The next day, as planned, Alden and Erin entered the Lower District area of Grandburg. The newly risen sun had not fully illuminated the area, perhaps due to the dust in the air preventing the sunlight from fully penetrating.
"Where were you last night?" Erin asked, puzzled. The previous night, she knocked on the room Alden had booked, but there was no response.Alden looked at Erin gently and replied, "To find this." He said while holding up the painting.Erin wasn't surprised anymore, as Alden often took matters into his own hands. She quickly understood, "Is that the Dark Soul Seed?" she asked.Alden nodded.Normally, an ordinary person could distinguish a Dark Soul Seed approaching the Gate formation stage. However, according to Black Orb, they still had two hours before the Gate fully opened.They had time to prepare and find a suitable location.While walking, the gaze of the district's residents always fell on theGuided by Alden, Erin stepped into the Gate. The cold wind, seemingly blowing through the bluish-black circulation, made Erin shiver slightly.But, seeing Alden's calm expression, she quickly reassured herself that there was no danger.They entered the Gate.The scenery changed; the previously dim sun was now entirely gone. Their feet stepped on hard mud, which cracked as they walked. Erin looked around; it was genuinely an enclosed space.And the atmosphere around her turned grim, heavy, and melancholic. "Is this the Dark Dimension?" Erin wondered.Alden observed Erin's reactions gradually. "No problem," Alden mumbled in his mind. His other purpose in having Erin enter the Gate was to see what reaction the Dorm The Savage's power would have.Considering it was just a nest and not an open Dark Dimension field, Alden was confident that even if the Dorm The Savage's power reacted, he could handle it. Seeing no change in Erin, Alden
After making preparations, they set off towards the northern part of the Grandburg city.Entering the desolate area after leaving the urban region, dense forests flanked both sides. Besides the path they followed, there were no signs of hustle and bustle. If they continued on this path heading north, they would eventually reach Baldam, the northern edge of the Devon Empire.About a kilometer away from Grandburg, they stopped with the intention of making this place their training ground.Erin complained, "This is even farther than the western forest in Heinburg!"Alden smirked, "The western forest in Heinburg is still within the city limits. Remember that I'll be teaching you a Saint-level Spell." Alden provided clarification to Erin.Erin nodded resignedly. Knowing that generally, Saint-level magic was of a destructive nature, and practicing it near settlements was clearly unsuitable. It would attract the Guardians.Leaving the b
"Ugh, why is this village closed?" Gideon asked in a friendly tone.Frank turned again to his companion, then sighed deeply. "Haven't you heard the news? It seems the Dark Soul from the second floor attempted an evil ritual in this village, but it was completely stopped. However, because all the residents died as a result, the village was closed." He explained.Gideon glanced up at Master Dorm. With his index finger and thumb on his chin, Master Dorm smiled. "Gideon, take me in!"Gideon took a short breath hearing Master Dorm's words. On the other side, Frank looked at Master Dorm cynically, seeing him as a mischievous kid."Okay," said Gideon. He stepped forward, completely ignoring the presence of the Guardian, and crossed the boundary."Sir, what are you doing!? This is a restricted area. Even though the problem inside has been completely resolved, according to air quality reports, it is still contaminated!" Frank tried to stop Gideon.
Years ago.Southern continent, Virshire capital.Luth's charred body fell from the sky. With a thud, dust scattered on the ground along with the ashes from Luth's burnt body.Alden, not too far away, silently witnessed everything. Silver Dragon split into two in a single slash, resulting in Luth being burned to ashes.Alden's hesitant steps echoed. For a moment, his voice was hoarse, "Uncle Luth?"With a bewildered face, Alden took steps. As time passed, his pace quickened and became heavier. At the same time, Black Orb's voice continued to echo in his ears, "Alden! Now is the right time to leave!"But Alden paid no heed. For him, time seemed to slow down, filled with the desperate cries from a distance, the struggles of the Guardians.For a moment, one sentence after another appeared in his mind."When the time comes, the Dark Lord will send an Emperor to destroy Virshire. His only goal is to massacre, eliminat
Slowly, blurry images began to form in Alden's vision. The white walls surrounding him vanished, replaced by deep red mist. The scent of blood entered his nostrils, metallic and pungent.His mind returned to his body, and he blinked in silence. Confused, he had just experienced an unexplainable tranquility, never thinking it would turn 180 degrees. The last thing he remembered was locking eyes with a green lizard.Attempting to recall what happened, Alden froze as various memories stabbed his mind. Splatters of blood, desperate screams, and hands soaked in blood.Alden raised his hands, thick red fluid covering his palms entirely. His mouth opened, but not a single sound came out. He just trembled there.The memories became sharper over time. He realized what he had just done—killing and destroying. Though he doubted his capability, the memories were too vivid.At that moment, the gentle voice of Black Orb eased his confusion a bit. "Quic
Back to the present.One week passed quickly.Alden, feeling no imminent danger, let himself sleep throughout the night. When he woke up, he was stunned to see a crater nearly twenty meters deep and thirty meters wide stretching before him. The remnants of spreading flames were still visible, and the heat lingered.He stood only to see Erin, under the morning sun, standing in front of the crater with a satisfied smile. Erin had successfully mastered the Meteor Shower spell!"You did it," Alden said quietly, as if finding it hard to believe.Erin turned around, her sweet smile revealing the joy and satisfaction in her heart. Her blue eyes slightly squinted, radiating an unexplainable tenderness. "Yeah," she said briefly.But soon, her knees trembled. She fell to the ground, knees bent. Cold sweat dripped from her cheeks."She's almost out of mana!? With an unimaginable amount, how could she run out of mana!?" Alden panick
Seeing Erin, Alden quickly introduced their new companion.After a brief introduction, Alden noticed the sun beginning to set. All preparations had been made beforehand; now was the moment he awaited.Riven, dressed in tight black attire, silently observed Alden's actions.Alden closed the bar's door, letting darkness creep inside. Skillfully, he ignited flames on his shoulders with the Flame spell.With the fire as illumination, Alden took out all the required materials. Nine Nest Cores.Crystals of various shapes and colors. Alden infused mana into the Nest Cores, observing changes in their shapes and colors. Slowly, the nine Nest Cores connected through thin threads of mana.Alden adjusted and condensed mana, focusing on his actions.Behind him, Erin and Riven silently watched—one in awe, the other attentively observing Alden's every move.Time passed, and after nearly an hour of waiting, the Nest Cores began
Walking a few kilometers from the mountain's base, their group entered a swampy area. The swamp water was murky, with dry branches and muddy rocks adorning the surroundings. Dry mangrove trees made their path unclear.Alden's initial plan on this floor was to find materials for crafting items. He needed certain items as a foundation to achieve his goals. First, to replace the one-sided sword he currently wielded, he needed a sword with the same functionality but with specific upgrades. This was the Smithing World, and he didn't want to squander its existence here!Additionally, he needed to create the Ring Of Fate, a recommended item by Black Orb. The Ring Of Fate had fate characteristics within, allowing the user to get closer to the domain of destiny. With the Ring Of Fate, Black Orb could utilize more of its powers beyond just energy detection or prophecies.The next item was the Heart of Nightmare. Alioth suggested this item as a guarantee of safety wh