just fine. Everyone in the Familia had picked a Class and could inflict some damage on the Horde. They were allies, but many of them¡ªperhaps most¡ªwould probably die before his eyes.


    "How may I help you?" a young elven woman asked as he approached the reception desk. "Do you need serums or potions, or do you want to take out a loan?"


    A loan? David blinked, caught off guard.


    The young woman chuckled lightly at his expression. It was the first time he''d seen someone in such a light mood despite the dire times. He liked her.


    "You can take out a loan and repay it by slaying demons and other creatures from the Rifts," she explained. "The other Rifts may also stir trouble when the Horde descends, which is why they''re included in that calculation. However, if you die without killing enough Rift creatures, the Lords of the Familia will take back what they loaned¡ªby force. With interest, of course."


    No matter how David looked at it, the whole arrangement felt underhanded. He wanted to ask about the interest but could already imagine what it might be. What else was there to take from a penniless, dead man but his soul?


    "Is it possible to include kills from previous fights?" David inquired.


    "Your ID slate counts every creature you''ve killed since you acquired it. However, only the monsters of the four Rifts will be added to the repayment plan," the receptionist clarified.


    Before David could say more, a stout, middle-aged human interrupted, his voice loud and bitter. "Does that mean the bastard who took down the Common Rift can claim a loan and doesn''t even have to pay it back?"


    David glanced at the man, keeping silent. He wondered if this person realized one of the people who''d cleared the Common Rift was standing right beside him.


    "That bastard took down everything!" the man continued, voice rising. "He killed the Mini-Bosses like they were made of paper and didn''t leave us a single ordinary monster to kill. We couldn''t even finish off the Rift Boss, and it was lying there before us! That lanky-ass bastard crippled it and just left us behind¡­"


    David''s eyebrows rose. The man wasn''t talking about him¡ªhe was talking about someone else.


    "We fought alongside him. That means we contributed to the fight! It should be enough to apply for one of the better loans, right?" There was desperation in the man''s voice, but David didn''t dwell on it.


    The receptionist, however, seemed unimpressed. "Where is that guy?" she asked dryly.


    It was a good question. If someone capable of clearing a Common Rift alone stood by their side against the Horde, the Protectors'' morale would skyrocket.


    "How the hell am I supposed to know?" the man snapped. "He took care of the Bosses and said something about someone or something missing. I don''t remember." He waved dismissively. "So, can I get a loan now or not?"


    Useless idiot.


    The unknown powerhouse sounded like a formidable ally, someone worth fighting alongside¡ªand against, someday. David wondered what it felt like to fight other humans. Was it as exhilarating as fighting monsters?


    "How may I help you?" the elven woman asked again, pulling him from his thoughts.


    With a smile, David retrieved his ID slate. "I''d like to take out a loan without that repayment nonsense. I ain''t selling my soul or anything like that."


    The receptionist accepted the slate with a professional smile and started working. From her expression, it seemed she either hadn''t registered his words or didn''t take him seriously. Maybe it was a bit of both. David didn''t mind. He studied her as her complexion slowly changed.


    "T-This¡­" She glanced at him, her cheeks turning red, "Congratulations on clearing the Common Rift, Fang Den"


    She pointed a small bow at him and added, "I''ll proceed with the loan right away."


    "No repayment," David reminded her sternly.


    "Of course, sir. Your act of service is more than enough!" she assured him.


    David felt the elven woman was exaggerating, but he wasn''t about to complain about extra money. Every Bronze slate would help him prepare for the inevitable battle against the Horde of demons.

 Chapter 37 - B1 37 - On the House

    A tinkling pouch landed on the wooden counter before David.


    "You may take on a higher loan using your earlier eliminations as a deposit, sir." The elven receptionist repeated, looking into his eyes, "But since you do not wish to take on the risk of repaying the interest rate, this is all the Familia can offer."


    David''s eyes narrowed. Even though he wasn''t good at scheming and hated politics, he could sense that something was off with the receptionist. She wore a good poker face, but something in her tone struck him as odd¡ªwas it displeasure or even fear?


    She hadn''t seemed afraid of the Horde before. What changed?


    Maybe he was reading too much into it. It was not like he was all-knowing.


    He reached for the pouch and looked inside, revealing one Silver slate and dozens of Bronze slates. That was a small fortune, but it drastically increased David''s wealth.


    Killing the Alpha Fang was worth it.


    "Can I help you with something else, sir?" The receptionist inquired. "The Familia offers free potions and serums to those brave warriors willing to face the Horde head-on."


    "What''s the difference?" David cocked an eyebrow.


    "The difference between a serum and potions? Serums are known to be more potent than ordinary potions. However, you may only consume three doses of serum a day. Even consuming this many doses of serum will harm your body and harm you in ways you cannot imagine once the effective period wears off. Potions are less potent, some say impure, but you can use more than a dozen potions before your body cannot take any more."


    David nodded understandingly. Serums seemed more dangerous, but they sounded like battle stimulants. An enhancement drug that would help you through the day. Either you would survive the Horde and feel like shit, one way or another, or you died fighting, and the aftermath of using too many serum doses wouldn''t matter. The dead didn''t care about drugs


    "What serums are there, and how many can I get?"


    "Because of your accomplishment, the Familia can give you two serums or six potions on the house. If you wish to purchase more goods, you will have to pay three Bronze for every serum and one Bronze per potion."


    That was a lot more than David had expected. One Bronze was the equivalent of 100 Iron, enough to feed him with street food for an entire month and give him shelter for 10 days.


    Looks like the Familia''s investing in Arc''s survival if they''re willing to arm every fighter with potions and serum.


    "Unfortunately, we have only a few serums in Arc. The most popular serum is the Healing Serum. It fills your body with vigor and a unique mixture that ensures survival in grievous situations. It puts a heavy toll on your body but will save your life when you''re on the brink of death," The receptionist explained.


    David listened intently but discarded the Healing Serum almost immediately. It didn''t sound bad, but David could heal himself.


    "The second serum is called Recovery Serum. It amplifies your natural recovery drastically. That includes health, stamina, and natural energy recovery. Since we do not know how big the Horde will be or how long the fight will last, we recommend you pick the Recovery Serum," She said, sounding sincere, "Last but not least, we have the Mental Fortitude Serum. It amplifies your mental fortitude like the name suggests, but it refreshes your used-up mental power and lessens the mental exhaustion of Skill Rune applications."


    He didn''t have to weigh his options for long: the choice was obvious.


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    "Give me three Mental Fortitude Serums, one Recovery Serum, and one Health Serum," David retrieved nine Bronze slates and slid them across the counter.


    It was a steep investment, but spending a fortune on his survival seemed worth it.


    The Healing Serum initially seemed like a waste, yet having a trump card up to his sleeves couldn''t be bad. Even if his Holy Sea was dry and damaged, David could heal from grievous wounds using the Healing Serum.


    The receptionist didn''t move for a moment. Her lips parted, but they closed a moment later. She walked away and returned with a black leather belt. The belt had several pouches, loops, and small compartments filled with five glass vials that glimmered vibrantly: three filled with purple liquid, one with a bluish-green liquid, and the last looked like blood.


    "The Alchemy Belt is on the house," the receptionist hinted at a smile as she handed him the belt. "Be careful out there, and make sure the vials don''t break. They''re not easy to break, but that doesn''t mean it''s impossible."


    David thanked the receptionist and buckled the Alchemy Belt. Once that was done, he was ready to leave.


    Entering the Familia was a good move.


    He learned something about an unknown powerhouse strong enough to easily cripple a Rift Boss, if the desperate man could be trusted, he was generously paid for clearing the Fang Den, even if it was under the cover of a loan, and he received some freebies.


    Satisfied with himself, David returned to the market square. This time he wasn''t on the hunt for good food.


    There weren''t as many merchants conducting business compared to a few hours earlier, but that was fine. He searched for an anxious merchant who had the means to pay for his survival with a disgustingly high discount. Anxious but wealthy. That was his next target.


    He strolled through the market square for a while, his eyes darting in all directions, and talked to two potential candidates, but they weren''t suitable. They moved restlessly, their expressions twisted in what looked to David like fear and uncertainty about the future, yet they remained true to their business-minded hearts. The merchants negotiated close to half an hour with David before they told him to leave.


    ''Telling him to leave'' might have been too nice. They cursed at him, tried spitting on his boots, and told him to get ripped to shreds. It was an interesting experience. At least he''d learned a lot.


    The third time felt like a charm. David found a young elven man, a merchant, who was packing up. He rummaged through his stuff, said something in what David presumed to be curses in the elven tongue, and walked around mindlessly. The man fumbled and muttered, looking as overwhelmed as David hoped.


    His eyes were dim, not lifeless, but as if they lacked the luster of vibrant life. The young elf''s short golden hair and pale, anxious expression made David think he might be the incarnation of anxiety.


    David approached the merchant while the elf hurried to pack his belongings.


    "Good afternoon. Is your shop still open, or are you done for the day?" he asked with a polite smile


    "Good? What in Yggdrasil''s rotten roots is good about this afternoon?" the merchant barked.


    "The afternoon could be worse," David shrugged, "Are you still open or not?"


    "Fool. Don''t tell me you''re happy with everything happening to Arc? A rotten Horde is on the way to obliterate Arc and everyone stupid enough to stay here," The merchant''s snarky commentary didn''t faze David. "And no. I am not open anymore. Unlike those other fools, I will pack up and leave this godforsaken place. Paying a rotten penalty fee is still much better than dying here!" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I heard the penalty fee is exorbitant. You must be a more competent merchant than you look like," David said lightly, but the elf must have noticed the mockery in his voice.


    "What do you want, brat? Are you trying to provoke me? Do you want to die even before the Horde can get to you?"


    "Die? I am not going to die," David smiled confidently while lifting his right hand. He summoned the Obsidian Blade in it and played with the soulbound blade, "These Rifts are quite valuable. It wasn''t easy to clear one, but the rewards are quite nice."


    The merchant froze, his eyes lingering on the black blade, just as David had hoped. David saw a glimmer of life return to the merchant''s eyes as the elf''s mind began turning right on cue. The Obsidian Blade disappeared a moment later. It achieved the desired effect and could return to the mind space.


    The merchant''s eyes had been glued to the weapon, but it didn''t take long before his attention diverted to David.


    The merchant''s tone shifted, all business-like, "You didn''t come here to show off. What do you want from me?"


    The corner of David''s lips tugged upward. The elf took his bait.


    "Are you up for a gamble?"

 Chapter 38 - B1 38 - Deal

    "You''re nuts," muttered Elion, the young elven merchant. "I am nuts!"


    David smiled, satisfied as Elion finally relented after their tense exchange. He had expected the negotiation to be tougher, but it could barely be considered a minor challenge to convince Elion compared to the rest. The elf''s business instincts prevailed, just as David had hoped.


    Revealing his ID slate as proof of his Rift Boss kill, showcasing the power of [Holy Touch], and materializing his soulbound weapon had all steered the discussion in his favor. David had argued that supporting him and other combatants could boost Elion''s reputation across Arc¡ªa point the elf seemed to grasp.


    Elion nodded in apparent agreement but downplayed the value of reputation, reminding David that it wouldn''t matter if Arc ceased to exist. Convincing the elf to stay and support Arc rather than abandoning the Sanctuary had been the real challenge.


    If Elion left, his reputation was bound to crumble, and he''d also face a steep fee for breaking his contract with the Pantheon. His relationship with the gods would certainly suffer, and they were unlikely to do business with him in the future. Still, Elion had made it clear he could live with that.


    Regardless, the pained expression on Elion''s face revealed his inner struggle. David guessed that, for the merchant, survival came first, closely followed by profit. Elion had repeated that sentiment often enough for David to understand his priorities.


    "You don''t have to hand out your goods for free, but what about giving me a nice discount? You could do the same for others if you''d like to strengthen Arc''s defenses," David suggested, sensing an opportunity to strike.


    Elion opened his mouth to respond, but David gestured for him to stop. "Listen to what I have to say first, please."


    The elf''s cheeks reddened slightly, but he nodded, complying with David''s request.


    "Since you''re willing to sacrifice everything to survive, why not offer discounts to earn everyone''s favor? Selling your goods at a small profit could strengthen your reputation across Arc. You wouldn''t make much money, but the benefits outweigh the downsides."


    David wasn''t naturally a schemer, but his words seemed to work. He watched Elion''s expression shift, realization dawning as the merchant weighed the risks.


    The downsides of leaving were enormous¡ªsurvival would be his only gain, and there would be no return after abandoning the Pantheon. David could only guess whether all elven families were as obsessed with pride and legacy as Melach''s, but if they were, Elion faced exile and his family''s disapproval. He would lose most of his wealth to pay the penalty fee for breaking his contract, and his future prospects would be bleak.


    Elion caught David''s gaze and gave a slight nod, a reluctant acknowledgment of the plan''s appeal.


    "You''re a sly fox," muttered Elion.


    David shrugged. "I''m merely a human."


    Elion snorted. "Don''t even think about getting anything for free. I''m leaving with profit today!"


    "Yes, yes." David waved dismissively. "Get your stuff out and show me your treasures!"


    Elion cursed under his breath but complied, unpacking his goods.


    "Do you want to create a sign to provoke the other merchants?" David asked lightly. "Maybe you can push them to lower their prices too."


    David didn''t expect much, but Elion nodded after a moment, his expression flickering between frustration and satisfaction as he eyed the other merchants.


    He doesn''t want to become friends, David thought. That is understandable¡ªno sane merchant would want to be around someone threatening their revenue.


    He shrugged. There was no need to become Elion''s friend. If they survived the day, that would be more than enough.


    "So, what do we have here?" he muttered, rubbing his hands eagerly as Elion retrieved his goods.


    After a few minutes, the stall was set up again, and dozens of valuable items were spread across the wide-open space. A sign was placed prominently:


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Are you brave enough to fight the Horde, but your equipment is lacking?


    Visit my humble shop and upgrade your equipment.


    Mass Discount for all brave warriors! Horde Discount! Special Event!


    David thought the sign was over the top, but it seemed to do the trick.


    A handful of restless-looking Protectors saw the sign and approached the stall. Even Protectors fiercely negotiating with other merchants began to take notice as more "brave warriors" inched closer to the stall boasting discounted goods.


    David smiled in satisfaction. His move was bound to change something. It would have been worth it, even if he had no money to make purchases. Still, David was happy his pouch was full.


    The more combatants upgraded their gear, the stronger their combat prowess¡ªand everyone''s chances of survival rose with each new piece of equipment. The tactic was similar to the Familia''s attempts with serums and potions.


    Equipment might not be everything, but it was one of the easiest ways to significantly enhance combat prowess.


    "I''m not sure what the other merchants will say to this," Elion muttered, "but the Familia might take notice. Maybe they''ll even reward us if this helps!"


    David didn''t know enough about the Familia to comment. Instead, he focused on the merchants'' reactions.


    Some merchants still glared at Elion, while others seemed to be working on their signs to attract more customers. A few merchants froze, their expressions twisted in anger as they stared at Elion. David paid them little attention. Instead, he was intrigued by a handful of merchants who started smiling.


    Did they finally realize that taking a small loss now might save everyone later? S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You were planning to buy something. What do you need? I don''t have many pieces of armor. Most of it is plated¡ªnice to protect your body, but quite heavy¡ªand I doubt you''re looking for something like that," Elion said, pocketing the money he''d just earned from a trade.


    David watched the elf turn away from some customers and noticed a subtle shift in Elion''s posture. He seemed just a touch more relaxed, though David couldn''t pinpoint why.


    "I have various Basic Skill Slates, some starter gear¡ªwhich you probably won''t need¡ªand some better weapons that would pair well with the bound weapon. Dual-wielding daggers could work well, or perhaps a shortsword or saber paired with your obsidian-colored blade."


    "You think I''m a Warrior?" David asked smugly.


    He smiled as Elion looked him over from head to toe. "You''re not a Warrior?"


    "Do you have the starter gear for Clerics? I don''t know what they usually get, but I want one of those," David answered instead.


    Elion squinted, his gaze sharp and skeptical. "Are you kidding me? You cannot be a Cleric!"


    David shrugged. "Do you have it or not?"


    "I do¡­" Elion turned and returned with a small amulet made of an unfamiliar white metal that radiated holy power. "You can stop joking."


    "How much is it?" David ignored Elion''s questions.


    "I can give it to you for free if you tell me your actual Class," the merchant replied, looking like he didn''t belief a single word.


    David thought this was overkill, especially since Elion should already be aware of his Class. He had coated his hand in [Holy Touch] earlier but did it again anyway, "I showed you earlier. Isn''t your kind known for a high affinity toward magic and spirits? Holy power should be classified somewhere close."


    Elion''s eyes widened briefly before his face tightened with displeasure.


    Did he finally realize his mistake?


    "I''m a Cleric," David chuckled and pointed at the Cleric Amulet. "And that is mine now."


    Elion muttered something under his breath but handed over the Cleric Amulet as promised.


    David put it on and inserted his holy power. The holy power coursed through the amulet once and returned to him without doing anything. The amulet didn''t start glowing or exploding. However, while there didn''t seem to be an immediate effect, David perceived something else. It was a subtle change, but he could feel it clearly.


    The holy power flowing through the Cleric Amulet was noticeably easier to control.


    That would have been much better to have at the start of the integration, David noted.


    Then again, having to adapt quickly had helped David master holy power faster. If he''d had the Cleric Amulet from the start, maybe he wouldn''t have come this far.


    It could have ended differently, but David wasn''t mad that he''d started without gear. Perhaps it had been for the best.


    He cleared his throat and smiled mischievously at Elion.


    "There are a few things I want to buy," he said, licking his lips. "You''re selling me your goods at your purchase price. Right?"


    Elion''s eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. "I need to make some¡ª"


    "Right?" David leaned forward slightly, the energy of his holy power intensifying as a subtle aura radiated outward.


    "I hate you," Elion cursed under his breath.


    "I love you too."

 Chapter 39 - B1 39 - Beckoning of Darkai

    Thin tendrils of holy power seeped from the Skill Slates, curling toward David. He watched closely as the dimly glowing energy coated his hands before entering his body. The foreign holy power spread slowly, winding through his energy pathways, which squirmed under its influence. The energy circulated several times before settling near his Holy Sea.


    Some tendrils sought out his existing Skill Runes, merging with and nourishing them. Simultaneously, others intertwined, compressed, and began engraving new Skill Runes beside the old ones. Closing his eyes to follow the process, David found it both slow and intricate, with multiple steps occurring simultaneously. Yet, everything felt right. The new Runes'' forms gradually stabilized as the loose tendrils aligned with their most compatible Rune.


    Minutes dragged on until the stream of energy finally ceased. David opened his eyes to see the Skill Slates now dull and lifeless, their infused intent fully expended. They were empty husks.


    "That took a while," Elion grumbled, snatching up the three slates with barely concealed irritation. His glare lingered on David, sharp and unrelenting.


    David shrugged, unfazed. He understood the merchant''s anger¡ªwho wouldn''t be upset after being forced to sell three Skill Slates at a 50% discount? Truthfully, David had originally tried to buy four for one Silver and 40 Bronze, but Elion''s murderous expression had quickly made him reconsider. After some tense negotiation, he''d settled on three Skill Slates at an even steeper discount.


    The hard-fought deal had nearly sparked a blood feud, but it left David with five Bronze and plenty of Iron to stock up on other supplies. A fair trade, given the gains from the slates.


    "I''m not in a rush," David said with a shrug, his eyes drifting toward the notifications flashing in his peripheral vision.


    [Skill Slate [Cure Wounds] has been successfully absorbed.]


    [Tier-0 VIII] ¡ú [Tier-0 IX]


    [Skill Rune has been successfully bound.]


    [Shield of Faith ¨C Tier-0 I]


    [Skill Rune has been successfully bound.]


    [Oasis of Harmony ¨C Tier-0 I]


    A thin smile spread across David''s face as streams of information about the new Skill Runes flooded his mind. The influx felt like someone was attempting to shove massive tomes into his already crammed brain. It wasn''t exactly painful, but the discomfort gnawed at him. David groaned, the pressure making him feel as though his head might burst.


    He stood still, blocking other customers as he focused entirely on digesting the new information. It took time, but he unraveled the secrets of the new Runes bit by bit.


    Both new Runes intrigued him, though neither was an attack-type Skill.


    [Shield of Faith] created a protective shield around a target¡ªa solid defensive option, especially when paired with [Bless]. David nodded in approval. It was a reliable addition to his arsenal.


    [Oasis of Harmony] was another matter entirely. Cheap for a reason, it decreased the target''s appeal to hostile creatures. It likely wouldn''t be much use in the heat of battle¡ªan enemy wouldn''t just stop attacking someone mid-swing. David doubted it worked like that. However, the Skill Rune''s potential couldn''t be dismissed outright. Testing would reveal its limitations, but in the worst-case scenario, the target might need to disengage from combat to make it effective.


    Even so, David saw its value. If he could influence enemy aggression, it would give him a strategic edge¡ªa step closer to controlling the battlefield.


    Once the streams of information settled in his mind, David turned his attention to practical matters. He purchased a sturdy pair of black boots crafted from hardened monster leather and reinforced with thin metal plates. Stylish yet durable, they would steady his footing and protect his feet and ankles from serious injury.


    Sure, he could heal most wounds, but losing a foot on the battlefield wasn''t a risk he wanted to take.


    David considered checking other shops for armor. Elion''s aggressive discounts had forced competitors to lower their prices¡ªthough not as steeply¡ªbut he ultimately decided against it. He planned to rely on his Skill Runes for protection instead. [Shield of Faith] could outperform ordinary armor once he ranked it up.


    A quick glance at the countdown reminded him there were less than four hours left until the Horde spawned. It wasn''t enough time for extensive training, but he could make use of it. The Recovery Serum in his possession would help mitigate fatigue.


    Still, he needed training partners¡ªor stronger opponents¡ªto make the most of it.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    There would likely be a bunch of stronger Infected near Arc¡­


    It was worth a try.


    ***


    [0H:04M:35S]


    "That was a pain in the ass," David grumbled in mild frustration as he stumbled back into the Sanctuary. He didn''t see any guards on the outskirts, but that wasn''t surprising. Nobody was there. The outskirts of the System Sanctuary had been abandoned¡ªtemporarily, at least.


    Arc''s residents had been given shelter in the market square and its surroundings, reducing the area the guards had to protect at Arc''s center. That worked well enough, but the market square was crammed, filled with curses, complaints, and shouts that reached his ears.


    Nobody was talking to him, which was probably for the best. He wasn''t the right person to console the residents. If anything, he would probably make everything worse even if he tried.


    Some cried, bawling their eyes out. Others complained about their situation. Mostdidn''t believe they could survive, frightened and certain that this was their last day alive. No one wanted to die, but their actions didn''t help anyone. If anything, their behavior made the guards'' lives harder. The complaints, curses, and screams only added to the chaos.


    The Horde had yet to emerge, but chaos had already seized control of the System Sanctuary.


    David turned toward the market square to check on the other combatants when a shout from his left caught his attention.


    "If you''re looking for the others, they''re outside. The Familia established a small camp behind Arc''s northern exit," the guard said, gesturing northward.


    "Thanks," David replied, waving goodbye as he departed immediately.


    Jogging lightly, he released traces of [Holy Touch], drawing in the surrounding Aether. His pores opened, absorbing it into his energy pathways. It wasn''t perfect¡ªmost of the Aether in his pathways had already been annexed¡ªbut the lingering effects of the Recovery Serum helped sustain him.


    The Recovery Serum still lingered in his system, steady and potent. Even after three hours, it showed no signs of fading, much to his surprise.


    David reached the northern exit shortly. His eyes scanned the makeshift camp ahead, taking in the situation.


    Some hasty defenses had been set up, though they wouldn''t last long. Pressing his lips together, he squinted and began counting the fighters scattered across the area.


    Probably over a hundred, but certainly less than three hundred. Will that be enough?


    "Common Rifts usually summon a few Mini-Bosses, stronger monsters, and a constant stream of ordinary creatures," David murmured. "The Fang Den wasn''t open for long, but there were close to 100 ordinary monsters. Compared to that¡­ no demons have spawned for several hours. There should be¡ª"


    "You cannot calculate like that," a familiar voice interrupted.


    David turned to see Torb and Melach approaching. The dwarf was clad in thin-plated armor covering most of his body, along with a new shield and a neat helmet. David almost didn''t recognize him. If not for Melach''s presence, David might have missed Torb entirely.


    But Melach had also changed. David raised an eyebrow, noting the sharpness in Melach''s tone. His posture was different, and his bright bluish veins had turned purple.


    David watched as Melach emptied a vial of crimson liquid. "As I said, you cannot calculate like that," the elf reiterated.


    "Each monster type has a different spawn rate, depending on the Rift''s grade and ambient Aether," Melach continued, clearing his throat. "Demons are considered demonic creatures and are thus on a higher level than Fangs, for example. That''s why they won''t spawn en masse¡ªnot in Common Rifts, at least. However, since we''re about to face a Horde, we can assume the demons that would have spawned over the last six hours will emerge simultaneously, along with a few dozen, maybe more, that formed from the Aether overflow."


    David was still scrutinizing Melach and his changes when a dark screen materialized before him.


    [The Main Rift to the Nebulus Hell nourished. A Horde of [Darkais] has been formed. Commence the Horde''s descent.]


    [Good Luck.]


    "Good luck? Fuck you!" David grumbled just as a shockwave of utter darkness swept through the makeshift camp. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The shockwave startled him, but the sinister force infused within it was even more unnerving. It clawed at his skin, pushing deeper into his body.


    [You came in contact with ''Beckoning of Darkai.'' A trace of Demonic Essence has rooted in your Soul.]


    [You have been corrupted.]


    David felt little but instinctively used [Cleanse] as soon as the notification appeared.


    [Proficiency of Cleanse reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 IV ¡ú Tier-0 V.]


    [Cleanse reached the first minor threshold. Cleansing efficiency and potency increased. Energy consumption decreased.]


    "Isn''t the Demon Rift a few kilometers from here? How did a shockwave infused with some sort of demonic ability or curse reach Arc this fast?"


    "Yep," Torb murmured, his face paling as he turned to David.


    This was going to be a hard nut to crack. David retrieved a Mental Fortitude Serum, popped it open, and downed it in one gulp. The sour taste mirrored their bleak future if the defenders'' morale crumbled before the real battle began.


    David used [Cleanse] on Melach and Torb before leaping toward the other defenders.


    He scanned the crowd of nearly two hundred faces, all tight with confusion and panic.

 Chapter 40 - B1 40 - Horde I

    A light touch with [Cleanse] active was enough to remove the corruption. It couldn''t have rooted very deeply in the patients'' Souls. While maintaining [Cleanse] wasn''t expensive, each use cost quite a bit. Energy consumption decreased significantly after [Cleanse] reached Rank V, but the cost was still high, with nearly two-hundred patients needing it.


    He had to split his attention, releasing tendrils of holy power into the surroundings to access the ambient Aether. He pulled it into his energy pathways where he could fully annex it. David swiftly annexed the ambient Aether, relying on the Recovery Serum for support.


    The first dozen patients drained less than a quarter of his Holy Sea''s reserves, but David soon noticed something troubling: each use of [Cleanse] seemed to drain his reserves more than the last as if his holy power was bleeding away faster with each use. But the escalating drain wasn''t due to a problem with the Skill Rune or his Holy Sea.


    David perceived a subtle change in the atmosphere. Everyone around him was more tense as the seconds trickled by, which David mistakenly assumed to be due to the Horde''s emergence.


    Initially, he was certain everyone was surprised and tensed up when the Beckoning of Darkai reached them, but the shockwave itself wasn''t the problem. David only realized this when a young dwarven Mage suddenly swung his Mage''s Wand at him.


    "I am trying to heal you!" David cursed, lunging at the Mage''s Wand to move it aside. He pushed past the Mage''s Wand and flicked the dwarf''s forehead with [Cleanse].


    Something in the Dwarf''s eyes changed. His anger-distorted expression eased up, and the glimmer in his eyes dispersed. It almost felt like a cloud of anger oozed from the dwarven Mage''s eyes.


    "S-Sorry¡­I¡­what happened?" David heard, but he''d already turned away to cleanse more patients.


    Their mind is foggy. The Beckoning of Darkai affects their emotions. It takes root in the Soul and does something to the mind.


    He swallowed hard as his eyes drifted across the makeshift camp. The situation wasn''t too bad yet because everyone appeared shocked by the demonic shockwave, but it was only a matter of time before the corruption got to them.


    Everyone he''d cleansed seemed confused, as if trying to understand what was going on, whereas the corrupted changed slowly. They were unstable.


    David kicked off the ground, accelerating as he unleashed [Cleanse] nearly four dozen times before breaking into a cold sweat. The mental strain of using [Cleanse] this often was a burden, but it didn''t induce a headache. The Mental Fortitude Serum appeared to work wonders. It did exactly what it was supposed to do, granting David enough mental power to keep going.


    He was drenched in sweat, but his lips curled into a thin smile. His Holy Sea was screaming at him, just like his energy pathways ¨C both were drained, and it would take some time for the remaining natural Aether to transform into usable holy power.


    However, almost one hundred patients remained. The energy needed to cleanse them increased as the corruption spread, but that was not even the worst problem.


    David heard a commotion and turned, wiping the sweat from his eyes with a frustrated scowl.


    At first, it looked like a wave of darkness was approaching, but David''s eyes adjusted, revealing the true threat.


    The wave of darkness was the Demon Horde! The Horde, made up of hundreds of dark creatures, was coming in their direction. It was almost like the Horde knew where Arc was located.


    Can they sense us? Ah, fuck it!


    David accelerated again, his mind split to check on his Holy Sea and to keep checking the surroundings. The cultivation replica and the Recovery Serum weren''t enough to fuel his Holy Sea. Not when he was tending to this many people.


    Faint glimmers of crimson motes came to light near his Holy Sea, but David didn''t reach them immediately.


    The crimson motes consume something ¨C but what? Is it a good decision to use the crimson motes to take care of the remaining patients when the real battle has yet to start?


    David considered overexerting the Holy Sea, but he couldn''t afford to damage the Holy Sea just yet, either. It was needed against the Demon Horde.


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    "It''s not enough. This is not going to work like this!" David grumbled while accessing his status. He glanced at the Attribute Point he''d acquired from the Fang Den''s clearance reward and put it to good use.


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Soul.]


    Low(Basic) ¡ú Low(+)(Basic)


    Holy power surged into David from all directions. He didn''t know where it came from, but it was there, flooding his body. It surged through his energy pathways, altered the natural Aether, and affected the ambient Aether in the surroundings simultaneously. Holy power flooded his Holy Sea as it expanded. The sensation was liberating, exactly what he needed.


    He accelerated again, his hands glowing vibrantly.


    [Cleanse] remained active, steadily draining David''s recovering holy power, but he didn''t mind. Within a minute, his Holy Sea stopped expanding, and the flood of holy power ceased. Still, David kept tending to the final batch of patients.


    Some patients, on the verge of madness, lunged at him, but he easily evaded their attacks. He touched them lightly while escaping their blades and projectiles and kept moving.


    His entire body was sweaty, and his Holy Sea was as dry as a desert when he was done. However, his work was done. With his allies freed from corruption, a pair of gratifying notifications appeared.


    [Proficiency of Cleanse reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 V] ¡ú [Tier-0 VI]


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Iron VIII] ¡ú [Iron IX]


    [One Attribute Point has been added.]


    "I wanted to upgrade Body to the next level to squash the Demons¡­" David grumbled under his breath while checking on his Holy Sea and energy pathways once more.


    His energy pathways were already in a sorry state. Pushing them too much wouldn''t do any good, but it wasn''t like David could listen to the voice of reason.


    A horde of demons appeared, their grotesque, squishy hides gleaming under faint light. David''s stomach twisted at the sight of their twisted wings and hollow eyes.


    David could make out all these details about their enemies¡ªthe Darkai¡ªfor one simple reason: the first group was fast and already about to pounce on a well-armored man.


    Isn''t that Torb?


    He kicked off the ground and shot forward, unsheathing the warrior longsword to reach Torb, when another familiar face entered his sight. Melach approached Torb slowly. The ground around him was shaking, the air crackling. David''s hair stood up to its end as Melach raised his wand. The mana within the elf was surging. He had never sensed it before, but now he perceived it instinctively.


    A surge of energy¡ªmana, David assumed¡ªcrackled from Melach''s wand, forming a formidable projectile of blue light. He could feel its intensity as Melach released the blast.


    The surge of mana died down, and a single droplet of sweat trickled down Melach''s temple as the [Arcane Blast] exploded amid the group of Demons. Grotesque screams filled the surroundings, but David''s eyes were trained on Melach and Torb. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Torb remained tense, his stance defensive, but no Darkai emerged from the [Arcane Blast]''s explosion.


    David''s heart drummed wildly as he closed the distance to Torb and Melach."You really did it?" He heard Torb asking.


    "Did what?" He asked curiously, stepping closer only to be ignored.


    "We needed strength," Melach commented lightly.


    "You won''t make your family proud by dying a stupid death," Torb snorted, turning away.


    That was a low blow, but David didn''t think Melach minded.


    Melach turned to him and nodded subtly, "You did a good job there. The other Clerics reacted too slowly."


    "And there is no need to worry. I won''t die. I took a risk but was rewarded for it," Melach added. He must have seen the confusion on David''s face.


    But what did Melach do? He was curious, but the Darkai were thirsting for blood, and they didn''t waste any time trying to quench it. They charged ahead, forcing him to react quickly.


    Body is nice, but the Soul is better.


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Soul.]


    Low(+)(Basic) ¡ú Middle(-)(Basic)


    The improvement to the Middle threshold was far more potent than a rank increase of the same threshold. His body was again flooded with holy power, but it seemed more potent. Almost purified.


    Power surged through him, his Holy Sea swelling to meet it. David took a steadying breath, feeling the weight of his longsword in his grip, and fixed his gaze on the nearest demon''s hollow, void-like eyes.


    His heart thundered like a war drum as he stepped forward to face his first enemy.


    It was suitable. Perfect even.


    A war was exactly what David needed.


    It was what awaited him.


    Bloodshed and death.


    He dashed forward, facing his first enemy head-on.

 Chapter 41 - B1 41 - Horde II

    He dashed forward, facing his first enemy head-on.


    The Darkai wore hideous grimaces, their disfigured faces giving them a dull, brutish look. David doubted they were intelligent, but he wouldn''t underestimate them. If anything, he would take the Darkai more seriously than the Fangs.


    At least the Fangs resembled wolves, making it easier for David to gauge their speed, agility, and durability. But these demonic creatures were unknown territory¡ªa blank sheet.


    That might have been for the best. David didn''t freeze in shock when the closest Darkai''s maw opened wide, releasing a searing hot ball of fire. The black fireball whizzed through the air and would have struck David in the chest if he hadn''t reacted in time. He twisted his body, narrowly sidestepping the worst of the impact. An explosion resounded behind him, but he pressed forward.


    He appeared before the Darkai, coated his blade in [Holy Touch], and slashed. Black blood spurted through the air.


    David cursed as the Darkai''s severed claw hit the ground with a thud. The creature was agile but only slightly faster than him. Nonetheless, he was certain the demon could have evaded the attack in time.


    Instead, it sacrificed its claw to block the incoming attack. It screeched in pain and pushed closer, already swinging an arm at him.


    David frowned but activated [Shield of Faith]. A small semi-translucent golden shield formed before David, blocking the incoming attack. The shield didn''t break. It rippled and lost some of its golden luster, but [Shield of Faith] didn''t crumble after the first attack. The golden shield only crumbled when David''s focus faltered.


    His feet dug into the ground, propelling him through the golden shield as it dispersed. A black blade formed in his hand, and David slashed out like he''d been wielding the Obsidian Blade for decades. The black blade slit the Darkai''s throat cleanly and disappeared after consuming a few droplets of black blood.


    David kicked the Darkai in the stomach just as a dark fireball formed in its maw. He raised his blade to strike, but the cut in its throat tore open, and the fireball exploded. The creature slumped to the ground and never moved again.


    [You have defeated Darkai(Iron VIII).]


    The Fangs'' kill notification looked different. This looks like the Kobold''s notification.


    The Darkai weren''t labeled as [Common] or [Uncommon] like the Fangs and Infected. They were different. Why?


    David wanted to know more, but the explosions all over the battlefield pulled him back to reality. Now was not the time to start experimenting. A few arrows hurtled past him. Some must have struck a Darkai or two as their pained screams rang out.


    However, David pulled back and got back into position. His heart was racing, beckoning him to fight, to drench his body in wounds and warm blood, but there was no way he could deal with the Horde alone.


    He could hardly count how many Darkai charged at them. There had to be hundreds ¨C maybe even a thousand.


    David''s eyes drifted to the others. He used [Oasis of Harmony] on Melach and a few other Mages who were too close to the frontlines and activated [Bless] several times in a row to apply its instances on himself and two dozen Warriors. He found some Warriors wielding daggers and light armor and used [Oasis of Harmony] on them as well.


    The heavy-armored Warriors would hate him for that, but everyone would be happy if one of the light-armored Warriors could kill a few more demons by being off their radar.


    [Oasis of Harmony] didn''t last long. It was a low-ranked Skill Rune that hadn''t been leveled much. Still, David liked it. A white, almost pristine, Dove the size of a flying mouse hovered over the targets'' heads. It looked nice and leveled up decently fast as the Darkai near the Skill''s targets ignored them.


    [Proficiency of Oasis of Harmony reached 100%]


    [Tier-0 II] ¡ú [Tier-0 III]


    His status appeared suddenly, taking up David''s view for a moment.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Class ¨C Cleric


    Rank ¨C Iron IX


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    Body ¨CMiddle(+)(Basic)


    Mind ¨C Middle(Basic)


    Soul ¨C Middle(-)(Basic)


    [Skill Runes]


    [Cure Wounds] ¨C [Tier-0 IX]


    [Cleanse] ¨C [Tier-0 V]


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 VI]


    [Bless] ¨C [Tier-0 V]


    [Shield of Faith] ¨C [Tier-0 IV]


    [Oasis of Harmony] ¨C [Tier-0 III]


    Attribute Points ¨C 0


    Don''t pop up if I don''t call for you!


    He closed the status sheet in a hurry and not too early. A pair of Darkai rushed toward him. They simultaneously released fireballs. The distance between the fireballs wasn''t big, but it was enough to make a dive to safety impossible.


    David''s mind rattled, considering using [Shield of Faith] to block the fireballs. He cursed and responded instinctively. [Holy Touch] coated the warrior longsword as it flashed through the air. It left behind a pristine trail as it cut through the fireballs. They exploded and threatened to burn David''s hand. However, instead of panicking, he used [Cure Wounds] preemptively. The Skill Rune''s healing reached his hands when the black flames spread everywhere.


    He returned to peak condition and healed as the injury came into existence.


    The Darkai pair lunged through the explosion, catching David off-guard. He barely raised [Shield of Faith] in time to block one attacker. The Darkai to his left crashed into the shield as it appeared, while the other Darkai''s claws slashed across his chest. This time the attack connected.


    David instinctively used [Cure Wounds] and pushed forward, his strength amplified by [Bless]. [Shield of Faith] dispersed, but David didn''t pause. He drove the warrior''s longsword deep into the Darkai''s chest as it clawed him again. His muscles bulged while blood oozed from his chest in bursts, but the Darkai to his right was dead. Its crippled wings flapped once or twice before it collapsed to the ground.


    The Darkai to his left barely gave David time to react. Thanks to [Bless], he was a little faster than the average Darkai, or at least it felt so, but their fireballs were still faster. A dark fireball impacted heavily and burned his shoulder before it exploded. Searing pain hit him heavily as he was hurled back. The explosion was more painful than he expected. His skin was gone, and the flesh covering his bones was charred black. It was agonizing.


    One [Cure Wounds] wasn''t enough; his shoulder throbbed, barely mending even after he forced the Skill Rune to overclock. Still, it showed David that he was still alive.


    Pained screams echoed around him, and he fought the urge to help. He would hardly be of help with a Darkai still coming after him.


    Damn it!


    The Darkai pounced on him, clawing David with one arm while pinning him to the ground with the other. A fireball was already charging in its maw at the same time. It was trying to blow David''s head apart.


    He groaned and conjured the Obsidian Blade when another claw mark had been engraved on his chest. Each strike hurt like hell, but the Darkai held back from delivering a killing blow.


    It could have pierced his heart with its razor-sharp claws, yet it felt like the demon wasn''t even thinking about doing something like that. The Darkai was certainly thirsting for blood; its dark, hollow eyes glinted with a twisted bliss and excitement.


    Its savoring this¡ªthe hunt, the torture.


    David shuddered at the thought, but he jumped into action nonetheless. The realization was even more reason to eradicate the Demon Horde before they could do anything worse.


    The Darkai raised its claws again to strike him when David''s arm shot upward. The Obsidian Blade manifested out of nowhere, leaving no chance of escape. The blade pierced the demon''s heart, or where David presumed to be its heart, and twisted in the Darkai''s chest. Blood ought to spurt from the wound, but the Obsidian Blade absorbed it all.


    [You have defeated Darkai(IX).]


    [You have defeated Darkai(VI).]


    David kicked the dead Darkai aside and cast [Cure Wounds] again. He circulated [Holy Touch] through his body and used [Oasis of Harmony] on himself for a moment. The Darkai charging at him turned to the side and aimed at other combatants instead.


    At least, that works.


    David sprang to his feet, holy power crackling around him.


    He barely defeated three Darkai and helped a few more fighters with [Bless] and [Oasis of Harmony], yet his Holy Sea was already down to two-thirds.


    This is not going to be easy.


    He looked up and around, scanning the surroundings as he approached the warrior longsword.


    The battle against the Horde was never supposed to be easy, but this was beyond everyone''s expectations. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not even David expected the fight to be this deadly.


    He didn''t even have to look far to see a dozen corpses. Eight were Darkai, but the rest belonged to Protectors. The numbers didn''t add up. The protectors died too quickly and didn''t kill enough enemies.

 Chapter 42 - B1 42 - Horde III

    David surveyed the chaos unfolding on the battlefield. Mages unleashed relentless barrages of Mana Bullets, feeding dozens of Darkai. Nearby, Hunters fired arrows in rapid succession.


    He noticed that while some Hunters appeared ordinary, their arrows still pierced the demons'' thick hides with ease. Others released three arrows in five seconds, their accuracy unaffected.


    It was a beautiful sight and would have put David at ease if the Darkai weren''t bloody dangerous. The Mages'' [Mana Bullets] were fast and lethal, but the Darkai shielded their vital organs by sacrificing non-essential body parts when evasion failed.


    Some arrows and Mana Bullets hit the mark, eliminating more than a dozen Darkai, but most merely sustained light to mild injuries. Melach and a few other Mages used stronger Skill Runes than the others. Their attacks inflicted more grievous wounds and were more likely to eliminate a Darkai, sometimes even two or three at once. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But it was not like the Darkai weren''t retaliating. They had their share of fairly powerful demons on their side.


    David hadn''t encountered any of those powerhouses, but the desperate screams and death throes around him hinted at their presence. Something was off, and it was most certainly not the mass of ordinary Demons charging at them.


    Torb pushed past David, charged a Darkai, and stunned it before splitting its head with a fierce swing of his mace. The dwarf twisted his body as a barrage of black fireballs came his way. His large shield shifted quickly, protecting Torb from the worst damage. His [Block] Skill Rune must have leveled up considerably. The exploding fireballs didn''t affect Torb. He pushed through the fireballs and charged at the grimacing Darkai.


    David used [Bless] on himself, Torb, and several nearby Warriors before surging forward. Another instance of [Cure Wounds] mended his wounds enough to focus on the battle ahead.


    Torb blocked four Darkai simultaneously, but a fifth got him. Its claws scraped across his plated armor without leaving an injury. A scratch was all that was left. However, Torb seemed to be angry enough about this. He roared at the top of his lungs, bashed the nearby Darkai away, and crushed the head of the Darkai who had been daring enough to scratch his armor.


    David stepped up beside Torb, beheading a Darkai in one swift motion. He dismissed the kill notification without a glance.


    He spun around, coated the sword blade with a thin [Holy Touch] layer, and used the accumulated momentum to leave a deep gash in the closest Darkai''s chest. The attack would have killed the demon immediately if it hadn''t sacrificed its arm to slow David''s strike.


    The demon''s arm split smoothly in two before David''s sword cut into the Darkai''s chest. David''s eyes narrowed, and he pushed forward. He ignored the claw coming his way and released the sword''s coat of [Holy Touch] inside the Darkai. The demon froze as [Holy Touch]''s pure, holy power invaded its insides. It rattled and screamed at the top of its lungs before its legs caved it. David rammed his blade deeper into the Demon, but that seemed overkill.


    The Darkai''s kill notification popped up even before David could finish his attack.


    Wait a moment!


    David let go of the warrior longsword to make a smooth dive to the side. A black fireball exploded where he stood a moment ago. The explosion reached him and must have nearly set his pants on fire. The searing heat was tremendous. It momentarily overwhelmed David, but he still jumped to his feet. A slightly larger Darkai emerged before David. It clawed him and shattered the golden shield that materialized before David as if it were made of glass.


    The golden shield shattered, but the Darkai''s attack didn''t end there. Its claws dug deep into David. He screamed in pain and defiance as Torb jumped into view. The dwarf accelerated suddenly and bashed into the demon with his shield first. The Darkai froze for a quarter of a second, which Torb used to smash its head. However, instead of dying, the Darkai regained control of its body and blocked the incoming attack.


    David was surprised at how swiftly the Darkai escaped Torb''s [Charge], but he was already moving and hardly noticed what else was happening. He conjured the Obsidian Blade in his hand, coated it in [Holy Touch], and drove the blade deep into the stronger Darkai''s chest.


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    A surprised squeal escaped the Darkai''s hideous mouth as it turned back to David, who released the holy power in a sudden burst. The Darkai''s face contorted, and it let out a furious snarl as it turned on David, only for Torb to block the attack.


    David twisted the black blade in the demon''s chest while simultaneously unleashing a second burst of [Holy Touch].


    The demon screamed in pain and slumped to the ground as if something bad had happened to it. Its claws slid out of David''s chest, releasing a burst of blood, yet David could only stare at the dying Darkai.


    Holy power is their bane!


    But how could he take advantage of that? He didn''t have much holy power left, and the Recovery Serum didn''t replenish his health and holy power fast enough to waste any more precious resources. David had already used too much holy power to defeat the stronger Darkai. Still, it had been necessary ¨C a fact made clear as his eyes flicked to the kill notification materializing before his eyes.


    [You have defeated Darkai(Bronze I)]


    "There are Bronze Rank Darkai in the Horde!" David shouted, casting [Cure Wounds] to mend his injuries.


    He spun around, applying [Oasis of Harmony] and [Bless] to several Warriors. The toughest frontline fighters received [Bless], while the sneaky, light-armored Warriors benefited from reduced interference by the demons, thanks to [Oasis of Harmony].


    One young warrior dual-wielding a set of daggers escaped the scrutiny of a few Darkai thanks to David''s Skill. David watched the young man drive a blade into a Darkai''s neck, twisting it in one smooth motion before spinning and thrusting his other blade into another demon''s throat.


    The man moved swiftly, with an agility and strength that even David and most other frontline fighters couldn''t match. He cast [Bless] on the man, further enhancing his physical attributes.


    David noticed the man''s eyes linger on him for a moment. The man nodded subtly and turned away to utilize his newfound strength to kill a few more Darkai.


    The effect of [Oasis of Harmony] shielded him from most demon attacks while it lasted.


    That was for the best, as he eliminated more than a dozen Darkai in that time. Once [Oasis of Harmony] wore off, the tiny, pristine dove hovering above him dissipated. He saw that from the corner of his eyes. Yet, instead of pulling back, the man seemed to accelerate. He had grown stronger!


    "Level up!" Torb shouted, attracting David''s attention. The duo worked together to kill a few demons silently, but the dwarf''s exclamation got to him.


    Torb accelerated suddenly. He was faster now than he had been before with [Bless]''s effect on him and bashed heavily into a demon''s chest. The Darkai was stunned even longer than usual and succumbed to the fierce hit to its head.


    "[Charge] leveled up?" David asked, conjuring [Shield of Faith] to deflect nearly a dozen fireballs. The golden shield shattered after the fifth fireball exploded, but Torb was there to block the rest.


    "That and my Rank." Torb chuckled while beads of sweat trickled down his temples. He attacked the Darkai before him and blocked six enemies simultaneously without losing ground against them.


    David quickly understood Torb''s tactic: The dwarf''s rank had increased during the battle, and he had used the Attribute Point to strengthen his Body property. Now that he was stronger, faster, and more durable, Torb charged ahead to fight more fiercely, fighting his enemies while simultaneously protecting his allies, thus fulfilling all criteria to progress rapidly as a Shield Warrior.


    You''re close to advancing to Bronze, aren''t you?


    David licked his lips. He''d heard it was best to undergo the First Class Advancement in a safe environment, but perhaps Torb had a plan in mind


    He''d better pick something useful.


    He joined Torb in the battle and wasn''t the only one. Several arrows whistled past their heads, hitting the demons where it hurt the most. Several instances of [Mana Bullet] also headed their way, but most Mages slowed the barrage of mana projectiles. Hunters could release as many arrows as they had stored in their quiver. They could switch to cold steel once their quiver was empty or retreat to the makeshift camp to restock.


    David knew Hunters had the strength to hold the frontlines. They weren''t as equipped for melee as Warriors, but they had better chances at survival than Mages. Mages focused more on the Mind and Soul properties, leaving their bodies relatively unprotected.


    David, as a Cleric, should have done the same. Maybe it would have been best to upgrade his Soul slightly more. A larger Holy Sea with pure holy power would drastically augment the defenders'' prowess.


    But that wasn''t him. David couldn''t stay in the backlines and watch others fight with their lives on the line while he merely supported them.


    He belonged here ¨C amidst the bloody battlefield, surrounded by danger and death.

 Chapter 43 - B1 43 - Horde IV

    David couldn''t help but notice the Warriors around him growing stronger and more agile. Even their reflexes appeared to be improving at an astonishing rate. Their attacks hit harder, their defenses held firmer, and he realized they must have been ranking up mid-battle, just as the Hunters were.


    Even the Hunters who had run out of arrows seemed to grow quickly since they did not necessarily require a strong Mind, let alone a well-nourished Soul stat. The Body property was the most crucial for both Hunters and Warriors.


    The Hunters around David moved with agility, outpacing him. Some, as he realized only now, carried close-combat Skill Runes, adding a deadly edge to their speed.


    He used [Oasis of Harmony] on the Hunters¡ªthey were poorly armed compared to the Warriors and needed its protection more than the Warriors did¡ªwhile defenders like Torb bore the brunt of the demons'' relentless attacks.


    David saw the carnage all around him ¨C death and destruction at every turn. Even as the defenders grew stronger, ranking up faster than normal wasn''t enough to shift the battle to their advantage. Bloodied claws and gnashing fangs tore into flesh, reaping lives before his eyes.


    The Hunters and Warriors at a lower Rank leveled up quickly. David could imagine their vigor shooting through the roof. That was what it looked like as more than one hundred defenders charged into the masses of Darkai. Their excitement was overflowing, which was similar to how David had been in the past. However, they followed their instincts at the wrong moment. Their timing was off.


    Even if their combat efficiency increased, they were still on the merciless battlefield with hundreds of Darkai. Some demons were already at the Bronze Rank, and they had yet to face the Mini Bosses and the Rift Boss. It was foolish to charge ahead, acting like the Horde was made up of weak foes.


    David''s heart drummed wildly. It urged him to charge ahead like the others, but he suppressed his instincts to study the battlefield again. His vision flooded with a cascade of holographic screens.


    [Proficiency of Oasis of Harmony reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 III] ¡ú [Tier-0 IV]


    [Proficiency of Shield of Faith reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 IV] ¡ú [Tier-0 V]


    [Shield of Faith reached the first minor threshold.


    Control increased significantly. Multi-casting and Natural Overclock have been unlocked.] S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Proficiency of Holy Touch reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 VI] ¡ú [Tier-1 VII]


    He barely had time to process the updates, but the improvements gave him a spark of hope. David would need every bit of strength to survive this fight.


    His eyes drifted across the battlefield, and he responded quickly when half a dozen black fireballs lobbed through the air in a beautiful arc. They headed toward several Mages, who didn''t seem to have noticed the imminent danger. Holy Sea appeared to be screeching when conjured the semi-translucent shield before the mages, blocking the fireballs. They exploded near-simultaneously and destroyed the shield without inflicting any damage.


    The reserves are empty. Fuck. Where did all the holy power go?


    David had just used the last bits of holy power reserves. Even his energy pathways were utterly drained. He reached for the ambient Aether, but it recoiled, shying away from the faint tendrils of holy power leaking from his body.


    What''s going on here?


    No message popped up to explain the situation, and David couldn''t see anyone else struggling like he did. The Mages were exhausted but continued fighting. Their energy reserves had yet to dry up. Even if they did, David didn''t think the natural Aether around them would reject them. But why did he think like that? What urged him to believe that the ambient Aether disobeyed only him?


    No. It wasn''t just him. His eyes fell on a young woman in blood-soaked white robes. She darted between the wounded, her hands glowing faintly with dim light as she attempted to heal an elderly Hunter. But something was wrong; her Skill didn''t work fast enough. The man''s wounds barely closed while her frantic movements grew even more desperate.


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    "It''s not working!" David heard her desperate scream. His eyes narrowed, and his attention flicked to the other Clerics. One of them fainted, his lips as pale as his skin, while two other Clerics were cursing, trying to release holy power outside their bodies. It worked, but the effect was lackluster. Even David did better when [Cure Wounds] was Rank I.


    Something happened. The ambient Aether is resisting¡­holy power.


    David clenched his fists. The Skill Runes still worked normally, but their potency had dropped sharply once holy power dripped out of the Clerics'' bodies. This wasn''t just bad¡­It was catastrophic


    Maybe touching the patient would counteract the Skill deteriorating, but will that work in this chaos?


    David cursed and stepped back, nearly toppling over a Warrior''s corpse. He caught himself and glanced at the man and his weapons. He''d wielded daggers of similar quality as the warrior longsword when he was still alive.


    David squatted down, reached out to the dagger, and entered the mind space for a moment.


    The crimson motes were visible again. They didn''t seem to have moved, but David could only see them now that his energy reserves were empty. Was it necessary to be out of energy or in mortal danger to see the motes?


    He didn''t know. Maybe both conditions had to be met. But that was no problem for David. Fighting a Horde of Darkai was dangerous. Surviving today was equivalent to a lottery win. Fortunately, David bought enough lottery tickets.


    He retrieved another Mental Fortitude Serum, emptied it without hesitation, and began to pull on the crimson motes.


    The motes are not holy power. Using them shouldn''t deteriorate my Skill Runes'' potency.


    They were something else. Something far more dangerous. But David didn''t have a choice.


    He gathered crimson motes in his Holy Sea, sped up to return to the demons and his allies, and clutched the daggers tightly.


    He told himself not to use his Skill Runes too often. Every Skill would use up some crimson motes, draining him immensely. Nonetheless, David couldn''t give his all without some Skills. He used [Bless] and [Oasis of Harmony] with as little energy as possible on himself while returning to the front.


    David darted through the chaos, the Darkai paying him no heed as they fixated on the frontline fighters. He caught glimpses of deep wounds and brutal kills, but the commotion all over the battlefield¡ªthe screams, snarls, and clash of steel¡ªwas what stuck with him, fueling his guilt.


    Just wait a moment!


    David''s body shifted, and he shot around. Since he couldn''t waste too much of his precious energy, he didn''t use [Holy Touch]. He attacked, pierced through a nearby Darkai''s ear, and twisted the blade until a sickening crunch rang out. The blade broke, but only after piercing the demon''s brain. He dismissed the kill notification at once, slit another Darkai''s throat as it turned to him, and summoned the Obsidian Blade to land a finishing blow.


    [Oasis of Harmony] was highly effective, but its efficiency dropped when David engaged in battle. However, he cared too little about that to pay it any attention. He threw the Obsidian Blade, cleanly piercing a Darkai''s chest before dispersing at David''s will. His Holy Sea trembled when the soulbound weapon was called back, yet no crimson motes were used up to do so.


    He pounced on the Darkai, whose claws missed him by a heartbeat. The soulbound weapon manifested in his empty hand, and David''s blades burst down, piercing the Demon''s void-like eyes and brain in one go.


    The Demon collapsed. David hit the ground, rolled, and sprang to his feet, his eyes burning with resolve as the earth began to tremble.


    His hair stood up to its end, but he paid no heed to his danger sense. David killed three more demons before joining the other defenders. Their eyes were filled with fear, and their legs trembled violently.


    David stopped breathing as he turned. Just meters from where he''d stood a moment before, a massive Darkai loomed. It wasn''t just taller than the others ¨C it dwarfed them. Its leathery wings were spread wide, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the surroundings. Crimson claws dripped in blood, one of them still impaling an unfortunate defender who retched weakly as the strength left his body.


    A pang of guilt stabbed through David as he watched the man''s desperate, futile struggle. The agonizing groans and the tears trickling down the defender''s eyes told him everything. The defender didn''t want to die. But the Darkai crushed his head as if swatting a fly, sealing his fate at once.


    A moment later, the massive Darkai hurled the crushed defender. He crashed heavily into the rows of defenders, destroying the defense line.


    It stirred chaos and released a sickening cackle, a sound that rang like mockery in David''s ears.


    His chest tightened. Was that the Rift Boss? No. It had to be one of the Mini-Bosses. Not that it mattered. Even one of them was more than they could handle.

 Chapter 44 - B1 44 - Horde V

    David had yet to see the other Mini-Bosses, but maybe that was for the best. One step at a time.


    A dozen defenders charged, their hands clenched tightly around their weapons, their movements betraying hesitation as they pushed through. David tensed, ready to push ahead, but his eyes caught on the advancing Darkai.


    The ordinary demons pressed on, their focus divided between the defenders and the Mini-Boss. David hurled the Obsidian Blade again, its edge biting into a demon''s calf. The demon toppled over and fell to the ground instead of tearing a young elven warrior to shreds. David appeared beside the Darkai as his soulbound blade vanished into his mind space. In one swift motion, his dagger slashed cleanly across the demon''s throat.


    He released a minuscule trace of [Holy Touch] on the blade''s edge as he slit the demon''s throat, which worked wonders. The Darkai writhed on the ground as dark blood gushed in all directions, but David had already moved on. He conjured the Obsidian Blade again, cleaved through another Darkai''s claws, and rammed the steel dagger in its left eye.


    The thin coat of [Holy Touch] around the blade''s edge seeped into the Demon''s body, killing the demonic creature near-instantly. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Too much!


    David gritted his teeth. He was using too many crimson motes. Even if he''d used [Holy Touch] with the least energy, it had consumed quite a bit of his crimson motes reserves. That wasn''t what he''d planned!


    Still, he pushed forward, spun around his axis, and beheaded one Darkai with the accumulated momentum. His soulbound weapon''s blade was deadly sharp, capable of things others could only dream about with their standard weapons. He weaved through four razor-sharp claws and was struck square in the chest by a small, hastily cast fireball. His skin was burning to ash, and his chest felt like it had been set on fire as the skin cracked and split.


    David pushed through the explosion, teeth clenched as agony surged through his chest. He couldn''t stop¡ªnot here, not now. He lashed out with a kick, driving his soulbound weapon deep into the demon''s chest. A second later, his steel dagger pierced the eye of another Darkai, striking true.


    The steel dagger pierced deeper, through the creature''s eye socket, landing a killing blow. But its blade cracked as David yanked it out. The demon collapsed, dragging the steel dagger with it.


    He was down to one weapon. It could have been worse, but the situation could have been much better. He eliminated the last few Darkai in the immediate surroundings and breathed heavily. David was in immense pain. He bled from several deep gashes and had been badly burned as well.


    The Recovery Serum has to be enough.


    More demons surged past him and the other defenders, avoiding the massive Darkai. Maybe they had learned the lesson after seeing what David did, or perhaps they were too afraid to take away their superior''s prey. David picked the latter.


    Three defenders attacking the Mini-Boss lay motionless. Another pair twitched on the ground, their movements weak and faltering.


    Another defender received a quick claw swipe from the Mini-Boss. He tried parrying the incoming attack with his massive broadsword, but his blade was pushed aside, and his chest plate pierced. Yet, instead of crumbling, the Warrior continued moving. He acted as if the massive Darkai had never pierced his chest. His broadsword swung through the air in a beautiful arc and dug deep into the demon''s shoulder.


    The Mini-Boss didn''t seem to like that. Its massive wings flapped and crashed into the Warrior, hurling him through the air. The Warrior landed hard on the bloody ground but jumped to his feet in no time. He swayed, the color in his face disappeared, and he seemed to struggle to focus on the large demon.


    David emerged beside the man and used both [Cure Wounds] and [Bless] on him. This drained him a lot more than he would have liked, but a single glance at the battlefield had been enough to show that the Warrior before him was the strongest among the batch. He was most definitely at the Bronze Rank and must have undergone his First Class Advancement.


    There was another Warrior like that, but the broadsword-wielder before David was stronger¡­and more fearless. The man didn''t even look at him. His eyes remained locked onto his target. David could see the man''s desire burning in his eyes and resonated with him. He felt the same way. David hadn''t given up.


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    The Warrior retrieved a small object ¨C a crystal David recognized immediately ¨C and put it into his mouth. He crushed the crystal and swallowed the shards in one go.


    What are you doing?


    David watched the Warrior as his skin burst, a gruesome sight that made him flinch. Blood spurted everywhere, splattering across David''s arms. He flinched but couldn''t tear his eyes away from the terrifying transformation.


    The white in the man''s eyes turned red, and more blood gushed out as his muscles bulged. It almost felt like the man was expanding, like an unknown power surged through him.


    "Felix swallowed the Fragment," someone near David commented. He recognized him as one of the few Mages who''d decided to join the Mini-Boss raid.


    David caught a curse.


    "Fuck. He''s as good as dead then."


    The words stuck with him, gnawing at his mind.


    As good as dead?


    The Warrior''s veins turned purple, and his most grievous wounds started regenerating rapidly. David didn''t need to be a Cleric to feel the shift in the man''s presence. The vigor in his eyes intensified significantly while his posture improved. An overbearing sense of confidence and rage surged out of the man. It almost felt like David could touch it.


    The broadsword-wielder was much stronger than before. His feet pressed deep into the ground, leaving behind a mark as he burled forward. Each step carried him much farther than before.


    "Let''s not waste his sacrifice. Attack that damn demon!!"


    David''s heart skipped a beat as confusion and excitement mixed. The scenery unfolding before him was exciting, but the words ringing in his ears were confusing.


    As good as dead? Sacrifice?


    The man reminded David of Melach. They weren''t of the same race, but their veins and presence looked and felt similar. Melach wasn''t as bad as this guy, but it was similar.


    Did Melach also use a Fragment of Power?


    That was when David remembered the chat with Torb and Melach. Melach must have used the Fragment of Power, but before the fight started. That was how he''d grown so much in such a short time.


    But he said he wasn''t going to die. It didn''t feel like he was lying, either.


    David shrugged. That wasn''t important right now.


    He watched the Warrior sever one of the Mini-Boss'' wings while the others bombarded him with mana bullets, slashes, and deep cuts. The wounds weren''t too bad, not even losing a wing seemed like a big problem, but it was all owed to the shift of power. That was the important part.


    David leaped forward and disappeared behind the remaining Warrior, catching sight of Felix, the broadsword-wielding Warrior, as he parried a claw sweep and large fireball simultaneously. David emerged, shot forward, and trusted the other warriors to block or parry the other claw coming their way. He didn''t see what was going on, but a resounding screeching rang in his ears. It brought a smile to his lips as he lowered his body to pass through underneath the demon''s arm.


    The Obsidian Blade slashed into the Mini-Boss'' flesh, carving through its tough skin with ease. David dashed around the creature, forcing the blade deeper as he circled to its back. David''s wrist hurt as he kept the blade from falling out, and it got even worse as he pushed the soulbound weapon even deeper once the massive Darkai''s back was all he could see.


    The Darkai''s remaining wing struck David frontally, and a crack swept through his body, whipping him off of his feet.


    Broken nose ¨C probably some ribs as well. It could have been worse.


    David pulled back, but he kept the weapon where it was: Stuck deep in the Mini-Boss'' back.


    His heart was racing. Did his plan fail? Nothing happened for a moment. The Mini-Boss turned to David and was about to blow him into oblivion when several mana bullets crashed simultaneously into its face. The Warriors didn''t slow either. There was no time to stay idle.


    They attacked the massive Darkai and inflicted light to mild wounds all over its body. However, no more serious wounds were inflicted for a good minute.


    But that wasn''t necessary. David''s lips curled upward.


    "It''s growing weaker!" Someone shouted, their excitement palpable.


    It works!


    The Obsidian Blade was still stuck in the demon''s back, and David felt grim satisfaction.


    It was working, draining the demon''s blood just like he''d planned.

 Chapter 45 - B1 45 - Hunt or Be Hunted

    It didn''t take long for the Mini-Boss to succumb. Felix and his Warriors were growing stronger; whether it was a boost in confidence or their Skill Runes improving, it didn''t matter. The massive Darkai was suffering.


    Its strength faded with each passing second. The wounds spread across its body worsened, and it almost looked like it was deflating.


    [You have contributed to the Herculean Darkai (Mini Boss)''s defeat.]


    The message was pleasant to his eyes, and so was the distortion in space as something materialized near the collapsing Herculean Darkai. David couldn''t see what had materialized as one of the Warriors immediately picked it up. It almost looked like the Warrior threw his longsword aside to catch the drop before anyone else could take it.


    David didn''t mind. He wasn''t particularly interested in the drop. His attention lingered on the Obsidian Blade and its crimson connecting link. It glimmered vibrantly, appearing thicker and more intense than before.


    In fact, he could sense the thread growing. The battle was over, but his soulbound weapon''s growth had yet to end. The Herculean Darkai had yet to be drained of all of its blood.


    David let it absorb as much potent blood as possible while attempting to access the surrounding Aether. He felt the Aether flow into his energy pathways, slowing and settling almost stubbornly, refusing to move as he''d hoped.


    David accessed the natural Aether in his pathways and tried to pull them closer to the Holy Sea. At first, a trace of Aether obeyed. It was only a tiny fraction, but it was something. However, before it got too close to his Holy Sea, the Aether retaliated. It wouldn''t budge an inch and reacted violently. David feared the destruction of his energy pathways for a moment. Instead of risking everything, he cleansed his body.


    He tried to expel everything in one go, but his body appeared to revolt against that as well. It didn''t want to surrender the Aether it needed for survival¡ªto overcome the fight ahead.


    This is such nonsense!


    Thus, since nothing worked the way he wanted, David used [Cleanse]. Reaching Rank V, [Cleanse] was stronger than ever. It ought to expel everything that harmed the target''s body. His Holy Sea pulled the natural Aether closer. It was a slow process, and it would take a while before the Aether would reach his Holy Sea, but if it reacted as violently as the trace of Aether had¡­David would suffer much more than he already had.


    [Hibernating traces of Demonic Essence have been detected and cleansed.]


    The natural Aether in his energy pathways responded amiably to his Holy Sea''s suctioning force when the notification popped up. Simultaneously, a dark gas oozed out of his pores and into the surroundings. Additionally, the ambient Aether no longer entered his body; it resisted David''s attempt and absorbed even more.


    The shockwave altered the ambient Aether¡­somehow. It doesn''t resist Mages or being converted to Mana but resists holy power!


    The realization hit hard. What would happen to the traces of Demonic Essence once they''ve rooted deep into the Mages'' Mana Cores? Would they do something in the first place? David had no clue. All he could tell was that he had to drain his body of holy power as long as he wished to absorb the ambient Aether on the battlefield.


    That was interesting but also complicated.


    It has to work.


    His eyes drifted to Felix, who hadn''t even glanced at the Herculean Darkai''s loot. David noticed Felix''s pained expression and labored breaths, but despite this, Felix continued.


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    He charged into the masses of ordinary demons, who had no time to react before succumbing to his blade.


    Felix was a force to be reckoned with, even if it was obvious that his strength was fading. Felix had long since reached peak condition and was now deteriorating. He''d survived the Herculean Darkai and contributed majorly to its death, but that was it. His power deteriorated, and the Fragment of Power he''d consumed started to feast on him, taking away every bit of power it had granted him.


    David expected Felix to be sad, perhaps even on the verge of tears, yet the Warrior''s gaze was only filled with grim determination.


    The Demon Horde was horrifying. It overwhelmed the defenders. Several Mini Bosses had appeared across the battlefield, and it was only a matter of time before the defenders would lose. Everyone who survived long enough to defeat a few Demons had grown stronger, but even two dozen Bronze Ranks weren''t enough to handle both the Mini-Bosses and the Darkai simultaneously. If there were that many Bronze Ranks in the first place.


    David''s eyes fell on a towering figure in the distance¡ªa creature so massive and imposing, it couldn''t possibly be a Mini-Boss. It had to be the Rift Boss! Unease crept up his spine, and his heart skipped a beat as the creature moved around with great agility.


    A small, well-armored figure barreled through the air as David inspected the Rift Boss. It had to be the Rift Boss. A creature like that couldn''t have been a mere Mini-Boss. David didn''t want to believe that.


    However, instead of lingering on the Rift Boss, David''s attention pulled to the plated figure crashing into the ground near him. It was Torb. His armor was torn in multiple places, his shield missing, and he clutched the lower end of his mace, now almost destroyed.


    But none of that mattered at this moment.


    David''s heart clenched. Torb didn''t get up.


    Fuck.


    The others didn''t fare much better. Everyone could handle a few Darkai, but the Herculean Darkai and the Rift Boss didn''t make their lives easier. Most defenders pulled back. David saw the fear on the defenders'' faces, the hesitation in their stances. It was as if death loomed close, and each of them knew it. Some looked ready to flee.


    Their fighting spirit was crushed.


    This won''t work. It''s not enough.


    David saw the situation clearly. More than half the Darkai had been eliminated, but there were still three Herculean Darkai and one fat ass Darkai on the battlefield. Those four were already enough to kill the remnants of the defending forces. Maybe the chubby Darkai was enough to do so. After all, it looked like fewer than seventy defenders were still alive. It was probably less than that.


    He took a deep breath. The situation looked bleak, giving up wouldn''t help anyone.


    He had accumulated enough crimson motes to do a few things. Was that enough to kill the Mini-Bosses and the Rift Boss? Probably not. But fleeing was not an option either. It was a do-or-die situation.


    He either had to be the hunter or be hunted. It was that simple.


    David steadied his mind and heeded his heart''s call to charge back into the battlefield when screams reached him. He spun around and saw one of the Herculean Darkai as it appeared among the group of mages. They released a barrage of [Mana Bullet] and even [Arcane Blast], but the demon ignored the wounds. The holes in its chest and limbs seemed insignificant as it released a wave of flames into the surroundings, burning everyone to a cinder.


    The dark flames spread rapidly, engulfing the mages'' robes and burning everything in their path. The desperate and pained screams of the helpless Mages rang out, but they didn''t last long. Their cries ceased briefly, and only the Herculean Darkai emerged from the flames. But the Darkai didn''t seem done. Its eyes flicked to the next target¡ªDavid, standing near the fallen Mini-Boss.


    The Herculean Darkai burst forward, a flash of motion that closed the distance in an instant.


    He conjured a [Shield of Faith], which flickered in crimson-gold light, but the Herculean Darkai ignored his defense. It pierced through the shield and into his stomach in one go.


    The Herculean Darkai let out a guttural roar, and David felt himself lifted into the air, blood trickling down his side. Pain seared through him, and David''s sight blurred as a wave of cold shrouded him.


    His body grew weaker, and even [Cure Wounds] cast with crimson motes didn''t seem enough to stabilize his condition. His stomach was still pierced.


    He was impaled and lifted from the ground like a trophy. That was exactly what he was, the demon''s trophy. Nothing more, nothing less.


    Blood poured out of him as his body turned cold, and his consciousness threatened to drift away.


    He wasn''t the hunter. He was the prey. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 46 - B1 46 - Hunt or Be Hunted II

    David barely noticed being thrown to the side. He was hurled through the air, landing on something soft¡ªa large corpse, or maybe just the ground. He couldn''t tell.


    The pain he should have felt was gone, and it grew increasingly difficult to move or stay conscious.


    But he could still issue simple mental commands. He overclocked [Cure Wounds] with crimson motes and felt his senses return slowly. First, the internal wounds were tended to. [Cure Wounds] spread through his body, closed the hole in his stomach, and moved onward to mend his other wounds.


    The crimson motes in his Holy Sea decreased rapidly, but the overclocked Skill Rune worked wonders. He felt slightly better, even if he was still too weak to move. He channeled bits of transformed Aether through his pathways to cast [Cure Wounds] again, using his reserves to guide [Holy Touch] through his body, converting Aether into holy power.


    A few seconds may have passed, though to David, it felt like hours before he regained control of his body. He pressed his hands against the soft ground and pushed his upper body upright.


    His gaze trailed the Herculean Darkai''s carcass underneath. It must have softened his fall. David patted the disgusting carcass lightly and turned to the Obsidian Blade. It was still stuck in the Mini-Boss'' corpse and absorbing its blood. He willed it back to his mind space and jumped to his feet.


    After one more use of [Cure Wounds], David felt much better. His Holy Sea had recovered and was now half full, though its pristine appearance was gone. All David could see at this point was a glistening, crimson lake. It looked like ''fancy'' blood.


    That''s not enough. The Mini-Bosses are too strong.


    The Horde''s momentum had yet to die while the defenders struggled to keep up. Either the minds or the bodies of the remaining defenders had been crushed, leaving little to be desired for a fair fight.


    Relying on holy power isn''t an option¡ªnot with the traces of Demonic Essence polluting it. And crimson motes¡­ using too many at once could kill me. It''s too draining.


    Were they fated to die here? Is that the path the cogs of fate had picked?


    David gritted his teeth, materialized the Obsidian Blade in his right hand, and retrieved the only item he could think of using to change their fate.


    It was a small crimson crystal. The Fragment of Blood.


    "I am not going to die here," David said, his voice eerily calm. His heartbeat slowed while his mind was cleansed.


    Everything was going to be alright. All it took was enough effort.


    He popped the Fragment of Power in his mouth and swallowed it whole.


    To survive, you need power. Power is all it takes. It is everything you need to shatter all odds. To go above and beyond¡­


    David didn''t notice any changes right away. The Fragment of Blood didn''t seem to work instantaneously as had been the case with Felix. Maybe he should have crushed the Fragment of Blood before swallowing its shards, but David felt like he was using the Fragment of Blood like it was supposed to be used.


    A pulse throbbed through his entire body, jolting him to full awareness. At first, there was only a single pulse, but a second and third followed shortly after, each wave stronger than the last. With every beat, raw power surged through him. The power reached every part of his body and fueled him. It filled him to the brim and beyond.


    His vision shifted; a faint crimson hue now overlaying everything he saw. David''s skin burst open, but no blood flowed. Instead, a bloody red mist seeped from his torn skin, wrapping around him like a second layer.


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    A shiver ran down his spine, and goosebumps prickled all over his skin. Every inch of his body hurt, but not from wounds. He was in pain from the power surging through him. It was blissful pain.


    His attention drifted across the battlefield, and he soon sensed something even more exhilarating nearby.


    David''s lips twisted into a devious smile as he sensed more crimson motes in the air and within himself. He reached out with his mist-shrouded hand and grabbed one of the crimson motes. The mote entered his body without resistance.


    The crimson mote did not even resist his attempts at pulling it into his Holy Sea, which was exactly what David did. He reached out to more crimson motes and repeated the process. There weren''t many crimson motes left near the Herculean Darkai''s corpse, but the surroundings were overflowing with fresh corpses. To David, the battlefield felt like a farm full of them, ripe for harvesting.


    He took a deep breath, which was far more painful than David expected, and approached the closest enemy. The ordinary Darkai had ignored him until now. They must have considered him as good as dead already, an unworthy prey to play with. That changed now that he was back on his feet.


    A dozen Darkai rushed at him, their faces filled with glee, eager to tear him to shreds.


    If they were strong enough to do so.


    David cast overclocked [Bless] on himself before conjuring three crimson shields to cover his left side as half a dozen Darkai pounced on him. The demons clawed the shields, but they didn''t budge. They rippled a little and lost some of their bright luster, but they were far from empty.


    David kicked off the ground, beheading one Darkai with a swift slash and ramming his blade into the next target''s chest without hesitation. He weaved left and right, evading the incoming attacks with ease, and threw the Obsidian Blade at one Darkai when it gathered dark flames in its hideous mouth. David''s soulbound weapon pierced through the Darkai''s fireball and exited the back of its mouth before he summoned it back to his mind space.


    His Holy Sea retaliated a little, the strain of pulling the soulbound weapon back from an extended range hitting hard, but David didn''t care.


    He felt faster, stronger, and sharper than ever. His mind raced, processing everything with blinding speed, letting him spot every threat and react instantly. Another [Shield of Faith] protected David from a demon pair''s simultaneous assault, but instead of changing his targets, David dispersed the [Shield of Faith] when the demons made a detour around it.


    His left hand smashed hard into one of their faces. That did little damage, but he never intended to kill the demon like that. A burst of [Holy Touch] rushed to his knuckles when the punch impacted. It pushed forward and entered the demon''s head, where it did¡­something.


    David''s right hand whipped to the side, ramming his blade through a Demon''s ear. A kill notification rang out, but he didn''t even look at the victim.


    He transformed into a whirlwind of slashes, thrusts, and punches while continuously consuming more crimson motes. The pain sweeping through his body intensified, but he knew he needed the crimson motes fueling him to the brim.


    Soon enough, he would face the Herculean Darkai. But first, David had to deal with a few more ordinary Darkai. They charged mindlessly at him. It almost appeared like the demons thought their numbers would change anything. Maybe that would work with others. It might even have worked if it had been a minute or two earlier. But not anymore. He was stronger, fiercer, deadlier than before.


    The crimson hue over his vision deepened, washing out all other colors until only shades of bloody red remained. David was keenly aware he was still not at his peak. He was still accelerating, still improving his attack patterns. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hardly recognized how many demons he''d slain or how many notifications had popped up. He felt his Skill Runes growing stronger, their potency rising even as his Rank progressed. But he couldn''t tell how many Runes had leveled up or how close he was to the next Rank.


    Perhaps he was already a Bronze Rank and hadn''t even realized! No, that shouldn''t be possible. It wouldn''t make any sense.


    But what made sense was the attention David attracted. He noticed the gazes of powerful beings lingering on him and turned out to be one of them. One of the Herculean Darkai stared at him through its void-like eyes. It was still engaged in a fierce battle, yet it watched him instead of focusing on the others.


    Even though several Bronze Ranks fought the Mini-Boss, it watched David. Its eyes were glued onto him as if he was more dangerous than the Bronze Ranks.


    But maybe that was the case. Maybe he was more dangerous at this moment.


    David licked his lips, his eyes glowing in fierce determination.


    Let the hunt begin.

 Chapter 47 - B1 48 - The Hunt

    David charged the closest Herculean Darkai, not forgetting to cast [Bless] and [Oasis of Harmony] on the men and women surrounding the Mini-Boss.


    He drew the Herculean Darkai''s full attention while enhancing the allies the creature ignored. The Herculean Darkai quickly released three black fireballs, but David blocked the first two with [Shield of Faith] while evading the third. It exploded beside him without inflicting any damage.


    The Herculean Darkai''s massive wings flapped, and it barreled forward with shocking speed, clawing at him in rapid succession. The first strike was blocked by a [Shield of Faith], which shattered, and the second and third attack missed him by a hair''s breadth, but the fourth attack hit the mark.


    He twisted his body, resisting the pain that threatened to overwhelm him¡ªa sensation dulled by his current state ¨C yet the Darkai pierced his upper arm. It impaled his arm and pulled downward in a smooth motion, which was nearly enough to cleave David''s right arm.


    Pain surged through him, but he moved without hesitation. He used an overclocked [Cure Wounds] thrice and circulated [Holy Touch] through his damaged arm, stimulating his nerves and natural regeneration. The Recovery Serum continued to work, but David''s Skill Runes proved far more effective. [Cure Wounds] worked wonders and healed him much faster than before. It also drained him faster and used far more crimson motes.


    A shift rippled through his mind space. First, a pristine light pulsed in his mind, catching his interest.


    One of his Skill Runes was changing. The rune inflated, split into countless particles of light that shone bright like the stars of a cloudless night and gathered again. They formed a new Skill Rune.


    David was overwhelmed. [Cure Wounds] was no more, yet his intent to heal was still there, flooding him with life as the remnants of [Cure Wounds] were relayed to the new Skill Rune.


    Time seemed to slow. It was only for a second, maybe even less, but that was enough to glance at the notifications.


    [Proficiency of Cure Wounds reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 IX] ¡ú [Tier-0 X]


    [Cure Wounds reached its limit. Initiate Tier progression.]


    [Cure Wounds ¨C Tier-0 X] ¡ú[Restore ¨C Tier-1 I]


    [Cure Wounds] advanced to [Restore]. The Skill Rune''s name was still as simple as before, but its power as a Tier-1 Skill was incomparable. It was more potent, more efficient, and more focused. [Cure Wounds] was difficult to concentrate on a specific point of his body, but [Restore] was different. It restored what David wanted to mend even before he''d verbalized his intent.


    The Skill Rune was more sensitive, consuming much more energy at full power, but that made it incredibly powerful. David could have healed his half-severed arm with a single use of [Restore] instead of three overclocked [Cure Wounds].


    Reality snapped back into motionDavid barely had a moment to process the surge of new power before the Herculean Darkai struck again. The demon towered before him and released a fireball in his face. It would have exploded in David''s face if he hadn''t used [Shield of Faith] to conjure a large crimson shield.


    The shield resulted from his Skill Rune reaching Rank V. The shield endured the explosion and blocked the Darkai''s advance, creating an opening for the other Protectors. David wondered briefly if the others would arrive or if they had retreated. A quick glance revealed they had been fending off ordinary Darkai when the Mini-Boss charged him. How unlucky could one be?


    The Darkai were dead, and the Protectors arrived at the scene. Two Mages unleashed [Arcane Blast] while the Warriors'' blades and axes were glowing and humming. One of the Warriors severed the Herculean Darkai''s left leg with a mighty cleave, whereas the others rammed their blades deep into the Mini-Boss'' back.


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    "The Herculean Darkai roared in pain and fury, unfurling its wings to knock the Mages back, sending their frail bodies hurtling through the air as it spun. Fireballs shot toward the Protectors as the Darkai accelerated, clawing at them relentlessly. Blood and guts spilled everywhere.


    The Mini-Boss was growing stronger. It wasn''t fair, but then again, life rarely was.


    David pushed off the ground, casting [Oasis of Harmony] on himself. He seized the moment while the Mini-Boss''s attention was elsewhere, leaped into the air, and landed smoothly ¨C as smooth as one could land on a walking demon ¨C on its wings. He swayed briefly, noticing that the connection between the wings and shoulder blades was thinner than it first appeared, but quickly regained his balance.


    David coated his soulbound weapon in a thick layer of [Holy Touch], causing it to glow, not with pure light, but in a vibrant crimson shroud as he thrust the Obsidian Blade forward. The Herculean Darkai stirred, its wings flapping in an attempt to shake David off, but he had already driven his blade deep into its neck.


    [Holy Touch] surged into the target to work its wonders while the Obsidian Blade drained the Mini Boss'' blood.


