Chapter 64

Chapter 64

A few days later.

White Cloud Castle, which had suffered a terrible ordeal from the Downfall Order’s attack, was in the middle of restoration work throughout the camp.

The collapsed buildings had been rebuilt, and people from the Temple were staying there to treat the injured.

Of course, among them was Lavina, who had regained consciousness.

“Hueeng…… Why do I have to do even this……?”

After nearly dying the first time she came down into the Dungeon, and now having to do volunteer work on top of that, Lavina wore a tearful expression all day long.

Having had her body stolen, she remembered nothing of what had happened in the meantime.

She had suffered all sorts of hardships in the Dungeon, and when she woke after falling asleep, people’s gazes had turned strange, and now she was even doing volunteer work.

“Uuugh! I am sick and tired of Dungeons! Send me back to the Temple…….”

As I watched her sniffle while casting Holy Spell Arts of Recovery, I quietly said to Persica,

“Would it not be better to tell her?”

“And risk what she might suffer? Leaving her like that is better for her.”

Hmm. Perhaps that was true.

Considering that eccentric personality, it did seem that way.

Gordon, who had arrived at just the right time, had also received treatment for all his injuries.

I had known he had gone down into the Dungeon before us, but I had never imagined he would join us by riding the river.

Under normal circumstances, he would have come up one floor at a time, but once he learned that they had headed to White Cloud Castle, he had used any means necessary.

Because Persica was in White Cloud Castle.

“Then you came to protect Persica?”

“Yes. I also serve as my lady’s escort.”

Suffering hardships in the Dungeon was unavoidable, but being attacked by the Downfall Order was another matter, apparently.

Thanks to that, even though he had failed his mission, he said he had no regrets.

While he was at it, he told me about the boy who had been his target.

“Zenom Draut…….”

No wonder his face had looked familiar.

He was someone who had appeared in the game as well, and someone I knew quite well.

He was known as a 7-Star Alchemist, but in truth, he was a powerful figure on the verge of reaching 9-Star, as well as a Public Enemy of Ebla with a Wanted Order spread throughout the city and Dungeon.

‘Has he already begun moving?’

It was several years earlier than the time I knew.

And it was not difficult to figure out the reason.

‘It is because of me.’

By interfering with Admon Colishi, I had prevented the Downfall Order from obtaining the Black Jade, and it seemed that their goal of killing me had overlapped with that, hastening his movements.

Of course, that might not have been everything.

As Jin Ryeon’s Thought had said, my knowledge of the game was not absolute.

On top of that, I had a feeling that was not the only reason they had targeted the Second Floor.

‘If they had only wanted to kill me, it would have been enough for Zenom to come alone.’

Had that happened, I probably would have been helplessly defeated.

After all, the opponent was effectively a 9-Star powerhouse who even used Aura.

Despite that, the fact that he had simply stood back and watched meant I could only think he had some other goal.

“I heard you won against that…… puppet? The one from the Downfall Order. You have grown considerably stronger.”

“I got lucky.”

I had succeeded in completely silencing the puppet by splitting its heart in two.

It had now stopped functioning, and it was decided that its remains would later be submerged in the Styxia River.

Jin Baek said we could simply destroy and bury it, but I wanted it to be handled properly.

If Jin Ryeon had warned me that much, there had to be a reason.

‘And…… the Fragment of the Golden Rule did not remain.’

The Fragment had disappeared.

No one had seen a jewel glowing blue, but somehow, I felt as if I knew where it had gone.

‘Did Ishara absorb it like last time?’

The jewel embedded in the sword.

Originally, it had been cracked all over, but now it was spotless, without a single scratch.

It seemed the sword had completely absorbed it when I cut through the heart.

‘I should go to the Temple.’

If I asked the Apostle, I would find out.

If the sword really had absorbed it, then it would appear.

‘Come to think of it, I feel like the puppet said something before it collapsed…….’

At the time, I had been nearly out of my mind too, so I had not heard it properly.

Perhaps it had simply been my imagination.

“More importantly, I created a Cultivation Method this time.”

“I heard from my lady. She made quite a fuss about it.”

“I thought even you would be surprised, Gordon.”

“It is surprising, but since it is you, Lord Isran, I simply accept it. You are bound to show us even more in the future, and I would tire myself out if I reacted to every single thing.”

