…

Ashin stayed in the Sacred Light Kingdom just like what the Elven Seer had told him. Within the two days (in-game time) of his stay, he spent most of his time hunting in the wilderness, trying to apply what he had learned recently both inside and outside the game.

What he had learned from Old Ryong was something that interested him greatly. He kept on applying it on every swing that he did with all the swords under his arsenal.

Due to this, his expertise when it came to using the ‘Judgement Form’ of ‘Mondi’s Style’ Legacy Skill grew higher every time he swung his sword.

His understanding of infusing his will to his sword might still be a little shaky, but if it was just a singular will, then he was confident that he could use it very well. The will that contained ‘heaviness’ into it was quite a strong variable that made his attacks much stronger.

Every strike that he had with any of his swords and elements was much different compared to what it used to be. They all had this sense of heaviness that seemed to be impossible to defend or endure in a frontal confrontation.

But Shin knew that it was not very efficient to keep attacking with these heavy strikes since he would be lacking other areas. However, that was just a simple disadvantage when there was a singular will that he could infuse with his attacks, and it was something that he had yet to master.

If he learned a few more of these ‘wills’, then he would be able to attack with more versatility, especially if he could switch between them along with the Myriad Transformation Swordsmanship.

He could already see what he could do inside the game with the current fighting style that he had, which made him quite curious about how Old Ryong would help him with his swordsmanship in the real world.

…

Shin was currently waiting in a ceremonial room, where he was waiting for the Elven Seer to arrive. He was instructed to wait here as the preparations for his ‘Sword Heart’ were finally complete.

He was not sure how this would play out, but he could at least make a few guesses given that he was asked to wait in this room.

It was another room within the World Tree. A small and enclosed room with a little platform situated at the center.

From what Shin could see, it seemed to be an altar used for gathering the energy from the surroundings and concentrating it on whoever standing at the center.

Clank!

Not long after, the door was suddenly opened while Shin was observing the interior. When he turned his head and looked, he saw the old seer entering the room while being supported by the wooden cane.

Shin could also see the old elf carrying a wooden box in one hand. He could already guess what was inside, expecting that it was where the core he had gotten from King Yulis went. However, he was not sure what the Elven Seer had done as it seemed to have become much smaller given the size of the box.

The old elf smiled at Shin when he saw the young man before gesturing toward the center of the room. “You should stand there and get a feel of the blessing of the World Tree.”

Shin raised his brows for a moment before following the instructions of the old seer. He walked forward and stood at the altar situated at the center of the room.

He was confused at first as he could not feel anything different. But when he tried to close his eyes and focus his senses, he was suddenly given a surprise.

Using his senses, he felt a variety of elemental particles lingering in the air. He could tell that these particles were clumps of mana much denser than the than he had seen outside, which was supposedly a heaven for mages and other magic-related classes already.

When he focused a little more and tried to pull these particles, all of them moved toward his direction without any resistance before being absorbed by his body.

The moment these elemental particles were absorbed, Shin could feel that his mana pool was slowly growing. The quality of his mana was also being refined at a rapid pace.

This lasted for quite a long time before the sensation weakened.

When he opened his eyes, he felt rather different. Something seemed to change within him, but he could not figure out what exactly it was.

Before he could even try looking into it, the Elven Seer walked over and handed the wooden box to him. “You can explore the changes later. For now, take this opportunity to absorb this thing and you will get what you desire.”

“The remaining energies within this room and the ones that you have absorbed will help you in the process. But make sure not to get swept by it, or else you will be devoured by this power,” he warned with a serious tone.

Shin accepted the wooden box while looking at the old elf. When he opened it, he saw a small marble sealed in a transparent cube.

It was a smaller version of the core that he had gotten from King Yulis, but he could feel that had a much denser and more concentrated energy.

He could also feel the sharp aura that was being emitted by it as a gentle flow of mana was being released.

As Shin was too absorbed in the core of his hands, the Elven Seer instructed. “You can sit on the altar and activate its formation the same way you did earlier. Once activated, it will immediately release a powerful suction force that will absorb all the remaining energies within the room while transferring them toward this core.”

“At that time, you must keep your mind sharp and remain focused while absorbing it. As this core is supposedly not yours to begin with, it will show some rejection and fight against your will.”

“Your consciousness will be sent toward an independent space within your mind where you will be fighting the remaining ‘consciousness’ of the previous king.”

“You must win and pass the tests to form your Sword Heart. If you lose, then you will be gone forever while your body will become nothing but a Sword Slave,” he warned with full seriousness.

After that, the Elven Seer turned around and walked toward the exit. “This is how far I can help you. The rest will be in your hands.”

Once the Elven Seer walked out of the room and closed the door, Shin stared at the core on his hands before keeping the wooden box.