    The following seconds felt like an eternity. The Herculean Darkai froze as dark blood poured from its mouth. Its neck convulsed and expanded, but there was no explosion ¨C David couldn''t tell exactly what holy power did to the Darkai, but he knew it was effective. Simultaneously, the Protectors attacked. They sensed their opportunity and assaulted the unmoving demon.


    After a moment of eerie stillness, the Herculean Darkai twitched. It counterattacked, clawing its perpetrators like a desperate beast, and¡­collapsed.


    [You have defeated Herculean Darkai (Mini Boss).]


    [Proficiency of Holy Touch reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 VII] ¡ú [Tier-1 VIII]


    David dropped to the ground atop the demon, rolled, and sprang smoothly to his feet. Something materialized beside him, but his attention lingered on the Protectors and the turmoil within him.


    Almost. A little bit more and¨C


    He ignored the drop and rushed to the Protectors. Their bodies went stiff as statues under the touch of David''s mist-wreathed hand.


    "Stay still!" David commanded, and the Protectors would have tensed up even more if that had been possible. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He used [Restore] and [Cleanse] on the Protectors. Their wounds were swiftly cleaned and tended to, which was good. Their power was needed.


    "Focus on the ordinary Darkai for the time being. Kill as many as you can. They cannot reach Arc!" He added but proceeded to rush to the Mages without waiting for a response.


    The Mages looked a little bit worse. Their limbs were twisted unnaturally, and their breaths came in ragged gasps. They lost consciousness and breathed heavily, yet there were no major external wounds.


    The worst injuries come first.


    David used [Restore] and [Cleanse] again, but he had to apply [Restore] twice on both Mages. Their condition was bad, and they did not wake up even after the worst had been taken care of. Meanwhile, David''s reserves were sucked dry. Using his Skill Runes excessively drained him rapidly.


    He absorbed the surrounding crimson motes, but fractions of the crimson motes he had produced were used every time he activated a Skill Rune.


    It drained him, emptied him, and sucked him dry. He couldn''t even tell what was drained from him. Of course, David had some theories, but nothing had been confirmed yet.


    It was dangerous, maybe even suicidal. However, it was necessary.


    Close. The feeling is there.


    David licked his lips. He was close to it. He could feel it; the sensation of fullness. It was there, trying to break the final barrier.


    But he needed more. Just a little.


    The last pair of Herculean Darkai turned to him. Their eerie glares lingered on him. He could perceive them and returned the gaze, which made him feel like the demons could see into the deepest parts of his body, but David didn''t look away. His eyes drifted from one Herculean Darkai to the other.


    They ignored the Protectors around them and charged simultaneously. David saw the Protectors move from the corner of his eyes, but he saw something even worse behind them.


    The Rift Boss was all alone, approaching the System Sanctuary. The defenders fighting the Rift Boss must have been killed or knocked out: nobody was stopping the ginormous demon.


    "Stop the Rift Boss. Stall some time," David roared at the top of his lungs, "I will take care of these two fuckers!"

 Chapter 48 - B1 49 - An Arm for an Arm

    Fighting two Herculean Darkai at once was proving far more difficult than David had anticipated. The boost from the Fragment of Blood was wearing off, and the effects of the Recovery Serum were fading.


    David dodged the Herculean Darkai''s fireball, but its claws slashed across his stomach before he could reach the Mini-Bosses. Overclocking [Restore] kept him standing, the glowing skill patching his wounds just enough to stay alive.


    Gritting his teeth, he infused the Obsidian Blade with [Holy Touch], driving it into one of the Herculean Darkai''s waist. He pushed [Holy Touch] to its limit, and released a massive burst of crimson holy power into the demon at the cost of his rapidly draining energy reserves.


    As the power of [Holy Touch] faded, David twisted the blade in the demon''s flesh and ripped it free. A fireball struck his back at that exact moment, and the stench of his burned skin filled his nostrils. He stumbled but forced himself to keep moving.


    The injured Herculean Darkai lashed out with a savage kick, then tore into its flesh with sharp claws, ripping away large chunks of it. It snarled in agony before launching a fireball directly at its wounds. The black flames erupted, cauterizing the injuries in a gruesome display.


    It worked¡­but damn, that''s way too draining!


    David grimaced. The demons were savage.


    Maybe it would have been worthwhile if the Herculean Darkai hadn''t been savage enough to tear its body apart. But, of course, that''s exactly what it did. These demons were savage, yet they knew how to manage their wounds. The Herculean Darkai and their common counterpart were good at assessing the damage their foe could inflict with every attack. Sometimes, they would rather sacrifice a claw than lose their heads.


    Neither would be an issue if David had enough holy power to waste or the ability to access the ambient Aether. But it was corrupted and repelled his advances. He twisted his upper body, only for the unscathed Herculean Darkai to do the same. It seemed to copy his actions and impaled his left leg. David gritted his teeth through the pain, casted [Bless], and jabbed at the demon''s claw.


    The Herculean Darkai didn''t pull back. It twisted its claw in David''s leg and released a fireball at him from a close distance. Or that ought to have happened if David hadn''t responded to the demon opening its massive maw. He created a small crimson shield before the Herculean Darkai''s maw when it released a black fireball. The blazing projectile exploded upon impact, simultaneously damaging [Shield of Faith] and the Darkai''s maw.


    He severed the Darkai''s claw in the same instance, pulled it out of his leg, and cast [Cleanse] on it.


    Please work.


    David cast [Restore], hastily patching the gaping wound in his leg, his eyes flicking to the fading crimson motes around him. He absorbed as many crimson motes as he could see and grasp, but most of his attention lingered on the severed claw and the two Herculean Darkai.


    [Demonic Essence of the target has been cleansed.]


    David infused [Holy Touch] into the cleansed claw, kicked the ground with his injured leg, and pierced it through the Herculean Darkai''s thigh. He cast [Cleanse], overclocked, and used it with the most potent crimson motes on the Mini-Boss, hoping for the best.


    But before David could witness the aftermath of his attacks, several things happened simultaneously. First, the crimson motes around him dispersed. Second, the red hue and the bloody mist mantled his body, and his eyes faded into nothingness. Third, the pain he hadn''t felt all this time assaulted him at once.


    It felt like everything he''d experienced since consuming the Fragment of Blood came crashing down on him like a massive reminder of what it meant to borrow power.


    But that was fine. Everything was going to be okay. It had to be.


    A sudden pang of pain spread through his arm. His sight grew hazy, yet David could clearly see the familiar arm sailing through the air.


    It was his left arm!


    Fragment of Blood''s assault had occupied his mind a moment too long. Lost in pain, he didn''t even see the Herculean Darkai''s attack until his arm flew past him. Even after seeing his arm, David had a hard time recognizing what was happening. He had to feel the pain of losing an arm to understand what was happening.


    David overclocked [Restore] to its limit and dashed forward, desperate to catch his arm. Maybe, just maybe, [Restore] was strong enough to attach severed limbs. It had to work!


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    But one of the Herculean Darkai blocked his path. They didn''t stay idle. The Herculean Darkai before David kicked him fiercely in the side. His rib cage caved in, and it sounded like several ribs broken in one go, but that wasn''t even the worst. David lost his momentum and didn''t reach his arm. Worse even, David saw the Herculean Darkai shift its gaze toward him as if it had noticed something.


    A moment later, his heart sank in horror.


    The demon turned to the severed arm and released a fireball, burning it to cinder.


    "You¡­" David growled, his voice low and guttural. For a moment, he forgot the agony wracking his body. "I''m going to tear you apart, you fuckface!"


    Rage fueled David to the brim. It was overflowing within him. However, he was not only angry at the loss of his left arm. He was angry at himself. How stupid could someone be?


    Consumed by rage, David felt himself letting go, the pain in his body eclipsed by the fire burning inside him. Then, suddenly, his mind went blank.


    He had no idea what had happened, but it couldn''t have been more than a second or two before he snapped back to his senses.


    Through blurred vision, the first thing David saw was the Herculean Darkai''s severed arm hitting the ground. A moment later, his eyes drifted to the Obsidian Blade or, to be precise, the solid crimson blade extension that had materialized around it.


    He didn''t have the energy to question what was happening. However, he could instinctively feel the power residing within the crimson blade. It augmented his soulbound weapon''s sharpness drastically and extended its range.


    His stomach churned, and his Holy Sea couldn''t have taken longer than a second to scream. David felt his Holy Sea waver; the crimson motes within swirled chaotically, refusing to settle into the Skill Runes where they belonged.


    They surged out of the Holy Sea and to the Obsidian Blade''s placeholder through its crimson connecting link.


    David coughed up blood, but he wasn''t done yet. He might have lost one arm, but so did the Herculean Darkai before him. In fact, the Herculean Darkai was more grievously wounded. It bled like a pig and could hardly move one of its legs. The left leg pierced by its own claw was oddly pale and twitched violently as if it required tremendous effort to stay.


    Gritting his teeth, David charged at the Herculean Darkai, casting [Bless] despite the searing pain that wreaked his body. He ignored his Holy Sea''s screeching and the faint cracking that rang through his entire body as he arrived before the Mini-Boss and leaped into the air. He rammed the Obsidian Blade deep into the Darkai''s chest until no more than its handle was visible.


    The Herculean Darkai''s remaining arm burst forward. David wanted to use [Shield of Faith], but no shield to protect him conjured. The Mini-Boss'' claws dug into his side, and the next thing he remembered was gliding through the air. He smashed hard on the ground, the life in his eyes fading slowly.


    Is that how it feels to die?


    He wondered, staring at the sky through hazy eyes.


    David had given it everything he had, and he did not once regret joining the fight against the Horde.


    In spite of that, he recognized that it had been a bit foolish to fight two Mini-Bosses alone. Maybe he could have handled one of them, but David would never know.


    Is that how it would end? He didn''t want to end it here. He was just getting started. David still hadn''t met his parents and hadn''t told them what he''d held back all these years. He couldn''t let it end here.


    David couldn''t move anymore. His body didn''t budge, and his Holy Sea threatened to fall apart at any moment. Even if he didn''t die here, David was certain his Holy Sea would never be the same after today. He went too far.


    He had overestimated his capabilities.


    David''s eyelids grew heavier by the second. They threatened to close, forcing him to eternal slumber. Yet, something deep down was telling him that he shouldn''t give up. That he should fight against death. That he should overcome it!


    It took David an eternity to realize what that feeling was. It was the same thing that bothered him earlier.


    He had been close before, but now he made it. David shattered the final barrier.


    A cascade of notifications lit up before his fading eyes, the words blurry but unmistakable. Summoning the last of his strength, David forced himself to focus on their meaning.


    [You have defeated Herculean Darkai(Mini-Boss).]


    [You are the sole contributor to the Herculean Darkai''s demise. Congratulations, Lone Hunter!]


    [The User went above and beyond to triumph over a mighty foe. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    You broke and mutilated your body, but you are still alive.


    You burned your Soul, yet it''s standing strong.


    You broke your Mind''s limit. Even so, it never failed you.


    You healed your allies and slayed your enemies. You protected Arc.]


    [The User''s Body, Mind, and Soul have been strengthened.]


    Body ¨C Middle(+)(Basic) ¡úHigh(-)(Basic)


    Mind ¨C Middle(Basic) ¡ú Middle(+)(Basic)


    Soul ¨C Middle(-)(Basic) ¡ú Middle(Basic)


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Iron IX] ¡ú [Iron X]


    [One Attribute Point has been added]


    [You have met all conditions. Commence First Class Advancement!


    A moment later, time slowed to a crawl.

 Chapter 49 - B1 50 - The Patron?

    David gasped for air, but his lungs refused to obey. Again and again, he tried, but nothing happened. He braced himself for the end, yet the lack of oxygen didn''t seem to matter.


    He tried to move, push his body upright, and get back. An increase in all of his stats should grant him some power. It ought to be enough to get up and fight. Even if it wasn''t enough, David was certain the increment should give him enough strength to use the Healing Serum.


    It might tear him apart¡ªhe''d already consumed three Serums in the past hours¡ªbut it was his only chance at survival.


    However, no matter what David tried, he couldn''t move. Nothing moved.


    "You''re weaker than expected. To think you would lose an arm to such weak creatures," An unfamiliar voice filled with mockery reached his ears. "Then again, you had a lot to do. Cleansing your allies'' corrupted Souls, eliminating dozens of cretins at or above your Rank, and healing and protecting your allies at your Essence''s expense isn''t easy for a newborn. But you managed to do everything and to hunt a Bronze Rank Mini-Boss without dying."


    A chuckle rang out, "I take back what I said earlier. You''re impressive. You didn''t disappoint me, newborn!"


    Who the hell are you?


    David wanted to shout, but his body disobeyed. He couldn''t even control his eyes to find the voice''s owner. Instead, the source of the voice came to him.


    A cloud formed above him. It expanded, shifted, and compressed into the shape of a humanoid creature. The cloud''s form reminded David of a human, but it might as well be an Elf or another humanoid race. It wasn''t important.


    Crimson-red mist. Is that a cloud of blood?


    He was reminded of the bloody mist his body emitted when he first used the Fragment of Blood. Was this related? Did he start hallucinating now that he was on the verge of death? Was that what dying felt like?


    "You''re still alive, newborn. Luck is on your side. Or maybe you want to call it a blessing in disguise," The mockery tone returned, "The System rewarded you for achieving something extraordinary. Then again, I might have influenced the reward a little. You took longer than expected to meet the requirements."


    Requirements?


    Confusion gripped him. Nothing made sense¡ªthe voice, the mist, his unmoving body. He couldn''t even feel scared. He was just¡­numb. Despite that, hazy vision turned crystal clear. His body wasn''t moving, but his mind was rattling. His brain appeared unaffected by the restraints of the rest of his body.


    And then there was the crimson human-shaped cloud.


    "The requirements to do all of this. To slow down time for a bit. To manifest here, though, this form is weaker than expected. And, of course, I want to help you with your First Class Advancement!"


    Can he read minds?


    "Yes and no," the voice replied. "I wouldn''t call it mind-reading. If anything, I''m reading your blood."


    That''s even weirder.


    "You''re odd," Another chuckle resounded, "I like that. You are just like me!"


    David didn''t think so, but he remained silent. He was certain questions would flood him anytime, yet his mind remained clear.


    "Hmm. I thought you would have some questions, newborn. Or that you would curse me and my colleagues like you did in the temple." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn''t been certain before, but now he was. The human cloud belonged to the Pantheon.


    Do we have time for that? You didn''t stop time; you slowed time. Either that means you cannot freely control time or don''t do it for whatever reason. Plus, the dead don''t need to ask any questions. Asking questions on the deathbed feels like a waste of time.


    "I found a smart one. A clever nutjob!" The crimson cloud giggled. "But you''re not going to die. You know that, or you wouldn''t have been thinking about consuming the Healing Serum since the System rewarded you for your suicidal achievement."


    He knows that too? Bastard! If you''re here to mock me, you might as well go away!


    "Your temper is adorable," The cloud came closer and shifted, revealing a human-like face smiling vibrantly at him.


    "But I''m not here for no reason. Nobody would waste Essence to come to a wasteland like this for no reason, but I''m guessing you already figured that out. Your blood is quite the chatterbox."


    If he could move, he would have cursed at the cloud and showed him the golden middle finger. Instead, he had to endure the crimson cloud''s mocking tone.


    Calm down...This must be the First Class Advancement Ritual. It''s supposed to happen somewhere safe, not in the middle of a battlefield. So, he slowed time... to buy me that safety?


    He didn''t feel like wasting any time. Talked to the crimson cloud god ¨C or whatever he was ¨C and went straight to the point.


    You''re offering your help to become a Patron. My Patron.


    "Ding, ding, ding. Newborn, you got a full score!"


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Let''s stop that nonsense for a moment. There is no reason to pick you up, is there? You said I won''t die. Once I consume the Healing Serum and use the Attribute Point to increase Body, I will be strong enough to fight the last Mini-Boss head-on and¨C


    "Your Holy Sea is damaged beyond repair. You forced your Life Essence into a vessel that can only contain holy power. It would have been alright if it had only been a few traces of Essence. It''d cause some damage, but nothing permanent. But you flooded the Holy Sea with Life Essence and consumed too much. You burdened not only your Holy Sea, but you nearly extinguished your existence simultaneously."


    The crimson cloud shaped into a shrug, "You can reject my offer and use the Healing Serum. Maybe your body can overcome the potency of four Serums used in quick successions, but your Holy Sea won''t heal. It will not recover your used-up Life Essence either. The Herculean Darkai will tear you to shreds before you fully recover."


    "You will die. Is that what you want? Is that how you want your journey to end?"


    David didn''t like this. He hated it. If the god hadn''t arrived, he would have died, but swearing servitude to one of those bastards of the Pantheon? That didn''t sit right with him. Even without an oath, there would be a debt. A favor to repay. Maybe something worse.


    Still, it seemed like his only chance at survival. He couldn''t throw it away.


    You want to become my Patron? And what do you want in return?


    The crimson figure smiled a slow, vibrant curve of its lips, but gave no immediate response. No words reached his ears. Instead, the crimson cloud didn''t say anything. It rippled and expanded like it was about to destabilize.


    Suddenly, the surroundings shifted. David''s vision dimmed as a wave of darkness swept over him. For a moment, it reminded him of the demonic shockwave from earlier. He half-expected a notification to materialize, but none came.


    Instead, something stirred within him. Strength. His body began to respond to it. He couldn''t move yet, but vigor coursed through his veins, tangible and undeniable.


    The darkness engulfed everything. It covered the sky and threatened to wreath the crimson cloud but it retaliated, glowed, and repelled the darkness. David eyed the crimson cloud god''s struggle for a moment. He watched as the god was forced to use his power to repel the darkness. David watched as emerald-green light streams cut through the darkness, like veins forming on skin. The sight was both mesmerizing and unnerving.


    "Why are you here? The newborn is my Champion!" The voice belonging to the crimson cloud bellowed.


    "Your Champion?" A hoarse laughter resounded, "Nonsense. I marked this kid."


    "The newborn doesn''t have your Rune, meaning you never marked him! You must have gone senile to think the System would allow an Iron Rank to bind [Draining Touch!" The crimson cloud hissed, "If you wanted him dead, you could have done it differently!"


    The darkness snorted, "He would have withstood it."


    David listened intently, but he had a hard time comprehending everything they said.


    Even so, he could add snippets of their dispute to expand his picture of the Pantheon, the System, and everything that had happened to him.


    The god in the darkness must be Bereth.


    David concluded, unsure if Bereth''s words made any sense. Would he have withstood binding and using [Draining Touch]?


    [Holy Touch] had already been dangerous enough when he first used it. He couldn''t fathom what it would be like to use a Tier-2 Skill Rune for the first time. On the first day, he learned about the Pantheon, magical creatures, mythical energies, and Skill Runes.


    David felt a shift in the darkness, and it was almost like Bereth had started straight into his soul ¨C though he couldn''t see Bereth.


    "Do you want to become my Champion?" Bereth asked while the vibrant green streams in the darkness intensified. They expanded and flooded the darkness, replacing it for a few seconds before the darkness returned.


    Bereth loomed over him. He was everywhere, yet nowhere.


    David shivered. The darkness felt oppressive, yet oddly welcoming¡ªlike two forces pulling at him, one deadly and the other strangely comforting."


    "What you''re feeling is Death," the man in the crimson cloud said, "Precisely, this is the Cycle of Life and Death. And you can sense it¡­That''s why he must be interested in you. That''s¨C"


    "Silence!" the darkness thundered.


    So¡­you''re the God of Death?


    David wondered, trying to recall what he''d heard about the God of Death before diverting his focus in an attempt to look at the crimson cloud.


    And you¡­I really don''t know who you are or what you''re capable of.


    A sonorous laughter rang out from the crimson cloud. David couldn''t tell if they were allies or enemies. The way they spoke felt strained, yet not entirely hostile.


    "See. Everyone thinks you are the God of Death. Nobody knows you, Bereth!"


    That confirmed. The darkness was truly Bereth, the god who''d been stalking him.


    "I''m Asmodeus, by the way," The crimson cloud snickered, "Your new Patron."


    "I won''t accept¨C"


    "I don''t care. You don''t have to swear loyalty or servitude. Taking you away from Bereth is worth it."


    Bereth didn''t seem to like that. Time around him slowed further, and David lost the tidbits of control he had just regained. He was forced to watch the horrifying scene unfolding before him.


    Everything around David blurted. The vibrant green streams and the darkness flooding the sky shifted and merged above him.


    He didn''t know what awaited him, but his instincts warned him.


    This is going to hurt.


    David shuddered inwardly as a pillar of green light and searing darkness crashed down. The sheer force of it sent waves of panic through him, his instincts screaming that this wasn''t normal¡ªnothing that happened in the last few minutes was.


    However, there was another pillar ¨C a crimson glistening light ¨C that crashed down and hit David at the same time.


    A moment later, notifications flashed before his eyes.


    [The User has been granted access to Asmodeus'' Law of Blood to commence a custom Class Advancement.]


    [The User has been granted access to the Cycle of Life and Death to commence a custom Class Advancement.]


    [Custom Classes have been created with access to the Law of Blood and the Cycle of Life and Death.]


    [Warning: Several threats have been detected. Class Advancement will be terminated upon sustaining damage!]


    The cogs of time resumed their work. It was a slow process, but David could clearly feel it. He regained control of his limbs but didn''t move an inch.


    There was no time and energy to waste on moving. He had a decision to make.

 Chapter 50 - B1 51 - Class Advancement

    David regained partial control over his body. The pain of having sustained multiple grievous wounds returned, but so did the sensation of his Body, Mind, and Soul growing stronger.


    Despite his injuries, David felt like he was bursting with life. He recovered quickly as the power of the gods ¨C or whatever they had done to him ¨C spread through him. Only his Holy Sea wasn''t changing. It didn''t recover.


    That''s a problem.


    David stared blankly at the sky. His eyes trailed a lonely cloud drifting high above. The sky was clear now as if Asmodeus and Bereth had been nothing more than a hallucination.


    Various questions flashed through his mind, though there was nobody to answer any of them. In the first place, he didn''t have the luxury to doubt anything right now.


    His gaze shifted to the lengthy notifications that had appeared as soon as time resumed its course.


    That was probably not what you guys had planned.


    The corner of David''s lip tugged upward. He didn''t know enough about the Pantheon or its gods, let alone the First Advancement Ritual. However, he distinctly remembered Torb mentioning something about a Patron selecting a customized Class¡ªor was it Melach? Whoever it was¡­either he was wrong or lying, or David''s situation was different.


    He hoped for the latter.


    I will gracefully accept your gifts¡­without selling you my soul or whatsoever, of course. A Champion? No, thanks!


    His focus locked onto the first of four lengthy messages.


    [Lifeblood Cleric ¨C (Rare)]


    You are not satisfied with your might and seek the Law of Blood''s aid to reinforce your powers. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lifeblood Clerics are a rare advancement path chosen only by a few devout Clerics.


    You are devout to your task of aiding your allies in battle, even if it requires your Blood and Essence.


    ¨C A small sacrifice is all you need to heal and protect those in need ¨C


    Your proficiency with Healing, Enhancement, and other Support Skill Runes increases drastically.


    A trace of the Law of Blood infused into your Essence will be used to augment your Skill Runes.


    Skill Runes [Blood Infusion], [Blood Collection], and [Blood Sacrifice] will fuse to your energy reservoir.


    Lifeblood Clerics rely on their advanced energy reservoir to utilize Skills of greater power.


    Your Holy Sea will be no more. A better energy reservoir will form in its stead.


    Skill Runes that cannot be used with other energies cannot be utilized anymore.


    Increasing your Rank will grant you [+1 Mind], [+1 Soul]


    Time pressed on, the sound of battle creeping back into David''s awareness. He couldn''t afford to linger; he had to choose.


    But that wasn''t easy. David had yet to fully comprehend the Lifeblood Cleric''s Class description.


    This looks like a jumbled mess of¡­No idea. Did Asmodeus and Bereth break the System?


    Lifeblood Cleric could have been appealing if it were his only option, but several aspects irked him.


    First, only the Law of Blood reinforced the Lifeblood Cleric''s power. That meant he would waste the power granted from Bereth: The Cycle of Life and Death. Second, he didn''t like that it required Blood and Essence ¨C a small sacrifice even. Asmodeus didn''t explain anything in detail, but he''d mentioned Essence when he talked about the destruction of his Holy Sea.


    The crimson motes were related to his Essence! Somehow. The Skill Runes didn''t sound exceptional, either. Only the creation of a new energy reservoir and the increases of his Mind and Soul were pleasant to the eye.


    It''s possbile to use crimson motes to activate any Skill Rune. The creation of a new energy reservoir shouldn''t have any negative effects¡­but there are better Classes to pick.


    David glanced left and right. The Herculean Darkai stood still, its gaze elsewhere. Did it think he was dead? Good. Let it stay that way.


    He slowly reached for the Alchemy Belt and removed the Healing Serum while his eyes returned to the messages. He read the first lines of the other messages.


    [Viridan Reaper (Rare)]


    [Crimson Moon Knight (Unique)]


    [Lifeweaver (Unique)]


    Even though Viridan Reaper sounded nice, David''s little experience with games told him that a [Unique] Class was better than a [Rare] Class.


    Nonetheless, Viridan Reaper felt like it might be worth reading. He couldn''t cast it aside as if it was a worthless Class, even though the situation demanded sacrifices. There was no time to waste.


    Viridan Reaper is a powerful Combat Class that grants a point in Body and Soul for every level. It uses traces of the power infused by the Cycle of Life and Death¨C


    David stopped reading for a moment, his mind racing. The Class was tempting, but it only used the Cycle of Life and Death and ignored the Law of Blood. He couldn''t shake the feeling of being cheated.


    David dismissed the Class description of Viridan Reaper.


    [Crimson Moon Knight ¨C (Unique)]


    You seek power. Strength.


    The Law of Blood and the Cycle of Life and Death grant you your wish.


    As a Crimson Moon Knight, you are the epitome of justice and strength.


    You protect the weak and fight evil. You seek challenges and danger.


    Your might is great, but so is the weight you have to carry.


    With great power comes great responsibility.


    Your existing Skill Runes will be enhanced and altered.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    As a Knight, your means to heal others are unlike your ability to protect them.


    Skill Runes [Moonlight Saber], [A Knight''s Regeneration], and [Crimson Guard] will be fused to your energy reservoir.


    As you progress, your Holy Sea will transform and transcend the limits of an ordinary energy reservoir.


    Increasing your Rank will grant you [+2 Body], [+1 Soul]


    Crimson Moon Knight sounded great. It used both the Law of Blood and the Cycle of Life and Death. There was only one issue: The Crimson Moon Knight Class made use of his Holy Sea. It transformed his Holy Sea, but only as he progressed. That transformed the Unique Class into something he couldn''t pick.


    The broken energy reservoir doesn''t make my life easier. That much is obvious.


    Fortunately, he had another Unique Class to pick. It didn''t sound as appealing as the combat-focused Crimson Moon Knight Class, but it should nonetheless be a good Class.


    Please replace the Holy Sea!


    He cried in his heart while checking on the last of the four Class descriptions.


    David quickly skimmed to the end of the last description. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. This was it.


    "Yes!!" He exclaimed aloud, recalling way too late that he was still in the middle of the battlefield.


    He checked a few things in a hurry and made a hasty decision, his eyes trained on the final Class description.


    [Lifeweaver¨C (Unique)]


    You seek control, both over yourself and your fate.


    You have made a constant fight with Death your home.


    Chaos, Death, and Blood follow you everywhere, yet your presence grants life and hope.


    The Law of Blood and the Cycle of Life and Death resonate with your desire.


    Lifeweavers are creatures of the battlefield.


    You are born to fight. Born to win. Born to heal.


    Fated to kill. Fated to die.


    The proficiency of your Skill Runes increases significantly.


    Some Skill Runes will be altered slightly!


    Skill Runes [Weave of Life] and [Equivalent Exchange] will be fused to your Source.


    [Law of Blood] ¨C [Lowest(Minor)] will be granted.


    You will form a new Source


    Increasing your Rank will grant you [+3 Attribute Points]


    Fuck it!


    He relayed his intention to pick his new Class while pulling the Healing Serum to his lips.


    [Lifeweaver (Unique Class) has been selected.]


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Iron X] ¡ú [Bronze I]


    [Three Attribute Points have been added.]


    [Secondary Class has been unlocked.]


    [Source has been prepared.]


    It felt like a storm was brewing inside him as a crack rang out. David wasn''t sure if the crack resonated through his body or if others could hear it. But he was certain of one thing: The Holy Sea in him had shattered into hundreds of fragments. The fragments glowed brightly, but only for a moment. They disintegrated into countless, swirling particles.


    But the particles weren''t as pure as David had imagined. They were red, but not like the crimson motes. There were similarities, yet it was¡­different.


    The particles lit up his mind space, dazzling him. He couldn''t see it, but he felt it ¨C something forming inside him. It was his new energy reservoir, something he''d never felt with the Holy Sea¡ªalive, pulsating with potential. It felt like liquid, unlike the Holy Sea, which had been solid with only its center hollowed. He could access it easily and moving it didn''t seem out of options either.


    It felt¡­ strange, like something unfamiliar had taken root inside him.


    The dazzling light faded in what felt like an eternity, though in reality, it couldn''t have been longer than a fraction of a second¡ªthe demons had yet to reach him. They must have noticed David as he stirred. He sat upright in a swift motion and checked if the vial with Healing Serum was truly empty.


    A glance into his mind showed a small mass, no larger than a peanut, that resembled blood. That was his Source? It didn''t look anything like David expected!


    [Source has formed]


    [The first Drop of Blood has formed.


    Follow the Lifeweavers'' Path to accumulate more Blood!]


    [Class Skills [Weave of Life] and [Equivalent Exchange] have been fused to your Source. Prepare for the influx of information.]


    [The User gained control of his first Law. [Law of Blood ¨C Lowest(Minor)]


    [The User''s Skill Runes have been recorded and enhanced.


    All Skill Runes increased by one rank.]


    [Skill Rune [Shield of Faith] evolved into [Shield of Blood].]


    [Oasis of Harmony reached the first minor threshold.


    Repel of Wrath has been enhanced. Pull of Ire has been added.


    Messages flooded his mind, overwhelming him, blurring his vision with an unrelenting rush of information. Only when the Darkai appeared did he realize how close it was. It grimaced hideously at him and accelerated as its claws burst forward. David felt as though the demon would pierce his heart in one strike, but he simply smiled, unshaken.


    "Is it just me, or why do you suddenly look so weak and slow?" he sneered, activating [Shield of Blood] with a fraction of his Source''s Blood.


    A vibrant crimson shield came into existence before David. The Herculean Darkai didn''t pay the shield much attention, even as David''s smile widened.


    The Herculean Darkai''s claws slammed into the shield, sending shockwaves through the air. The shield remained strong. It fluctuated lightly, but that was it.


    The Herculean Darkai roared in pain, its claws shattering with a bone-crushing crunch that rung in David''s ears.


    He snickered, his eyes glinting with dark amusement as he watched the demon recoil in agony. He licked his lips while the influx of his new Class Skills information entered his mind.


    That''s not too bad.


    His eyes glimmered as the information settled down, telling David everything he had to know to utilize the new Skills. It was the bare minimum, mere instincts that nestled in his mind, but that was enough. He didn''t need more to use his new power.


    David didn''t have to go all out. Not anymore.


    He retracted the remaining Blood infused into the [Shield of Blood] and used his Attribute Points while the Herculean Darkai continued screaming at the top of its lungs.


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Body.]


    High(-)(Basic) ¡ú High(Basic)


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Mind.]


    Middle(+)(Basic) ¡ú High(-)(Basic)


    [Two Attribute Points have been used to enhance the User''s Soul.]


    Middle(Basic) ¡ú High(-)(Basic)


    Vibrant power flooded him. It occupied every part of his body and fueled his cells until they were overflowing.


    He took a deep breath, all while the Herculean Darkai regained composure.


    That''s enough. Let''s get rid of the Horde!

 Chapter 51 - B1 52 - Lifeweaver I

    The Runes of his Class Skills had yet to fully form, but David was already tapping into the instincts imprinted on his mind. Even though his understanding of the Class Skills and the Law of Blood was low¡ªreally low ¨C he could use them just fine. Once everything was complete, that is.


    The Runes of [Weave of Life] and [Equivalent Exchange] illuminated his mind space, dazzling him. Yet, it was the Law of Blood that intrigued David the most. Unlike his other Skill Runes, which revolved around the Source, the Law of Blood didn''t form a Rune.


    Instead, the Law of Blood was etched on the Source. It wasn''t a mere rune, a single symbol, imbued with some magical abilities. David felt like it was much more than that. His mind was caught up in the symbols etched on his Source, ignoring everything happening around him for a moment.


    There had to be hundreds of symbols, each distinct from the other. At first glance, they seemed ordinary¡ªbut not to David. To him, they were far more.


    He could only decipher a dozen, but that was enough to tell him the symbols were words¡ªwords filled with power.


    David''s hair stood on end as the words of power echoed through his mind, jolting him to his feet. His gaze locked onto the Herculean Darkai, which wasted no time after its claws shattered. It hurled three fireballs in rapid succession, all of which David narrowly evaded. He side-stepped to evade the first fireball and narrowly escaped the destructive power of the other blazing balls.


    He was stronger, faster, and more perceptive than ever. Details he would have missed before now stood out, sharpening his focus against his foes.


    Pushing all stats to High was a good decision.


    David was satisfied with the changes he had experienced. It wasn''t easy to adapt to the sudden improvements in his Body, Mind, and Soul, but he was confident. He would be fine in a few minutes.


    Pain surged through him, a brutal reminder of what four Serums, a lost arm, and a mid-battle Class Advancement ritual could do to a body. Even more so when one was already on the verge of death when the Class Advancement started.


    But he was alive. In pain, but alive and kicking!


    David kicked off the ground and attacked. He ducked under the Herculean Darkai''s incoming attack and conjured the Obsidian Blade in his hand. His hand flicked quickly to the demon''s leg and cut easily through hide and flesh in one go. Before his advancement, David would have to use more strength to injure the Herculean Darkai, but the blade pierced easily through its leg now that he was stronger.


    However, David wasn''t satisfied. A nagging feeling stirred his heart and Source, and he followed it. Words he''d hardly comprehended trickled from his mouth, filling him with excitement and power. It felt like his blood started boiling as some symbols engraved on his Source lit up.


    A portion of his Blood was consumed, strengthening the glowing symbols that resonated with David''s being.


    The Herculean Darkai screeched, and David turned back to block a potentially deadly attack, only to see the distance to the Mini-Boss growing. It retreated as the words filled with power continued trickling out of David. Every word felt stronger than the last, but nothing happened for a good second.


    The air thickened with tension as the words rolled from his lips. Only when the final word escaped did something shift. An otherworldly force surged through him, weighing heavily on him until it gushed out. Then, chaos erupted.


    He didn''t know what was happening at first. Despite that, his eyes were trained on the retreating Herculean Darkai. A wave of weakness overcame him, and he broke into a cold sweat, but his attention never left the Mini-Boss.


    The following seconds felt like an eternity to David. The Herculean Darkai roared in defiance at first. However, the defiant roar transformed quickly into a pained screech as the gash in its leg burst apart. To David, it looked like the Herculean Darkai''s legs exploded. Blood spurted in all directions en masse. It surged out of the demon like it was on the run.


    So much blood.


    Even after the countless injuries he''d endured over the past week, David had never witnessed a torrent of blood like that coming from one being.


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    The injury was deep, but not that deep¡ªit shouldn''t have caused this much damage. How was this even possible?


    David could barely comprehend what was unfolding before him. The sight was grotesque, more horrific than anything he had endured. But was it really?


    His heart skipped a beat, torn between fear and excitement. Was he terrified, or was he thrilled? He couldn''t tell. But what he could tell was exactly what was happening and what he had done.


    The Law of Blood.


    David couldn''t understand the words escaping his lips, but his intent was unmistakable: to hunt the Herculean Darkai and wound it deeply. And that''s exactly what happened. The words had rolled from his lips naturally like he''d known them forever. And the result unfolded before him.


    The Herculean Darkai''s leg was still intact, but the simple cut had deepened into a gash before his eyes. The injury might be lethal enough to kill the Mini-Boss eventually, but David wasn''t willing to wait. The battle with the Horde was far from over, and he couldn''t justify slowing down. The Herculean Darkai was still alive, and so were the Rift Boss and some ordinary Darkai.


    The Law of Blood pulsed with power, but it left him drained. He hadn''t even infused much of his Source''s Blood into the incantation, and it still wore him down. Still, every word of the incantation was filled with great power; enough power to kill the Herculean Darkai if he''d used it better.


    It shouldn''t have mattered, but it did. The Herculean Darkai was badly injured and slowed, an easy target now¡ªso why did he feel like he''d failed? S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David gritted his teeth and rushed at the Herculean Darkai, trying to disperse the guilt and doubts filling his heart and mind. He reached the Herculean Darkai as it released a barrage of fireballs. The fireballs shattered as a crimson shield materialized between them. David twisted his body, pushed past the explosions that rang painfully in his ears, and pounced on the demon.


    A claw pierced his side, whereas David''s blade, coated in a thin layer of crimson glistening [Holy Touch], ended up in the Herculean Darkai''s chest.


    David drove the Obsidian Blade deeper, pouring every ounce of strength from his battered body into the strike. A sharp crack echoed as the Herculean Darkai''s head snapped downward, its jaws lunging for his neck, but David had already moved.


    He gathered [Holy Touch]''s coat at the soulbound blade''s tip and released it inside the demon before recalling the blade to his mind space. A moment later, David''s hand shot toward the descending head. The Obsidian Blade conjured in his hand and cut cleanly through the bottom of the demon''s head.


    David twisted the blade and tore it down. It wasn''t much, certainly not enough to kill a Mini-Boss, but all he wanted was to stall time. And that he did.


    The demon''s claw dug into his side, sending a searing wave of pain through him. The sensation flared and faded as adrenaline took over. The Herculean Darkai''s legs caved it, and its claw''s grip loosened.


    David cast [Restore] before stabbing the Herculean Darkai again. This time, he pierced the demon''s heart, killing the creature for good.


    [You have defeated Herculean Darkai (Mini Boss).]


    [Your first attempt at wielding Words of Power succeeded.


    Proficiency of Law of Blood increased.]


    He dismissed most notifications about proficiency increases, but the last caught his attention.


    Words of Power? Is that how the words engraved on his Source are called?


    David nodded subtly, accepting the new intel, as a surge of power filled him. New details of his new abilities burned themselves into his mind as the Skill Runes finalized.


    Moments later, he felt his mind space resume to its original appearance, if one could still call it that at this point.


    His Holy Sea was no more. It had been replaced by the Source. He could also perceive the energy pathways filled with Aether, but David couldn''t tell what to do with it. There was no more need for holy power. Did he still need this much natural Aether?


    Then again, Blood was also some sort of energy. Maybe it required Aether to be formed.


    David shoved the thought aside. The last Mini-Boss had been defeated, but dozens of Darkai were still alive. That included the humongous Rift Boss, which had reached Arc''s outskirts.


    Less than 30 Protectors still fought around the Rift Boss, their ranks thinning with every moment. He saw twitching bodies from the corner of his eyes, but they looked like they were hanging onto the last threads of their life. Surviving was already a struggle for them, let alone returning to a seemingly helpless fight.


    Fight.


    He thought the pull of the battle with the Rift Boss stirring his heart, but something deeper held him back.


    Heal.


    What good was fighting if everyone around him fell? If everything crumbled?


    Fight and heal. That was all that mattered now.

 Chapter 52 - B1 53 - Lifeweaver II

    David''s instincts took over as he jumped into action. His body trembled violently as his legs dug deep into the blood-soaked ground, but he pushed forward.


    His eyes trailed the battlefield, and he quickly found a few squirming bodies. David arrived quickly, only to see the life fading from their eyes. David''s stomach churned at the sight of mutilated bodies¡ªsome half-burned, others shredded by Darkai claws or missing limbs, yet they were still alive.


    He gritted his teeth and trusted in the intent etched into his mind as he cast [Weave of Life]. Following his instincts, David stomped heavily onto the ground, sending his power through his leg. Searing heat surged through his leg as his foot struck the blood-soaked soil, tending to his wounds and soreness as it moved along. As his foot came in contact with the ground, [Weave of Life] seeped into it.


    The blood-soaked soil started glowing. At first, it shimmered faintly, but it quickly flared into an intense beacon of light. [Weave of Life] appeared to seep into the soil before David before it expanded, fueling the soil around him with power. The beacon of light pushed forward and spread out. It dimmed ever so slightly as the light split into multiple streams, creating a pristine network engulfing the wounded humans and elves.


    David felt the ground beneath the writhing bodies overflow with life, its energy surging toward the wounded and preserving their lives. The injured stopped writhing in pain, and their expressions eased up. Their faintest wounds appeared to stop bleeding, and the floods of blood pouring from the most grievous wounds lessened.


    They would make it. A single cast of [Weave of Life] protected several mortally injured combatants from certain death!


    For now, that was good enough.


    A satisfied smile blossomed on his lips as beads of sweat poured down his temples.


    He spun around, his body emitting a faint crimson hue as he cast [Bless] on himself. His gaze shifted to a group of Darkai battling a handful of lone defenders. The defenders'' expressions were distorted in pain and desperation. It was clear to David they were at their limit, but they didn''t retreat. They couldn''t, not with several unconscious bodies sprawled behind them. The defenders protected them.


    David moved quickly. He rushed to the Darkai from behind and thrust the Obsidian Blade into one of their necks. A twist of the soulbound blade was enough to eliminate the threat.


    He kicked another Darkai while retrieving the Obsidian Blade. The demon fell to the ground, which one of the injured Warriors took advantage of. His blade descended and dug deep into the Darkai. David plunged his blade into another Darkai, spinning swiftly to behead a third. The force behind his attack was to kill a Demon without slowing down. He pushed forward, cutting down another pair of Darkai before joining the defenders.


    David cast [Bless] on the defenders while his gaze lingered on the dying men and women around him. There were nine bodies, but only three were still alive. The others didn''t make it.


    "Fuck." The word slipped from his lips as his gaze fell on Melach among the bodies. Relief clashed with dread as he realized the elf was still alive, though barely. Melach was as pale as paper if one ignored the sick purple veins pressing tightly against his skin.


    David didn''t know how, but his heightened senses let him perceive life in others, and Melach''s presence was barely a flicker.


    [Weave of Life] won''t do it.


    His newest Skill Rune was powerful, but it spread its healing power evenly in its area of effect. Since he had no experience at controlling the area of effect ¨C [Weave of Life]''s range was too large to cover only three targets ¨C David wasn''t confident at rescuing Melach.


    He cast [Restore] on Melach first and used it two more times at a lower level to bring the others back from the brink of death. As long as the Darkai didn''t return, they would have a fair chance at survival. At least, that was what David hoped.


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    "Kill as many Darkai as you can," David ordered, though he didn''t think it was necessary. He glanced at the defenders again and nibbled his lower lip, "And fall back with the injured as soon as you''re spent."


    He didn''t wait for a response and continued his killstreak. [Bless] had yet to wear off, granting him enough power to kill Darkai without wasting any more of his precious Blood. The droplet of Blood in his Source wasn''t fully consumed yet, but David could feel its dwindling power.


    His expression remained stiff as he cut down the ordinary Darkai around him, his hair standing on end as he closed in on the Rift Boss. The Rift Boss was covered in cuts¡ªwounds that would have killed ordinary Darkai and crippled Herculean ones¡ªbut they barely seemed to slow it down.


    David considered his options for a moment, his mind racing.


    The Law of Blood should work. It won''t be enough, though.


    He cursed under his breath, his gaze shifting to the remaining defenders battling the Rift Boss¡ªif one could even call it a battle in the first place. Half the Protectors wavered on their feet, their exhaustion obvious even to David. If the Rift Boss turned its attention to them, it would spell a massacre. To David, they were nothing more than baggage.


    "If you''re too tired to fight the Rift Boss, get the fuck out of here. I am not going to nurse you back to life, you fuckers!" David growled loudly once he was close enough to be heard.


    The Protectors grunted, but David couldn''t hear if they said anything at all. He used the remnants of [Bless] to rush to the Rift Boss, Words of Power rolling from his tongue. A mind-splitting headache threatened to consume David as he added [Holy Touch] into the fray. He applied the Skill Rune to the Obsidian Blade and pierced it into the massive Rift Boss'' leg.


    [Holy Touch]''s power surged to the tip of the soulbound blade as it cut through the thick hide. David''s sense of danger perked up, forcing him to retreat. The Words of Power ceased, but whatever he had said seemed enough to unleash a portion of [Law of Blood]. The wound inflicted by the soulbound blade tore wide open.


    Black blood erupted from the wound as David stumbled back, his heart hammering in his chest.


    Please work!


    He prayed while recalling the Obsidian Blade back to his mind space. It took a moment until his view was clear again, but David watched as [Holy Touch]''s power seeped into the bleeding wound, spreading its influence. Since all Demons, or the Darkai at the very least, appeared weak against holy power, especially [Holy Touch], David could only hope the same applied to the Rift Boss.


    The Rift Boss confirmed his hopes, clawing at its leg to tear away chunks of flesh around the fresh wound. It took only a moment to do so, but that was enough for David. His smile widened as the Rift Boss concluded its ''surgery'' by burning the self-inflicted wound, just like the Herculean Darkai did before.


    A glance at the Rift Boss was enough to tell that the attack weakened it. The Rift Boss turned to David, its void-like eyes focusing solely on him. The Protectors dealing with the monstrosity attacked it, but none of their attacks appeared good enough. The Rift Boss moved toward David, and for the first time, its trajectory diverted away from the Sanctuary.


    It wasn''t much, but it felt like a victory. The pressure weighing heavily on everyone seemed to drop visibly.


    "Do what he said! Everyone who''s too weak to inflict serious injuries to the Boss¡­leave and protect Arc from the Darkai!!" The words rang over the battlefield, and David''s lips twitched into a grim smile. Finally, someone was listening. "As for the rest¡­focus on its leg! Once crippled, the Boss is as good as dead!!"


    That seemed like a good enough plan. The Rift Boss had been shockingly fast for its humongous size and weight, but not anymore. Its tremendous weight ought to be pressing hard on its leg, probably forcing the monstrosity to slow down. The Rift Boss''s left leg was half-destroyed, torn apart by its claws.


    An idea popped up in his head as the Rift Boss rushed closer. One of its legs was already as good as gone. It shouldn''t be a problem for the Protectors to cripple it for good, given a few minutes. That left the other leg.


    A close-range attack was no longer an option. The Rift Boss moved slowly, but its attacks were lightning-fast. Fireballs rained down, each one narrowly missing David. Every dodge felt like a brush with death. Facing it head-on was impossible. It was beyond suicidal. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David opted for the less suicidal approach.


    He summoned the Obsidian Blade, cast [Equivalent Exchange], and watched his trembling hand as he aimed the blade at his chest.


    With a grim smile, he whispered a silent prayed¡­and plunged the Obsidian Blade into himself.

 Chapter 53 - B1 54 - Death to the Boss

    Stabbing himself didn''t feel great.


    David felt every moment as his razor-sharp, soulbound weapon cut through his skin and flesh. It scraped his rib cage and dug deeper until most of its hilt disappeared in David''s chest.


    His chest heaved with effort, each breath sending bursts of agonizing pain through his body. Did he do the right thing? He couldn''t tell. The Rift Boss'' eyes stayed locked onto him, its hulking form closing the distance slowly. But David refused to run. Instead, he cast [Oasis of Harmony] on himself, conjuring a black dove that circled above his head.


    Searing pain radiated from his chest as his Skill Rune flared to life, but David caught a subtle change in the Rift Boss'' expression. The corner of its lips twitched, then distorted as the monstrosity accelerated toward him.


    "There is a hole in its chest!!" A surprised shout resounded through the vicinity. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David saw it too. The Rift Boss surged forward one moment, only to pause and glance at its chest. A small, several-centimeter-long cut marred its surface. It looked deep enough to hurt the demon. Or was it just surprised? He couldn''t tell.


    David gritted his teeth and clutched the Obsidian Blade''s handle tightly before twisting it in his chest. The edges scraped against his ribs, but that wasn''t the worst part. As he yanked the weapon free, a gaping hole was left behind. Blood poured from the wound, drenching his clothes.


    A wave of weakness nearly overwhelmed him, but David rooted his trembling feet in the ground.


    He forced himself to stay upright, took a shuddering breath, and deactivated [Equivalent Exchange] before casting [Restore].


    The gaping hole in his chest was tended to at once. A searing heat engulfed his chest, filling him with an abundance of life. It flushed through him and rapidly healed the gaping hole. However, the pain lingered, as if reminding David of what he had just done to himself.


    David''s gaze shifted back to the Rift Boss'' chest.


    "Are you serious?" David cursed, "Is that it?"


    The Rift Boss'' chest wound had grown. It stretched over ten centimeters now and looked deeper than before, judging by the torrent of blood spurting from it. Still, it wasn''t enough. A monstrosity like this wouldn''t fall so easily.


    [Equivalent Exchange] wasn''t a bad Skill Rune. It marked previously injured targets, forcing them to share David''s wounds. But it wasn''t perfect.


    He couldn''t let the Rift Boss squash him outright; that would kill him before the damage transferred. Stabbing his heart wasn''t an option either. While the mark worked, stronger targets resisted it to some degree. The Rift Boss likely had incredible resistance¡ªor maybe the vast gap in their strength was to blame. Either way, the self-inflicted wound that should have killed him had barely registered as more than a minor cut on the demon.


    But it was a start. The Rift Boss didn''t heal as fast as David, who could use [Restore] and [Equivalent Exchange] to wear down the Rift Boss or combine [Oasis of Harmony] and [Bless] to keep the demon''s focus on him while the Protectors kept bombarding the monstrosity of a Darkai.


    David''s eyes flicked to the Rift Boss'' left leg. It was under constant attack, covered in dozens of cuts that drained the demon''s blood slowly but steadily.


    Its natural regeneration isn''t fast enough to cope with the injuries. If we keep going like this¡­


    David''s thought broke off as the Rift Boss spun abruptly. The black dove above David''s head remained, but the demon lashed out violently.


    It beheaded a Warrior in a single swipe, then hurled a massive fireball at a Mage. The explosion engulfed the unfortunate elf, her scream piercing the air before she collapsed.


    David clenched his jaw. [Oasis of Harmony] wasn''t as effective as he''d hoped. Gritting his teeth, he surged forward, channeling [Bless] to bolster himself and the remaining Protectors.


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    He prepared to cast [Holy Touch], only to stop cold.


    The Blood droplet in his Source had reached its limit. A minor portion of the droplet was remained, but it wasn''t enough to use [Holy Touch] at full power. Maybe he could cast [Restore] once or twice with the last bits, but even that would be a stretch.


    David''s mind raced, his gaze frantically looking for something.


    Will that be enough?


    He wondered, discarding several ideas as foolish. What remained were only a handful of risky strategies. Then again, everything about fighting a Rift Boss like the monstrous Darkai was risky. There was no way to close the Main Rift without embracing danger.


    Cursing under his breath, David charged forward, abandoning his earlier strategy.


    The demon spun toward him, claws slashing wide, nearly cleaving him in two. But instead of retreating, David pressed on. Ducking beneath the massive claws, he reached the creature''s left leg. The Obsidian Blade glimmered dangerously in his hand as he drove it into the demon''s hide.


    He strained his wrists, gripping the weapon''s handle so tightly his knuckles turned white. Yet all his focus stayed on the demon''s leg. David dashed around the Rift Boss, dragging the Obsidian Blade along its hide and leaving a black trail of blood in his wake. At first, it was a thin line, but everything changed once the Words of Power spilled from his lips.


    Since he didn''t have enough Blood left to cast multiple Skill Runes, he reverted to a more brutal tactic.


    He let the power of blood rule.


    David dove to the side, rolling to avoid a fireball. He never let the incantation falter. His Source heated up, its engraved words glowing faintly at first. Soon, a crimson hue blazed in his mind space as more words tumbled from his lips.


    The Rift Boss lashed out in a frenzy, claws aiming to tear David apart, but a crimson shield materialized in front of him. The [Shield of Blood] absorbed the impact, shattering into countless particles, but the momentary reprieve gave David enough time to retreat.


    Three Protectors appeared at his side, their bodies shrouded in crimson light.


    "Don''t stop!" One of them shouted while shifting his position to block the Rift Boss'' next attack.


    A sickening crunch echoed as the Protector''s shield splintered, and he groaned in pain. His arms hung at an unnatural angle, but the others surged forward to cover him. A fireball exploded against one Protector''s face while the demon''s massive fist crushed another.


    They were likely dead before their bodies hit the ground.


    Few Protectors remained, and even fewer had the strength to attract the Rift Boss'' attention. Those capable of dealing significant damage had been killed or had retreated after expending their strength.


    David scanned the battlefield. Most of his allies had fallen, yet for now, the absence of enemies nearby was enough to keep him focused.


    He couldn''t find a single ordinary Darkai. The Rift Boss was probably the last living enemy.


    David kept ushering Words of Power as the demon turned back to him. It shot several black fireballs at him in quick succession, nearly hitting him over and over again. He evaded the first and the second, but their explosions pushed him into the third fireball. David hurled the Obsidian Blade at the third fireball, ensuring the projectile exploded before it could hit him.


    The soulbound weapon disappeared into his mind space only to materialize in his hand again as the demon bore down on him. Its arms rose, poised to crush him once and for all.


    David didn''t flinch. Instead, the corner of his lips curled into a faint smile as he completed the incantation.


    He embraced the next few seconds with a warm smile.


    The wounds across the Rift Boss'' body ¨C no matter how small ¨C burst open. Fountains of black blood sprayed in all directions. Yet, instead of drenching him and the Protectors, the demon''s blood froze mid-air. To David, time seemed to crawl as the blood gathered in the air. He watched with a satisfactory smile as it gathered into larger drops that shifted as their structure changed entirely.


    The black blood twisted and solidified into countless finger-sized daggers, spinning violently around the Rift Boss.


    It must have been only a second, probably less, but it felt like an eternity until the blood returned to its source.


    Time snapped back to its normal pace as the blood daggers surged inward, stabbing the Rift Boss with horrifying velocity.


    David could barely follow their path as they pierced the Rift Boss'' body.


    The last sounds he heard were the Rift Boss'' anguished screams and the deafening explosions as the daggers detonated within its body.


    His Source was sucked dry as he activated [Shield of Blood]. Whether it materialized in time, David would never know.


    Darkness consumed him.

 Chapter 54 - B1 55 - Pinch of Madness

    David''s eyes snapped open, and his body shot upright. His soulbound weapon materialized in his hand, and he slashed out instinctively, but his blade sliced through empty air.


    The Rift Boss!


    A groan escaped his lips as he jumped to his feet, his head flicking everywhere to search for the monstrous Rift Boss. However, the demon was nowhere to be seen.


    The floor creaked beneath his feet, sending chills down his spine. He glanced down, expecting bones, but saw only a wooden floor.


    Huh?


    David took several seconds to register where he was and what had happened. He was surrounded by four walls and a ceiling rather than the bloody battlefield. There was even a bed, though it was smeared with blood ¨C probably his.


    David examined his body and noticed the blood-drenched bandages covering his upper body. A grunt escaped his lips as he removed the bandages, unraveling more than a dozen claw marks and several burned spots. One of the larger marks burst open as he removed the bandages, but David paid little attention to it. He cast [Restore] on his barely treated wounds.


    The wound healed, albeit slower than anticipated. He stopped bleeding within seconds, yet the claw marks didn''t close right away. They mended slowly.


    "That''s odd," David muttered. He closed his eyes to check his Source and tilted his head when he saw two droplets of Blood in it, "There is more than enough to use [Restore] at full power."


    He cast [Restore] a few more times and closed most wounds. However, the potency of his healing abilities didn''t improve over time. To be precise, David felt like his body resisted to [Restore] as he cast it on himself.


    "Maybe the Rift Boss inflicted me with something that slows my recovery," A few theories popped up in his head, "Or it''s because I used too many Serums?"


    David shrugged. It might be a temporary issue and nothing to be worried about.


    Pushing all worries aside, David focused on his Source again. It was full again and had grown by one droplet. That was a welcome surprise.


    Then again, his left arm was still missing. It didn''t regrow suddenly.


    That could have gone much better.


    David clicked his tongue. He had lost an arm, but strangely devastation didn''t take hold. He considered it a small price for his life. As long as he was alive, he could always search for ways to recover his left arm.


    After everything he''d witnessed since the Earthen Union''s collapse, regrowing an arm should be possible.


    A heavy sigh escaped his lips. Fighting the Rift Boss and its subordinates had been exhilarating, but he sure hoped it had been worth it.


    As his body settled, a faint shimmer caught his attention. Notifications blinked insistently, blocking half his view. He waved his hand, dismissing the less urgent ones¡ªlevel-ups and proficiency increases¡ªand focused on the critical updates.


    [You have defeated Behemoth Darkai(Rift Boss).]


    [You healed your comrades, shielded them from grave harm, and vanquished powerful foes, all at the cost of your own life. Continue walking the Lifeweaver''s Path to achieve unparalleled greatness!]


    [The Behemoth Darkai''s Essence has been absorbed.]


    [Warning! Warning! A severe lack of Aether has been detected. A resource to supplant Aether has been located and used.]


    [Your Source has grown. +1 Blood.]


    David paused, rereading the notifications. They seemed connected, forming a sequence of events. Did the Rift Boss'' death lead to the growth of his Source? If so, it fit well with the Lifeweaver''s Class Description.


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    "But what is this about the Rift Boss'' Essence? And the lack of Aether¡­"


    His frown deepened as he reread the warning. Closing his eyes, he focused on his energy pathways. They were shriveled and empty as if drained.


    His energy pathways were empty and shriveled as if they''d been sucked dry. Was that what the system used to replace Aether to¡­ nourish his Source?


    David put the pieces together slowly and cast [Holy Touch] once he was done inspecting the frail, shriveled energy paths. He spread the Skill Runes power through the energy pathways, which pulsed faintly as the energy seeped into them.


    It wasn''t enough to revert them to their original appearance, but it was a start. He could use his Skill Runes more often and more extensively with a second droplet of Blood. Nourishing his energy pathways back to the peak and possibly beyond would be no problem.


    A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he continued reading.


    [Demon Horde has been exterminated.]


    [Main Rift(Common) ¨C Demon Torrent ¨C has been cleared!


    Connection to Subsidiary Rifts has been severed. Subsidiary Rifts collapsed!


    Contribution will be calculated. Rewards will be distributed shortly.]


    David discarded the remaining notifications, his attention glued to the last few sentences. Even though the clearance rewards had yet to be distributed, he was certain the system would reward him generously. He''d received the Rift Boss'' kill notification after all.


    The notifications confirmed what he''d suspected. All threats had been taken care of. It was done.


    His ears perked up as a rumbling resounded, and he left the room. David opened the door, his hand lingering on the worn handle as his gaze drifted across the unfamiliar surroundings until his attention landed on a window. He barely recognized the sudden silence filling the room as he approached the window.


    The market square.


    David recognized it instantly. The massive plaza in the center of the System Sanctuary.


    He was still in Arc. It survived, and from its looks, it didn''t sustain much damage either.


    David headed to the door but paused as unease prickled at him. He glanced back, sensing the tension in the room. People were staring at him. Some forced a smile on their lips and hinted at a nod, while others stared at him in¡­vigilance?


    He saw respect but also fear in their eyes.


    "T-thank you," a high-pitched voice pierced through the tension in the room. David looked to his left to see an elven child clutching tightly onto her dress. David caught a glimpse of her emerald eyes as she glanced up, but she shuddered and lowered her head before he could say anything. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Thank you for saving us!" someone else shouted to his right. David''s lips parted, but no word escaped his lips. His chest tightened, and an unfamiliar feeling blossomed in his heart as more residents spoke up to¡­thank him?


    David wasn''t sure how much time had passed. The tension in the room lingered as he finally stepped into the market square. The weight of their gratitude stayed with him, a quiet ache he didn''t know how to process.


    That was weird. He smiled wrily, his hand pressed tightly against his chest, But¡­that doesn''t feel too bad.


    How long had it been since someone thanked him for something? David couldn''t recall. It must have been ages since he heard someone thank him sincerely, like the residents in the inn. It was nice and made him feel like he did the right thing by fighting for Arc''s survival. Excitement and selfish thoughts pushed him to face the Demon Rift and its Bosses, but he couldn''t help but feel great about the aftermath of his actions.


    He did a great job.


    As David roamed the market square, a prickling sensation settled over him. The square was too silent. Something was missing. The Protectors. There were hardly any Protectors in the market square, and those David found looked like they wouldn''t return to the battlefield for a while.


    Arc had defeated the Demon Horde, but at what cost? The System Sanctuary was weaker than ever.


    He regarded the Panthea for a few seconds and wondered if the Pantheon would help Arc and its residents, but discarded that thought quickly. Memories of his short encounter with Asmodeus and Bereth resurfaced in his mind, and he shuddered involuntarily.


    No, the Pantheon wouldn''t help. They would have watched Arc crumble if not for their interest in him.


    David''s gaze wandered to the sky, the vibrant hues of sunset clashing with the grim reality in his mind. A chuckle escaped his lips, bitter and amused.


    Undead roamed the ruins of the Earthen Union, monsters unleashed death and chaos everywhere, and transcendent powers imposed their faith and dominion, reshaping the world and its inhabitants to their will.


    It was as clear as day and night; The Earthen Union had gone mad, and David was part of that madness.


    But he didn''t hate it.


    Maybe, it took a pinch of madness to survive in a world like this.

 Chapter 55 - B1 56.1 - Interlude: Zachariah

    Zachariah walked through the remains of a once-bustling city, each crumbled structure a faint echo of the Earthen Union''s prosperity just weeks ago.


    He strode casually across the cracked streets, his hand resting lightly on his sword handle. Infected rushed out of the ruins and gloomy alleys, but Zachariah didn''t pay them any attention. The undead closed in, but their heads landed on the ground with loud thuds long before they could scratch him.


    The only time Zachariah moved was when a Giant Infected barreled through the main street. It headed his way, but Zachariah barely glanced at the undead. His hand twitched one moment, and the Giant Infected slumped to the ground without its head in the next.


    "I''m already in a bad mood," he spat on the corpse and continued his way, "How was that bastard so fast?"


    The memory of a mist-like contour resurfaced, his expression distorting.


    "I knew it was going to be there, but¡­" He gritted his teeth.


    Zachariah couldn''t protect everyone. Again.


    He stomped on a loose stone, squashing it to smithereens.


    Throwing a fit wouldn''t help anyone. Zachariah knew that. He was painfully aware of the facts, but a heavy sigh escaped him nonetheless.


    It wasn''t like he had expected to save everyone. That was wishful thinking. But that didn''t make it less painful.


    The Mutant would have killed millions. The damage done by the Horde cannot be compared to the Mistwalker''s wrath.


    While that was true, Zachariah couldn''t suppress the pang of guilt blossoming in his chest.


    He gave it his best try, but that wasn''t enough. Again.


    It didn''t take long until Zachariah reached the wide-open plains. The morning light painted the world in soft hues of promise, but his eyes remained ice-cold. He had a Horde to annihilate.


    "As expected, Arc is still standi¨C..." Zachariah froze in his tracks as the Sanctuary''s perimeters appeared before his eyes. He rubbed his eyes, but the Sanctuary didn''t vanish. It stood strong, "How in the¡­"


    It didn''t make sense. Arc was supposed to be destroyed¡ªa Demon Rift of that magnitude should have torn the Sanctuary apart.


    Zachariah''s mind was racing. He didn''t remember everything up to the finest detail, but Arc should have met its demise. Something must have changed!


    Zachariah kicked the ground and rushed to the Sanctuary. He ignored the guards and only slowed as the bustling main roads of the System Sanctuary unfolded before him.


    His head flicked everywhere, searching for an explanation for¡­everything, but he couldn''t find anything. There was no indication of a high-class illusion or other threats. Arc was at peace.


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    Minutes passed in a blur before Zachariah snapped back to reality, still standing motionless as he tried to piece together what had happened.


    Then he heard it; the rumors. The gossip.


    "Did you know that he defeated the Rift Boss by himself?"


    "Of course, I know. The others said he fought hundreds of demons and eliminated a few Herculean Darkai before dealing with the Rift Boss!"


    "We are lucky to have someone like him in the Sanctuary. That unfortunate bloke¡­to lose an arm like that."


    "I don''t think he minds. Didn''t you hear about David''s clearance reward?" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zachariah listened intently, but nothing appeared to make sense.


    He followed some gossiping men with muffled steps and reached the market square within minutes. That was when he arrived before an excited merchant.


    "I always knew we were going to survive this. That''s why I collaborated with David. He could only defeat the Rift Boss because of my equipment!"


    The merchant''s boast drowned in the surrounding laughter, but Zachariah''s thoughts spun too fast to process it all.


    Did he know someone called David? He searched his memories, trying to recall a powerhouse of that name, but there was nothing like that. Zachariah didn''t know him, and he remembered every single one of noteworthy nature.


    Something was wrong.


    He nibbled on his lower lip while darting through the market, his eyes searching for the man in question.


    It took him a while, but when Zachariah''s eyes landed on a young human, he knew that he found the right one.


    David appeared to be human. He towered next to an elf and a dwarf with vibrant eyes. His bare chest was exposed, revealing several scars. One was more deadly than the other, yet David stood strong and lively.


    For a moment, David stood out, exuding an unnatural vitality. While those around him looked worn ¨C as if they were still combating death ¨C, David appeared to be overflowing with vigor.


    Zachariah took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves as he took in as many details as possible, but his mind went blank as his eyes landed on David''s left arm. A black, metallic arm with golden glyphs filled his view.


    This guy¡­


    He kicked the ground, casting [Accelerate]. His hand shot toward his sword. In a heartbeat, Zachariah closed the distance, his sword cutting through the air. Before the blade could touch David''s neck, the young man reacted.


    A crimson shield materialized before David, absorbing the impact. David shifted into a defensive stance and summoned a black blade into his right hand. His lips parted, but Zachariah didn''t let him speak.


    Zachariah''s steeled instincts screamed at him, and the words left his mouth before he could stop himself.


    "Who the fuck are you?"


    David cocked an eyebrow, "I could ask you the same question, dude! What''s wrong with you?!"


    "I am the one asking the fucking questions!" Zachariah snarled, his eyes darting from the metallic arm to the black blade.


    A relic and a soulbound weapon¡­


    Already? That didn''t make sense. Neither did Arc''s survival.


    Did that mean?


    "Are you a regressor?" Zachariah backed off, laser-focused on the unknown man and the possibility¡­


    "What the hell are you talking about? Are you on drugs?"

 Chapter 56 - B1 56.2 Interlude: They Met

    "Is that what you wanted?" a hoarse, overbearing voice reverberated through the divine hall.


    Dazzling lights materialized near the source of the voice, gathering to shape the frame of a tall, towering woman.


    "What I wanted? I have nothing to do with this mess," her sonorous voice rang out. She snorted. "Why would I want to experience this all over again?"


    "Because you are a sadistic bitch," he cursed, twisting his head to evade the glowing light coming his way.


    Millions of dazzling particles coalesced into hundreds of projectiles surrounding the woman. She didn''t release them, her eyes flicking to the right as a black, elongated claw tore through the fabric of space. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The claw cleaved downward, shredding space itself as a man stepped out of the tear. His boots slammed into the reinforced stone, cracking it with each step. A grin spread across his face as he noticed the tensed expressions greeting him, and he bared his teeth in response.


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    "I am not too late, am I?" his voice boomed, the depth of it shaking the hall''s foundations.


    "What are you doing here?" one of the self-proclaimed gods demanded, stepping forward with narrowed eyes.


    "How did you come here?" another bellowed, his voice reverberating through the hall.


    The man grimaced as his gaze finally landed on the liquid mirrors levitating above the marble table in the center of the divine hall.


    "It was about time they met," he snickered, his eyes fixed on the mirrors and their flashing images. Crimson mist sprang to life beside him, swirling violently as a figure began to take form.


    "This time, everything will be a lot more interesting. Don''t you think so, Asmodeus?" he asked, turning to the man emerging from the mist.


    "Of course, it will be," Asmodeus responded, stepping forward with a smirk. "We found the missing piece, after all."

 Chapter 57 - B1 57 - Who Are You?

    A cold blade pressed firmly against David''s neck, the unknown man''s words resounding in his head.


    Regressor?


    What was he talking about? David had no idea, but he wasn''t going to enable the man''s antics. Not after the blade on his neck cut into him.


    He willed the [Law of Blood] to his command, the Words of Power resounding in his head. Blood gushed from the faint cut in a ray. It pressed against the blade, shoving it aside.


    The man''s eyes widened, his eyes lingering on David''s neck. He backtracked, his lips parting.


    But David was unwilling to wait and listen. He continued reciting the Words of Power in his mind, while applying [Bless] on himself. The ray of blood froze in the air and shifted. It transformed into a dozen bloody needles that blasted toward the man once they had fully formed. David kicked the cobblestone beneath and leaned forward, reaching top speed in an instant.


    The black-obsidian blade materialized in his hand as the unknown man''s sword turned into a blur, parrying most blood needles. He was fast, almost too fast for David to keep up, but he wasn''t fast enough to block all attacks at once. But something odd occurred when the needles were about to cut into the man''s skin. His body exuded a silver hue in one moment, and the bloody needles passed through him in the next. They phased through the stranger.


    David accelerated, his dagger sweeping across the man''s chest, only to phase through as well. However, the dagger cut through the silver hue, earning a surprised stare from the unknown perpetrator.


    "You have to be," he murmured, "A Law, a Relic, and a soulbound weapon that can cut through¨C...."


    David didn''t let him finish. He took advantage of the man''s distraction and cast [Shield of Blood] thrice, but not to protect himself. The three crimson shields came to live beside and behind the man. He must have realized what was happening because his expression shifted. His body tensed and David noticed his grip around the sword handle tightened.


    The fight was about to turn serious.


    "Stop right there!" A commanding voice reached David, "Who in the Pantheon''s name allowed you to fight on their sacred grounds?!"


    David would much rather rush at the unknown perpetrator and fight him, but he saw him click his tongue and sheath his sword. His eyes lingered at something, or on someone, behind David.


    "I should execute you both on the spot!" The same voice resounded. Finally, David turned to see a group of elves, dwarves, and other races march through the market square. They headed their direction, their hands lingered on their weapons ready to be drawn at any moment.


    "Who are you guys?" David asked straightforwardly. He wasn''t good was mincing his words, neither was there a need to do so.


    The newcomers weren''t injured. Their weapon were clean and looked like they had been polished for hours, and their armors didn''t even have a dent. They were clearly not participants of the Horde conquest.


    "We are Arc''s reinforcement, and your personal hell if you stir trouble on my land!" The dwarf at the head of the group bellowed. He had a long, gray beard and was fully clad in heavy plated armor. He wielded a shield and mace just like Torb.


    "And who are you?"


    The dwarf''s eyes drifted to David''s left arm and his expression shifted, but only for a moment, "So you''re that kid.


    "You are too late," David''s expression turned cold, "You should have been here much earlier."


    Someone behind the dwarf shouted something, but it wasn''t in a language he knew. However, the leader turned around and grunted something before turning back with a sigh.


    "Traveling the worlds isn''t as easy as it sounds. It''s even worse when you travel to a newly integrated world. But you are right. We were too late. Too many good people died because we weren''t present."


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    There was no need to hide the truth. The whole situation had been a big mess. It was unfortunate. Still, Arc was standing. Many had survived.


    "But that shouldn''t be your concern, David," The dwarf''s expression shifted back, "Don''t look at me like that. It is only obvious that I know the man who cleared the Demon Rift."


    He nodded at David''s black arm covered in various vibrant golden glyphs, "The gods crazed you with a powerful Relic."


    "That''s why it is even more disappointing you''re tarnishing their sacred grounds," he sighed deeply, "As a member of the Familia and a resident of Arc, you have broken several rules by unsheathing your weapon and fighting in the sanctuary."


    His voice grew in volume. It turned steely, his eyes shifting from David to the other man, "As for you. You must be Zachariah. I don''t know the situation between you, and I don''t care that both you and David protected Arc with your lives. You tarnished the Pantheon''s greatest gift by drawing blood in this place."


    The dwarf turned to his comrades and gestured to David and Zachariah, "Detain them! The cold walls of the detention cell will clear their minds."


    Arc''s reinforcement jumped into action simultaneously. They unsheathed their weapons and approached the troublemakers with guarded strides.


    "There is no need to act like this," the stranger, who was apparently going by the name Zachariah, walked leisurely past David. He joined the reinforcement and glanced back at him, "Are you not coming?"


    David felt like throwing the Obsidian Blade at Zachariah. That man was the reason he was being detained for, yet he acted like¡­this.


    Calm down. Allowing anger and frustration to consume you won''t help anyone.


    He breathed in and out, calming his nerves. The Obsidian Blade disappeared in his mind space and he turned to Torb and Melach, who had been with him all day long. They survived the disaster with the Demon Horde.


    Melach was still weakened, the consumption of the Fragment of Power still lingering on his Mana Core, but he was getting better. Torb, on the other hand, was doing much better. Half of his body had been shattered in the Horde annihilation and it was a miracle he''d survived. But he was already back on his feet, leaving nearly no hints of the condition he had been in merely a few days ago.


    "Rest a little bit," David sighed again, "I will be back soon."


    The reinforcement was upon him, but he paid no heed to them. David walked through them, his eyes lingering on Zachariah. He joined the stranger, who smiled at him. There was no trace of guilt in his eyes. If anything, the man stared at him with an abundance of interest.


    "We''re going to have a good talk in prison," David grumbled and Zachariah nodded.


    "That''s what I thought," Zachariah''s smile didn''t cease, but his eyes felt cold, calculative, "I have many questions."


    David thought the same, his mind still lingering on the man''s earlier words.


    Regressor.


    It didn''t make any sense before and still didn''t, but David couldn''t think of Zachariah as someone spouting nonsense. He never heard of someone called Zachariah and clearly never met him before. However, there was something confusing about Zachariah. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The pain in his voice¡­the desperation lurking deep in his eyes¡­


    It wasn''t logical, yet Zachariah''s antics, the way he moved and fought, and the fact he recognized his relic, soulbound weapon, and even the [Law of Blood] like it was the simplest thing in the world, made it had to believe he was a human of this world.


    He was simply too used to everything.


    There was no ounce of fear in Zachariah''s eyes as the armored men and women around him inched closer and he even slapped one elven man''s hand away as he reached for his sword. David walked up to Zachariah, eying the glaring elven man and Zachariah who looked at the Protector in disinterest ¨C almost like he wasn''t even worth the specks of dust underneath his feet.


    The man planted seeds of confusion in David''s heart and he hated it. David paid no heed to the youngest Protectors as they surrounded him and Zachariah. There was no weapon for them to take. The Obsidian Blade was well hidden within his mind space after all.


    The dwarven leader said something to the elven man, which brought a smile to Zachariah''s lips. It wasn''t much, but to David, who had been paying attention to Zachariah, it was a lot.


    Did he understand what their leader said? Wasn''t that in dwarvish?


    David was still having difficulties differentiating the other races'' native languages, but he could tell some vocalizations apart at this point. And then there was Zachariah, who could apparently understand the dwarf and elven man.


    "Who the hell are you?" He blurted aloud, earning an amused gaze from Zachariah, "I want to know the same."


    His expression shifted, turning eerily cold, "Who the fuck are you, David?"

 Chapter 58 - B1 58 - Regressed?

    They were sent to Arc''s prison, a small structure in the Familia''s basement with a handful of cells. However, none were occupied¡ªuntil David and Zachariah arrived.


    David was pulled into one of the identical cells with a cold stone floor, plain stone walls, and an ordinary iron gate. It looked exactly like he''d imagined a prison in the late Middle Ages, with its stark and unwelcoming design.


    "I''m Zachariah," the man opposite him said, leaning against the iron gate with a smile.


    "I know. I heard the dwarf captain," David replied with a sigh, glancing around. "You cleared the other Common Rift, didn''t you?"


    He looked at Zachariah and noticed his smile widening.


    Bastard.


    Since the dwarf captain had known Zachariah and recognized him immediately, it was likely Zachariah had already been in Arc and had accomplished something significant. But he hadn''t been present to clear the Demon Rift, leaving only the other Common Rift, which must have been dealt with before the Horde arrived.


    He''s certainly strong enough to beat the Rift Boss of a Common Rift.


    Recalling the sheer power behind Zachariah''s attacks, David smiled wryly. The man was undeniably powerful.


    "How did you save Arc? It should have been¡ª..." Zachariah tilted his head, his tone shifting subtly. "I didn''t expect it to still be standing after I heard about the Demon Rift."


    You''re lying. You look like you were 100% certain Arc wouldn''t still be here.


    But why did he look like that? Something in Zachariah''s gaze deeply unsettled David.


    "Arc hasn''t been destroyed."


    "I have eyes, you know," Zachariah replied snidely.


    "Why did you call me a Regressor?" There was no point in beating around the bush. That would only waste time.


    David stared intently at Zachariah, whose expression finally shifted. It was subtle, but he stiffened.


    That was enough to get a reaction? David narrowed his eyes as a sudden, unsettling thought crossed his mind.


    "You''re not trying to tell me you are a Regressor, right?" That didn''t make any sense. Something like that shouldn''t be possible¡­ right? Then again, Asmodeus had easily slowed time to instigate his First Advancement Ritual. And he wasn''t even a god with powers related to time. Asmodeus'' domain was tied to blood. Meanwhile, Bereth was the lord of the Cycle of Life and Death. Could they manipulate time like that? David¡­ couldn''t be certain.


    Maybe it was possible to rewind time¡­ somehow? The idea was incredibly hard to grasp, but after everything he''d experienced in the past few weeks, could he truly dismiss it as impossible? He couldn''t. Perhaps it wasn''t feasible to rewind time across the entire universe, but what if it were limited to a smaller area, like their planetary system? It couldn''t be easy; it should be near impossible. But for transcendent beings who called themselves gods?


    Doubts crept into his mind.


    "If I were to tell you that an Aetherless planet transforms into one of the most aether-dense planets integrated into the Pantheon in the next decade, you wouldn''t believe me. Then again, you wouldn''t understand what that means¡ªnot unless you''re a Regressor. You haven''t seen anything yet."


    David''s eyes narrowed. Was he actually right? That¡­ His mind reeled, countless questions erupting in his thoughts.


    What the hell?


    "And you don''t know me?"


    Zachariah''s look was explanatory enough. If everything he''d said was true, it could only mean one thing. It wasn''t a pleasant thought, but David faced it head-on.


    He¡­ never made it this far into the future. He was likely dead.


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    "That''s why you attacked me." He glanced at his left arm and summoned the Obsidian Blade. "You don''t know me, but here I am with a relic and a soulbound weapon."


    "And the Law of Blood," Zachariah added, his expression bemused. "How did you convince Asmodeus to become your Patron? That man is crazy."


    He knew Asmodeus? Of course, he did.


    "I didn''t. I don''t know why he''s interested in me. He just appeared when we were defending against the Demon Horde. Maybe he would''ve convinced me to side with him, but Bereth showed up just in time. I didn''t have to sign anything to advance my class."


    Zachariah''s expression shifted again. His face paled ever so slightly. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Bereth? Are you fucking serious right now?"


    David nodded. He didn''t think it was necessary to hide much. If anything, Zachariah might help him understand a few more things.


    "He even gifted me a Tier-2 Skill Rune when I survived a fight with a dozen or so Kobolds. I was Iron III¡ªor was it Iron IV? I''m not sure anymore. Most of that fight is a blur."


    "How did I not know you?" Zachariah asked.


    David shrugged. He didn''t know why he died in the future either. Then again, given Zachariah''s reaction, a lot must have changed.


    "Too many parties intervened," Zachariah grumbled. "Everything is changing. How am I supposed to end the¡ª"


    Blood suddenly poured from his nose, and his legs buckled beneath him.


    David frowned, watching him. "Are you okay?"


    "Yeah... I''m not supposed to talk so much about the future."


    David nodded slowly. Zachariah struggled to get back on his feet and cursed something he didn''t understand.


    "Why didn''t you clear the Demon Rift? The clearance reward would have elevated your power." He waved Deryadus'' Arm, the Relic he''d obtained as a reward for clearing the Main Rift¡ªa black metallic arm inscribed with black glyphs that stored his power and modified it.


    The potency of his Blood increased when stored within the Relic, augmenting the power of Healing-type Skill Runes. It didn''t work on other Skill Runes¡ªthe modification appeared to focus on the healing properties within Blood and Aether¡ªbut that suited David. It allowed him to survive more dangerous fights as long as [Restore] and [Weave of Life] kept him alive.


    That was also why he was relieved his healing rate had reverted to normal. The Serum''s deteriorating effects had finally worn off.


    Looking at Deryadus'' Arm, David recalled the day he received the Relic. It hadn''t been long, but it felt like an eternity since then. The Relic functioned like an actual arm, as if he''d never lost his left arm against the Darkai. Nothing felt out of place when he moved. Still, David couldn''t shake the odd feeling of having a metallic arm engraved with vibrant golden glyphs.


    Then again, it was pretty cool.


    "I had something else to do," Zachariah''s voice pulled him from his thoughts. "I didn''t expect to take this long to solve that other issue, but it was necessary. Too many people would have died if I hadn''t."


    David nodded as though he understood. Then again, it didn''t matter if he believed Zachariah¡ªnot really. What mattered was that Zachariah believed it. David could always listen to him and draw his own conclusions. Taking Zachariah''s words with a pinch of salt seemed like the best approach.


    "I still feel like punching you for attacking me in the market square and putting me in this situation," David said, scratching the back of his head. "But I understand where you''re coming from."


    Not really, but he was trying hard to be understanding.


    Zachariah looked up at David, who returned his gaze. Their eyes conveyed more than a thousand words could, creating something that felt like a deeper level of understanding between them¡ªor at least, that was how David interpreted it.


    "Do you want to stay in Arc?" Zachariah''s gaze didn''t waver.


    "That depends. I was told to study a little in the Familia''s library, but I''d much rather focus on getting stronger. Then again, Arc is probably one of the best places for me to heal others. Now that my Class has evolved, I can probably increase my rank by fighting and healing."


    David hadn''t put much thought into his next steps. He had some ideas but needed more power to act on them. The monsters near the System Sanctuary were weaker and easier to hunt, as Protectors and Familia members had long since cleansed the most dangerous threats. The same couldn''t be said for the monsters and undead outside the Sanctuary''s range.


    To find his parents, David would have to roam the wilderness, possibly fighting monsters at the Silver Rank. He wanted to face such monsters¡ªthe deadlier, the better¡ªbut there was a fine line between recklessness and outright stupidity.


    "You''re playing it safe. That might be the best decision for you. Studying the Law of Blood, your Relic, and your soulbound weapon will never be a mistake," Zachariah said with a nod, though his expression remained unsatisfied. If anything, David felt like he was unhappy. "Learn more about your new Class, collect better Skill Runes, and improve them as quickly as you can."


    David cocked an eyebrow.


    "What are you doing in the meantime? Will you leave Arc once we''re out of here?"


    "I planned to move forward after destroying the Demon Horde," Zachariah said with another nod. "But now, with Arc standing and someone like you..."


    He sighed deeply. "I might have to alter my plans. All of them."