“Ha ha…….”

Perhaps because Gordon’s expectations of me were too high, his reaction was calm.

Yet ironically enough, what was absurd was that I understood what he meant.

Because I had a certainty that I would surpass those high expectations.

“In that case, let us see how much you have grown.”

“Gladly.”

We headed straight to the Training Grounds.

As expected, Gordon was strong.

Even though I had grown so diligently, his breathing did not so much as waver against me.

However, something had changed.

“Indeed, I can no longer handle you while standing still.”

Gordon began to move.

When I had first received guidance from him, I had not even been able to make him move from where he stood.

Now, Gordon had to cross the Training Grounds while facing me.

And then.

Sssssst!

Secret Art: Ethrana’s Chapter Two, [Fix Blade].

When I used “Sword Aura,” a technique unique to Magic Power, through Mysticism, a strange light appeared in Gordon’s eyes.

“That is…… remarkable.”

“It will become even more remarkable.”

At my words, which might have sounded a little arrogant, Gordon showed a faint smile.

“Then I will properly keep you company as well.”

Gordon also drew out Sword Aura.

Compared to the time when he had only faced me with a Wooden Sword, this was truly tremendous progress.

And after Sword Aura clashed against Sword Aura, the result was…… naturally, my defeat.

The difference in skill was overwhelming, so there was nothing to be done.

However, no one looked down on me for failing to defeat Gordon.

Rather, when they heard that I had exchanged blows with the Captain of the White Night Knights, people were greatly surprised.

“A great blessing for Ebla……”

“To think such Martial Talent has appeared…… The Golden Rule is watching over us.”

Some were impressed, while others were puzzled.

Their question was whether it made sense to use Sword Aura with a Mysticism Trait.

“There is no reason it should be impossible.”

That doubt was resolved by Jin Baek, who had been watching the Sparring with us.

“There is an old saying. It says that Magic Power and Divinity originally branched off from Mysticism.”

“Is that true, Head of the House?”

“Who knows? It is only an old legend, but seeing what that fellow is doing, it does not seem entirely wrong.”

Magic Power and Divinity had branched off from Mysticism.

It might have sounded absurd, but it was far too meaningful to simply ignore.

‘I have already used Sword Aura with Mysticism.’

If Mysticism could be used to wield the powers of other Traits.

Perhaps I might even be able to learn techniques of other systems, like Magic or Blessings.

‘Right?’

[Even I do not know that much.]

Of course, even Hyeollyeo did not know this.

I would have no choice but to find out for myself.

Afterward, Gordon also looked over Persica’s Swordsmanship with me, and while he was at it, he dealt with Jin Sohwi, who came rushing in, saying they should have a match.

Well, in Sohwi’s case, he was beaten until he was a wreck.

Even though one of his teeth had broken, he still laughed happily in that state, so that fellow was not normal either.

“You have both grown considerably.”

He nodded as he looked at Persica and me.

In Persica’s case especially, he seemed to have never expected her to work this hard.

“I do what I must when the time comes, you know?”

“Then why did you not do so when you were learning from me?”

“That is……”

Persica trailed off and glanced at me.

Why was she looking at me?

“Hm. I see. I understand.”

“……?”

In any case, after some more time passed, the White Night Knights who had come up from the lower floor joined Gordon.

Gordon’s injuries had also healed by then, so he hurriedly prepared to return.

“You are leaving? I had hoped you would stay longer.”

“I must report on my mission. Since I let Zenom escape, I must return for now and receive my next orders.”

Could he not just go catch him again since he had escaped?

At that question, Gordon shook his head.

“He will lie low for the time being. The Temple will be acting now.”

After the incident at White Cloud Castle, the Temple side was said to be thoroughly enraged.

A large-scale search and extermination would likely be carried out throughout the Dungeon.

Since their vigilance had risen to almost wartime levels, there was a high chance that the Downfall Order, being small in scale, would stay hidden.

Of course, that included Zenom Draut as well.

“So you need not worry too much about entering the Dungeon from now on.”

“I see……”

Before leaving with the White Night Knights who had joined him, he lightly patted Persica and me on the shoulders.

“You have both grown splendidly. At this level, I believe you may go to the Third Floor without issue.”