He then sat cross-legged on the ground before holding the core with both of his hands, placing it right in front of his chest.

Closing his eyes, he followed his instincts and activated the formation within the room just like how he did earlier.

Swoosh!

Within an instant, Shin’s mind seemed to have gone blank as if he had lost consciousness.

…

Outside that room, the Elven Seer stared at the door for a couple of moments before turning around.

Right around the corner of the corridor, a muscular dwarf walked out from behind the pillar and walked alongside the elf.

“It is a surprise that you are acquainted with this young hero,” said the Elven Seer before asking. “I thought you hated getting involved with that church, how come you are now volunteering to lend a hand, Saint Blacksmith Berlin?”

The old dwarf scoffed as he heard a hint of sarcasm in those words. He then slightly turned his head and looked over his shoulder while saying. “Things happen, and it is hard to explain.”

“Let’s just say that I have become acquainted with the young man due to our current king. He then becomes the reason why I’m able to break through my current hurdle and become what I am today.”

The Elven Seer was silent for a moment before saying. “Is that so? But will you be fine after helping him multiple times? You say that you are even entrusting him to collect the materials for the Divine Armor of your Ancestor. Are you planning to give it to him? Is he the chosen one?”

In the face of that series of questions, Berlin could not immediately reply. He seemed to have thought of something before nodding his head. “You can say that. Let’s say that it must be fate.”

“The very armor that was used by those thieves to kill that particular god will now be handed to his descendant,” he added before pausing and turning to the side. “But aren’t you the same?”

“You have refined that core to the best of your abilities despite paying such a huge price. I don’t think that you will continue to live long if you remain as stubborn as this, Federeth.”

The Elven Seer named Federeth smiled bitterly before answering. “The young hero saves my kingdom, so it is natural for me to do as much.”

“Even going to refine that core until it becomes a pure inheritance and a sword seed? I doubt that it is just a reason,” said Berlin skeptically.

Federeth smiled bitterly while admitting it. “Let’s just say that it is indeed fate. Moreover, our goddess seems to want this young man to inherit that Sword Heart and help him grow faster.”

***

As these were happening, Shiella, who had just gone back online, currently wore a grim expression on her face as she glared at Delusive Smile in front of her.

“Do you know how much I am looking for my long-awaited rest after my trip? Yet here you are telling me that there is another problem to deal with?” said Shiella after a long silence.

Delusive Smile kept a meek smile while apologizing. “I am sorry, young miss. But trouble keeps on coming our way as if it is attracted by something.”

“What is it this time?” asked Shiella, sighing.

“A few Powerhouse Guilds seem to finally notice our movements and trying to stick their noses to our business,” replied Delusive Smile.

Hearing that, Shiella’s expression suddenly turned serious as she understood what her assistant meant when she said ‘sticking their noses’. “Are attacking us?”

“Not exactly, but they are quite close,” replied Delusive Smile.

Shiella massaged her temples before asking. “Which guilds are they? And which branches are they planning to attack.”

“Black Market and Hydra Guild. They seem to be targeting the mines in the Starry Spear Mountain Forest and our branches in the Rainbow Kingdom respectively,” reported Delusive Smile.

“They seem to be aware that we are focusing on migrating our people and can’t afford to redirect our forces to another place,” she added after reading the reports that were sent to her.

“It seems like these two are trying to retaliate for the losses that they have suffered because of us,” commented Shiella.

Delusive Smile hesitated for a moment before continuing. “And the Hydra Guild seems to be trying to hinder us from selling our lands and other assets in other kingdoms. It seems like they have figured out something.”

Shiella frowned deeper and complained a little. “What’s with these guys? Don’t they have to focus on developing their own territory that they have recently gotten and solidifying its defenses? Why are they trying to mess with us?”

She felt so exhausted just by hearing those reports.

She was trying to look for a solution to their current situation when she thought of something. “Contact the Dragon Pavilion and offer them cooperation. Tell them the movements of the Hydra Guild and let them deal with it.”

“Then put up a bounty on the Elite Teams and Top Experts of the Hydra Guild in the Assassin Union. Don’t care about the price, just issue a continuous bounty until I say that it is enough.”

“As for the mines, focus on defending it. Send a few of the available chiefs if possible. Tell them to buy as much time as possible until we finish settling.”

Delusive Smile hesitated for a moment when she heard those words. She could understand the latter part since that was how they normally dealt with things. But the previous instructions were a little puzzling. It sounded like they were declaring war with the Hydra Guild when they were supposed to focus on other things.

Understanding what was running inside her assistant’s head, Shiella smiled before continuing. “Don’t worry, I have a plan. I will be borrowing a knife to stab them.”

……