 Chapter 59 - B1 59 - Affiliation

    The gate to David''s cell opened only a few minutes after he closed his eyes. He opened his eyes to see the dwarf captain from the other days standing in the cell.


    David rubbed his eyes and let out a deep groan. He had an interesting talk with Zachariah, one that felt like it lasted an eternity. It had only ended when his mind began churning from all the new intel Zachariah had shared.


    "You started the altercation, according to multiple witness statements, so you''re going to stay here for another day," The dwarven captain turned to Zachariah, who nodded absentmindedly.


    From the looks of it, Zachariah hadn''t even considered sleeping. He appeared to have a lot on his mind, which David could understand. The things Zachariah had revealed made his skin crawl.


    David was still unsure if he could believe everything Zachariah had said, but the young swordsman spoke with certainty. On top of that, David doubted Zachariah was pretending to nearly collapse several times during their hour-long discussion, especially whenever he delved too deeply into the future. Whether or not David believed him entirely, he couldn''t dismiss the possibility of what he''d heard.


    "What are you doing, brat? Do you want to stay with him?" the dwarf captain barked. "Did you two become friends overnight?"


    David ignored the captain and walked out of the cell, casting a glance back at Zachariah. The swordsman didn''t return the look, his eyes fixed on a speck of dirt on the ground.


    "Let''s catch up later," David said before turning to the flight of stairs. He followed the dwarf to the Familia''s ground floor, where familiar faces awaited him. Melach and Torb were already there.


    "You look fine," Melach said, studying him from head to toe. His eyes softened. "That''s good."


    "I always knew he was going to make it out!" Torb declared, puffing his chest out until the elf snorted.


    "That''s not how it sounded yesterday."


    Torb pressed his lips together and glared at Melach but said nothing. His eyes drifted to David, and he exhaled.


    "Whatever! It''s good you''re back."


    The corner of David''s lips tugged upward, but his faint smile quickly faded into a thin line. Even though it felt good to be out of the holding cell, he couldn''t shake his unease.


    "I have an odd question," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "What exactly would happen if the Earthen Union were to transform into one of the aether-densest worlds integrated into the Pantheon?"


    Torb and Melach exchanged glances. After a moment, they turned back to David, and Torb tilted his head.


    "That''s a weird question. Why would you want to know that? The Earthen Union was aetherless a few weeks ago. Why¡ª" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Entertain me," David interrupted. "Please."


    Melach raised a skeptical brow. "I can''t say because I don''t know. I doubt Torb does either. But I can tell you this: worlds filled with aether are highly sought after by the Pantheon, as well as by unaffiliated groups like Bereth¡ªand other organizations."


    "The higher the aether density of a world, the stronger its monsters and inhabitants. You remember what I told you about my people? How we could wield magic even before the Pantheon arrived with the System? That wouldn''t have been possible if we hadn''t evolved over countless generations to adapt to our world''s high aether density," Melach explained. He cleared his throat. "But there are other races that adapt much faster¡ªraces born and raised in worlds with even greater aether density."


    Torb nodded. "I think I''ve heard about powerful families migrating to establish a foothold in other worlds. If I recall, they said something about giving their children a better future¡ªa life where they could grow stronger without enduring the pain and struggle their parents faced to reach great heights."


    "There''s more to it," Melach added. "But it''s only natural that the strong are drawn to places where they can prosper. In worlds overflowing with aether, you might even encounter a god or goddess. It''s rare, but some worlds can contain the essences of gods. And I''m not talking about a small portion of their essence, but their Origin Essence." His lips tugged upward, and his eyes twinkled, likely imagining a future where he met a god.


    His expression shifted again as he turned to David, tilting his head. "But why are you asking?"


    "It''s nothing important," David said, waving a hand dismissively. "I just heard someone mention the Earthen Union having great potential and got curious."


    The look they gave him showed that Melach and Torb didn''t quite believe him, but that would have to do. Telling them he''d heard all this from someone claiming to be a regressor wouldn''t help anyone. If anything, they''d probably end up labeling him crazy. Then again, they already thought he was a suicidal, crazy bastard.


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    Whatever. Zachariah could tell them all about the future if he deemed it necessary.


    David had other things to do, including claiming his rewards from the Familia. He and his friends had been on their way there when Zachariah attacked him.


    "Have you already received your rewards?" he asked, pushing aside his lingering questions. He had research to do in the future anyway.


    Torb and Melach glanced at each other before breaking into vibrant smiles.


    "Our star rating increased, and we earned a small fortune," Torb chuckled. "I''m thinking about purchasing a magical armament. That''s how much we earned!"


    "We reached the Bronze Rank and completed the First Advancement Ritual. The achievements we earned in the fight against the Demon Horde were enough to grant us some powerful classes to choose from," Melach said, scowling at Torb. "Then again, I never doubted Torb would get something good. He has a Patron, after all. I¡ª"


    His smile cracked a little. "Still, I was given a powerful Class with good attributes."


    "That''s nice to hear," David said with a smile. He didn''t tell them he''d reached the Bronze Rank on the battlefield or how he had undergone the First Advancement Ritual, though he doubted they were unaware. Melach was a know-it-all, and while Torb sometimes acted foolish, he was sharp. Both knew better than to ask questions they weren''t prepared to hear the answers to.


    "It''s your turn now," Torb said, gesturing over his shoulder. "Get your reward, Arc''s savior."


    David winced at the dwarf''s teasing but approached the wooden counter.


    The woman of the Tirac race, a humanoid species covered in small, clattering scales, greeted him with a smile. However, her expression quickly shifted when her eyes fell on his left arm. Her cupped hands trembled as she accepted his ID slate to verify his identity and achievements in the battle against the Horde.


    "Sir, I''ve updated your ID slate. Your rating has been increased to 3-Star, and your affiliations have been added." Her eyes bulged as she glanced between David, the ID slate, and a small crystal ball. "After taking everything into consideration, the officials decided to grade the Demon Horde as a Disaster. It would have destroyed Arc. Therefore, given the extraordinary contribution recorded in your ID slate, you will be granted access to the Vault."


    David frowned, watching the receptionist tremble as she handed back his ID slate. Did something hit her too hard on the head? He shrugged and checked the updated information.


    Name ¨C David


    Race ¨C Human


    Affiliation ¨C Bereth (Guard of the Eternal Cycle), Asmodeus (Ruler of Blood, Old One)


    Rank ¨C 3-Star


    Oh.


    The single syllable hung in the air as his eyes narrowed. He didn''t expect the affiliations with Bereth and Asmodeus. Of course, they had granted him a portion of their power for his First Advancement Ritual, but that didn''t automatically create an affiliation. Or did it?


    Didn''t they mention something about gods vouching for someone in the Familia?


    Whatever that entailed, David was certain he hadn''t sold his soul to them. That was all that mattered.


    Ruler of Blood and Guard of the Eternal Cycle sounded nice, but David dismissed them as fancy titles. What intrigued him was the "Old One" part. What did that mean? He mentally added another question to his research list.


    "Please press your hand against the Enlightenment Orb, sir," the receptionist said, placing the crystal ball before him with a stiff smile. At least she wasn''t trembling anymore.


    Is that how the Familia aids the rank-up of Skill Runes?


    David raised his right hand and grasped the cold orb tightly. The last thing he saw was a dim light. The next moment, the world turned into a blur. A cold stream surged through his palm one moment, and a tidal wave of information swamped his mind the next. David didn''t know what was happening or how to react. Thus, he didn''t do anything and let it be.


    His hair stood on end, and he barely registered the blood shooting to his head. His hands and feet felt eerily cold, as if all warmth had been drained. He simply waited, hoping it would end soon.


    Blood poured from his nose, the sound of droplets splashing on the wooden counter ringing in his ears as the seconds passed.


    That''s some crazy shit.


    He cursed inwardly, unaware of how much time had passed. What he did know was that his lungs were screaming for air as the throbbing pain in his head eased slightly. The pain remained, but his lungs'' demands overshadowed it.


    He gasped for air as the blurry world cleared.


    "That was intense," David muttered between deep breaths.


    "What did you do?" Torb asked, now standing beside him. How long had he been there? David had no idea.


    "You nearly killed him! Is that what the Familia''s staff has turned into?" Melach demanded, slamming a fist on the wooden counter. Someone shrieked in response.


    "I-I don''t¡­ I don''t know what happened! I only added his reward to the Enlightenment Orb like I always do¡­ N-nothing should have happened!" the receptionist stammered.


    David groaned and gave a dismissive wave. "I''m okay."


    He forced a smile and patted Melach''s back, though the elf didn''t look convinced.


    "I''m fine. Really. It was just a lot to digest."


    Melach''s eyes widened slightly. "How much did you receive?"


    David smiled wryly.


    More than half of his view was blocked by flashing system notifications.


    "Just a bit."

 Chapter 60 - B1 60 - Vault I

    The headache didn''t cease right away, but David considered it a blessing rather than a curse. The throbbing pain in his head was an indicator of his rapid progress, just like the piles of notifications flashing before his eyes.


    [Your contribution to the Familia has been distributed. Enlightenment Orb has been emptied.]


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Bronze II] ¡ú [Bronze III]


    [Three Attribute Points have been added.]


    [Your efficiency at wielding the Words of Power increased.


    Your understanding of the Law of Blood deepened.]


    [Proficiency of Weave of Life reached 100%.]


    [Tier-2 I] ¡ú [Tier-2 II]


    [Proficiency of Equivalent Exchange reached 100%.]


    [Tier-2 I] ¡ú [Tier-2 II]


    ¡­


    [Shield of Blood reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 VIII] ¡ú [Tier-0 X]


    [Shield of Blood reached its limit. Initiate Tier progression.]


    [Shield of Blood ¨C Tier-0 X] ¡ú[Blood Aegis ¨C Tier-1 I]


    David groaned at the pile of notifications and dismissed the rest to check his status instead.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Primary Class ¨C Lifeweaver


    Secondary Class - [None]


    Rank ¨C Bronze III


    Body ¨CHigh(Basic)


    Mind ¨C High(-)(Basic)


    Soul ¨C High(-)(Basic)


    [Laws]


    [Law of Blood] ¨C [Lowest(Minor)]


    [Class Skills]


    [Weave of Life] ¨C [Tier-2 II]


    [Equivalent Exchange] ¨C [Tier-2 II]


    [Skill Runes]


    [Restore] ¨C [Tier-1 V]


    [Cleanse] ¨C [Tier-0 IX]


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 XI]


    [Bless] ¨C [Tier-0 IX]


    [Blood Aegis] ¨C [Tier-1 I]


    [Oasis of Harmony] ¨C [Tier-0 IX]


    Attribute Points ¨C 6


    6 Attribute Points?


    David cocked his head to the side. He double-checked the status and nodded slowly.


    I must have missed a rank-up message, he thought.


    He didn''t know when the message appeared, but there must have been one. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have reached Bronze III just now.


    To David, the rank-ups were secondary. It was nice to see, and the Attribute Points boosted his prowess considerably, but the real gains lay in his Skill Runes'' improvements.


    First of all, it was satisfying to witness his Class Skills improve by one rank. Yet it was even better to observe [Restore] reach its first minor threshold and three Tier-0 Skills edge closer to their first Tier progression. That was especially true after he accessed [Blood Aegis], which was partially at fault for the headache in the back of his mind.


    Another reason for his satisfaction was [Holy Touch]. It had increased by two ranks, crossing Rank X¡ªsomething David had presumed to be the limit for all Skill Runes.


    The second-tier progression would be a lot more difficult if the limit of a Tier-1 Skill Rune weren''t ten, David mused.


    If the limit of a Tier-1 Skill Rune were closer to fifteen or twenty, he could accept it and focus on their progress. But what then? Would he push all his Skill Runes to the second Tier, only to discover that wasn''t enough for Silver Rank?


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    David''s mind rattled. He wondered about the limit of a Tier-2 Skill Rune or what he would do when his Skill Runes reached the 3rd Tier. The process was already becoming increasingly difficult. Tier-0 Skill Runes could be pushed to Tier-1 with time and practice, but pushing half a dozen Tier-1 Skill Runes to the 2nd Tier required a completely different kind of investment.


    There''s no need to make that decision today, he reminded himself. Ignore Zachariah''s warnings for a moment and focus on your next step! S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Still, Zachariah''s words and comments feasted on his doubts.


    "You look like shit." Torb slapped David on the back with a laugh. "But that shit-eating grin of yours makes me want to punch you!"


    "That''s nice to hear." David forced a smile, wiped his bloody nose, and glanced at the Tirac receptionist. "I''m sorry about the blood on the counter."


    The receptionist stiffened under his gaze, her trembling hands and quivering lips betraying her unease.


    David rolled his eyes but continued, "You said something about a Vault. What''s that about?"


    He didn''t receive an answer right away and pressed on. "My friends received a small fortune¡ªapparently enough to purchase a magical armament. Is the Vault visit a replacement for the money?"


    "Y-You are allowed to pick one item from the Vault connected to Arc." The receptionist''s voice wavered, but she regained composure¡ªalbeit too slowly for David''s liking. "But if¡­if you don''t want to visit the Vault, you can choose the monetary reward. I wouldn''t recommend that, sir."


    David didn''t mind her avoiding eye contact as long as he obtained the necessary information.


    "Can I visit the Vault before making my decision?"


    She hesitated but finally nodded after a second.


    "In that case," David smiled at the Tirac, "let''s go to Arc''s Vault."


    ***


    David''s stomach churned as he stepped out of the golden door, the cold stone before him looking far too inviting. He toppled over, retching as nausea clawed at his insides. His legs caved in, and he landed hard on the stone floor. At least he managed to keep the little food he had inside his stomach.


    His head spun as though he''d been riding the worst roller coasters for hours without a break. It reminded him of the past. Not in a nice way, though.


    David remained on the cold ground, hoping the nausea would subside quickly.


    "What the hell was that?"


    He glanced up, ready to tear the receptionist a new one. Couldn''t she have warned him?


    The receptionist smiled at him with a mix of pity and something else. Did she enjoy his misery?


    "The Vault is an independent dimension connected to various Sanctuaries via highly secure dimensional portals, protected by the Pantheon and other things. We jumped through space to reach the Vault. That''s why you''re feeling like this. The first few times are always like this. You will get used to it, sir."


    Her smile widened while David''s grimace worsened. The confidence in her voice was more annoying than surprising.


    "It would be nice if you could tend to your condition, but that''s not possible in this space. Try circulating holy power. You will quickly notice that it won''t work. You cannot use your Skill Runes here. Your physical prowess won''t disappear, but try attacking me, and you will realize what it means to attract the Pantheon''s wrath."


    The last bit was unnecessary. David wasn''t planning to attack the receptionist. He was here to pick one item and leave right away. Still, he understood her reasoning. Even the so-called Savior of Arc could be tempted by greed. It was better to extend a warning before anything could happen.


    He nodded in response to her commentary and allowed her to savor the illusion of being in full control of the situation. She must feel the power resting in her hands, even if it was only for a few minutes, David thought, letting her believe she was in charge.


    Accessing his Source, he circulated a minuscule portion of Blood through his body. The receptionist appeared oblivious, even as he cast [Restore] with the trace of Blood.


    His Skill Runes weren''t blocked, and David doubted the restrictions extended to Laws either. Had they forgotten to apply the Vault''s restrictions to him, or had he somehow bypassed its effects? Perhaps the limitations didn''t include his Source and Blood, or it might have been something else entirely.


    It didn''t matter. He was here for his reward and would leave right after.


    "Can I pick whatever I want?" David jumped to his feet and walked up next to the Tirac receptionist. He heard her faint gasp and noticed her eyes widening ever so slightly. He responded with a smile.


    "I feel better."


    "A-already?" Her smile cracked.


    "Is that bad?" David asked, feigning ignorance.


    "No! Of course not!" The receptionist pointed ahead. "Please follow me. We are close."


    David walked a step behind the Tirac, whose feet barely touched the stone floor. Her soft footsteps echoed faintly in the wide hallway until they reached a towering gateway guarded by a pair of massive statues. The receptionist tensed and slowed as they walked past the statues. It took David a moment to understand why.


    He glanced up at the statues'' faces, only to see two pairs of obsidian eyes staring back at him. He thought he heard the faint crack of stone, but the Tirac grabbed his hand before he could look closer.


    "Don''t look at them!" she hissed, her voice trembling.


    This time, David didn''t think she was afraid of him.


    "The statues are the things you were talking about earlier," he concluded, but the receptionist remained silent.


    Not long after, they reached and passed a second gate. It was slightly smaller, yet the statues were still there. This time, there was no cracking stone. That changed when they reached the third gate in the long hallway. The receptionist halted and retrieved a small scroll. She unfolded it and began reading in a language David had never heard before.


    The walls trembled, and so did the statues. The massive figures flanking the gate suddenly turned and pushed it open.


    "The gate should remain open for the next thirty minutes," the receptionist muttered.


    "Should?"


    The corner of her lips twitched upward, only to settle into a flat line a moment later.


    "It''s the first time I''m here."


    David had a lot to say but decided to push it aside. He nodded.


    "We should hurry up then."

 Chapter 61 - B1 61 - Vault II

    Arc''s Vault was impressive, to say the least. David''s eyes landed on several chests filled with currency slates and Fragments. The wealth in each wooden chest was probably enough to purchase entire streets in Arc¡ªperhaps even more.


    Beside him, the receptionist tried to maintain her composure, but he heard her gasp. It looked like she wasn''t prepared to find the Vault filled with this much wealth.


    His attention shifted from the chests to several less conspicuous shelves. These shelves filled one of the Vault''s corners, but at first glance, they didn''t make much of an impression. David walked through the small Vault, which couldn''t have been larger than forty square meters, and began inspecting the items.


    "I have information on each item here," Tirac whispered, flinching slightly when he turned to her. She held up a piece of paper with shifting letters that almost seemed alive. "You can tell me what you''re looking for, or we can go through them one by one, and I''ll explain what they can do."


    David wasn''t sure what he was looking for. He had a few things in mind but hadn''t decided yet. He wasn''t even sure what he could find in the Vault. Maybe the Vault held something truly unique¡ªsomething he couldn''t even imagine. He didn''t want to miss out on a treasure by narrowing his choices too soon.


    He picked up a vial and inspected it curiously. The vial, made of glass or some similar translucent material, contained a purple liquid. But what caught his attention wasn''t its appearance¡ªit was the life emanating from within.


    "Interesting choice," the receptionist said. "This is a special reagent called an Elixir of Life. It can bring you back from the brink of death or¡ª" she hesitated, glancing at his left arm, "¡ªor regrow limbs."


    David frowned. He didn''t need that. Not now. Not from here. Regrowing his arm wouldn''t improve his combat prowess. If anything, it would make him weaker, as he''d lose Deryadus'' Arm. He set the vial back on the shelf and moved to the next item.


    "Pill of Attributes," the receptionist explained. "Increases a random Attribute Point by one. You can only increase your attributes twice with the Pill of Attributes."


    David barely glanced at it before moving on.


    "Tranquility of Mind. Mages love this one. It aids in training with Skill Runes and helps you understand Skill Runes, Class Skills, and Laws more easily."


    He picked up another item.


    "Limit Removal. The potion allows the user to access their Essence and remove their Body, Mind, and Soul limiters for one hour."


    David set it down and moved on.


    "Molten Aether. A potion often used by Warriors who struggle to access or utilize Aether. Not all Warriors require Aether, but many powerful advanced Classes grant Class Skills that need both Stamina and Aether to function. Some Classes even fuse Aether and Stamina to form new energies, like Force, which is essential for creating an Aura."


    Finally, his attention landed on another vial.


    "Golden Road. The perfect potion to unlock and expand all Energy Pathways."


    ...


    ...


    There were far more interesting potions and pills than David had anticipated¡ªten, possibly more, were of great use. But he could only choose one.


    That was unfortunate. However, he now fully understood why the receptionist had warned him about the Pantheon''s wrath. While he might have loved to take more than one item from the Vault, he wouldn''t risk it.


    "This is only Arc''s Vault, right? The integration wasn''t that long ago¡ª"


    David didn''t finish the sentence before the receptionist cut in. She nodded, her eyes curving into crescent shapes as she smiled. "Arc is still at the lowest grade. In fact, no Sanctuary in the Earthen Union has met the requirements to advance just yet. That''s why you''ll find many items designed to build a powerful foundation here. These items are incredibly valuable for Iron and Bronze Ranks."


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    David raised an eyebrow but chose not to press further. It wasn''t relevant to his decision.


    A powerful foundation was essential, but his Energy Pathways were already unlocked. Most were still malnourished and required extensive treatment¡ªquite a lot, probably. Still, it might not take long to heal them. [Holy Touch] cast with Blood was far more effective now than when he had relied on holy power. He could further accelerate the process by amplifying Blood with his Relic.


    Molten Aether and Limit Removal seemed intriguing, but neither was necessary for him. David had no trouble wielding and absorbing Aether, and he could remove his limiters without assistance. He''d already used his Essence on multiple occasions and could do so again if the situation demanded it.


    Tranquility of Mind was one of the few potions he couldn''t replicate with some effort. It was his only means to improve the mastery of his Law quickly. But that wasn''t enough.


    He studied the other items on the shelves and sighed deeply. Many could be of use, but none seemed perfect.


    His eyes landed on the receptionist again. She smiled faintly at him.


    He could tell the Tirac woman was getting used to him. She wasn''t as tense as before, maybe because the scenery had shocked her to the core. Still, that was better than being around a stammering, timid girl.


    "Skill Runes¡­" He shook his head, discarding the idea.


    David hesitated to pick a powerful Skill Rune without certainty that a similar predicament would occur again. If he chose a powerful Tier-2 Skill Rune that didn''t suit his Class¡­would it be changed again? He might not have to follow the Cleric Codex anymore, but Lifeweavers must also have some restrictions. Then again, Lifeweavers were unique entities¡ªfighters, and healers in one.


    He checked the Skill Slates displayed on the final shelf and frowned as he listened to the special Tier-0 and Tier-1 Skills stored in the Vault. David didn''t consider them special enough to use his only ticket as a special reward.


    "What about a powerful weapon? Combining your weapon with your soulbound weapon would increase your prowess," the receptionist offered her advice. "Or an armor. The plated armor stored in the Vault is very powerful. Some have ancient enchantments that can increase your physical strength or help you stay focused in most situations."


    David considered a new armor¡ªit would be his first proper armor¡ªand winced when he thought about it breaking. Armor would be great, but his fighting style required speed. He''d either have to pick leather armor, which would be damaged or unusable after his first fight with a powerful enemy, or armor made from light metal protecting his vitals.


    One way or another, David would break the armor within a week. He was prone to fighting the strongest enemies and wasn''t afraid of injuries, either. He''d gladly exchange a few grievous wounds with his enemies, knowing he would regenerate within seconds.


    An armor would make everything different¡ªmore complicated.


    "It might be worth it if you have a self-repairing armor," he tilted his head. "A strong self-repairing enchantment."


    A new weapon didn''t sound bad, but he already had the Obsidian Blade. Since he had Deryadus'' Arm as a replacement for his left arm, he could wield two one-handed weapons easily. However, a good weapon could be purchased from merchants.


    "For weapons, I''d only take a soulbound weapon." He smiled at the receptionist, who frowned deeply. It didn''t look like they had what he asked for.


    So be it.


    "What about accessories? Do you have anything I could use?" The Cleric''s Amulet hadn''t been very useful, mostly because David forgot about it. As of now, he didn''t need it anymore. He had no more holy power, and the Relic did a good job of improving Blood''s potency.


    "Enchanted items can be used by everyone, right?" David asked. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Melach once told him that enchantments could be compared to inferior versions of Skill Runes. David imagined using Skill Runes like [Fireball] through accessories to incinerate his enemies, but was that the best choice for him? Probably not.


    He needed something valuable. Something he couldn''t buy for money from merchants¡ªnot anytime soon, at least. An item of immense worth¡ªnot just in terms of money, but something that would directly impact his growth. It had to be something that allowed him to progress faster than others or gain a tremendous advantage others couldn''t dream of obtaining this early into the Integration.


    David recalled some of Zachariah''s words about Arc and what his next steps would have been if Arc had been destroyed. He had mentioned the Wilderness, its issues and dangers, and the other organizations.


    The possibility of the Earthen Union transforming into one of the Aether-densest planets in the Pantheon was deeply imprinted in his mind, but so was the thought of meeting his parents and friends.


    His to-do list was never-ending, and it kept expanding. However, one thing was certain: he would reach the Wilderness at some point.


    The Wilderness was said to be dangerous, yet it was also a place of growth, filled with resources, treasures, and opportunities.


    With those thoughts in mind, David narrowed his choice. He discussed his options with the Tirac receptionist.


    At last, he came to a decision.


    He looked at the receptionist, whose eyes were trained on the item in his hand.


    "To think we found an item like this in a Basic Vault." Her lips twitched as she looked up. "You seem to be quite lucky."


    "And I sure need it," he said, snickering. "It''s what kept me alive."

 Chapter 62 - B1 62 - Defective Treasure

    David''s final pick was simple, yet he found it perfect. At least, he considered it perfect.


    It was a storage device: a spatial necklace.


    At first, David didn''t think a storage device was the best choice for his pick. Small spatial rings could be purchased from several merchants in Arc. However, spatial rings were expensive. Even the smallest of them cost more than a magical armament. That wasn''t what he wanted. It wasn''t worth the price, not for a spatial ring with a tiny independent space that could barely fit a longsword and a few cans of tuna.


    But the spatial necklace? It was different. Better.


    The spatial necklace David found with the receptionist''s help was large. It wasn''t massive, but it was big enough to store beings like the Behemoth Darkai and more. The storage device was also big enough to contain another enchantment. The precise blue lines engraved on it made that much clear.


    A preservation enchantment had been etched onto the spatial necklace, transforming it into a treasure too valuable to be found in a Basic Vault. According to the receptionist, a properly functioning storage device of that size and with such an enchantment would cost more than buying Arc in its current state. David was sure that was an exaggeration, but it showed him how valuable the spatial necklace would have been if it worked as intended, which wasn''t the case.


    The spatial necklace was defective.


    Its dimension stone, the most important material used to create pocket dimensions for storage devices, had been labeled damaged. It had mutated, permanently altering the dimension stone. Instead of absorbing ambient Aether, it required the user to fill it with energy to maintain its most important aspect: its weight removal property.


    Once the spatial necklace''s energy reservoir was empty, the weight of everything stored within the dimension stone would be transferred. It would crush down on David, breaking his neck depending on the goods stored inside.


    The thought sent a chill down David''s spine. Even now, he shuddered at the idea of forgetting to fill the spatial necklace''s energy reservoir. The vision of a sudden weight crashing down on him, a sharp cracking sound in his ears, and his neck snapping was far from pleasant.


    Still, he picked the spatial necklace. It was large and had a preservation enchantment, though the enchantment was likely to increase the dimension stone''s energy drain. That was a mild nuisance, but it was worth the risk to David.


    The receptionist didn''t seem as convinced. She repeatedly asked if he was certain, emphasizing that the Familia and Pantheon wouldn''t take responsibility for any mishaps.


    "This is the best item we could find. There is no reward without risk," David smiled at the receptionist. "Arc would be no more if I hadn''t taken any risks."


    The receptionist finally fell silent, nodding before leading him out of the Vault. Together, they walked through the hallway and returned to the golden portal they had come from.


    David overclocked [Restore] as he cast it and followed the receptionist through the portal.


    The world turned upside down as he stumbled through, but [Restore] worked quickly, preventing nausea from overwhelming him. He didn''t topple over and regained his composure within seconds.


    Not too bad. A few more times, and [Restore] will no longer be necessary.


    David mulled this over as they headed back to the Familia''s ground floor.


    Once there, he spotted Melach and Torb checking out the mission board. Melach was chatting with a group of elves but left them the moment his eyes landed on David.


    "That was fast," Melach remarked, his eyes drifting from David''s boots to the top of his head before settling on his neck. "An accessory? That''s surprising. I thought you''d pick something to strengthen your foundation or a unique Skill Slate since your equipment is already pretty good."


    "Are you guys fine with a 2-Star team mission? That will earn us some good money, which we will need once we purchase our magical armaments," Torb walked over, but he slowed as he looked at David. His eyes narrowed suddenly. "Hell nah! You found a spatial necklace in the Vault?!"


    David raised an eyebrow. How did he know?


    "Brat, I''m a dwarf. I know a dimension stone when I see one," Torb grunted.


    "Right..."


    Was he really that easy to read?


    "It has a preservation enchantment. We can store a bunch of body parts and valuable herbs," David added, tapping the necklace with a smile.


    Melach cursed softly and hurried to his side, covering the spatial necklace with his hand. His gaze flicked left and right, his tension palpable.


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    "Don''t show it around! Do you know how much something like this is worth?"


    David stared at the elf for a while, one eyebrow lifted.


    "It''s not like this is my most valuable possession. I''m walking around with a Relic and a soulbound weapon. The spatial necklace would be the last treasure they''d go for."


    Melach''s lips parted, but no sound escaped. He pressed them tightly together, looking lost for a moment.


    "That''s true. You are a walking treasure trove," Torb smiled, but something about the dwarf''s expression was unsettling.


    "Wipe that smug smile and stop thinking about killing me so we can focus on earning a fortune with the spatial necklace," David chuckled, suppressing a shudder.


    Torb joined in the laughter, but he sounded nervous, almost embarrassed as if his intrusive thoughts had been exposed. He quickly turned to the mission boards, muttering, "Undead aren''t valuable enough. We need monsters. Better even, magical creatures with several useful body parts. Zeroq Rats are quite valuable to Alchemists. The fresher their bodies, the better."


    David and Melach exchanged a glance. What was that? Torb wasn''t seriously considering that¡­right? There had to be a mistake.


    "Sorry about that. He''s a little worried about money these days," Melach said, his eyes drifting to Torb. "I don''t know the details, but I think his family got into another debt."


    "He''s in contact with his family? I didn''t think that was possible," David noted. Melach''s expression twisted slightly.


    "Did you message your family? They must be proud of you. We dealt with a Common Rift, cleared a Main Rift with Demons, and defeated a Demon Horde."


    "I cannot contact them¡­yet. The Earthen Union needs to awaken for the Familia to create proper communication channels between worlds. My family wouldn''t want to hear from me anytime soon anyway. They¨C" Melach trailed off, shaking his head.


    The elf''s unfocused gaze betrayed his inner turmoil. After a moment, he grimaced and cleared his throat, continuing, "Torb only knows about his family because Lord Fortress told him. Torb mentioned that Lord Fortress warned him about his family''s actions after his First Advancement Ritual concluded."


    That was quite a lot to digest.


    "It must have been a hefty loan if his Patron God told him about it. But how is their loan related to Torb? I don''t know how it works in other worlds, but in the Earthen Union, you don''t¡ªdidn''t¡ªhave to cover your family''s loans."


    Melach glanced at Torb and winced. "Our tiny friend is just too nice. He always talks about money, but you know better, don''t you?"


    David nodded. Though he hadn''t known Melach and Torb for long, he already believed both were good people. The elf might call him crazy, a disaster even, but David knew better. Melach liked and respected him for being true to himself or for some other reason. Torb had proven himself, too, protecting David on more than one occasion. David had survived the Demon Horde and their battle with the Fangs, thanks to Torb''s vigilance in protecting his neck.


    Even so, Torb''s earlier expression lingered in David''s mind. He couldn''t help it. Betrayal had marked him once, and he wanted to be prepared if it happened again. Still, hope wasn''t entirely lost. Maybe Torb''s reaction was just a whim¡ªhopefully.


    He liked them both and knew enough about the odd pair to stick with them. For now, at least. The future was uncertain, and their paths might separate one day, but that day hadn''t come yet.


    "Kobolds sound like fine targets," Torb said, holding a note in his hand. "Their scales, fangs, hearts, and lungs are quite valuable. I think their bones and tendons are also used for potions and other things."


    The dwarf looked at Melach. "You''re the expert. Are Kobolds worth it?"


    "Kobolds? If we have enough space to store them whole¡ª¡­"


    David caught the hint and nodded. "The storage is quite large."


    "How large are we talking about?" Melach cocked an eyebrow.


    "The Demon Rift Boss and more."


    Torb froze, his head snapping toward David, his eyes wide and practically screaming, What the hell are you talking about? S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David raised his hand to cut them off before they could interrupt. "The spatial necklace is defective. I have to supply it with energy; otherwise, I''ll be crushed by the weight of everything stored within the pocket space. Well, not right now¡ªit''s empty. But once the storage is filled, I''ll need to ensure it stays supplied."


    "That''s¡­" The greedy look in Torb''s eyes faded. "How much Aether are we talking about?"


    David could only shrug. "I don''t know yet. It shouldn''t be too much at first. However, the receptionist told me that the Aether demand would increase the more I store. I guess it''ll be quite a hefty amount once the pocket space is filled to the brim."


    He had plenty of questions when he first picked up the spatial necklace, but the receptionist hadn''t been able to answer most of them. David recalled her admitting that the dimension stone''s defect had never been fully researched. Even her magical record lacked answers about who created the spatial necklace¡ªor why anyone would use a dimension stone with such an adverse mutation.


    "Kobolds should be fine, though," David added. "They''re small, and their decent weapons can be sold to blacksmiths for pocket money. The blacksmiths can smelt the weapons into something valuable, and we earn a bit. That''s a win-win."


    "There''s a Nest of Kobolds nearby," Torb said, licking his lips. "You won''t have an issue supplying your necklace with energy if we don''t waste any time roaming around, right? How about it? Shall we trash some Kobolds?"


    David nodded. That should be fine. He''d already tested the necklace with Blood and was glad to discover that it worked just as well as Aether.


    He couldn''t help but marvel at how much better Blood seemed compared to Aether. Essence was widely known to be purer, and Blood¡ªstraddling the line between Aether and Essence¡ªappeared to confirm that belief. The dimension stone''s energy reservoir overflowed with just a mere trace of Blood.


    That was exactly what David needed. After all, he didn''t have much Blood to spare¡ªnot with a Nest raid awaiting him.

 Chapter 63 - B1 63 - Access & Changes

    The inability to replenish Blood was probably David''s biggest problem. His Source could form and contain up to two Blood droplets at a time¡ªenough to use and overclock his Skill Runes frequently¡ªbut any unexpected consumption was a risk he couldn''t ignore.


    He had the Law of Blood, but it strained his Source rather than draining it. Overusing it, however, could cause damage, something he had to plan for. And if even a fraction of what Zachariah had warned him about was true, the future looked grim.


    "I need some money," David said to the others.


    He had some funds left, probably enough to get by, but he didn''t want to take chances. He wanted to be ready if something went wrong if they were stranded or forced to push further than expected. Now that he could store more supplies, the urge to stock up was almost compulsive. Better to prepare now than scramble later.


    "If we''re going to raid the Nest, I want to be prepared."


    He didn''t care if anyone called him paranoid or even suicidal. The head on his shoulders wasn''t just for show.


    David caught Torb''s eyes darting toward him, the dwarf''s hand instinctively flying to guard his pouches. He couldn''t fault Torb for being protective, especially with the family issues the dwarf was dealing with. Adding the financial burden of a magical armament probably wasn''t making things easier for him.


    Melach, however, didn''t hesitate. He handed over a handful of Bronze slates without a second thought. "Is that enough, or do you need more?"


    "I don''t know," David admitted with a shrug. "I want to buy some tents, food, water for a few weeks, and a few other things to prepare for the worst-case scenario. With the preservation enchantment, everything will stay intact if we need it later."


    Nobody could predict what the future held. One bad mission might leave them unable to return to Arc for days. Preparing for such a scenario wasn''t just prudent¡ªit was essential. While unlikely, the possibility of getting stranded loomed large enough to justify the expense. He had the means, so why not use them?


    "That''s a good idea," Melach said, nudging Torb and nodding toward David.


    "Seriously?!" Torb''s face turned red, his grip tightening on the pouches at his side. He groaned in frustration but eventually gave in, reluctantly fishing out some Bronze slates and handing them over. His gaze locked onto David''s. "You better repay me¡ªwith interest!"


    "You dork," Melach snapped, rolling his eyes. "David lets us use his storage device. We''re a team. If you can''t handle that, fine. Keep your money. You can haul your spoils of war back to Arc yourself while David and I use his spatial necklace. How''s that sound?"


    Torb''s expression darkened further, his frown deepening. "I hate you," he grumbled, his eyes flicking between Melach and David. "You too!"


    No more words were exchanged, but the Bronze slates found their way into David''s hands.


    "So¡­what do we need to raid a Kobold Nest?"


    ***


    David was back in the city for the first time since he''d left. It hadn''t been that long, but it felt like an eternity had passed. The city had transformed into a shell of the bustling place he remembered. Cracked streets and crumbling skyscrapers stretched before him, stark reminders of what once was. He couldn''t help but wonder how long it would take for nature to reclaim it all¡ªfor weeds to fill the cracks and vines to strangle the ruins humanity had left behind.


    Their journey through the ruins revealed little in the way of magical creatures, but David did spot plenty of birds, cats, and dogs. He didn''t dislike animals¡ªin fact, he liked them¡ªbut the ones they encountered were far from the pets humans had once known. One of the dogs¡ªa hulking creature standing over a meter tall at the shoulder¡ªtorched an Infected with terrifying ease. Flames spewed from its mouth like a living flamethrower, reducing its target to charred remains.


    "Adaptation to Aether," Melach remarked casually as he watched the scene unfold. "I''m pretty sure I mentioned this before, but your world''s animals will mutate to adapt to the Aether in the air. The more they absorb, the stronger they''ll grow. Don''t worry, though¡ªthere are racial limits. Your domesticated animals can''t evolve into Transcendent beings."


    Torb''s lips twitched as though he wanted to argue, but the dwarf stayed silent.


    "Are you sure?" David asked, his tone uncertain.


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    "I mean¡­ the Earthen Union''s animals gain access to a lesser version of the System. It''s nothing special, but if they meet certain racial requirements and evolve, they can unlock more System functions." Melach tilted his head, his tone matter-of-factly. "But the intelligence and control of Aether required to do so isn''t something normal animals can acquire easily. Perhaps, after countless generations and who knows how many mutations and evolutions, their offspring might succeed¡­ but the chance is slim even then. And the likelihood of evolving continuously until reaching the final ascension to a Beast God is¡­"


    His fingers drummed against his Mage Wand as his voice trailed off. "Whatever. Can we raid the Kobold Nest?"


    Was Melach nervous? If he was, it didn''t seem to be about the Kobold Nest.


    David couldn''t help but wonder about the lesser System and how it functioned for animals and monsters. Questions swirled in his mind: how much did they know about their evolution requirements? Could they gain Skills or Attribute Points, or was their progress fundamentally different?


    Most of the questions slipped from his thoughts, but one lingered.


    "Is that why the kill notifications look different?" he blurted, stopping abruptly. His words forced Melach and Torb to halt and turn to face him.


    "What?" Melach''s frown deepened.


    "The kill notification. It looks different depending on what I kill. I saw the Rank of the Kobolds and Darkai I killed. But the kill notifications from the Fangs and Infected didn''t show anything like that."


    "I didn''t know you could see the Rank of Kobolds," Torb muttered. "I haven''t killed any yet."


    Melach shrugged. "Kobolds are intelligent but never had access to the full System. It always considered them inferior, just like Goblins and Gnolls. That''s why they evolved like monsters."


    "You speak like that''s a thing of the past," Torb said, eyeing Melach suspiciously. David noticed something in the dwarf''s expression that unsettled him.


    "Apparently, it is. We''ll find out soon enough."


    The raid on the Kobold Nest seemed to hold the answers.


    "Would it change much if Kobolds gained access to the System as a whole?" David asked though an idea was already forming in his mind.


    "How long has it been since you gained access to the System?" Melach asked sharply. "What, two weeks?"


    David nodded slowly.


    "And how much stronger have you gotten in that time?"


    A lot. David didn''t even recognize the man he''d been two weeks ago. He was stronger, faster, and more durable. Everything about him had changed.


    "Now imagine what would happen if races born and raised in Aether¡ªraces that were always suppressed, hunted, and forced to mix with ''lesser'' races because others wouldn''t acknowledge them as equals¡ªsuddenly gained access to the System that had always denied them." Melach''s fingers scraped against his wooden Mage Wand. "What would you do with that sudden gain of power in a newly integrated world where you''re no longer one of the weakest?"


    David wasn''t sure if Melach was exaggerating. The elf''s serious tone felt dramatic, maybe even over the top. Was it really such a big deal to be acknowledged by the System?


    David had grown significantly in the past two weeks, but that was necessary. The world had changed, and he had to adapt.


    "If what you''re saying is true, everything might have changed. We don''t know if the Kobolds gained access to Classes or unlocked special racial traits. They might even wield Laws or Skill Runes now that they''ve gained full access to the System," Torb murmured. "That is¡­ if they actually gained full access."


    David hadn''t seen Kobolds use Skill Runes or anything similar. They wielded weapons and took joy in their enemies'' pain, but that was it. They still died by his hand, just like the undead did. He remained the hunter, and that wouldn''t change anytime soon.


    They resumed their march, but Melach and Torb moved with heightened vigilance. The air grew tense, the weight of the upcoming confrontation pressing down on them as they closed in on the Kobold Nest.


    Minutes later, something finally happened.


    Out of the corner of his eye, David caught faint blue shimmers flickering like ghostly flames in the alley to their right. The sight sent a chill through him, a haunting reminder of his first encounter with Kobolds and Sebastian''s sudden death.


    Then he saw them. Several projectiles¡ªblue spears¡ªwhistled through the air with shocking velocity. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Torb stepped forward with a grim expression, his shield raised. David darted to the side, evading a pair of spears aimed at him with light, practiced steps.


    Torb''s shield glimmered as a thin membrane coated its surface. The spears struck the barrier, their momentum dissipating before they fell harmlessly to the ground, leaving the shield unscathed.


    "A masterpiece!" Torb exclaimed, admiration shining in his eyes.


    "You can make love to your new toy later," David teased. "Let''s finish our mission first."


    He surged toward the alley, his focus locked on the figures emerging from the shadows. Several Kobolds stepped forward, their growls echoing in his ears.


    Their primal aggression stirred something in him.


    The raid hadn''t fully begun, but David''s heart was already pounding in his chest.


    Today was going to be a great day.

 Chapter 64 - B1 64 - Raid I

    David beheaded two Kobolds with a slash and a quick thrust. A blur of Torb in his plated armor rushed past him, smashing the heavy shield into another Kobold''s face. A sickening crunch resounded, followed by a satisfied grunt. A moment later, Torb''s mace arced through the air, crushing the target''s skull.


    David barely had time to process Torb''s speed as the dwarf twisted his body, narrowly evading a sword slash before his mace jumped back into action.


    Torb killed two more Kobolds before a projectile barreled past them. David''s hair stood on end. He missed the first projectile, but his head whipped toward the unfortunate target and found a gaping hole where its heart had been. His ears perked up as he heard more projectiles whistling through the air, and he focused intently.


    He perceived something magical. Mana and a Mage''s spells weren''t something David was familiar with, but he had seen and sensed enough to know when a Mage cast a spell. His eyes followed a dim, green glow in the shape of a thin spear and narrowed as the glow pierced the chests of two more Kobolds.


    "Damn it," he muttered as the last Kobold dropped dead, spinning around to face a smug Melach.


    "It''s a Class Skill called [Spear of Aeryon]," Melach explained simply. His smug smile widened. "But that''s not even my best Class Skill."


    A groan suddenly resounded, drawing David''s attention. He turned to see Torb checking the Kobold corpses. The dwarf looked up and stared daggers at Melach.


    "Why did you destroy their hearts? Aren''t we here for money?!" Torb grumbled.


    Melach''s smile didn''t falter, though he offered a casual "Oops," as if the mistake were hardly worth acknowledging.


    "Your wind spear is probably quite mana-intensive. Don''t use it too often," David reminded Melach. "We don''t know how many enemies there are, and we can deal with normal Kobolds just fine. Their Rank doesn''t seem to have changed much."


    The kill notification labeled the two Kobolds he''d killed as Iron V and Iron VI¡ªnot bad, but far from impressive. David frowned slightly. They hadn''t used any Skills either, which made them little more than fodder in his eyes. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Right, they have Ranks now," Melach said, his smile finally cracking. He appeared to be looking at something in the air before him, his expression souring. "You were right."


    "At least they didn''t use any Skill Runes. The Kobolds didn''t strike me as very powerful," Torb commented with a light shrug.


    The dwarf seemed to ignore that they''d only defeated a small patrol, and there would be many more tiny monsters to deal with in the Nest. But they should be fine. They''d defeated a Demon Horde before, but Kobold Nests were unpredictable. Even with their equipment upgrades, they couldn''t afford to get complacent.


    Torb had purchased a magical armament before they left for the culling mission. It was a shield with a powerful passive enchantment that used ambient Aether to augment the shield''s fortitude, creating faint, glowing runes across its surface when activated. The enchantment was also highly effective against projectiles, absorbing a portion of the impact when triggered on time.


    David didn''t know much about Torb''s family, but it was clear the dwarf felt guilty about spending money on a magical armament, given his family''s financial struggles. It had taken considerable effort from the rest of the team to convince him that the magical shield was a long-term investment. It improved his power and helped him protect himself and others on their missions to earn even more money.


    Back then, Torb hadn''t seemed convinced, but now his mood appeared much lighter. The corners of his lips tugged upward, his fingers twitching as he counted the eight Kobold corpses, calculating their worth with palpable excitement.


    "How much are they worth?" he asked eagerly, prompting a chuckle from the others.


    "You were angry about the hearts a moment ago," Melach teased, smirking as Torb glared at him.


    David wasn''t sure if Melach had bought a magical armament. His eyes drifted over the elf, from his head to his feet, searching for something new. At first glance, nothing stood out¡ªexcept the tip of his Mage Wand. It looked a little different now, a faint glimmer emanating from a newly added gemstone.


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    He ignored the others'' banter and inspected the unfamiliar gemstone for a few seconds. Traces of mana emanated from it, but that was all David could tell. He moved on and approached the corpses, struggling for a few seconds to store them efficiently in the storage necklace.


    Eight corpses and eight weapons made from an unknown blue metal ended up in his storage, increasing the pull on the dimension stone''s reservoir noticeably.


    That''s manageable, David thought, but his expression soured a little. But it will be a nuisance if there are more than 100 Kobolds to store. An exponential demand for energy would suck the Source dry within seconds.


    He could only estimate how much energy the dimension stone would consume for every additional Kobold carcass. It was also uncertain whether each corpse required the same amount of energy or if he missed factors that needed further research.


    David shrugged and turned to the quarreling duo. "Should we keep going or wait until the spatial necklace breaks my neck?"


    The remark did the trick. The quarrel ceased, and Melach and Torb turned to him with a nod. They moved on, ignoring the dark alley the Kobolds had emerged from. The trio continued walking down the main street for a few more minutes before they turned right into a smaller street. They didn''t encounter a second patrol on the way, but David noticed several groups of Kobolds after they turned.


    However, his attention lingered on a large building that seemed almost unscathed. The integration and its aftermath had barely damaged the massive structure.


    "The Familia''s intel leads to that building, doesn''t it?" David asked rhetorically. Deep down, he already knew the answer.


    "I think so," Torb replied as Melach raised his Mage Wand. The gemstone atop the wand glowed with an intense, earthy light as unfamiliar words spilled out of the elf''s mouth. The intensity of Melach''s spellcasting caught David off guard; he couldn''t recall the elf ever taking so long for a single incantation.


    Screeches and high-pitched roars rang in his ears, yet his eyes remained glued to Melach and his surroundings. The ground trembled and burst open beside Melach. However, the elf didn''t appear surprised. Sweat dripped from his face, and his chest heaved, but the smile on his lips didn''t waver.


    Torb shouted something, but David''s eyes stayed fixed on the burst-open concrete street. An earthy hand emerged, followed soon by another.


    "I need some fucking help here!" David recognized Torb''s words and spun around. The phenomenon beside him tugged at his attention, but his friend was surrounded. More than a dozen Kobolds ¨C some larger and bulkier than the rest ¨C encircled Torb, attacking from all sides. Despite the odds, Torb was holding his ground, twirling with unnatural speed, blocking most of the incoming strikes and leaving shattered snouts in his wake.


    David wanted to help, but the dozen Kobolds weren''t the only threat. More enemies were charging at Torb, shoving their comrades aside to get at the stocky dwarf. Others ran at David and Melach, forcing David to act since Melach didn''t seem close to finishing his spell.


    He first cast [Oasis of Harmony] on Melach, summoning a pristine dove that hovered above the elf''s head. Then, he used [Bless], spreading the Skill Rune''s effects across the group. The crimson hue that engulfed Torb was impossible to miss. With a sudden burst of speed and strength, the dwarf crushed a pair of Kobolds too focused on their attacks to defend themselves. Their mistake cost them their lives.


    Unfortunately, David couldn''t watch the others for long. Something rumbled behind him, but he trusted it was related to Melach''s spell. He kicked off the ground and leaped toward the charging enemies, wielding a steel shortsword in his left hand and summoning the Obsidian Blade in his right.


    David ducked under a spear thrust and drove the Obsidian Blade into the attacker''s neck. He twisted the blade free and spun to block a sword strike with his shortsword. His muscles bulged as he forced the sword upward, creating an opening to behead the second Kobold.


    He noticed two notifications flash in the corner of his vision but dismissed them as he pressed forward. He hurled the Obsidian Blade at a charging enemy, and it embedded itself deep in the creature''s chest. A familiar sensation washed over him as his soulbound weapon began draining the Kobold''s blood. The creature collapsed before it could reach David, who dashed past it, deflecting the thrust of another spear with his shortsword. He twisted his body, sliced the spear''s wooden shaft in half, and executed a quick series of strikes until the Kobold crumpled.


    A roar echoed in his ears, followed by a second. He turned to see two bulky Kobolds barreling toward him, far larger than the ones he''d fought moments ago. They charged, but a towering figure thundered past before they could reach him.


    It was a massive humanoid creature, seemingly made of earth and concrete. The bulky Kobolds'' spears and swords pierced its body, but the creature didn''t react as if it felt no pain. Its massive fists came down like hammers, repeatedly slamming into the Kobolds'' heads.


    Over and over, the creature struck until their defiant roars turned into pitiful yelps.

 Chapter 65 - B1 65 - Raid II

    The earthen and concrete creature thrashed violently. It crushed one bulky Kobold''s skull and tore another apart with raw strength. David observed everything, his stomach churning¡ªnot from disgust, but frustration.


    The humanoid creature was probably much more than just concrete. It seemed infused with Mana¡ªprobably a lot of it¡ªbut David couldn''t tell for sure. It easily killed the bulky Kobolds, threw their corpses aside, and moved to its next victim.


    "Kobold Warriors. Both were Peak Iron ranks," Melach''s voice rang out from behind.


    So, the rumors were true. Kobolds had access to the Class System. David''s heartbeat accelerated. He wasn''t shocked, but the turn of events promised excitement. Regardless, he had assumed the Kobold''s System functioned differently. There were still ordinary Kobolds, some reaching Iron VI and possibly even higher ranks. Maybe they had different requirements to acquire a Class.


    That would explain their appearance. If the requirements were different, Kobolds might as well receive different benefits when choosing a Class.


    Melach walked up to David with a calm smile. David noticed the elf''s drenched robe and disheveled hair but stayed silent. The elf stared at the earthen creature, and David didn''t miss the look of pride in his eyes.


    "Do you like my Elemental? That''s my best spell. By far! It''s even stronger than it should have been, thanks to the combination with [Elemental Mastery]," Melach explained, unable to hide his excitement.


    But David could only shake his head. "I don''t like your Elemental. I hate it."


    He didn''t have to look twice at Melach to tell the elf was drained. Hopefully, Melach had some serum or potion with him. If not, the rest of the Nest raid would be a nuisance. But that wasn''t what annoyed David the most.


    He grunted, "Your Elemental stole my prey!"


    Despite saying that, David cast [Oasis of Harmony] on the Earthen Elemental, manifesting a black dove hovering above the creature''s head. Half a dozen Kobolds in the proximity turned their heads, snarling as they charged and stabbed at the Elemental. They slashed it dozens of times within seconds, trying to cut it down, but the Earthen Elemental didn''t collapse.


    David moved quickly, slipping into the blind spots of a few Kobolds before attacking. He stabbed and slashed his targets, killing them as the Elemental continued its march. The other Kobolds must have missed his interference because they pursued the creature, creating a perfect target. David struck without mercy, eliminating the remaining Kobolds circling the Elemental.


    His eyes landed on Melach, who followed the Elemental safely. That''s when David noticed the small glass vial shimmering blue in the elf''s hand.


    Good¡ªMelach had potions.


    David''s head spun around to check on Torb, who seemed to be faring well. The dwarf''s mace was drenched in blood and brain matter, its victim lying motionless. But David''s lips curled into a faint smirk. Torb could do better.


    He conjured a black dove above Torb''s head and watched as the Kobolds'' attacks grew more vicious. Torb cursed loudly, but David had a hard time listening to the dwarf''s rambling as he focused on stabbing, beheading, and cutting down their enemies.


    A flashing notification pulled his attention. However, it wasn''t enough to distract him as his sense of danger perked up. David instinctively cast [Blood Aegis], and a shield manifested behind him. He would have spun around to check why his danger sense was going wild, but his blades were still stuck in the throat and chest of a thrashing Kobold.


    The cracking noise behind him caught his attention nonetheless. Something strong enough to damage [Blood Aegis]? David twisted his blade, and the Kobold collapsed. He ripped his weapons free and turned quickly, ready to cast another [Blood Aegis].


    A towering Kobold, nearly as large as a man, entered his view. It wielded a Zweih?nder that shimmered crimson like [Blood Aegis].


    David''s eyes narrowed. There was more to this enemy. He sensed a disruption in his Skill Rune''s application. The Kobold¡­ drained his [Blood Aegis]'' energy.


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    A strange sensation blossomed in David''s heart as he saw the crimson glint in the Kobold''s eyes, the same glint as the Blood used to conjure [Blood Aegis]. Was that fury? Anger? Possessiveness? David didn''t know. He didn''t care.


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    All that occupied his mind was the thought of someone daring enough to steal from him.


    His energy. His Essence!


    "You did not just do that," David growled in a low voice.


    The Kobold snarled, baring its fangs in a way that mocked him.


    You''re so fucking dead!


    David hurled the Obsidian Blade at the Kobold, but it moved faster than expected and lifted its Zweih?nder to block the attack easily. The Obsidian Blade didn''t even hit the ground as David recalled it back into his mind space. His shortsword whipped forward, but so did the Kobold''s tail. Even though he saw the tail whip early enough, he didn''t have a path of retreat.


    The tail collided with his shortsword and broke it upon impact. A sharp clatter rang out, but David just smiled at that. The Kobold''s tail didn''t lose momentum from the impact and struck Deryadus'' Arm. The impact could have shattered a few bones, but the Relic remained unscathed. His plan succeeded; he pressed his flat hand against the Kobold''s cold scales. That didn''t harm the creature but left a beautiful crimson mark behind.


    [Equivalent Exchange]!


    Since the first step was done, David conjured the Obsidian Blade again. Ancient words rolled from his lips, his heart thrashing against his rib cage. The blade twirled in his hand, and he stabbed himself in the chest.


    A wave of pain spread from his chest, but the Words of Power didn''t stop. They continued as the Obsidian Blade began draining his blood and didn''t falter when he twisted the blade. David gritted his teeth, the chant unwavering.


    He pulled the Obsidian Blade out and cast [Restore], his eyes trained on the Kobold. He didn''t like that he had to go this far, but the Kobold had to suffer for stealing his Blood. Nobody was allowed to leave unscathed after such a stunt!


    The all-too-familiar headache crashed into him as he realized he was pushing himself too hard, but his smile widened. The Kobold screamed as a bloody hole tore open in its chest. It thrashed wildly and raised its Zweih?nder to cleave downward.


    Little did the creature know what awaited it, David thought, baring his teeth.


    He stared deep into its eyes, the Words of Power finally ceasing. His Source¡ªa reservoir of inner strength¡ªstirred as the last word escaped his lips. It was uncomfortable, like the letters carved into his Source had been set on fire, but David embraced the discomfort. The hole in the Kobold''s chest suddenly burst wide open.


    He watched in pure satisfaction as streams of blood surged from the monster. The Zweih?nder slipped from its grasp and clattered to the ground¡ªa blissful sound that rang in David''s ears.


    He stepped forward, feeling the wound in his chest closing, and rocketed forward as soon as the Kobold looked back at him. There was no sign of mockery or cockiness left in its eyes. All David saw was fear and pain as he leaped through the spray of blood. He rammed the Obsidian Blade into the Kobold''s wounds, twisted it once, and retreated with a cruel smile.


    The kill notification didn''t pop up instantaneously, but the Kobold''s legs caved in. A heavy thump echoed as it hit the ground, but David didn''t pay any more attention to it. His soulbound weapon drained its blood¡ªit was only a matter of seconds before the creature was dead.


    But instead of giving it the satisfaction of watching it die, David turned to pluck one of the Kobold Warrior''s weapons from the ground and strode back toward the remaining Kobolds.


    The thieving Kobold was fated to die alone, ignored by its nemesis, drained of its blood.


    That''s all the thief deserves!


    David thought, a sense of satisfaction blossoming.


    Unfortunately, the satisfaction died quickly. The Kobolds circling Torb fell too fast. The dwarf didn''t even leave him any snacks.


    As the last Kobold collapsed, David exhaled sharply, his attention snapping to the flashing notification.


    [You have defeated Aether Kobold Swordsman (Bronze II).]


    "What a weird name. You''d be better off calling that thing a thieving bitch, System." David turned to the others, grumbling. "But what is an Aether Kobold?"


    Melach''s Earthen Elemental was still roaming the street, but the elf had joined them. "An Aether Kobold?" he repeated, his eyes drifting to the largest Kobold''s corpse, a deep frown plastered on his face. "Doesn''t look like an Aether Kobold. Did it have a Class?"


    "It says Aether Kobold Swordsman. He was already at the Bronze II rank," David replied.


    "The System has to be joking," Melach cursed. "They can pick Classes and still evolve like monsters?"


    David frowned. That didn''t bode well. The name Aether Kobold already suggested it wasn''t just an average monster evolution. But that alone wouldn''t have been a problem¡ªprobably.


    The combination of evolving and having a Class that could advance as well was the real issue.


    David''s eyes narrowed. Evolving monsters with Classes? That could change everything.

 Chapter 66 - B1 66 - Crimson Motes

    "It''s no surprise the Familia considers this a 2-Star team mission. They already know what''s going on." Torb walked up to them. "But that''s fine. The mission reward isn''t bad, and we can earn even more from the Kobold carcasses."


    That was true. Ordinary Kobolds weren''t dangerous enough to push the star rating of a team mission to 2-Star. At first, David had been certain the Kobold Nest was overflowing with Kobolds, but the new intel made a lot more sense. The mission was far more dangerous than expected, meaning he couldn''t hold back anymore. He either needed more Blood reserves for the dimension stone or had to use his Skill Runes consistently.


    It seemed the time to use his Attribute Points had come, but before investing everything, David needed to confirm something first.


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Soul.]


    High(-)(Basic) ¡ú High(Basic)


    His biggest hope was the expansion of his Source. Enhancing his Soul ought to change and improve his Source, but it didn''t seem like a third droplet would form anytime soon. Even worse, the Source didn''t expand in the following seconds. It felt like nothing had changed.


    That can''t be. Something has to change. They always improve something. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The thought reminded David of the first time he had used an Attribute Point. At that time, it hadn''t felt like anything had changed either. However, the truth was that his physical strength had improved considerably¡ªhe just hadn''t realized it until he kicked a stone to smithereens in anger.


    Something improved, he thought, closing his eyes.


    The mind space appeared before him, revealing the Source and two droplets of Blood¡ªone smaller from the earlier fight''s consumption. At first glance, nothing looked out of the ordinary. If anything, everything seemed perfectly fine. The Source was unscathed, the Law of Power was still etched on it, and the Blood droplets glistened with power. Even the Aether drawn to the Source felt pure and potent.


    Wait¡ªwhat was that?


    David''s brows furrowed as he examined the Source again. How had he missed this before? A thick layer of translucent Aether swirled around it, closer and heavier than usual.


    It took him another second to notice the natural Aether in the Energy Pathways moving toward the Source. That couldn''t be considered odd per se, but it was uncommon for it to happen at an accelerated rate, which was the case now.


    David expanded his focus and caught a glimpse of the bigger picture.


    Aether had entered his Source. It appeared to revolve around his two Blood droplets and¡­ fueled them? Was that it? The natural Aether in his Energy Pathways seemed to replenish his Blood¡ªor tried to, at least. But there was a problem with that. Blood wasn''t made of Aether alone. As far as David was concerned, Blood required both Aether and Essence to be formed.


    Specifically, it required Aether and the crimson motes¡ªeither his Lifeforce or the Essence of his existence. Not that he knew the difference, or if there was even a difference at all. That was all David had been taught by Asmodeus, the Law of Blood, and the intel he''d received through his Class, or from the little research he''d done in the meantime.


    David recalled Asmodeus mentioning how he had been draining his Essence to fight stronger enemies. That was how David came to the conclusion that crimson motes were closely tied to his Essence. After all, the only times he''d felt drained were connected to those motes.


    However, there was also the Alpha Fang, who had summoned crimson motes from the recently deceased. The motes hadn''t lasted long and dispersed quickly back then, but the memory had been etched into his mind.


    Could he replicate the Alpha Fang''s power with his own means? Or did he have to use his Essence to form and replenish Blood?


    David''s concentration fractured at the sound of Melach''s voice.


    "Is everything alright?" the elf asked.


    David flinched slightly, the question pulling him out of focus. Without looking up, he waved the elf off.


    "Don''t mind me," he muttered, collecting most of the corpses until only the strongest Kobold remained: the Aether Kobold Swordsman.


    "There is something I have to try."


    A moment later, Words of Power rolled from his lips. David noted Melach staring at him intently but ignored him, focusing instead on the Kobold. Something warm trickled down the corner of his eyes. He kneeled, paying no heed to the blood dripping to the ground, and pressed his right hand flat against the carcass'' abdomen.


    His hand emanated crimson light as he willed [Holy Touch] to life, sending his power into the corpse. David closed his eyes again, willing his power to course through the monster''s energy pathways to find the crimson motes. At first, he couldn''t sense them.


    David felt a faint pulsing in his head, but he ignored it. His attention zeroed in on something¡ªa familiar sensation that made his concentration falter momentarily. Steadying himself, he focused again. Then he sensed them¡ªthe crimson motes¡ªwith more clarity this time.


    There weren''t many crimson motes left, but there were some. A wave of excitement filled him to the brim. However, before he could think of a way to absorb them, something unexpected happened.


    David''s brows furrowed as he noticed the crimson motes shifting strangely, pulling away from [Holy Touch]. Yet it also felt like they were being drawn toward him.


    Why would they act like that?


    It turned out the answer was simple. His perception wasn''t wrong. The crimson motes pulled away from [Holy Touch] only because they were being drawn to the Obsidian Blade, which David had yet to remove.


    The Obsidian Blade drained the carcass of its crimson motes¡ªit absorbed them! So that''s how the Obsidian Blade grows.


    Many more things began to make sense, though the questions flooding his mind never ceased. Could he take advantage of the Obsidian Blade''s unique property? He could probably find a way.


    David considered his options and chose one of the simpler ones. He coated the Obsidian Blade with [Holy Touch], focusing its power on the crimson motes before they could reach the blade. That would disrupt the blade''s growth, but he had more important things to address for now.


    His first step was to create a connection¡ªa link made from a stream of Blood, augmented and solidified with [Holy Touch] ¨C to attach to the crimson motes around the Obsidian Blade. The second step was to engulf the crimson motes like a cocoon and pull them into his body through the connecting link. It worked, but it drained far more mental power than he''d hoped. Still, the crimson motes entered his body and were absorbed into his Source, where they were annexed.


    As the crimson motes fused with the Aether seeping into his Source, David felt his Blood replenishing at an accelerated pace.


    David should have been glad about this. He''d finally found a way to replenish Blood. But the process wasn''t very efficient, and it was impossible to use mid-combat. The only advantage was the spatial necklace with its preservation enchantment. Maybe it was possible to keep the crimson motes in fresh carcasses as long as they were stored inside the necklace. That could be useful¡ªit was worth a thorough experiment.


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    But not now.


    Replenishing some Blood had drained his mental power, and that was something he couldn''t afford. Not right now. Not with a Kobold Nest awaiting their arrival.


    "I''m done," he muttered, jumping to his feet. His hand reached out to store the Aether Kobold Swordsman in his spatial necklace, but it didn''t work.


    "Right." David''s arm shot forward, his fingers coiling around the soulbound weapon''s handle, and he pulled it out smoothly. His eyes lingered on the crimson traces of [Holy Touch] clinging to the blade, his expression souring.


    "Why did I have to overcomplicate this? It would have been so much easier if I''d held the blade while coating it with [Holy Touch]. That would have¨C..."


    A cough interrupted him. He looked up to see Torb and Melach staring daggers at him.


    "You said you''re done," Torb''s eye twitched.


    "I am," David smiled, stored the Aether Kobold at last, and headed toward the Kobold Nest.


    But he was not done yet. Not really.


    [Two Attribute Points have been used to enhance the User''s Body.]


    High(Basic) ¡ú Lowest(-)(Intermediate).


    [Two Attribute Points have been used to enhance the User''s Mind.]


    High(-)(Basic) ¡ú High(+)(Basic).


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Soul.]


    High(Basic) ¡ú High(+)(Basic).


    [The User''s Body property reached [Intermediate]. Initiate Constitution aug¨C...]


    The words of the warning blurred as power surged through David''s body, tearing at him like claws.


    That was stupid, he cursed his impatience with gritted teeth.


    Sickening crunches resounded as his bones broke. He had no time to prepare; power flushed through him in waves. His bones cracked, his skin ripped open, and it felt like every cell in his body had been set on fire.


    David instinctively cast and overclocked [Restore], but the pain didn''t cease. It didn''t even lessen. His throat tightened, and he couldn''t breathe. Something surged up his throat, and his body reacted on instinct¡ªhe retched and vomited blood, thick and black. His mind blanked for a moment, and when clarity returned, he found himself standing amidst a pool of viscous, dark liquid.


    David''s stomach churned, and he retched again, expelling more blood, this time dark red with pitch-black spots. Vomiting blood was bad, of course. But black blood? That was considerably worse.


    He cast [Restore] again, trying to ignore the stomach-twisting stench in the air. It smelled like he imagined a sealed warehouse full of decomposing rats would after months of neglect.


    Looking down, David saw black blood oozing from every tear in his skin. There was no starting or stopping point¡ªhis entire body pushed the vile substance out of him in a relentless flow.


    It didn''t stop. The flood of power continued surging through him, ripping through his body at a terrifying pace, breaking everything [Restore] tried to fix. [Restore] was supposed to be incredibly powerful when overclocked and cast with Blood. It should have worked. But the Skill failed, unable to contend with the power occupying every inch of his body, destroying it even as it seeped deeper.


    David gritted his teeth. He failed to purge the pain from his mind. Retaining his calm was not an option. Fortunately, he didn''t need his mind for everything¡ªnot when he could still rely on his instincts.


    He cast [Holy Touch], shrouded his Source, and let energy spread outward from the center of his body. He circulated it through his Energy Pathways, filling them with purified Blood. Many recently unlocked pathways didn''t react well to such potent energy, but David pushed through nonetheless, trusting his instincts.


    The power fueling him followed [Holy Touch]''s path. It flooded the Energy Pathways and seeped into them. Some pathways tore apart, but the effects of [Holy Touch] lingered long enough to sustain him. [Restore] jumped into action and repaired the damage with [Holy Touch]''s aid just in time.


    It cost him some Blood and caused considerable discomfort, but tearing through some pathways didn''t feel like much of a price compared to the understanding he gained from it. He kept [Holy Touch] active, circulating it through every part of his body. The process wasn''t rapid, but there was no need to rush.


    They were probably waiting for him¡ªand cursing him for his reckless idiocy. He was fine with that. He''d feel the same in their place.


    But they could move ahead without him if they didn''t want to wait.


    One way or another, he was in control of the immense power surging through him. Using [Holy Touch] allowed him to guide the power through his body at will instead of being forced to watch the power act on its own.


    He was in charge!


    ***


    David''s eyes snapped open. The sky above was a cloudless blue, beautiful and calm. A sharp contrast to the chaos within him moments ago. Lying on his back, a faint breeze brushed across his naked body.


    Naked?


    His body jerked upright, and he looked down. Yep. He was naked. Completely.


    Only the spatial necklace and his Relic were still with him. As for the Obsidian Blade, David could feel it in his mind space.


    "Our crazy, idiotic, suicidal, braindead Cleric has returned to the living," Melach snorted.


    Even Torb''s voice was filled with displeasure. "Why did we accept him into our group again?"


    David got to his feet and looked down. The ground was charred, and the bits of hair that had regrown since his last ordeal were gone, too.


    "You were the one who wanted to keep him with us. You said we needed him because he can heal and fight. ''We have to share less'' was one of your idiotic arguments!" Melach grumbled.


    "That was¡­" Torb let out an exasperated sigh. "Probably what I said. I can see myself saying that."


    Torb cleared his throat and pointed at David, his tone sharp with frustration. "But how was I supposed to know this idiot would reconstruct his Constitution in front of a Nest full of monsters?!"


    David flinched slightly but kept his face neutral.


    "Nobody told me about it. How was I supposed to know what happens when I upgrade Body to the Intermediate Rank?" David said, but the others didn''t seem convinced. They stared daggers at him, and while it looked like they had plenty to say, after exchanging a glance, they both cursed something in their native tongue.


    "Put on some clothes," Melach barked, ruffling his disheveled hair.


    "Since we''re on the topic¡ª" David couldn''t finish before the eld interrupted. "I burned them, and every bit of impurity your body expelled. You''re even stupid for a human. No, forget about it. Just¡­"


    Melach pressed his lips together, his pale skin flushing red.


    "You will stay in the library for the next few weeks once we''re back," Torb grunted. David noticed his gaze shift briefly to the spatial necklace. "For a while, at least. We won''t go out hunting with you if you don''t start filling the gaps in your knowledge as soon as possible!"


    "Yes, Boss!" David snickered, earning another pair of deadly glares that seemed to scream Not funny!


    He accessed the spatial necklace, retrieved a full set of clothes, and winked at Melach when he caught him glancing in his direction. Teasing them was fun. However, thrashing a Kobold Nest should be even better.


    "Did I miss something?" he asked, pulling his linen pants up, laser-focused on the building ahead.


    "Not really. You weren''t out for long," Torb commented gloomily. "Something that should have tormented you for several hours, possibly half a day, turned into an ordeal of a few minutes. I repeat myself: I hate you."


    That explained Torb''s strength. His Body property must have reached the Intermediate Rank.


    "But why is he so slow?" David muttered to himself. He glanced at Torb, who glared back. "I was just talking to myself. Ignore what I said."


    "His Class focuses on durability, endurance, and strength. It might not be visible through the system, but not all Attribute Points are the same. The Attribute Points and instant enhancements earned from your Class have secret values," Melach explained in a tone that grated on David''s nerves more than he was willing to admit. "But there will always be differences, even if you have the same Class as others. Your physique, training, techniques, and other factors also determine the value of your stat enhancements."


    David caught a mocking glance from the elf. "You would know that if you had visited the library."


    "I will! Later, though!"


    "Whatever you say¡­" Melach didn''t sound convinced.


    But did that really matter? The Kobold Nest wouldn''t clear itself!

 Chapter 67 - B1 67 - Kobold Nest I

    As they approached the hideout, David barely batted an eye at the dozens of Kobolds waiting for them. The commotion of the earlier battle must have alerted them.


    "They''ve been waiting for us," Melach murmured to his right. "Why didn''t they charge earlier?"


    "There has to be a stronger Kobold. One in charge of the Nest," Torb added, advancing toward the entrance with a raised shield, his movements cautious and deliberate.


    David noted a few Kobolds staring them down, baring their teeth whenever their eyes met. Yet, despite their tense, restless posture, the Kobolds didn''t charge out of the building. They kept their distance.


    There are fewer ordinary Kobolds and more Warriors¡­ Is that a Mage Wand? They have Mages too?


    His gaze flicked to his companions, who must have noticed the longbows and Mage Wands in some Kobolds'' hands. Their expressions hardened, their postures stiffening. At last, David''s eyes fell on the creatures looming above the others¡ªAether Kobolds. He couldn''t see every corner of the ground floor, but the wide hall and large windows provided a clear view of the building''s interior.


    A faint cracking noise interrupted his observations, sending his hair on end. His eyes snapped to the upper floors, where shattered windows revealed scaled arms clawing outward. Moments later, familiar blue glimmers¡ªmana projectiles¡ªand longbows appeared, aimed directly at them.


    "Archers above!" David shouted, casting [Bless] on everyone. "Charge!"


    Retreating might have been an option, but he doubted the Kobolds would let them flee. Not that David was one for tactical retreats, in the first place.


    The corner of his lips curled upward as he heard groans from behind. A moment later, arrows rained down toward him.


    Whether the archers were unskilled or simply caught off guard, most of their shots missed. Of nearly a dozen arrows, only three would have hit him¡ªif not for [Blood Aegis] shimmering into place. One glowing blue projectile struck the crimson shield, cracking it slightly, but that was the worst of it.


    David reached the building and charged inside, the Earthen Elemental thundering behind him. The ground trembled violently as the animated creature caught up, rushing past him and absorbing several [Mana Bullet] spells and arrows. David''s eyes darted to the holes and arrow shafts riddling its surface, but his attention quickly shifted to the entrance hall ahead.


    "You''re good bait," Torb commented as he arrived beside him, his plated armor and shield faintly glowing with an earthen hue.


    "Less talking, more hunting!" Melach snapped, waving his Mage Wand to David''s right. Half a dozen mana projectiles sparked to life and rocketed toward the enemy masses. Three ordinary Kobolds and one of the larger, sword-wielding types collapsed to the ground with smoldering holes in their chests before they could even reach the Earthen Elemental.


    Torb surged forward, smashing his heavy shield into the tiled floor as two massive projectiles hurtled through the air. David spotted them early and dodged to the side, but they weren''t aimed at him.


    Melach!


    Torb stepped in just in time, bracing himself between Melach and the enormous projectiles.


    The projectiles struck Torb''s shield with enough force to drive him back several steps. He groaned but held his ground, their momentum spent. The missiles clattered to the ground, revealing themselves as a pair of pale arrows¡ªthicker than a human''s arm and longer than an ordinary Kobold.


    "Fuck that shit!" Torb growled while Melach muttered a faint, "Thanks."


    A chill raced down David''s spine, his hair bristling as he processed how close that had been.


    His focus snapped back to the battlefield and the charging enemies. There were more than 30 ordinary Kobolds, a few dozen Kobold Warriors, and several other troublesome adversaries. The fireballs streaking toward them weren''t exactly inviting, either.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    David ducked under a fireball, the searing heat brushing against his skin. Torb intercepted most of the incoming attacks, his shield glowing brighter by the second. Something about the dwarf''s posture and the deep, earthen hue shrouding him had shifted¡ªit grew more intense with every passing moment.


    It''s about time Torb started using his Class Skills and Skill Runes!


    David contemplated casting [Bless] again to overlap its effects but instead poured his energy into a double-cast of [Oasis of Harmony]. A black dove materialized above Torb and the Earthen Elemental, immediately drawing the Kobolds'' attention to them.


    He heard Torb''s curse and saw him inch closer with the elemental while dashing to the least crowded side of the room. The Obsidian Blade appeared in his hand. With one swift motion, he beheaded a pair of ordinary Kobolds before they could scream or roar. Their bodies landed on the ground with a loud thud.


    David felt a jolt of surprise at his display of speed, strength, and reflexes. He knew he would be faster and stronger, but to barely feel resistance when he beheaded the Kobolds sent chills down his spine. It was also hard to tell how fast he was. The Kobolds couldn''t react in time, yet David didn''t feel like he was even close to reaching top speed. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He would need more time to adapt to his body''s changes. But that didn''t mean he couldn''t give it his all right now.


    David studied the charging Kobolds, ensuring none of the stronger ones noticed him before he moved. He retrieved one of the Kobolds'' spears from the spatial necklace and applied [Holy Touch] to the spear blade''s tip. Planting his foot deep into the ground, he cracked the tiles beneath him as he pulled the spear back and threw it.


    A second spear appeared in his hands even before the first reached its target. He trusted his strength and aim to do the job and repeated the process. His muscles bulged as he moved. [Holy Touch] was already applied, and every ounce of his newly acquired strength was utilized as he hurled the second spear into the enemy masses.


    David dismissed the idea of watching the destruction. The Kobolds'' screams and death throes were all the confirmation he needed.


    Notifications flashed in the corner of his view, but his focus stayed locked on the spears and the battlefield. He repeated the attack a few more times and would have continued until all spears stored in the necklace were used, but his enemies seemed too impatient to wait that long.


    His attention drifted to a few Kobold Warriors and Mages with blue spears jutting from their chests and skulls. A smug smile crossed his face as a dozen, possibly more, Kobolds charged at him. A few arrows and fireballs whistled past the Kobolds, but they never got close to David. One crimson shield was enough to block the incoming attacks.


    He grasped the Obsidian Blade tightly, retrieved a shortsword from the spatial necklace, and dashed toward the Kobolds.


    No Aether Kobold? Fine by me!


    He jumped, conjuring a small [Blood Aegis] under his right foot, and propelled himself high into the air. He landed atop a Kobold Warrior, bent down, and slashed its neck. Kicking the screaming creature aside, he landed in the enemy masses. A pair of notifications popped up as he rammed his shortsword into the chest of an ordinary Kobold while the Obsidian Blade sliced another Kobold''s throat.


    He spun around, twisting his body to evade a series of incoming attacks, severing a leg with a clean cut before his other attack pierced the monster''s eyeball and brain in one go.


    David noticed a faint crimson hue radiating from his weapons, though his focus remained on the next enemy. Only after killing more than a dozen Kobolds did he notice his stirring Source. Words of Power spilled unbidden from his lips, his heart pounding wildly as they continued to flow. Each cut, stab, and slash seemed to transform into something bigger. Greater.


    It didn''t even matter how deep the wounds he inflicted were. His blade ripped through the enemy and left behind wounds that were several times larger than they were supposed to be.


    Blood splattered on his face, soaking his clothes and blurring his vision, but he didn''t flinch. His movements never slowed. On the contrary, as the Words of Power rolled from his lips, he felt like he was finally in full control of his newly acquired power.


    He barely noticed the dozens of carcasses piling up around him as he continued the carnage. The ground floor was almost clear. Most Kobolds had been defeated.


    David pushed himself faster as he caught glimpses of the Earthen Elemental tearing through Kobolds while Melach unleashed mana projectiles nearby. Even Torb seemed to have found a suitable rhythm to kill the Kobolds systematically. Together, they swept through the ground floor.


    But something felt off as the last pair of Kobolds collapsed. Blood pooled around the corpses, the air heavy with the metallic stench, but David''s focus snapped to the staircase at the other side of the room. His body tensed.


    The Words of Power ceased naturally, its power leaving a heavy toll on his Source. However, David couldn''t focus on his surroundings, let alone his Source, at this moment. His eyes narrowed to tiny slits, his instincts screaming danger as his gaze locked onto the one clean spot amidst the carnage. It was the area that felt the most dangerous at this moment.

 Chapter 68 - B1 68 - Kobold Nest II

    All sounds on the ground floor seemed to cease simultaneously. The silence was suffocating. It overwhelmed David, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. That was until footsteps resounded¡ªsome louder, others muffled and hard to distinguish.


    The first figures David saw were scaled. Some wielded wands, while others gripped longbows, but he barely spared them a glance. His eyes were drawn to a small Kobold with fiery red scales. The air around it crackled and snapped, releasing fiery wisps, almost as though its scales were alive or made of fire.


    The fiery Kobold wasn''t alone. Five massive Aether Kobolds surrounded it, acting as its bodyguards.


    Something about the fiery Kobold sent a chill through David. It wasn''t just its appearance but a deep, instinctual warning that made his skin crawl. He prepared himself to fight a powerful creature, possibly something on par with the Behemoth Darkai. Yet, as its blazing eyes landed on him, he shifted uncomfortably, his unease intensifying.


    David wasn''t the only one affected. It felt as though the entire building mirrored his reaction. The floor trembled, the walls groaned, and the windows¡ªthose that had survived the integration¡ªshattered with ear-splitting screams. Each step the fiery Kobold took down the stairs caused more destruction than the last.


    The Kobold snarled and struck one of its massive Aether guards with a blaze-colored staff. The Aether Kobold growled in response and surged forward while the Mages and Hunters spread out, stepping through pools of their fallen brethren''s blood to join the battlefield.


    "To think they''d move the party for us. I''m almost touched," Torb snickered, though his voice was tense and cold.


    The Aether Kobolds growled deeply and strode forward, yet David''s focus remained on the small, fiery Kobold. A blazing spear materialized above it, sparking to life before whipping through the air at shocking speed. David barely had time to process what was happening. The spear bypassed the Aether Kobolds in an instant, hurtling toward the Earthen Elemental. It shattered into a dozen smaller spears mid-flight and pierced the creature.


    The animated elemental didn''t feel pain, but it collapsed nonetheless. Its form crumbled and fell apart as the magic holding it together vanished. David saw it happen as he heard Melach''s muffled scream. His gaze flicked to the elf, his frown deepening. Melach''s legs buckled, his face as pale as paper.


    Can he keep going?


    David shook his head.


    Even if he can continue, it won''t be for long.


    The Earthen Elemental''s ''death'' appeared to have deeply affected Melach. That didn''t bode well.


    The fiery Kobold cackled, and a barrage of arrows and magic projectiles followed. The Aether Kobolds split up, accelerating toward their targets. Two charged at Melach and Torb, while one headed straight for David.


    There''s no time. Melach can''t handle one, let alone two.


    David gritted his teeth. He knew he''d be too slow to reach the elf in time; the Aether Kobold charging him would keep him pinned.


    "Sorry!" he shouted, casting [Oasis of Harmony] twice. A white dove appeared above Melach, while a pitch-black one materialized above Torb. The Aether Kobolds heading toward the elf abruptly changed course, their attention drawn to Torb instead.


    David sighed in relief, though he knew the solution wouldn''t last long. It would buy only a few precious seconds.


    The first barrage of projectiles inflicted little damage. Torb was surrounded by Aether Kobolds, whose massive bodies blocked the incoming attacks, while Melach managed to dive to safety. David evaded the arrows with nimble steps, kicking off the ground to launch himself forward.


    As he reached the Aether Kobold, its movements became crystal clear in his mind. He blocked its first two attacks and delivered a series of deep slashes. His speed, strength, and flexibility surpassed the creature''s due not only to his skill but also the overclocked application of [Bless].


    A blue projectile struck him in the side just as he prepared to ram his Obsidian Blade into the Kobold''s chest. The impact sent him stumbling, his eyes narrowing as a massive Zweih?nder descended toward him. He twisted desperately, something in his body cracking under the strain. Searing pain flared through him, but he narrowly evaded the attack.


    Ignoring the pain, David leaped forward. The Aether Kobold had overcommitted in its attempt to finish him. Seizing the opportunity, he drove his shortsword into the creature''s chest and slashed its throat with his soulbound weapon.


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    [You have defeated Aether Kobold Swordsman (Bronze III).]