“R-Really? We can go to the Third Floor?”

“Yes. Provided you complete Mana Stone Absorption properly.”

Ah. Right, that was still left.

As I scratched my cheek awkwardly, Gordon said to me,

“I am telling you just in case, but the minimum condition for joining the White Night Knights is 3-Star.”

“Pardon?”

“It means that if you ever wish to join the Knights in the future, we will always welcome you.”

“…….”

“Then.”

After bowing his head, Gordon headed to the surface with the Knights.

Watching his back, Persica showed Jin Baek a triumphant smile.

“Did you see that? No matter what anyone says, we were the first ones to form a master-disciple bond with him.”

“Hm, hm……”

At that provocation that was not quite a provocation, Jin Baek stroked his beard and patted my shoulder.

“One never knows how things will turn out.”

“…….”

“Would you not agree?”

“……Why are you saying that to me?”

Jin Baek’s hand gripped my shoulder tightly.

The gleam in his eyes was frightening……

“And if it is Mana Stone Absorption, there is no need to worry.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by—”

“We already have enough Mana Stones.”

Enough? What did that mean?

As I had been inwardly wondering when we should head to the next Demonic Region, Persica smiled broadly and said,

“The nobles who visited White Cloud Castle decided to invest enough Mana Stones for us to reach 3-Star.”

“What……?”

Why would those people suddenly do that?

Our only connection with them was that we had been in White Cloud Castle together.

“……Surely.”

“Heh. That is right.”

Persica took a Mana Stone from her pocket.

“They survived thanks to us, in their own way, did they not? Strictly speaking, we served as their guards, so I charged them for it.”

“You……”

“I did not extort them. They all understood and paid willingly.”

In other words, while I had been unconscious, Persica had gone around meeting the nobles and earning Mana Stones.

“They wanted to build a good relationship with us. If you think about it, you could call it an investment.”

“An investment……”

“So we do not have to go through the trouble of entering and leaving Demonic Regions.”

I was a little bewildered, but when I thought about it, it was quite good news.

It meant we could save time, and Enlil’s Pilgrimage Route had been making me feel somewhat uneasy.

Because of Jin Ryeon’s warning not to get involved with a Master.

‘Well, I do not particularly need the rewards from other Demonic Regions either.’

I could make some money, but I did not need urgent funds right now.

I could earn that much quickly once we went down to the Third Floor.

The issue was something else.

“But it is not good for me if my name spreads.”

“Do you think I do not know that?”

My peers from the Selection Grounds might recognize me, so it would be better to keep a low profile for the time being.

At my words, Persica crossed her arms as if telling me not to worry.

“I asked them to keep it strictly confidential. Well, even if I had not said so, they would not go around talking about it.”

“They would not?”

“Of course not. The fewer people who know about a good investment, the better, right?”

Ah, that was what she meant.

At any rate, using the Mana Stones Persica had obtained, we were able to reach 3-Star together.

The place where we performed the Mana Stone Absorption Ritual was a Shrine Hall that Jin Sohwi guided us to.

We could feel the Mana Stones disappear, and our Mana increase by the same amount.

‘I wondered if my Mana Stone Absorption Capacity might be a little too close to the limit, but that is not the case.’

I had been a little worried because the amount I was absorbing at once was so large.

But just as Gordon had said, I could absorb enough Mana Stones to barely reach 3-Star.

“Then……”

“Yes.”

Persica’s eyes met mine.

We had reached 3-Star.

In other words, all the training we could do at White Cloud Castle was over.

It was time to leave.

“Then it seems the time has come.”

Jin Sohwi stood before me.

“Adventurer Isran.”

He grinned and held out his fist to me.

“Fight me.”

“…….”

Not comrade Isran, but Adventurer Isran.

A Sparring request from Jin Sohwi, directed at me now that I had reached 3-Star.

As I faced it, many things flashed through my mind.

The time I first met him.

The time I learned Swordsmanship from him and went to a Demonic Region.

And even the time we created a Cultivation Method together.

This was the greeting that the human being named Jin Sohwi offered me.

And so, as I faced him, the man I had somehow come to call both my friend and my Senior Disciple-Brother.

I smiled and bumped my fist against his.

“Gladly.”