    The notification flashed briefly in his vision, offering a fleeting confirmation of victory. It gave him the certainty he needed to rush to Melach, whom he saw struggling to evade the second and third barrages of arrows and [Mana Bullet].


    While Melach was faltering, Torb was faring worse. He faced a desperate battle against the last four Aether Kobolds.


    David sprinted toward them, his lips parting to chant Words of Power. Arrows whistled through the air, two striking his shoulder and chest. A [Mana Bullet] slammed into him, halting his movement and sending pain lancing through his ribs, but the incantation never faltered.


    David felt the fiery Kobold''s blazing eyes fixate on him as it waved its staff. A firespear, like the one that had destroyed the Earthen Elemental, materialized atop the blazing staff. It barreled in his direction.


    The Words of Power continued pouring out of David''s mouth, but he slowed down enough to focus on conjuring a crimson shield. His calculation was off. He expected the firespear to split into a dozen and had only planned to protect his vital points with [Blood Aegis]. However, the firespear didn''t split this time. Its power was concentrated in one spot, easily shattering the crimson shield and burning a gaping hole through David''s chest.


    Fortunately, the blazing spear didn''t come close to piercing his heart. David forced a smile and cast [Restore], even as his Source screamed in protest until he finished the last few words. Suddenly, more than a dozen blue projectiles rocketed through the entrance hall, but they never reached him.


    Torb blurred before him, breathing heavily. The dwarf''s plated armor was battered, his blood mixing with the growing pool below, yet his movements never faltered. He blocked most magic projectiles, protecting David and Melach.


    "Where did your power go? What''s with the Words of Power?" Melach asked weakly, his words more like a gargling mess than comprehensible sounds. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''m already done," David responded casually.


    At last, a cacophony of screams resounded. The Aether Kobolds slowed until they stood still, their cries fueling David''s excitement. Simultaneously, the barrage of arrows and [Mana Bullet] ceased.


    His heart thundered in his chest as he watched the chaos unfold. Everything had turned out as expected¡ªmaybe even better.


    Spikes of solidified blood burst from the pool, piercing the Kobolds'' feet and legs, restraining their movements. A spear appeared in David''s hands, and he didn''t hesitate to hurl it at the closest Aether Kobold. The target thrashed, shattering the blood spikes. It stared at David and kicked off the ground but couldn''t take even a single step toward him as the spear pierced its throat and neck.


    A notification popped up as the Aether Kobold collapsed, but David ignored it. A green shimmer whizzed through the air, and the head of another Aether Kobold exploded. David heard Torb roar, his gaze briefly catching the mace slamming into the second-to-last Aether Kobold. Then he turned his attention to the main dish: the fiery Kobold.


    Torb can handle the last one, he thought and gestured to Melach. "Get rid of the Mages and Hunters. Take a potion or two if you have to."


    A moment later, David rushed toward the stairs. He had only one blood droplet left, and even that was on the verge of exhaustion. His Source was drained and couldn''t sustain another extensive use of the Blood of Law.


    He had some potions in his spatial necklace, but none were useful in the current situation.


    The fiery Kobold conjured another blazing spear and hurled it at him. It was faster this time, but David was prepared. He conjured a small, compressed [Blood Aegis] and deflected it to the side. The spear split into a dozen smaller projectiles and spread everywhere. Two fire tendrils scorched his arm and torso, but the real threat came when marble-sized lights materialized around the tiny Kobold.


    The lights burst forth and pierced David simultaneously. Dozens of deadly magic bullets shredded his chest, legs, arm, and even his throat.


    David cursed and cast [Restore] twice quickly while continuing his charge. Another barrage of marble-sized energy bolts struck him before the fresh wounds had begun to heal, but he pressed on. Blood poured from his hole-riddled body, but he guarded his brain and heart just enough to keep going.


    He retrieved one of his last spears from the spatial necklace, took the final step into the fiery Kobold''s range, and spun around, his grasp on the spear tightening.


    David saw the fiery Kobold twitch and stepped back as a crimson hue of [Holy Touch] mantled the spear tip, but it was already too late.


    Several crimson shields manifested around the small creature, blocking its escape. David''s focus narrowed to the spear, his thoughts tuning out whatever the Kobold attempted next.


    He poured every ounce of strength into the throw and hurled the spear at the fiery Kobold.


    But he didn''t wait to see it die. Maybe the first attack failed, maybe not. David retrieved the penultimate spear, mantled its tip in [Holy Touch], and hurled it with renewed determination. His body trembled as the effects of [Restore] began wearing off, and the Blood in his Source dwindled to nothing, but he hurled the second spear regardless.


    Even as the sickening sound of the second spear hitting flesh registered in David''s mind, he didn''t stop. He retrieved the third and final spear and hurled it with all his might.


    His eyes finally followed the attack''s trajectory. The spear whistled beautifully through the air and impacted heavily.


    A sickening crunch rang out as the blade pierced the monster''s skull.


    At last, the long-awaited notification popped up.


    [You have defeated Grand Kobold Shaman(Bronze VI.]

 Chapter 69 - B1 69 - Blood Experiment

    David struggled to keep his eyes open. His eyelids felt heavier with each passing second.


    The strain on his Source threatened to knock him out, and the spatial necklace''s relentless energy drain didn''t help.


    His Source ached relentlessly, as did the rest of his battered body, and he didn''t have enough Blood to spare to cast [Restore]. His body would have to heal naturally.


    David stood there for a few seconds, his mind blank, eyes locked onto the Grand Kobold''s body.


    Fighting foes with Classes, especially a Mage who had already undergone its First Advancement Ritual, had been far from comfortable. It forced him and the others to adjust their tactics and play by intuition.


    Maybe it would have been easier if our group had been bigger.


    David wondered, his ears perking up at the echo of footsteps behind him.


    "You have a hole in your head," Melach appeared beside him, his face pale, his limbs twitching.


    He approached the Shaman carcass with swaying strides and bent down to pick up the blazing staff.


    "A magical armament?" The elf''s brows furrowed as his fingers gently caressed the fine lines engraved on the blazing staff. "Is it a system reward?"


    David glanced at the staff briefly before his attention shifted back to his throbbing head. Now that Melach mentioned it, David''s head felt like it was bursting apart. He tried to find the hole and winced when he finally found it. Yep, that hurt like hell.


    The energy bolt that struck his head earlier must have missed his brain. The other miniature bolts probably strayed from his heart, too. His chest ached¡ªa deep, relentless pain as if invisible claws were wrenching at his heart.


    David shrugged. He was still alive, and he doubted his life was currently in danger. But that didn''t diminish his need for Blood.


    It was important to cast [Restore] soon, ensuring his injuries wouldn''t worsen, but the spatial necklace''s demand for energy was a much greater pressure. He considered removing the necklace in case the dimension stone''s reservoir drained completely before he could replenish Blood, but he felt like the pressure would help him work faster. That was not rational and seasoned with an overdose of craziness. However, that was who he was.


    The looming threat of death drove him into a desperate rhythm that had kept him alive¡ªso far.


    This time, he used better material for his experiment. The Aether Kobold Swordsman hadn''t been bad, but it had been drained by the Obsidian Blade for a while before David intervened. A freshly killed Grand Kobold Shaman should be better.


    There was no time to waste. He approached the carcass with the Obsidian Blade in his right hand and coated it with an incredibly thin layer of [Holy Touch].


    He stabbed the Grand Kobold Shaman and willed the Obsidian Blade to suck the corpse dry. The soulbound weapon didn''t respond to his mental command in a convenient way, but he sensed several glistening specks inching closer within seconds. [Holy Touch]''s power spread thin and expanded slightly. It enveloped the Grand Kobold Shaman''s crimson motes and forced them into submission.


    David drew them into his body, ignoring the potential consequences of his actions. Fortunately, nothing bad seemed to happen. The first few crimson motes were pulled to the Source, which devoured them like a greedy beast. It absorbed some natural Aether alongside and replenished his drained Blood.


    The tension left his body as a small droplet of Blood formed in his Source. It glistened vibrantly. That was when he noticed something.


    The Grand Kobold Shaman''s crimson motes pulsed with undeniable potency, far outclassing the Aether Kobold Swordsman''s. But why was its Essence so much stronger? Was it because of the Grand Kobold Shaman''s evolution path, its Class, or because it was of a higher rank?


    Maybe it was a combination of everything. That realization would be invaluable in the future¡ªand even now.


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    He devoured more crimson motes using the same method until the first droplet of Blood was complete. Afterward, David grasped the Obsidian Blade with both hands. He increased the Blood input into [Holy Touch] and spoke a few Words of Power.


    His Source stirred at that, but David ignored it. He didn''t need much of the Law of Blood''s power for this experiment in the first place.


    Blood poured from the wound inflicted with his soulbound weapon. It didn''t trickle to the ground. Instead, it streamed along his blade, coating his hand and creeping up to cover his wrist and forearm.


    David wanted more than a few crimson motes¡ªhe thirsted for a faster way to replenish his Blood reserves en masse. Nourishing his Energy Pathways, ensuring they could hoard more Aether over time, was essential for this task. Equally important was his newfound knowledge: his Source could rapidly form Blood since his Soul had reached the peak of the Basic rank, a revelation he eagerly put to use.


    A wave of crimson motes headed his way. He sensed them as they passed the Obsidian Blade, their presence growing sharper as they poured out of the Grand Kobold Shaman''s body. They squirmed in the blood coating his wrist and forearm, entering his body when he conjured a thin membrane of [Holy Touch] across his hands and arms. The process was draining, but its efficiency made it worth the cost.


    The crimson motes coursed through his right arm and Deryadus'' Arm, quickly drawing the Source''s attention. They were annexed mid-flow, devoured, and digested in an instant. The speed surprised David, but he pressed on.


    In less than a minute, David''s second Blood droplet was complete, quickly followed by the formation of the third droplet.


    Three?


    He blinked, momentarily distracted, as a delayed notification flickered into his awareness.


    [The third Drop of Blood has formed.]


    There was no grand explanation for why the third droplet had formed, and its creation felt different from the second''s. Still, David wasn''t one to complain about unexpected rewards. He embraced the surprise and focused on maintaining the flow of crimson motes.


    Once his Source was full, David didn''t stop. Instead, he diverted the crimson motes into Deryadus'' Arm.


    At first, he''d considered absorbing and annexing piles of crimson motes to store them directly in his Energy Pathways, but the risk deterred him. He had no idea what might happen if the Essence of other creatures lingered too long in his Energy Pathways. Absorbing Essences to transform them into Blood was feasible and didn''t feel dangerous, but storing foreign Essence outside the Source felt like an entirely different matter. The very thought sent a chill through him¡ªa warning from his instincts he chose to heed.


    David carefully guided a few crimson motes, spreading them through the Relic''s reservoirs before pulling the Obsidian Blade out of the Grand Kobold Shaman. Only then did he notice the state of the carcass. It was drenched in blood and¡­ inflated?


    "What did you do just now?" Torb''s hoarse but drained voice rang out. "You destroyed our most valuable treasure!"


    David frowned, turning toward the blood-soaked dwarf. Without a word, he filled the spatial necklace''s reservoir, stored the carcass, and stood up.


    "First of all, that''s just blood. It''s not valuable to most merchants. The scales and everything else are still intact and preserved," David explained in a flat tone. "Second, the most valuable part is in Melach''s hands."


    He imagined the gears in Torb''s brain grinding as the dwarf''s head turned slowly toward Melach. It felt like an eternity before Torb''s eyes finally landed on the blazing staff, his lips parting in a silent "Oooh."


    "Since you''re worried about your finances, how about you help me store everything in a timely manner?" David suggested. "You wouldn''t want to lose a few Bronze slates because we took too long to preserve the corpses, would you?"


    Torb shuddered, his gaze lingering on the staff for a few more seconds.


    "Of course," the dwarf said, his voice detached. David nudged him and cast [Restore] to snap him out of it. Torb shook his head and nodded. "Thanks. I''m back."


    His expression brightened as he looked at the staff one last time before rushing to gather the nearby corpses and pull them closer to David.


    For the next half hour, David methodically gathered Kobold corpses and their armaments, his thoughts occasionally drifting to the energy demands of the spatial necklace as it neared its storage limit.


    Their haul was extensive, and when Torb returned from the higher floors with even more goods, the spatial necklace was filled to the brim.


    David was thankful his Source was overflowing with energy. The spatial necklace consumed a staggering amount to function, and maintaining its power drained him further.


    "We better hurry. I can''t keep up with this kind of consumption for long," he groaned.


    "Let''s go then. We don''t want to break David''s neck, do we?" Torb said, ushering him along.


    Melach groaned. "Honestly? Sometimes, I feel like twisting his neck." S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Less talking, more running!" David snapped, stepping through the pool of blood and leading them toward home.


    It would be perfect if the preservation enchantment sealed the crimson motes within the bodies.

 Chapter 70 - B1 70 - Torbs Tale

    "That''s about 13 Silver slates," David whistled as he watched Torb pocket the last slates.


    "Actually~," the dwarf cleared his throat with a smug smile, "it''s exactly 13 Silver-, 86 Bronze-, and 53 Iron slates. Plus the Familia''s reward¡ªand, of course¡ª"


    His head flicked to Melach, who had yet to let go of the blazing staff.


    The elf stared back at Torb and snarled, "I already told you I''m not taking my share. If your greed-filled mush of a mind thirsts for more, you can also take my share for the next few trips¡ªdesperate fool!"


    David could have intervened, but he chose not to. It wasn''t worth the effort¡ªsome things were better left for them to resolve on their own.


    "I still want my share, though," he said, reaching for one of the leather pouches in Torb''s hands. The dwarf pulled back. That was uncalled for.


    David''s eyes narrowed to tiny slits. "You can take back what I owe you, but you will give me half of Melach''s share if you do not give it to him."


    He didn''t wish to play dirty with friends. However, that privilege only counted if they remained fair: "If you take Melach''s future shares, I will get half of them, too. Also, if you keep acting like this, I will have you pay a transportation fee for everything I carry for you."


    Torb gave in, his scowl deepening as if he loathed the entire team. David wasn''t sure if that was meant to affect him, but it didn''t work.


    He received one of their pouches plus half of Melach''s share in a smaller pouch. He returned the Bronze slates Torb had loaned him and turned to Melach with the small pouch.


    "Do you want it?"


    Melach glanced at the small pouch briefly but shook his head. "The magical armament is worth a small fortune. If I can find an Artificer in Arc, I might be able to upgrade it."


    Right, the elf had an elemental gemstone. With it, the blazing staff would become an even deadlier weapon¡ªsomething David could already picture Melach wielding with devastating precision.


    David nodded and returned the owed Bronze slates to Melach.


    He doubted an Artificer''s work was cheap; it might as well cost an arm and a leg. However, Melach seemed determined to solve this problem on his own.


    David pocketed the small fortune and double-checked his updated interface. Their return to the Familia was rewarded with Bronze and Silver slates and another session with the Enlightenment Orb. This time, it was far more pleasant. So were the changes his interface underwent.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Primary Class ¨C Lifeweaver


    Secondary Class - [None]


    Rank ¨C Bronze III


    Body ¨CLowest(-)(Intermediate)


    Mind ¨C High(+)(Basic)


    Soul ¨C High(+)(Basic) S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Laws]


    [Law of Blood] ¨C [Low(Minor)]


    [Class Skills]


    [Weave of Life] ¨C [Tier-2 II]


    [Equivalent Exchange] ¨C [Tier-2 II]


    [Skill Runes]


    [Restore] ¨C [Tier-1 VI]


    [Purify] ¨C [Tier-1 I]


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 XI]


    [Blessing] ¨C [Tier-1 I]


    [Blood Aegis] ¨C [Tier-1 II]


    [Symphony Control] ¨C [Tier-1 I]


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    Attribute Points ¨C 0


    [Cleanse], [Bless], and [Oasis of Harmony] were no more. David was surprised about the former''s Tier progression but considered it a stroke of fortune. The Enlightenment Orb''s sessions must have worked their wonders.


    The three Tier-0 Skill Runes progressed to the next Tier and transformed into [Purify], [Blessing], and [Symphony Control]. The influx of information was intense, but his first rodeo with the Enlightenment Orb had been worse. By a large margin.


    It was also nice to see [Blood Aegis] and [Restore] rank up, but the greatest surprise was the Law of Blood. It went from Lowest to Low!


    David didn''t recall the notification and had no idea if it was possible to manifest dismissed notifications. However, he could check his Source. He closed his eyes and imagined the Source.


    David found it and scrutinized the little energy reservoir intently.


    He knew it! Something had been odd when he used the Law of Blood to aid the recovery of Blood. Using the Law of Blood had been much easier and less taxing, but he''d dismissed that thought, attributing it to adrenaline and pressure pushing him to new heights.


    But with newfound intel came discoveries. He pinpointed a few letters etched on the Source that hadn''t been present before. David didn''t recall some letters, or the dim glow they now emitted.


    He focused entirely on the Source, the letters etched into it, and the Blood stored within.


    The drops are larger, aren''t they?


    It might not look like much, and David was sure he would have missed it under normal circumstances, but the more he focused, the more obvious the changes became.


    The Blood droplets were slightly larger and felt stronger, more potent. The improvement was subtle but undeniable.


    David''s eyelids fluttered open, the corners of his lips curling into a smile. "Are we done here?"


    "I guess," Torb grunted, his eyes lingering on the pouches resting in David''s hands.


    David wanted to ask him to stop acting like this, but he held back. Instead, he stored the pouches in the spatial necklace, which barely drained its energy reserves now that most Kobold corpses had been removed and sold.


    "I sure hope the Earthen Union awakens soon. You should call your parents and tell them to sort their mess without your help," David commented matter-of-factly.


    It shouldn''t concern him¡ªit wasn''t his business¡ªbut Torb''s attitude and actions affected the whole group. The dwarf had to get his act together, or his antics would damage their relationship, crack it, and eventually destroy the group.


    Torb''s lips parted, his eyes narrowing in defiance, but David stopped him with a gesture. He sighed, frustration building as he told himself he wouldn''t intervene. But his lips parted and he started speaking his mind anyway.


    "Let me finish first, Torb. Please." He sighed again. "This cannot go on. I don''t know what happened between you and your family, but you joined the Protectors to pay your family''s debts. You''ve already done a lot more than most would have done. Yet, despite everything you''ve sacrificed, your family took on another loan? A loan big enough to involve your Patron God and make him tell you about it? That doesn''t make any sense."


    David rubbed the back of his head, his frustration boiling over.


    "I''m not telling you to abandon them. All I''m hoping for is that you make a decision. If you keep supporting your family, you''ll have to accept your fate without fighting for every iron slate, without making them feel bad for taking their share of the loot. We''re a team, and we should work together. But that only works if every member of the team does their part. We can help you, just like we help each other in combat, but we can''t fix your family for you. They see you as their personal bank. That''s not okay, and you know that. You have to change it."


    "My sister was dying," Torb said flatly.


    David stopped mid-thought, his mouth snapping shut.


    "I don''t know exactly what happened, but Fortress confirmed my sister''s condition. He saved her, but the price was¡­steep. My family doesn''t want to weigh me down. Fortress told me they didn''t want me to know about it. However, I know better¡ªthey don''t have the means to repay Fortress. That''s why I decided to¡ª" Torb sighed deeply, cutting himself off.


    "Oh, fuck you," David jabbed a finger at Torb and groaned. "Now, I feel like an asshole."


    "Because you are an ass," Torb added, though the corner of his lip tugged up slightly.


    David groaned and shot a glare at Melach, who avoided eye contact and spun around, smirking. Bastard! It''s only because of you!


    David restrained his desire to pounce on Melach and shake him until he confessed. Instead, he smiled wryly at Torb, his embarrassment growing.


    "So¡­your sister is fine now, right?"


    The dwarf nodded. There was clearly more to the story, but David knew better than to push further¡ªat least for now. Torb could share more about his family and his sister''s health when he was ready.


    "How much do you need?" David asked, feeling awkward even as the question left his lips.


    Torb squirmed slightly, but the question seemed to pique Melach''s interest. The elf turned back, adding, "And when do you have to pay it back?"


    That was another good point.


    "Fortress requested Ray Nectar from¡­from the Sun Palace."


    "What the hell?!" Melach cursed aloud. "Did they resurrect her from the dead or something?"


    "Not exactly¡­" Torb winced. "A Death Wyrm got to her."


    David frowned deeply. He had never heard of the Sun Palace or Ray Nectar. Even the Death Wyrm sounded unfamiliar, though he could imagine it was something nasty.


    "How?!" Melach''s voice was sharp with disbelief, but Torb only sighed.


    "Let''s talk about the ''how'' later," David intervened. "How much are we talking about? How expensive is this Ray Nectar?"


    Melach glared at him as if to shout, Shut the hell up.


    Fortunately, the dwarf was a little bit nicer, though his answer didn''t help in any way.


    "Nectar is priceless."


    Well. Fuck that.

 Chapter 71 - B1 71 - A Gods Scheme

    It was clear Fortress wanted something more. That much was painfully obvious to David. He wasn''t interested in reclaiming the money or the Ray Nectar used on Torb''s sister. Fortress had another goal entirely, and it took a great deal of effort to get Torb to reveal the truth.


    "Fortress wants me to become his Champion, but he said I don''t meet the requirements to gain such power," Torb said, tapping his foot nervously. "He challenged me to create a Sanctuary¡ªa Dwarven Sanctuary where Fortress and the other Dwarven Gods can take care of everyone."


    Melach gasped, echoing David''s shock. Becoming Fortress''s Champion seemed appealing to those who sought the power and title it brought. Torb, who had already accepted Fortress''s power and could be counted among his loyal subjects, was no exception. Becoming the god''s Champion was likely one of his dreams.


    However, the challenge was steep, to put it lightly. Repaying Fortress with money or personally harvesting Ray Nectar from the Sun Palace sounded far easier than building a Sanctuary from scratch. That task would be astronomically expensive and arduous.


    It also required immense power. Torb needed the strength to protect the Dwarven Sanctuary during construction and beyond.


    What a sly bastard, David thought, his opinion of the Dwarven God of Protection sinking further.


    Giving Torb a daunting challenge in exchange for the promise of becoming his Champion was one thing. Doing so after spending a priceless treasure on Torb''s family seemed manipulative.


    A good Patron wouldn''t have attached strings to the Ray Nectar. Torb was already loyal and would have felt indebted to Fortress for everything he had done. Torb''s mission to build a Sanctuary for Fortress in the Earthen Union was commendable. But David didn''t like how the situation had unfolded.


    Why would a Patron use such a priceless treasure for a subject''s family without ulterior motives?


    There might be good people in the world, but gods weren''t among them¡ªnot on David''s list, at least.


    His mind raced. He was missing something¡ªa crucial piece to complete the puzzle. It felt as though he was supposed to know the answer, but it eluded him. He began piecing together what he did know.


    Fortress was a Dwarven God. He wanted a Sanctuary for himself, his divine kin, and likely other dwarves. He was willing to use priceless resources to achieve this. But what if he and his fellow gods had told more subjects about this Sanctuary? What if they had invested more than just one Ray Nectar to see this goal through?


    If that wasn''t the case, then what made Torb so special? On the other hand, was this even about Torb? David''s focus shifted.


    Maybe the Champion''s reward isn''t the point. The challenge itself seems key. But why invest so much before even informing the recipient about the challenge?


    David ruffled his hair, frustration mounting.


    Why was constructing a Sanctuary in the Earthen Union so critical?


    He pondered for a while, his thoughts drifting until Zachariah''s words resurfaced in his mind:


    "If I were to tell you that an Aetherless planet transforms into one of the most aether-dense planets integrated into the Pantheon in the next decade, you wouldn''t believe me. Then again, you wouldn''t understand what that means¡ªnot unless you''re a Regressor. You haven''t seen anything yet."


    The regressor''s words echoed as vividly as the moment they were spoken.


    If Zachariah truly was a regressor¡ªa man who had returned from the future¡ªwho else might know the Earthen Union''s fate? The gods, of course.


    David had no idea how time travel worked or who retained their memories of the future. His knowledge of magic and its laws was pitifully lacking. But he didn''t need expertise to hypothesize. Whether he could prove his theories or not didn''t matter¡ªnot right now.


    If the gods remember everything, like Zachariah... If what he said is true¡­


    A creeping headache interrupted his train of thought.


    If the Earthen Union were destined to become one of the most aether-dense worlds in the Pantheon, then every power¡ªincluding the gods¡ªwould want their share. Fortress was no exception.


    "Two years to build a Sanctuary for your kin? That''s crazy," Melach laughed hysterically for a good moment. But the elf turned oddly silent once he was done. He cocked his head with a flat smile, "Then again, it doesn''t seem like a bad deal if you can become Fortress'' Champion in return."


    Two years didn''t feel like much time, meaning Torb would have to start construction ''soon''. That meant he was in dire need of land, power, connections, and money to build and manage a sanctuary. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David''s opinion of Fortress soured further as he noticed Torb''s sunken figure. The dwarf was clearly overwhelmed by the situation. He was desperate.


    Fortress needs a beating. That''s another high-priority point on the to-do list, David grumbled internally. It would take time, but he was confident he could take on Fortress eventually, as confident as a mortal could be about the insurmountable task of whipping a god''s buttocks.


    "Let''s put the thought of saving money aside for a moment. Or anything related to conquering the Wilderness to acquire land," Melach said in an even tone. David caught the elf glancing at him briefly before turning back to Torb. "You should focus on getting stronger first. Right now, what we need most as a team is power. A lot of it. The more, the better."


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    Power would help with the conquest of the Wilderness and earn money quickly. The stronger they were, the easier their future steps would be.


    "You need to research a lot about the construction of Sanctuaries, but you can do that while I research magic and David does... his thing. We grow stronger and reach the Silver Rank¡ªGold Rank would be even better, though I''m not sure if that''s feasible¡ªin the next few months before we move to the next stage. In the meantime, we won''t set aside too much money. We invest it in our growth instead!"


    "You¡­ really want to help me?" Torb''s eyes widened.


    Melach nodded, while David merely shrugged. "As long as I''m in Arc, I''ll help you. Just make sure you don''t let anyone fool you."


    David caught the elf staring at him with a deepening frown but chose to ignore it.


    "We''re a team. Don''t forget that."


    David didn''t know how long he would stay in Arc, but he would give his all to help the dwarf while they were a team. In fact, the thought of growing stronger together was to his liking. He''d consider their situation win-win if not for the ulterior motives of Torb''s Patron God.


    "Thank you," Torb''s voice cracked, and he looked as though he might burst into tears.


    "Whatever," David waved dismissively. "How about we figure out how we grow strong enough to build a Sanctuary from scratch?"


    David barely noticed the time pass; before he knew it, night had fallen, and they parted ways with a few plans in mind.


    Returning to his room, David did not waste time thinking about sleep. There was no need to sleep with so many things awaiting his attention.


    He spread a towel on the floor and retrieved one of the few Kobold corpses they hadn''t sold from the spatial necklace. It was the body of an ordinary Kobold.


    Once on the towel, David first checked the body for crimson motes. He materialized the Obsidian Blade, coated it in [Holy Touch], and rammed it into the Kobold''s chest. Shutting his eyes tightly, he focused solely on the crimson hue coating his soulbound weapon. Barely two seconds had passed when David discovered the first crimson motes.


    They were dim and less prominent than the motes he had found in the bodies of the Aether Kobold Swordsman and the Grand Kobold Shaman, but David had expected this much.


    He absorbed a few crimson motes before retrieving the Obsidian Blade. A moment later, the body disappeared back into the spatial necklace, preserving the carcass and the crimson motes within.


    The next step on his to-do list was to inspect the transmutation and creation of Blood. His Source was nearly full, but he cast an overclocked [Blessing] on himself anyway. The upgraded version of [Bless] filled his body with power, just like the Skill Rune had at Tier-0. However, the Skill''s potency was much greater at the 1st Tier, augmenting him further. His senses perked up, unraveling details he had never suspected were within his range of perception.


    It felt as though the Source and the letters engraved on it had gained clarity. David considered this a welcome surprise, one he exploited immediately as the carcass'' crimson motes entered his Source.


    David perceived a sudden change in the motes'' behavior. They thrashed subtly as he circulated them through his body. He barely noticed at first, having assumed some resistance was natural when controlling and guiding foreign substances. But now, it made more sense.


    The Source immediately removed the crimson motes'' aggression as they entered the energy reservoir, transforming them in mere moments before absorbing them seamlessly.


    So that''s how it is? David thought, his curiosity piqued.


    He felt the crimson motes disassemble into more than a dozen fragments as the Source opened to absorb Aether. While the Source''s behavior was intriguing, the motes'' disassembly was even more attention-grabbing. The fragments seemed to pull naturally toward the Aether, attaching to it as they entered the Source. Slowly, they intertwined, staining the semi-translucent Aether crimson.


    Various changes occurred in the following seconds, though David barely took note of them. The dimly glowing letters etched on the Source intensified, distracting him. Equally distracting were the crimson motes stored in Deryadus'' Arm.


    At first, David had been certain that Deryadus'' Arm could only strengthen Blood and improve its healing properties. It also appeared to serve as a decent storage for small amounts of Blood. However, his experiments revealed it could do much more.


    He felt an unnatural pull from the crimson motes he had stored in the Relic before leaving the Kobold Nest. It had been part of a risky experiment¡ªone that turned out to be a success. David theorized that the Relic didn''t just alter Aether and Blood; it might also affect crimson motes.


    It seemed to strip their aggression and enhance their healing properties, though he wasn''t entirely certain yet. He knew he needed to research the relationship between the nature of energies and their effectiveness on specific Skill Runes, especially how aggression influenced the potency of Healing-type Skill Runes. That, however, was a task for later.


    For now, David was relieved to learn how the Source made foreign crimson motes more malleable and less hazardous to his body. He was equally pleased to find that Deryadus'' Arm could achieve a similar effect, albeit less efficiently. The Relic couldn''t transform crimson motes instantaneously, but that wasn''t an issue. It wasn''t designed for that purpose.


    This difference also explained why David could control the altered crimson motes. Once the Relic altered them, they lost their aggression and could be moved or stored elsewhere without risk. David doubted they would harm him if he stored them in his Energy Pathways. That was, of course, assuming his Energy Pathways could handle the strain of storing Essences. That was another problem he needed to address.


    His Energy Pathways, though unlocked, stored only a modest amount of natural Aether. This amount wouldn''t be sufficient once he learned to replenish Blood mid-combat. Furthermore, he doubted his Pathways were durable enough to hold more than a few crimson motes scattered throughout them. This inefficiency was far from the standard David aspired to achieve.


    Learning how to insert and extract Essences from the Source would simplify everything. Insertion was easy; the Source handled it seamlessly. Extraction, however, was a mystery¡ªa significant challenge on his ever-growing to-do list.


    David felt impatience welling up inside him. His to-do list seemed endless, and time was never on his side. Each passing day brought more snippets of intel, compounding his sense of urgency.


    One god had already extended his influence into the Earthen Union. No, that wasn''t entirely accurate. David couldn''t shake the suspicion that three gods were meddling there. And if there were three, there had to be more. They were just the tip of the iceberg¡ªhe was certain of it.


    "I need more than this," he grumbled. "More power. More control."


    To others, David might seem powerful. He had played a key role in Arc''s defense and had slain a Behemoth Darkai less than two weeks into the integration. That was impressive, no doubt. But the Behemoth Darkai was merely a pawn in a much larger game.


    The real threats were the players behind the scenes¡ªthe gods and their schemes.


    Their interference felt like poison to his freedom, and David could not tolerate that.

 Chapter 72 - B1 72 - Artificer

    David noticed a stark improvement in his ability to perceive and absorb crimson motes. His proficiency advanced even more under the Law of Blood''s passive and active influence. The glowing letters etched onto the Source pulsed consistently, permanently enhancing his abilities.


    Despite his newfound prowess, questions about the Law of Blood still gnawed at his mind. What exactly was a Law in the first place? And what was the nature of the Words of Power? He didn''t understand what he was saying when he invoked them. Instead, he relied on instinct, willing the Law of Blood to act while reciting the Words of Power he barely comprehended.


    Perhaps he needed to pay closer attention to the Words of Power in the future. Unraveling their secrets might help him increase the Law of Blood''s rank and grading. And that was non-negotiable.


    David''s idea of replenishing Blood mid-combat rested on mastering the Law of Blood. He was confident it could manifest the crimson motes within corpses¡ªjust like the Alpha Fang''s racial trait. Replicating that ability would grant him a tremendous edge against stronger foes. His chances of surviving powerful blows and injuring mighty enemies would increase drastically.


    Even if replenishing Blood mid-combat proved challenging, David could still use crimson motes as a replacement for Blood. While Blood was easier to wield¡ªfar less aggressive and more malleable¡ªEssence, or crimson motes, was far more potent when left untouched.


    However, none of this truly mattered until he could replicate the Alpha Fang''s racial trait. He tempered his optimism with realistic expectations. After a full night of tireless work, he didn''t anticipate rapid progress.


    Exhausted, his Source strained, David could barely muster the strength to store one Kobold carcass in his spatial necklace before collapsing onto the bed. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the window as he finally surrendered to sleep.


    When his eyes shot open, the mental exhaustion was gone. Only a few hours had passed¡ªthe sun was still far from its zenith¡ªbut David felt rejuvenated.


    Is that what the Body stat''s doing? If it is...what else changed?


    He perked up at the thought of spending several sleepless nights exploring the Law of Blood, crimson motes, and Blood''s properties. Feeling good, he rose and started with some simple stretches. He followed up with a standard workout session and, once finished, retreated to the bathroom, drenched in sweat.


    Returning to his room with a towel draped around his waist, David dried his body. His short, damp hair barely needed attention. After putting on clean clothes, he left the inn. His feet carried him straight to the market square, where he spotted a familiar face among the bustling crowd. It was the elven merchant, Elion.


    David approached the merchant, who was in the middle of addressing a small group of listeners. Elion''s voice rang out confidently¡ªa stark contrast to the downtrodden figure David had met during Arc''s struggle for survival.


    "Everyone knows my generosity ensured Arc''s survival," Merchant Elion proclaimed, puffing out his chest and baring his white teeth. "If not for my act of¡ª"


    Elion''s words faltered as his eyes met David''s. His lips parted, but no sound followed. David smirked, watching the merchant''s confident facade crumble. His gaze shifted to Elion''s audience: dwarves, elves, and other young-looking residents of Arc. Their curious eyes remained fixed on the merchant, whose expression turned to panic. Elion staggered back, barely keeping his balance atop the wooden log he stood on.


    "How much is a Fragment of Blood?" David asked as he approached the small stall.


    For a moment, Elion stared blankly. Only after David cleared his throat did he regain his composure.


    "S-sorry?"


    "I want a Fragment of Blood," David repeated flatly.


    "Of course, sir." Elion spun around, rummaging through his wares before producing the item. He placed it on the small table between them, forcing a smile. "That would be 20 Bronze slates, sir."


    "10," David said curtly. He watched Elion''s expression shift nervously. A simple glance at the group of listeners seemed to tip the scales.


    "Of course!" Elion exclaimed, his expression shifting again as he mustered his best fake smile. He clasped his hands together, declaring, "Our savior deserves a special discount. My goods and your power protected Arc. We are Arc''s Saviors!"


    David suppressed the urge to roll his eyes as he handed over 10 Bronze slates. He couldn''t help but think Elion''s pleading eyes made him look irritatingly punchable.


    "Do you have some sort of energy storage device that stores all types of energy? Or do you know where I can find one?"


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    David noticed the slight slump in Elion''s shoulders, as though he wished he would leave. But David wasn''t going anywhere yet.


    "A universal energy storage? Those are hard to come by," Elion replied, tilting his head thoughtfully. "You could ask Arc''s Artificer. He might customize a device that can store two or three types of energy¡ªprovided they''re not too unique."


    "Can he create something capable of storing Essences?"


    Elion''s eyes widened slightly¡ªa reaction he failed to hide from the observant crowd. "An Essence storage? That''s...going to be difficult. I don''t think you''ll find one in Arc. Probably not even in their Vault. Not anytime soon, at least."


    "Okay," David said, nodding toward the merchant. The corner of his lip tugged upward. "See you, fellow savior."


    He turned around and left, though he was certain the merchant was fuming.


    David recalled rumors about a merchant being praised and rewarded for his generosity during Arc''s lowest point. Melach had even mentioned the authorities granting special benefits to one merchant, though David hadn''t confirmed the details. What those benefits were, David didn''t know. However, he was certain merchant Elion was the one who''d received them.


    He was also sure Elion had never mentioned who had given him the idea and convinced him to stay.


    But that was fine. David was already overwhelmed with the attention he''d received from clearing the Demon Rift. Even now, eyes lingered on him, and hushed voices reached his ears. At least nobody approached him asking for a signature¡ªor anything else equally annoying.


    He looked down at his hand and the crimson crystal within it. Was that the solution he sought? Probably not. The Fragment of Blood contained something similar to his Source''s Blood, but it was different nonetheless¡ªmore aggressive. Putting that notion aside, the Fragment of Blood might help him learn more about the Alpha Fang''s racial trait and how to replicate it. At least, that was what David was hoping for.


    In the worst case, the Fragment of Blood could serve as a power-up if he had to fight a powerful monster or another Horde.


    David grumbled inwardly. A storage would have been great. The dimension stone had an energy reservoir capable of storing Blood, but it was small and actively drained by the spatial necklace. That didn''t fit his demands.


    For the next half hour, David was busy talking to other merchants, inspecting their wares, and visiting the Familia to ask them about energy storages. Everyone spun a similar story: they didn''t have the type of energy storage he needed, and only the Artificer might be capable of creating one.


    That was how David ended up in the watchtower, trying to find the Artificer for a good hour. He found her working on the Aether panels atop the watchtower and was forced to lend her a hand¡ªshe was a bit feisty¡ªuntil he could voice his request.


    "What do you want, kid?" The Artificer looked like a Tirac of intermediate age, with violet scales and obsidian eyes. David barely noted her striking appearance, his focus on her reaction to his Relic. Her eyes were glued to Deryadus'' Arm.


    "Can you create a universal energy storage? Or an Essence storage if a universal storage is too difficult?"


    The Artificer frowned at his words and looked at him for the first time. She rubbed the oil¡ªor whatever it was¡ªsmeared all over her face, her scales clattering audibly.


    "Too difficult? Nothing is too difficult for me!" she snarled. "But I doubt you can afford my services, let alone the materials required to create a suitable Essence storage or universal energy storage. Both are highly unique storages. Even a small one would cost a fortune and would hardly be of use to you once you have the means to pay."


    David''s lips parted, ready to retaliate, but the Tirac Artificer waved dismissively. "Don''t even think about it. I''m telling you, it''s too expensive! Or can you afford a few dozen houses in Arc? Because that''s how much you''d have to pay for a small energy storage."


    That sounded excessive to David. His brows scrunched deeply, but the Artificer merely shrugged. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How small is the small energy storage?" His last ray of hope threatened to give in to the darkness of her answer as her lips parted. "The size of a Mage''s Mana Core with a Middle Intermediate Soul, I''d say."


    That wasn''t great, but it was better than what he''d feared.


    "Do you think energy storage configured for a single energy type would be a lot cheaper to create?" The answer was most definitely yes, but David felt the need to ask.


    "Of course. Isn''t that obvious? A universal energy storage is a hell of a lot of work. The same applies to the Essence storage, obviously," she snorted, disdain clear in her eyes.


    "In that case, can you create a Blood storage?"


    The Artificer''s disdain eased, replaced by confusion. "Like the blood running through our veins? Why would you need that? Are you a Vampire?"


    "No," David dismissed her words with a wave and conjured a small swirling orb of Blood in his hand. "I mean this. That''s Blood. The energy I use."


    The Artificer jumped to her feet and approached him with swift strides. Her eyes widened first, then narrowed into tiny slits.


    "You use that to supply and activate your Skill Runes?" Her eyes stayed fixed on the swirling Blood. "Blood¡­Blood¡­I''ve never heard of an energy type like that."


    "Tell me everything about it." She finally looked up, her scales clattering louder than before, but her eyes drifted to his Relic and the spatial necklace moments later. "About you."


    "That might take a while," David said with a small smile. "And it will cost you something."


    She frowned, but his smile widened. He enjoyed her reaction. "A discount. A nice one."


    A groan escaped her lips, yet she nodded. She put her tools aside and sat down.


    "Fine, but your story better be worth it!"

 Chapter 73 - B1 73 - Blessing of the World

    He told the Artificer everything she needed to know.


    David didn''t leave out many details, but he doubted she cared about his life before the integration. That was why he focused on the Lifeweaver Class¡ªhis ability to sense and see crimson motes even before his Class promotion, his soulbound weapon and its capabilities, and how he came to possess the Lifeweaver Class, which granted him access to the Law of Blood.


    Storytelling was not his forte, but David felt like the Artificer was listening intently. She asked questions now and then, prolonging their conversation until the afternoon. Usually, he would have considered hours of chatting a waste of time, but this time was different. He responded to her questions with simple answers and followed up with his own inquiries.


    "I can help you. No. I won''t just help you¡ªI''ll give you a good discount and even purchase the materials needed," the Tirac declared near the end. "Don''t get me wrong. It will still be expensive. Very expensive. But if you come to my workshop daily for some experiments, it should be possible to create a Blood reservoir of decent size."


    To David, that sounded nice¡ªjust like everything else the Artificer had explained so far.


    Becoming an Artificer as a Secondary Class didn''t seem too bad, David thought. He wondered about the limits of the Artificer Class and what other Classes he could pick. Since he was already at the Bronze Rank, his Secondary Class slot wasn''t sealed anymore. However, he doubted many at Bronze Rank had made their pick yet. Melach and Torb certainly hadn''t¡ªor, if they had, David couldn''t sense the changes in their Life.


    He pushed aside the doubts swirling in his mind and focused on the situation ahead. His feet carried him outside the watchtower as his thoughts raced to find the perfect way to earn money. Whatever he chose couldn''t slow his progress. If anything, it had to accelerate it¡ªstrengthening his Skill Runes and improving his Rank at the same time.


    The answer didn''t come to him right away, but a smile tugged at his lips when it finally did.


    David had to start a part-time job.


    ***


    Providing his service to Arc had been surprisingly simple. David had expected a hassle, but the Familia''s receptionists eagerly extended their help when they heard his proposal. They seemed almost too enthusiastic, providing him with a spacious room in the Familia''s building and even assigning him a personal secretary to assist as needed.


    David didn''t necessarily need all that, but he wasn''t about to turn down free help. To him, their enthusiasm seemed excessive, bordering on suspicion. Still, he shrugged it off, reasoning that his status as Arc''s Savior and the service¡ªincluding the pricing he had submitted¡ªwere the primary reasons for their joy. That was the story David decided to believe until proven otherwise. And nothing in the following days suggested otherwise.


    Starting a new job sounded like a hassle, but it wasn''t as bad as David had feared. He spent his first few hours studying some books in his large practice room until his secretary informed him that the first group of patients had arrived. David treated them swiftly and instructed them to rest for a minute or two before leaving. Meanwhile, he resumed his studies, waiting for the next group of patients to arrive.


    News of his service must have spread like wildfire after treating the first group. Or perhaps it was because most injured Protectors preferred buying potions from the Familia over seeking expensive Clerics and healers. They would rather endure the side effects of consuming too many potions than pay the equivalent of a dozen potions for treatment from a Cleric.


    But David''s pricing was different. While his healing service wasn''t as cheap as a single potion, his potent Skill Runes allowed him to save lives hanging by a thread. He treated his patients for minimal cost¡ªcleansing them for spare change and casting [Restore] and [Weave of Life] for a fair price. Combined with the number of patients he could treat at once, it was no wonder his service gained popularity overnight.


    ***


    The following days felt like a blur.


    David received several complaints from other healers whose patients switched to his more affordable service. Fortunately, the Familia stood by him. It took him a few days to notice the tension between the Familia and the Healer''s organization¡ªan entity he had only recently learned about¡ªbut it explained a lot. His secretary mentioned that the Familia was fed up with the Healer''s organization''s steep pricing, which they had endured for years. Until David arrived.


    His arrival didn''t change much in the other Sanctuaries, especially those outside the Earthen Union, but it changed everything in Arc. And that was enough to stir trouble.


    David was grateful for the Familia''s support. It allowed him to focus on honing his Skill Runes, studying, and tending to his clients.


    Of course, working as a healer didn''t change his approach to dangerous missions. Though his focus had momentarily shifted to healing, researching, and studying with Melach, he still ventured out of the Sanctuary with the elf and Torb.


    Combat experience remained essential in David''s mind¡ªa necessity for his future plans to carve a path through the Wilderness.


    One of his main goals was to search for his family, including William, Basti, and his other friends, to learn about their whereabouts and well-being. Then again, some might no longer be in the Earthen Union. Their hometown had been replaced by one of the Pantheon''s regions, but that didn''t deter David.


    He had to know the truth.


    Last but not least was Torb and his Champion mission. The dwarf seemed to be doing better¡ªat least, that''s what David thought whenever he saw him. Torb still focused on earning money, but his attention had shifted to studying books on creating and maintaining Sanctuaries. Apparently, Melach had encouraged him to socialize with other Protectors and Familia members as well.


    That made sense in David''s opinion. After all, a Sanctuary wasn''t just built with money¡ªit required manpower and protection.


    Power. That was something they needed for everything. It was crucial. It was why David never stopped balancing the time he spent on culling missions and healing others¡ªto grow stronger in the Lifeweaver''s way.


    And it seemed to be working. Only a few days had passed, yet his interface had changed significantly again.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Primary Class ¨C Lifeweaver


    Secondary Class - [None]


    Rank ¨C Bronze IV


    Body ¨CLowest(-)(Intermediate)


    Mind ¨C Lowest(-)(Intermediate)


    Soul ¨C Lowest(-)(Intermediate) ¨C 5 Droplets


    [Laws]


    [Law of Blood] ¨C [Low(Minor)]


    [Class Skills]


    [Weave of Life] ¨C [Tier-2 III]


    [Equivalent Exchange] ¨C [Tier-2 II]


    [Skill Runes]


    [Restore] ¨C [Tier-1 VIII]


    [Purify] ¨C [Tier-1 II]


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 XIII]


    [Blessing] ¨C [Tier-1 II]


    [Blood Aegis] ¨C [Tier-1 III]


    [Symphony Control] ¨C [Tier-1 II]


    Attribute Points ¨C 1


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    His greatest achievements were creating the fifth Droplet and pushing both Mind and Soul to Intermediate. However, the progress in his Skill Runes also filled David with pride. Every improvement, no matter how small, reflected his effort and the time he''d invested.


    But, naturally, the inspection of his interface was interrupted.


    Footsteps echoed in the hallway, followed by his secretary''s shouting. A moment later, the door to his practice room was ripped from its hinges. The wooden door shattered, its fragments flying everywhere. David conjured a small crimson shield to deflect the debris, though it posed little threat to him.


    A metallic scent hit his nose, but there was something more¡ªan oddly sour undertone. His eyes darted to a human figure as his senses picked up the imminent sensation of death lingering over it. The Life within the figure was faint, almost nonexistent.


    "Help me," a weak but familiar voice called.


    Not even a second later, the blood-soaked figure collapsed to the ground.


    "Zachariah?" David''s heart pounded. Zachariah hadn''t visited him since their chat in the Familia''s prison cell, and now he looked barely clinging to life.


    Purple veins coursed through his body, and the snippets of skin not smeared with blood had turned yellowish-green. Acting swiftly, David cast and overclocked [Weave of Life], stabilizing Zachariah''s condition as he hurried to examine the dying man.


    "Weak pulse and bloodshot eyes," he murmured to himself. "Cuts made from a sharp weapon all over his body. Likely laced with venom. He''s also covered in bite marks, and¡­ his weapon is missing."


    David wasn''t foolish enough to believe he was stronger than Zachariah. The regressor could kill him with ease. And that was the problem.


    What¡ªor who¡ªwas strong enough to do this to him?


    Zachariah looked worse than David had after his struggle with the Demon Horde.


    David cast and overclocked [Purify], [Blessing], and [Restore] before channeling [Holy Touch] into Zachariah''s body.


    "You should be thankful I didn''t use everything to treat my patients," David muttered, trying to mask his confusion and worry.


    Zachariah stirred, groaning as he tried to get up, but his trembling arms gave out. His body crashed back to the ground, reopening his mended wounds.


    "Stop moving. You already look like shit, and I don''t feel like watching you die," David said.


    Zachariah ignored him and turned onto his back. "I sure feel like shit," he muttered before his eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness.


    ***


    David tended to Zachariah''s wounds for the next few hours. He used more Blood than expected, but the monster corpses he''d collected in recent days came in handy. He replenished enough Blood to remove the dozen types of venom and poison tormenting Zachariah.


    It was unclear how long Zachariah had been in this condition or how his body had endured it, but somehow, the regressor was still alive.


    Finally, late at night, Zachariah regained consciousness.


    "Thanks," he mumbled weakly.


    "You better tell me what happened," David demanded curtly.


    A faint sigh escaped Zachariah. "I would... but I don''t know."


    A regressor with no plan? That was bad. Really bad.


    "What do you mean?"


    Zachariah sat up and looked around. "You brought me to your room? That''s nice."


    "Don''t avoid my question."


    "Okay, okay¡­" Zachariah relented. "You want to know what happened? I don''t fucking know. Too much has changed. The Pandemonium''s Devil and their Infernal Gods are already here. Not literally,


    of course, but their cults and subjects. I have no idea how they bypassed the Pantheon''s security, but they did it anyway."


    He gritted his teeth and looked like he hated being the bearer of bad news, but David could do little with Zachariah''s intel.


    He''d already checked the Familia''s library twice after his first chat with Zachariah in the prison cell, but there had been no information on other organizations ruled by transcendent beings. To be precise, there was no mention of powerful beings outside the Pantheon¡ªnot even lone wolves like Bereth.


    Since Zachariah was his only source of intel and the Pantheon seemed intent on hiding knowledge of other organizations, David''s understanding of the Pandemonium remained poor. Even worse, the regressor couldn''t share everything, as bursts of pain cut him off whenever he tried to speak about forbidden topics.


    Still, Devils and Infernal Gods were not entities David wanted to encounter anytime soon.


    "They reached the Earthen Union too early. It wasn''t like this before. The Pantheon was supposed to maintain control much longer. Like¡­ a LOT longer."


    It wasn''t enough to confirm David''s fears, but it pointed in that direction.


    "Can they remember what happened?" he guessed, watching Zachariah''s every move.


    "No¨C..." Zachariah stopped, his eyes narrowing to tiny slits. He tapped the blanket a few times, then pulled it aside and jumped to his feet. "Maybe? I¡ªI don''t know. I was just told¡­"


    Zachariah cursed, punching a hole in the wall beside the bed. "They fucking tricked me! This was never about saving everyone!"


    Suddenly, silver streaks erupted from Zachariah, dazzling like streams of stars. They flung in all directions, slicing through the bed and walls with terrifying ease. David felt the weight in the room increase drastically and stepped back, his heart skipping a beat as one of the silver streams reached him. It cut deep into his flesh, seemingly without any resistance.


    "I don''t think you can control¡ªwhatever this is¨C..."


    "Fuck this shit!" Zachariah interrupted, cursing again. "They''re planning to change the Earthen Union''s fate. They¨Cused me to change everything!!"


    "Not everything," David interjected as the silver streams started cutting into Zachariah''s flesh. "You said the Common Rifts were always supposed to arrive. That the Demon Horde was there last time as well. That didn''t change!"


    Zachariah turned to him, his expression eerily cold. David was almost certain Zachariah would cut him down if he said another word.


    But the silver streaks diminished until they dispersed. Zachariah''s expression eased slightly, though only barely. "The Mistwalker was still there, too. Everything else I had up to my sleeves until the Mistwalker''s death was okay¡­"


    His expression soured as he looked at David. "But the allies I had in the past are dead. Some of them, at least. And my enemies¡­my enemies joined forces with Infernal Gods long before they should have met. I can accept some of them, but others?" He cursed again. "I couldn''t even kill the Venomancer¡­"


    David barely caught his whisper. "How did he grow so strong?"


    David approached Zachariah and patted his back. Although he didn''t consider himself good at consoling others, he tried.


    "Don''t worry. Everything will be alright," he said with a smile, hoping it looked encouraging. "It will be fine as long as we keep growing stronger. There is nothing to worry about!"


    David felt the floor tremor subtly as the last words left his lips. He wouldn''t have paid any attention to it if the tremors had receded after a moment. However, they intensified instead.


    A thunderous explosion followed within seconds. David and Zachariah rushed to the window to see several buildings, including the watchtower, collapsing.


    Then came the flood of Aether. At first, it wasn''t apparent, but David noticed it when Zachariah froze. The regressor turned pale as though he had been drained of every drop of blood in an instant.


    David''s attention shifted to the Aether around him. He shouldn''t have been able to perceive it or even recognize what it was, yet he knew. The knowledge came unbidden as if it had always been there but out of his reach.


    He had vague memories of encountering traces of Aether before, but those moments paled compared to the phenomenon he witnessed now. Aether was everywhere¡ªdense and highly purified.


    David could see it. Feel it. Grasp it.


    "No, no, no! Too early. It''s too early!!" Zachariah muttered, disbelief thick in his voice. "I¡­I didn''t have enough time." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David wasn''t sure what was happening at first. The inn trembled worse than before, and it seemed inevitable that it would join the rows of buildings that had already collapsed.


    His mind raced, searching for answers, but no logical solution came to him. He had no idea what was happening. But it appeared the System did. A golden notification with intricate letters and symbols popped up before his eyes.


    "They did not just do that¡­" Zachariah''s voice almost broke as he whispered, "My plans¡­"


    [The Earthen Union is awakening. ''Blessing of the World'' has been granted to all current residents.


    Enjoy the otherworldly experience for the next seven days. It may be your last.]


    David barely registered Zachariah''s words after the notification appeared. His attention shifted to another notification that materialized once he finished reading the golden one.


    [Blessing of the World ¨C External sources of Aether, Essence, and other energies keep entering the Earthen Union, completing the final steps of the awakening even as the World Awakening has commenced. Areas with excessive Aether and Essence will form, allowing an increased growth rate. Independent Rifts will come into existence, natural treasures of all kinds will form in the surrounding lands, and the probability of Drops generating will increase drastically.]


    David swallowed hard, but he felt an iron-tight grasp on his arm. Oddly enough, it steadied him, offering unexpected warmth.


    "I need your help," Zachariah said firmly, his words ringing in David''s ears. The regressor''s face remained pale, but his eyes burned with steely determination.


    "I need your help."


    David was still trying to process everything that had happened¡ªfrom Zachariah''s sudden arrival to the golden notification. His stomach churned uneasily.


    "Does it include fighting?" he asked with a wry smile, his heart pounding in his chest.


    "A lot."


    That was it. Maybe this was exactly what David needed. The world was about to turn upside down again, but if the last few weeks had taught him anything, it was that he would be fine¡ªand free¡ªas long as he had the strength to remove the obstacles in his path.


    It didn''t matter if those obstacles were magical creatures, humans, or even gods.


    All he needed was the strength to face them.


    "I''m in."


    [End of Volume 1]

 Chapter 74 - B2 Prologue

    The stars twinkled with an abundance of Essence as they observed the Earthen Union''s awakening. It was their worst nightmare and greatest hope¡ªa dangerous double-edged sword.


    The final Cycle had begun as the Earthen Union''s planetary core stirred. Its awakening initiated an era of great triumph and nightmarish losses.


    "It started earlier than expected," a cold voice rang out through the wide open space


    "Isn''t that why this is the final Cycle? Every time we tried to change something, they adapted," another voice replied, laced with mild annoyance. "They grew stronger while our power was consumed to prevent the Fall."


    Muffled voices continued, but the stars resumed their observation, watching as the world below them transformed.


    Across the Earthen Union, the land cracked and tore apart. Gorges of all sizes split open like old wounds, their depths exposing secrets long buried. Yet some gorges were different¡ªunique and perilous.


    From the deepest of these chasms, darkness gushed forth, expanding rapidly and shrouding the fractured land. This darkness twisted the surrounding terrain and heralded the emergence of monsters. Their roars echoed through the rifts as they surged outward, their colossal forms tearing through nature with reckless abandon.


    But this was only one of many mythical phenomena. Volcanoes erupted, spewing rivers of molten fire, and entire mountain ranges burst from the ground. Exotic natural treasures materialized amid the rapidly expanding flora, their brilliance rivaling the stars themselves. Deep within the oceans, the union of Aether and Essence spawned miraculous sites of power.


    From one of the seven great seas, a serpent hundreds of meters long broke the surface, its scales gleaming like polished gemstones. However, it was only one of its kind. Even grander beings came to be, but they retreated into the depths to bide their time.


    "More Modifications are being forced upon the Earthen Union this time," the first voice returned as the changes intensified.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Towers that pierced the heavens, pagodas sprawling like miniature cities, and settlements teeming with extraterrestrial life and temples sprang into existence. Thousands of Rifts manifested across the land, the Aether within them crackling ominously.


    "At last, everyone understands what''s at stake," the second star observed. "They know holding back their resources means annihilation when they come for us." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nature across the Earthen Union flourished wildly under the overwhelming influence of Aether and Essence. Forests grew dense and untamed, rivers carved new paths, and fields of vibrant, alien vegetation blanketed the land. Animals followed suit, mutating and evolving into fierce, unrecognizable forms.


    An ear-shattering sound suddenly reverberated through the cosmos, like glass shattering on a cosmic scale. The stars flinched instinctively, knowing all too well what the sound heralded.


    They turned their focus from the Earthen Union to a fissure that had opened in the fabric of space itself¡ªa crack in the Weave that revealed the Otherside. Through the breach, tentacles the size of mountains writhed furiously, drumming against the rift''s edges. Though powerful enough to obliterate kingdoms in seconds, the tentacles failed to pierce through the barrier.


    "That''s not too bad¡ª" one of the stars began, but its words died in its throat as the scene shifted.


    Black ichor sprayed violently as something tore the massive tentacles to shreds. A horrifying shriek pierced the void, but the stars barely registered it, their focus drawn to the colossal void-like eye that appeared beyond the rift. Its gaze felt infinite, a sentient abyss radiating malice.


    A hiss filled the air, and words of the forbidden language reverberated through their minds. The stars recoiled instinctively, retreating from the crack.


    As if on cue, portals of all shapes and sizes began appearing nearby. The oppressive whispers in their minds ceased as divine and infernal beings emerged simultaneously. Gods descended from radiant portals, Devils surged forth from the Hellgates, and the Old Ones materialized from the Weave itself.


    Transcendent entities from across the cosmos joined the gathering, their Essences crackling dangerously in the wide open space. Once bitter enemies, they now stood united.


    For today, the enemies of yesterday had set aside their animosity. Together, they faced the incomprehensible terror looming beyond the rift.

 Chapter 75 - B2 1 - Egoist

    Blood spears sizzled through the air, whipping past Zachariah to strike their targets. Two spears shattered the skulls of bronze-skinned Orcs while the rest tore through the chests of smaller, azure-skinned ones. The spears exploded upon impact, tearing through flesh and scattering gore.


    David watched the bodies collapse lifelessly to the ground with a satisfied smile but dispersed the kill notifications with a grunt as Zachariah''s voice rang out.


    "What''s taking you so long back there? Daydreaming?"


    "I''m experimenting," David grunted, "Shut up. I''m a fucking Healer trying to be a wannabe Mage."


    "Oh, really? I didn''t think you remembered."


    Zachariah''s voice cut through the battlefield, overshadowing the monsters'' desperate screams.


    Did he have to remind me every time? David thought irritably. He was a healer, but that wasn''t all. A Lifeweaver was much more than just a healer; it was a combatant''s calling.


    "If you''re busy cursing me in your mind, you might as well cast [Blessing] on me. We''d be much faster that way," Zachariah shouted as a silver streak swept through the battlefield, cutting several Orcs in two.


    A grunt escaped David''s lips, but he started moving again. He cast [Blessing] on both himself and Zachariah, augmenting their strength, before adding [Symphony Control] to the fray. A black dove materialized above Zachariah and screeched loud enough to pull away the attention of several Orcs looking at David.


    "Bastard!" Zachariah shouted, though there was a hint of playfulness in his voice.


    David summoned the Obsidian Blade from his mind space. The dark blade manifested in his hand, glowing crimson with a cast of [Holy Touch] as he closed the distance to Zachariah. His friend looked busy cutting down the masses of Orcs swarming him. He weaved around the massive clubs threatening to squash him and dispatched three Orcs with swift, deadly thrusts.


    Zachariah''s swordsmanship was simple, swift, and deadly to a fault. David could only guess how many years of training and battles Zachariah had endured to wield his blade with such precision.


    Having someone like Zachariah by his side was a fortune. Yet, David sometimes felt it was a curse as well. After all, his friend was a man from the future¡ªsomeone who, despite all his knowledge, couldn''t explain why the Earthen Union or the world''s awakening had changed so drastically.


    David tried to make sense of the last 24 hours, but nothing added up. If not even the regressor could fathom the changes, how was he supposed to?


    Therefore, he decided to give up. For now, he told himself, he would experience everything from scratch. Together.


    David appeared behind the Orcs attacking Zachariah and started cutting them down. His soulbound weapon sliced through the air, severing an Orc''s neck before beheading another. Blood spurted from the monsters'' necks, prompting David to invoke the Law of Blood. Words of Power rolled from his lips.


    The Orcs turned toward him¡ªsome snarling at the sight of their fallen brethren, others reacting to the echoes of his ancient words. David just smiled. He threw the Obsidian Blade at one Orc and cast [Blood Aegis] to halt another''s charge. A third Orc barreled toward him, but David moved swiftly, evading the incoming wooden club. He lowered his body and pressed his feet firmly into the ground, his arms shooting upward to use the monster''s momentum against it.


    Grasping the Orc''s outstretched arm, David hurled it over his shoulder. A sickening crunch resounded, but he didn''t care if something in his or the Orc''s body broke. He cast [Restore] on himself, glimpsed a new kill notification, and retrieved the Obsidian Blade.


    The soulbound blade reappeared in his hand as he cleaved downward, piercing the throat of the Orc lying on the ground without hesitation. Words of Power continued to spill from his lips as the pools of blood around him stirred in response.


    The blood rippled, then erupted. Spikes of crimson burst from the pools, impaling the remaining monsters'' thighs and abdomens.


    David thrust the Obsidian Blade into the carcass of the strongest Orc near him and accessed his storage device to retrieve a set of bearded axes. He coated the axe blades in [Holy Touch] and advanced into the masses of screaming monsters, his heartbeat swallowing the sounds of the world around him.


    ***


    Zachariah and David left the Familia with bulging pouches of shimmering currency slates, their weight a testament to the successful raid.


    "Dealing with the Orc Village was worth it," David remarked, glancing at their spoils. The World Awakening was still fresh, yet it had already begun to reshape their reality. According to the life-updated map, the first Rifts had taken only a few hours to materialize. The nearby regions had been reshaped, spawning settlements outside the Pantheon''s control. The Orc Village, teeming with hundreds of Orcs, had emerged several kilometers north of Arc.


    David glanced at Zachariah and smiled wryly. If not for the regressor, he might have gone mad already. Then again, sanity felt like a distant memory. Regardless, he was grateful Zachariah had been there to "explain" things¡ªif one could call it that.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The transcendent organizations of the cosmos are reshaping the Earthen Union with their Modifications, David recalled Zachariah saying. The thought lingered, heavy with implications he barely understood. Forces other than the Pantheon¡ªenemies of the Pantheon¡ªwere investing their resources in the Earthen Union, altering it to their needs.


    "You take the money," Zachariah said, handing over his pouch. "I hope the Artificer finishes your Blood storage soon. We''re going to need it."


    He tilted his head. "Or you could get your act together and properly master the Law of Blood. Learn to replenish Blood mid-combat while the Blessing of the World is still active. If not¡ª"


    "I know, I know," David groaned. "If not, it''ll be tens of times harder later. The Blessing is my best chance to grow strong enough to face the future, which¡ªby the way¡ªneither of us can predict at this point."


    Zachariah''s glare was sharp enough to cut steel. "Don''t remind me of that. I''m still processing that everything''s happening much sooner than it should. Even my foes are stronger than they used to be. Those idiots from Pandemonium¡­"


    "At least we won''t have to take many breaks now that I have enough corpses to replenish my Source," David shrugged. "Maybe we''ll reach the Silver Rank at this rate. I didn''t think wiping out the Orc Village would be this easy with just the two of us."


    As much as Zachariah annoyed him, David couldn''t deny the man''s skill. His fighting was brutal yet mesmerizing, each motion precise and deadly. The regressor wielded his blade with an efficiency born of years of battles and training.


    David had tried to mimic Zachariah''s techniques but failed miserably. Forced to adapt his tactics within seconds, he''d felt death breathing down his neck more times than he cared to count. Still, Zachariah''s knowledge of the Laws and the System was invaluable, and he''d taught David just about everything he could.


    Their teamwork wasn''t bad either. Zachariah was a remarkable melee fighter, and healing him wasn''t too taxing. A simple cast of [Restore] after each battle was usually enough.


    "You saved me from certain death, but that doesn''t mean I''ll sugarcoat my words," Zachariah said suddenly, his tone cutting. "Your fighting style is arse. I haven''t seen anyone fight as selfishly as you in years."


    David slowed, confused by the accusation, before cocking an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"


    "I''m not talking in Common, am I?!" Zachariah''s stare sent a chill down David''s spine. "Most Orcs are muscle-heads. The Bronze Ranks we fought in the Orc Village certainly were. I could have taken them all down alone without getting a scratch."


    David''s gaze drifted to Zachariah''s left arm, where an Orc''s club had struck during the fight.


    "You pushed the Orcs onto me to lessen your burden. That would''ve made sense if you''d been acting as support. In fact, if you''d used your crimson shield to protect me or refreshed [Blessing] the moment it wore off, everything would have been perfectly fine. We could''ve wiped out the village twice as fast."


    Zachariah stopped abruptly in the market square and fixed David with a piercing glare.


    "You fight like an egoist."


    "Don''t get me wrong," Zachariah said with a sigh. "I am also selfish and focus mostly on my own fight. That''s why I lost too many good people in the past. It''s the reason I started fighting alone. But if we keep fighting as a team, we must address how we work together."


    David nodded slowly, though some of Zachariah''s comments felt off. He could faintly grasp where the man was coming from.


    "I''m not sure you can pull it off," he admitted honestly. "If you focus only on your enemies¡ªlet''s just say the Orcs from earlier¡ªhow would you ensure I''d be safe? I mean¡­ you don''t expect me to protect myself from the onslaught of enemies and pay full attention to supporting and healing you, right?"


    He could have added that he didn''t trust Zachariah enough to shift to full support, but it didn''t seem necessary.


    Zachariah groaned, then nodded after a pause. "It works with Orcs and other less intelligent monsters, but you have a point. If we fight multiple, powerful enemies¡ªintelligent entities¡ªI might not be able to protect you. One might stall me while the others would kill you and tear you apart. But that doesn''t mean it will always be the two of us. We can adjust our fighting style a little while it''s just us. However, something needs to change once we expand our group."


    Expand the group? David considered adding Melach and Torb but noticed something in Zachariah''s eyes¡ªa look that suggested he had other plans.


    It would work with Torb and Melach, but more?


    David''s lips formed a thin line. Torb and Melach were already often in danger because he lost himself in combat, but then a faint memory surfaced¡ªone of the Fang Den and the other Protectors. Could he have rescued them? He didn''t think so. The Alpha Fang and Beta Fangs nearly killed everyone. It was a stroke of fortune that they survived in the first place.


    "So, what''s the plan now?"


    Zachariah glanced at him. "What do you mean? We should return to the Wilderness as soon as possible. The Blessing of the World won''t last forever."


    David''s lips twitched. So, what was this talk all about?


    "Don''t look at me like that. I was just trying to be honest with you. If I don''t tell you what I think, you won''t be able to improve¡ªif you think my words make sense, that is." Zachariah shrugged. "A Cleric is the backbone of any group. They protect, support, and heal. But you''re different. Your Class gives you the versatility to do it all¡ªfight, defend, and heal. That''s why it''s so important to develop your potential."


    David studied Zachariah closely. Something about him had shifted since the World Awakening. A tension, a burden he hadn''t fully revealed.


    "You''re strong, and you should keep fighting. But if you can protect people, ensure they survive¡­ you should," Zachariah added, his voice softer now.


    For a fleeting moment, David caught something in Zachariah''s eyes. Was it sadness? Regret? Guilt? Frustration? He couldn''t tell, but it irked him.


    "If you''re so keen on rescuing people, why didn''t you become a Cleric? I didn''t pick the Class because I wanted to. It was forced on me due to the circumstances. But you''re different. You had a choice."


    Zachariah winced at that, the look in his eyes intensifying. "My magical abilities are average at best. I''m just not good at controlling Magical Skill Runes," he sighed. "My skills should have been enough to solve most problems in the first year of the integration if I followed my destined path¡­ but everything''s changed." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David raised an eyebrow at that.


    "So, I''m better than you? That''s crazy," he chuckled, ignoring the sharp glare Zachariah threw at him.

 Chapter 76 - B2 2 - Torture

    David stumbled as Zachariah shoved him into the room, confusion flashing through his mind. Before he could process what was happening, Zachariah''s sword was already unsheathed.


    He sensed the regressor''s bloodlust and quickly materialized multiple [Blood Aegis]. One by one, they shattered as waves of silver light burst from Zachariah''s blade.


    Zachariah attacked him. The first barrage of slashes tore into David''s legs, cutting deep into his calves and thighs, nearly severing them with the final strikes. David roared, a chaotic mix of fury and confusion in his voice. He conjured more crimson shields, but the silver light coating Zachariah''s sword easily cut through them. Warm blood pooled beneath him, soaking his back as he lay there helpless while the regressor continued his assault.


    Why was Zachariah doing this? Was this supposed to be training? It didn''t feel like training¡ªit felt like torture!


    Desperation took over as David cast and overclocked [Restore], slowing the bleeding as the cold in his body gave way to soothing warmth. But the effect was abysmal.


    Forcing his eyes open, he glared at Zachariah towering above him. Half a dozen silver lights materialized next to the regressor, coalescing into small, pristine-glowing blades. In an instant, they whipped downward, piercing him and pinning him to the floor.


    A pained scream tore from his lips, echoing in his ears like a sound from someone else. The alien sensation unsettled him, but he couldn''t stop the noise.


    "This is the Sword Law. To be precise, it is a subsidiary category called Sword Intent. I can use it at will due to my high mastery," Zachariah said coldly, his voice distant and detached. "It''s instant and doesn''t require Words of Power. Isn''t that great?"


    David didn''t answer. Gnashing his teeth and enduring the pain, he wouldn''t have responded even if he could.


    He lifted his right arm slowly, warm blood trickling down as he reached for the dagger piercing his chest. A sharp, searing pain shot through him, forcing him to channel [Restore] into his trembling fingers. He glanced at his hand from the corner of his eye and groaned, realizing he had been a fraction of a second away from losing his fingers. Removing the blades made from Sword Intent wasn''t an option.


    "If you want to survive, you must learn more about your body. You need to understand it, no matter what it takes."


    "Sick...bastard," David groaned, his strength waning.


    "Stop talking and save your energy," Zachariah retorted almost comically. "Trust your body and the power you''ve been granted. You still think of your Skill Runes, Class Skills, and the Law as loaned powers, but that''s not the case. These powers belong to none other than you. Nobody can take them anymore¡ªthey''re part of you. Treat them like that!"


    Easier said than done. David grit his teeth, casting [Restore] again. He also cast [Weave of Life] beneath him, though he longed to add [Equivalent Exchange] and give Zachariah a taste of his own medicine. Unfortunately, the blades kept him firmly pinned to the ground.


    He struggled, trying to tear himself free, even if it meant ripping his body through the blades of Sword Intent. Something stopped him. The blades piercing his body¡­spread? No, that wasn''t right. The blades themselves didn''t spread¡ªthe Sword Intent within them did.


    The energy seeped outward, tearing through his body and leaving destruction in its wake. It even disrupted [Restore]''s power as it circulated through him, forcefully slowing his natural regeneration.


    David''s vision blurred, his strength fading with each passing second. His body was shutting down! sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    I am not going to die like this! He growled inwardly, clenching his fists. He cast and overclocked both [Restore] and [Holy Touch] simultaneously. His Source churned violently, turbulent energy pulsing within him, but he paid it no mind. Instead, he focused on his Skill Runes and willed them to combine. [Weave of Life] was re-cast and overclocked, preserving his life just a little longer.


    Was that enough? David wasn''t certain. Regardless, every second mattered.


    He closed his eyes and focused on his body. Finally, he turned his attention to his Source. The letters engraved on it trembled and glowed faintly. The glow was subtle, almost imperceptible, and David doubted he would have noticed it in the chaos of an emergency like this. But now, in this moment of clarity, he sensed the dormant power within him ¨C and reached for it.


    His lips parted, and Words of Power rolled out in a steady stream.


    The next moments blurred together. Darkness swallowed his mind, only for sharp, stinging pain from his cracked, dried lips to pull him back to awareness. The taste of his own blood filled his senses with startling clarity. As he reflexively moistened his lips, the blood didn''t drip to the ground as expected. Instead, it receded, drawn back into his body, and his wounds closed. All of them.


    David''s mouth remained slightly open as faint, almost inaudible Words of Power continued to spill from his lips.


    When he opened his eyes, the scene around him was nothing short of miraculous. Still pinned to the ground, he turned his head to see piles of corpses scattered around him. He hadn''t touched them, but instinctively, he knew they were drained of Essence. His senses confirmed it. Meanwhile, the power within him had shifted. Zachariah''s blades of Sword Intent still wreaked havoc on his body, but he didn''t feel weaker. If anything, he was stronger than before.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Pain coursed through him ¨C every inch of his body felt as though it were being slashed from the inside ¨C but the power surging within was undeniable. His wounds had healed, leaving only the blades of Sword Intent embedded in him, still cutting.


    "Are you finally back to your senses? I was already worried," Zachariah''s voice cut through the air, mocking and insincere. David caught sight of him standing in the corner of his vision, smiling faintly.


    David would have cursed him, but Zachariah spoke first.


    "If you can curse me, you might as well remove the Miniature Swords. Maintaining them while your Blood is sapping their power is quite draining."


    David growled but complied. It wasn''t as though he wanted to waste time. His Source trembled violently as the Words of Power came to an end. A groan escaped him as fountains of blood erupted into the air. He grimaced, looking down at his body and the Miniature Swords embedded in it, his blood soaking them in vivid crimson streaks. A faint crackling noise filled the air, soon followed by a gasp.


    The blood seeped into the Miniature Swords, revealing fragments of their power and secrets. But it wasn''t enough for David. Though he had gained a faint grasp of control, it was far from satisfactory.


    The fountains of blood began pushing the Miniature Swords outward. It was an eerily slow process that tested David''s patience. Without a profound understanding of Zachariah''s Miniature Swords or the Law of Blood itself, he was forced to proceed carefully.


    Blood spattered everywhere, painting the surroundings crimson, but David never lost control. He willed the scattered blood to return, and it obeyed.


    David pressed his advantage, commanding the Law of Blood to seize the Miniature Swords. The blood fountains worked against the blades, dampening their power little by little. He could have stopped there, satisfied with merely neutralizing the Miniature Swords, but his sense of vengeance flared as his gaze landed on Zachariah. The regressor stood motionless, his white teeth flashing in a smug grin at David''s struggles.


    This wasn''t training¡ªit was torture, thinly disguised. The only reason David hadn''t yet torn Zachariah apart was the undeniable progress he''d made. Something had changed within him. He felt stronger, more in control of his body¡ªof his very existence.


    Determined to push further, David retrieved several Orc corpses from his storage. His senses expanded instinctively, shrouding the carcasses in moments. In his heightened state, the Essences appeared to him as vividly as night and day. Not a single crimson mote escaped his perception.


    With deliberate intent, David drained the corpses dry. Tendrils of blood, teeming with crimson motes, erupted from the bodies. They thrashed violently, causing a commotion, but David smiled. A single mental command was all it took to control them.


    The tendrils surged toward him, weaving around the Miniature Swords like constricting vines. David focused, sensing the crimson motes burrow into the blades, gradually unraveling the Sword Intent that had forged them.


    Pain burned through him as the tendrils worked, but he persisted. Slowly but surely, the Miniature Swords began to weaken, their presence diminishing. Victory was within reach, and David knew it.


    He pulled the Miniature Swords out of his body, the wounds left by the Sword Intent regenerating within moments. Despite the blood tendrils tightening their grip, the Miniature Swords seemed poised to break free.


    David willed the tendrils to hurl the Miniature Swords across the room toward Zachariah. The regressor waved his arm, disintegrating the swords, but the Blood and foreign Essences remained. Retaining the Miniature Swords'' shape, they shot forward and reached Zachariah.


    Silver light flashed repeatedly, destroying most of the Blood replicas. However, Zachariah failed to eliminate all of them at once, and one struck its target, piercing his thigh.


    "Interesting," the regressor groaned, his eyes glimmering with vibrant curiosity. "So, that''s your path?"


    "Fuck you." David flipped him off, unsure if someone like Zachariah could even be called a friend at this point.


    He stood and examined himself. Despite what he''d been through, his clothes were spotless¡ªno trace of blood. The Law of Blood must have exceeded expectations, retracting every drop.


    Still, David couldn''t ignore the flashing interfaces. There were dozens, though some stemmed from his earlier session with the Enlightenment Orb in the Familia. There were too many to dismiss.


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Bronze IV] ¡ú [Bronze V]


    [New Class Skill has been unlocked.]


    [Blood Patch has been fused to your Source.]


    [Three Attribute Points have been added.]


    [Proficiency of Law of Blood increased drastically.]


    Low(Minor) ¡ú Middle(Minor)


    [The User''s Source has been strengthened. Soul has been enhanced.]


    [Lowest(-)(Intermediate)] ¡ú [Lowest(Intermediate)]


    [Your Source has grown. +1 Blood.]


    [Your Source has grown. +1 Blood.]


    [Proficiency of Weave of Life reached 100%.]


    [Tier-2 III] ¡ú [Tier-2 IV]


    Nearly all of his Skill Runes had ranked up. The Enlightenment Orb session earlier had to play a role, though it alone didn''t explain such drastic growth. Of course¡ªit had to be the Blessing. That would account for the sudden, almost unnatural surge in his abilities.


    "Are you satisfied?" Zachariah''s mocking tone interrupted his thoughts.


    "You really want me to punch you, don''t you?" David looked over.


    Zachariah winced. "I want you to heal me. Other than that¡­" He pointed to the entrance. "I want to clear more Missions. We''ve already wasted more than enough time."


    David glanced at the door and caught sight of Torb and Melach. The dwarf''s eyes were sunken with exhaustion, and the elf''s pale face seemed frozen in shock¡ªor maybe terror.


    "Ah, right. I forgot your friends." Zachariah chuckled, though the sound was cut short as blood spurted from his wounds. "Either way¡­can you heal me?"


    David shrugged, ignoring the ache in his body. "I don''t know. Can I?"

 Chapter 77 - B2 3 - Punch

    The information streams of [Blood Patch] etched themselves onto David''s mind. The process was quick, yet it felt faster than usual.


    Gaining a new Class Skill was addictive. The surge of information entering his mind could be painful when overwhelming, yet David relished the feeling of growing stronger¡ªof acquiring new powers to wield.


    He jumped to his feet and approached Zachariah, who was busy removing the blood blade from his thigh. The blade fell to the ground and liquefied. However, David didn''t spare it a glance. Instead, he coated his fist in [Holy Touch] and punched the regressor before he could raise his guard.


    A sickening crunch resounded as Zachariah crashed to the ground, satisfying David to no end.


    "Do that again, and I will tear you apart from the inside out using the Law of Blood!" He growled, glaring at Zachariah, whose wide eyes seemed to scream, Why did you attack me?


    Maybe Zachariah was stronger than him. The regressor could probably kill him easily. But that didn''t matter at this moment. He would give his utmost to take Zachariah down with him if he were to attack.


    "Cut the crap and tell me when you start feeling better," David added, pointing at the spot he had just struck. Zachariah was bleeding slightly, though he skillfully ignored it. What mattered more to David was the small, blood-colored teardrop now etched on his skin.


    "Let''s see how good [Blood Patch] really is," David muttered, stepping back.


    He stored the corpses obstructing his path and tilted his head, noting the absence of any major changes. [Blood Patch] connected him to the target in a manner similar to [Equivalent Exchange], but it drained only a minuscule amount of Blood to remain active. As he continued retreating, the drainage increased by a trace. David barely felt the heightened consumption, though it was there.


    "Used on multiple targets spread across a battlefield, this will be¡­" He scrunched his nose in displeasure.


    Using this in the heat of battle would be challenging. He grumbled and cast [Holy Touch], attempting to channel it through [Blood Patch], but the attempt failed. The Skill didn''t meet the requirements.


    David repeated the process with other Skills, methodically narrowing down which powers he could apply to Zachariah through the blood teardrop.


    "It works. I feel something," Zachariah said. David turned to see him standing, his posture steady despite the earlier blow. "Did you change something? I''m healing even faster now." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Blood and [Restore]¡­ only healing it is, then." David''s final attempt had been to channel Blood through [Blood Patch], pairing it with [Restore]. To his relief, it worked to a satisfactory degree. Blood and [Restore] functioned more efficiently together than if he had healed Zachariah by normal means.


    Next, David replaced the dried carcasses. He stored the depleted bodies and retrieved preserved ones from his storage. Then, he tried to wield the Law of Blood directly, without uttering the Words of Power.


    Sweat beaded on his forehead as a splitting headache crept into the back of his mind. He nearly collapsed from the effort.


    Zachariah doesn''t have to waste so much time, he grumbled inwardly. The regressor always made it seem effortless. He saved time and energy by wielding Sword Intent without needing to fully activate the Law. Could David replicate that with the Law of Blood?


    It would likely take immense time and effort to comprehend the Law deeply enough to achieve that.


    David shrugged and restored his Blood reserves with a few Words of Power. While fewer words and less focus were needed now, the satisfaction from earlier was absent. He checked his status gloomily:


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Primary Class ¨C Lifeweaver


    Secondary Class - [None]


    Rank ¨C Bronze V


    Body ¨CLowest(-)(Intermediate)


    Mind ¨C Lowest(-)(Intermediate)


    Soul ¨C Lowest (Intermediate) ¨C 7 Droplets


    [Laws]


    [Law of Blood] ¨C [Middle(Minor)]


    [Class Skills]


    [Weave of Life] ¨C [Tier-2 III]


    [Equivalent Exchange] ¨C [Tier-2 II]


    [Blood Patch] ¨C [Tier-1 V]


    [Skill Runes]


    [Restore] ¨C [Tier-1 X]


    [Purify] ¨C [Tier-1 III]


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 XIV]


    [Blessing] ¨C [Tier-1 III]


    [Blood Aegis] ¨C [Tier-1 IV]


    [Symphony Control] ¨C [Tier-1 II]


    Attribute Points ¨C 4


    Motivation surged as David noted how much his interface had improved. The changes were significant. His eyes lingered on the Attribute Points, and he licked his lips before willing them to enhance his Soul stat.


    [Four Attribute Points have been used to enhance the User''s Soul.]


    Lowest(Intermediate) ¡ú Low(+)(Intermediate)


    Seconds passed, though he felt no immediate difference. Prepared for this, David closed his eyes. The mind space materialized, revealing the Source and the seven Blood droplets. Focusing on the improvements from his last Soul enhancement, he observed a thick membrane of translucent Aether swirling around the Source.


    The Aether, drawn from the Energy Pathways, surged into the Source and revolved around the Blood droplets, merging with the crimson motes already present. The motes seeped into the droplets, nourishing them.


    David smiled and opened his eyes, retrieving the remaining corpses that contained crimson motes. Words of Power rolled off his tongue effortlessly, activating the Law of Blood. The carcasses'' Essence was extracted in an instant.


    Crimson motes emerged, swirling through the room before converging on David. He absorbed them in a single, seamless motion.


    The Blood droplets in the Source expanded, though the changes seemed deceptively simple. David felt that improving his Soul not only enhanced their potency but also increased the Source''s production efficiency.


    Would that be enough to supply all his Skills on the battlefield? He didn''t think so. However, he was certain it would help. The more he could do with his Blood, and the faster he could replenish it, the higher their survivability¡ªand his power, of course. David smiled at the thought, recalling something Zachariah had mentioned on their way to the Orc Village.


    "What Skill Slates should I try binding first?" he asked Zachariah. Since his Class was versatile, Zachariah believed it had a higher probability of being compatible with various Skill Slates.


    More Skills would strengthen him. They would grant him more versatility in combat but also complicate¡­just about everything. David was all-in for complications.


    "We can try a few things. I''m quite curious if you can bind and cast Magic Skills by replacing Mana with Blood. That''d be quite interesting to know," Zachariah said, rubbing the spot where he had been hit earlier. "But you could also pick a superior Mage Class as your Secondary Class to form a second energy reservoir. Then again, the Mana Core may clash with the Source. The Lifeweaver Class and Mage Class probably aren''t compatible as Main and Secondary Classes."


    Zachariah waved dismissively. "Then again, I cannot see you as a Magician. A Magic Swordsman, maybe, but then you''re busy slaying enemies rather than protecting and healing your allies. That would be disastrous."


    David''s brows creased. What Secondary Class would suit him best? Throwing fireballs and causing mass destruction sounded like a nice hobby, but was that really what he needed to make the most of his existing powers? Was it not possible to amplify his current abilities with the Secondary Class?


    He disliked not having a single attack Skill¡ªnot even the Law of Blood''s main purpose was to inflict damage¡ªbut his powers were excellent. If he could bind a few Skills of the Warrior Class, everything would be perfect.


    "I''m not in a rush to pick my Secondary Class, am I?" David asked Zachariah, who shrugged.


    "Not really. Take your time and go through your options when you have time. If you want to talk about your options, you can always come to me¡ªor the others." He gestured with his head to Torb and Melach. "They can probably help you decently too, though I consider myself more useful."


    Zachariah smiled at the elf and dwarf. "I''m just stating facts. No offense."


    David didn''t believe the regressor was entirely honest, though. He could read Zachariah''s body language well enough to sense his restlessness.


    Still, the Secondary Class would have to wait.


    David turned to Torb. "Do you want the corpses, Torb?" He pointed at the piles of corpses behind him. "If you take care of the bodies¡ªall the bodies¡ªyou can keep ten¡­no, twenty percent of all profit."


    He couldn''t be bothered to return to his old finance job or anything related to finances. He''d been good at it, but fighting was far more interesting. So was training¡ªgrowing stronger.


    Plus, the dwarf needed the money. And the help.


    Torb''s worn-out expression seemed to brighten. His eyes lit up as he asked, "Are you serious?"


    "Of course. Make sure you get a good price," David said before turning to Zachariah. "As for you¡­Have you ever thought about building a Sanctuary from scratch? Torb here needs one to become Fortress'' Champion."


    "A Sanctuary? From scratch?" Zachariah''s exasperation gave way to sudden silence. He tilted his head, his gaze shifting to Torb as though something had clicked. "Fortress? He wants a Champion?"


    Torb nodded, though his hair stood on end and he shuddered. David felt for the dwarf. Even he couldn''t always control his body when Zachariah stared intently at him. It was unnerving¡ªthe gaze of a man who had seen it all.


    "That wouldn''t be too bad. The dwarves never had control of a Sanctuary, either. Not alone, at least. And if Fortress is willing to join the fight against the Descend¡­"


    Zachariah groaned suddenly. His legs buckled, and blood spurted from his nose and eyes.


    "You don''t have to tell us more," David said in a hurry, casting [Restore] on his friend.


    The regressor was a pain in the ass, and David had yet to forgive him for the earlier torture, but Zachariah was strong and knew quite a lot. He was a useful pain in the ass.


    "I can''t. Even if I wanted to, I cannot talk more about some things," Zachariah muttered, groaning as he pushed himself up from the ground. He wiped his face and forced a smile. "I''m fine."


    "The Descend?" Melach muttered, staring at the regressor.


    David was also interested in the Descend, but he didn''t ask after seeing Zachariah''s condition. Maybe it was time to research again.


    "Who cares about the Descend, or whatever it''s called," Torb said, rushing past everyone. "There are valuable monster bodies that need to be sold as soon as possible!"


    "Go for it. That''s your job, not mine," Melach snapped. "Or are you going to give me half of your shares if I help you?"


    Torb came to a sudden halt. He glared at the elf before returning to the corpses. No more words left the dwarf''s lips as he got to work.


    The elf smiled, though it looked strained.


    "What are we going to do now?" he asked.


    David just shrugged. "Training and fighting, I guess."


    "Growing stronger¡­" Melach sighed.


    "And you should call your family," David added, making Melach flinch. "You can call them now that the Earthen Union is awakening, can''t you?"


    "Yeah¡­I guess¡­"

 Chapter 78 - B2 4 - Versatility

    Melach appeared unhappy at the thought of calling his family. David found it confusing, especially since Melach often talked about wanting to make his family proud. Was that the issue? He recalled how Melach always seemed on edge whenever he provoked him by mentioning his family. Could it be that Melach wasn''t satisfied with his achievements? Or was he afraid of disappointing them?


    He shrugged, deciding it wasn''t his business anyway.


    "We need more power-ups," Zachariah murmured, his voice reaching David.


    "Can you show me the description of your Champion Mission, Torb?" Zachariah turned to the dwarf. "Will you be rewarded with a portion of Fortress'' power when you create the Sanctuary, or do you have to do more?"


    Torb looked up from the corpses. "He told me to establish a Sanctuary. But if you want to see the mission description¡­here you go."


    He waved his hand, and Zachariah stared into the air, his eyes flicking across something unseen, as though reading.


    "The mission isn''t as bad as expected if you know what to do," the regressor said, flashing a rare smile. "It means we don''t have to care about the Sanctuary once the connection is established."


    He retrieved one of the live-updating maps and walked to the table. Sliding the wooden chair back, Zachariah sat down, ignoring the others'' stares. David was curious, but he shook his head and walked over to Torb instead.


    "I think Zachariah will be busy for a while," he said, gesturing toward the regressor. He started storing the Orc bodies in his storage. "How about we start looking for merchants willing to buy Orcs? Zachariah might be done by the time we''re back."


    Torb glanced at the regressor, hesitating, before nodding slowly. "I¡­have contacts with some merchants willing to buy all kinds of corpses. They should give us a fair price for the Orcs."


    David finished storing the bodies and followed Torb outside.


    "I will stay," Melach said curtly, sitting on the edge of the bed like disaster was about to strike.


    Either his family places impossible demands on him, or he''s burdening himself with unrealistic expectations¡­ David thought, glancing at the elf before closing the door to the room. One way or another, Melach didn''t look well. Hopefully, that wouldn''t cause any trouble.


    David and Torb roamed the System Sanctuary for an hour, eventually selling all the bodies for a good price. The earnings left David with enough currency slates to check out the merchants'' wares.


    "Are you sure you want to buy all of this?" Torb asked, sounding unconvinced. David shrugged as he picked one Skill Slate after another.


    He placed four Skill Slates on the small counter and waved the merchant over. The merchant''s eyes narrowed as he studied them. His lips tightened slightly when the two Silver Slates clinked onto the counter.


    "Two Silver Slates for everything seems fair to me."


    "I don''t know what you think you''re doing, but two Silver is nowhere near enough to purchase four Skill Slates. [Healing Light] is already an uncommon Skill Slate, valued at two Silver!"


    "[Mana Bullet] and [Slash] are Basic Skill Slates. They''re not worth the 70 Bronze Slates listed on the tags anymore. Not since the World Awakening started. They''ll be worthless in the next few days. As for the other two Skill Slates, they''re both Tier-0 Skills. [Eagle Eyes] and [Healing Light] may not be as common as other Tier-0 Skill Slates, but they''re not worth more than one Silver each," David said, shaking his head. "Three Silver is all I''m willing to give you for all four Skill Slates."


    Torb shifted uncomfortably beside him but stayed silent, which David considered the best outcome. David fixed the merchant with an unyielding gaze as the man''s expression shifted. Muttering something in another language, the merchant finally agreed.


    "Fine! Three Silver Slates it is!"


    David smiled, placing the third Silver Slate on the counter. He had expected [Healing Light] to cost more, given its rarity as a healing Skill. Cleric and Healing Class Skills were already uncommon, and [Healing Light] stood out for its ranged capabilities. Zachariah had emphasized its importance, explaining that it was one of the few Tier-0 healing Skills worth investing in.


    David took the Skill Slates and wasted no time, immediately trying to bind them.


    [You have discovered four Skill Slates.]


    [Mana Bullet ¨C Tier-0]


    [Slash ¨C Tier-0]


    [Healing Light ¨C Tier-0]


    [Eagle Eyes ¨C Tier-0]


    [Do you wish to use the Skill Slates to acquire the Skill Runes?]


    The corners of David''s lips tugged upward as he willed the System to proceed. A sharp sensation flooded his mind, like streams of information surging into every corner of his consciousness, engraving themselves deep within.


    He broke into a cold sweat, his breath hitching as he closed his eyes. He watched three Skill Runes form and begin to revolve around his Source. Within seconds, they connected, granting him full access to their Tier-0 capabilities.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    However, the fourth Skill Rune faltered. It burst into azure particles, threatening to disperse when his Source stirred. Blood surged from within, transforming into crimson tentacles that lashed out, consuming the scattered particles.


    The tentacles coalesced into a sphere, and David could feel something shifting inside it. Straining his mind, he unraveled the mysterious phenomenon as the crimson sphere absorbed the Skill Rune, stabilizing it through the process.


    David wasn''t sure how much time had passed when he opened his eyes to find surprised faces and several notifications.


    [[Slash], [Eagle Eyes], and [Healing Light] have been successfully bound to your Source.]


    [Error! [Mana Bullet] was bound to the User without meeting the requirements. Lack of Mana has been detected in the Host''s body. Blood has been secured as a subsidiary energy source.]


    [[Mana Bullet] has mutated into [Blood Bullet].]


    "Crazy," David muttered in exasperation. "Can I bind Skills of all Basic Classes?"


    He fetched a Silver slate and lobbed it at the frozen merchant. "One Silver is enough for the Fireball Skill Slate, right?"


    The merchant remained silent, but David didn''t care. He grabbed the Skill Slate and tried fusing it with his Source.


    [You have discovered a Skill Slate.]


    [Fireball ¨C Tier-0.]


    [The Host is incapable of binding the Skill Slate.]


    "Oh¡­" David''s excitement took a sudden hit. He put the Skill Slate back on the counter and retrieved the Silver slate from the merchant, who didn''t seem to notice. The man stood frozen, staring at David with a blank expression.


    "What did you just do?" Torb asked, his voice breaking the silence. The dwarf''s question seemed to jolt the merchant awake, who now stared between them in disbelief.


    "What did it look like to you? I bound a few Skill Runes to my Source!"


    "But¡ª" Torb groaned, cutting himself off. "You know what? Forget it. You''re a crazy bastard with a damn annoying Class!"


    David chuckled and patted the dwarf''s back. "Do you want to buy something? Zachariah''s going to secure a Sanctuary for us. Don''t you think we should grow stronger to help out?"


    "Saving¡­"


    "Of course, you can keep saving. I wouldn''t, though," David shrugged.


    Torb looked conflicted, his gaze darting to some displayed Skill Slates. He hesitated, then shook his head and turned away. "Let''s leave."


    Whatever. They returned to the room with hurried strides.


    "Great timing," Zachariah said, pointing at a spot on the live-updating map. "I''ve figured out where we need to go."


    "Oh?" David stepped up beside the regressor as Torb asked from behind, "Just like that?"


    "Right now?" David added.


    "Right now would be best. We won''t be able to do much with the Sanctuary, but establishing it should be feasible."


    "How?" Melach''s doubtful voice resounded from the side.


    "We conquer a natural Rift and alter it here and there. The details aren''t important. All you need to know is that we''ll have to conquer the Rift¡ªproperly, that is!"


    "Conquer¡­" Melach muttered. "You mean we need to infiltrate the Rift and destroy its Core?" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zachariah smiled. "Yes and no. We do have to invade the Rift''s inner dimension, but the Rift Core must remain unscathed. We''ll need it to establish the Sanctuary."


    David wasn''t sure how that was supposed to work, but he was interested¡ªespecially in fighting more Mini Bosses and Rift Bosses. The thought of using his newly acquired Skill Runes and leveling them up excited him. It was exactly what he needed. A good hunt rather than more torture.


    "Let''s eat something before we depart. We should stock up on provisions too. You never know what awaits you on the other side of a natural Rift," Zachariah explained.


    "We can store a lot in my storage, but let''s not fill it to the brim. You wouldn''t want the Healer to be out of energy, would you?" David snickered.


    Zachariah snorted. "If you''re going to heal us, that is."


    "True that. I obtained a few new Skills and want to test them out. Maybe I''ll just cast [Blessing] on everyone and focus on testing [Slash] and the others."


    The regressor raised an eyebrow, prompting David to explain what had happened earlier.


    "That''s interesting," Zachariah said, licking his lips. "Did you try binding any other elemental-based Skills besides [Fireball]? You should in the future. Maybe Lifeweaver is compatible with more than one non-elemental magical Skill. As for your other Skills... I hate you."


    Zachariah joked, but David caught something in his eyes¡ªjealousy? Hope? He couldn''t tell.


    "Whatever," Melach said, getting up and clutching his Mage Wand tightly. "Let''s conquer a Rift and establish a Sanctuary!"


    Are you motivated for Torb''s sake, or is this just a chance to add achievements to your name? David wondered but remained silent. The group left the room smiling.


    ***


    They wasted no time preparing for departure. Torb received currency slates from everyone to procure enough provisions for weeks in the wilderness. According to Zachariah, nobody could predict how long conquering the Rift would take. It might only take hours, but the inside of a natural Rift could be nearly endless.


    While unlikely for a lower-ranked Rift to be massive, nothing was certain. Ample provisions and other necessities had to be prepared.


    The regressor excused himself, saying he would check out the stalls, leaving David with Melach, who searched for new Skill Slates to bind to his Mana Core.


    "Is your Wand an Artifact now that the elemental gemstone has been embedded into it?" David asked, his eyes trailing the Mage Wand. It resembled a standard Mage Wand, but the elemental gemstone at its tip gave it a unique touch. Fine blue lines were engraved around the gemstone, but it didn''t look particularly extraordinary to David. Better than before, but nothing remarkable.


    "Not yet. The Artificer told me I could upgrade it further, transforming it into an Artifact, but it''s too expensive," Melach muttered. He picked up a Skill Slate, haggled with the merchant for a few minutes, and returned smiling. "Everything''s so expensive. I don''t even want to know how Torb''s feeling."


    "Hopefully pretty good when we''re done with this," David said with a grin.


    He turned to the weaponry display, briefly considering buying more equipment to match his diversifying abilities. But after listening to Melach, he decided against it.


    He had a small fortune, but if the Artificer''s pricing was as bad as Melach claimed, he''d be better off saving. That was assuming the Artificer was making progress on his Blood storage. He needed it more than ever with his growing energy consumption. Still, with the Earthen Union awakening, he worried the project might be too big for her to handle.

 Chapter 79 - B2 5 - Prehistoric

    "Are we still not there?" Torb groaned loudly. His voice cut through the air, making David glance over with mild irritation.


    The sun had already begun its descent, yet they had not reached the natural Rift.


    Zachariah patted the dwarf''s back. "It''s not my fault the nearest natural Rift is so far away," he said. "It''s not like I planned to conquer a Rift anytime soon."


    "He''s telling you to keep your mouth shut because we''re doing all of this for you," Melach said, walking past the duo with quick strides.


    David remained silent, listening to the others while his eyes scanned the surroundings. He had been doing that since they left Arc, though not because he feared ambushes. One of his new Skill Runes, [Eagle Eyes], behaved differently than expected. Unlike most other Skill Runes, which had to be actively cast, [Eagle Eyes] was always on. It didn''t drain his blood, but he had been hungrier than usual since acquiring it.


    Still, the Skill''s passive effect significantly enhanced his vision and attention to detail. He could see much farther and notice finer details that had previously eluded him. The Skill''s potency was a welcome surprise, especially for a Tier-0 Skill. David was keen to level [Eagle Eyes], testing various methods to enhance its rank.


    "I think we''re getting closer," he remarked, pointing to the wide-open plains ahead. "There are a bunch of monsters over there¡­ Wait. Are those Triceratops?"


    Zachariah slowed his pace. "Triceratops? So, this is a Prehistoric Rift? That isn''t too bad."


    Dinosaurs? David hadn''t expected to encounter dinosaurs. He didn''t even know such a thing was possible. That thought seemed foolish now. Why wouldn''t dinosaurs resurface in a world filled with magic, gods, and devils? If divine and magical creatures could exist, the resurrection of dinosaurs didn''t seem far-fetched.


    Despite his reasoning, seeing them graze near the horizon felt miraculous. The corners of his lips tugged upward, and he quickened his pace.


    "What are Triceratops?" Melach asked, rushing to catch up.


    David opened his mouth to respond, but Zachariah spoke first. "They''re dinosaurs¡ªextinct creatures that lived on Earth millions of years ago. The exact number is over 60 million, but don''t worry about specifics. All you need to know is they''ve been gone a long time."


    "And now they''re back?" Torb asked. "Interesting. I didn''t know the World Awakening could resurrect extinct creatures."


    As they neared the grazing dinosaurs, David couldn''t help but marvel at the sight. The once-extinct creatures leisurely fed in the open plains, their sheer presence awe-inspiring. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Those are Xenoceratops," Zachariah corrected, stepping up beside him.


    David cocked an eyebrow but received only a shrug in return. "I''ve encountered a few dinosaurs before," the regressor continued. "Xenoceratops are more aggressive than Triceratops, but only if you harm their kind. We should be fine."


    Should? David frowned, unease prickling at the edges of his thoughts. The lack of certainty in Zachariah''s tone was far from reassuring.


    The regressor shuddered. "It''d be best if we don''t run into one of the Colossus Xenoceratops in the Prehistoric Rifts. Let''s just say wrestling with a Spinosaurus or a Tyrannosaurus Rex is more fun than running from one of those monsters when they''re extra large."


    David narrowed his eyes at the Xenoceratops, noting their immense size and the way their muscles shifted under their thick hides. Just how much stronger had Aether made them? He would have fought them without hesitation if not for their towering, two-horned frills and the long brow horns above their eyes. For now, the creatures ignored him and the others, continuing to eat as if nothing else in the world mattered.


    "Do you think Aether enhances them?" he asked Zachariah.


    "I''d say so," Zachariah replied. "Natural Rifts either use existing data from the world to spawn monsters through a mix of Aether and Essence, or they use foreign data from invading forces to replicate their Rifts." He pointed ahead, where a faint purple glow shimmered on the horizon. "This looks like a Prehistoric Rift. It uses genetic material from Earth to resurrect extinct creatures from tens of millions of years ago. That process requires a lot of Aether and Essence, so yes¡ªevery dinosaur here will be stronger. Don''t be surprised if we encounter some Silver Ranks."


    A sigh resounded, and David thought he heard Zachariah murmuring something about how fortunate they were to reach the Rift early, though he wasn''t entirely sure.


    "I don''t want to interrupt your lesson, but¡­" Melach gasped, pointing at a flock of swiftly moving creatures. They were bipedal, feathered carnivores with long tails and enlarged, sickle-shaped claws on each hindfoot. Childhood memories struck him¡ªdocumentaries of ancient predators from a time before magic. He remembered those sharp claws and swift movements vividly.


    Velociraptors.


    They were Velociraptors, creatures barely one-fourth the size of the Xenoceratops, but their claws and teeth appeared sharp enough to inflict considerable damage.


    The Xenoceratops flailed, shaking off some Velociraptors, which were stomped to death within seconds, while others, slower predators, were impaled.


    "There are hundreds," Torb gasped, frozen in place. Clicking his tongue, David dashed ahead. Zachariah appeared beside him, and a magic projectile whizzed past, crushing a Velociraptor''s skull. A second projectile followed quickly, releasing a sickening crunch as it struck another predator''s chest.


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    "The Rift is our goal¡­not to act like Saints," the dwarf shouted from behind. Despite his words, the sound of creaking armor betrayed the warrior''s reluctant movements forward.


    "Our goal is to grow stronger, you dork." Zachariah suddenly accelerated, crossing the distance to the battlefield in an instant. David watched as the regressor joined the fray. His blade exuded a silver hue, cleaving through two Velociraptors with the first strike, but that was just the beginning.


    Turning away from Zachariah, David cast [Blessing] and [Symphony Control] on the Xenoceratops, shrouding them in a crimson hue. Black doves materialized above their frills, drawing more ferocious attacks from the tiny carnivores. Yet the fierce attacks failed to have the desired effect. The Velociraptors'' claws and teeth barely scratched the Xenoceratops'' hides, while the herbivores appeared stronger¡ªdeadlier.


    David cast [Blessing] on himself and materialized the Obsidian Blade. His eyes darted in all directions before he struck out, beheading a Velociraptor. Twisting his body, he activated [Slash] for the first time, slashing upward to attack another predator. The Obsidian Blade trembled violently in his hand, vibrating as if alive. The unexpected sensation threw him off for a moment, the blade''s vibrations a jarring surprise.


    I should have expected that. How foolish, he cursed himself, recovering quickly. Casting [Blood Bullet], he targeted three Velociraptors that turned away from the Xenoceratops beside him. The creatures pounced, but crimson-colored projectiles struck their faces, throwing them backward. Though not enough to kill, one bullet to their heads was sufficient to halt their momentum. David considered that good enough for a Tier-0 Skill that hadn''t been leveled yet.


    His eyes scanned the battlefield, identifying the first target. Closing in, he thrust the Obsidian Blade through the middle Velociraptor''s eye, killing it instantly. The predator to the right was next. David kicked it fiercely, using his weight and momentum to force the creature to the ground. With another [Slash], he cut down.


    Blood spurted through the air, and the faint glow of a system notification tugged at his attention. But there was no time for distractions. David turned to the last of the three monsters. As it lunged at him, he conjured a small crimson shield that shattered under the Velociraptor''s clawed strike. Yet the brief delay gave him enough time to close the gap. Emerging before the predator, he slashed it down.


    His heart drummed wildly against his chest at the chaos unfolding around him. Seeking his next target, his focus shifted when something large caught his attention. A head whipped in his direction, nearly smashing into him. A pair of horns narrowly missed, their charge taking David by surprise.


    "I''m on your side, buddy!" he grumbled, manifesting a more formidable crimson shield. The Xenoceratops bleated in response and charged.


    The crimson shield, the strongest he could form without overcharging the Skill Rune, cracked under the massive herbivore''s weight. David groaned but held his ground. Striking the creature felt wrong; they were allies in this chaos, even if it didn''t realize it.


    David groaned, frustration mingling with a strange empathy. These creatures were not the true enemy. It didn''t feel right to retaliate against something merely defending itself.


    Instead, he held back, considering his next move.


    David''s thoughts were a whirlwind. I need some principles. Clearing Rifts and removing dangerous monsters is fine, but these creatures haven''t done anything wrong¡­ have they?


    Fighting thrilled him. It stirred something within his heart that no woman ever could. Yet, the thought of slaying the Xenoceratops didn''t spark the same excitement. Was it because they hadn''t attacked first or posed no direct threat? He couldn''t be sure¡ªbut did it even matter? Unwilling to kill the Xenoceratops, he held back.


    Instead, David cast [Healing Light] on the nearest Xenoceratops. His hand emitted a crimson glow that expanded rapidly, reaching the creature mid-charge and beginning to mend its wounds. The process was slow but effective, and the herbivore''s furious bleating softened as the bloodlust in its eyes began to fade. Encouraged, he added [Holy Touch] to soothe its rage further. The wounds knitted faster, and the massive beast ceased its thrashing entirely.


    "Good," David murmured, releasing several [Blood Bullets] toward the Velociraptors lunging at the wounded creature. His projectiles hit their marks, and the Xenoceratops wasted no time stomping the stunned predators to death.


    The herbivore turned to face him, its gaze unreadable. Yet David didn''t sense hostility. Instead, the creature bleated softly before flicking its head back toward the battlefield.


    "Do you want my help? In that case¡­ excuse my rudeness," he muttered, a nervous grin tugging at his lips. Maintaining [Healing Light], he placed a hand over his racing heart and kicked off the ground, landing atop the Xenoceratops'' broad back.


    The creature bucked slightly, emitting a startled noise, but didn''t throw him off.


    "Thanks, buddy. Just stay like this for a moment¡­ there we go!" he said, steadying himself. From his vantage point, he cast [Blood Bullet] repeatedly, imbuing the projectiles with [Blood Patch] before releasing them. The marked bullets struck the other Xenoceratops, leaving faint crimson sigils on their hides.


    As the connections came alive, David felt a strange, steady drain on his energy. It wasn''t overwhelming, but the constant pull churned his stomach. He ignored it and pushed through, channeling [Healing Light] through the marks to mend the wounded herd.


    Using [Restore] would''ve been more efficient, he thought, biting back frustration. But this wasn''t just about efficiency¡ªhe came to the Rift to grow stronger, and there was no telling what awaited them after the battle. Saving too much blood energy for creatures that might turn hostile later seemed like a safer bet.


    The Xenoceratops rallied. Their grievous wounds glowed faintly as they turned toward David. Their intense stares didn''t unsettle him. Instead, he smiled, casting a weak version of [Blessing] over the herd and his allies, shrouding them all in a faint crimson hue.


    Is that enough? he wondered, hoping the effort would suffice.


    The herbivores responded. With renewed vigor, they charged back into the fray, targeting the Velociraptors. David''s relief was short-lived. His gaze snapped to Torb, who was surrounded by a dozen predators just as a Xenoceratops charged toward him.


    "Torb!" David yelled, his heart leaping into his throat.


    The massive beast barreled past the dwarf, its heavy bulk brushing close but leaving him unharmed. Torb staggered back, shouting curses, but his plated armor remained pristine.


    Elsewhere, a similar scene unfolded near Zachariah. A pair of Xenoceratops charged through the masses of Velociraptors the regressor fought single-handedly. Zachariah didn''t appear to struggle, but his sword, alight with silver energy, poised to strike the incoming herbivores.


    "Don''t attack the Xenos!" David roared across the battlefield.


    Zachariah froze, his eyes snapping to David atop one of the Xenoceratops. His blade wavered, then lowered as the massive creatures bulldozed through the Velociraptors, trampling half a dozen predators in one charge.


    David watched, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and wonder. The Xenoceratops ignored his group entirely. Could it be? His chest tightened with anticipation at the possibility¡ªthey saw him as his¡­allies.

 Chapter 80 - B2 6 - Proficiency

    "How did you do that?" Zachariah asked, pointing at the grazing Xenoceratops. They kept to themselves and didn''t attack, even after the last Velociraptor had fallen.


    "I''m not sure what you want me to say. I just did what you told me to do," David said with a shrug, pretending to be oblivious to how far-fetched his explanation sounded.


    He noticed Zachariah''s brows furrowing deeply as he stared at him.


    "You said I''m a Healer," David continued, pointing Zachariah in the right direction. "So¡­I''m healing, protecting¡­supporting, like you said."


    Zachariah''s eyes widened before a chuckle escaped his lips. It quickly escalated into a thunderous laugh that left David momentarily stunned.


    "You are a fucking nutjob, and you know it!"


    David shrugged again. He hadn''t healed the Xenoceratops because Zachariah told him to, but it was true the regressor''s words had planted the idea. In the end, he''d acted on his own. It might have been a little insane, but Zachariah had also told him Xenos would attack those who hurt their kind. That meant they were likely to ignore you if you helped them. If you healed them.


    At least, that''s what David had hoped when he treated the Xenoceratops. And it worked, ensuring the monsters wouldn''t attack.


    "So you looked at the Xenos as equals¡­that''s some interesting progress," Zachariah commented, but David only frowned.


    As equals? They were monsters¡ªnothing more. Shaking his head, he finished healing the Xenoceratops in silence. The creatures bleated in his direction once he was done and walked away.


    "Beautiful creatures," Torb said, marveling.


    "As beautiful as they''re deadly," Zachariah responded smugly. "They''re probably all at the peak of the Bronze rank."


    David stepped between them and cleared his throat. "How about we collect the Velociraptors'' corpses? We''re in a hurry if we plan to make full use of the Blessing of the World."


    Zachariah and Torb moved away, snippets of their conversation about the beauty of the prehistoric age drifting back to him.


    "Weird," David muttered, catching Melach watching him. "What?"


    "It''s interesting how you consider others weird when you''re like¡­this. The epitome of weirdness¡ªmadness," the elf replied, shaking his head. "But you''re strong. Zachariah is one thing. I don''t know what''s going on with him, but either he knows the future or has some sort of Ancient Power that grants him access to the system library. Either way, his knowledge is shocking, to say the least. So is his display of power. Is that really a native from a newly integrated world?"


    He sighed, his face hardening. "But you, a crazy, oblivious fool¡­you''re also strong. And it''s only a matter of hours¡ªmaybe days¡ªuntil Torb joins your ranks. The moment Torb becomes Fortress'' Champion, you guys¡ª"


    David cut him off, noticing the harshness in his tone. "If you act like that, the gap will only widen. You know more about the System and the Pantheon than I do. Sure, I''ve done things others consider crazy, but that''s how I defeat enemies where others would retreat with their tails between their legs. I was rewarded for my craziness¡ªfor surviving and overcoming challenges."


    He wasn''t sure what Melach was after or what he was supposed to say, but the words kept coming. "All you have to do is figure out what you need to do¡ªhow to work the System¡ªto get the results you want. Do you want to become a Champion? Gain their attention with your actions. Pick a few gods you understand well enough to know their likes and dislikes and act accordingly. Do what they would approve of¡­and kick the butts of those they loathe."


    Melach frowned at the last part but offered a wry smile. "Thanks for comforting me."


    It worked? David hadn''t expected his rambling to make sense, but maybe it did to someone like Melach, who held the Pantheon and its gods in high regard. Shrugging, he turned his focus back to the corpses around him as the elf walked away.


    David gathered a handful of corpses and spoke a few Words of Power to drain the Essence left in them. Filling his body with crimson motes didn''t take long, though it felt strange. Despite knowing the crimson motes weren''t meant to remain in his Energy Pathway for long, David left them there for his Source to absorb. While he waited, occasionally inspecting his Energy Pathways and Source, he collected the remaining corpses alongside the others.


    "They don''t have many valuable parts," Zachariah commented when David arrived. "I recommend we collect the valuable pieces and leave the rest behind. Or you store some of them for their Essence."


    Torb grunted, his face twisting in frustration. "Let''s just take all of them."


    "No." Zachariah''s tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument. "David''s spatial storage drains his energy reserves. The more we force upon him, the greater the energy consumption. That means we either have to rest more often, or he''ll run out of Blood mid-battle."


    Zachariah fixed a hard stare on Torb. "You don''t even need money. I couldn''t care less about your debt, but even if it were important to me, these corpses wouldn''t make a difference. You need to establish a Sanctuary. We''re currently helping you with that, and we need David at full power to achieve it. Or do you want to fight the Mini-Bosses and the Rift Boss here without David''s healing and protection?"


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    "Okay. Okay. I get it," the dwarf responded meekly.


    David nudged Zachariah in the side. "Calm down a little. I don''t like all this talk about money either, but we need it. Not to establish the Sanctuary but to purchase magical armaments, Skill Slates, and other essentials."


    Zachariah looked like he had more to say¡ªhis angry look suggesting it wouldn''t be pleasant¡ªbut David cut him off before he could speak.


    "Don''t you think more merchants from all over the transcendent organizations will flock to the Earthen Union now that gods, infernal beings, devils, and others are extending their influence? Everyone''s investing in the Earthen Union''s growth, so why wouldn''t merchants take advantage of that opportunity?"


    The regressor remained silent.


    "I guess so," Zachariah said at last, glancing at Torb. "Sorry about that. I''m a bit¡­ tense these days."


    Torb said nothing, but David didn''t mind.


    Clearing his throat, he said, "I think collecting the most valuable parts is a good idea. That way, I can remove corpses, drain them mid-combat, and leave them behind without having to feel bad."


    Taking their silence as agreement, David conjured the Obsidian Blade and began working. "What parts are the most valuable?" he asked.


    Zachariah unsheathed his sword and slashed at a nearby corpse, removing several pieces. "Those." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Good," David said, smiling at the regressor. "Since you''ve already started, you may as well continue to help me."


    The regressor groaned but agreed. They worked swiftly, storing the half-dissected bodies in David''s necklace. Halfway through the process, David noticed something.


    "There''s no more Essence in their bodies."


    It looked like they took too long to preserve the bodies. Keeping them stored like this wasn''t worth the effort. David was sure they could still collect and sell the more valuable parts, but he could see the impatience written all over Zachariah''s face.


    The regressor nodded and turned away from the corpses. "Let''s go then. We shouldn''t waste any more time."


    ***


    They proceeded to the Rift but were stopped by another flock of Velociraptors. This time, they didn''t have any Xenos to act as meat shields, but that made no difference to David. They sustained several wounds, some more grievous than others. However, all injuries were healed before they finished harvesting the most valuable parts of a dozen prehistoric monsters.


    "How about we pay attention to stronger monsters instead of looting these weaklings?" Zachariah asked, handing David three Fragments of Power. "They drop decent stuff, but it''s still not worth it."


    "Fine," David agreed while his attention lingered on a few system notifications.


    [Proficiency of Blood Patch reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 V] ¡ú [Tier-1 VI]


    [Proficiency of Blessing reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 III] ¡ú [Tier-1 IV]


    [Proficiency of Blood Bullet reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 I] ¡ú [Tier-0 III]


    [Proficiency of Slash reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 I] ¡ú [Tier-0 III]


    [Proficiency of Eagle Eyes reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 I] ¡ú [Tier-0 II]


    [Proficiency of Healing Light reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 I] ¡ú [Tier-0 IV]


    He smiled, pleased with the rank-ups, but a familiar question surfaced as he double-checked the notifications.


    "How exactly does proficiency increase of Skills work?" David asked, even though he''d already formed a few assumptions that seemed close to the truth.


    Zachariah slowed and turned to him. "You probably know the answer already, but it''s relatively simple. There are multiple ways to increase your Skills'' proficiency. Repetitive usage of a Skill is one way to increase its proficiency slowly. You usually do that in an Aether-dense area if you don''t have the means to use the Skill as intended, which is the second method."


    He pointed at his arm, which one of the squeaky Velociraptors had clawed earlier. "For example, [Healing Light] is supposed to heal others. Using it to mend wounds will increase its proficiency faster than the first method. The more you heal with [Healing Light], the more its proficiency will increase."


    David noticed Melach and Torb pause as the elf cleared his throat to add, "Another method would be to use Skill Slates. It''s useful if you have the means to collect lots of Skill Slates, whether through bartering or hunting. But personally, I prefer another method. The System recognizes your efforts to increase proficiency with the other methods but rewards something else far more generously¡­"


    The elf glanced at Zachariah, who nodded.


    "The fastest method to push your Skill Runes to the next rank or Tier is to study them. You need to analyze how the Skill works, what components make it what it is, and experiment with it. Think of a Skill as a chain code, and ask yourself how to improve it. Whether it''s increasing the Skill''s efficiency, potency, or something else doesn''t matter. Your Skill will gain proficiency depending on the extent of your revelations and the enlightenment you achieve."


    That must be why the Enlightenment Orb pushed Skills to the next rank¡ªit mimicked natural enlightenment. David nodded, intrigued by the explanation.


    Unfortunately, the prehistoric creatures in the area weren''t inclined to give him the time he needed to process this information.


    A cacophony of thunderous screeches tore through the air, snapping David''s attention to several larger creatures.


    There were more raptors, but the newcomers were larger and faster. They grew visibly as they closed the distance, their massive forms towering several meters tall as they reached the group.


    "Mature Utahraptors¡­this will be a mess," Zachariah sighed, unsheathing his weapon. "They''re Elite Monsters and strong enough to rival Silver Ranks."


    David heard Zachariah mutter something under his breath about needing a Tamer, his tone tinged with regret.

 Chapter 81 - B2 7 - Raptors

    Zachariah charged forward, leaving afterimages as he emerged before the first raptor. His blade whipped through the air, cutting into the monster, but David didn''t see any blood as Zachariah withdrew his weapon.


    The regressor evaded the raptor''s claws with practiced ease, releasing several silver lights that slashed through its plumage. Finally, blood soaked the monster''s feathers, but it showed no signs of weakening.


    "They''re tough," David muttered, casting [Blessing] and [Blood Aegis] to shield Zachariah from further attacks and enhance his strength. The regressor''s sword glowed, its form appearing to expand as he leaped into the air. David cast [Blood Aegis] again when the raptor shifted, aiming to strike Zachariah in the head. The crimson shield absorbed the blow, saving him.


    While the Utahraptor''s attack failed, Zachariah''s did not. David caught only a glimpse of the final strike¡ªZachariah''s blade pierced one of the raptor''s eyes and drove through the back of its skull.


    The first Utahraptor collapsed, but the others charged at David and Melach. Torb stepped forward, bracing himself as he raised the Shield of Taurun. A faint hue shimmered around it, deepening as a darker glow joined.


    David conjured a black dove above Torb''s head to lure the Utahraptors to him, then followed with [Blessing], strengthening all his allies. Despite this, he doubted Torb could hold back the raptors'' charge. Yet the dwarf defied expectations. A semi-translucent barrier materialized in front of him as he slammed his shield into the ground. The Utahraptors crashed into the barrier but failed to break it.


    With their momentum disrupted, David dashed forward, his body wrapped in crimson light. He gripped the Obsidian Blade tightly, activating both [Slash] and [Holy Touch] as he closed in on the nearest Utahraptor. It turned and snapped at him, but David conjured a small crimson shield to block its jaws.


    He ducked beneath its claws and drove his soulbound weapon into the raptor''s abdomen. Its tough hide resisted the blade, but with a surge of [Holy Touch], the weapon pierced through. Gritting his teeth, David roared and pushed the blade deeper, overclocking [Blood Bullet] and unleashing a barrage of them to hammer the weapon further into the beast.


    A claw strike forced him to retreat, though it grazed his side, leaving a sharp sting of pain. He grimaced, enduring the discomfort until [Restore] flooded his body with soothing warmth.


    David retreated further, Words of Power spilling from his lips. Only a few words rang out¡ªjust enough. His connection to the Obsidian Blade deepened, revealing the Essence it drained with each passing second. The amount was staggering, but what truly surprised him was the sheer lifeforce within the Utahraptor.


    It had more Essence than the Behemoth Darkai, he guessed, swallowing hard. Even with the Obsidian Blade working as quickly as it could, killing the raptor this way would take too long.


    "Support it is," he muttered with a sigh, leaving the blade embedded in the creature. If the weapon needed more Essence to grow stronger, so be it.


    Four Utahraptors were still alive. Two attacked Torb, whose shield had started to crack, while one seemed to be closing in on Zachariah. The last¡ªthe raptor David had attacked¡ªhesitated, glancing between him and Torb. David caught it stepping forward, but a magical snare entangled its legs, halting its advance. Frustrated, the raptor turned and lunged at Torb instead.


    David overclocked [Blessing], using all its instances on Torb as the dwarf braced against the combined assault of three Utahraptors. A crimson barrier materialized before them, blocking several strikes, but the overwhelming force pushed Torb back. His enchanted shield shattered into countless fragments, leaving him vulnerable as the raptors advanced.


    "Die!" A sudden high-pitched scream cut through the chaos, drawing David''s attention. A massive projectile, nearly his height, streaked through the air, leaving a glowing trail. He barely registered its path before it slammed into the ground near Torb.


    David hurriedly cast [Blood Aegis], shielding Torb from the explosion that followed. The earth trembled violently, and his crimson shield crumbled as debris filled the air. Torb was flung across the battlefield, landing with a heavy thud near David. Ignoring the ringing in his ears, David rushed to the dwarf''s side, casting [Restore] to mend his injuries and layering [Blood Patch] for additional healing.


    "Up you go," David muttered, pulling Torb to his feet. His gaze darted across the battlefield, squinting through the haze of smoke and debris. His eyes locked onto one of the three Utahraptors that had been fighting Torb¡ªnow reduced to a pair of scorched legs.


    "What the¡­" David muttered, his words trailing off as he caught sight of Melach''s beaming face amidst the chaos.


    "Amazing, isn''t it? I''m not even tired!" the elf shouted, wiping sweat from his brow. "All it took was overclocking [Arcane Blast] and a few seconds to charge it with my new Skill, [Sphere Explosion]!"


    David exhaled sharply, a mixture of relief and irritation. At least it wasn''t the raptor he''d been targeting, though Melach''s reckless use of his new Skill had nearly taken out Torb as well.


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    It''s a good thing we have a solid Healer, David smirked, his pulse still racing from the explosive display of power.


    He recast [Symphony Control], conjuring a black dove above Torb''s head to lure the raptors while placing a white dove above Melach''s for support. He followed up with several [Blood Bullet] spells, hurling them at the staggering pair of Utahraptors. While the attacks inflicted little damage, David''s true goal was distraction. The monsters turned toward him, their attention drawn by the stinging impacts on their snouts and necks.


    "Get them, buddy," David said to Torb, giving the dwarf a firm shove forward. "You can do it."


    "I. Hate. You," Torb growled, gripping his magical shield tightly as he stepped forward.


    David conjured a dimly glowing light that enveloped Torb, sealing his remaining wounds. Without wasting time, he retrieved several Velociraptor corpses from his storage necklace. Words of Power rolled off his tongue as he began draining the lingering Essence from the bodies.


    Simultaneously, David cast [Holy Touch], drawing in the ambient Aether. Dozens of crimson tendrils erupted from his palms, writhing chaotically before spreading out and gathering enough energy to fill his Energy Pathways. Under his command, his Source resumed producing Blood, the flow steady and unrelenting.


    He glanced back at the battlefield. Zachariah''s opponent looked battered and close to defeat. Overclocking [Blessing] and applying a single instance to the regressor should provide enough support for him to finish the raptor within a few exchanges. The remaining instances of [Blessing] were distributed among Torb and Melach, bolstering their efforts against the last pair of Utahraptors.


    A relentless storm of fireballs and emerald wind spears rained down on the raptors, eliciting shrill cries of pain. Torb added to the chaos, bashing the creatures with his mace and slamming his shield against their bodies. Though his attacks lacked the power to kill outright, they were enough to stagger the beasts.


    The tide shifted when one of Melach''s [Spear of Aeryon] spells pierced a raptor''s eye, triggering an explosion.


    "Release more!" Torb bellowed over the cacophony of pained shrieks.


    Melach responded with another barrage of wind spears and fireballs, each explosion further injuring the raptors. However, none of the subsequent projectiles landed a critical hit like before.


    David prepared to join the fray, casting and overclocking [Blood Bullet] with the intent of charging into battle alongside Torb. Just as he was about to act, something caught his attention in the corner of his eye. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    More wind spears and fireballs filled the air, exploding upon impact and inflicting considerable damage. However, David didn''t spot another magical projectile piercing the Utahraptors'' eyes. He cast and overclocked [Blood Bullet], ready to give in to his urge to fight on the frontlines with Torb when something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye.


    His expression soured, and he retracted the Blood channeled into [Blood Bullet]. Zachariah emerged, his sword drenched in blood. The regressor leaped at the first raptor, driving his blade into its back and easily piercing its burned plumage. The monster screamed in pain but stiffened and collapsed without warning.


    David watched as Zachariah raised his arm, conjuring a silver blade that drilled through the raptor''s injured eye. The blade burst through the back of the monster''s skull before disintegrating mid-air.


    [You have contributed to the defeat of Reborn Utahraptor (Elite).]


    David checked the notification, which looked the same as the others, and diverted his focus back to the battlefield. Zachariah appeared slightly exhausted but uninjured. Torb''s wounds had been mended, and Melach wore a content expression, clearly enjoying the turn of events.


    "Elite Monsters," David muttered, approaching the bodies. He made his way to the corpse holding his soulbound weapon and uttered a few more Words of Power.


    "What are you doing?" Zachariah appeared beside him. "Oh, you''ve started nurturing your soulbound weapon. It''s about time."


    David raised an eyebrow. "You know a bit about soulbound weapons, right? I can tell the Obsidian Blade is getting stronger, but other than being sharper and more durable, I can''t sense much. Well, apart from our connection growing."


    "You''re using Essence to nourish it, right?" Zachariah asked.


    "Yes, but only because that''s the only thing it consumes. When I first used it, I thought the Obsidian Blade consumed blood, but I was wrong. It needs crimson motes, just like my Source."


    Zachariah studied him for a few seconds. "Are you sure? You can''t nourish it with Aether?"


    David nodded.


    "That''s interesting," the regressor muttered. "Don''t get me wrong; this is a good thing. The better the resources consumed by a soulbound weapon, the higher the chance of an evolution. It''s also possible your weapon will mutate, depending on the amount and type of Essences you let it consume. But that shouldn''t be a concern for now. For now¡­more is better."


    David mulled over Zachariah''s words, questioning whether he''d been overly cautious in feeding the Obsidian Blade.


    "And since you can feel your connection to the Obsidian Blade growing," Zachariah continued, "it means you''re far from reaching its origin limits¡ªso you should give it more Essence to consume."


    Mutations and evolutions? David knew a bit about both, but they were typically associated with living creatures¡ªnot a piece of metal. He shrugged. Since Zachariah said it didn''t concern him yet, he decided to let it be.


    "How about we dissect them first?" David asked with a grin. "And by we¡­I mean you. My blade''s busy devouring Essence."


    Zachariah glared at him but complied. He walked around the body, waving his sword a few times to remove the beast''s head before gutting its abdomen. The regressor cursed under his breath as he painstakingly worked on the corpses. After a while, he waved at David. "Go ahead. Collect everything."


    David stored the dissected bodies and their parts in his storage necklace. He felt the energy consumption of the spatial device increase considerably and fueled it with Blood.


    This should last a while, he thought, feeling the strain of energy consumption diminish.

 Chapter 82 - B2 8 - Prehistoric Rift

    They closed in on the Rift without further problems. David inspected the surroundings and discovered several curious details as he explored the crackling, violet vortex that spanned over two dozen meters.


    He first noticed how his body absorbed significantly more Aether as they approached the Rift. Since the World Awakening, Aether had been abundant wherever he went, but the Rift and its surroundings were on another level entirely.


    He used the ambient Aether to fill his Energy Pathways, never letting it remain idle after absorption. David cast [Holy Touch] and maintained it as he circulated the holy power, modified under Blood''s influence, through his body. The Energy Pathways, which in his mind resembled firm, well-trained muscles, had grown far from their earlier atrophied state. Nonetheless, his focus on nurturing their development never stopped. On the contrary, he hoped to sustain this growth for as long as possible.


    Now and then, he retrieved a Velociraptor corpse to drain its Essence and replenish his Blood reserves. He also pulled the Obsidian Blade from the Utahraptor''s body once it was emptied, discarding the less valuable parts of the Elite Monster before thrusting the soulbound weapon into another target. With each moment, they drew closer to the wildly swirling Rift.


    "The surrounding nature is changing fast," Melach noted, breaking the silence. "I don''t think many plants on Ystra grow this quickly."


    "The World Awakening accelerated the growth of everything," Zachariah responded lightly. "But that''s a negligible fact. No matter how fast you grow, you still need nutrients and Aether. The Earthen Union was always overflowing with nutrients, but it lacked Aether. That is no longer a problem. If anything, the Earthen Union will soon be overflowing with Aether."


    David scrutinized the grass field that reached up to his calves, wondering how long it would take to cover his lower body. Would it be days¡ªor merely hours?


    "At least you have cheap but efficient mowers. Not the magical kind I know, but these creatures are probably easier to maintain," Torb quipped, pointing toward a spot farther from the Rift.


    David followed Torb''s gaze and was surprised to see hundreds of large, heavy-looking mammals grazing nearby. Their backs were covered in broad, upright plates, and their long tails ended in spiked tips, completing the appearance of creatures any fan of the prehistoric age would recognize at a glance. A horde of Stegosaurus munched through the rapidly growing grass field, keeping the blades short.


    Other large creatures lingered near the Stegosaurus, and as David looked around, he found even more prehistoric beasts close to the natural Rift.


    "Do you think they left the Rift voluntarily?" David asked. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zachariah turned toward him, his expression contemplative. "Natural Rifts are different from man-made ones. Some creatures were probably forced out due to territorial conflicts, while others left out of curiosity¡ªor to protect their kin from the dangers lurking inside. Regardless, they will stay close to the Rift to absorb more Aether until stronger predators emerge and force them to relocate."


    David mulled over Zachariah''s explanation, trying to picture the chaos inside the Rift that might drive creatures out. His heart raced at the thought of encountering some of the prehistoric age''s ''strong'' predators.


    "That''s interesting, but can we enter the Rift now? I want to¡ª" David began, but Torb interrupted with a laugh, striding past him and patting his back.


    "Fight? This might be a surprise to you, but we already know that," Torb said.


    Melach chuckled, and even Zachariah smirked as he walked by.


    "Whatever. Let''s conquer the Rift!" David declared.


    There was no guardian protecting the Rift, which allowed the team of four to step through unhindered. David didn''t know what to expect, but stepping through a magical portal into another dimension felt surreal. As he entered the swirling vortex, the air shifted around him with every step. The dense forest ahead replaced the familiar grasslands behind.


    The flora shifted dramatically, transforming into lush greenery with giant ferns and sprawling cycads growing everywhere. Moss-covered rocks and lichens appeared where nothing had been before, and massive tree trunks emerged from thin air. Wildflowers scattered vibrant colors across the scene, but David''s focus lingered on the more pronounced changes. Tall conifers and low shrubs dotted the landscape between the towering trees.


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    A cool, damp gust brushed against him, carrying the sounds of rustling ferns, splashing water, and the distant calls of birds and other creatures. The oddly peaceful atmosphere contrasted with the chaotic changes happening around him.


    The transition ended after several steps, and David spotted his teammates again. Only now did he realize he hadn''t seen them during the shift. Was that normal? Probably. David shrugged and turned his attention toward the source of the splashing sound. A waterfall cascaded down a rocky mountain nearby. Channeling Blood into his eyes to augment [Eagle Eyes], he scrutinized the surroundings once more.


    "Are we in a valley?" He wondered aloud.


    "Possible. That''s a mountain range to our right, isn''t it?" Zachariah agreed.


    "It''s silent," Torb added. "Too silent."


    David nodded in agreement. He had expected fierce battles right from the start, but so far, nothing had happened. He couldn''t spot a single creature. Sure, distant roars, growls, cracking noises, and chirping birds echoed faintly through the forest, but nothing had attacked them yet.


    The distant growls gradually grew louder. The cracking intensified, joined by shadowy figures flashing through the prehistoric forest away from the mountain range. However, the figures didn''t come toward them; instead, they collided with each other.


    "A fight between dinosaurs," David muttered, casting [Blessing] on everyone before cautiously approaching the shadowy figures. To get a better view, he climbed a nearby tree. Gripping the rough bark, he scrambled up to a branch hanging over a dozen meters above the ground. He leaped to the next branch, but his foot slipped. For a heart-stopping moment, he almost fell. He managed to regain his balance and steadied himself.


    Finally, he saw them.


    An incredibly long monster with a sailed back, towering hind legs, and a long, crocodile-like skull had sunk its fangs into a large, bipedal predator. The other creature retaliated, digging its dagger-shaped teeth into the sail.


    David''s breath caught as the two predators fought desperately, tearing each other apart. The scene was brutal yet mesmerizing. The Carnosaur''s fangs sparked and erupted into flames as they ripped through the Spinosaurus'' sail. The Spinosaurus shrieked but didn''t retreat. Its long, narrow head whipped around and clamped down on the Carnosaur''s neck. Flames burst from the Carnosaur''s neck, scorching the Spinosaurus'' face, yet the massive creature didn''t back off. David gaped as the Spinosaurus'' charred flesh seemed to mend itself unnervingly fast, the healing visible to the naked eye.


    The Carnosaur roared, thrashing wildly. Flames erupted across its body, wreathing both itself and the Spinosaurus in fire. Only the Spinosaurus roared in pain. Despite its burns, it lunged, only to be met with a headbutt from the Carnosaur''s flame-covered horns.


    The battle intensified. David watched as the Spinosaurus was pushed back but refused to yield. The two creatures tore through the forest, crushing trees, shrubs, and anything else in their path. At one point, the Spinosaurus seemed to gain the upper hand, but suddenly, the Carnosaur''s flames shifted to an eerie, vibrant blue. The surrounding plants caught fire, and the Spinosaurus'' wounds stopped healing. The Carnosaur ripped chunks of flesh from its opponent, forcing the massive creature to retreat.


    The Spinosaurus let out a deafening roar and turned to flee. The Carnosaur charged after it, but its movements were slower now, drained from the brutal fight. Its blue flames dimmed, returning to their usual red-orange hue.


    David followed the Spinosaurus with his gaze as it leaped into a river he hadn''t noticed before. The water churned violently as the massive beast plunged in. The Carnosaur roared furiously, thrashing about before abruptly turning. David stiffened as the predator seemed to glance in his direction. Did it see them?


    But after a moment, the Carnosaur turned away, running in the opposite direction at shocking speed.


    "What was that?" David muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he tried to process what he''d seen.


    The sunlight filtering through the trees suddenly dimmed. A massive shadow loomed over him, and his instincts screamed danger.


    "Get out of the way, everyone!" Zachariah''s shout rang out, sharp and urgent.


    David looked up, his blood running cold. A gargantuan creature towered above him, its massive foot descending toward him like a falling boulder.


    "Fuck!" he cursed, overclocking his body and casting [Blessing] on everyone. He leaped to the side with all the strength he could muster, barely avoiding the crushing weight.


    As he landed, he caught a glimpse of Melach gliding through the air, graceful as ever. Zachariah sprinted away in the same direction. Relief flickered through him¡ªthey had made it. But where was Torb?


    David''s stomach twisted as he scanned the area. He spotted the dwarf running, his body shimmering with an earthy hue. But Torb''s speed was the slowest, and his position¡ªthe worst.


    "You''re not going to die here!" David growled, his determination surging. He overclocked [Blood Aegis], pouring as much Blood as he could muster into the spell. Large, glowing shields materialized above Torb as the gargantuan foot descended.


    One by one, the shields shattered under the sheer force of the creature''s weight. They were too fragile to stall for long.


    David''s heart dropped as the foot slammed down. The impact obliterated bushes, plants¡ªand Torb, who had no chance to escape.

 Chapter 83 - B2 9 - Verge of Death

    Was Torb dead? David''s stomach churned at the thought. He materialized the Obsidian Blade and charged ahead, applying overclocked [Holy Touch] and [Slash] to his soulbound weapon. However, before David could strike at the massive foot pinning Torb to the ground, it moved.


    David slowed, narrowing his eyes as the creature walked away.


    Was it not an enemy? he wondered, craning his neck to see what had attacked them in the first place. A shudder coursed through him when he realized most of the creature''s body wasn''t visible. Towering above the treetops and shrouding his view, it loomed far beyond anything he had ever seen.


    How in the¡­? David''s breath caught in his throat as he assessed the sheer size of the beast. Its height must have exceeded twenty meters. Twisting his neck further, he caught a glimpse of the rest of its body: an impossibly long neck, grayish skin, and a frame that stretched at least twice its height. It resembled a Brachiosaur¡ªbut not entirely. Thick, heavy plates covered most of its skin, resembling the frill of a Xenoceratops, giving it an almost armored appearance. And yet, despite its strange mutations, it still looked unmistakably like a Brachiosaur.


    A weak groan reached David''s ears, pulling his attention to a deep footprint carved into the ground. Torb lay there, squashed into the earth, twitching faintly. His armor was dented and flattened in spots, pressing cold metal into his battered body¡ªbut Torb was alive. His life force, though faint and fading, still flickered within him.


    That was all that mattered.


    David dismissed the Obsidian Blade back to his mind space and rushed to Torb''s side. Without hesitation, he cast [Weave of Life] and overclocked it, stabilizing the dwarf''s life force before layering it with [Restore] at maximum strength.


    Zachariah appeared beside them, his expression grim. Moving with practiced precision, the regressor''s hand glowed silver as he cut through Torb''s damaged armor. In seconds, the dwarf was peeled free, revealing his injuries.


    David heard a sharp gasp from his right but ignored it. Banishing all distractions, he bent down and got to work.


    Torb''s armor, crushed under the Brachiosaur''s immense weight, had left jagged metal shards lodged into his body. Several deep cuts marred his skin, some dangerously close to vital organs. David immediately cast [Purify], cleansing the wounds in one swift motion. He followed with another instance of [Blessing], then overlapped [Healing Light] and [Restore]. While the effects began to work, they weren''t as efficient as he''d hoped.


    Frowning, David planted his hands on Torb''s chest and overclocked [Holy Touch], unleashing its crimson holy power into the dwarf''s battered form. The energy surged through him, spreading to every damaged part and mending the injuries from within.


    Words of Power spilled from David''s lips, infused with the Law of Blood. He channeled the holy power to amplify the healing effects of [Healing Light], [Restore], and [Weave of Life], binding them together into one cohesive force. Careful not to disrupt the delicate balance, he kept reciting the Words of Power, pouring all his focus into the process.


    A low groan escaped Torb, more vigorous than before. David''s Source stirred as the Law of Blood activated fully, enhancing the healing. Flattened parts of Torb''s body began to swell and reform, regaining their original shape. Deep punctures knit together seamlessly, leaving no trace of the injuries that had nearly killed him.


    "How are you still alive?" Melach''s incredulous voice broke through the tense silence.


    "I''m a dwarf, you dork," Torb croaked weakly, but there was a faint smirk in his tone.


    "Whatever. Shut up and try to stay alive!"


    No further words were exchanged as David continued his work. Before long, Torb''s weak groans turned into muttered curses.


    "My armor! What did you do to it?!"


    "I cut it open to save your life. It¡ª" Zachariah''s response was cut short.


    "You brickheaded idiot! What about my shield? Did you destroy that too?!"


    David slumped back onto the ground, breathing heavily. He ignored the argument brewing between Zachariah and Torb, letting the two bicker while he focused on replenishing his energy. Retracting [Holy Touch], he stopped overclocking [Healing Light] and allowed it to run at its base level. Finally, he ceased [Weave of Life] and [Restore] entirely, confident that Torb no longer needed them.


    "I guess you''re feeling better, seeing as you can shout like that," David muttered dryly, brushing a hand through his sweat-drenched hair.


    "You understand me, don''t you?" Torb growled, glaring up at him. "Without my armor, I''m much weaker. Forget about dealing with three Utahraptors at once¡ªone of them will be enough to gut me if it breaks [Guardian Shield]!"


    David raised an eyebrow. While it was true that supporting and healing the group would be difficult if the dwarf couldn''t protect them¡ªblocking the charge of several powerful monsters¡ªhe didn''t understand why Torb was so agitated. There was no reason for him to react like that.


    "Don''t you have a Class Skill that allows you to replicate your armaments in situations like this?" David tilted his head. "Or did I misunderstand something?"


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    No matter what Torb said, David wasn''t about to end the Rift raid prematurely. He wanted to press on¡ªto face the apex predators of the prehistoric era!


    "Ah¡­" Torb''s cheeks flushed. "Right."


    The dwarf cleared his throat awkwardly. "I have [Nature''s Armaments], but it consumes my Essence and Stamina to¡ª" He trailed off as he noticed David''s intense gaze. A realization dawned on him, and his tone shifted. "You can probably help replenish my used-up Essence."


    Was that possible? David had never tried it before. It promised to be a complicated process since Torb couldn''t convert foreign Essence into energy like Blood. Still, David could always heal him. That ought to suffice. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I guess so," David shrugged.


    Torb sat upright and carefully rose to his feet, swaying unsteadily before regaining his balance.


    An earthy hue coated the dwarf''s body as he closed his eyes, and the soil beneath them began to shift. At first glance, it looked as though the hard-packed ground had liquefied, flowing toward Torb and climbing his frame. The soil encased his feet and legs first, but within moments, his entire body¡ªexcept for his face¡ªwas engulfed.


    David watched with interest as the earthen coating condensed and hardened, transforming into armor.


    "You look like a dwarven sculpture," Melach remarked with a smirk.


    It was true. Torb resembled a masterfully detailed sculpture carved from solid earth. The only sign of life beneath the armor was his exposed face.


    The dwarf groaned and wiped his sweaty forehead before delivering a solid punch to the earthen armor.


    "I think I can work with this," Torb said, evaluating the result. "It''s nothing great, but it''s not shabby either."


    David inspected Torb''s condition and smiled in satisfaction. His friend was fine, though some fatigue was building within him. It hadn''t reached a worrisome level yet, which was a relief.


    The Class Skill''s Essence consumption must have been lower than Torb had feared, David guessed.


    "What are we going to do now?" David asked as he retrieved several Velociraptor carcasses. A few Words of Power rolled off his tongue, stirring the blood within the corpses. Tendrils of blood oozed from the wounds and snaked toward his outstretched palm. Without hesitation, he grasped the tendrils and cast [Holy Touch], accelerating the process of draining the Velociraptors'' Essences.


    "More importantly," Melach interjected, pointing toward the massive footprints around them, "what was that, and how could a creature with so much natural destructive force be capable of using Stealth?!"


    Stealth? David blinked. That would certainly explain why they hadn''t seen or heard the gargantuan Brachiosaur.


    "Is that the Rift Boss?" Torb''s eyes gleamed with dangerous excitement. "Let''s kill that thing!"


    "How about we calm down for a minute?" Zachariah said firmly. "I don''t think this is the Rift Boss. At best, it''s a Regional Boss. Regardless, the Brachiosaur appears to be heavily armored and a mutant. It probably gained a Rune of Stealth from defeating its enemies. The creature didn''t attack us, but I''m certain it would have crushed us if we''d made the first move. Did everyone see how the Carnosaurs reacted? They fled the moment they saw it."


    Zachariah paused, giving them a moment to process the information.


    David frowned, replaying the events in his mind. A Rune of Stealth on a Brachiosaur? That would explain a lot.


    "Either way, the Brachiosaur is not our priority. Hunting it might help us grow stronger, but this incident should remind us of our current limitations. One mistake, and one¡ªor all¡ªof us could be dead. We were lucky this time, but if the Brachiosaur had crushed someone else..."


    Zachariah didn''t need to finish. David understood what the regressor meant, and he was certain the others did too.


    "You want to avoid combat and look for the Rift Core to gain full control of the Rift, right?" Melach asked, breaking the silence. "I still don''t know how you plan to control the Rift, but you seem like you know what you''re doing. Do you know where to find the Rift Core as well?"


    Zachariah smirked. "No, I don''t know the exact location. But I know where we need to go."


    "The most dangerous area, I guess," David added, earning a knowing smile from the regressor.


    "Exactly. This is an unusual natural Rift. If we''re fortunate enough, its'' Rift Core might produce Origin Essence. Some call it elemental Essence, but the name doesn''t matter. Origin Essence can be absorbed by any creature, allowing them to transcend their natural limits. There might not be much Origin Essence available, but that only makes it more coveted by the strongest creatures here."


    "So, you want us to venture into a warzone filled with the Rift''s strongest prehistoric monsters? Creatures that have already absorbed Origin Essence?" Torb frowned deeply, but Zachariah only shrugged.


    "Do you want to become Fortress'' Champion or not? If not, I''ll leave to spend my time doing something that actually helps me grow stronger."


    David''s grin widened at the challenge. While Torb clearly thought heading toward the Rift Core, where the strongest prehistoric monsters fought for supremacy, was a bad idea, David relished it. If those creatures were anything like the Brachiosaur... His excitement grew, even as a voice in the back of his mind whispered how reckless it was.


    "This isn''t a Common 1-Star Rift, is it?" he asked.


    "It''s at least a Rare 2-Star Rift," Melach replied, his voice thoughtful. "The Aether density here is shockingly high, and there are too many powerful monsters. Maybe..." His eyes widened as he seemed to realize the implications. "Is this a 3-Star Rift? If that''s the case, we''ll have to face Silver Rank Bosses to reach the Rift Core."


    The elf gasped, his face paling as the full weight of his words hit him. "That''s suicidal! We''re only Low to Mid-Bronze Rank... how do you expect us to¡ª"


    "All we need is teamwork, tactics, and a lot of traps," Zachariah interrupted, his smile unwavering. "That would solve most problems. Then again, we don''t have to kill anything. We just need to reach the Rift Core and alter it to gain access to the portals and settlement function."


    "This is a natural Rift with various types of creatures. As you can see, they''re tearing each other apart. They''re not allies like the Darkai of the Demon Horde. The Brachiosaur is probably one of the Region Bosses." He glanced at David. "For the record, ''Region Boss'' refers to the strongest creatures in specific areas of a Rift. Mini-Bosses that leave the Rift are usually strong, but they''re actually former Region Bosses that were forced out of natural Rifts after stronger creatures conquered their territories."


    So, Region Bosses are stronger than Mini-Bosses of the same Rift? David wondered, his chest pounding with excitement.

 Chapter 84 - B2 10 - Tribes?

    How much more time will we waste playing with flowers? David groaned, watching Melach crouch before a small bush covered in long, black thorns. He saw Zachariah join the elf with a smile, pointing at the violet petals of a flower sprouting from the bush.


    "This is a Hyura Shrub, isn''t it?" the regressor asked, sounding excited. "To think something like that would grow here!"


    Silver light shrouded one of his fingers as he carefully cut the flower. "We can make serums if there are more of them."


    David snapped to attention. Could they use the flower to make serums? That would save them a lot of trouble.


    Zachariah handed him the first flower with a serious expression. "Be gentle and store it away safely!"


    "Of course," David responded, though he couldn''t imagine what could possibly go wrong with storing a flower. He put it into the storage necklace and followed the odd pair as they continued gathering flowers and other magical herbs. They listed the names of every one of them, but David didn''t even try to remember. He simply nodded and stored everything they handed him.


    Occasionally, when a glow to his right caught his eye, David glanced at Torb. The dwarf''s armor flared with bursts of light at times, looking much stronger than before. David wondered what method Torb used to reinforce it, but the mystery eluded him. Shrugging, he dismissed the thought.


    "How about we move to the Core for some juicy fights?" he asked, suppressing a groan. Zachariah had been impatient all along, but he was suddenly the one wasting most of their time with flowers and other plants.


    "Learn to be more patient. Ample preparation is the key to success and survival," the regressor responded, though David could only roll his eyes.


    They''d been roaming the prehistoric valley for hours, and not once did they fight. He doubted Zachariah had thought about fighting at all, given how his focus shifted entirely to the first plant life brimming with Aether.


    "I found something interesting!" Melach exclaimed, turning to Zachariah and the rest. In his hand was a plant with roots shaped like a human body. David''s eyes widened at the grotesque, disproportionate face plastered on the green, almost emerald-glistening plant.


    "Fuck!" David caught Zachariah''s curse, but the sound was quickly drowned out by a sudden, high-pitched scream.


    David''s head rang, and his body felt like it might give out at any moment. His legs wobbled, and he was sure they''d buckle beneath him soon. The others didn''t seem to fare much better. Melach was already on the ground, blood trickling from his long, pointed ears. Even so, he clung to the emerald-glinting plant¡ªuntil Zachariah''s blade flashed.


    David barely noticed him move. The sword''s arc blurred, and the plant''s lower half landed on the ground with a thud. He was surprised he could hear the thud at all; it took him a moment to realize the high-pitched scream was gone. Only the relentless ringing in his head remained.


    "A fledgling Emerald Mandrake¡­ These things exist already?" Zachariah frowned deeply, sheathing his blade and picking up the mandrake''s lower half along with another object.


    "The increased drop rate combined with something like the Emerald Mandrake is truly¡­ unique," he muttered, leaving David to wonder about the plant''s significance.


    Zachariah turned to him, holding the mandrake in one hand and a Skill Slate in the other. Did the magical plant drop that? David took the mandrake from Zachariah and stored it, then approached him to cast [Healing Light], helping his body ease up again.


    "Did the plant just scream at us?" he asked, continuing to tend to Melach until the elf looked better¡ªand the bleeding from his ears stopped.


    The regressor nodded. "Mandrakes are like that when they''re overflowing with mana. I don''t know how they mutated, but they scream when you pluck them. Regardless of their terrifying scream¡ªwhich, by the way, could have killed us if I hadn''t split it in two¡ªmandrakes are highly potent potion ingredients.


    "Some of them, just like the Emerald Mandrake Melach found, are especially rare. They can be used for various extraordinary potions and unique serums, but most importantly, Emerald Mandrakes give birth to special items upon maturing. I don''t know how they do that, but these drops are usually great."


    Zachariah looked at the Skill Slate. "The mandrake wasn''t fully mature yet, but it still dropped something great. That''s probably the Blessing of the World''s doing."


    He turned to the dwarf. "Do you have an energy reservoir? You used an earthen Skill earlier, but it drained your Essence, didn''t it?"


    David noticed Torb hesitate for a moment, something that struck him as odd. Zachariah, however, didn''t seem to mind. He handed Torb the Skill Slate with a thin smile. "Try it and see if you can use it," he said. "I think the skill suits you well."


    David squinted at the Skill Slate, his curiosity piqued as he read the inscription: [Earthen Power (Protection)].


    "A part of a Skill Rune Set?" Torb asked, his voice filled with surprise.


    A set?


    "If I''m not wrong, Basic Elemental Power Sets are made of four Skill Runes," Zachariah commented. "I''m not sure about Earthen Power, but I''m confident it will transform into something incredible once you have all the pieces together."


    "Skill Runes can fuse?" David asked, earning a smug smile from the regressor.


    "Multiple methods exist to merge Skills, but this is the most basic," Zachariah explained. "Skill Sets. If you have all set pieces, the Skills will merge and form a stronger Rune of higher quality. The final Skill is usually also of a higher Tier."


    David''s mind raced as he processed the new information. Merging Skill Runes to create something of a higher Tier? That sounded immensely valuable.


    "It''s useful to collect Skill Sets, even if you''re uncertain whether you will find all the pieces," Zachariah added. "Skills in a set are usually interlinked and will augment one another."


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    He smiled briefly at David before turning away. "Either way, we need to hurry. Our little treasure''s scream seems to have attracted too much attention."


    Rustling and cracking sounds echoed from all directions, distant but rapidly approaching.


    David conjured the Obsidian Blade in his hand, channeling Blood through Deryadus'' Arm and altering its form. At the same time, he noticed the slate in Torb''s hand crumble to pieces. He felt a sudden shift in the soil beneath them and heard the dwarf groan. Was there an issue? Torb glanced up, met David''s gaze briefly, shook his head, and turned away without a word.


    David frowned at the odd exchange but said nothing. Instead, he spread his senses outward, feeling the life around him.


    The prehistoric valley teemed with life and energy, bombarding him with information. Magical plants pulsed with power all around, but he focused instead on the rapidly moving lifeforms.


    "We can''t avoid all of them," he muttered, reaching out to grasp Zachariah''s arm and stopping the regressor in his tracks. "Follow me."


    Ignoring the complaints that followed, David walked calmly through the forest, Words of Power rolling off his lips. His eyes widened as he focused, his head flicking left and right. It was easy to locate the approaching masses of life.


    Behind them, the chaotic sound of colliding creatures erupted as the masses converged where they had stood moments ago.


    "How did you¡ª" Zachariah began, but his words trailed off as David turned to face him.


    "Since when are your eyes crimson?" Zachariah asked, his voice laced with confusion.


    David blinked, his concentration slipping. "They are?" The pulsating life around him faded, his vision returning to normal.


    "They were crimson a moment ago," Zachariah said, narrowing his eyes. "Now they''re back to normal."


    Before David could respond, a tree ahead of them collapsed with a deafening crash. The ground shook as a massive, gray-skinned humanoid the size of a small building bulldozed through the thicket. Its body was covered in moss, but glimpses of its ''skin'' left David doubting whether his attacks would leave a mark.


    "That doesn''t look like a dinosaur," Melach snorted.


    From the corner of his eye, David saw the elf begin chanting a spell. Torb cursed, drawing his attention.


    "What is a Stone Giant doing here? Wasn''t this supposed to be a natural Rift of the Earthen Union''s prehistoric era?"


    David raised his hand and cast [Blessing] on everyone, a golden light enveloping the group. He considered using [Symphony Control] to push the Stone Giant toward Torb but stopped when he sensed the surge of mana radiating from Melach''s direction.


    He didn''t need to look to know what was happening. When a four-meter-tall Elemental made of hardened earth barreled past him, he was unsurprised.


    Prepared, David controlled his Source with precision, overclocking his Skills as he reinforced Melach''s Elemental with [Blessing] and [Symphony Control].


    The Elemental smashed into the Stone Giant with force, a black dove manifesting above its head. The Stone Giant looked unimpressed. It retaliated, kicking the Elemental hard and hurling it to the ground. The impact shook the earth beneath them.


    As the Stone Giant''s massive fist came crashing down toward the fallen Elemental, a crimson shield materialized above it. The shield absorbed the force of the blow but shattered into fragments of light once the attack lost momentum.


    David gasped, cursing the Stone Giant''s overwhelming strength. He raised his hand and hurled a dozen crimson projectiles at the creature. Each one struck with force, chipping away fragments of stone, but the Stone Giant didn''t seem to care.


    The behemoth turned its attention to Torb.


    The dwarf''s mace swung hard, smashing into the Stone Giant''s leg and sending small chunks of stone flying. The monster retaliated with a powerful swipe, but the attack was intercepted by another small crimson shield.


    The shield shattered under the impact, but before the blow could land, an earthen wall rose in its path, halting the Stone Giant''s strike completely.


    David couldn''t see Torb behind the wall but heard the clash of his attack. He also noticed the Stone Giant rising, its attention now locked on Torb. The Earthen Elemental didn''t remain idle, however. Rising to its full height, it grabbed the Stone Giant''s leg and yanked it away, forcing the monster to its knees.


    Blue flashes streaked through the air, striking the Stone Giant and detonating on impact. Chunks of the Stone Giant''s body were missing, but Zachariah was nowhere to be seen. David lost sight of the regressor just as he prepared to recast [Blessing]. Then he sensed a familiar power from above and looked up, spotting a massive silver blade¡ªlike a broadsword¡ªmanifest in midair.


    David cast [Blessing], though he excluded Zachariah, unable to locate him. Instead, he infused the sword blade, coating it in crimson energy just before it whipped downward.


    The blade moved so fast it was only a blur. A piercing screech echoed as the blade struck, but the sound vanished just as quickly as the Stone Giant collapsed. It didn''t writhe or groan; it simply fell and lay motionless.


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    David furrowed his brows as the notification flashed to life even before the Stone Giant hit the ground. Kill notifications usually appeared quickly, but never this instantly. It was unusual.


    The Stone Giant hadn''t resembled any living being David had encountered before. Instead of a network of vitality, it possessed a single, unmoving lump of life. Zachariah had cleaved it cleanly, as though he instinctively knew exactly where to strike, killing the monster instantly.


    "Did you receive the same notification?" Zachariah asked, stepping beside David. A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek, and tension marked his expression. "Are more Gates connected to the Rift?"


    "You mean there will be more Stone Giants?" Torb asked, emerging from behind the safety of the earthen wall.


    "Among other things," David answered, pointing toward a massive figure heading their way. It cleaved through a tree with what appeared to be a colossal axe, closing the distance with every step.


    "How can you tell?" Zachariah asked.


    The figure''s details were obscured by the towering trees, but David wasn''t relying on ordinary sight. What he perceived was different. He focused on the rampaging lump of life¡ªa massive humanoid unlike the Stone Giant. If all Stone Giants had a single, unmoving lump of life, this creature was something else entirely.


    "It looks angry. The Stone Giant was emotionless," David explained simply.


    David recast [Blessing] on everyone and surged toward the approaching enemy. He coated the Obsidian Blade in [Holy Touch] and activated [Slash] before the creature came fully into view.


    As he closed in, his gaze caught on the enormous blue double-headed axe, larger than he was, and a shudder rippled through him as he imagined it cleaving through him¡ªor worse, his friends.


    Next, he noted the monster''s red skin, bulging muscles, bloodshot eyes, and the overwhelming killing intent it radiated.


    "A Berserk Giant," Zachariah shouted from behind. "It grows stronger the longer the fight lasts. We have to kill it as quickly as possible!"


    The Earthen Elemental surged past David, meeting the Berserk Giant head-on. The Giant barely acknowledged its presence.


    The double-headed war axe plunged down, cleaving the Elemental cleanly in two with a single blow.

 Chapter 85 - B2 11 - Berserk Giant

    David saw the Earthen Elemental collapse, its body split in two as it hit the ground. Still, something told him Melach wouldn''t give up the elemental so easily. The hardened soil underneath the two halves stirred and began to pour together. Before David turned his focus back to the Berserk Giant, he caught a glimpse of the Earthen Elemental rising again.


    David reached the Berserk Giant and slashed at it. His blade pierced the monster''s hide, but the giant flexed its mountainous muscles, locking the weapon in place.


    The Berserk Giant roared and lashed out with a powerful kick. David barely managed to conjure two crimson shields, but they shattered instantly before the blow sent him flying. The world spun as the force hurled him through the air. Mid-flight, David cast [Restore], mending his broken ribs before he crashed to the ground.


    Two broken ribs, he guessed as he rolled back to his feet. He saw Torb and the Earthen Elemental engaged in a desperate fight with the Berserk Giant. The Elemental''s arm had been severed, and Torb was flung into a nearby tree with tremendous force. The dwarf''s groan, followed by the ominous creaking of the tree, made David wince, but he could only cast [Healing Light] on him.


    He conjured [Blood Bullet] several times and attached [Blood Patch] to each, marking Melach and Torb to cast [Restore] when needed. Yet David doubted his healing would be enough to change the tide of this battle. Not when there was a massive humanoid with a double-headed axe cleaving everything in two.


    Melach looked utterly spent¡ªhis golden hair plastered to his sweat-soaked face, and his bloodshot eyes fixed unwaveringly on the Earthen Elemental. The elf''s body trembled, barely able to stand, as though he was teetering on the verge of collapse.


    Meanwhile, Zachariah stood motionless, the flat of his blade pressed against his forehead as though deep in concentration. David caught the faint parting of Zachariah''s lips but was too far away to hear what the regressor was saying.


    The Berserk Giant roared again, driving its massive fist into the Earthen Elemental. David winced at the crunch of rock colliding with flesh but saw the Elemental retaliate with a heavy blow of its own.


    David overclocked [Blessing], accelerating his movements. He closed the distance, summoning the Obsidian Blade from his mind space. With precision, he overclocked [Slash], draining his stamina, and did the same with [Holy Touch]. Activating [Symphony Control], he materialized a white dove that hovered before him, illuminating his path.


    Another deafening crash reached his ears as the Berserk Giant pummeled the Earthen Elemental once more, likely bringing it down. But David was already at the giant''s side, all hesitation cast aside. Leaping up, he executed a quick slash that cut deep into the monster. His soulbound weapon vanished briefly before reappearing in his hand, this time pointing downward. Gritting his teeth, he rammed the blade into the fresh wound.


    The blade dug deeper than before, but David wasn''t satisfied. With a sharp strike to the hilt using his palm, he forced the weapon further into the Berserk Giant''s flesh. He could feel the giant''s rage bearing down on him but ignored it, twisting his body to deliver a kick to the embedded blade, worsening the injury.


    Then he saw it¡ªa massive double-headed axe swinging toward him. His head snapped to the side, and his heart raced as his body churned to react. Three [Blood Aegis] shields manifested before him, but he was about to overclock a fourth when a streak of silver light caught his eye.


    David''s breath hitched as he saw Zachariah¡ªa shimmering, star-like radiance crackling across his body, tearing through his skin¡ªdarting past the Berserk Giant''s weapon arm in a blur of speed. Blood erupted in a sudden spray, and the giant''s massive axe tumbled to the ground. David''s gaze fell to the giant''s wrist¡ªor rather, where it had been¡ªas blood poured out in thick, unrelenting streams.


    Kicking off the giant''s side, David leaped out of range, Words of Power spilling from his lips. He conjured several [Blood Bullets], overclocking the Skill Rune and weaving the power of the Law of Blood into the projectiles. With deadly precision, he released them in quick succession. A pained roar echoed as the projectiles streaked toward the Berserk Giant.


    The blood bullets sped in a straight line, but as they neared the embedded Obsidian Blade, they abruptly curved, steering toward its hilt. One by one, they struck the blade''s base, driving it deeper and deeper into the wound.


    David gasped for air, beads of sweat rolling down his face, but a triumphant smile formed on his lips. Controlling blood bullets using the Law of Blood was challenging, but it worked. And to him, that was all that mattered.


    His attention flicked back to the others, his heart pounding wildly. The Earthen Elemental headbutted the Berserk Giant, its armless form still fighting fiercely. David caught glimpses of Zachariah darting around like a silver bolt of lightning, his movements too fast to track.


    The Berserk Giant was about to crush the Earthen Elemental''s head when it froze for a quarter of a second. David noticed Torb crashing into the monster''s leg with his shield, likely using [Charge] or [Stun] to slow the Berserk Giant.


    He finally turned to Melach, who had collapsed to the ground. While the elf seemed unconscious, David thought he saw a fleeting glint of defiance in his eyes. The elf stared intently at the Earthen Elemental until it was torn to shreds. Only then did he seem to lose consciousness.


    David arrived beside the elf and cast [Healing Light] on him. He patted Melach''s back and praised his effort but winced and focused back on the battle when Torb was nearly squashed again. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Berserk Giant moved faster and struck harder than before. Torb raised an earthen wall and covered himself in an earthen hue, but it was no use. The giant smashed through the wall and sent the dwarf sprawling.


    Not even Torb''s armor, made from [Natural Armaments], survived the humanoid''s punches. Only Zachariah didn''t appear to be struggling. The skin all over his body was torn, leaking silver energy, but the Berserk Giant had yet to hit him. His attacks, on the contrary, struck deep.


    Zachariah''s Sword Intent caused considerable damage, but it wasn''t enough for David. Using Words of Power, he called upon the Law of Blood, tearing the fresh cuts wide open.


    At the same time, he released the overclocked power of [Holy Touch] that had been hibernating in the Obsidian Blade. The Berserk Giant''s left leg caved in, and a deafening roar resounded. A silver flash shot toward the Berserk Giant''s head, yet the humanoid didn''t seem afraid. Its glimmering eyes appeared to track the silver flash. David caught the Berserk Giant''s arm twitch, but several large crimson shields formed between them before it could whip Zachariah out of the air.


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    A thick, vibrant crimson shimmer mantled Zachariah as David added [Blessing] once more before losing track of the regressor''s movements again. The silver flash shot through the Berserk Giant, burning a gaping hole in its neck.


    The humanoid let out a strangled growl and collapsed. It twitched a few times as blood pooled beneath it before going still. David remained tense until the flood of notifications arrived.


    [You have contributed greatly to the defeat of Berserk Giant (Bronze IX) of the Tribe of Stryxth.]


    [Your Rank increased by one.]


    [Bronze V] ¡ú [Bronze VI]


    [Three Attribute Points have been added.]


    [Your Source has grown. +1 Blood.]


    ¡­


    David felt a surge of satisfaction at the notifications. Ranking up and expanding his Source was exactly what he needed. The Attribute Points would help, though he still wasn''t sure if he should adjust their distribution again. He''d have to think about it carefully.


    He considered checking the remaining notifications to make a decision, but Zachariah returned to them and collapsed before him. David had to change his plans.


    "You used the Sword Law, or something like it, didn''t you?" David asked, turning Zachariah onto his back.


    "Berserk Giants¡­are quite strong," he muttered, coughing up blood. "I had to kill it. Plus¡­I have a personal Healer."


    David cocked an eyebrow but continued. He cast [Weave of Life], creating a vibrant network beneath Zachariah. He pulled Melach''s unconscious body into its radius as well.


    "Don''t forget about me," Torb''s voice rang in his ears. David looked up to see the dwarf dragging himself toward the vibrant network etched into the ground. His earthen armor was dented, and his movements sluggish.


    David cast [Restore] on all of them and released [Healing Light] into the area. He also channeled [Holy Touch] through them, accelerating their recovery.


    "We need to move soon," Zachariah muttered. "The commotion¡­"


    David shrugged and channeled a portion of his remaining Blood into his eyes. Scanning the surroundings, he saw no monsters or humanoids approaching. Some creatures fought near the spot where they''d harvested the Emerald Mandrake, though.


    "There''s no need to worry. We''re not being hunted right now. Once Torb is ready to move, we''ll carry you guys somewhere else," David said, approaching the Berserk Giant''s body while maintaining his spells on the others. His Source was draining quickly, but he wasn''t struggling to sustain his spells.


    "Is it possible my spells are getting stronger or more cost-efficient as I increase my Soul stats?" David asked. He was fairly sure that the Holy Sea''s spells grew stronger and more cost-efficient as he strengthened his Soul. However, the benefits had been negligible compared to the Holy Sea''s expansion. To David, it had been more important to expand the Holy Sea''s size.


    That was different now. His Source would expand and gain more Blood drops, even without enhancing the Soul stat.


    "A Skill Rune''s power limit is determined by its rank. The energy you use to activate it can increase the limit by a certain percentage. Blood, since it''s made from Essence, can do such a thing," Zachariah explained, pausing to cough up blood. "When you use Blood to power a Skill, it''s more effective than using holy power or mana, but¡­"


    The regressor trailed off, prompting David to cast an overclocked [Restore] on him.


    "If Blood were twice as potent as holy power, you''d only need half the energy to achieve the same result. But, of course, Blood is not twice as potent."


    Was that why he could use less Blood to activate the Skill Rune''s ''predetermined'' power limit¡ªthe limit it ought to have at a specific rank?


    Then again¡­ what if Blood grew stronger and became twice as potent as holy power? Was that possible? David wondered while retrieving dozens of Velociraptor corpses to store the Berserk Giant''s corpse and the massive war axe. He uttered a few Words of Power and drained the dead bodies'' Essence before turning back to Zachariah.


    Upgrading my Soul seemed to increase Blood''s potency and efficiency more than it had ever improved holy power. David was certain this meant something.


    He felt too weak fighting the giants. His blade cut deep, but a sharp weapon was not enough. However, a sharp weapon combined with powerful offensive Skills and a decent physique might be.


    David could focus on his Soul stat and acquire more Skills like [Blood Bullet] and [Slash]. By continuing to increase his Soul stat, further augmenting Blood''s potency, it should be possible to replace a lack of physical strength.


    Not that I''d let my physique suffer, David groaned at the thought. But¡­ it just can''t be my priority right now.


    It felt like the right thing to do.


    "Did you collect the item drops?" Zachariah asked, his arms quivering as he struggled to sit upright.


    David shook his head. "Lay back down. You look completely drained."


    He approached the Stone Giant''s body and found a small marble. He glanced at its body and frowned deeply. The lump of life, which Zachariah had split in half, looked odd through his Blood-augmented eyes.


    "Is that a core containing lifeforce?" David retrieved a pickaxe from the storage necklace¡ªone of the many tools Torb had purchased ''just in case''¡ªand got to work. He used the massive gap inflicted by Zachariah and expanded it until he could see a red orb. Two halves of a red orb, to be precise.


    David freed and collected them. "Do you think they''re worth something?"


    Torb, looking better than before, approached him and nodded in interest. "Stone Giants have Bloodstones. It''s their source of life. They''re very valuable."


    David noticed Torb''s eyes light up, but the dwarf quickly shook his head and slapped his cheeks to snap himself out of it. "But¡­ selling it might be a mistake. Maybe you can give it to the Artificer. She might be able to use it to create your Blood storage. Even if she''s already done, you could ask for a big discount by giving her the Bloodstone."


    That sounded like a good plan.


    "But did you see this?" Torb''s eyes started glimmering again as he held up a black shirt that looked like it belonged in the Middle Ages or Renaissance.


    "O¡­okay? Is that what dropped from the Berserk Giant?" David asked. "Cool¡­"


    "You don''t know what this is, do you?!" Torb exclaimed, exasperated.


    "Should I?"


    Torb snorted, smiling brightly as he dragged David back to the others. "Look what I found!"


    Zachariah strained his arms to push himself upright and cocked an eyebrow, glancing at the shirt.


    "Cool," he muttered with a faint smirk before laying back down.

 Chapter 86 - B2 12 - Platineersilk

    While it looked like no monsters were heading in their direction, David wasn''t foolish enough to believe the peace would last.


    "Can you walk, or do I need to carry you?" he asked Zachariah, ignoring Torb, who still hadn''t stopped waving the shirt around like it was some kind of national treasure.


    Zachariah opened his eyes and pushed himself upright. He groaned but managed to get to his feet after a moment. Though he swayed and his legs trembled, he didn''t collapse. "I''ll be fine," he said, but David doubted it as he watched him struggle to steady himself.


    He shrugged and turned to Torb. "Can you carry Melach? I need to focus on the surroundings."


    Torb glanced at the black shirt, which looked like something summoned straight out of the Renaissance, and pouted. To David, the sight was almost ridiculous, but he wasn''t in the mood to laugh.


    "I''ll take that as a yes," he said dryly.


    He channeled more Blood into his eyes and drained the remaining Essence from the Velociraptor corpses before walking off in the direction with the fewest monsters. A cacophony of battle noises echoed from the left, tempting him to join the fray and unleash himself against the ferocious predators. But he forced himself to stay focused¡ªthere were lives depending on him.


    Did I change that much? David ridiculed himself inwardly. In the first few days of the integration, he had been reckless and cruel¡ªmaybe even selfish. It didn''t matter¡ªhe hadn''t cared then. But now that he was closer to the others, he didn''t want to see them dead, let alone be the reason they died.


    Fighting the Stone Giant and the Berserk Giant was good enough to get started with, David thought, avoiding the larger clusters of life that appeared in his field of vision as he infused more Blood into his eyes.


    Zachariah and Torb, carrying Melach, followed him silently. He could feel their gazes lingering on his face whenever he glanced back but cared too little to ask what they were thinking.


    They soon came to a small area filled with dense growth surrounding a large rock. David couldn''t sense anything unusual from the rock or the entrance to the small cavern he spotted nearby. Still, he entered cautiously, staying alert.


    The cavern''s entrance was narrow, too small for the giant humanoids they''d encountered, let alone a creature the size of the Brachiosaur.


    "This''ll do," he muttered, scanning the surroundings. He noticed a narrow tunnel branching off inside the cavern, though it was barely tall enough to fit someone his size. Regardless, David turned to Torb. "Can you do something about the tunnel and the entrance?"


    Torb nodded slowly, carefully laying Melach on the ground. A thick, earthy hue coated his hands as he used his new power to release a wave of earth, sealing the narrow tunnel and shrinking the cavern entrance to the size of a tall human.


    "Satisfied?" the dwarf asked, his expression suggesting he had more to say.


    "Yes," David said with a nod, suppressing a groan. "So¡­what''s so special about this shirt?"


    Torb''s face lit up. "You don''t understand, do you? This shirt isn''t just any shirt. Sure, it looks great, but that''s barely a perk. It''s a magical armament!"


    David had already assumed as much. It had to be something special to excite Torb like this. He focused on the shirt, channeling a sliver of his awareness toward it, and sensed faint traces of energy¡ªbut that was about it.


    "It''s a shirt made from Mountain Spider silk! But not just any Mountain Spider¡ªif I''m not wrong, it''s from a Platineer Spider!" Torb exclaimed, pausing to give everyone a moment to digest the information.


    "So what?" David asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "You¡­" Torb grumbled, clearly frustrated. "Hold it!"


    David raised an eyebrow but obeyed, taking the shirt from the dwarf.


    The cavern''s hard stone floor shifted as the earth Torb controlled roared to life. Earthen spikes shot up toward the clothing, but instead of piercing through, the shirt hardened, blocking the incoming attacks.


    "See?" Torb shouted. "It hardens to protect its wielder! But that''s not all. This shirt can probably be bound to a user, like any clothing made from Mountain Spider silk. If that''s true, it can also repair itself magically using ambient Aether and excess energy stored in the user''s mind space."


    Now that sounded interesting. David wouldn''t normally have chosen to wear something like this, but the idea of gaining extra protection resonated with him¡ªespecially knowing the shirt could self-repair after taking damage.


    "That''s better than I expected. But how do you know all this?" David asked, glancing at Torb.


    The dwarf smiled wryly and scratched the back of his head. "My family worked with Mountain Spiders and their silk for generations¡­until, well, until everything changed."


    David caught the wistfulness in his tone and guessed there was more to the story¡ªsomething painful, perhaps¡ªbut he decided not to press.


    "I¡­don''t want it," Zachariah''s weak voice rang out from behind.


    Torb scoffed and muttered something in a language David didn''t understand. Judging by the sharpness of his tone, it wasn''t anything pleasant. David turned to see the regressor wave his hand dismissively, though his tight-lipped grimace and hollow gaze didn''t sit right. Something about it felt wrong.


    Meanwhile, Melach was still unconscious, but David doubted the elf would want the shirt either. Melach might have been interested in magical armaments, but he didn''t consider entering melee. The item would be wasted on him.


    Should he take it? S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "We can sell it for a fortune if you don''t want it," Torb said, licking his lips and smiling happily.


    "Can I unbind it, or is it like the Obsidian Blade?" David asked, eyeing the shirt.


    "It''ll cost you a bit to hire someone to sever the connection, but yes, you can unbind it. And as long as it''s intact, we can always sell it for a fortune later."


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    Torb''s smile dimmed, but he didn''t seem upset. If anything, the dwarf looked proud that the shirt was finally being valued.


    "Do I have to bind it to test everything? It responded earlier."


    "It will harden when danger approaches even when unbound. To keep it soft and comfortable when you want, you''ll need to bind it to share your intentions. Additionally, it must be bound to enable self-repair," Torb explained.


    "Can I bind it and give it to Melach to wear?"


    "That¡­" The dwarf tilted his head. "That should work. I don''t see a reason it shouldn''t."


    David found the explanation more intriguing than he had anticipated. While he still had other questions, the most important ones were already answered.


    "I''ll take it if that''s fine with everyone. How do I bind it?"


    He could give it to Melach if the elf wanted it, but David doubted that.


    Torb''s smile widened. "Give it some of your blood and energy."


    "Blood. Got it."


    Binding the Platineersilk Shirt didn''t take long¡ªit was a straightforward process. David pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the fabric, before closing his eyes and circulating energy through it. Following that, a crimson tether materialized in his mind space. It was thin and connected to the Source, similar to the Obsidian Blade. A moment later, the black shirt that resembled the Renaissance era appeared in his mind space. Its sleek lines seemed more pronounced, and the fabric shimmered faintly in a way it hadn''t before.


    Why does it look better all of a sudden? David wondered. He opened his eyes and took off his old shirt. A moment later, he summoned the Platineersilk Shirt, raising an eyebrow.


    The shirt was slightly tight, accentuating the muscles beneath. It was surprising, but so was the comfort he felt. The shirt didn''t feel taut or restrictive in any spot. If anything, it was like a second skin.


    He willed the Obsidian Blade to appear in his hand and stabbed himself, but his new shirt hardened, blocking the blade.


    Firm enough to block the blade. Maybe not enough if I used my full strength, but sufficient to stop most basic attacks, David concluded. He tried to will the shirt to stay loose as he stabbed it again, clicking his tongue when it hardened once more as the tip of the Obsidian Blade pierced it. Controlling the armor wasn''t going to be easy.


    "That might take a while," he muttered. His new ''armor'' was better than nothing, but to use [Equivalent Exchange] properly, David would have to learn how to control the Platineersilk Shirt at will.


    He tested his new shirt a little, cutting it several times in the process, and stored it in his mind space. The self-repair process didn''t activate immediately, but David felt it draw on the energy stored within the Source. However, contrary to Torb''s words, the magical armament didn''t absorb his Aether. Instead, it devoured traces of Blood and began repairing itself.


    David decided to test a few more things later, but he first discarded the flashing interfaces in the corner of his eyes. He checked the updated status interface second.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Primary Class ¨C Lifeweaver


    Secondary Class - [None]


    Rank ¨C Bronze VI


    Body ¨CLowest(-)(Intermediate)


    Mind ¨C Lowest(-)(Intermediate)


    Soul ¨C Low(+)(Intermediate) ¨C 8 Droplets


    [Laws]


    [Law of Blood] ¨C [Middle(Minor)]


    [Class Skills]


    [Weave of Life] ¨C [Tier-2 III]


    [Equivalent Exchange] ¨C [Tier-2 II]


    [Blood Patch] ¨C [Tier-1 VI]


    [Skill Runes]


    [Restore] ¨C [Tier-1 XI]


    [Purify] ¨C [Tier-1 III]


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 XV]


    [Blessing] ¨C [Tier-1 VI]


    [Blood Aegis] ¨C [Tier-1 VII]


    [Symphony Control] ¨C [Tier-1 III]


    [Blood Bullet] ¨C [Tier-0 VII]


    [Slash] ¨C [Tier-0 V]


    [Eagle Eyes] ¨C [Tier-0 IV]


    [Healing Light] ¨C [Tier-0 VIII]


    Attribute Points ¨C 3


    His Skills improved fast. Their growth was satisfying to look at, but David couldn''t help but worry that the remaining five days and a bit wouldn''t be enough for the events that awaited him and the others.


    I should push several Skills to Tier 2, reach the Silver Rank, and push my stats to the limits of Intermediate or reach Advanced¡­ David told himself, ruffling his hair.


    "David!"


    A sudden shout jolted David out of his thoughts. "David!" Zachariah called again, drawing his attention.


    "I need some things from your storage," the regressor demanded. "Get me the cauldron, a ten-liter flask of water, the toolset, a firestone, some lupistaer charcoal, the Silurai Flower we harvested earlier, miloar grain, and one of the Fragments of Power."


    David blinked, momentarily silent. What was Zachariah''s plan?


    "We don''t have all day. I still need to concoct two potions," Zachariah glanced at Melach, tilting his head. "...make that three¡­before we can get out of here."


    What was going on with Melach? The elf was physically fine. All wounds had been tended to, and David had even gone as far as using [Holy Touch] to stimulate Melach''s Energy Pathways. Why was he still unconscious?


    Did I overdo it and fry his brain? He shuddered at the thought while retrieving the goods Zachariah needed ¨C after asking repetitively what certain ingredients looked like.


    He watched the regressor jump into action, conjuring two blades made of Sword Intent. One was larger and hovered before him, its flat side facing the sky. It resembled a cutting board, while the smaller Sword Intent blade carried several flower stalks over and started cutting. The blades worked swiftly, just as Zachariah did when he placed the cauldron before him.


    He added water to the cauldron and started a fire.


    David''s eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat as he watched Zachariah and his blades work together seamlessly. Several ingredients were cut, squashed, or processed differently before being put into the cauldron. It looked random at first glance, but everything was meticulously planned¡ªdown to the finest detail.


    He swallowed hard as realization struck and stared at Zachariah.


    "Wait¡ªsince when are you an Alchemist?!"

 Chapter 87 - B2 13 - Secondary Class

    David couldn''t believe it. Watching Zachariah concoct a potion was like watching a cook with decades of experience prepare his signature dish. The whole process was seamless, making David believe the regressor had been concocting potions for decades. How else could someone work so smoothly with their hands and a pair of Sword Intent blades that never stopped moving?


    The blades did all the cutting, and Zachariah''s fluid, constant movements amazed David. It was as if every motion had been meticulously planned and rehearsed a thousand times.


    Anyone could theoretically concoct potions without being an Alchemist, but with Zachariah''s level of experience, it''d be a waste if he weren''t one. Maybe that was his Secondary Class?


    David reminded himself that Classes rank up by doing tasks that align with their profession. He also knew that performing more difficult tasks granted more experience. For most Classes, that meant the awakened would have to fight more dangerous foes to gain a lot of experience, but David was almost 100% certain that concocting complex potions worked the same for an Alchemist.


    Didn''t that mean Zachariah could use his knowledge as a regressor to reach the Silver Rank, maybe even Gold Rank, leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience in alchemy?


    Though it hadn''t been easy, the scene unfolding before David reaffirmed Zachariah''s identity as a regressor. Zachariah was human ¨C benefiting from the Blessing of the World ¨C yet he was more knowledgeable than Melach and Torb, who''d been raised in a world integrated centuries before the Earthen Union.


    Reaching into the storage device, David retrieved the glass vials and yellow paper stripes Zachariah had asked for. He handed them over and observed as Zachariah filled the vials with the viscous liquid from the cauldron. Using corks to seal the vials, Zachariah glued the yellow paper stripes onto them, fully securing the containers ¨C except for one.


    "Can you give this to Melach, please?" Zachariah asked. David complied, taking the vial and walking over to the elf. Though Melach was still unconscious, he swallowed the viscous liquid as David poured it into his mouth.


    Once done, David gently put Melach back on the ground.


    "What''s going on with Melach?" he asked. Turning around, he saw Zachariah back at work, cleaning the cauldron and his tools without paying any attention to his surroundings.


    "I see. This might take a while¡­" David muttered to himself.


    ***


    David experimented with [Blood Bullet], [Slash], and [Healing Light] while waiting. He had no idea how long Zachariah would take, but he wouldn''t waste time idling. Channeling Blood into his eyes helped him monitor his surroundings, even though the massive cavern walls diminished his ability to detect lifeforms.


    Regardless, David liked the sensation of Blood in his eyes. It felt as though he could see more of the world that way. It didn''t drain much Blood, and he was certain it aided [Eagle Eyes]'' progress. Progress was all that mattered.


    His experiments didn''t result in extraordinary achievements, but they pushed him to greater heights. Alongside the Blessing of the World, his efforts helped him improve quickly.


    "That felt good," Zachariah groaned, seated beside him.


    "Done?" David asked, returning the Obsidian Blade to its place in the Berserk Giant''s carcass.


    "For the time being, yes. I should concoct more potions," Zachariah sighed, though a foolish-looking smile blossomed on his lips. "I forgot how good it felt to level up several times."


    That confirmed David''s suspicion. "So, you really are an Alchemist. That''s your Secondary Class."


    "Are you surprised?" Zachariah chuckled as David nodded. "It''s a perfect Class. Alchemist may only increase Mind by one at the Bronze Rank, but that''s exactly what I need. You probably figured this out, but my Primary Class focuses on Body, while also increasing the Soul stat a little ¨C neglecting Mind. But Laws and their subsidiary Intents require decent Mind stats to be used to their fullest, just like high-ranked Skills."


    "Thus, Alchemist helps me balance my stats, especially once it reaches the Secondary and Tertiary Advancement," Zachariah explained. "But reaching that level will take a while. Until then, I can concoct improved potions. And I do know a bunch about various concoctions ¨C including poison, acid, sedatives, and so forth. Potions to improve your physique and fix what''s broken exist as well."


    Zachariah''s expression turned somber as he glanced at Melach with a wry smile. "Just like his cracked Mana Core," he murmured.


    Huh? Melach''s Mana Core was damaged? David recalled what happened when his Holy Sea was damaged and grimaced. So that was why the elf was still out of it.


    David''s attention shifted as he noticed the life in Melach stir. The elf was awake.


    Melach gasped and jerked upright, clutching his chest. His expression was a mix of relief and panic as he exclaimed, "My Core!"


    Zachariah laughed. "Don''t worry. Your Core is already healing."


    The elf looked over to them, his eyes wide. "How? I received a notification saying¡­" Melach trailed off, staring at Zachariah with his mouth agape.


    "You should pay more attention to your Mind stat," the regressor lectured. "If you push yourself too far without the necessary capabilities, you''ll end up like this again."


    David smiled as Melach waved his hand dismissively, a grim look on his face. "I know¡­ But encountering Giants was¡­ beyond my expectations."


    Was Melach afraid of Giants? He hadn''t seemed afraid of them before, but the tension in his shoulders now made David second-guess his earlier impression.


    "I don''t think anyone expected Giants in this Rift," Zachariah shrugged, his gaze moving through the small cavern. "Is everyone fine if we proceed? I won''t judge anyone if you want to back out. Claiming the Rift Core will be a bit more complicated if an active Gate leads to different Giant tribes."


    "Wait, what? You''re giving up?" Torb''s startled voice broke the silence.


    "He never said that," David said sternly, turning to Zachariah. "I''m fine. Our growth in this place is quite fast, and we''re still alive."


    "For now," Melach remarked snarkily as he got up from the ground.


    Obviously, David thought but added aloud, "What doesn''t kill us makes us stronger."


    The elf cocked an eyebrow at him and sighed. "Whatever."


    Melach pulled a glass vial with blue liquid from his potion belt and removed the cork. He emptied the vial but choked on the liquid when Zachariah suddenly appeared beside him.


    David chose not to eavesdrop on their conversation. Instead, his attention drifted to the [Secondary Class] part of his status screen.


    Secondary Class - [None]


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    David concentrated on the [None] tag, prompting it to display his options. His pulse quickened as the status screen shifted on command, transforming into a list of items. What kind of Secondary Class would fit him best?


    [Herbalist ¨C (Common) ¨C 55%]


    [Sword Warrior ¨C (Common) ¨C 68%]


    [Priest ¨C (Common) ¨C 71%]


    [Monk ¨C (Common) ¨C 97%]


    [Druid ¨C (Common) ¨C 89%]


    ¡­


    [Berserker ¨C (Uncommon) ¨C 81%]


    [Artificer ¨C (Uncommon) ¨C 50%]


    [Soul Squire ¨C (Uncommon) ¨C 56%]


    ¡­


    [Astrologia ¨C (Rare) ¨C 61%] S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Blood Mage ¨C (Rare) ¨C 59%]


    [Cycle Summoner ¨C (Rare) ¨C 67%]


    [Reaper ¨C (Rare+) ¨C 51%]


    ¡­


    The list went on and on, but David was too overwhelmed to inspect every option. He didn''t even dare check the descriptions and gains for all the Classes, knowing he wouldn''t be able to decide. It might have been easy to pick Lifeweaver as his Primary Class Advancement, but that had been out of necessity¡ªto some degree. Lifeweaver was the highest-rated Class that replaced his broken Holy Sea with another energy reservoir. In addition, it used the Essences of both Asmodeus and Bereth. Picking Lifeweaver had been a great choice.


    However, the Secondary Class¡­ David was unsure.


    "The percentages behind the Secondary Classes indicate their compatibility with the Primary Class, right?" he asked aloud.


    When nobody answered for a few seconds, David looked up to see everyone staring at him.


    "What?" He tilted his head, feeling uncomfortable as his companions'' expressions shifted to¡­ was that anger?


    "You didn''t pick your Secondary Class yet?" Melach asked. "I¡­ was certain you''d do that right after the Demon Horde was defeated¡ªor the day after that at the latest¡­"


    "Why would I do that? Zachariah said it''s necessary to attain great achievements to unlock more Classes that align with your Primary Class. That''s what I''ve been doing¡ªgrowing the list of Classes I can pick."


    Had he done something wrong? David glanced between Melach and Torb. "You both picked your Secondary Classes already?"


    Torb snorted. "I''m already about to reach the Bronze Rank with my Secondary Class. Soul Squire will probably receive its first promotion once we''re done here."


    Soul Squire? Was that the Class Torb had chosen?


    "I also have the Soul Squire Class as an option," David said, his curiosity growing.


    "Tower of Teron strengthens my body, focusing on durability and endurance. That''s how I survived the Brachiosaur''s attack. Soul Squire''s focus is the Soul at the Iron Rank. As long as it evolves as intended, I''ll be much stronger, with a powerful Soul and even stronger Body, allowing me to use my Skills more often, faster, and with greater potency," Torb explained in detail.


    It was the first time David had heard about the dwarf''s Primary and Secondary Classes. He''d been told not to ask someone about their Classes, so he never did. But now it felt like remaining silent had been foolish. He cursed himself for not asking more questions and turned to Melach.


    "My Primary Class improves the Mind and the Soul, which is why I picked my Secondary Class to improve Body and Soul after the first advancement," the elf said, frowning at him.


    Locking eyes with Melach made David feel like he was being lectured for his ignorance. Maybe he was foolish, but all problems could be solved by picking a suitable Secondary Class.


    Torb ignored his Mind stat and only slightly improved his Soul stat. His priority was his Body, and that¡­ made sense, he thought. Meanwhile, David guessed Melach disliked his natural low strength as a Mage and had chosen a Class that strengthened his Soul to enhance his magical Skills while balancing his stats by improving his Body.


    Zachariah was similar to both of them. However, the regressor did not neglect anything.


    "Alchemist is a Common or Uncommon Class, right?" he asked Zachariah, who nodded.


    "Why didn''t you pick a Rare Class? They should provide greater Attribute increments and Class Skills, or they wouldn''t be higher-ranked, right?"


    David considered it best to pick a Class that granted several useful Class Skills and additional Attribute Points. Rare Classes should fulfill that expectation.


    "Alchemist suits my goals best. It might not perfectly align with my Primary Class, but it grants me everything I need as a Common Class," Zachariah explained calmly. "Furthermore, Alchemist met the requirements to evolve into Prodigious Alchemist, a Unique Class unlocked under specific conditions. The specifics aren''t important. What matters is that it gives me two Attribute Points and upgrades Mind by one for every level. Plus, it grants a few useful Class Skills, which isn''t important for you."


    David mulled over Zachariah''s words and double-checked the list of Classes again. Monk, Druid, and Berserker¡ªthe three Classes with the best alignment to Lifeweaver.


    "You want me to pick a Common or Uncommon Class?" he asked, unease flickering in his voice.


    "I don''t mind what you pick. I don''t even want to know what options you have. Maybe one of your Rare Classes is incredibly useful for one of my future plans. However, I do not wish to interfere too much with your choice. This is your Class to take, your decision to make. You will have to live with it," Zachariah cleared his throat. "But I want to give you one final piece of advice. It might influence your decision, but I think it''s important for you to remember¡ªif you don''t know it already."


    "Rare Classes are difficult to advance. You''ll be stuck with them if you can''t meet their hidden requirements to evolve. That means you''ll never receive additional Attribute Points beyond what your Secondary Class initially offers, nor will you gain any additional Skills for advancing the Class. Choosing a Common or Uncommon Class, which are considerably easier to evolve, might¡ªunder certain circumstances¡ªbe the better choice."


    Better under certain circumstances. Those words stuck with David.


    "How important is alignment again? If I have an option that gives me close to 90% or even more than 95%, should I¡ª"


    He couldn''t even finish the question before Zachariah intercepted.


    "Pick it!" the regressor declared without hesitation. "Forget what I said before. If you have a Class that aligns with Lifeweaver near perfectly, you pick it!"


    A great synergy between Primary and Secondary Classes seemed to mean a lot. David thought about this while glancing at Zachariah, whose sudden change of mind surprised him.


    David had always assumed Zachariah wanted him to focus more on healing. He was sure the regressor would push him to pick a more suitable healing-type Secondary Class.


    David could understand that sentiment to a certain degree after reflecting on recent events. When Zachariah first complained about his combat style and teamwork, David was reminded of the Fang Den, where almost everyone died.


    Could he have saved the other Protectors back then? David doubted it, even if he''d wanted to. The Mini Bosses and the Alpha Fang had been too strong. His shields would have shattered, and his healing would have been too weak and too slow to resurrect the dead.


    Later¡­ maybe he could have protected more people. If he had focused on healing more Protectors during the fight against the Darkai, perhaps more could have survived¡ªif there had been someone else to defeat the Herculean Darkai and the Behemoth Darkai.


    But David was certain something like that wouldn''t have been possible without multiple First Class Advancements mid-combat or Zachariah''s early return from his Mistwalker hunt. Furthermore, he couldn''t even be sure that Lifeweaver would have been a viable option to pick if not for his actions during the massacre against the Demon Horde. Would Bereth and Asmodeus have even taken an interest in him if not for the Horde fight?


    The answers to those questions were simple: David had no idea.


    And it didn''t matter either. He couldn''t change the past, nor did he want to.


    The past had shaped David into the person he was today, and he was content with that. He was satisfied with himself.


    Therefore, he made a choice, hoping he wouldn''t regret it.


    You better be right, Zachariah!


    A new notification appeared in his vision as he made his choice, and he swallowed nervously.


    [Your Secondary Class has been selected.]

 Chapter 88 - B2 14 - Legacy

    David swallowed as myriad system notifications flashed to life before him, momentarily obscuring his vision.


    [Monk(Common) has been chosen.]


    [High compatibility between Primary and Secondary Class has been detected.


    Additional benefits will be granted.]


    [Your Secondary Class'' Rank increased.]


    Iron I ¡ú Iron V


    [Body increased by four]


    Lowest(-)(Intermediate) ¡ú Low(Intermediate)


    Power surged through his body in rapid bursts, and he couldn''t help but grin at the sensation. Even though he''d chosen Monk as his Secondary Class solely based on the compatibility percentage, David felt a thrill of satisfaction knowing it reinforced Body instead of one of the other stats. He steadied himself, enduring the surging power as his gaze darted back to the notifications, his excitement growing.


    [Class Skills [Meditation] and [Reinforce] have been fused to your Source. Prepare for the Influx of Information!]


    Tidal waves of knowledge flooded his mind, revealing the basic functions of the two Runes now present in his Source. As David closed his eyes to examine his Source, his brows furrowed at the glowing whirlwind surrounding the Runes. They were small, like most Tier-0 Skills, but the golden particles forcing their way into the Class Skills didn''t seem to belong to them. To David, it felt like they came from something else entirely.


    His eyes widened as recognition dawned. I know these particles, he realized, the memory of his wounds mending and the Holy Sea repairing itself during the Kobold battle flooding back.


    Until now, David had thought Bereth had healed him. But now, doubt crept in. Had these golden motes been from the System all along? Or was today''s influx something entirely different?


    He didn''t know. However, David could feel the Class Skills growing. They expanded to the size of Tier-1 Skill Runes, accompanied by more information seeping into his mind.


    David opened his eyes and smiled wryly at the next notification.


    [Due to high Class compatibility, Monk''s Class Skills start at a higher level.]


    [Tier-0 I] ¡ú [Tier-1 V]


    He''d expected this message after observing the changes in his Source. However, the following notification¡ªthe last he saw¡ªtook him completely by surprise. A purple notification with an intricate golden frame appeared:


    [Legacy Skill has been detected. [Dao Comprehension] has been engraved on your Source.]


    Just as he finished reading, David buckled over as a sharp heat surged through his chest. He closed his eyes, sensing a transformation in his Source.


    The engravings of the Law of Blood shifted, forming a golden symbol. It depicted a figure seated in the lotus position. Was it him? Or someone else? David frowned deeply. He wasn''t sitting in the lotus position¡ªjust cross-legged. The pain didn''t last long, though. Once the golden symbol was etched onto his Source, the discomfort vanished.


    "Weird¡­" he muttered, taking a few deep breaths as he opened his eyes.


    "What Legacy Skill did you obtain?" Zachariah''s voice broke through his thoughts.


    David glanced at the regressor. So that''s why he wanted me to pick the Class with high compatibility.


    He didn''t respond immediately, turning his attention to his new abilities.


    Trying to activate [Meditation] led to immediate failure. The Class Skill didn''t respond.


    Maybe¡­ The golden symbol engraved on his Source lingered in his mind, so David sat down cross-legged and tried activating [Meditation] again. The posture of the golden figure reminded him of what little he knew about monks¡ªmeditation was one of their defining traits.


    Once he cast the Skill, David''s heartbeat slowed, and his mind calmed. The shift in his body and mind was pleasant, but even more so was the enhanced control over the Aether around and within him.


    Aether surged through his body, filling his Energy Pathways to the brim. Yet, [Meditation] didn''t stop there. The Skill continued, drawing in more Aether from the surrounding environment, circulating it smoothly through him and filling his being with vigor.


    Was that all [Meditation] did? It calmed him, filled his body with Aether, and gave him greater control over it. David experimented further, but there was nothing new to uncover. Or¡­had he missed something?


    He frowned. Was that it?


    David hoped the Class Skill might become clearer after exploring the others. If not, he might never use [Meditation].


    He shifted to check [Reinforce] and activated the Class Skill, but two messages appeared.


    [Reinforce Body?]


    [Reinforce Energy Pathways?]


    "Huh?" he muttered, shifting to the status screen to double-check [Reinforce].


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    [Reinforce] ¨C [Tier-1 V]


    Body ¨C Average ¨C I (0.00%)


    Energy Pathways ¨C Subpar ¨C VIII (85.64%)


    Oh! So that''s what the information meant, David thought, nodding in understanding.


    The influx of information made it clear: he could reinforce different aspects of his being, each requiring specific resources. But ''Subpar''? Really? David clenched his fists. After all the time he''d spent nourishing his Energy Pathways, ''Subpar'' felt like an insult.


    "What''s wrong? You don''t like your new Skills? Or is the Legacy Skill not that good?" Zachariah asked, earning a glare from David.


    "I''m trying to figure it out."


    He nibbled on his lower lip and activated [Reinforce] on the Energy Pathways, gasping as a strong suctioning force pulled all the Aether in his body toward [Reinforce]''s Rune. The Skill drained enormous energy, but David cast aside all doubts as he closed his eyes to feel the Energy Pathways.


    A tingling sensation spread through his body, precisely following the Energy Pathways. The tingle was less conspicuous around his chest and arms, but it was more pronounced everywhere else¡ªspecifically in his legs, feet, and other areas that weren''t naturally trained through constant Skill usage. Very little Blood reached these areas¡ªmost of it when he purposely used Blood to nourish the Energy Pathways.


    David followed the tingling sensation closely, but [Reinforce] stopped working before he could discover anything special. His body was drained of Aether, yet nothing about the Energy Pathways'' statistics had changed.


    That wasn''t enough? David frowned deeply. He sat back cross-legged, activating [Meditation] to replenish his body with as much Aether as [Reinforce] needed.


    He could not tell the time, but using both [Meditation] and [Reinforce] together in an energy-dense area seemed to work well enough to strengthen the Energy Pathways by 0.01% after some time.


    Regardless of how small his progress was, it was¡­something.


    But isn''t [Holy Touch] faster than [Reinforce]? he wondered. I use [Holy Touch] with Blood, though. Can I add some Blood to [Reinforce]? He came up with multiple tactics to use his new Class Skills efficiently. Could he use [Meditation] to fill his body with crimson motes too? That¡­should be possible, right? Even if it didn''t work, David was sure he could make good use of his new Class Skills. They appeared better than he feared after first testing [Meditation].


    Using them often should push Monk''s Rank, he thought, nodding slowly. Monk didn''t seem like a bad Secondary Class to pick. But maybe that was only because the Class Skills were already at a higher Tier than they would normally start at. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He shrugged, his attention drifting to the golden symbol engraved on his Source.


    "How much longer are we going to stay here?" David turned to the others, eying Melach.


    "Melach''s Mana Core won''t be usable for another hour or two," Zachariah commented, which Melach confirmed with a nod. "We can stay here longer than that, but I''d rather claim the Rift Core today if possible."


    Two hours. That was probably enough to test a little bit more.


    "Okay," he muttered, closing his eyes to use [Dao Comprehension]. However, the Legacy Skill did not activate.


    David felt the golden symbol stir within him and watched as tiny golden threads spread through his Source. However, just as they neared the Law of Blood''s engravings, the threads retracted, leaving him puzzled.


    David activated [Meditation] once more, flooding his body with enough Aether to power [Dao Comprehension] before trying to reactivate the Legacy Skill. The golden threads spread from the golden symbol, yet it was still not enough. He grunted and tapped into his Source to channel Blood into the golden symbol.


    A faint crimson tint seeped into the golden threads as they expanded further, reaching for the Law of Blood''s engravings. Something flooded his mind as the threads connected, and his lips parted. Words he had never heard before spilled out of his mouth, yet he instinctively understood their purpose. As the words escaped, David noticed the golden symbol and the surrounding engravings begin to glow. Though the light was dim, he could feel a distinct change taking place.


    ...


    David lost track of time, but eventually, his Blood reserves were depleted, and [Meditation] could no longer keep up with the Aether consumption, forcing him to stop midway. Retrieving the Berserk Giant''s body from his storage, he drained just enough Essence to replenish his Source in a single wave. The corpse disappeared back into storage as his Source moved rapidly, producing more Blood to use.


    David froze, holding his breath as bloody shields, spears, and other armaments rose from the puddle surrounding him. A puddle of blood? He shot to his feet, unable to tear his gaze away as the armaments collapsed into nothingness.


    "Is that my blood?" he asked, though he knew it couldn''t be. He didn''t feel weak¡ªin fact, he felt incredible.


    "You drained the Berserk Giant with that wave of yours," Melach said, looking at him oddly. "Was that not planned?"


    David''s lips parted, only to shut again just as quickly.


    "What about that bloody presence of yours?" Zachariah interrupted, stepping closer. "Was that your Legacy Skill?"


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about. The Legacy Skill has nothing to do with bl¡ª..." David''s words faltered as the memory of [Dao Comprehension]''s golden threads connecting to the Law of Blood resurfaced. His chest tightened.


    Could that be it? His thoughts swirled with possibilities as he struggled to form a coherent response.


    "I don''t know. The Legacy Skill can affect blood in some ways, though its main function doesn''t actually involve blood." He considered staying vague for a moment but discarded the thought just as quickly. "I think I need to spend a lot more time meditating now. My new Skills are all related to meditating. Somehow, the Legacy Skill too, though I''m not entirely sure about that one yet."


    David smiled wryly and told Zachariah and the others about his new Class and powers, hoping they could explain a few things to him.


    "Monk was compatible with Lifeweaver? I mean¡­I get it, but a compatibility rate above 95%?" Zachariah sounded flabbergasted, which was rare to see.


    "Can you tell me something about the Class? I''d prefer a perfect training plan, but I''d also be fine if you just told me how to evolve Monk into a Unique Class," David teased the regressor.


    Zachariah winced in response. "Your Legacy Skill sounds interesting, but I''ve never heard of it. To be honest, I don''t know the details of many Classes. I was busy struggling to stay alive when the Earthen Union turned upside down, until they arrived."


    "They?" David asked, noticing the others looking up as well.


    The regressor''s lips parted, but blood began dripping from his nose and eyes before a word escaped. Zachariah groaned and buckled over. David cast [Restore] and [Healing Light] immediately, but Zachariah''s condition didn''t improve until several minutes later.


    "I get it. You cannot talk about them. Restrictions and that kind of thing."


    Zachariah looked apologetically at them, but David dismissed it with a wave. "You''ve already said more than enough."


    They had to be ready to face an enemy¡ªbeings the regressor wasn''t allowed to mention. Zachariah could talk about the gods, infernal gods, and even the Devils, but he couldn''t mention these beings? That didn''t bode well.


    Still, it didn''t change their plan. They had to grow stronger. The faster, the better.

 Chapter 89 - B2 15 - Joining Sides

    Zachariah handed everyone a small potion belt filled with glass vials.


    "I spent some time concocting a few potions. Not many¡ªtoo few for my liking¡ªbut their quality is quite alright since I used the plants we harvested earlier," he explained, handing David one of the vials. "I didn''t give you or Melach any of the normal poison vials, but there are three Blood Secrum Poisoning potions in your pouch."


    David had never heard of such a poison, but he nodded.


    "As long as you increase their potency with the Law of Blood when you coat your soulbound weapon, you will be fine," Zachariah said with a wink. "Eliminating Regional Bosses should be feasible if you do it right."


    David raised an eyebrow at that and inspected the crimson liquid in the glass vials. There were five in total. He could sense an abundance of lifeforce in two potions, suggesting they were healing potions and could be used to replace his healing Skills in an emergency. That was good, though David couldn''t tell how useful they would actually be.


    By the time I use these potions, I''ll already be out of Blood¡ªand probably on my last lifeline, he thought, exchanging his regular belt for the alchemical one.


    His hand hovered over the three Blood Secrum Poison potions, and he felt the blood used to concoct them¡ªZachariah''s blood. It radiated a lethal quality as his fingers traced the smooth glass vials, almost as though the blood within the potion was deadly on its own. Sharp and dangerous.


    David analyzed the blood and the other components used in the Blood Secrum Poison until he noticed that everyone else seemed finished with their preparations. With everything ready, they departed and returned to the surface.


    "Where are we going?" Melach''s uncertain voice reached him. David turned toward the others, watching as Zachariah shrugged.


    "I think it''s fair to assume that more Giants have come to raid the Rift. Or, if my guess is correct and the Rift Core releases Origin Essence, they will claim the Core and the surrounding area to absorb as much Origin Essence as their bodies can handle," Zachariah explained, sounding confident.


    "That sounds plausible. Since we encountered a pair of Giants from different tribes, we can assume more of them are already in the prehistoric Rift. And since the Rift hasn''t been destroyed yet, your Origin Essence theory might as well be correct," David agreed with Zachariah''s assessment. "That being said, you think the Rift Core is located where the Stone Giant and Berserk Giant came from, right?"


    Zachariah smiled but didn''t respond. That was all the confirmation David needed.


    "Let''s go then. Slay a few Giants and prehistoric monsters," Torb grunted, looking tough on the outside. But David knew better¡ªthe dwarf''s lifeforce was in disarray. He was scared.


    Torb walked past Zachariah, heading toward where the Giants had come from. The regressor smiled and followed suit.


    "How''s your Mana Core?" David asked Melach as their eyes met.


    The elf smiled. "I overdid it a little earlier, but I''m fine now. Thanks to Zachariah''s mixture, my Mana Core feels firmer than before."


    His shoulders slumped down and he sighed deeply, "I was stupid. It was a foolish mistake to overdraw my mana reserves. But when I saw the Berserk Giant¡­"


    Melach shuddered and looked sadly at David, "Berserk Giants¡ªor, to be fair, almost all Giant tribes¡ªare considered incredibly dangerous. Elves have some history with a few Giant tribes, which is probably something everyone regrets. We are taught a lot about the Giant Wars and Triton Massacres¡­enough to respect Giants, even though it''s been centuries since the last elf reported the sighting of one."


    Melach was the first elf to encounter a Giant in centuries? If that was true, he had done remarkably well, David thought. He analyzed the elf''s life signal and was surprised to find that Melach''s lifeforce was much calmer than Torb''s. The elf seemed more worried than truly afraid.


    "You must have a lot to report to your family once we''re done here," David said, patting Melach''s back. "I''m sure they''ll be proud of you when they hear about your achievements. Claiming a natural, Rare 3-Star Rift and contributing to the death of several Giants on top of everything else doesn''t sound too bad."


    He hadn''t planned on consoling Melach, but keeping allies motivated was never a bad idea. David''s words had done the trick.


    The elf''s eyes lit up, and he bolted ahead to join the others, leaving David behind.


    David followed the trio, his smile fading as Words of Power spurted from his lips. There was no time to waste. He began sharpening his focus for the next battle¡ªone he was certain would be their last.


    They had encountered too few Regional Bosses roaming the prehistoric valley and heard¡ªor saw¡ªtoo few deadly battles. The stillness was unnatural, far too quiet for David''s liking. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ***


    A battle royal, David thought, the corner of his lips curling up.


    "Why are you grinning like a fool? That is bad. Like really, really bad!" Melach hissed at him.


    David glanced back at the elf, cocking an eyebrow. "I am excited. That''s why I''m smiling. Do you have a problem with that?"


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    Melach''s lips parted, but he said nothing. Torb, on the other hand, laughed awkwardly. "Right... I think we forgot you''re going crazy for a good fight. You''ve been too tame since we entered the prehistoric Rift."


    "I was trying something," David said, glancing at Zachariah, still smiling. "But it doesn''t work."


    He shrugged. "But back to the matter at hand. This is not bad. It is the best we could have asked for¡ªperfection!"


    Melach scowled at him, but Zachariah intercepted. "David is right. This is actually good for us."


    Even Torb looked confused now.


    It had barely been a few minutes since the Aether density around them increased again. David had never sensed so much Aether in one spot before. However, there was something else¡ªwas it Origin Essence? The faint energy brushed against his senses, sharper and more potent than the surrounding Aether. He reached out instinctively, feeling it settle within his body. But the energy did not enter his Source to replenish Blood. Instead, it nestled in his body, strengthening him.


    Is that all it does? Settle down, making you feel stronger? David wondered while his eyes drifted across the battlefield ahead, channeling Blood into them.


    The first figures he spotted further away were Giants¡ªdozens of them. His gaze settled on several Berserk Giants wielding massive weapons, though he noticed other types of Giants as well. A dozen Stone Giants, some Berserk Giants, and four other types of Giants roared at their enemies, weapons resting in their hands.


    But they did not fight each other. They fought together, teaming up against the prehistoric monsters charging them.


    Among the masses of prehistoric monsters, David recognized several powerful creatures. The lifeforce in them was enormous, overwhelmingly so. It hurt his eyes to look at the bright masses of life clashing with the Giants ahead.


    So that''s what the Regional Bosses and Main Boss are at, he recognized, finally making sense of the situation. He discovered more than half a dozen prehistoric animals circling the Giants, attacking them from all sides. But some creatures¡ªthose with the strongest lifeforce¡ªattracted his attention the most.


    There was a tall monster David recognized as a Tyrannosaur, which tore through the row of defending Giants with ease. Its head plunged down, and its maw snapped shut, biting off half of a Giant''s upper body in an instant. The Tyrannosaur sustained several deep cuts from the Giants'' double-headed axes, but the wounds weren''t deep enough to slow it down. It continued its rampage, killing two more Giants before a large frame looming over the others stepped forward, stopping the Tyrannosaur in its tracks.


    How many Silver Ranks were there? David wondered, casting a second glance at the battlefield and spotting a familiar, heavily-armored Brontosaur. His heart leaped out of his chest, and he smiled. It was the same one that had squashed Torb, and it continued its destructive work by bulldozing Giants before vanishing into thin air. The Giants unleashed magical attacks everywhere, cleaving through the air where the Brontosaur had been a moment ago, but David didn''t see any blood. The massive creature escaped the Giants'' wrath. So did the creature descending from the sky.


    David did not recognize it at first. It had a long neck and broad, leathery wings that shaded part of the battlefield. He only recalled the animal when he heard Zachariah mumble, "Quetzalcoatlus."


    The Quetzalcoatlus descended from the air, its massive hind legs snatching two Giants off the ground. With a powerful swirl, it ascended again, releasing the Giants mid-flight and hurling them through the air. Moments later, its beak parted, unleashing a crackling beam of electricity that struck the airborne Giants.


    David watched as their life forces dispersed rapidly. They were dead before hitting the ground. The Quetzalcoatlus let out a piercing screech as blue projectiles resembling [Arcane Blast] struck its body and exploded. Though David could tell the mana projectiles were stronger than Melach''s, the enormous creature seemed unscathed. Only its anguished cry suggested the attacks had done any damage at all.


    The battlefield roared with chaos. Screeches, growls, and thunderous clashes echoed from every direction. David''s sharp gaze flicked to a massive Stegosaur-like monster, unleashing a relentless barrage of magic projectiles. Nearby, a horde of small, heavily armored creatures covered in spikes tore through the Giants'' ranks. They shrugged off brutal axe swings and destructive spells as though they were nothing.


    But nothing compared to the Allosaurus. Coated in a thick layer of frost, it moved like a living glacier, freezing everything in its path. The sheer power and carnage sent a shiver through David, but it also stirred something within him¡ªa primal excitement.


    The battlefield stretched endlessly, even more chaotic than the warzone against the Darkai Horde. Yet David''s heart pounded with exhilaration, the thrill of the fight coursing through his veins.


    "Why in Fortress'' name would you¡ªor anyone¡ªconsider this a good thing? Joining this fight is suicidal!" Torb shouted, his voice laced with disbelief. His eyes widened as a flock of Pteranodons dove into the fray, their sharp talons slicing through Giants with terrifying precision.


    At first glance, it seemed like the Giants were on the losing side, but that wasn''t the case. A massive Giant stepped forward, gripping the Tyrannosaurus Rex by the tail and hurling it toward the Quetzalcoatlus as it descended once more. The two titans crashed into the ground with a deafening roar.


    Half a dozen Berserk Giants immediately advanced, their massive axes slashing through the Tyrannosaur''s thick hide. They aimed for its vital points, whittling it down, blow by blow, until its movements grew sluggish. Meanwhile, the Quetzalcoatlus screeched in fury, its wings flapping furiously as the onslaught continued.


    "It''s good because they''re fighting each other, weakening one another," Zachariah said, his tone calm and calculating. "Of course, if we let the Giants win, they''ll receive multiple racial boons from the System. Their racial compatibility with the Core would make them even more of a threat." He waved his hand dismissively. "But the details don''t matter. What matters is that if we wait, we''ll have fewer problems¡ªand weakened enemies."


    David nodded, but a smile crept across his face. "But that''s not what we''re going to do."


    "We''re not," Zachariah agreed, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.


    "Why not?" Melach asked. His voice wasn''t fearful¡ªhe sounded genuinely curious, as if trying to make sense of their plan.


    "Because the prehistoric animals are losing," David said, raising an eyebrow. "We want to be on their side, help them win. Not by a lot, just enough to ensure the Giants don''t trouble us later. Once that''s done, we''ll deal with the dinosaurs¡ªwounded and on the verge of death¡ªand eliminate everything standing between us and the Rift Core."


    Melach''s frown deepened as he listened. "So¡­we become their allies and then backstab them once it''s over?"


    David shrugged. "That''s about it."


    "Only if they don''t let us claim the Rift Core," Zachariah added, his gaze fixed on David, who merely shrugged again. It might have worked with the Xenoceratops, but he didn''t believe the prehistoric predators would surrender the Rift Core to them ¡ªnot with how territorial and prideful they seemed.


    "If you say so," he muttered, taking one step at a time.

 Chapter 90 - B2 16 - Warfare

    He studied the battlefield for a moment, assessing the damage done to the surroundings. Afterward, he focused on the lifeforce all around him before proceeding with the next step.


    David invested his remaining Attribute Points.


    [Two Attribute Points have been used to enhance the User''s Mind.]


    Lowest(-)(Intermediate) ¡ú Lowest(+)(Intermediate)


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Soul.]


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    He felt the changes happening to him and embraced them, closing his eyes for a minute. Manifesting the Obsidian Blade seemed plausible, but David ultimately decided against it. He kept the soulbound weapon in the Berserk Giant''s body and opened his eyes again.


    His heart beat wildly at the thought of charging into the bloody chaos of battle, yet the idea of ruling the battlefield filled him with exhilaration.


    He shifted to the Quetzalcoatlus and the Tyrannosaur, frowning as the Giants dealt the finishing blow to the winged creature, beheading the Quetzalcoatlus. The Tyrannosaur, however, was still alive, albeit seriously wounded. David leaped forward and cast [Blessing] on himself and the Tyrannosaur once it was within range. He followed up with a weak bloody projectile attached with [Blood Patch].


    The projectile struck the Tyrannosaur''s hide without inflicting any damage, but [Blood Patch]''s mark had been imprinted. David cast [Restore] and [Healing Light] through the mark, preserving the Tyrannosaur''s lifeforce.


    "That should be enough," he muttered, watching as the crimson-mantled predator snapped at a Giant, biting its arm off.


    David felt his connection with the Tyrannosaur and cast [Restore] once more before turning away. As he did, the surrounding noises crashed down on him, threatening to swallow him whole. He licked his lips, his wildly drumming heart overshadowing the chaos around him. His smile widened, and he glanced at the others, firing bloody projectiles to mark them with [Blood Patch].


    Locating and healing them would be much easier this way, David thought, shifting slightly as the ground around him tremored.


    He looked up to see the heavily armored¡ªand stealthy¡ªBrachiosaur appear beside him. His smile widened. The Brachiosaur probably didn''t notice him, but he would make sure that changed. David cast [Healing Light], mending the small scratches on its massive body, hoping the creature wouldn''t retaliate with violence as he leaped into the air.


    David cast [Blood Aegis] beneath him and kicked off, reaching the Brachiosaur''s back.


    The Brachiosaur shuddered as [Healing Light] enveloped it, but the monster didn''t attack him when he landed. Brachiosaurs weren''t predators like the Tyrannosaur or Velociraptors, and David had been certain it accidentally squashed Torb. Sure, it had nearly cost the dwarf his life, but David couldn''t dwell on that now. He could ignore it as long as the Brachiosaur allowed him to remain in elevated position, where he could survey the massive clearing in the center of the prehistoric valley.


    A river flowed to the left, and towering trees loomed to the right. Lifeforms filled the valley, but the most potent lifeforce signals were gathered here, David concluded quickly, channeling more blood into his eyes to observe the battles below.


    David''s eyes caught Zachariah in motion near the Allosaur. The massive beast was covered in burn marks and large projectiles¡ªthat put ordinary arrows to shame¡ªbut it kept rampaging. The regressor accelerated, rushed past the Allosaur, and released several silver flashes, severing a Giant''s left leg before proceeding. David saw Zachariah hurl something at another Giant, who cleaved it midair before it could hit.


    The object shattered, and its contents splashed over the Giant''s chest. Only then did David realize what it was¡ªthe poison Zachariah had concocted earlier.


    A pained roar resounded, and David watched in shock as smoke oozed from the Giant''s body. His stomach lurched as the Giant began clawing at its chest, ripping out skin and the flesh beneath.


    Zachariah''s blades flashed as he slashed at the Giant''s calves. The massive creature toppled to the ground, and Zachariah moved on to the next target without hesitation. The first Giant, legless and desperate, hurled several human-sized icicles at Zachariah, but every attack missed him by a length.


    David''s heart leaped out of his chest as the Allosaur reached the first injured Giant. Icicles of massive size burst from its body, impaling the magic-wielding Giant repeatedly, even after David could no longer sense life from it. The other Giant, its chest still coated in acid¡ªDavid swore he would never make Zachariah an enemy¡ªcontinued screaming, tearing at its own flesh until a black projectile and dozens of spikes struck it hard.


    Was that¡­ David''s eyes narrowed as his attention shifted to a small horde of heavy-armored beasts. Their backs and tails were coated in plates resembling frills, with spikes jutting from their armor. He watched the monsters release those spikes faster than most Giants could ready their bows or cast magic. David furrowed his brow, trying to sense something unusual about the spikes. They might have contained aether, but he felt nothing. The realization unsettled him.


    As the battle continued, David cast [Blessing] on more targets, including the Brachiosaur. His heart raced as the massive herbivore returned to the battlefield. The chaos made scanning the surroundings harder¡ªbut it also thrilled him. He spread [Healing Light] into the area, ignoring how the skill''s healing output increased drastically. David used the Skill Rune again, watching as a sphere of [Healing Light] formed before him. He willed it to move, feeling the strain but relishing the surge of power.


    David squinted and cast [Healing Light] several more times, creating multiple spheres that moved in all directions. He attached the spheres to his targets, healing them and anyone he considered an ally.


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    Tier advancement, he realized and smiled even as one of the [Blood Patch] connections stirred. Someone was in danger.


    He looked toward a completely devastated area on his right. Dozens of craters scarred the land, and explosions continued wreaking havoc. Among the wreckage, he spotted a few mangled corpses¡ªmostly of dinosaurs. Finally, he found the men he''d been searching for: Torb charging a blue-skinned Giant and Melach conjuring his signature wind spears.


    The blue-skinned Giant was already severely wounded, but it fought valiantly, making everything it touched explode. Torb crushed the Giant''s foot, but the massive creature retaliated, causing an explosion around its feet.


    Damn, David thought, narrowing his eyes. He used [Restore] through the mark to heal Torb, then overclocked [Blessing] and cast it on both Torb and Melach. He manifested several shields to protect Torb, but the dwarf was too far away. Instead, David sent more healing energy to both of them, hoping Torb would hold out long enough. Either Melach would need to unleash a stronger attack, or the blue-skinned Giant would have to bleed to death.


    But could Melach do it, or would he overdo it again? David didn''t know. He retrieved one vial of Blood Secrum Poison and overclocked [Blood Bullet]. Removing the cork, he murmured Words of Power as he compressed the bloody projectile until it fit inside the vial. Once inside, the crimson liquid Zachariah had prepared merged into the bullet. It took only a few moments, but those moments drained him.


    Upgrading Mind was a good call, he thought, wiping sweat from his forehead. More Words of Power slipped from his lips, granting him deeper access to the Law of Blood. He applied the law and augmented [Blood Bullet]''s power, reinforcing the potency of Blood Secrum Poison.


    David took a deep breath, steadied his aim, and released the projectile as the final Word of Power left his mouth.


    [Blood Bullet] whipped through the air at incredible speed, leaving a crimson trail. It struck the target¡ªnot in the eyes, as he had originally intended, but in a deep claw wound that hadn''t stopped bleeding. The bullet pierced the flesh, and David released his concentration, unleashing the compressed mass of blood and poison.


    The blue-skinned Giant screamed and spun around, its legs suddenly giving out. David watched as the creature roared weakly, its life force fading until only a husk remained.


    Only seconds had passed, but the mighty Giant was no more. David''s eyes widened, his hair standing on end as a kill notification popped up a moment later.


    [You have defeated Giant Shaman of Destruco (Silver II) of the Tribe of Truho.]


    "What the hell?" he muttered, staring at the empty vial in his hands. "I¡­ should stay on Zachariah''s good side..."


    Despite being wounded, the Giant Shaman was a resilient creature with an abundance of lifeforce. Yet a single vial of Blood Secrum Poison had been enough to kill the injured Giant within seconds. David shuddered, feeling an odd mixture of excitement and respect surging through his chest.


    "If it''s like that¡­" David took a deep breath, patting his racing heart as he accessed the Law of Blood once more. He cast [Blood Bullet] over a dozen times, compressing the projectiles at will. Two unsealed vials of Blood Secrum Poison appeared in his hands. David invoked the Words of Power, tapping deeper into the Law of Blood, and dipped the blood bullets into the vials. He soaked the projectiles, merging the poison into the blood and carefully distributing it throughout.


    It was draining, but also exhilarating. He steadied his breathing, circulated Blood through his eyes, and locked onto a dozen targets¡ªinjured Giants who were still fighting valiantly, troubling the prehistoric defenders of their verdant valley.


    Once the targets were set, David attacked, the projectiles leaving crimson trails that briefly painted the air before screams shattered the moment. Most of the bullets struck true, hitting wounds and inflicting devastating damage. One projectile missed its mark, grazing unscathed skin, but the results still made David''s heart pound with satisfaction.


    Watching the drastic shifts in the targets'' life signals was terrifying but also exhilarated him. A smile tugged at his lips as a realization dawned.


    Even Silver-Rank Giants¡ªthese mighty warriors¡ªwere powerless against true power.


    David suspected the poison''s potency came from Zachariah''s blood, a chilling thought he quickly shoved aside. None of that mattered now¡ªnot when the results spoke for themselves. His focus narrowed to the power he wielded on the battlefield: to heal, protect, and kill.


    He hurriedly conjured half a dozen more blood projectiles, applying [Blood Patch] to them as he targeted injured dinosaurs in need of healing. David concentrated on the new marks, weaving [Weave of Life] through them. The strain of the repeated process didn''t deter him; he pressed on, determined to heal and dominate the battlefield.


    But it failed. Gritting his teeth, David recast [Restore] and conjured several more bullets. This time, he changed his approach. The bullets struck the corpses of fallen Giants instead of allies, engraving [Blood Patch]''s mark on them.


    David attempted to drain Essence from the marks, but it didn''t work as intended. Frustrated, he huffed and turned to the next available source of Essence to replenish his reserves.


    Yet instead of seeking the closest Giant corpse, he tapped into the unused Essence that had accumulated in his own body. Since joining the battle, more Origin Essence had settled within him, but it merely made him feel slightly stronger. Was that really all Origin Essence was capable of? David doubted it. It wasn''t enough.


    He craved more. He needed more.


    David''s gaze swept across the battlefield¡ªpain, chaos, and destruction stretched endlessly in every direction. Blood pooled around mangled corpses, and the air reeked of death. His chest tightened. Driven by his hunger for power, he cast [Dao Comprehension] using Origin Essence, the desire for more surging through him.


    It was only his second time using the Legacy Skill, but something felt different this time. Words of Power he had never heard before flooded his mind, and he spoke them aloud. They were stronger. Potent. Better.


    As the words poured from him, David felt a surge of control, as if he were finally seizing the reins of his life¡ªof his progress. His vision turned crimson, and the world around him transformed. Details he had never noticed unraveled before his eyes, and he shuddered upon realizing that not even the crimson motes in others were spared from his sight.


    He could see everything. He could sense it all, as though power radiated from him in waves.


    The Brachiosaur stirred uneasily, releasing a distressed bleat.


    "You don''t like that?" David asked, patting the massive herbivore. "I see. Thanks for protecting me."


    It stirred again, but he paid no further attention to the enormous creature. Instead, he focused on the tremor within his Source, a smile spreading across his face as he began moving toward the center of the prehistoric valley.


    More Origin Essence awaited him there.

 Chapter 91 - B2 17 - Power

    He refused to give up on the Origin Essence floating behind the Giants'' defense line. It fused with the ambient Aether, creating a mixture that was easier to absorb. Most lifeforms naturally absorbed the combination of Aether and Origin Essence, including the Giants. But David was different. He didn''t want Aether to fill his body, wasting the space that could have been occupied by Origin Essence.


    He wanted more than a few traces of Origin Essence!


    Through his crimson-tinged vision, David spotted the vibrant glimmers of Origin Essence around him, their clarity unmistakable. He cast [Holy Touch] and conjured several tendrils that spread outward to reach for the Origin Essence, consuming it on command. His head flicked around, analyzing the battlefield as the Origin Essence flowing into him empowered [Dao Comprehension] before it could fully settle.


    Strengthening his physique was important, but wasting [Dao Comprehension]''s full potential now would be a mistake. It granted him much more than the minor physical enhancements he could achieve from settling the energy in his body. The Legacy Skill gave him a sense of true power and what he could accomplish if he used every means at his disposal.


    He leaped off the Brachiosaur''s back and conjured a crimson shield to kick off. Repeating the process, David jumped higher and higher into the air. The flock of avian dinosaurs attacking the Giants avoided him, dispersing quickly as he closed the distance. Paying them no heed, he continued jumping through the air, using [Blood Aegis] as a springboard to bypass the chaos below.


    To ensure his trip past the Giants remained peaceful, David overclocked [Symphony Control] on himself and the surrounding creatures. A white dove materialized before him while black doves pursued the avians, transforming them into prime targets. David ignored the human-sized bolts whizzing past him, their blunt thuds echoing as they struck unseen targets, and brushed past the Stone Giants below.


    Once he was past the Giants, David descended and reached a small stone structure resembling an altar. Several massive pillars surrounded a large pedestal made of a dark material permeated with azure threads that looked like veins. Aether and Origin Essence¡ªespecially the latter¡ªcirculated through the pedestal. But David was far more interested in the cow-sized sphere levitating above it.


    The violet sphere exuded an enormous amount of Aether, but even more so, Origin Essence. David stepped closer to the sphere¡ªlikely the Rift Core¡ªand felt the flow of Origin Essence double as it entered his body.


    He resisted the urge to let the Origin Essence settle. He could tell it would help him, and a part of him wanted to save it for [Reinforce] later. However, his instincts and a much larger portion of his mind urged him to channel all of it into [Dao Comprehension].


    And [Dao Comprehension] responded drastically. Origin Essence was more potent¡ªmore efficient¡ªthan Blood, which David could feel more clearly as the pure energy surged through him. Step by step, he inched closer until his body was wreathed in it. He dispersed the ambient Aether or devoured it instantaneously, amplifying [Holy Touch] as its tendrils surged outward to pull more Origin Essence closer.


    He savored the feeling of [Dao Comprehension] unraveling one mystery after another. Concepts that had seemed distant or difficult now came into focus, including the combined use of Skill Runes and the intricacies of the Law of Blood. Words of Power escaped his lips, but not to access the Law of Blood further. Instead, he used them to expand his understanding of the Legacy Skill.


    His senses perked up, feeling something amiss, and his gaze flicked back to the battlefield.


    One of the blue-skinned, mana-wielding Giants turned around, finally noticing him. It roared, drawing the attention of more Giants, but David only smiled.


    He watched several blue Giants charge at him, releasing fireballs, icicles, and mana projectiles. He responded in simple fashion: waving his arm and manifesting two dozen bloody projectiles. Without hesitation, he fired them, targeting the incoming attacks.


    The fireballs exploded upon impact, while the icicles and mana projectiles shattered into pieces.


    At last, David manifested the Obsidian Blade. He closed his eyes briefly, inspecting his wildly trembling Source in his mind space, and infused traces of Origin Essence to replace Blood as he cast an overclocked [Blessing] on himself and the Obsidian Blade. He applied [Slash] and [Holy Touch], then charged the towering figures.


    The Giants released more magic projectiles, but David didn''t hold back. He conjured a crimson shield to block the deadliest attacks and evaded the rest as he closed the distance to the Giants. One of them swung a massive club at him, but [Blood Aegis] deflected the attack. More Words of Power spilled from his lips, coating his blade in a crimson-gray mixture as he reached the first target. He stabbed the Obsidian Blade into the Giant''s leg and dragged the blade along. Warm blood splattered on his face, and an idea formed in his mind.


    He split the stream of Origin Essence entering his body, infusing one portion into his words and augmenting the Words of Power. David had no idea how he concluded it was possible or how he actually did it, but it worked regardless.


    He pulled his blade out and tapped into the Law of Blood before leaping at the blue Giant, ramming the soulbound blade into its chest. The Law surged, shrouding his Source in vibrant crimson light as its power came to light. David smiled, feeling the surge of power flow through his palms into the Obsidian Blade.


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    The blade cut deeper into the Giant, which roared in defiance, pain, and anger at first. Soon, the roar transformed into a shriek. David watched in glee as the Giant''s skin shriveled¡ªits abundance of life drained by the Obsidian Blade within seconds.


    David couldn''t quite tell how he''d done it, but the Law of Blood had amplified his soulbound weapon''s innate effect over a dozen times. It drained him, exhausted his mind, and, most importantly, strained his Source, but it worked.


    I don''t have much time left, David thought grimly, kicking the shriveled corpse to leap into the air. He cast [Blood Aegis] to block the incoming attacks and charged the other blue-skinned Giants after landing softly on the ground.


    He evaded several magic projectiles, followed by a large club, and slashed at the next target. The blade cut the Giant''s tough hide easily, inflicting wounds much bigger than David had anticipated. However, he accepted the phenomenon with a vibrant smile and continued, hacking and slashing the second and third Giants until their corpses were either drained of lifeforce or torn to pieces. If a corpse still held lifeforce, David drove his blade into its stomach, draining it dry before moving on to the next target.


    His chest heaved heavily, and his skin burst open as he moved, but David reached the next target, a Stone Giant, appearing behind it as the creature turned to face him. He thrust the Obsidian Blade straight into its Bloodstone. It took only a single attack to pierce the Stone Giant''s durable body and Bloodstone. The creature fell apart before his eyes, its lifeforce drained at once.


    David pulled the blade back and froze¡ªit was changing. The Obsidian Blade shifted and expanded. Its blade extended and curved slightly inward all of a sudden, taking him by surprise.


    That''s not how I remember you, David thought, watching the Obsidian Blade shift back to its original form.


    Maybe it¡ª He frowned, thinking of a scimitar, and the soulbound weapon extended again.


    "Much better," he grunted, licking his bloodied lips while recasting [Slash], [Holy Touch], and [Blessing].


    His Source squirmed, but David continued. He was finally back in melee; he couldn''t possibly retreat after slaying a few measly Mages! David clutched the Obsidian Blade tightly and charged at the closest enemies, targeting the most dangerous Giants to drain and kill.


    His attacks grew increasingly destructive, but David felt his Source stir violently. The letters of the Law of Blood glowed vibrantly, shrouding his energy reservoir. Yet, that did not stop a Lifeweaver from sensing his own physical condition¡ªhe, or rather his Source, was on the verge of collapse.


    Was the power granted through the Legacy Skill too much? he wondered, shaking his head. This strength was necessary. He had come to the natural Rift to grow stronger, and that was exactly what he was doing right now!


    David weaved past the Tyrannosaur, casting [Blessing] and [Restore] on the creature, and severed a Berserk Giant''s leg before cleaving upward, nearly cutting the monstrous Giant in two with a single strike.


    So strong! he thought, draining the Berserk Giant while feeding the Words of Power and the Legacy Skill with more Origin Essence. At that moment, David realized the truth. His attacks were growing stronger, but not primarily due to the Law of Blood. Another force was at work, amplifying his slashes and thrusts drastically.


    It hurt. His chest tightened, which made breathing harder, but David pressed on. He blocked incoming attacks with [Blood Aegis], evaded those that shattered the crimson shields, and cleaved through the Giants'' tough hide and flesh.


    Every attack seemed to drain his strength and strain his Source. Despite this, David pressed on until the tenth shriveled corpse collapsed to the ground. Spinning around, he noticed for the first time that he had returned to the valley''s center. The Rift Core shimmered brightly, stirring something deep within him¡ªan unrelenting desire to do more. To keep going and to grow until the Rift Core couldn''t push him any further.


    He glanced at the battlefield and clicked his tongue, noticing that the bloody massacre had slowed. His vision blurred, and his legs buckled beneath him.


    So that''s my limit, he thought with a frown. So what? I''m a Lifeweaver! His battle wasn''t over just because his body had failed. His mind and soul were still intact!


    David stopped supplying the Legacy Skill with Origin Essence and deactivated the Law of Blood. While it felt like his vision had returned to normal, the area around him was still coated in crimson.


    Several roars pulled his attention back to the battlefield, forcing him to prepare for the inevitable¡ªa fight without his body. However, no monster charged at him. The Giants stayed away, and the prehistoric creatures backed off. Did they retreat¡­from me? David frowned, trembling in exhaustion as he retrieved two healing potions prepared by Zachariah.


    He struggled to remove their caps and shuddered uncontrollably even after emptying the vials. Yet, despite his clear weakness, the monsters¡ªboth Giants and prehistoric¡ªkept retreating.


    Time seemed to stretch endlessly before his shivering subsided. Slowly, David regained control of his body, his gaze settling on Zachariah as the regressor approached. Zachariah''s expression was unreadable as his eyes scanned the crimson-stained area around David, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Without a word, he rushed past David.


    Melach arrived next. He opened his mouth to speak but froze mid-step, halting abruptly as if encountering an invisible barrier. David watched the elf struggle to approach, only to retreat a few steps back. Finally, Melach sighed in relief, saying, "I''m glad you''re not my enemy." He summoned an Earthen Elemental using soil and stones infused with Origin Essence.


    Torb arrived last, his battered armor glinting under the crimson-stained light. Without pause, the dwarf manipulated the surrounding earth, seamlessly repairing his damaged armor as he approached.


    He glanced at David with a raised brow and asked suddenly, "Are you the Blood God''s Incarnation or his Prime Champion?"


    David blinked in confusion, frowning deeply. "Asmodeus? No, I''m not. Why are you asking?"


    Torb turned away, muttering under his breath into his beard, "...Something is wrong with him¡­his head¡­"

 Chapter 92 - B2 18 - Glamorous

    David took a deep breath, feeling much better. The exhilarating experience lingered in his mind, but it slowly faded, making him wish to hold onto it forever. However, the sensation dispersed as he stopped reciting Words of Power. The crimson hue shrouding them vanished as the last remnants of the Legacy Skill and the Law of Blood disappeared.


    Yet, he still sensed the dense Aether and Origin Essence around him, pushing aside any exhaustion and damage to his Source to keep his body open to it.


    I won''t miss out on that, he reminded himself, allowing the Essence to settle in his body.


    Controlling his body shouldn''t have been easy, but David had learned much as his understanding as a Lifeweaver grew¡ªespecially about his own body. He willed his body to absorb more Origin Essence within seconds and turned to the battlefield as the sounds of defiant roars and monstrous collisions pulled at his attention.


    The battle continued, but neither the remaining Giants nor the prehistoric monsters moved to attack him or the others.


    "Are they afraid?" he wondered, noticing something amiss with the Giants. They glanced at the corpses of their fallen brethren sprawled before David before turning to the prehistoric monsters, charging them valiantly.


    David felt the strengthening effect of the Origin Essence settling in his body resume and attempted to pull some into his Source to mend it. But that did not work as he had hoped, forcing him to watch the battle ahead in silence.


    A little bit should be fine, right? He tilted his head, casting [Blessing] and [Restore] through the mark on the Tyrannosaur when the tides of battle shifted again.


    "You look like shit. Why are you still helping them even though nobody attacks us?" Melach asked from the side.


    David shrugged. "The Giants bother me more." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He didn''t do much to support the prehistoric monsters because his Source screeched desperately, struggling to stay in one piece, but the thought of letting the Giants win bothered him immensely. They were comparable to the elves, dwarves, and other races that had settled in the System Sanctuaries all over the Earthen Union, but David had a bad feeling about them. If there were multiple Giant Tribes, each with monstrous strength and unique traits, they could storm the Earthen Union and bulldoze Arc if given enough time to organize themselves and grow in the natural Rift.


    Taking control of the Rift Core might solve all their problems. However, David couldn''t be certain the portals connecting the prehistoric Rift to the Giant Tribes would be no more once the Dwarven Sanctuary came to be. Thus, instead of granting the Giants leeway, David would much rather annihilate them and ensure the dwarves would block all further entrances. All they had to do was safeguard the portals to the Giant Tribes if they wouldn''t disappear soon.


    But he did not interfere much after casting [Blessing] and [Restore] a few times. There was no need to damage his Source further, especially not when [Restore] and [Healing Light] appeared ineffective on his Source. The only thing that restored his Source was the Blood it produced using Origin Essence and Aether.


    David could have stopped the Source from using Origin Essence, but no corpse in his immediate range had any lifeforce left to drain. Nor was he willing to sacrifice his lifeforce for the process.


    He closed his eyes and watched the Source process the Origin Essence to produce more Blood. The final result felt more potent, but that was expected given the quality of resources used. Yet only an insignificant portion of Blood accumulated in the Source. The rest was used to calm the rampaging Source.


    Time passed slowly, and the commotion ahead died at some point. When David opened his eyes again, the battlefield was covered in Giant carcasses. Some prehistoric predators looked in their direction, but they turned away and left in defeat. At the same time, David felt faint tremors ripple through the ground. They grew more intense until an explosion resounded from behind.


    David spun around as Blood surged into his eyes.


    "Everyone is still alive," he commented, and the elf beside him sighed in relief.


    But while he could still see everyone''s life signals, David sensed a drastic shift in the surroundings. The surrounding Origin Essence was dwindling. It didn''t disappear entirely, but the contrast was stark.


    David would have loved to fill his entire body with Origin Essence to empower some of his Class Skills later, but the shift turned that into a long, arduous task.


    I can do that later¡­ if given the opportunity, he thought, shrugging before turning to Zachariah, who had just returned from the Rift Core. The regressor approached Torb and said something David couldn''t understand. However, Torb''s expression darkened at Zachariah''s words, his displeasure evident.


    The dwarf''s face twisted with anger for a moment as Melach¡ªfollowed by David¡ªapproached them.


    "¡­is a great spot," he heard Zachariah say. "No, compared to other Rifts, this is perfect. A Rift Core capable of producing Origin Essence even after the initial modification is worth a lot. And I mean a lot, even for transcendent beings. I don''t care if you''re indebted to Fortress; you had better get a good deal from him! Don''t you dare lower your head just because that guy is your Patron God!"


    David had never seen Torb turn this red before. The dwarf looked like a cherry tomato¡ªalbeit a hairy one¡ªas he grunted, ready to tear Zachariah a new one.


    But silver arcs burst from Zachariah as his sharp gaze locked onto Torb. "Make demands, you idiotic dork. Tell Fortress to make you his Prime Champion and tell him that he won''t get anything if he makes the Sanctuary and the attached Rift exclusive to dwarves!"


    Torb looked displeased, but David didn''t see anything wrong with Zachariah''s comment. It sounded reasonable to him. He didn''t bother listening any longer¡ªthe banter was a waste of time. Instead, he focused on his Source, the dense Origin Essence surrounding him, and the Earthen Elemental roaming the battlefield, collecting items and hauling bodies toward their group.


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    "Should we harvest some valuable body parts while they do¡­ whatever they''re doing?" Melach asked with a smile.


    David simply smiled and got to work. At his will, the Obsidian Blade elongated, curving slightly as it transformed into a scimitar.


    "Your soulbound weapon has grown¡­ in more than one way, it seems," Melach commented, eyeing the blade intently.


    David stored the item drops collected by the Earthen Elemental, drained the lifeforce from nearby corpses to feed his soulbound weapon, and severed the most valuable body parts.


    After some time, they completed their task and returned to the others with their gathered loot.


    "Are you done?" Zachariah asked.


    David nodded. "Yes. How about you guys? Can we go back, or do you need more time?"


    "Torb¡­ well, I don''t know what he''s thinking. He doesn''t want to demand anything from Fortress, saying he feels bad after everything his Patron did for him," Zachariah sighed in defeat. "I don''t get it. We''re not just establishing a settlement; what we''re doing with this Rift is much more. If we had chosen a natural 1-Star Rift, we could have used it as the foundation for a Sanctuary. However, I chose this one deliberately to ensure everyone gains as much as possible."


    The regressor looked at him while David retrieved the items dropped by the Giants and other prehistoric monsters.


    "But does it matter?" David asked. "I mean¡­ I''m quite happy with my growth and our gains. I feel like we''ve come a long way. Whether Torb demands anything special from Fortress isn''t really our concern, right? Other than the exclusivity rights to the prehistoric Rift, maybe."


    He was certain he would return to the prehistoric Rift for more Origin Essence, but that was the only thing he needed from it.


    "I guess¡­" Zachariah still didn''t seem convinced.


    "It''s his own fault if he refuses to ask for what he deserves. You tried helping him, knowing what awaits us in the future. Let him make the final call," David shrugged, fetching the last of the item drops. "At worst, he ''merely'' becomes an ordinary Champion. I don''t understand how much that differs from being a Prime Champion, but again¡­ let Torb decide."


    Zachariah muttered something unintelligible. David didn''t understand, but instead of arguing, he focused on organizing the item drops.


    "There are some nice drops," he noted, picking up a violet stone pulsing with strong life signals. "It''s either some type of magical stone with its own life force or a monster egg. My guess is the latter since I couldn''t store it in the storage dimension."


    He handed the presumed egg to Zachariah. It might have been something special, possibly even a prehistoric monster''s egg, but he couldn''t be bothered.


    Raising a baby dinosaur wasn''t on his wishlist. Not anymore¡ªnot in an apocalyptic world, anyway.


    "Then we have several armaments¡ªsome armor, swords, an incredibly well-crafted longbow, and some weird-ass glowing potions. They look sick, but whatever is inside¡­ it messes with my vision." He shuddered, turning away from the golden potions. "There are also some magical herbs and other stuff that dropped, but I think the Skill Slates are among the most important. We have six of them, and they look more complex than the Tier-0 Skill Slates. Most are probably Tier-1 Slates, while some look like a child was given a black slate and a crayon to play with for a while."


    Zachariah snatched the golden potions with one hand while carrying the violet stone¡ªor egg¡ªin his other. But upon hearing about the Skill Slates, he rushed over and exclaimed, "You can have my share of the Glamorous Potential potions if you give me this." The regressor pointed at one of the scribbled slates, then murmured, "You guys wouldn''t know how to use it anyway."


    "I don''t mind," Melach responded. "We only made it this far because of you, anyway."


    "Take it."


    After some back and forth, all item drops¡ªthere were more than expected¡ªwere split four ways. Torb wasn''t present, but everyone agreed that no item could rival the benefits of becoming the Dwarven God''s Champion¡ªor a Prime Champion, if he followed Zachariah''s advice.


    The regressor made numerous comments about the armament drops, the golden potions, and the Skill Slates. As a result, various items were forced upon David to store for later. He would have to sell them eventually, probably without Torb''s help since the dwarf was no longer in dire need of money. Great¡­


    David didn''t ask for much. In fact, he hadn''t found anything he liked and would have surrendered all the drops if not for Zachariah and Melach insisting he use¡ªor at least try¡ªthe Glamorous Potential potion and a Skill Slate called [Mage Armor].


    Melach was the first to consume one of the Glamorous Potential potions after binding two Skills to his Mana Core. The elf gasped and closed his eyes. He remained still, but David could feel the mana within him raging wildly.


    Melach didn''t move for a while, causing David to worry¡ªuntil the elf suddenly gasped again.


    "So pure!" he exclaimed.


    Zachariah stared at the elf, intrigued. "Your Mana Core''s purity increased?"


    Melach nodded in response, making Zachariah smile. "Interesting. Very good!"


    Was the potion actually useful? David frowned. If his Source or Blood grew even stronger, his Skills would also become more potent. That sounded quite promising.


    He didn''t think twice before trying to bind the Mage Armor Skill first.


    [You have discovered a Skill Slate]


    [Mage Armor ¨C Tier-1]


    [Do you wish to use the Skill Slate to acquire ''Mage Armor''?]


    David proceeded without hesitation. It was reassuring to see the System not reject the Skill Rune, though he had already suspected it would work.


    He paused for a moment, watching as the Skill Slate turned pitch-black while its power flowed into his body. A new Skill Rune formed, yet it changed long before it could settle in his mind space.


    As expected, [Mage Armor] mutated. It transformed, taking on a crimson sheen, but David didn''t wait for the process to conclude.


    He had already removed the cork of the Glamorous Potential potion and pressed the cold glass rim against his lips.


    David squirmed as the disgustingly sweet liquid slid down his throat, but the sensation didn''t last long. He focused on his Source. However, nothing happened to it. Instead, he felt warm and broke into a cold sweat. A prickly sensation appeared in the back of his eyes.


    At first, it didn''t hurt¡ªit just felt like ants were crawling through his eyes.


    David winced, grunting as the discomfort sharpened into pain. The sensation intensified, making him want to gouge his eyes out until something warm streamed down his cheeks.


    He noticed Zachariah and Melach rushing toward him, but David could only scream as the pain overwhelmed him.

 Chapter 93 - B2 19 - Modification

    Time seemed to slow to a crawl, yet the pain didn''t lessen. If anything, David''s condition worsened as the prickly sensation spread deeper into his eyes.


    He considered scratching them, carving out whatever hurt him, while casting [Restore] to counteract the effect, but dismissed the thought and endured it instead.


    David had no idea how much time had passed. However, by the time the agonizing sensation finally subsided, the ground was covered in his blood. He willed the Law of Blood to remove the blood from his face without a second thought and looked up to see Melach and Zachariah staring at him with wide eyes.


    Why can I see their life signals? He thought, furrowing his brows. There was no Blood in his eyes to augment them. It shouldn''t be possible to see the lifeforce all around him. Not only could David see the life within his friends, but he also perceived faint traces of Aether and the radiant glow of Origin Essence lingering in the air around him.


    Zachariah said something, his lips moving, but David heard nothing. He looked at the notifications instead.


    [Glorious Potential potion stimulated your dormant potential. Modification at the Initial Transmutation Stage has been completed.]


    [Modification has been acquired.]


    David ignored the sting in his eyes, narrowing them to tiny slits.


    "David? You¡­ are you fine?" Melach''s voice barely reached him.


    He retrieved a silver longsword from his storage and examined his reflection in the polished metal.


    Crimson... No, like blood.


    David gasped, running his fingers through his hair. It was still dark brown like he remembered, but it was longer than before, slightly disheveled, and a few strands looked like they were drenched in blood. But it wasn''t blood. He had already removed all traces of it with the Law. His hair¡ªat least a few strands¡ªhad changed.


    But so had his eyes.


    The change in his eyes was more prominent. His once vibrant emerald-green irises had turned a deep crimson. Not even a trace of his original color remained!


    "Batshit crazy," he muttered, touching his eyes. After a moment, his head flicked to the others. "You guys can see that too, right?"


    Melach''s eyes widened while Zachariah''s narrowed. The regressor leaned in, inspecting David''s eyes.


    "I thought I was mistaken when your eye color changed before, but it looks like I was right. It''s a Body Modification, isn''t it?"


    At least Zachariah knew what was going on. That did not necessarily mean everything would be fine, but it reassured David a great deal.


    "The System called it a Modification, yes." He nodded before shifting his attention to the massive pile of notifications, checking the most important ones.


    [Using the Law of Blood beyond the User''s comprehension resulted in a severe strain on the Source and Soul. However, due to a sufficient influx of Apex Blood and Origin Essence, all damage inflicted on the Source has been mended.]


    [Your Source has grown. +1 Soul, +4 Blood.]


    [Proficiency of Law of Blood increased drastically.]


    Middle(Minor) ¡ú High(Minor)


    [The Rank of your Primary Class increased by one.]


    Bronze VI ¡ú Bronze VII


    [+3 Attribute Points.]


    [Proficiency of Weave of Life increased.]


    ¡­


    ¡­


    [Proficiency of Blood Bullet reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 VIII] ¡ú [Tier-0 X]


    [Blood Bullet reached its limit. Initiating Tier progression.]


    [Blood Bullet ¨C Tier-0 X] ¡ú [Blood Blast ¨C Tier-1 I]


    [Proficiency of Healing Light reached 100%.]


    [Tier-0 IX] ¡ú [Tier-0 X]


    [Healing Light reached its limit. Initiating Tier progression.]


    [Healing Light ¨C Tier-0 X] ¡ú [Healing Sphere ¨C Tier-1 I]


    [Proficiency of Healing Sphere reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 I] ¡ú [Tier-1 III]


    ¡­


    David skimmed through many notifications, but most were about his Skill Runes'' growth. Since he frequently used Skill Runes for defense, healing, and combat¡ªboth close and ranged¡ªhe had various Skills to develop, and that was exactly what they did. Their growth was incredibly fast, but he knew it stemmed from the Blessing of the World and the danger of fighting Regional Bosses, a Rift Boss, and nearly a hundred Giants from various Tribes, ranging from the Peak of Bronze Rank to Silver Rank.


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    Only after reading the latest notifications did he understand how he had slain so many Giants near the battle''s end.


    [An overflow of Origin Essence entered Dao Comprehension, creating a path to profound comprehension.]


    [You have acquired the Intent [Bloodlust].]


    [You have acquired the Intent [Rend].]


    [Your Secondary Class'' Rank increased by three.]


    Iron V ¡ú Iron VIII


    [Body increased by three.]


    Low(Intermediate) ¡ú Middle(Intermediate)


    The only time David had heard about Intents was from Zachariah, which he did not consider very helpful. The regressor was on another level. However, Zachariah had, at least, one Intent¡ªthe Sword Intent. Zachariah hadn''t mentioned it often, nor had he explained much about it, but David knew that Sword Intent allowed Zachariah to use a portion of the Sword Law at will. He understood that much very well¡ªthe memory of Zachariah conjuring small silver swords to stab him out of nowhere was still imprinted in his mind.


    However, it was hard to believe that he had just acquired two Intents.


    His Secondary Class'' rank increments made sense since [Dao Comprehension] was the Monk''s Legacy Skill. It was only natural that acquiring two Intents through the Legacy would drastically improve the Monk''s Rank. But¡­ how did he acquire the Intents? Rend, specifically.


    "Unhappy?"


    David looked at Zachariah and shrugged. I think "confused" fits better here.


    Zachariah cocked an eyebrow as David continued, "I obtained an Intent earlier¡ªtwo, to be precise¡ªbut one doesn''t really align with the Law of Blood."


    "What did you get?"


    "Bloodlust and Rend."


    "You received them without anyone''s influence, right? No transcendent being appeared to grant you the Intents?" Zachariah looked at him as if he were waiting for something.


    David shook his head. "Nobody appeared. It''s been a while since I saw Asmodeus and the others. But what is Rend? Have you heard of the Intent? What Law is it from?"


    The regressor didn''t answer, but he looked like he was deep in thought.


    Was Rend the reason his attacks had felt so much stronger as the battle neared its end? David wondered. It didn''t take much to recognize the crimson hue oozing from him as Bloodlust, but Rend was harder to identify.


    He willed Rend to life, coating his hand in a gray hue. Up close, it appeared similar to Zachariah''s Sword Intent. However, it felt different, evoking a distinct sensation in David. Rend didn''t seem as versatile as Sword Intent, but that didn''t necessarily mean it was weaker. He materialized the Obsidian Blade, naturally extended Rend¡ªsurprisingly easy to control now that he knew it existed¡ªletting it shroud the scimitar before slashing down.


    A small portion of Rend shot out in a crescent-shaped projectile. It was faster than his bloody projectiles had been and far more lethal. The crescent projectile struck one of the drained Giant carcasses, ripping through its shoulder.


    David whistled, lowering his arm, only to feel the ground tremble. He stared down and noticed the tip of the Obsidian Blade scraping the soil. But what truly caught his eye was the tear forming around the tip where it touched the ground.


    "That¡­ is interesting," David muttered, grinning.


    He studied Rend''s abilities a little longer, hoping Zachariah would answer his questions once he was back from his world of thoughts. However, before that could happen, a familiar clattering attracted his attention.


    "I couldn''t close the portal to the Giant Tribes, but I restrained them," Torb said as the space around him began to crack. It split open, revealing familiar terrain. It was the land outside the prehistoric Rift. The Xenoceratops were still present as well.


    "You want us to leave already?" Melach chuckled, his eyes widening as he stared at the portal.


    "We are done here. I received a notification saying that my Champion mission had been completed with a Perfect Score," Torb beamed like a fool. "I will become Fortress Champion once we''re out of here!!"


    Zachariah turned to Torb, whose fists closed and opened but only grunted something incomprehensible before turning back to David.


    "So many things are different this time, but you are the most confusing of them all. The World Awakening pulls on my nerves, but I feel like your actions and growth will make me lose my sanity."


    "No problem¡­ I guess?" David was so baffled, he struggled to think of what else to say.


    He stood still, trying to interpret the regressor''s words while Zachariah turned to the crack in space. Without hesitation, he walked through it and disappeared. David blinked a few times before following Melach and Torb as they stepped out.


    Entering a Rift for the first time had been weird, but he was prepared the second time. The scenery around him shifted as he walked. He slowed, reluctant, as he sensed the Aether density decrease drastically. The ambient Aether was still thick and pure, but it was incomparable to his experience beside the Rift Core. However, the biggest loss for David was the sudden absence of Origin Essence. There was none left for him to absorb.


    Not even the messages that popped up before him as he returned to the Earthen Union could dampen his happiness.


    [Congratulations! You contributed greatly to the clearance of the prehistoric Rift - Valley of Predation. Your Party used a unique method to take claim of the Rift Core, resulting in additional benefits.]


    [Sanctuary Creation has been chosen as the primary reward, deducing the Party''s additional benefits greatly.]


    [+1 Attribute Point.]


    David barely finished reading the notification when a husky but domineering voice rang in his ears.


    "Good job, youngling!"


    His head flicked to Torb, who stood before a towering¡­ dwarf? A really big dwarf-looking giant?


    David looked more intently at the black-haired dwarf standing opposite Torb and tilted his head. The four-meter-tall figure was translucent. A sheen¡ªa hologram, maybe¡ªhe guessed at first. However, something told him there was more to it.


    The life signals he sensed from the being were far from normal. Could that be the Essence of a transcendent being? David felt immense power from the tall dwarf, but only now did he realize that the figure might actually be Fortress. Could that be?


    David had seen Asmodeus and Bereth once, but they''d been shrouded back then. This was different. However, he didn''t doubt for a moment that Asmodeus and Bereth could mop the floor with Fortress.


    The Dwarven God felt powerful, even if only a portion of his might had descended to the Earthen Union, but the bits he had sensed from the Ruler of Blood and the Guard of the Eternal Cycle were on another level. They couldn''t be compared.


    David heard murmurs from Torb and the transcendent being as they spoke, but he was too engrossed in studying Fortress'' Essence to listen properly. He only turned to them when Zachariah approached the dwarves.


    Zachariah walked ahead of Torb, staring straight into Fortress'' eyes as the god glanced at him.


    "Do you still remember me, Fortress?"

 Chapter 94 - B2 20 - Fortress

    David felt the tension in the air as Fortress remained silent. Zachariah''s expression soured, his hand twitching toward his blade. Surely, he wasn''t going to do that¡­ right?


    But Fortress nodded slowly, his translucent form wavering. That confirmed their suspicion¡ªFortress still remembered the last Cycle!


    "Fuck!" Zachariah cursed, looking like he was about to erupt. Yet, against David''s expectations, the regressor''s response was surprisingly controlled. "Could you tell us anything about this ordeal, Your Excellency?"


    What was that? David stared at Zachariah, watching his rampaging life signals while blood dripped from his clenched fists.


    Fortress shook his head this time, and Zachariah cursed again.


    "Why¡­?"


    The Dwarven God lifted his hand, stopping the regressor with a wave of his energy.


    "I don''t have time for that. You need to figure it out yourself," Fortress bellowed, his voice domineering. "I won''t waste any more time and effort on this."


    He glanced at Torb, the domineering air no longer shrouding him. Fortress smiled vibrantly at the dwarf. The sudden shift unsettled David, sending a shiver down his spine.


    "You provided me with everything I need and more. Your debt will be no more after today. As for your rewards¡­ I agree with the seed of doubt Zachariah has planted in your mind. You will become my Prime Champion."


    David couldn''t help but keep watching Fortress. At first, it seemed like the god regarded Zachariah as an equal¡ªmaybe even with some deference¡ªbut his attitude shifted quickly. He ignored Zachariah and focused on Torb. Simultaneously, his Essence surged toward the violet Rift and seeped into the ground.


    The Dwarven God''s translucent form dimmed rapidly as he distributed his Essence, and the surroundings began to tremble.


    David followed the streams of Fortress'' Essence closely but couldn''t look everywhere at once. Stone walls and towers burst from the ground, surrounding the Rift, while the portal crackled loudly and expanded until it was three times its previous size. As expected, dozens of dwarves emerged from the portal, clad in thick plate armor. Their armor clattered, ringing in his ears as he watched lizards taller than warhorses step out, pulling bus-sized carriages.


    "All of them are at the Peak of Bronze or already at the Silver Rank," David blurted aloud, narrowing his eyes at the life signals unfolding before him. "But they''re stronger than most Protectors."


    The life signals didn''t tell him everything about the dwarves and their lizard mounts, but it showed enough to tell they were all connected to Fortress. Some of his Essence rooted deep in each of them. Not even Torb was like that¡­ David glanced at his friend, then reconsidered. Torb hadn''t been like them before today. Now, however, he had been given more of Fortress'' Essence than all of them combined.


    "You''re the dead one." Fortress turned to him, his expression oddly irritated.


    Dead one? David frowned deeply.


    "Bereth''s youngling." The Dwarven God laughed heartily. "Do you need help with something?"


    His frown deepened, but Fortress didn''t seem to mind.


    "To think I would have to listen to a god''s bullshit. That''s not something I expected to happen ¨C not before the integration at least, " David snickered, "I am no one''s youngling. I never accepted Bereth or Asmodeus as my Patron Gods. Though I don''t necessarily dislike them.


    To be honest, he was still unsure what to think of the Pantheon or any transcendent being or organization, but he had warmed up to the thought of overly powerful beings existing.


    "But since you''re already asking, I want to keep using the prehistoric Rift. Whether it''s for rampaging the Giant Tribes or to consume all the Origin Essence the Rift Core emanates. The reason shouldn''t matter to you right? Ah, and I won''t accept your Essence, so you better keep it away from me, or¡­ " He didn''t finish his senses but the meaning of his words was no doubt clear.


    Fortress irritated him, and he finally understood why; The Dwarven God''s Essence lurked around him, rubbing his skin like a molester. However, Fortress seemed to be worse than that; his Essence was trying to seep into David''s skin.


    He caught Torb''s sharp intake of breath, the silence around them deepening. He could no longer hear the clattering armor of the other dwarves.


    What was wrong? David glanced around and met a sea of glares. Judging by their expressions, he must have said something outrageous.


    "What''s the issue?" he muttered to Melach, who sighed, grumbling something about his attitude. David tilted his head and returned his gaze to Fortress'' translucent form, certain he had been nice enough.


    But even if he had been rude¡­ what did it matter? Fortress'' form was already on the verge of dispersing, leaving him with little to no Essence to waste on killing him. Then again, David didn''t think the Dwarven God was annoyed at him. If anything, he looked intrigued.


    "Looks like the dead one is a bit fierce. A little rebel with good perception and decent growth. But is that owed to Zachariah, or..." Fortress shook his head, his expression turning more serious.


    Fierce? This is me trying to be polite to someone who used my friend''s family to blackmail him! David felt like shouting, but he chose to be the bigger person and remained silent.


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    However, Fortress'' tone sharpened, each word striking like a hammer. "But let''s make one thing clear. I do not care if you love or loathe me, but if you harm my people, I will hunt you down, whether the others approve or not."


    "That makes no sense," he muttered, trying to figure out what kind of fixation Fortress and his believers had. Were they like chihuahuas¡ªsmall and bad-tempered at the slightest provocation?


    Maybe he had missed something, and Fortress was trying to make an example out of him.


    Regardless, Fortress'' words carried some of his Essence, sending a shiver down David''s spine. He felt the Dwarven God''s Essence brush against him, attempting to invade his body. Quickly, he coated himself in Rend and Bloodlust, maintaining eye contact until the last traces of Fortress'' Essence flowed into Torb. He waved the god goodbye, ignoring the glares directed his way.


    "I take that as a yes to entering the Rift whenever I please." He caught Torb''s beet-red face out of the corner of his eye and heard Melach mumble something about authority issues. He ignored them and dismissed his Intents.


    David noticed Zachariah summoning a blade of Sword Intent¡ªbut the regressor hesitated. Then, with a slow nod, he let the energy fade and patted David''s shoulder.


    "Quick thinking. That was good."


    Clearing his throat, Zachariah turned to the others. "Our mission is done here. They don''t want us here anyway."


    David agreed. He had no plans to stay longer than necessary, not when he was being glared at for casually talking to Fortress¡ªwhen the Dwarven God was the one who had started it in the first place, which only served to irritate him further.


    In any case, the dwarves would be busy for a while, building the Sanctuary, which consisted of more than just a few walls and towers. But he might have been wrong, judging by the scene before him¡ªthe stream of dwarves and bus-sized carriages showed no sign of stopping.


    Zachariah sighed deeply while Melach spoke in a low, measured tone to Torb. Was he trying to calm him down?


    "I will stay here and help them," Torb said in a firm tone, glaring at David. "They need me."


    "That''s fine," David agreed, slowing only when the dwarf didn''t stop glaring at him. "I don''t think it''s necessary to say this, but you should understand at this point that no one in the Earthen Union has had anything to do with transcendent beings. At least, not to my knowledge. Too many things have changed in the last few weeks, and the World Awakening and your Champion Mission didn''t make things easier."


    He groaned, hating that he had to explain the situation. "I think you can agree with me when I say that I do not care as much for the dwarven gods as you do. But I think it is only fair to put it into perspective."


    David pointed at Melach and asked, "Do you worship the dwarven gods as much as you worship Fortress and your other gods?"


    Torb was still glaring at him, but his furrowed brow and twitching fingers suggested he was mulling something over. The dwarf shook his head. "We have nothing to do with their gods."


    "What about Giant Gods?" David continued, leaned closer to Zachariah, and whispered, "There are Giant Gods, right?"


    The regressor nodded subtly while Torb spat on the ground, his voice filled with fury. "They shall drown in the Rivers of Xartu!"


    He had no idea what the Rivers of Xartu were, but it sounded like Torb understood his point. David smiled at his friend and cleared his throat. "Since that''s established¡­ how would you feel if a god you barely knew tried to take advantage of your friends?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David watched as Torb''s glare wavered. Then, the dwarf''s eyes widened, as if the pieces were clicking into place.


    "I¡­ wouldn''t like that." Torb admitted.


    "Exactly, and since I am from the Earthen Union, I know none of the gods. In fact, I didn''t even know they existed until the integration. Even then, it was¡ªand still is¡ªhard to believe that all of this truly exists." David spread his arms, gesturing at everything around him, including the horde of Xenoceratps.


    "So, to put it mildly, I did not like Fortress because he basically forced you to prepare a Sanctuary for him to repay you for something you never even asked for. At least, not directly."


    David still didn''t think he had done anything wrong, but the thought of losing access to the prehistoric Rift, the Dwarven Sanctuary, and more didn''t sit well with him.


    Torb''s voice lost its earlier edge, and even his stance seemed more relaxed. "So¡­ you like him now?"


    David could barely suppress a laugh. "That''s what you concluded? I can''t say I hate Fortress, but I wouldn''t say I like him either. I am grateful for the power he granted you, and it''s great that we managed to establish another Sanctuary near Arc. It shouldn''t be a problem to work together to fight common enemies. But while I''m happy about your wonderful reward¡ªsince I know how much work we had to put into securing the Rift Core¡ªyou shouldn''t blindly trust everything your Patron says or does."


    Boundaries were important, especially in a close-knit relationship between a Patron God and his follower. He didn''t like the way Fortress used Torb''s family to move the dwarf like a pawn. However, Torb''s submissive nature and overreaction to a simple snarky comment directed at the Dwarven God irked him even more.


    David took a slow breath, forcing himself to stay level-headed. The Earthen Union had devout believers too¡ªones who''d probably strike him down for speaking ill of their gods. He reminded himself that he didn''t know enough about other races'' cultures to fully grasp their relationships with their deities.


    Regardless, it was irritating that Fortress could say whatever he wanted, but when David responded casually, he was treated as if he had committed a sin. Respect had to be earned, and Fortress had been in the negative until today.


    "Are you coming with us?" Zachariah asked Melach. The elf''s eyes shifted from Torb to David and back before he nodded.


    David sighed deeply and turned away. He hadn''t thought he''d need to justify his behavior to Torb for this long¡ªespecially after they had risked their lives helping him claim the Rift Core, securing a natural 3-Star Rift. Thinking about it, David felt his anger boiling up again. He turned away before emotions could get the better of him and started walking.


    He heard footsteps behind him and felt a hand on his wrist, holding him back.


    "I¡­ I tend to forget that you''re from here. You''re strong, and you seem so used to fighting, killing, and everything¡­ Sorry for acting up like that. We dwarves are very protective of our gods. There aren''t many of us, and it''s rare for one to attain divinity. You may not understand that yet, but while we don''t mind you speaking casually with us, dwarves don''t take kindly to seeing their gods ''mistreated,''" Torb said, a wry smile tugging at his lips.


    David raised an eyebrow but nodded. "It''s fine."


    If anything, it was a good learning experience. At least now, he knew that speaking casually to certain gods might provoke an immediate attack from their followers. While that might seem obvious, his previous experience with the gods showed that they didn''t kill easily. However, that didn''t mean their devout believers would be as restrained.


    Fortress didn''t seem to mind. He only took things seriously when it involved his subordinates, David noted, making a mental note. Maybe it was time to do more research on the gods and their followers. It would definitely help him avoid situations like this¡­ until he was strong enough to face them head-on, that is.


    Torb, in the meantime, started smiling again. "Thank you for helping me."

 Chapter 95 - B2 21 - Next Step

    "So, you mean to say we''re supposed to suck up to these idiots even though it''s obvious they''re taking advantage of their people?" David groaned begrudgingly after Melach explained how most people treated the gods of other races.


    "I wouldn''t call it sucking up to them. Just add a ''Your Excellency'' and don''t be a jerk," Melach cocked an eyebrow. "And maybe don''t tell a god he''s talking nonsense¡ªat least not in front of him and his people."


    Zachariah patted David''s back. "I don''t like it either, but it''s necessary. For now, at least."


    "For now?" Melach turned to the regressor. "Don''t tell me¡­"


    Zachariah beamed at the elf. "It won''t take long before they have to be more careful. After all, it''ll be a while before they can descend upon the Earthen Union in their true forms. The World Awakening allowed them to use more of their Essence, but the System restricts the amount of extraterrestrial Essence entering the atmosphere. That''s why Fortress needed the Rift Core and why he was so happy about its level."


    David furrowed his brows, trying to process everything Zachariah said.


    "Don''t sweat it. What I''m telling you is that while the System allows all transcendent beings to send their Essence forms onto the Earthen Union, each is only allowed a certain amount of Essence. The restriction loosened a little with the World Awakening, but most transcendent beings either used the extension to form more connections with natives, deploy their Rifts to the Earthen Union, or, like Fortress, used it all together¡ªclaiming a native Rift with a Protector."


    Most of Zachariah''s words went over David''s head, but he nodded slowly. "So, you''re saying Fortress spent his entire quota on the Sanctuary''s defenses, promoting Torb and altering the Rift to smuggle in his followers?"


    "Yes. From what I can tell, bringing the swarm of dwarves to the Earthen Union should''ve cost more Essence than the gods are allowed to use right now. But since he had a Rift, one stabilized and amplified with Origin Essence, it only cost him an insignificant portion," Zachariah nodded, his tone growing cold as he added, "And, of course, he tried to affect you with the leftover Essence. Either a weak attempt at scaring you, or he hoped you''d snatch the Essence to absorb it. Fortunately, you blocked him. That was a good move." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Melach slowed, his eyes narrowing. "He did what?!"


    "You guys are trouble¡­" The elf sighed. "I don''t understand how a pair of natives can cause so much chaos in such a short time."


    "We don''t cause it," Zachariah looked at him, then wavered. "Most of the time. We''re just highly attuned to it."


    "It seems like we attract it. That''s for sure," David added, exchanging a grin with Zachariah.


    Melach shook his head, staring off to the side. "At least we''re getting stronger."


    Right. I''m not the only one growing stronger, David thought. Melach once mentioned that Protectors received a minor version of the Blessing of the World since they granted protection to natives, but David had never considered their growth. It wasn''t important how much others grew, but he was curious how far ahead or behind he was compared to the others.


    "How much did the two of you grow?"


    Zachariah chuckled. "Enough. I won''t go into detail, but my Body reached Advanced. But that''s not enough. The Blessing of the World is great, but my initial plan was to reach Advanced with all stats before the World Awakening."


    "I had some other things planned as well," he sighed. "But the World Awakening rendered most of them useless."


    Zachariah''s lips twitched, and he sighed exasperatedly. "Regardless, I''ll have to go with the flow. Most things turn out differently than I expected. But that doesn''t mean it''s bad. Arc''s survival is a good thing. As long as we can continue to take advantage of that, we should be fine¡­ probably."


    David wasn''t too worried. So far, they had survived everything thrown at them. Honestly, the first few days of integration were worse¡ªeverything was new, and survival had felt impossible. That was no longer the case. At least David didn''t feel like he was constantly on the verge of death. Most fights were dangerous, but it had been a while since he sustained life-threatening injuries.


    He had grown a lot. Checking out his status screen made that much fairly obvious.


    Name ¨C David Stears


    Primary Class ¨C Lifeweaver


    Rank ¨C Bronze VII


    Secondary Class - [Monk]


    Rank ¨C Iron VIII


    Body ¨CMiddle(Intermediate)


    Mind ¨C Lowest(+)(Intermediate)


    Soul ¨C Middle (Intermediate) ¨C 12 Droplets


    [Modification]


    [Weave Optics] ¨C [Bloodthrone Dominion]


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    [Laws]


    [Law of Blood] ¨C [High(Minor)]


    Bloodlust ¨C (Basic)


    Rend ¨C (Basic)


    [Legacy Skills]


    [Dao Comprehension] ¨C [Intermediate]


    [Class Skills]


    [Weave of Life] ¨C [Tier-2 III]


    [Equivalent Exchange] ¨C [Tier-2 II]


    [Blood Patch] ¨C [Tier-1 VII]


    [Meditation] ¨C [Tier-1 V]


    [Reinforce] ¨C [Tier-1 V]


    Body ¨C Average ¨C I(0.00%)


    Energy Pathways ¨C Subpar¨C VIII(85.65%)


    [Skill Runes]


    [Restore] ¨C [Tier-1 XIII]


    [Purify] ¨C [Tier-1 III]


    [Holy Touch] ¨C [Tier-1 XVI]


    [Blessing] ¨C [Tier-1 VIII]


    [Blood Aegis] ¨C [Tier-1 IX]


    [Symphony Control] ¨C [Tier-1 IV]


    [Blood Blast] ¨C [Tier-1 I]


    [Slash] ¨C [Tier-0 IX]


    [Eagle Eyes] ¨C [Tier-0 VII]


    [Healing Sphere] ¨C [Tier-1 III]


    [Blood Armor] ¨C [Tier-1 I]


    Attribute Points ¨C 4


    His status was far better than before. It brought a smile to his lips whenever he looked at it. After all, it showed how much he''d grown in the last few weeks.


    However, it also reminded him of how much more he could grow. David had some Skill Runes that were either rarely used or too low in rank to be effective. He''d love to push his Skill Runes to Tier-2, but it would take some time before his first Tier-1 Skill reached Rank XX, initiating its Tier progression.


    Zachariah said his Body reached Advanced¡­ so he''s either one rank higher than me or¡­ David tilted his head and glanced at the regressor.


    "What''s your plan?"


    "Right now? To reach Arc." Zachariah chuckled. "I''m not sure, to be honest. Helping Torb affected some plans. The Dwarven Sanctuary will grow quickly and earn considerable prestige and power in no time. That will benefit Fortress a lot since the Essence used to empower his subordinates will be nourished as his zealots grow stronger. That, in return, will strengthen Fortress."


    Huh? Fortress gets stronger when his believers accumulate more power with his Essence? David hadn''t known that. Was that why he tried to infuse his Essence into him? To gain something if David had grown stronger using Fortress'' Essence?


    "Don''t look at me like that. The Divine Connection is usually not worth mentioning because gods expend more Essence than they regain in a short time. However, the World Awakening, combined with the Blessings, will accelerate the process a little. Still, I don''t believe Fortress will receive a lot of power. Not until Torb and the others reach Gold or Platinum Rank, at the very least." Zachariah waved dismissively. "Either way, other transcendent beings scrying us will probably notice what Fortress has done. They''ll try to copy his tactics¡ªif they haven''t already. Some infernal beings will corrupt humans, turning them into puppets to summon the Gates to Pandemonium and beyond."


    David still wasn''t sure of their next step, but at least he had a clearer picture of the power struggles between transcendent beings. Judging by Zachariah''s tone, things were about to get messy¡ªnot great. Still, it was important to know.


    "Either way, back to the topic," Zachariah patted David and Melach on the back. "Since everyone has a Secondary Class at last, we can focus a little more on them. Secondary Classes are harder to train, so we might as well work on them until we reach a satisfactory rank. Of course, we shouldn''t neglect our Skills in the meantime. If we can push some useful Skills to Tier-2, possibly a few additional rank-ups on top, that would be best. For me, that means fighting, concocting, and as little sleep as possible until the Blessing wears off."


    That sounded reasonable to David. His plan was to reinforce his Energy Pathways until the System acknowledged them as at least ''Average.'' To do that, he''d use [Reinforce], supplied with Aether from [Meditation]. Both were Class Skills, meaning Monk would soon reach Bronze Rank. If possible, he''d reach Bronze Rank and initiate the first Class Promotion for his Secondary Class.


    I should''ve stayed in the prehistoric Rift. If I had used Origin Essence to feed my body with superior energy, my ranks would''ve increased much faster, David lamented inwardly. He still had some Origin Essence left, but it wouldn''t last forever.


    "I can always go back later," he muttered, turning to Zachariah. "Is it reasonable to push Tier-2 Skills to Tier-3, or does that require too much time and effort?"


    "I think trading with transcendent beings might be easier at that point. Not for every Skill, but certain Tier-3 Skills aren''t something you''ll be able to procure anytime soon. We can go to the Familia and make a request for specific Tier-3 Skills. If someone connected to the Familia¡ªwhether they''re a god or not¡ªhas the means to give you the Skill Rune, they can make a request. They''ll demand something from you, and you can start negotiating. The prices are usually exorbitant, but since you''re fairly powerful and located in the Earthen Union, you might find some reasonable offers. Even if there aren''t any, you can always negotiate."


    Zachariah snapped his fingers at David. "And you''re a Healer¡ªI forget that sometimes¡ªso some will definitely hire you to heal their Champions and the like in exchange for Skill Slates and much more."


    David massaged his temple, trying to process everything. Ranking up his Tier-1 Skills was already frustrating. The idea of pushing Tier-2 Skills to Tier-3? He nearly groaned just thinking about how long that would take.


    Regardless, David didn''t see himself replacing [Holy Touch] or [Blessing] anytime soon. They were powerful, and as long as he kept using them in battle, they would naturally grow stronger.


    How about replacing less useful Skills with much stronger versions¡ªSkills that have multiple uses? David considered, shrugging inwardly. He couldn''t make a decision if he didn''t know what Skills he wanted to obtain in the first place.


    "Let''s get back to Arc first," Melach said. "We have stuff to sell and research to complete."

 Chapter 96 - B2 22 - No Break

    "Of course, we''re not given any time to relax." David sneered at the chaos unfolding far ahead.


    They were still a few minutes away from returning to Arc, and from the looks of it, their return would have to wait a little longer.


    "What''s wrong?" Melach asked, concerned.


    "Well¡­" David''s lips twitched as he channeled Blood into his modified eyes. "It looks like some people found Arc. Humans."


    Hundreds of life signals flickered to life as the power of Blood augmented Bloodthrone Dominion¡ªsome potent, others not so much¡ªbut the lifeforce swirling before his eyes did not resolve the situation. If anything, it showed him with shocking clarity what was happening in the outskirts of the System Sanctuary. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "More details," Zachariah said, sensing something was wrong.


    "I can see Arc on the horizon, and humans¡­ fighting Arc''s Protectors."


    The regressor cursed while Melach gasped before springing into a sprint. The elf weaved his wand and conjured an Earthen Elemental from the ground around him in a moment. However, the Elemental was smaller, four-legged, and a lot faster than the Earthen Golem. Melach leaped onto the Earthen Elemental''s back and disappeared.


    "I don''t like this," Zachariah muttered through gritted teeth.


    David threw him a look. "You don''t say."


    They stared at each other for a moment and sighed in unison.


    David didn''t have to think twice and used his Attribute Points.


    [One Attribute Point has been used to enhance the User''s Mind.]


    Lowest(+)(Intermediate) ¡ú Low(-)(Basic)


    [Three Attribute Points have been used to enhance the User''s Body.]


    Middle (Intermediate) ¡ú High(Intermediate)


    He discarded the notifications and their changes. Instead, he circulated Blood through his lower body and pressed his feet deep into the ground as he pursued Melach. Zachariah shot past him and followed the elf, catching up before they reached the battlefield.


    But the distance to the battlefield was cut to a minimum in no time. The others arrived shortly, all while he caught up, his head flicking left and right to study the battlefield. He absorbed as many details as possible, but nothing explained the questions racing through his mind.


    Which side are we on? David wondered as several flickers of life vanished on the battlefield. Several humans collapsed to the ground and stopped moving. But not only humans died. David leaped high into the air, using crimson shields as springboards to oversee the battlefield, and discovered dead elves, dwarves, tiracs, and other Protectors.


    He didn''t know why they were fighting, but he disliked it. After the integration, David had spent most of his time in Arc and knew the Protectors sought only to defend the Sanctuary. He was also aware that Arc accepted natives of the Earthen Union into the Sanctuary.


    And¡­ there it was. David discovered humans fighting alongside Protectors against fellow humans.


    What a mess. He winced, his hair standing on end when he saw a bright flash from below.


    First, he noticed several projectiles flying Zachariah''s way, forcing the regressor to release several silver sword flashes. The incoming projectiles never touched Zachariah, but to David, it looked like they had set something off in him. The regressor accelerated again, his sword flashing as he cleaved a human in two halves.


    David shuddered. But there was no time to dwell on it as icicles, fireballs, and dark mana projectiles hurtled toward him.


    He conjured [Blood Aegis] before him, blocking all damage, but that did not solve all the problems. If anything, it started them.


    Now I get it, David thought, suppressing his anger. He could finally understand Zachariah''s actions. The resolution behind the projectiles and the tingle of killing intent directed at him told David everything he needed to know. They wanted to kill them. Thus, they had to die instead.


    David jumped to the ground again, casting and overclocking [Blessing] on himself, Zachariah, and Melach¡ªincluding the Elemental. He dashed at the men and women who had attacked him a moment ago. Before his trip to the prehistoric Rift, it would have been difficult to differentiate them from the rest, but his body modification changed that. Bloodthrone Dominion showed him everything he needed to know. More projectiles headed his way, yet a simple crimson shield blocked them all.


    David retaliated with [Blood Blast]. Several crimson projectiles manifested around him and shot toward his enemies. David watched them move and wave their wands, his expression turning grim as he unleashed his newest Intent, Bloodlust. The scenery surrounding him changed instantaneously. Everything around him turned crimson as Bloodlust burst out of David explosively.


    More than half of the enemies ahead slowed and froze in their tracks, their eyes widening as if they were about to pop out just before [Blood Blast] struck. A cacophony of sickening crunches resounded as the bloody projectiles pierced their targets.


    David''s lips parted instinctively, and a single Word of Power escaped. A moment later, his projectiles exploded. The targets'' eyes trembled¡ªbut only once¡ªas the life in them faded. They collapsed to the ground while kill notifications flickered in the corner of his vision.


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    His stomach churned, and he suppressed a shudder as he realized what the notifications entailed, but he pressed on. He cast [Blood Armor], shrouding himself in a thick, semi-translucent crimson membrane. David found it dull despite its hue, but he continued feeding it energy until all of [Blood Armor]''s components fully manifested. The membrane thickened as solid, plate-like sections formed, interlocking seamlessly.


    It was his first time casting [Blood Armor], yet it felt oddly familiar. The solid parts resembled a smaller version of [Blood Aegis], surprising him for a moment. I can modify the armor as I please, he realized, shifting the plates slightly with a thought. He willed more into existence until he was well-protected yet unrestrained.


    David moved freely, but he did not evade the incoming attacks. Several weak mana projectiles struck [Blood Armor], the plates absorbing everything. The damage transferred to the crimson membrane, dispersing across it. He felt the impacts clearly, yet the force spread evenly over his body, turning the attacks into a laughingstock. He barely felt them.


    The Obsidian Blade, now in scimitar form, materialized in his hand as he reached the last of his attackers. Their life signals flickered wildly. One of them stumbled and fell as she retreated, but David paid her no mind. He applied [Slash] to his weapon and struck the first enemy. The man raised his wand, only to fail at blocking the incoming attack. David severed the wand and cleaved through his chest.


    Blood spurted like a fountain, but it got worse as another Word of Power escaped David''s lips. The man''s torso burst open, showering the surroundings in warm blood. A kill notification flashed, but he ignored it, already using [Rend] to attack the next enemy. A man clad in thick leather armor was split in two, while the woman on the ground took a [Blood Blast] between her brows.


    Once all enemies who had targeted him with killing intent lay dead, he turned.


    Several groups of humans worked together, singling out Protectors and wearing them down before finishing them off. The numerical disadvantage of the Protectors hadn''t been obvious at first, but it was severe. He couldn''t even distinguish the unique life signals of one hundred otherworldly creatures among the hundreds surrounding them.


    Though that seemed problematic, Zachariah emerged in the backlines, cutting down humans by the dozen. Nothing stood in his way¡ªnot with his speed, strength, and skill. David took note of the ease with which Zachariah killed humans. It was clearly not his first time.


    But who am I kidding? This isn''t much different from killing Giants. If anything, it''s easier, David thought, uncertain how to feel.


    Fortunately, more humans turned to attack him as their eyes landed on the corpses around him. Their intent to kill was all David needed to forsake any hesitation. He was certain they would show him no mercy if he faltered¡ªso he did not give them a chance.


    He recited Words of Power, expanding Bloodlust Intent while conjuring a dozen [Blood Blasts] at once. His enemies squirmed, but some still charged him even as Bloodlust reached them. Those who froze in place, however, died instantly, [Blood Blast] piercing their throats, foreheads, and chests.


    More kill notifications flashed in the corner of his vision, but David focused on the figures rushing toward the fallen. He sensed holy power and grimaced.


    Clerics? Well, I suppose that makes sense. Even bad guys need healers.


    He accessed the Law of Blood, conjuring spikes that erupted from the corpses, impaling the Clerics.


    He struggled to describe the sensation in his chest, but something about fighting Clerics irritated him. It shouldn''t have meant anything, yet their presence irked him more than the fight itself. David felt as if his very being found the idea of a Healer aiding his enemies revolting.


    He wondered if it was tied to his Class and the moral code of a Lifeweaver but dismissed the thought. Even if his Primary Class had some innate dislike for fighting Healers¡ªor the mere thought of his enemies having one¡ªit wouldn''t change anything.


    A humming broadsword came crashing down, but David sidestepped and drove his blade into the attacker. Though the man¡ªlikely a Warrior after his First Class Promotion¡ªseemed stronger, David was faster. Or was it just his reaction speed? No, he realized¡ªthe Warrior wasn''t slow. He was hesitant.


    He conjured a crimson shield, which shattered as an arrow struck hard. The projectile pierced [Blood Aegis] and cracked one of his armor plates. David channeled more Blood into [Blood Armor], repairing the damage before turning to the ranger. For a moment, he thought the ranger looked familiar¡ªbut he was mistaken.


    A second arrow came for him just as a woman thrust a spear into his side. David reinforced his shield to weaken the arrow while taking the spear thrust head-on. He removed [Blood Armor] around the impact zone and leaned into the attack, grimacing as the blade pierced his flesh. The spearwoman smiled victoriously¡ªbut so did David.


    He let the spear blade dig deeper as he inched closer, slashing her throat just as her triumphant expression vanished. Terror replaced joy.


    In one swift motion, David yanked the spear from his side and cast [Restore] before turning to the last remaining target. He applied [Blessing] and [Holy Touch] to the spear, spun it in one hand, then flexed his muscles as he hurled it at the Hunter. The Hunter released a rapid volley of arrows, slowing the spear as it whipped through the air. However, David wasn''t done. He overclocked [Blood Blast] and released it right behind the spear.


    The Hunter leaped aside and vanished into an explosion of dark mist, reappearing a dozen meters away before firing more arrows. David ignored them when he noticed something else¡ªMelach''s four-legged Elemental tearing through the enemy ranks. It lunged at the Hunter, who vanished once more.


    David dispatched the last of his attackers before turning to find Zachariah bleeding profusely. The regressor fought a Swordsman, supported by a Mage, a Healer, and a bow-wielding man¡ªan annoying combination.


    The Healer used something akin to [Blessing], though much weaker, channeling only average holy power¡ªhis Skill level was clearly inferior. Meanwhile, the Mage wielded abilities similar to Melach''s. However, instead of summoning an Elemental, he conjured earthen spears while setting his Swordsman''s blade ablaze.


    David raised an eyebrow and overclocked [Blessing] to cast it on Zachariah. Simultaneously, he used [Symphony Control] to pull their attention toward Zachariah before charging in himself¡ªafter removing the Bloodlust Intent, of course.


    Zachariah''s sudden surge in strength appeared to catch his enemies off guard. They fought more valiantly, but the regressor''s speed and power had increased considerably. Several Miniature Swords materialized around him as he struck the Swordsman in rapid succession. He launched the Miniature Swords at his other foes and slashed at a glowing arrow, splitting it in half. However, that left his side open.


    Or so it seemed.


    The Swordsman accelerated, lunging for the apparent weakness. Maybe the regressor had the means to block the attack, but David wasn''t willing to take that risk. He overclocked [Blood Aegis], conjuring his strongest shield between the Swordsman''s weapon and Zachariah''s side.


    The shield cracked and shattered, but it robbed the Swordsman of his momentum. Zachariah spun, a devious smile forming as he unleashed a rapid flurry of sword slashes, each resembling shimmering starstreams.


    A heartbeat later, the Swordsman''s head tumbled to the ground.

 Chapter 97 - B2 23 - Class Advancement

    David spared those who did not direct their killing intent at him. He considered that merciful enough, especially after everything the perpetrators had done. Nevertheless, David attacked them with [Blood Blast], shattering bones and leaving gaping holes in their bodies, rendering them defenseless. Maybe that was more cruel than killing them, David thought as he watched the injured being carried away, but he did not interfere.


    As the battle was nearing its end, David began spreading [Healing Sphere] across the battlefield to heal the wounded Protectors, increasing his efforts after the last perpetrators surrendered. He rushed to the grievously wounded, cast [Weave of Life] to preserve their lives, and attached one of his healing spheres to them. Some received instantaneous healing through [Restore]; two unfortunate Protectors required an overclocked version of the Skill Rune. However, no Protector succumbed to their wounds once he focused on healing them.


    If anything, David felt like he was a victim of some Protectors'' incessant chatter. A handful of them¡ªmostly those with the worst wounds¡ªbehaved like chatterboxes, which David blamed on their wounds and adrenaline. While it frustrated him, it was also helpful.


    So, these idiots approached Arc, saying they would spare everyone''s lives if they surrendered? David frowned deeply as he processed what he heard. It sounded incredulous, yet several Protectors said the same¡ªincluding natives of the Earthen Union. A small army of humans arrived with several demands, only to kill the Protectors who had left Arc to negotiate¡ªat least, that''s how it seemed. Though it sounded unbelievable, David listened in silence.


    "They''re crazy. I don''t know what Demon whipped their brains, but they were stupid to believe we would surrender Arc just because power got to their heads," one of the wounded cursed, and David nodded silently.


    He finished treating the injured on the battlefield and turned to the field littered with human corpses. He shook his head, deciding against draining the remaining traces of lifeforce from the human carcasses, and watched the Protectors loot them. David cocked an eyebrow as he discovered item drops but remained silent as the lifeforce on the battlefield dispersed.


    Maybe he was a hypocrite for draining the Giants until no trace of lifeforce remained, yet hesitating with humans, but David cared too little to dwell on it. He dismissed the thought with a shrug and returned to Arc. His eyelids grew heavier, and he let out a yawn.


    I guess I need some sleep.


    He walked away from the battlefield, feeling his mind shutting off as he closed in on the System Sanctuary. Yet, something unnatural caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He approached the side of the main street and removed a small stone, revealing a¡­translucent marble. It didn''t seem like anything special¡ªexcept for the electrical currents crackling within it. David tilted his head, feeling a faint tingling sensation as he picked it up.


    "Did someone lose it?" he wondered. "But what is this, in the first place?"


    It wasn''t his business; however, something about the marble felt odd. David didn''t like the way the marble made him feel. His stomach churned, forcing him to postpone his initial plan. He sought the captain of the Protectors and caught his interest.


    The dwarf turned to him, covered in blood, his face as grim as ever. "You returned in a timely manner. We are grateful for your support. Fewer brave warriors died thanks to your support and healing."


    "No problem. I''m glad I could help," David waved dismissively and held out the marble. "I found this near the battlefield. Maybe it belonged to the perpetrators. It might be nothing, but it feels off."


    The Protector Captain took the marble and handed it to one of his underlings. David hoped they would take care of it and uncover its purpose, but there was nothing more he could do. The Protector Captain grumbled something into his beard, nodded curtly at him, and turned away.


    David shrugged at that, knowing he did more than was demanded of him and returned to his room to rest. He extended his stay, spending a few currency slates, ordered some food, and finished his meal alone and in silence. Nobody bothered him in his room. Though the day''s events were intriguing, David ignored the thoughts and questions flashing through his mind.


    He couldn''t even tell when he fell asleep. The last thing David remembered was falling onto his bed.


    It felt like only a moment had passed before his eyes shot open again.


    David sat upright and turned to the window, groaning when he saw that it was still dark outside. However, he was not tired anymore. If anything, his mind felt refreshed, and his body was back at its peak. Even his Source felt better than ever, with thirteen Blood droplets filling the energy reservoir.


    Thirteen?


    He closed his eyes and double-checked his Source, counting the droplets again.


    Not wasting any time, he skimmed through the notifications. The kill notifications were dismissed without a second thought, while he only briefly acknowledged the proficiency increases until he reached the most recent ones. One of the last notifications was what he had been looking for.


    [Your Source has grown. +1 Blood.]


    "I obtained a few Drops in the prehistoric Rift already. How come it increased by one again?" he wondered aloud, but there was no answer.


    David shrugged and smiled at the increase. The more Blood, the better. He had no reason to complain.


    The Blessing sure is helpful, he thought, listening to his palpitating heart. The increment motivated him to keep going. However, instead of returning to the wild to hunt and fight, David crossed his legs on the bed and activated [Meditation]. He sensed the ambient Aether with greater precision, and it didn''t take long before his pores opened to absorb it.


    His Energy Pathways were flooded with Aether until they reached capacity, significantly slowing the influx. David willed the Aether to circulate through his body, making it his before channeling it straight into [Reinforce]''s Rune. The second Class Skill [Reinforce] flashed to life at the influx of Aether, but David did not reinforce his Energy Pathways immediately. Instead, he absorbed more Aether to annex and infuse into his Skill Runes.


    He failed to create a perfect cycle to absorb ambient Aether and annex it efficiently until he inserted traces of Origin Essence into it. His initial plan had been to infuse the Origin Essence settled in his body to empower [Reinforce], and that was still the case. However, David adjusted the plan, ensuring he could efficiently absorb and annex ambient Aether while maintaining [Reinforce]. The mental strain bore down on his mind as he multitasked two Class Skills, the Aether cycle, and the supply of Origin Essence traces, but David did not dislike it.


    He focused on the task ahead and stayed in his room until midday. Only a portion of the stored Origin Essence had been used, but the System had already rewarded him with several notifications.


    [Proficiency of Meditation reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 V ¡ú Tier-1 VI]


    [Proficiency of Reinforce reached 100%.]


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    [Tier-1 V ¡ú Tier-1 VI]


    [Reinforcement progress of Energy Pathways reached 100%.]


    [Subpar-VIII ¡ú Subpar-IX]


    [Your Secondary Class'' Rank increased.]


    [Iron VIII ¡ú Iron IX]


    [Your Body has been enhanced.]


    [Middle (Intermediate) ¡ú Middle (+) (Intermediate)]


    Feeling how much he had progressed was already great, but David liked seeing the notifications just as much. They showed him that his effort was not in vain. He closed his eyes with a smile and resumed his work, using more Origin Essence at a time.


    David couldn''t tell what time it was when he opened his eyes again, but the sun hadn''t seemed to move an inch. However, the Origin Essence had been used up, more notifications had appeared before him, and he could clearly feel how bloated he was despite not having eaten in a while.


    He was close to ranking up again, wasn''t he?


    No¡­ that''s not it, he chuckled, checking the new notification as the realization set in.


    [Proficiency of Meditation reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 VI ¡ú Tier-1 VII]


    [Proficiency of Reinforce reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 VI ¡ú Tier-1 VII]


    [Reinforcement progress of Energy Pathways reached 100%.]


    [Subpar-IX ¡ú Subpar-X]


    [The User''s Energy Pathways reached all requirements to be formally labeled ''Average''.]


    [Subpar-X ¡ú Average-I]


    [Your Secondary Class'' Rank increased.]


    [Iron IX ¡ú Iron X]


    [Your Body has been enhanced.]


    [Middle (+) (Intermediate) ¡ú High (-) (Intermediate)]


    David was already feeling good about his Body''s improvements, but the next message was even better.


    [Your Secondary Class meets all conditions to commence the First Class Advancement. Do you wish to proceed?]


    It was different from last time since he was asked if he wanted to proceed instead of it being forced upon him. However, while it seemed like a good idea to wait in hopes of acquiring a powerful Unique Class by achieving greatness¡ªpotentially attracting another transcendent being''s interest and earning their Essence as fuel to augment the Advancement Ritual¡ªDavid didn''t wait.


    Earning support from a transcendent being might have been a great boon, but David felt that postponing the inevitable could make things worse. The Blessing of the World would wear off in a few days. He either used it well, ensuring both Primary and Secondary Classes could profit as much as possible, or he would have to cripple his growth by waiting until he met more requirements to unlock Unique Classes, requirements which he didn''t even know.


    "Show me what you got!"


    [Commence First Class Advancement (Monk ¨C Secondary Class)]


    Golden particles appeared around him, and David grasped them without a second thought. He instinctively cast [Holy Touch], coating his hand before absorbing the golden particles. Several notifications flashed to life, but he dismissed them except for the list of viable Classes to pick from.


    ¡­


    [Devout Believer (Common+)]


    [Berserk Monk (Uncommon)]


    [Zealot (Uncommon)]


    [Serene Ego (Uncommon+)]


    [Fallen Monk (Uncommon+)]


    [Splicing Monk (Rare)]


    That''s fewer options than I thought, David mused, checking the Class description of Devout Believer, though he hadn''t expected much.


    [Devout Believer¨C (Common+)]


    Your faith is deeply ingrained into your identity, influencing your thoughts, actions, and perception of the world. Your belief is not just a principle but a guiding force in your life, shaping your morals, purpose, and decisions. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    You are unwavering in your convictions, which is often displayed in your immense dedication to your faith through rituals, prayers, and acts of¡­


    David stopped reading midway, sneering, "What kind of bullshit is that?"


    He skimmed through the rest and cursed, "The fuck is that Class Skill? [Prayer], seriously? And an increase of one in Mind whenever I rank up? What''s that supposed to do? Why is the increment shifting from Body to Mind?"


    Devout Believer was dismissed instantaneously, and he moved on to Berserk Monk. It improved Body by two for every rank up, which was something he''d been looking forward to, and granted him two Class Skills, but one was called [Rage-fuelled Mind], with one line describing the loss of rationality in the heat of battle. While that may fit the Class, especially with a second Class Skill called [Berserk], it was not what David wanted.


    He also ignored the Class Zealot after skimming through it and did the same with Fallen Monk, not even bothering to check the Class'' description as he felt a certain instinctive aversion toward it. David did not want to risk it, leaving him with Serene Ego and Splicing Monk.


    "Forget the description. Show me what you got, Splicing Monk," David muttered.


    Your proficiency with Offensive Skill Runes and Intents increases drastically.


    A trace of the Law empowering Rend will be used to augment the Skill Runes using weaponry.


    Skill Runes [Weaponry], [Splice], and [Material Arts] will fuse to your Source.


    Splicing Monks heavily rely on their Comprehension of Weaponry intent and a strong Body to utilize Skills of greater power.


    Increasing your Rank will grant you [+2 Body], [1 Attribute Point every two Ranks].


    The improvements were a little bit different than expected, and so were the Class Skills, and he couldn''t help but wonder if the Splicing Monk was still considered a Monk, in the first place. Would his Secondary Class still rank up if he were to keep using [Meditation], [Reinforce], and [Dao Comprehension], or would the Class Skills and Legacy Skill become less effective?


    Still, receiving a Class revolving around his newest Intent was interesting, though it might not be as useful as he''d hoped.


    "Is that my best option?" David murmured, rubbing his chin. He read Serene Ego''s description, but it was not much different from his current Class. Except for two new Class Skills and an increment of +1 Body and +1 Mind for every rank up.


    It was one Class Skill and fewer Attribute Points than Splicing Monk offered, but the Class description did not differ much from what he expected a Monk to be described. He was certain Monk''s Class Skills and Legacy Skill would still work, earning Serene Ego some proficiency to rank up. However, the final decision was based on the Class Skills. While he liked Splicing Monk''s Weaponry, Martial Arts, and Splice¡ªeven though he did not know exactly how the Skills would work¡ªDavid was more interested in a different field.


    Lifeweaver was already versatile, but Serene Ego''s Class Skills were undoubtedly something Lifeweaver would never be able to obtain.


    "[Mind Palace], and [A Body''s Purity]..." He whispered, squinting his eyes, "You know what? Fuck this shit!"


    What was there to be afraid of? In the worst case, he could always work tirelessly to ensure the Secondary Class Advancement would be better than the first.


    However, deep down, David knew that he was doing the right thing.


    [Serene Ego (Uncommon+) has been selected.]


    [Your Secondary Class'' Rank increased by one.]


    [Iron X] ¡ú [Bronze I]


    [Mind and Body increased by one.]

 Chapter 98 - B2 24 - The Last?

    David quickly processed the streams of information flooding his mind. He learned the basics of [Mind Palace] and [A Body''s Purity], though there wasn''t much to grasp. From what he could tell, the latter was a passive Skill Rune that enhanced his body''s resilience against all kinds of harmful substances¡ªrotting, poison, and more¡ªwhile also strengthening him physically. However, as the notification appeared, he barely felt the latter''s effect.


    [Class Skills [Mind Palace] and [A Body''s Purity] have been fused to your Source.]


    Following the notification, David checked his status for any changes.


    [Reinforce] ¨C [Tier-1 VII]


    Body ¨C Average ¨C III (0.00%)


    Energy Pathways ¨C Average ¨C I (0.00%)


    [Mind Palace] ¨C [Lowest ¨C Basic]


    [A Body''s Purity] ¨C [Tier-1 I]


    He raised an eyebrow at his physique''s improvement. Apparently, his Average Body had increased from I to III, likely thanks to [A Body''s Purity]. If not for [Reinforce], he would never have noticed a difference. He got up from the bed and threw a punch into the air, sending a small shockwave outward¡ªbut that was nothing new.


    I''m stronger, but the improvement could also be from my Body advancing to High Intermediate, David thought, testing his agility and flexibility before sitting on the edge of his bed again. He was clearly faster, more flexible, and physically stronger, but it was hard to tell how much of that came from [Reinforce]. That left many questions, but there was no need to rush into answering them.


    "Calm and decisive. We only have a few days left to make use of the Blessing," he reminded himself, discarding all thoughts of experimenting with [Reinforce] and his new Skills. [Mind Palace] seemed useful, but when he briefly tapped into its Rune, he realized it consumed even more Aether than [Reinforce].


    Creating a palace in his mind could wait.


    David got up and left his room, making his way to the bustling market square teeming with dwarves, elves, and other races. He weaved through the crowd until he reached a familiar merchant.


    "Merchant Elion."


    David greeted the elven merchant, who turned to him with a deep frown.


    "I see you''re overjoyed to see me again."


    Elion rolled his eyes and hissed, "Cut the crap. What do you want?"


    "Great customer service," David commented as he retrieved the item drops from the prehistoric Rift one by one. "I want to sell everything."


    Elion''s eyes widened as more armaments and valuable goods appeared before him.


    "And don''t even think about offering me a low price. I don''t feel like wasting my time negotiating today."


    "Esteemed customer, did you not sleep well?" Elion''s tone shifted, but David only frowned at him.


    "Okay, okay. I''ll stay silent." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "These are from a natural, Rare 3-Star Rift. You won''t find goods like these often around here." He smirked. "For a while, at least."


    Merchant Elion nodded and began inspecting the goods.


    ***


    After selling the unneeded item drops, David sought out merchants willing to buy monster parts, trading the valuable remains of Giants and prehistoric creatures they had encountered. His pouch was now filled with currency slates, yet the money meant little to him. He had no use for it beyond buying food and securing a roof over his head.


    He channeled Blood into his eyes, transforming the Sanctuary into a flickering mass of life signals. Locking onto a familiar one, he found Melach at the Artificer''s home.


    When she opened the door, the Tirac Artificer arched a brow.


    "What are you doing here? Your Blood Storage won''t be complete anytime soon."


    Anytime soon? That was disappointing. David sighed inwardly but retrieved the Bloodstones harvested from the Stone Giants and handed them to her.


    "These are for you. I hope we can lower the price for the Blood Storage with these. They''re all damaged, more or less, but I''m pretty sure you can fix some of them."


    He shrugged. "Even if you can''t use them to replicate my Source''s energy reservoir, I know they can contain Blood. So¡­ you might be able to do something useful with them."


    The scales covering the Artificer''s body clattered wildly. "Stone Giants? Are you one of the two crazy humans who visited the natural Rift with Melach and his dwarven friend?"


    David caught Melach peeking out from around the corner, bringing a smile to his lips. "I know he''s here. Melach is the reason I came here. Precisely, to give him his share of the profit we made."


    He retrieved a small pouch filled with currency slates from his spatial storage and lobbed it in the elf''s direction. The elf caught it mid-air and smiled wryly back at him.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "I doubt you called your family. Do that, or I will request their information from the Familia and cause a scene when they pick up," David teased Melach. He didn''t know if it was possible to get the elf''s information from the Familia, but seeing Melach''s face was satisfying enough.


    He burst into laughter and left, but not without hearing the Tirac Artificer call him both insane and lucky. Whatever that was supposed to mean.


    David shrugged and searched for Zachariah. Finding him turned out to be easier than expected.


    He discovered more familiar life signals and returned to the market square, where he found Zachariah leaving the Familia with the Protector Captain. They exchanged a few words, and the Protector Captain gave a slight bow before they separated.


    David approached the regressor with a smile, which Zachariah reciprocated.


    "You disappeared after the fight with the bandits. I was almost worried that it was too much for you to handle. Almost," Zachariah said with a flat smile.


    David shrugged. "I pushed my Secondary Class to the Bronze Rank. It took a little bit longer than expected, but I feel much better now. Meditating is really helpful for relieving stress, but so is fighting powerful monsters."


    The regressor raised an eyebrow. "You look better. Though it will take me a while to get used to your crimson eyes. To think you''d undergo a Modification."


    "Either way." He waved dismissively. "I talked to Protector Kurkur about the bandit attack and mentioned the Dwarven Sanctuary. He seemed surprised, but it looks like he is not one of Fortress'' zealots. If I''m not wrong, the other Dwarven Protectors are not Fortress'' devout believers either. That makes everything a bit easier."


    True. David nodded in agreement. If the dwarven residents and Protectors located in Arc were all Fortress'' zealots, they would migrate to the Dwarven Sanctuary, transforming Arc into a ghost town. Maybe it wouldn''t be that bad, but David was sure it would cause some problems, given how many Protectors died fighting the Darkai Horde and the bandit attack.


    They left the market square and found a secluded spot to talk in private.


    "Do you think they will reach out for treaties and trades? If the Sanctuaries were to combine their forces to deal with threats like bandits, their chances of survival would be¡­ higher," David asked, wondering what would have happened if they hadn''t returned from the prehistoric Rift in time. Only a few human bandits had been powerful enough to consider them a threat, but there had been hundreds. If not for him, Melach, and Zachariah, the situation would have looked different¡ªworse.


    "They will be fine. I think Kurkur has a plan." Zachariah didn''t sound like he was particularly bothered about Arc''s well-being. "I''m more interested in the bandits."


    The bandits? David tilted his head. "Did they interrogate them already?"


    The regressor sighed, clenching his fists. "The interrogation started, but nobody is talking. The Protector Captain approached me to assist with the interrogation. Unfortunately, my interrogation skills aren''t working. The bandits are scared shitless¡­ but instead of talking, they''re just dying."


    David cocked an eyebrow at that. "You accidentally killed them?"


    "No, it''s more like a seal¡ªsimilar to the restraints put on me. You know, the headache and bleeding from all orifices whenever I talk too much about my past."


    "Is it your past or the future you can''t talk about?" David asked.


    Zachariah shrugged. "A bit of both, I guess. But it feels like the restrictions are growing weaker. Since Fortress verified that they still remember the last Cycle, the restraints might be loosening. Or maybe it''s more accurate to say they eased after I realized that the Pantheon and other transcendent beings still remember the last Cycle."


    "Does that mean you can tell me more?" David''s eyes widened, and his heartbeat accelerated.


    The regressor looked unsure, but he tried regardless. Zachariah told him a bit about the last Cycle and everything he and his allies had gone through. He only stopped when his complexion changed. By the time he finished speaking, Zachariah looked utterly drained, almost lifeless. However, David could sense that the regressor still had much more to say.


    "My initial plan was to reach Advanced in all stats, achieve the Gold Rank, and gather my allies before the World Awakening. Defeating the Mistwalker and several other formidable enemies was also on my to-do list, but I only accomplished half of it. I found William, but I have yet to kill him. The initial plan was to kill him before he finishes his Third Class Advancement but now¡­ Now he''s several times stronger than he used to be," Zachariah spat on the ground, his expression grim.


    William? David frowned, his thoughts drifting to his friend for a moment when the regressor mentioned the name. It couldn''t be the same William, though. His friend was a great guy, and it wasn''t like William was a rare name. David could recall at least half a dozen people named William.


    "Everything is different this time," Zachariah grimaced, distracting David.


    David studied the regressor and wondered aloud, "Do you think the Earthen Union has gone through multiple Cycles before this one?"


    Zachariah''s head flicked toward him, his eyes narrowing to tiny slits. For a moment, he looked ready to pounce on David, as if he would tear him apart. However, he eased up, his expression contorted in pain.


    "I¡­ don''t know. It''s possible. But this time is definitely different than last time. I cannot say anything about the previous Cycles, but I do know that transcendent beings do not have an unlimited supply of Essence. In my Cycle, they did not interfere much. If anything, they only began interfering actively years after the World Awakening."


    David shuddered, realizing what Zachariah meant. "But this time, they started intervening even before the World Awakening."


    "Exactly," Zachariah nodded, his face souring. "It''s not just the Pantheon¡ªPandemonium and even Old Ones like Asmodeus joined the ''game'' long before we finished the tutorial, which was what they called the period before the World Awakening in my Cycle."


    The regressor suddenly laughed, but it sounded hollow. "Did you know that there are currently more Rifts in our region compared to some countries in the first months of the Integration in the previous Cycle? What does that tell you?"


    What does that mean? David tilted his head, his heart pounding in his throat. For one, everything Zachariah had just mentioned indicated that various transcendent beings considered it crucial to intervene and invest in the Earthen Union this time, while it had been unnecessary in the last Cycle.


    "I think we are in the last Cycle. The gods are getting impatient¡ªthey''re scared," Zachariah said.


    Scared of what? David wondered in silence, noticing blood dripping from the regressor''s nose.


    "Scared of them," Zachariah added, ignoring the trickling blood even as it transformed into a small stream.


    David cast [Healing Sphere], slowing the bleeding, but Zachariah continued speaking. "I don''t think I can tell you much about them, but I should at least tell you that¡ªdespite their deep hatred for one another¡ªthe Pantheon, the Pandemonium, the Old Ones, and others will fight them together."


    Blood poured from his eyes, ears, and mouth as well, yet Zachariah did not stop.


    "Working together against them doesn''t mean the organizations won''t prioritize their own people''s growth. They will give their utmost to strike you down if they deem you too dangerous to keep alive," Zachariah said, coughing up blood. "Even if it means ensuring their enemies'' victory. Not all transcendent beings are selfish, but you do have to be careful of those who are."

 Chapter 99 - B2 25 - The Way

    Sometimes, he wondered how much his mind could handle. His head throbbed, but not just from listening to Zachariah. David had to use [Healing Sphere] and [Restore] for nearly an hour since the regressor refused to stop talking.


    Zachariah only slowed when speaking about them¡ªhe had yet to specify who "they" were¡ªbut barely enough for the healing to take effect, ensuring he wouldn''t collapse. Meanwhile, David''s only consolation was that his Skill Runes'' proficiency kept increasing and that tending to Zachariah barely drained his Source.


    Regardless, they finally devised a plan¡ªif one could even call it that.


    "You should know best which paths to take and which trails to avoid. That feeling¡ªas if your Class is pushing you toward something or warning you away¡ªyou know it too," Zachariah said. "All you have to do is think carefully before making a final decision¡ªor just follow your instincts, depending on what fits better."


    David felt like cussing the regressor out, but before he could say anything, Zachariah jumped up. A sudden, dangerous aura radiated from him as silver blade currents burst from his body. He unsheathed his sword, his head snapping toward the sky.


    "Something''s coming!"


    What the¡ª? David''s eyes followed Zachariah''s until they landed on an enormous mass of life. At first, it seemed distant and motionless¡ªbut it wasn''t. Not at all. It was closing in¡ªfast and relentlessly.


    David shuddered, struggling to comprehend how something could contain so much lifeforce.


    "How did something like that end up here!?" Zachariah cursed, mantling his whole body in Sword Intent.


    David had numerous questions, but his focus remained locked on the massive creature weaving through the clouds, rising high above the System Sanctuary. He could only see part of its body, but that was enough to induce fear. A serpent-like form, dozens of meters long, with massive feathered wings that stretched far, eclipsing the afternoon sun.


    It hovered above the settlements in silence. An eternity passed in mere seconds.


    Then, the creature opened its beak and unleashed a thunderous screech that reverberated through David''s entire body.


    His ears rang, and warmth trickled from them, but his eyes never left the beast. He stared in defiance, his heart hammering as the true meaning of domineering power dawned upon him. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then, something shifted.


    The monster opened its beak again¡ªnot to screech, but to gather energy. David could sense traces of lifeforce swirling within the black, crackling mass forming inside its mouth.


    What was that? He shuddered as the dark energy condensed.


    "Use everything you have!" Zachariah shouted, his skin bursting as unfamiliar words escaped his lips. "NOW!!"


    The atmosphere thickened instantly, and the cuts across David''s skin stretched¡ªlonger. Deeper.


    He glanced at Zachariah, who stood defiant, his sword expanding into a massive, several-meter-long broadsword. The regressor groaned, blood spurting from his torn skin as he lifted the blade. The sickening crack of breaking bones echoed in David''s ears. His eyes widened as bones jutted from Zachariah''s elbow and shoulder, but the regressor showed no sign of noticing.


    He only stared at the creature above them, then slashed.


    The single strike unleashed a silver crescent beam¡ªsmaller than the monster''s fang, yet carrying everything Zachariah could draw from the Sword Law without dying. His eyes dimmed, his life signal flickering dangerously as his legs buckled.


    A moment later, the regressor lost consciousness, final words escaping his lips.


    "Not¡­ enough¡­"


    David barely had time to process the attack before the black, crackling mass tore through the sky.


    For a moment, he mistook it for a lightning bolt, but that thought disappeared as it obliterated Zachariah''s attack in an instant. He couldn''t even tell if Zachariah''s move had done any damage¡ªthe black lightning bolt simply tore through it, continuing its relentless descent. It raced toward the ground, leaving him no time to react.


    Good thing I listened to his warning, David thought, continuing where he''d left off.


    Time seemed to crawl when he acted. He rapidly recited Words of Power, hoping they were comprehensible enough to work efficiently while moving toward Zachariah. He may not have had the means to heal Zachariah while making his preparations, but he could at least protect him from the aftermath.


    The black lightning bolt was about to hit the ground¡ªwas it targeting the market square?¡ªwhen he covered Zachariah with his body. He activated [Blood Armor], overclocking it, and cast [Blessing] on himself and Zachariah. He also blessed [Blood Armor]¡ªof course, overclocked with as much Blood as he could spare¡ªand the dozen massive crimson shields that vibrated with an abundance of Blood as he attached them to the back of [Blood Armor], covering his back and the rest of his body like a tortoise shell.


    He cast one last glance toward the market square and cursed inwardly as an explosion echoed. Hundreds of life signals vanished in an instant. Then, a thunderous shockwave struck him.


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    David cursed as the first [Blood Aegis] shattered. He pressed himself tightly against Zachariah as the second shield followed. The third and fourth broke within seconds, yet all David felt was the staggering amount of Blood draining from his Source.


    The shields are too weak. Even the Law augmentation is not enough, he realized, forcing himself to use his lifeforce to empower his Skill Runes. He knew he didn''t have time to hesitate and accessed the Law of Blood, draining a portion of his lifeforce to strengthen the remaining shields as they shattered one by one.


    David couldn''t tell how much time had passed, but at some point, the thunderous cacophony around him faded. However, he didn''t move, remaining atop Zachariah, expecting a second attack. But the second attack never came.


    David maintained his Skill Runes until only a single drop of Blood remained. He looked up, the only sounds reaching his roaring ears being screams of pain and terror.


    David''s head darted left and right, but the winged serpent was nowhere to be seen. It had left, leaving Arc in ruins. The structures around them were destroyed, and the plant life burned to cinder. Even the cobbled street had been obliterated by the thunderous shockwave. Black lightning crackled sporadically, and it wasn''t long before his eyes fell upon the first burned bodies. But there were dozens, most likely ordinary residents.


    "Fuck," he blurted aloud, slumping to the ground. His arms and legs trembled, but his Source was worse off. It tremored violently. Had he overused the Law of Blood again?


    David tried not to expect the worst, but if the area around them was already like this, he dreaded what the market square might look like. Only the Sanctuary''s outskirts seemed to have been spared the worst. The life signals he sensed from further away were distressing but mostly intact. Maybe some unfortunate residents had been struck by the weakened remains of the shockwave, injuring them slightly. However, their lives weren''t at risk.


    On the other hand¡­ David turned toward the market square, his expression darkening. In the few seconds he took to analyze the situation, dozens of life signals dispersed, and hundreds reached a dangerously low threshold.


    His body felt like it was about to fall apart, but he couldn''t just sit there. Not with pained screams ringing in his ears.


    "Fuck this shit," David growled, scrambling to his feet. He turned to the regressor. Zachariah was unconscious, his arms looking like a mangled mess. "At least you''re still alive."


    He rummaged through Zachariah''s stuff until he found the glass vials in his potion belt. David pulled out a healing potion and retrieved a Fragment of Blood from his spatial necklace.


    "You better not break me here," he cursed, whispering Words of Power as he removed the potion''s cork. Next, he crushed the Fragment and dropped the shards into the vial. David swirled the potion, watching as the shards dissolved with the final words of his incantation.


    He pressed the glass vial against his lips and emptied it in a single gulp. A gasp escaped him, and he hurled the vial aside before turning back to the regressor.


    "You wouldn''t mind, right?" David muttered as he pressed his palm firmly against Zachariah''s chest. "It''s just a little bit."


    A moment later, he drained a portion of Zachariah''s remaining lifeforce. As he activated [Holy Touch], crimson tendrils unfurled. The ambient Aether crackled dangerously, but David devoured and annexed it greedily. Next, he channeled more Aether into the Source, urging the blood to form naturally, hoping it would compensate for the lifeforce he lacked.


    How many can I save with this? David asked himself grimly as he rushed to the market square.


    It was a mess. The Familia was gone. A massive crater yawned where their building once stood. Was that the monster''s target? he wondered, turning to the Panthea. The sacred alley leading to the Pantheon still stood, but that didn''t surprise David. It would have been more shocking if the Pantheon had allowed their statues and temples to be destroyed. After all, he remembered the Pantheon''s gods to be prideful.


    But at the end of the day, David didn''t care how the Panthea survived the sudden attack. He was just glad that some people had survived¡ªthough none near the impact zone remained unscathed.


    David rushed toward them, channeling Blood into his Skill Runes.


    He cast [Weave of Life], expanding the weave as much as possible while shouting, "Bring the lethally wounded to the network on the ground!"


    It wouldn''t heal anyone, but [Weave of Life] was his best Skill for preserving lives. He added [Healing Spheres] a few times, attaching them to the weave before repeating the process two more times¡ªonce in the middle of the Panthea and again at the end of it.


    He found several men and women buried beneath a collapsed building near the Panthea. My modified eyes deserve some praise, he thought as he carried them to the weave.


    "You! Help, or I''ll make you!" David snarled at a young Tirac cowering among the wounded. He was scratched and bleeding from his head, but his life signals were strong, albeit in disarray. The Tirac was merely afraid and, from the looks of it, unwilling to move.


    "I am injured!" the Tirac hissed back, but David wasn''t having it.


    In an instant, he appeared before the Tirac, his hands coiling around his scale-covered neck. He didn''t squeeze; killing him had never been the plan. Instead, he unleashed a burst of [Holy Touch], tendrils of holy power latching onto the Tirac and draining his lifeforce.


    He spared the man''s life, but just barely. The Tirac crumpled as his lifeforce drained away.


    "Fucking selfish piece of shit," David cursed, tempted to kick the Tirac''s limp body.


    But he hesitated.


    What¡­ am I doing here? he wondered, struggling to recognize himself. Was it necessary to be so angry at the Tirac? If this had been a few weeks ago, wouldn''t he have acted the same way?


    No. I was worse than that piece of crap.


    He recalled what he had done to Jake and his little girlfriend. He remembered how he had reacted when the Demon Horde attacked.


    Had something changed since then? He couldn''t think of anything.


    "Whatever. I''ll reflect on it later," David cursed through gritted teeth as the pained screams and groans echoed in his ears.


    He had people to rescue. The more, the better.


    That''s the way of the Lifeweaver.


    David clenched his fists, tapping into his dwindling power, barely recognizing the vibrant glow shrouding his Source.

 Chapter 100 - B2 26 - Scheme

    Hollering laughter echoed through the dark hall, a chaotic cacophony drowning out the pained screams and desperate pleas flowing from the ever-shifting images of death and destruction projected at the hall''s center. Each flicker unveiled more chaos. More despair. More death.


    However, several projections remained unchanged, their static images depicting even greater discord than the shifting chaos around them. Among them were places that had once been sanctuaries for those seeking refuge.


    "Why is he not dead yet?" A deep, fury-laced voice rang out, silencing the laughter.


    Several figures turned toward the source of the voice¡ªa being clad in black, oily hide, its eyes like endless voids.


    "If you''re talking about this," one of the figures said, pointing at an unmoving image of a destroyed System Sanctuary, "then you already know Zachariah''s demise is not yet upon us. Though¡­ after his friend drained him, he does seem rather vulnerable¡­ quite appetizing."


    Another figure snickered. "I wish my spawn were closer. That human is the perfect sustenance¡ª"


    "Silence!" the void-eyed figure snapped. "I am not talking about this child of a miserable dog."


    "Are you referring to the fool''s friend?" Another figure, clad in the same oily black hide¡ªa devious being resembling the Darkai¡ªasked.


    "You don''t mean the dead child, right?"


    All the figures¡ªmostly Infernal Gods¡ªturned toward the Devils speaking, their faces darkening as the void-eyed Devil remained silent for a moment.


    "You do mean him. That''s¡­ You do realize he''s fated to die, don''t you? In the previous Cycles, he never¡ª"


    The ground beneath the Devil cracked as an explosion of Essence burst from him. "But we are not in the previous Cycle or the ones before that."


    "This cycle is unlike any before it," he continued, his voice sharp with conviction. "This run means everything, and you should all know that just as well as I do."


    The Infernal Gods exchanged glances¡ªsome scowling while others remained motionless.


    "That ''dead child'' never survived the first twenty-four hours of integration," the Devil growled. "But now? Now he has a Relic, a soulbound weapon, and an exclusive Class made with the Essence of the Eternal Guardian and Asmo-fucking-deus! And that''s not even all. Have you checked his System Chart to see what his Modification entails?!"


    Nobody spoke, but the Devil did not seem to mind. More power erupted from him as he turned to one of the Infernal Gods, a being missing half his face.


    "Bloodthrone and Dominion¡ªhis eyes bear their mark now. And if I remember correctly, you know exactly what those terms mean better than anyone else here."


    The Infernal God stepped forward, his mutilated face contorted in anger. "You speak of this day as if you escaped unscathed!"


    The Devil and the Infernal God clashed. The other Infernal Gods and Devils watched with amusement, relishing the fury filling the air, until one turned back to the unmoving image.


    "Since he''s with the fool, he must also know about the regression. Though, the dead child probably doesn''t know what to think of the fool''s words, considering how much has changed. I recall he also humiliated the Pantheon in one of their temples, so he may not necessarily be our enemy. Perhaps¡­ we should corrupt him." The Infernal God licked his lips in anticipation.


    "The dead child won''t succumb to temptation," another replied. "The Eternal Guardian and an Old One sponsored him. Corruption will not work. Even if it could¡­ The fool and the dead child have been playing around with the fool''s restriction. From the looks of it, those restrictions have loosened since the dwarven youngling exposed a trace of the truth."


    Knowing glances were exchanged.


    "You have been watching them," another Devil noted before turning to the commotion to the left.


    He exhaled a stream of green mist and hissed, "You do realize our true nemesis isn''t the Pantheon, don''t you?"


    Growls and hisses echoed. Someone muttered about playing a dangerous game, but the Devil ignored it.


    "The Pantheon will fall¡ªbut not yet. We still need them, just as they need us."


    "I don''t care. We decided to¡ª" one of the Infernal Gods hissed venomously, but the Devil interrupted him.


    "I know. We decided to remove the variables that are too hard to control. While Zachariah did not die, we accomplished our goal."


    "So?" the void-eyed Devil growled.


    "So," a calm voice rang out as one of the silent Infernal Gods spoke for the first time, "we play our cards well and proceed."


    He remained eerily calm, a devious smile curling on his lips.


    "One of my youngest has prepared something great for Arc. Its destruction was not part of my plan, but that might be for the best. All my youngest desires is revenge," he added with the same calm demeanor, his eyes shifting into serpentine slits. "He shall rise to great power by reclaiming everything the Pantheon took from us!"


    At last, the unmoving picture displaying what was left of Arc changed, unraveling a horde of monsters gathering around a young man.


    ***


    I am still conscious. David snickered, lying on the ground. His chest heaved heavily, and his clothes clung uncomfortably to his body. But by far, his head was the worst part. Even though he knew better, David was certain someone had struck him in the back of the head with a warhammer hundreds of times¡ªprobably even more.


    But he smiled through the pain. While he hadn''t saved everyone, he had done everything in his power to help as many as possible.


    However, looking at the unconscious figures sprawled beneath the dimming lights of [Weave of Life], he wasn''t sure everyone would be thankful for his service. Draining the lifeforce of so many might have been excessive, even if it was to help others.


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    But they were useless. At least this way, their existence had meaning, he thought, discarding all worries.


    He pushed his trembling arms against the ground and sat upright, his gaze drifting across the Panthea. Most injured survivors and dozens of residents from Arc''s outskirts had gathered in the massive street, but David couldn''t help but wince.


    This was all that was left of Arc. It wasn''t much¡ªeven if he included the few dozen weak life signals of residents still hiding in the outskirts.


    Regardless, he was alive, and he had saved as many as possible. That was all he could do.


    Several flashing notifications had distracted him since earlier, but he hadn''t had the time or nerve to check them.


    [The Rank of your Primary Class increased by one.]


    Bronze VII ¡ú Bronze VIII


    [Three Attribute Points have been added.]


    [Your Source has grown +1 Blood.]


    [Proficiency of the Law of Blood has increased.]


    ¡­


    There were more notifications than expected, but David skimmed through most of them. Several Skill Runes had leveled up from overcoming the ordeal, surviving the monstrosity''s attack, and healing the injured at the expense of his lifeforce¡ªand the lifeforce of others.


    "Are we done now?" David asked no one in particular.


    "What was that thing?" asked one of the Protectors, a lucky woman who had escaped with only minor injuries.


    "How should I know? Your world is filled with creatures like that. The Earthen Union was forced to join the Pantheon less than a month ago¡­"


    The female Protector looked at him and sighed.


    David shrugged and lay back, closing his eyes. He deserved some rest.


    However, he was shaken awake¡ªonly a minute or two later¡ªby panicked shouts.


    "Infected are headed this way! Hundreds of them!" a shaken voice cried out.


    His eyes fluttered open, and a curse escaped his lips. "Fuck this nonsense!"


    The injured around him backed away as he shot up, his Bloodlust seeping into the air.


    More residents from the outskirts must have decided to flee to the Panthea, as David could see only a handful of restless signals.


    "Can you handle them? I¡­ don''t really feel like it¡­" David turned to the Protectors.


    Normally, he would have loved to fight, but his head felt like it was splitting apart. His lifeforce was also at a dangerously low threshold, which would make prolonged combat difficult.


    If his head had been fine, everything would have been a little easier¡ªmore so if his Source had more than one Blood drop to spare¡ªbut that wasn''t the case.


    "We¡­" The female Protector looked at her comrades, her face pale as a sheet.


    Why are they so useless? Aren''t they supposed to protect the Sanctuary? David raged in his heart, but a glance at Arc''s market square was enough to calm him. It wasn''t as though the Protectors had a Sanctuary left to defend. Arc, if they could still call it that, was destroyed. It only existed in name at this point.


    "Monsters from the west!"


    A familiar voice caught David''s attention. He turned to see Melach jumping from his four-legged Earthen Elemental, carrying a Tirac child. He put the child down and helped several residents off the Earthen Elemental.


    David approached him, ignoring the increasing unease spreading through the Panthea. "Monsters? What kind? How many? And¡­ are you sure they''re coming this way?"


    Before Melach could say anything, the Earthen Elemental collapsed to the ground. The elf''s legs gave out, and he fell. David caught him just in time and, ignoring his headache, cast [Restore]. Melach''s complexion improved, and he whispered a "thank you."


    "Tell me¡ªwhat''s going on here?"


    Melach winced. "I¡­ I''m not sure."


    "Then tell me what you think. You look like you have some ideas."


    "Well¡­" Melach coughed. "I think the timing is odd. First, the bandits'' attack, then the sudden appearance of the winged serpent¡­ and now this?"


    Now that he thought about it, David''s eyes widened. "The marble!"


    Hadn''t he found a marble containing lightning currents after the bandit massacre ended?


    If the serpent was after the marble and Kurkur had taken it to the Familia to inspect later¡­ David swallowed hard, his gaze drifting to the crater left behind by the winged serpent''s black lightning bolt.


    "Marble?" Melach asked, pulling David from his train of thought.


    David quickly explained what had happened after the battle with the bandits. Melach paled again.


    "The winged serpent was strong enough to ignore all defensive measures. If it was granted the Essence of an Infernal God, a Devil, or someone else working against the Pantheon, then¡­" His head snapped toward the Pantheon''s temple, towering over the others.


    "Then what?" David hissed impatiently.


    Melach cursed. "Then the winged serpent''s attack was likely enhanced by a transcendent being''s Essence. That must have weakened the Panthea''s natural defenses, exposing the Essences imbued in every structure to the rest of the Earthen Union."


    David groaned, realizing Melach''s implication. "And that Essence¡ªother creatures can sense it from tens of kilometers away? That''s why you''re sure the monsters are coming."


    Melach nodded but said nothing more. Maybe that was for the best.


    David wanted to tear the Panthea apart. But somehow, his fury vanished, replaced by cold clarity. How? He didn''t know. One moment, he was seething; the next, he was calm.


    "That makes it easy. If we don''t have the means to fight the hordes of undead and monsters, we won''t do it," he said coolly. "We should abandon the Panthea and leave the imbued Essence to the Undead."


    "We cannot do that!" Melach shouted, coughing up blood. "Abandoning our saviors like this is unacceptable!"


    "Do you want to die?" David asked sharply, his Bloodlust leaking.


    Melach recoiled, his eyes wide. He only calmed when David sighed and pulled his Bloodlust back. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You don''t want to die, and I''m fairly sure the same applies to everyone else." He gestured at the others. "That means we have to leave."


    "Or¡­ we fight the hordes and protect Arc."


    "Arc is gone, you idiot!" David hissed, ignoring the heads snapping in his direction. "Look at what''s left of your Sanctuary¡ªit''s destroyed!"


    Silence fell over the Panthea, broken only by pained groans and muffled cries.


    "Even if we wanted to leave, we can''t," someone finally spoke after what felt like an eternity. "There are too many unconscious, too many wounded who can''t even walk properly. Can you heal all of them before the attack from both sides? And can you ensure the monsters won''t ambush us as we escape? Our fighting power is close to nil. We¡­ have no choice."


    No choice but to die for the Pantheon? Are you fucking kidding me?! David wanted to scream at the man, but everyone else was already nodding.


    Instead, he turned to Merchant Elion and his comrades, his voice cold as steel. "I know you guys have small spatial storages."


    They flinched as his eyes landed on them, but David couldn''t care less at this moment. If they couldn''t fight, they might as well be of use.


    "Show me what you got," he commanded. "Now!"

 Chapter 101 - B2 27 - Challenge

    "It looks like the Monster Horde is mostly made up of venomous insects," one of the mildly injured Protectors said, looking up from a paper slip.


    A few Protectors who''d only been lightly wounded had left the Panthea with similar slips earlier, and David finally understood why.


    "Can they tell how strong the monsters are? How many are there?" David asked while gesturing to the merchants to move forward. "Show me what you got. Potions¡ªSerum would be even better¡ªand Fragments would be best."


    "There appears to be no Elite among them," the Protector reported, but then he fell oddly silent.


    "What''s the issue?"


    "The Undead Horde. There¡­ are not only Infected. If Semian is right, there are also Skeleton Warriors and Undead Riders."


    David grimaced. He didn''t know how strong Skeleton Warriors and Undead Riders were¡ªhe had only heard of them for the first time today¡ªbut they didn''t sound like pleasant enemies.


    He rummaged through several bags that the merchants had managed to carry to the Panthea in time. From what David understood, the residents trusted the Pantheon to protect them, which¡ªas annoying as it sounded in his head¡ªwas the case. Their unshakable trust in the Pantheon was the sole reason they had survived.


    It was Gods'' grace, as they called it.


    David pocketed a few potions when his attention landed on two small vials. Merchant Elion, albeit trembling like a thin branch in a thunderstorm, held them out.


    "Mental Fortitude Serum and Recovery Serum."


    David accepted the vials with a smile and drank them without hesitation. The headache dwindled, giving him more headspace to decide what he had to do.


    I have too little Blood, David grimaced at the thought, clenching his fists. He closed his eyes, feeling the Source''s strain, and winced. It was possible to use the Law of Blood again, but he couldn''t overdo it. Not after the earlier stunt.


    "I sure hope your Recovery Serum works wonders," he commented, his attention drifting to his status.


    [Three Attribute Points have been used to enhance the User''s Body.]


    High(Intermediate) ¡ú Lowest(Advanced)


    He felt the effect immediately. Sickening crunches rang in his ears, followed by searing waves of pain. It was almost like someone was stabbing him with thousands upon thousands of blazing blades.


    But while the pain threatened to consume him, David wasn''t given any time to adjust.


    The Protector holding the paper slip shuddered. "The first monsters will reach Arc soon."


    That was hardly helpful. David rolled his eyes and turned away from the idiots who couldn''t even get their act together. The situation was a disaster, but what they were doing was a death sentence. If they wanted to survive, they had to move¡ªdo something.


    His eyes locked onto the tallest temple and deepened.


    "If you don''t want your stuff to be ransacked and your power stolen (wouldn''t that be humiliating?), you might as well lift a finger and help us out here. If not¡­" David thought about it for a moment. "If not, I might as well take the Essence you guys imbued into the Panthea for myself!"


    He hoped to receive some sort of response, but nothing happened. Not even a lightning bolt struck him.


    Useless pieces of shit, he thought, spinning to the nearest statue.


    If the others had agreed to leave, he would have left, even if that meant giving monsters and the undead access to the Divine Essence imbued into the Panthea. But the residents were too stubborn to abandon their gods.


    Whatever. If they don''t want to help, then¡­ I''ll help myself, David thought, pressing his hand firmly against the nearest statue¡ªa woman he had never seen. She had long hair and a voluptuous chest so exaggerated it seemed like it could break her back.


    He shrouded his hand in [Holy Touch] and was about to drain the transcendental power imbued into the statue when, unexpectedly, it flowed into him on its own.


    He was pleasantly surprised, but the power entering his body ceased within seconds. David tried to insert every bit of it into his Source, but the power split apart. A portion entered his Source, producing Blood, while the rest formed a Rune.


    But the Rune did not resemble any Skill Runes he''d seen before. It was semi-translucent and didn''t connect to his Source.


    Notifications flashed to life before his eyes.


    [Your selfless actions and drive to protect shall be rewarded.


    You have been graced with the power of Unity.]


    [Time until the power of Unity disappears: 0H:59M:59S]


    The first screen shattered into countless glistening particles after he read it a second time. However, they did not disperse; instead, they reformed into a second notification.


    [Unity enables the immediate annexation of all forms of energy.]


    David scowled at the message, trying to grasp how he was supposed to make use of it. On a whim, he cast [Holy Touch] and absorbed the ambient Aether¡ªonly to annex it instantly.


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    David swallowed. If he could do that with lifeforce as well... replenishing Blood would be effortless. He could annex both ambient Aether and foreign lifeforce instantaneously. The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Keeping Unity permanently and combining its power with [Meditation] and [Reinforce] would be invaluable¡­ but this would have to be enough for now.


    As long as he¡ª


    David spun toward the Protectors. "I can handle the insects. Their lifeforce is all I need to wipe out the entire horde. It won''t take long."


    He smiled wryly. "But I can''t fight the Undead and Monsters at the same time."


    Nearby, the merchants were distributing their potions to the Protectors, but it wasn''t enough. The few Protectors still alive were either too wounded or unconscious¡ªjust like Zachariah.


    A high-pitched voice cut through the air. "Mister, can you take my power?"


    David turned to find a child staring up at him. He raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, kid, I don''t have time for this."


    He turned to leave, but small fingers gripped his shirt. Annoyance bubbled inside him, but he hesitated when he met the child''s dead-serious gaze.


    "What do you want, kid?"


    The little Tirac shuddered but didn''t break eye contact.


    "You took my brother''s power to heal others," the kid said, pointing at an unconscious Tirac. "Do the same with me¡­please¡­I want to help too!"


    Was that child serious? Did he really want David to drain his lifeforce?


    David was about to reject the idea when a resident stepped forward. "That thing¡­ can you do it with me instead? If it helps us survive today, take as much as you need!"


    The following seconds unfolded like a miracle. One by one, more residents stepped forward, offering their lifeforce¡ªbecause it was all they could do to help.


    The first few offers caught him off guard, a strange warmth filling his chest. But David did not hesitate. He siphoned their lifeforce until they were on the brink of collapse, simultaneously absorbing ambient Aether. Both were instantly annexed and transformed into Blood, creating enough to cast [Healing Spheres] half a dozen times. He attached the spheres to the worst-wounded Protectors before casting [Restore] on as many as possible.


    He helped a dozen to their feet, including Zachariah, who needed two casts of [Healing Sphere] and an overclocked [Restore] before finally regaining consciousness.


    But that was enough.


    "Undead are coming this way. Kill them with the Protectors."


    David said quickly, casting a wry glance at the statue of the voluptuous woman.


    "Thanks a lot," he murmured, realizing¡ªfor the first time¡ªthat he was genuinely grateful for the Pantheon''s aid. However, while he appreciated the act of one being, the knowledge that others could have intervened long ago left a sour taste in his mouth.


    Why had the others stayed silent while this one had acted?


    "But I''m not sure if one hour is enough. How about giving me the power of Unity permanently?"


    He didn''t expect a response. One hour of Unity and some Essence to fire up his Blood production was already far more aid than he had ever expected from the Pantheon. But asking didn''t cost anything. It might be rude and cross some boundaries, but he was probably already known as a troublemaker among the gods. So he might as well act accordingly.


    However, contrary to his expectations, two notifications flashed before his eyes. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [You have challenged the creator of Unity. Your challenge has been accepted.


    Apprehend the Horde of Zehir''s Disciple without any support, and Unity will be yours to keep.


    Warning: If the Rune disappears before you succeed, Unity will be lost forever.]


    [Failure will bring consequences far worse than Divine Tribulations!]


    The second notification felt different as if it had been typed by someone else¡ªmaybe Unity''s owner.


    "That was you, wasn''t it?" David stared at the statue, smirking.


    He did not expect a response, and there was none. Instead of waiting for something that wouldn''t come, he turned to Zachariah and the others. "Take care of the damn Undead. The insects are MINE!"


    A wave of bloodlust surged through him as he growled, "I will kill everyone who dares to touch them!"


    No more time was wasted in Panthea. He''d used most of his Blood reserves to heal the Protectors, leaving him with a quarter of a droplet, some lifeforce, and an abundance of natural Aether. That had to be enough, David thought as he rushed west toward the life signals appearing on the horizon. More than a dozen had already arrived at the outskirts and entered, with more about to follow.


    David cast [Blessing] on himself and accelerated toward the first intact buildings. He leaped onto the rooftop of one of them, conjuring more than a dozen projectiles around him. His Blood reserves were on the verge of drying up, but he released [Blood Blast], killing the creatures that trespassed onto the Sanctuary grounds. The rooftop beneath him cracked as he kick-started, closing the distance to the masses of venomous monsters in one jump.


    He took a deep breath, studied the life signals mid-air, and used his remaining Blood to cast [Symphony Control], attaching a black dove to himself.


    The first insects, hound-sized spiders, were the first to react. They spun toward him and spat a greenish substance. David sidestepped, dodging the first attacks, and noticed the ground sizzling and corroding where the acid landed.


    Acid. Nasty stuff. He grimaced and materialized the Obsidian Blade. He cleaved the first spider in two and turned to the second, but blood splattered onto his clothes before he could strike. His clothes sizzled, and the burned smell struck his nostrils.


    This was going to be a problem, he thought as he cleaved the second and third spiders in two.


    He moved fast, killing several insects in quick succession, but several acid splashes and acidic blood hit him regardless. It couldn''t have been a whole minute before David was forced to de-summon the Platineershirt. His bare body was exposed to the insects, which seemed to double their efforts to bathe him in their substances.


    David grunted, coating the Obsidian Blade in [Holy Touch] as soon as his Blood reserves recovered. He increased the speed with which the blade absorbed lifeforce at will, splitting the stream of incoming energy between [Holy Touch] and his soulbound weapon. Bits of lifeforce entered his body, where Unity annexed it instantaneously for him to use or process.


    David funneled lifeforce into [Blessing], amplifying the Skill Rune before channeling it into the Obsidian Blade, pushing its lifeforce absorption to the limit.


    His Source worked quickly, consuming the incoming lifeforce with every attack, but David was surrounded by insects, forcing him to cast [Purity] as the first warning notifications popped up. He redoubled his efforts, casting [Restore] while silently thanking [A Body''s Purity] for bolstering his resistance to both poison and venom.


    Once his body brimmed with lifeforce and natural Aether, David let the attacks come. He let the acid splash onto him, ignoring the incoming claws and bites. If anything, David studied their movements and beheaded them at the peak of their strikes.


    He was drenched in blood, venom, and acid, but despite his body breaking down, his smile never faded. He had an Advanced Body, a powerful blade that granted him infinite lifeforce given the circumstances, and an opportunity to acquire an incredibly powerful Rune.


    He would not waste this opportunity, no matter how much he had to endure!

 Chapter 102 - B2 28 - Migration

    "Who the hell did it!?" David growled, stomping into Arc.


    Acid splattered onto the ground, sizzling on the cobbled street as he searched for the culprit, waves of anger flooded every part of his body.


    He was certain he got them all, yet the power of Unity disappeared. Some Skills had leveled up, but that was all he had gained from slaying hundreds of venomous cretins¡ªfor enduring an hour filled with nothing but pain as the acid burned his skin and flesh while the venom corroded him from the inside out. The gains were not enough. Not after he had experienced the power of Unity.


    He charged through Arc''s outskirts, coating his body in [Holy Touch] to remove the remaining acid burning his skin and flesh, then cast [Restore] and [Purify] to cleanse the venom filling his body. The healing process was slower than usual, but that was the least of his concerns at this moment.


    Who stole Unity from him?


    His gaze drifted across Arc, and it was not long before he found a faint life signal near Arc''s outskirts. It looked weak¡ªill. David leaped across the ruins of a building and charged toward the life signals, where he found the corpse of a spider. There he was; the man responsible for the loss of Unity!


    David''s anger rose to his head, but he studied the perpetrator before a word escaped his lips. The perpetrator was not a man. It was a¡­ child?


    His eyes narrowed to tiny slits as he approached the young Tirac. It held a small dagger coated in green blood in its trembling hands and stood frozen. The spider had bitten it, and the venom was spreading fast. The child, if it wasn''t treated in time, was fated to die in the next few minutes. However, instead of looking at him with fear, the child stared at him in defiance.


    "I did what I had to do," it whispered. "Protecting my mother is more¡ª"


    The child''s legs caved in, and it slumped to the ground, heaving heavily. It was only at this moment that he discovered a dying life signal behind the child. It was an older Tirac. A female¡ªthe child''s mother. He hadn''t noticed her, as all that helped her stay alive were traces of life.


    David stepped closer, noting the child stirring, trying to rise to its feet, but he planted his hand on the child''s head, ruffling its short hair. "Forget what I said earlier. You did a good job."


    Fuck this shit, he cursed inwardly, but it was not like he could hold the child accountable for protecting its mother.


    He cast [Weave of Life], attached an overclocked [Healing Sphere] to both of them, and forwarded a mixture of [Purify], [Holy Touch], and [Restore] to cleanse and heal both child and mother.


    The child''s condition improved quickly, and it jumped to its feet, clutching the dagger handle tightly.


    "I won''t do anything to your mother. Other than healing her," David said, trying to reassure the child, but it didn''t budge.


    Could it sense his anger? Or was it still wary from his earlier outburst? Either way, the Tirac were safe, though he would love to know why they weren''t in the Panthea like everyone else. If they had been in the Panthea, he would have found the escapee and kept Unity.


    But there was nothing he could do about it now. David had to accept his loss, even if it hurt. The power of Unity would have been great.


    Maybe I can find a similar Skill Rune somewhere.


    ***


    "Are you really not giving Unity to him? I was certain you would sponsor him. I mean, he is not a bad specimen if we ignore his personality," a deep voice echoed through a small, pristine hall covered in dozens of murals displaying worlds. Every world looked different, but they had one thing in common. A luminous figure of a woman shrouded the worlds, embracing them tightly. The woman, her golden hair cascading to the ground, smiled lovingly at the worlds as if they were her children.


    "He failed the challenge," a voluptuous woman, resembling the murals engraved into the pristine walls, responded lightheartedly.


    "But¡­" the whisper of a voice resounded.


    The woman chuckled, turning to a small trinket filled with silver liquid. She tapped it, and images surfaced in the liquid, replaying the horrifying incident that destroyed Arc.


    "Yes, I am interested in him." She nodded. However, no kindness shone in her eyes as she stared at the changing images in the trinket. Instead, they held a withering sharpness. "Don''t you think he is interesting?"


    "Why? He is just one of countless dead ones who managed to survive thanks to the Cycles."


    She snickered. "You don''t get it, do you?"


    Her attention drifted left to a shadow. "Bereth ensured his survival. This young and promising fledgling would have died without Bereth''s help. You don''t know that thing as well as I do, so you might not understand the Guardian''s antics, but he would never do something like that. Not unless he was one hundred percent certain it was necessary¡ªthat a man fated to die was the key."


    The shadow stirred and separated from the ground. It turned to mist and formed a small, humanoid shape.


    "Didn''t Bereth contribute to Zachariah''s regression? Because of him, my poor youngling lost her memories instead!" the shadow spat, but the woman waved her hand dismissively, her eyes trained on David as he stomped through Arc.


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    "You think Bereth vouched for Zachariah for the dead child? Why would he do something like that?"


    "I don''t know." The woman smiled, her golden irises glowing brightly as she looked at the shadow. "And that''s what makes it even more interesting."


    ***


    When the Protectors returned, David healed them along with Zachariah. The regressor''s voice rang in his ears, but he couldn''t understand a single word. His eyelids grew heavier, and he closed his eyes, paying the price for pushing his mind, soul, and body beyond their limits. Sleep overtook him.


    David had no sense of how much time had passed when his eyes fluttered open. Had it been an hour? A day? He leaned against a statue, scanning the faces around him, and sighed deeply. It hadn''t been a dream. Arc was still destroyed, and most of its population had been killed on the spot.


    He saw fear flickering in their life signals, the uncertainty of what lay ahead weighing heavily upon them.


    "I was worried you wouldn''t wake up," the Tirac Artificer said.


    David turned to her without so much as a change in expression. She just smiled and pointed at something beside him. "I removed it. Wasn''t sure how much energy¡ªor Blood¡ªyou channeled into it."


    He glanced to the right, only to see his storage necklace pressed firmly into the street. David picked it up, straining his muscles until Blood entered its reservoir. The necklace felt almost weightless once Blood circulated through it, bringing a smile to his face. He filled the necklace to the brim and put it on.


    "How long was I asleep?"


    The Artificer shrugged. "A few hours, probably. Not long enough for us to decide what we''re going to do, though."


    David leaned forward at that. Arc was in ruins¡ªdid they really think they could rebuild the Sanctuary?


    "You lack Protectors and the materials to rebuild the Sanctuary," he said flatly. One Horde was all it took to kill the remaining Protectors. Even if David wished Arc''s people the best, he wouldn''t sacrifice his plans to stay there forever. Even if he remained in Arc temporarily, monsters could attack the ruined Sanctuary while he and Zachariah raided other Rifts.


    "I think the same. The connection to the other Familia branches has been severed, and the portal to the Vault and other worlds has been cut as well. There will be no more reinforcement from the other worlds or the Pantheon''s forces," the Artificer said in the same neutral tone. However, her eyes looked empty as she stared at the statue behind him. "And the gods retracted their power. They gave up on Arc¡­ on us."


    True, David thought. He couldn''t sense the oppressive presence of the gods anymore. The Panthea of Arc, once a place of reverence¡ªoverflowing with the power and influence of the Pantheon¡ªwas no more. Only the buildings remained.


    "Maybe it''s better that way." He shrugged, which earned him a spiteful stare from the Tirac Artificer. "I mean, think about it. If they hadn''t retracted their power, more monsters would have forced their way into Arc. Stronger monsters." Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He didn''t know if they had withdrawn their power for selfish reasons, and to be fair, it mattered little to David. But it was a fact that monsters wouldn''t be drawn to something that was no longer there.


    The Artificer''s expression eased, and her lips curled into a faint smile. "I hope you''re right. If not¡­"


    "So," David cut in, "does anyone have a plan?"


    "Yep," Zachariah''s voice rang out. "We will move to the Dwarven Sanctuary."


    Oh? David tilted his head. Moving straight to the Dwarven Sanctuary? That was quite¡­ convenient. Almost too convenient.


    "I see." He nodded. "In that case, you guys can make yourselves comfortable in the Dwarven Sanctuary while I settle in the prehistoric Rift."


    He licked his lips at the thought of returning to the natural Rift. It belonged to Fortress, but the Dwarven God had never forbidden him from entering or from claiming a monopoly on the Rift Core and its Origin Essence.


    That didn''t necessarily mean David had permission to take all the Origin Essence, but he doubted the dwarves would stop him.


    Even if they try to stop me¡­ David smiled at the thought.


    Maybe moving to the Dwarven Sanctuary was going to be interesting.


    ***


    Moving nearly 200 people to the Dwarven Sanctuary was easier and faster than expected. Everyone was exhausted, and the few Protectors who had survived the encounter with the Undead Horde were still injured, but they did not run into any wild monsters along the way. They traveled on the highway with the few things they had managed to salvage and didn''t stop moving until they reached the massive gates of the Dwarven Sanctuary.


    The gates were already wide open, and Torb emerged, his lips curved into a faint but sorrowful smile.


    "Fortress informed me about the incident. What a disaster¡­" the dwarf said, sighing deeply. "But I''m glad you and the others are fine. Come inside. We have enough space for everyone."


    Torb led them in, but David barely paid attention to their surroundings. His focus was on his friend instead. It hadn''t been long since they parted ways, but the dwarf looked¡­ different. His shoulders were broader than before, and if David wasn''t mistaken, Torb was also a little taller. His physical changes were impressive, and so was the armor he wore¡ªit pulsed vividly with energy as if alive. But what struck David the most was Torb''s posture and the change in his attitude.


    He appeared more confident. Different, but not in a bad way. More reliable¡ªgrounded.


    More dwarves greeted them, carrying trays filled with food. They shared food and water with Arc''s residents and tended to the wounded and exhausted.


    "Unfortunately, while we wish to grant everyone lodging, we cannot do that. Our workers are giving their utmost, but we did not expect¡ªany of this, to be honest," Torb said.


    David hadn''t expected anything grand from the Dwarven Sanctuary. It hadn''t been established for long, after all. But that was also why he¡ªand, from the looks of it, others as well¡ªwere so surprised to see rows of dozens of houses spread throughout the Sanctuary''s center.


    "Fortress will take care of your well-being at no cost until lodging has been prepared," Torb added with a smile, but David only raised an eyebrow.


    Why does it feel like Fortress will extort us once everyone has a roof over their heads? he wondered.


    But it wasn''t as if he had stayed in Arc for free, either. He had paid for his lodging. Not much would change¡ªor so David hoped.


    From his experience with the Dwarven God, Fortress wasn''t a bad god. He was greedy but focused on the well-being of his people.


    David could live with that.

 Chapter 103 - B2 29 - Them

    His eyes fluttered open to a crimson sky. There were no clouds or a sun, for that matter.


    David sat upright, but the landscape remained unchanged. He was not in the Dwarven Sanctuary, lying on one of the mattresses they''d ransacked in Arc. To be fair, he was probably not even in the Earthen Union. It was hard to tell, as everything around him was crimson.


    "I went to sleep and then¡­" David mumbled, trying to recollect what had happened. But there was nothing. He had gone to sleep and woken up in this crimson¡­ world? That didn''t sound right, but it wasn''t like he understood where he was in the first place.


    "This is my Domain. Cozy, ain''t it?"


    A crimson cloud gathered before his eyes, first forming a large face before shifting into a humanoid figure.


    "Asmodeus?"


    David jumped to his feet, letting Blood surge into his eyes. The effect was weaker than expected, but it was enough to see the minuscule threads connecting the crimson figure to the world¡ªthis Domain¡ªaround them.


    "Did you bring me here?"


    "I don''t know. Did I do that?" Asmodeus replied with a shrug, his tone laced with ridicule.


    Fuck you. This isn''t funny.


    David grumbled inwardly while casting [Holy Touch]. A bloody tendril oozed from his palm and connected to Asmodeus'' threads.


    "I wouldn''t do that if I were you," Asmodeus said, though he didn''t move an inch as David ignored the Ruler of Blood.


    He continued, tapping into the power surging through the minuscule threads. They didn''t resist him. Instead, they integrated the holy tendril seamlessly into their network, flooding David with immense power.


    He couldn''t even process what was happening as the energy tore through his Energy Pathways, ripping them apart. But it didn''t stop there. It surged through his veins, following his blood to his heart. It felt like an eternity, yet only a quarter of a second had passed before his heart exploded.


    David felt it clearly¡ªdeath.


    His eyes widened momentarily as realization dawned upon him, and he collapsed to the ground.


    Move! He wanted to scream, but his body no longer obeyed him.


    He was dying.


    "I told you," Asmodeus sighed. "It''s not that I don''t want to show off my power. But you can''t handle it."


    A snap resounded in his ears, and his eyes were forcefully shut.


    David was certain death loomed over him¡ªbut nothing happened. He kept his eyes shut even as he regained control of his body, expecting to die at any moment.


    "How much longer are you going to play dead, kid?" Asmodeus chuckled.


    David opened his eyes to look straight at the crimson figure once again. He was standing¡ªwhen had he gotten up from the ground?¡ªand his heart was intact.


    "What was that?" he asked, but the Ruler of Blood waved dismissively.


    "Death. Precisely, death by stupidity."


    David narrowed his eyes, which seemed to amuse the crimson figure.


    "Are you angry? That''s interesting. I was sure you chose your Secondary Class to get your emotions under control. Then again, you didn''t kill the tirac child. That would have been interesting. Maybe you would have received Unity¡ªyou know, for killing the kid who killed your prey."


    Asmodeus laughed, his crimson figure transforming back into a massive face.


    "Seraphine would have loved that. Or maybe she wouldn''t have. I wonder what she would have done. It''s the first time she intervened in the Earthen Union''s business."


    "What do you want?" David interrupted. Listening to Asmodeus was irritating¡ªmore so than the Pantheon''s silence.


    "Are you here to give me something? Maybe Unity? Or something with similar powers?"


    "Of course not." Asmodeus stopped laughing. "Unity is Seraphine''s thing. And since you failed the challenge, you will never procure it. Well¡­ except if you kill her. If you want to give it a try, go for it. I won''t stop you. If anything, I''ll cheer for you from the back."


    "So¡­"


    "Sooo," Asmodeus cleared his throat, "I wanted to show you something interesting."


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    The Ruler''s face expanded suddenly, showing him images¡ªsome still, others moving.


    First, David saw Arc, or what was left of it, but the scenery changed quickly as the image zoomed out, revealing the country, the continent, and finally the whole Earthen Union. He didn''t notice anything amiss at first. Of course, some regions looked different than before¡ªmountain ranges had appeared where plains once were, flora had flourished and swallowed whatever remained of civilization before the Pantheon''s integration¡ªbut that was only the beginning.


    Creatures appeared in the oceans, on land, and in the sky. They were large enough to be seen even as the whole Earthen Union unfolded before him as a head-sized globe. The creatures had to be massive in reality, yet David wasn''t afraid of them. It didn''t feel like Asmodeus wanted to show him these behemoths.


    It''s something else, David thought as he silently studied the Earthen Union while it changed again. Time seemed to pass, and the flora expanded further. But so did a sudden darkness, creeping across certain parts of the Earthen Union. It stretched out, slowly at first, but the process accelerated rapidly until the entire planet transformed into a ball of darkness.


    No, it wasn''t just darkness.


    Something felt off when David studied it more closely.


    The Earthen Union''s lifeforce¡­ is no more, he thought, eyes widening.


    "Wha¡ª"


    "No questions," Asmodeus said, his voice devoid of the joy and madness from earlier.


    David took the hint and kept watching. Time seemed to reverse as the Earthen Union spun backward, transforming back into a bright, flourishing planet. The process repeated itself again, only faster this time. The life-draining darkness emerged sooner, consuming the Earthen Union at an accelerated pace.


    But the vision wasn''t over. The Earthen Union rewound once more, the cycle repeating. This time, more planets appeared in the crimson fog¡ªworlds he had never seen before¡ªbut David remained silent, watching.


    On the third iteration, the Earthen Union was devoured more slowly, yet something about the other planets had changed.


    He observed the fourth, the fifth, and countless more until hundreds of worlds unfolded before him, each seemingly connected and infected by the events unfolding in the Earthen Union.


    "The Cycles¡­" he muttered after what felt like dozens of repetitions. "Why are you showing me this?"


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    "Right, no questions." David grimaced and shuddered as he watched the life-draining darkness consume the Earthen Union and its surrounding worlds.


    Again, the withered planet reverted to its original state¡ªbut the other worlds did not. They vanished, revealing the Earthen Union and the vastness of space in full clarity. Yet something was different this time. Details he hadn''t noticed before now stood out¡ªlike the sparks of light scattered in the void near the Earthen Union and the pitch-black life signals forming on its surface.


    He infused Blood into his eyes but couldn''t discern anything more about the dark life signals. There were only a handful, yet an instinctive fear took root in him.


    "These things¡­ are they ''them''?" he asked, but Asmodeus remained silent. Instead, the image shifted again, zooming in on the sparks in space. As the vision cleared, David saw dozens of figures hovering before a thin crack in reality. His gaze landed on one of them¡ªa god of the Pantheon¡ªbut his attention was drawn to the crack itself.


    Small. Insignificant. Something he never would have noticed. Until now.


    He stared at it and stumbled backward, his heart racing as fear consumed him. Something oozed from the crack. Not much, but enough. Enough for David to know that whatever lay beyond was worse than the black life signals on the Earthen Union.


    "Is that¡­ the current Cycle?" he asked.


    This time, the image dispersed, and the crimson fog reshaped itself into a humanoid figure.


    "The situation is getting out of control," Asmodeus answered quietly. "And we''ve learned not to speak too much about them or their actions. It gives them power. Even the weakest of them can accumulate enough strength to rival the gods."


    David shuddered, trying to process what he had just learned. He had known about the Cycles, had even heard of the existence of ''something'' Zachariah cryptically referred to as them, but accepting that these beings could grow strong enough to fight gods simply by being known¡ªhow did that make sense?


    It was hard to believe, yet the Ruler of Blood looked serious, which seemed rare.


    "If they gain power from being known, why did you tell me about them?"


    Asmodeus sighed. "That fool is always thinking and talking about them anyway. The others might not approve, but at least now you won''t have to bother Zachariah about it. The long-term benefits outweigh the short-term risks. Or¡­ I''ll get whipped later when the cosmos collapses. We''ll see about that."


    He shrugged, his crimson form inching closer. "There''s also been a rather¡­ unpleasant change in the plans of some colleagues of mine. And you¡ªyou''re behaving differently than anticipated. While you use my power, you wield it differently from me. Not all the time, but your focus on Lifeforce and Essence is intriguing. The System must have sensed your compatibility with my Essence and Bereth''s."


    Asmodeus'' crimson fog surged high above him, forcing David to look up.


    "You should focus on your Intent and your growing affinity for Essence. I am still the Ruler of Blood, and I won''t surrender my title anytime soon. Plus, your talent with the Law of Blood is passable, but nothing remarkable. That''s great for a mortal¡ªsince I''m comparing you to minor gods and other trashy immortals¡ªbut it''s not enough. Not if you want the strength to help us in the future."


    David raised an eyebrow at the last part but remained silent.


    "The Law of Blood has kept you alive. It fits your Primary Class well, but never rely on the Laws gifted by other gods and Rulers. After all, the Law does not belong to you."


    Asmodeus'' tone was eerily calm, making David''s hair stand on end.


    For a moment, he braced himself, half-expecting the Ruler of Blood to strip the Law of Blood away from him¡ªbut nothing happened.


    "You have a Legacy Skill, and you comprehended an Intent on your own. Make use of it. Be better than the fool."


    The crimson world dimmed as his final words echoed. Yet, Asmodeus wasn''t finished.


    "It looks like my time is up," he sighed again. "Listen to my advice. As much as you love to fight¡ªand believe me, I enjoy watching your bloody massacres¡ªyou should keep your anger in check for a while."


    Huh?


    Numerous questions tormented his mind, but he couldn''t voice them.


    Asmodeus'' Domain disappeared, and darkness swallowed him once more.

 Chapter 104 - B2 30 - Tamed Creatures

    The starry, cloudless sky greeted him as his eyes shot up. He sat upright, pressing his hand firmly against his chest, and shuddered.


    What the hell was that? David cursed and shuddered as a gust brushed against his sweat-drenched clothes.


    He cast [Purify], knowing it wouldn''t remove the sweat seeping into his clothes, but using the Rune made him feel cleaner nonetheless. Did it affect my mental state as well? he wondered, but the answer did not come to him. Even so, it made him feel better.


    Maybe it was just the placebo effect.


    But while it felt like the Rune helped, it did nothing to ease his confusion¡ªlet alone the frustration weighing on his heart.


    "Keep your anger in check?" he hissed in a low voice. What was that about? Did Asmodeus really waste the limited amount of Essence he could use in the Earthen Union just to tell him to relax?


    David doubted that had been the Ruler of Blood''s priority, but was he implying a fight was coming? He tilted his head, trying to interpret Asmodeus'' words¡ªbut it was harder than he expected. Was there another bloody battle waiting for me?


    Odd. His heart wasn''t racing at the thought of another massacre. Not this time. After everything David had experienced¡ªwhat he had seen¡ªin the crimson world, he did not feel like fighting.


    If anything, he shuddered. Was it fear? Hesitation? He couldn''t tell.


    "Lost," he muttered. Maybe that was the most fitting.


    He considered talking to Zachariah about everything but quickly decided against it.


    Will talking about the Cycles give ''them'' power as well? David couldn''t tell. He was certain Asmodeus had said something about mentioning them and their actions granting them power. Since it seemed like the Cycles were used to avoid utter destruction, talking about them was probably already problematic.


    It was probably best to stop discussing Zachariah''s past and the things he had experienced. But that thought opened another string of questions.


    Was it important who talked about them, or did they receive a certain boost in power regardless? David recalled Fortress avoiding any discussion with Zachariah about their past encounter. The Dwarven God had not stopped Zachariah from speaking, but he had stayed silent¡ªhinting that who talked about the last Cycles and ''their'' actions mattered.


    Regardless, David couldn''t be certain.


    "Whatever." David adjusted himself on the mattress, crossing his legs.


    He activated [Meditation]. His pores opened to the ambient Aether, flooding his body in an instant. Once he was full, he activated [Mind Palace] for the first time. The Class Rune stirred, forming a strong suctioning force that drained his natural Aether rapidly.


    David quickly noticed that [Mind Palace] required even more energy than [Reinforce], but he could sustain it by drawing in the ambient Aether surrounding him.


    He tested his newest Class Skill before following the Rune''s guidance. He entered his mind space, watching torrents of Aether crash against each other.


    David observed the torrents first, but they revealed nothing useful¡ªso he forced them into submission. Controlling them wasn''t as easy as expected.


    Why does Aether turn so violent after leaving [Mind Palace]? he wondered, inspecting the natural Aether being sucked into the Class Skill and how [Mind Palace] changed its properties as it emanated from the Rune. It was almost entirely different¡ªwild but also tangible.


    But while the torrents of Aether were chaotic, David could still control them. It strained his mental capacity, regardless. Maybe that was the point.


    David willed the torrents and stretched them out, creating tangible streams of Aether. Following [Mind Palace]''s guidance, he intertwined the streams, weaving them into a delicate web. At first, it resembled a cobweb, but the gaps in the structure filled quickly as more Aether streams formed.


    Time was not perceptible in the mind space. A few minutes or whole days could have passed as the twentieth Aether stream formed. David stopped channeling Aether into the Class Skill, completing the first step in building the palace that would fortify his mind.


    It was hard to tell how a simple net of Aether would form the Mind Palace, but David knew it would strengthen his mind. As he progressed in building the Mind Palace, its foundation would grow stronger¡ªat least, that was what he had learned from the Class Skill''s knowledge.


    Pinpointing changes to his mind''s foundation was difficult, especially when he was mentally drained and on the verge of sleep.


    But there was no time to rest. He was certain Zachariah would thrash him if he wasted the precious time they had left under the Blessing of the World by sleeping.


    It was already late morning when David opened his eyes again. The mattresses around him were empty. With a sigh, he got up.


    The previous night''s events still weighed on him, but there was nothing he could do about it. Everything was changing¡ªfast. Maybe too fast. David could barely keep up¡­ or was he falling behind? It was hard to tell. All he could do was give his utmost.


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    He shrugged and turned to look at the Rift leading to the prehistoric valley. Occupying the Rift Core and absorbing as much Origin Essence as possible sounded promising. But before he could dwell on the thought, the ground trembled nearby. A loud bleat rang in his ears. David turned and found himself face-to-face with a Xenoceratop staring at him.


    He recoiled. What was a dinosaur doing inside the Dwarven Sanctuary? And it wasn''t alone¡ªhe sensed two dozen Xenoceratops, along with Utahraptors and other prehistoric creatures.


    "Did they tame them?" His hair stood on end. He abandoned the idea of entering the prehistoric Rift¡ªfor now.


    Instead, he chose to roam the Dwarven Sanctuary, investigating the changes. His strides led him to the Sanctuary''s center. It was as crowded as Arc had been, but the atmosphere felt different. Arc''s former residents seemed incredibly tense, even as they conversed with the dwarves. He saw dozens of them assisting in various tasks, including former Protectors.


    David spoke to some people, listened to their complaints, and patted their backs absentmindedly. But his attention kept drifting to the dwarves riding prehistoric monsters through the Sanctuary. The sight of creatures pulling carriages was intriguing, but the concept of taming prehistoric beasts lingered in his mind.


    The more he thought about it, the more appealing it became¡ªyet he lacked the means. Furthermore, he knew himself well; he would get attached to the creatures. Losing them, which seemed highly likely given last night''s revelation, was not something he wanted to experience.


    After gathering enough information, he left. From what he had observed, everyone was being treated well. The real problem was the rent. Nobody expected to stay in the Sanctuary for free, but the astronomical fees in currency slates made many former residents uncomfortable.


    They had lost everything when the winged serpent destroyed Arc, and the Dwarven Sanctuary didn''t have the means to offer jobs to everyone. That was a problem they would have to solve soon. After all, Arc''s former residents were skilled in various fields. David was certain Fortress and his zealots wouldn''t simply throw them out. No matter how greedy they were, they would keep the experts.


    At last, David spotted a familiar face in one of the few newly constructed workstations. The Tirac Artificer was alive, unscathed, and working hard.


    He stepped inside the open workstation and waited patiently until she noticed him.


    She put her tools away, her scales chittering. "How can I help you?"


    "I just wanted to check on everything," David said. "But seeing that you''re already back at work, I suppose it''s fine to ask about my Blood Storage. You have spatial storage, so I doubt you lost the Bloodstones and other materials needed to build it. So¡­"


    The Tirac Artificer grimaced. "You want to know when the Blood Storage will be ready? Honestly, I don''t know. Two days ago, I would have said a week¡ªbut now? Everything''s changed, and I have to pay Ulakan rent just to use his workshop."


    "Two or three weeks, then. At the very least." David groaned. "In that case, can you use the Bloodstones to craft other things? Artifacts? Or more Blood Storages, if possible? It would be even better if the Bloodstones were small. The smaller, the better."


    He noticed someone to his right stir at the mention of Bloodstones, finally turning to see a dwarf working on the other side of the workshop. Their eyes met, and the dwarf spat on the ground.


    "Are you the rude bastard who killed the Giants with the Prime?" the dwarf asked.


    "Prime? Oh, you mean Torb," David nodded.


    "Yes, the Prime, you beansprout!"


    David ignored the jab and smiled at the dwarf.


    "You''re interested in the Bloodstones, aren''t you? How about you work with my lovely Artificer to craft me something good? I use Blood¡ªan energy source derived from life force and Aether¡ªto empower my Skills. Blood is roughly five times more potent than ambient Aether¡­ or ten times, possibly even greater, depending on how much life force I use to produce it." David glanced at the dwarf. "Can you make something strong enough to withstand that? Even better, something small and compressed that can hold a shitload of Blood."


    The dwarf pointed at him and shouted something in a tongue David couldn''t understand. He didn''t need to, though¡ªjudging by the tone, the dwarf was cussing him out. That was fine.


    If the dwarf was anything like Torb and the others, he probably hated David for his little bout with Fortress¡ªif it could even be called that.


    But contrary to David''s expectations, the dwarf nodded after his shouting match in the dwarven tongue ended.


    The dwarf spoke, but David barely registered it. A sudden shout made his ears perk up, and he spun around.


    "Natives at the gates!"


    What? He frowned. Natives¡­ so, humans? What were they doing at the gates?


    That could only mean more trouble. Was this what Asmodeus was talking about? David sure hoped not. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He rushed out of the workshop and made his way toward the gate, heading for the area with the most life signals. Leaping atop the wall, he looked down at a group of seven humans clad in armor.


    David scrutinized them intently for a moment but shrugged dismissively when he realized they were too weak to be a real threat. The seven humans weren''t weak by any means¡ªif anything, they were strong enough to defeat most Protectors¡ªbut David was confident he could kill the entire group in less than a minute if necessary.


    That didn''t seem to be the case, though. He couldn''t sense any killing intent from them. If anything, half of the group¡ªespecially the small woman in the back¡ªlooked afraid.


    "What do you want from Fortress'' Sacred Sanctuary?" Torb''s voice thundered across the wall, making David roll his eyes.


    A young, broad-shouldered man stepped forward, giving a slight bow. "I apologize for bothering you and your people, but we would like to talk to Peter Walter and his people. We know they traveled this way, but our Scout lost their tracks."


    Peter Walter? Why did that name ring a bell? David wondered.


    "I don''t know anyone with that name," Torb responded sharply.


    "But I do," David muttered, recalling the name from a few days ago. Torb glared at him, but David ignored him.


    David approached the edge of the wall and smiled at the group. "What do you want from this guy and his friends?"


    The young swordsman''s expression shifted, unveiling a trace of anger. "We want to kill them!"


    Oh? So Asmodeus was wrong. Looked like there was no problem after all.


    "That won''t happen. Sorry about that, buddy," David responded lightheartedly.


    "Why?" one of the older men in the party asked coldly.


    "''Cause I killed him and his buddies." David shrugged but retracted his words a moment later. "Well¡­ I didn''t land the killing blow¡ªZachariah did. But I don''t think the details matter. Fact is, we worked together to kill those idiots."


    "They were¡­ dead?" one of the women asked, relief washing over her face.


    "Yup."

 Chapter 105 - B2 31 - Cursed

    Torb allowed the human party inside the Dwarven Sanctuary once their intentions were clear. He provided meals and beverages in exchange for hearing their story.


    "It''s not a nice story," the leader of the human party, Lukas, warned.


    "Regardless, we would like to hear it," Torb said, and David nodded in agreement.


    Some of Fortress'' zealots tried to stop him when he followed Torb and the human party into the Prime Champion''s home, but his Bloodlust worked wonders. The dwarves backed off and glared at him from afar. David let them be and made himself comfortable on the couch in Torb''s office. It wasn''t anything special¡ªlarge but lacking furniture¡ªbut it was something. Definitely enough for the manager of a newly established Sanctuary.


    "The integration happened suddenly, yet we didn''t take it seriously at first. Our connection to the internet was cut off, but we still had access to water and electricity. Electricity didn''t last long, but I don''t think anyone sensed anything amiss until Maja''s grandparents died," Lukas said, glancing at the young, trembling woman clutching her Mage Wand until her knuckles turned white.


    "The integration didn''t take their lives. Old age did. Regardless, Maja''s grandparents turned into Infected. I think everyone can imagine what happened to the townspeople when they saw the dead roaming our streets.


    "First, the Infected killed the nurse who had taken care of them, turning her as well. They infected more townspeople before we could stop them, which granted us access to Classes and supernatural power. But that power came at a price. A Rift opened in town, forcing us"¡ªLukas pointed at his group¡ª"my friends and me to kill those disgusting little cretins¡ªGoblins, or whatever they were called. But even as we killed them, the Rift didn''t close. So, we entered the Rift."


    David glanced to the right and noticed several members of the human party in tears. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "We had to stay in the Rift longer than expected to survive and close it. While that granted us power, it also left the rest of the town without enough protection against¡­" Lukas gritted his teeth, clenching his fists.


    "Against these bloody bastards!" the man seated beside Lukas growled.


    Lukas patted the man on the back, sighing heavily. "Exactly. Our families couldn''t do anything against these bastards while we were busy clearing the Rift. We came back to find our families on the verge of death. But our families weren''t the only ones who suffered. Hundreds of people had been executed, while the rest were beaten and cursed."


    "Cursed?" Torb interrupted before Lukas could continue. "What''s this about?"


    Lukas'' shoulders drooped, and he looked at the ground. "We don''t really know either. We just call it a Curse because it''s the only thing that makes sense to us. Nobody in town recovers from their wounds. They look like they''re constantly on the verge of dying."


    The sobbing to the right continued, and it didn''t take long before the woman beside Maja bawled her eyes out.


    "Zora chose the Cleric Class and has already completed her First Class Advancement. I consider her Class fairly powerful, but she couldn''t heal them. Well¡­ their wounds heal, but our families¡ªeveryone afflicted by the Curse¡ªremain lethargic. They act like they don''t desire to live any longer. It doesn''t make any sense," Lukas muttered the last part.


    "Let''s put the Curse aside for a moment," David said, ignoring Torb''s look, which seemed to urge him to keep his mouth shut. "How is that related to Peter and his people? I doubt they put the Curse on your town. As far as I remember, Peter and his people¡ªthough, to be fair, they weren''t strong enough to leave much of an impression¡ªdidn''t have any special Classes. Their Classes followed the average advancement path of the four Basic Classes."


    Their Secondary Classes could have been related to Curses, but if they were, the bandits would have used them against him and Zachariah.


    "How do you know Peter and his people in the first place? Did your families tell you who was responsible for their condition?" David added curtly.


    Lukas looked up, and their eyes met for a moment. "They came back after we returned."


    "More than once. And they always brought people¡ªhundreds of them. These people, mostly humans but also other creatures, are like our families. Alive but lacking the drive to live. The bandits stuffed them into the empty houses. Then¡­ when we retaliated, trying to rescue our families, our families collapsed. Some even died," Lukas gritted his teeth, and David noticed blood dripping from his clenched fists. "They took our families hostage, mocked us¡­ and even worse¡­ then they did this to us."


    Lukas pulled his leather armor aside, revealing a dark mark¡ªa black scythe with a silver frame. Yet while the scythe was still visible, David could barely sense any energy from it. He channeled Blood into his eyes and noticed a fading crimson thread of life force connecting to it.


    That was¡­ curious.


    David discovered the same life force threads on the others and was certain he would find similar marks on their chests if he checked.


    "Does everyone have these marks? Your families and everyone else?" Torb asked, voicing the question lingering in David''s mind.


    Lukas nodded, looking down again.


    "What happened next? You don''t strike me as a lethargic person. If anything, you and your friends are overflowing with life," David said.


    "We received some help from¡­" Lukas hesitated. "Well, from something¡ªor someone. We don''t know who or what helped me, but whatever it was, it allowed me to regain control of the situation. I killed several men when they returned with more of the Cursed. The mark weakened, and I managed to kill a few more men when they returned again until we were freed of the Curse."


    Footsteps rang out from outside, and the door to Torb''s office swung open.


    David didn''t have to look up to know who had barged into the Prime Champion''s office.


    "Only your Curses grew weaker? Why?" Zachariah asked, approaching the humans before slumping onto the couch opposite them. "I killed this Peter or whatever he was called. Neither he nor the others carried Curses. I''m certain of that. However, that also means you and your friends are either lying to us, or your Curses are weakening due to other factors."


    Zachariah lifted his hand, stopping Lukas and the man beside him before they could protest. "I don''t think you''re lying. I think one of the transcendent beings helped you a little. It might be interesting to find out why one would do that, but the answer is not crucial."


    He locked eyes with Lukas. "You came here to kill Peter and the rest to free your families, right? But they''re already dead, meaning your families should be better now if¡ªand only if¡ªthey were the primary aggressors behind your families'' suffering."


    Maja sprang to her feet, and David sensed an astronomical amount of mana surging through her body. She waved her Mage Wand, releasing golden particles into the air. The space before her cracked open, the golden particles twinkling vibrantly as they shot toward the fissure, expanding it.


    However, to his disappointment, the crack shrank and collapsed a moment later. David stared at Lukas, whose hand rested on Maja''s shoulder.


    "There were more people. You know that. They also mentioned other towns when they¡­ did all of that to us," Lukas whispered, barely loud enough for David to hear.


    He got to his feet, smiling at the party of humans. "Even if there are more bandits or towns that fell victim to them¡­ how about we check on your families first?"


    Lukas raised an eyebrow as they locked eyes. "We?"


    David nodded. "Of course. What if Zachariah is right and Peter wasn''t the culprit who put everyone under this Curse? Don''t you want me to take a look at the Cursed?"


    "You?" the woman beside Maja asked skeptically, wiping her face.


    The party''s healer must have stopped crying a while ago.


    "I''m a Healer," David responded matter-of-factly.


    As soon as he spoke, he felt several eyes on him, scanning him from head to toe. Clearly, they didn''t believe him.


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    "You certainly don''t look like a Healer." Zachariah chuckled. "More like a Tormentor."


    David looked down at himself. He wasn''t sure how long it had been since his physique had improved this much. Was it when he acquired [A Body''s Impurity] or when his Body stat reached Advanced? His muscles had grown, but they were also more compressed than before. Lukas had a great body, but David was sure his physique was even better than the swordsman''s.


    Still, with the scars and the Relic, he probably looked more dangerous than reassuring.


    Did they sense my Bloodlust earlier? He wondered. Maybe that was it.


    "I might look a bit fierce, but I can tell you I''m a good healer," he said, turning to Zora. "Better than her."


    She scoffed. "How would you know?"


    Was that a sore spot? Either way.


    David shrugged. "It''s a fact. I don''t need to know you to tell you with certainty that I''m better than you. Or else, you would have sensed something odd about the scythe marks."


    Zora didn''t look like she wanted to leave it at that, but he turned back to Lukas.


    "I can heal everyone if the marks disappear. And even if they''re still there, I''m pretty sure I can alleviate the symptoms."


    "Plus," David smiled at the party''s leader, "I can rip the bandits a new one if they return."


    He checked on Zachariah. The regressor''s expression didn''t change, but he seemed angry.


    He shook his head. "Don''t look at me like that. Healing the townspeople is not my job."


    "That''s it?"


    Zachariah shrugged. "I can scout the towns and see if I can find more bandits. Tending to the weak is your job. It helps you grow stronger. I can only concoct potions and hunt some bastards to grow stronger."


    David had no issue with that.


    "How about we stop wasting time and depart? We don''t have all day."


    Lukas and the others looked at each other and shrugged. Torb grumbled something in the dwarven tongue and got up with the words, "Since you guys have everything under control, I''ll take care of my business."


    Lukas nodded at Maja, who waved her Mage Wand again. Golden particles filled the office, and the space before her cracked open once more.


    "A portal?" Zachariah jumped to his feet. "You have a Portalmage in your group?"


    "Portaligist," Maja muttered, her forehead drenched in cold sweat. "And this¡­ might take a few seconds. Long-distance teleportation with so many people is¡­ not that easy."


    The regressor gasped, his eyes locked on the small woman as mana continued to pour out of her. However, he didn''t utter a single word. But David noticed the shock in Zachariah''s eyes¡ªsomething about being a Portaligist unsettled him.


    The crack in space expanded, and it did not take long before it resembled a Rift, albeit a small, golden, glistening Rift.


    ***


    David watched the scenery change as he followed Maja and the others. They walked out of Torb''s office one moment and emerged in the plaza of a gloomy town after a few long strides.


    "It feels like walking through a Rift," he muttered.


    "Because long-distance teleportation requires a medium to be used. Replicating a Rift is probably the easiest way to travel long distances. It cannot be used in combat, but from what I see on the live-updated map, we saved some time," Zachariah responded, grinning as he studied the map before him.


    He turned to Lukas and spoke to the swordsman while David turned around, channeling Blood into his eyes.


    The life signals of thousands unfolded before his eyes in detail, making his head hurt as he tried to digest all the information. But he did not have to know everything to tell that something was wrong with the town¡ªits people, to be precise.


    It didn''t take much to notice how weak the life signals of everyone in town were. That was the odd part; even if most townspeople did not gain access to the Class System by killing an Infected or a monster, David doubted their life signals should be this frail. Yet, after studying the life signals for a few seconds, his confusion deepened.


    How is it possible that everyone has exactly the same amount of lifeforce? he wondered, trying to understand the situation. Not only was the amount of lifeforce left behind shockingly low, but it also shouldn''t be possible.


    From David''s experience, every lifeform had a different amount of lifeforce. Finding someone with a similar lifeforce level was already very hard, but exactly the same? More than a thousand times in succession¡ªin the same town? David sincerely doubted it was possible.


    Was that the Curse''s fault? The thought stirred something inside him. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the sickening cracks as he clenched his fists. How could people do that to their own in a time of need? They were all in dire need of power to survive against the masses of Infected, monsters, and other creatures trying to conquer and claim parts of the Earthen Union. Worse even, creatures were trying to devour the Earthen Union¡ªpossibly the whole cosmos. Was it necessary to weaken thousands of people when they needed strength the most?


    "You said nobody can be healed, right?" David turned to ask Zora, who shuddered and retreated as their eyes met.


    He rolled his eyes. "Quit joking around and tell me what you used on them, including the skill ranks."


    Zora took a deep breath and patted her chest, but she still shuddered when she answered, "I¡­ used [Restore] at Rank VI, [Cleanse] at Rank IX, and¡­ I tried a variety of [Healing Touch] at Rank V, and [Blessing] at Rank II, [Holy Light] at Rank X, and [Healing Patch] at Rank III."


    David listened intently but gestured for her to keep talking.


    "The combination of [Restore] and [Cleanse] worked, but the effect didn''t last long. I don''t know why, but they reverted to their old behavior within minutes. [Healing Patch] seemed to make things worse, while [Blessing] and [Holy Light] actually caused them pain. At first, their condition seemed to improve, but within seconds, it worsened. [Healing Touch]... was similar to [Restore]. It helped them, but only for a minute or two before their condition returned to the lethargic norm," Zora said, looking like she''d finally regained her senses.


    "As expected," David muttered, turning to an elderly woman staring out of her window. She was the nearest life signal with an intact Curse and provided him with enough information to put the pieces together.


    "What are you getting at?"


    Someone grabbed his shoulders and shook him as he gathered more intel from the elderly woman. He turned to Lukas, who hadn''t stopped shaking him.


    "Let go," he said quietly, but the Bloodlust oozing from him must have been enough to pull the swordsman back to his senses.


    Lukas released him and stepped back.


    "Where is Zachariah?" David asked, looking around.


    "Your friend left to check out the other towns," Lukas said impatiently. "But who cares about that? What did you mean by ''as expected''?"


    "Your friend over there"¡ªDavid pointed at Zora, the healer¡ª"probably cannot see the lifeforce of living beings. Regardless, she should be able to sense it when she heals others."


    He noticed how impatient everyone was and went straight to the point. "These scythes¡ªthe marks¡ªseem to drain the targets'' lifeforce. That is also why [Restore] and similar skills only work for a few minutes. The Skill Runes are functioning, but all Zora did was replenish some of their lifeforce without removing the root of the problem."


    The Curse appeared to stop draining someone''s lifeforce once it went below a certain threshold, leaving David with a few important questions: How long would the victims'' lifeforce be drained, and where was it going?


    David could answer the latter to some degree. He sensed a lifeforce thread flowing toward a specific point in the elderly woman''s chest, presumably where the scythe mark was located.


    Every bit of lifeforce above a certain level goes straight to the mark, which is probably connected to whoever inflicted the Curse. He frowned as he realized he was looking at a blood bank. The only difference was that this wasn''t charity, nor were there any volunteers. He was in a town where people were being drained of most of their lifeforce.


    If the aggressors used something resembling Blood¡ªa type of energy that required lifeforce to be produced¡ªit would turn the townspeople into their living energy reservoirs. David shuddered at the thought.


    "They''re so lethargic because someone is stealing their lifeforce?" Lukas demanded.


    Zora shuddered. "I¡­ didn''t help anyone. I hurt them by healing them, didn''t I?"


    "I wouldn''t say that," David responded, though he wasn''t sure how much Classless people suffered when their lifeforce was taken by force. He remembered the time he had been forced to use his own lifeforce to fight Kobolds and other creatures, but back then, his lifeforce had never been at a constant low. In the first place, he had been too focused on survival to think about it.


    "Can you help them?" The man beside Lukas¡ªDavid still had no idea what he was called¡ªasked.


    "To be honest, I cannot say anything for certain," he responded honestly. "All I can say for now is that I can see what the Curse is doing and that my Skills are much stronger than Zora''s. I might not have all of her Skills, but I''m fairly sure mine are adequate."


    He didn''t bother mentioning Blood''s potency.


    "Can you bring me a few resilient men and women? It would be best if they could endure pain," David asked, earning several odd glances. They looked at him like he was asking for the impossible.


    "Give me some Cursed at the Bronze Rank. I''m not speaking in dwarven or elvish, am I?" he grunted. "Unless you''d rather I test my ideas on the old woman over there?"


    He pointed at the elderly woman at the window. She didn''t move away and winked weakly at him instead. That was odd, but David ignored her and stared back at Lukas and the rest. "I doubt she''ll survive it. At worst, she might die of heart failure when I tamper with the scythe mark."


    "You want to experiment on them?" Zora asked skeptically.


    "Didn''t you do the same?" David snarled. "Or would you say you actually healed your patients?"


    Lukas nodded slowly. "All right. I''ll ask around, but we won''t force anyone to be your guinea pig."


    "I never intended to force anyone. Nor do I want to kill my patients," David snorted. "Only my enemies are getting killed¡ªnot my patients."

 Chapter 106 - B2 32 - Surgeon

    Despite his weak life signals, the towering man before David appeared strong and vigorous. He flexed his muscles and shot him a grim look.


    David didn''t know what Lukas and the others had told him, but the man''s expression made it clear he didn''t trust him much. He probably trusted him about as far as he could throw him¡ªwhich, judging by his build, was quite far. But David wasn''t concerned.


    "Are you ready, or do you want to fight first to see if you can trust me?" he remarked, bringing a smile to the man''s face.


    "Go for it and remove the mark. We can fight afterward."


    "I''ll be busy once I remove your mark¡ªif it can be removed, that is," David said, gesturing for the man to sit.


    The towering man did as instructed, settling onto a chair in the middle of the town plaza. David felt the weight of dozens of eyes on him. He smiled, conjured the Obsidian Blade, and slashed at the man, cleanly severing his shirt. The man swallowed hard, and David noticed the hairs on his arms stand on end.


    David''s smile widened as he dismissed the Obsidian Blade into his mind space. He studied the lifeforce thread and immediately spotted the scythe mark etched onto the man''s chest.


    Let''s see what isolating does, he thought, pressing his hand firmly against the mark. His lips parted, and he began reciting Words of Power, invoking the Law of Blood while casting [Blessing] on [Holy Touch] as he sent it into the man''s body.


    The man''s body instinctively resisted [Holy Touch]''s tendrils, but David crushed the natural resistance with a mental command. Once the body stopped fighting back, he spread [Holy Touch] through it. The initial examination took a few minutes, draining a considerable amount of energy, but it told David everything he needed to proceed.


    He moved onward, connecting the crimson threads and shrouding the scythe mark with them. Once the tendrils sealed the mark, his recitation ended. The Law of Blood activated, shifting the crimson threads of [Holy Touch]. Instead of attracting lifeforce and Aether, the threads now repelled them, keeping the lifeforce thread away from the scythe mark.


    With the mark isolated from the rest of the body, the towering man could finally recuperate as David cast [Restore]. The man''s complexion improved, but his life signals didn''t recover as quickly as expected. When he opened his eyes, he was gritting his teeth, looking like something or someone had hurt him.


    Had the isolation been painful? That was a bit surprising.


    David cast [Weave of Life] to preserve the man''s life in case of an emergency. However, nothing alarming seemed to happen after the isolation was complete. The man''s life signals improved slowly, and no more lifeforce escaped his body. But David was certain the situation would take a turn the moment he removed [Holy Touch]''s seal.


    Several minutes passed, but the mark showed no sign of weakening. He had half-expected it to be empowered by the lifeforce of its victims, but that didn''t seem to be the case.


    "He''s doing better!" someone exclaimed, but David could only sigh at the party''s enthusiasm.


    "This is only temporary. I isolated the mark, allowing him to retain the benefits of my Healing Runes. But the effect won''t last forever," he explained, glancing at the seven people. "Did someone already try cutting out the mark?"


    Lukas and company paled at his words. Either they were shocked he would suggest something so crude, or they had already tried and failed miserably.


    "I have an idea, but either we succeed and can help everyone, or it fails and injures you. In the worst case, the mark explodes and kills us all," David told the towering man in a matter-of-fact tone. "Do you want to give it a try?"


    "I don''t like the way you talk about my death, but if that''s what it takes to find a way to help everyone else¡­" The man shrugged, trying to hide the fear in his eyes. David could see it, though, which only made him respect him more. The man added, "I will gladly die if that is what it takes."


    What a savage, David thought. He liked him.


    The Obsidian Blade materialized in his hands, and he shrouded it in Rend''s gray glimmer, pouring as much power into the Intent as he could muster. He overclocked [Blessing] on it, layered [Holy Touch], and finally parted his lips to utter Words of Power.


    But this time, the Words of Power were different. He experimented, holding onto the snippets of words that surfaced in his mind whenever he used Rend.


    At last, he focused more Blood into Bloodthrone Dominion. Then, without hesitation, he stepped closer and stabbed the man.


    The soulbound weapon''s tip cut into the scythe mark, slicing through skin and flesh. The man stirred and started screaming as the lifeforce within him went wild.


    David noticed a shift in the scythe mark and focused on it as his blade sank deeper.


    "Restrain him!" David snarled as he narrowly missed piercing the man''s heart. He could feel the man''s pulsating heart with surprising clarity as the Obsidian Blade cut deeper. He winced when the man stirred again.


    Rend grazed the heart''s edge, slicing into it as Lukas and the others failed to restrain him properly.


    David cursed and released minuscule threads from [Holy Touch] that coated the blade, sealing the cut. The crimson threads weren''t perfect for the process, but he made them work, knitting the tiny wound in the man''s heart. He also cast [Restore], healing the heart before something worse could happen.


    While healing the man, David failed to notice the scythe mark''s appearance shifting. The mark showed signs of dissipating. It didn''t disappear entirely, but it seemed as though the ''issue'' was no more.


    In his surprise, he must have released the seal, but the mark no longer drained the man''s lifeforce.


    Not perfect, but good enough for now, he thought as the man collapsed.


    Zora rushed to the man to heal him. She gasped, and her head jerked up to David.


    "You... healed him? How did you do that?" she asked, aghast.


    "How about you heal him first?" David said, cutting off Zora, whose holy power stirred moments later.


    "He is fine now?" Lukas asked into the silence. "He didn''t die like Merlin?"


    The others paled at the mention of the name. Was Merlin the guy they had tried cutting open first? So they did actually attempt removing the mark.


    "The mark won''t drain his lifeforce anymore. As for the mark''s other abilities, I don''t know what they''re doing or if they still work," David said confidently, trying to hide his surprise.


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    Rend had actually severed the mark''s connection to the towering man. It worked¡ªfar better than he had hoped!


    He would have to optimize the ''surgery,'' but that shouldn''t be a problem. As long as he refined the process using the toughest men and women first, it would be easier to perform the fully optimized version on the frail and elderly. One way or another, David was confident he could fix them¡ªall of them.


    "How about we keep going? I don''t want to stay here for weeks, severing Curses left and right," David announced, clapping his hands. "Who''s next?"


    For the next patient, David didn''t isolate the scythe mark. He overclocked [Blessing] on Rend at full power again and applied [Holy Touch] in case he had to tend to another wounded heart¡ªjust in case he poked one again. He maintained [Weave of Life] as a precaution and severed the lifeforce threads from the mark.


    There was no need to rush the process, but neither did he see a reason to slow it down.


    He fixed the second patient, wiped his sweaty forehead, and proceeded with the third and fourth patients.


    "Gather everyone," David commanded. "We''re going to speedrun through this mess!"


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    The following hours felt like torture. Not only was David both tormenter and healer, but he was tormented as well.


    Despite Rend being only an Intent¡ªcontrary to the Law of Blood¡ªhe was forced to unleash its full power for an extended period. It strained his Source and harmed him greatly, even as he optimized the surgery to use Rend only briefly whenever he helped one of the Cursed.


    Regardless of the pain, David gained valuable insight. He continued improving his technique, refining it over and over until he managed to use his fingers to perform the surgery instead.


    The Obsidian Blade was too wide, and the patients'' movements too rigid, increasing the chance of lethal injuries. Two patients had nearly died when they moved too much, causing the Obsidian Blade to pierce their hearts.


    It was a challenge to pull them back from death''s door, but he had managed¡ªearning him several unexpected benefits.


    However, putting aside his boons, David was most pleased with how fast he could perform surgery now. It was swift and more precise than before, allowing him to cut into the mark easily and sever its problematic properties.


    The mark no longer dissipated, but it had stopped draining the Cursed''s lifeforce. That was all that mattered.


    David was exhausted and drenched in sweat. His chest heaved heavily, but he still had enough Blood to use¡ªespecially after his feat had granted him several boons, including a growth spurt.


    Without hesitation, he conjured [Healing Sphere] in the dozens, spreading them through the plaza and its surroundings.


    David watched in glee as everyone''s condition improved before casting [Restore] on the weak and elderly. He spread [Weave of Life] across the plaza until only two drops of Blood remained in his Source.


    Noticing the intense stares behind him, David turned to face Lukas and the others.


    Zora stared at him with wide eyes, but what surprised him most was Maja.


    She looked at him differently than before.


    He knew that look. He glanced back at her, watching her squirm and blush.


    I changed more than I expected, he thought, failing to feel even a flicker of interest in the woman.


    Come to think of it, David realized he hadn''t thought about women in a long time. It hadn''t excited him even before the integration started, but that had never stopped him from conquering them. But now? He preferred battling the strong and healing the weak over sex. And, of course, growing stronger.


    That last part surprised him. Not the desire to grow stronger¡ªbut the fact that he''d rather heal the weak than spend quality time with women. Then again, maybe growing stronger and healing the weak were two sides of the same coin.


    The feeling of growing stronger¡ªof becoming a better, mightier version of himself¡ªwas addictive every time he gained something. It filled him with a sensation women couldn''t compare to. At least, not the ones he''d conquered before.


    Yep, I changed a lot.


    In the past, connections and money were power, yet he had never cared about either. If anyone cared about power, it was his parents. Now, he did too.


    Were his parents okay? What about Basti, William, and Felix? David felt a pang of guilt. He hadn''t thought about his friends or family in a long time, but the fact remained¡ªhe needed more power to look for them. At least, that was what he liked to tell himself. But deep down, he knew the truth. If he had truly wanted to, he could have started searching for them already.


    But why? What was stopping him?


    Was he scared? Of what? Meeting his family?


    David took a deep breath. Whatever.


    He needed rest. Slumping to the ground, he ignored the stares and lay there, staring at the cloudless sky. Time passed in the blink of an eye, and by the time he stirred from his thoughts, night had fallen.


    Then came the shriek.


    David jumped to his feet, checking his Source¡ªit was filled to the brim but still recovering from the strain.


    "What is going on?" he called into the night. But before anyone could answer, he saw it.


    Zachariah.


    A d¨¦j¨¤ vu he would have much rather avoided.


    Fuck this shit.


    Charging toward the regressor''s waning life signal, he shoved several people aside, leaping over a group and running through the air, conjuring crimson shields beneath him.


    At last, he reached Zachariah¡ªwho was missing an ear and an eye. Several dark marks covered his left arm¡ªonly his left arm. But it was just a husk of itself now, shriveled and skeletal, with bones poking through the skin.


    David felt like shouting, Why is your arm black? But there was no time for questions.


    He noticed something much worse.


    "Black," he muttered, eyes widening as he channeled Blood into them.


    At first, he saw nothing in Zachariah''s left arm¡ªno life signals at all. But then he saw it.


    Black life signals.


    He didn''t know what had happened, but he recognized the black life signals from his dream in Asmodeus'' domain. And worse¡ªit was spreading.


    "Sever your arm," David muttered instinctively as the black life signals crept toward Zachariah''s shoulder.


    To his great shock, Zachariah didn''t hesitate.


    Sword Intent flashed.


    A moment later, his left arm spun through the air, severed at the shoulder.


    David expected that to be enough. It wasn''t.


    Though the black life signals had mostly been cut away, a trace of the darkness remained in Zachariah''s upper arm. Worse still¡ªit was spreading again.


    "Don''t move."


    The Obsidian Blade materialized in David''s hand, shifting into its scimitar form. He poured everything into it¡ª[Slash], [Blessing], [Holy Touch], and whispered Words of Power, empowering Rend to its fullest.


    It all happened in an instant.


    The soulbound weapon flashed, and the remainder of Zachariah''s upper arm flung through the air.


    Zachariah didn''t even flinch. He locked eyes with David, unwavering, determination burning in his gaze.


    "You got it?" he asked, blood spurting from the bloody stump that remained. "Good."


    His left leg buckled, but he never broke eye contact.


    "And now... try regenerating my arm. I need it."


    A moment later, Zachariah collapsed, a pool of blood forming beneath him.


    "Dude. I can''t regrow arms," David growled¡ªonly to freeze mid-sentence.


    His Primary Class had improved significantly after tending to several thousand Cursed. Not only had he removed their suffering, but he had also healed them, earning various Skill rank-ups, several Blood droplets, and two class advancements.


    Lifeweaver had reached Silver Rank.


    And with it, a new Class Skill.


    David stared at Zachariah.


    "You brickheaded bastard."

 Chapter 107 - B2 33 - Sacrifice

    Taking care of the Cursed and curing them had fully occupied his mind. He barely noticed Rend advancing to Intermediate, his Skill Runes'' rank increasing, or his Primary Class breaking through to the Silver Rank.


    But now, looking at Zachariah lying in a pool of his own blood, David had to react fast.


    The black life signal was gone. Saving his life wouldn''t be a problem... but regrowing his arm? David winced as he recalled Zachariah''s face.


    One arm was simply not enough for a Swordsman, especially not for someone carrying the burden of the Earthen Union''s survival on his shoulders.


    David took a deep breath, ignoring his pounding heart, and moved.


    [Six Attribute Points have been used to enhance the User''s Soul.]


    High (Intermediate) ¡ú Low (Advanced)


    His Source responded instantly to the Soul''s improvement. It expanded in his mind space and emptied his Energy Pathways instantaneously. David tried to keep up with the consumption of natural Aether but failed to absorb enough ambient Aether to sustain the Source''s growth. No more Blood droplets were added to the Source, but the droplets grew stronger¡ªmore potent. He watched them swell to three times their size, only to shrink again, glowing even brighter.


    More Aether filled the droplets, but they lacked something crucial: lifeforce, David realized. But he didn''t have the means to supply any more lifeforce. Not without endangering his own life.


    That''s not enough, he groaned, gritting his teeth as the Source demanded more.


    David opened his eyes, skimming through the notifications, but he couldn''t find anything that would help him regrow Zachariah''s arm. He cast [Weave of Life] to preserve Zachariah''s life as the pool of blood expanded, but that was all he could do.


    Zora dashed toward the regressor, and David sensed the holy power surging through her. Before she could reach Zachariah, he conjured [Blood Aegis], blocking her.


    "If you stop the bleeding, I won''t be able to heal the arm," David hissed. Not without severing what remained of it, at least.


    Zora''s brows creased, "But¡­ you said you can''t do that! Being alive with one arm is still better than dying."


    "Just give me a moment. I''ll get to that problem in a minute," David responded coldly as he finished reading through the notifications. Only one of them caught his attention.


    [Class Skill [Sacrifice] has been fused to your Source. Prepare for the influx of information.]


    David bit his lower lip, checking the Class Skill.


    [Sacrifice] ¨C [Tier-3 I]


    The influx of information hadn''t been special. If anything, it only showed him that he could sacrifice something to gain something else in exchange. It reminded him of [Equivalent Exchange] with the sole difference being that [Sacrifice] didn''t seem to be used in combat.


    Some changes were permanent. Others only temporary... right? David tried recalling every detail of the influx, but his mind was a mess. It was almost like Zachariah''s condition¡ªand the regressor''s plea for help¡ªhad turned him into a mindless fool.


    He slapped his cheeks firmly, the burn calming him¡ªif only a little.


    "I need lifeforce, or he''ll never get his arm back." David turned to the others. "And that would kill him, one way or another."


    Some shuddered as his words echoed, but Lukas met his gaze steadily.


    "We owe you," Lukas said in a matter-of-fact tone, "How can we be of help?"


    Straight to the point? I like that, David thought, clearing his throat.


    "Either you bring me as many fresh corpses as possible¡ªmonsters on the verge of death will do too¡ªor you give me access to more lifeforce. Your lifeforce," he added.


    "He saved us," Lukas said to the others when Zora and those nearby gasped. "I will repay that favor. With interest, if necessary."


    The swordsman turned to David and held out his arm. "Let''s do it. Take as much as you need¡ªwithout killing me if possible."


    David nodded and began draining Lukas'' lifeforce. But that was only the start.


    Maja stepped forward, offering hers as well. The remaining members of Lukas'' group followed, and it didn''t take long before the Cursed joined, creating an avalanche of lifeforce that swallowed David''s world, turning it crimson as he devoured it all.


    He didn''t bother transforming the tidal wave of lifeforce into Blood. Instead, David cast [Sacrifice], offering up as much lifeforce as he could afford to lose. His Source drained traces of the seemingly unending waves of lifeforce entering his body, growing the Blood droplets to full power, but he barely paid his Source any attention as a vibrant crimson sheen engulfed the largest Rune in his mind space.


    It felt like hours had passed, but it could only have been seconds before the first men around him collapsed. More men and women followed shortly, yet David could not afford to stop absorbing their lifeforce. He severed the flow from those who could no longer hold on and drained the rest until it felt like [Sacrifice] could fulfill his wish.


    A sacrifice¡ªlifeforce worth thousands of lives¡ªin exchange for Zachariah''s arm.


    That was all David wanted.


    However, Zachariah''s arm didn''t regrow immediately when [Sacrifice] took effect. Instead, David felt a shift in his mind space. He closed his eyes and watched as the vibrant crimson sheen changed. Sparks of gold and silver emanated from [Sacrifice], but they did not remain idle. They swirled through his mind space and surged toward [Restore].


    Just as the first glistening particles disappeared into [Restore]''s Rune, a notification appeared.


    [Proficiency of Restore reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 XVII] ¡ú [Tier-1 XVIII]


    It didn''t stop there. More particles from [Sacrifice] flowed into [Restore], merging with the Skill Rune and stimulating drastic improvements.


    [Proficiency of Restore reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 XVIII] ¡ú [Tier-1 XIX]


    Another notification followed immediately.


    [Proficiency of Restore reached 100%.]


    [Tier-1 XIX] ¡ú [Tier-1 XX]


    [Restore reached its limit. Initiate Tier progression.]


    [Restore ¨C Tier-1 XX] ¡ú [Restoration ¨C Tier-2 I]


    David''s eyes widened as [Restore]''s Skill Rune transformed into [Restoration]. A vibrant smile spread across his face. He stopped draining the Cursed''s lifeforce and rushed toward Zachariah, certain he could regrow the regressor''s arm again.


    But [Sacrifice] was still in full effect. More notifications popped up as [Restoration] continued to advance. Yet just as David thought [Sacrifice] would finally stop, [Restoration]''s Skill Rune transformed once more.


    [A mutation has occurred to Restoration''s Rune due to external factors.]


    [Restoration Tier-2 V] ¡ú [Greater Restoration Tier-2 V]


    "That''s even better," he smirked, kneeling beside Zachariah and grasping his shoulder. He unleashed [Greater Restoration], overclocked and at full power.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    David felt the immense weight of the mutated Skill Rune pressing down on him. His Source stirred as a massive surge of Blood poured into [Greater Restoration].


    A moment later, an unfamiliar power pulsed through his arm and into Zachariah. Something was happening, but before he could process it, his vision darkened.


    ***


    He woke up with a pounding headache¡ªso intense that he would have gladly cracked his head open against the nearest wall. The moment he opened his eyes, the sky spun wildly. He turned to the side and vomited.


    Grimacing, he attempted to channel Blood through his head, but the effort only made him heave again.


    David groaned and forced himself upright, though it was a struggle. The first thing he noticed was Zachariah''s shouting.


    "Burn that fucking arm! I don''t care who does it¡ªjust get rid of it!"


    A moment later, flames flickered at the edge of David''s vision, and he felt a firm hand rest on his shoulder.


    "Thank you. If not for you, I''d be dead."


    It was Zachariah. Alive and with two intact arms.


    David glanced at him, only for the regressor to shove a glass vial into his mouth.


    "Drink it. Regrowing my arm must have done a great deal of damage to your mind."


    "Fuck you," David muttered, swallowing the viscous liquid. His headache gradually lessened, but that didn''t stop him from cursing Zachariah for several minutes.


    The regressor listened to the insults in silence, a small smile tugging at his lips¡ªone that irritated David to no end.


    "I hate you," David sighed, finally calming down. "Either way¡­ how did you know I could regrow your arm?"


    "Oh, that? I didn''t." Zachariah''s smile widened.


    "What?" David stared at him in disbelief. "Then why the hell did you tell me to do it?!"


    His stomach lurched at the revelation, and he barely managed to suppress another wave of nausea. Though, the idea of vomiting all over Zachariah was¡­ tempting.


    "I was just hoping for the best."


    David cocked an eyebrow.


    "I wanted to put a bit of pressure on you," Zachariah admitted, his voice quieter than before. "And it looks like it worked. So, all''s well that ends well, right?"


    The regressor moved his left arm in excitement, but David wasn''t having it. He pushed himself up and punched Zachariah square in the gut.


    Zachariah doubled over, gasping for air, and David couldn''t help but grin.


    "Yep, everything is fine. Now."


    Despite the blow, Zachariah didn''t glare at him. Instead, he straightened with a wry smile. "But seriously¡­ thank you."


    "No problem," David said, brushing it off. Then, he shuddered as the memory of the black life signal resurfaced. "But what exactly happened?"


    Zachariah''s gaze darkened. "I was scouting the surrounding villages and towns, searching for more bandits. And I think I found them." His eyes flickered to his left arm. "But I also found¡­ something else."


    A creature?


    David didn''t press for details. If it was about Them, they couldn''t speak of it. Not without giving Them more power.


    "So, you fought that creature, and it infected your arm?"


    Zachariah nodded. "I was certain I was stronger and attacked. But the bandits must have noticed. They joined the fight, and the creature grew stronger. It killed several of them, and the rest fled. Once the bandits were gone, it managed to scratch me, and¡­" He exhaled sharply. "I knew saving my arm would be pointless. So instead of trying to protect it, I used it as a shield to safeguard the rest of my body."


    That was probably the best decision he could have made, David thought. If the creature had managed to inflict the black life signal on multiple areas of his body, Zachariah would have been lucky to lose only a few limbs.


    A cold voice suddenly cut through their conversation.


    "I heard you talking about the bandits. Where are they now?"


    David turned to find Lukas approaching them. Good, he thought, Lukas was alive and well.


    "Did you listen to me?" Zachariah asked curtly. "If you did, you would have known that this creature killed the bandits."


    "That''s not what you said," Lukas responded, stepping closer. His eyes darkened menacingly as he added, "You said some were killed and that the rest retreated in fear. So¡­ Where. Are. They. Hiding?!"


    Zachariah groaned but pointed toward a direction. "I think I came from this way. The bandits were hiding in a small town surrounded by a massive forest. No idea if the forest was already there before the integration or if it''s something new."


    "They''re hiding in Horville?"


    "I don''t know what the town is called," Zachariah shrugged.


    "Maja!" Lukas turned around. "Bring me to Horville!"


    David glanced at Zachariah, who met his gaze.


    "He''s radiating killing intent," the regressor muttered.


    "I can tell. He''s going to die if he stays here, isn''t he?"


    "Probably. Either the bandits are going to kill him, or the creature will. If it hasn''t left yet."


    David gestured for Zachariah to follow Lukas, who was rallying his party. He studied their life signals and was surprised to see that everyone was doing fine. Even the life signals of the Cursed, who''d returned to their homes, had improved, though they were still far from perfect.


    "We will come with you," Zachariah told Lukas and glanced at David. "You''re fine, right? I don''t want you to fight to the death when you''re not at your peak."


    David shrugged. "I think I''d regret it if I didn''t come. In the worst case, I will bother you for a few more potions. After all, my head is the only thing that''s killing me."


    Within a few minutes, they departed. Maja conjured another golden portal¡ªthis time with less effort¡ªand they stepped through, emerging on a small hill before a large town.


    However, instead of finding hundreds of life signals, David noticed something else.


    "Death," he muttered, goosebumps covering his body. "Nobody in this town is alive. Not¡­ anymore." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But I saw something move just now!" Lukas growled.


    David snapped at him. "I don''t give a shit about what you saw. I am telling you that there is no intact life signal in this place. The only moving thing is a black¡­ Oh fuck¡­"


    His head flicked to Zachariah. "The creature is still there."


    A moment later, a humanoid creature the size of a small building emerged from town. Darkness mantled the creature and spread outward, wilting the shrubs and trees it touched instantly.


    Zachariah moved before the others, unsheathing his sword slowly.


    "Do not look into its eyes," he ushered, but the creature''s long head had already snapped in their direction. Sharp, twisted horns jutted from its head, glowing faintly as something twinkled beneath the darkness the creature emanated.


    A high-pitched scream rang out from the right, followed by a deep gargle. David caught the man beside Lukas collapsing. He was dead even before he hit the ground.


    Mere moments later, David felt the creature''s attention linger on him. He wanted to do something¡ªmove and attack¡ªbut his legs were frozen. A heavy weight appeared inside him all of a sudden. It tried to crush him, his Source and soul, yet David resisted.


    He cursed and allowed the anger bubbling in his chest to explode. Finally, he regained control of his body and stepped forward. Every step seemed to fuel the fierce flames of anger in his chest, pushing him to charge at the creature and kill it.


    However, Zachariah didn''t let him pass. The regressor''s blade pointed at his chest suddenly, his eyes drilling into his.


    "Don''t allow it to manipulate your emotions. It''s only a fragment¡ªa mere trace of their power¡ªbut it is still a sproutling of Them."


    David didn''t know what happened, but the anger in his heart died the moment the tip of Zachariah''s blade poked him. He realized in horror what would have happened without Zachariah and pulled back. His eyes drifted to the others, but they remained unmoving. Two out of Lukas'' group of seven were dead on the ground, and the rest either looked like they were about to burst into tears or stared at the creature in horror.


    That is a sproutling? A fragment of Them? And it is already strong enough to overpower Zachariah¡­ David swallowed, staring at the creature as it turned away. Was it not interested in killing them?


    The darkness engulfing the creature expanded, and its black life signal vanished. A moment later, the darkness dispersed, and the creature was no more.


    It left¡­ just like that?


    Following the sproutling''s departure, the heavy weight on his soul vanished. At the same time, screams and sobs reached his ears, but David checked the notification that had just flashed to life.


    [Congratulations. You survived an encounter with a Void Fragment.


    Your Soul did not crush.


    Your Mind did not incinerate.


    +1 Mind, +1 Soul]


    It was an easy rank-up for him and Zachariah, but David did not feel great about it. On the contrary, he felt awful.


    That was one of the things Asmodeus showed me last night, he reminded himself, shuddering again.


    Once again, David felt like he had lost control of the situation. He felt weak¡ªhelpless.