Chapter 364 Terror & Pride
"You want to snatch the realm core from us?" Kunik sneered as he crossed his arms. "I want to see how you do that. Go on."
Shiron's face turned dark before becoming indifferent as he said, "Your ultimate wish won't be granted even if you destroy this world of Nine Realms and your king absorbs its core power."
"That's not even enough to fight against Lady of Dream, let alone defeat her."
After saying that, Shiron turned around as faint white-silver flowers started conjuring around him.
"Hehe, are you sure about that? How about we add a reality token to the equation?"
Shiron flinched and then started laughing. "I won't let that happen."
Kunik snorted as he saw Shiron disappearing as those white-silver flowers spread away after they surrounded Shiron.
…
Four days passed, and Arkhen was still absorbed in the comprehension of the scroll.
A mysterious knowledge of manipulating energy was presented to him, and he was like a hungry wolf, absorbing and comprehending all of that.
On the fifth day, Arkhen managed to comprehend the scroll as a tiny symbol appeared on his forehead before it vanished.
"Let's try it!"
Arkhen was raring to try what he had learned and comprehended. He quickly focused on his inner space and created a pool of primal energy.
He put pressure on the pool using his soul energy and solidified the pool into a prism-shaped crystal!
Afterward, he used his soul energy to create symbols that he comprehended and created a formation.
He embedded that formation in the prism-shaped crystal of primal energy as it started changing.
The almost transparent crystal became black! It was a night black color.
Afterward, he connected that crystal to his source of primal energy, which was the primal energy ring.
[This is a stronger form of energy, but it doesn't seem like you can use it as fuel to use skills and other powers.]
Arkhen tried to use energy from that crystal to conjure slaughter blades and force fields but failed.
However, he heard a voice in the hall along with the same misty window with words.
[ Congratulations, you have passed the 4th trial. The Nightfall Divine Art that you comprehended was not complete. It only showed the first step. But comprehending the first step and managing to create that symbol was the final trial. ]
[ Now, you may proceed to the selection round. ]
A door appeared in front of Arkhen, and he entered inside without wasting a second.
He arrived in a hall with golden lamps that illuminated the hall.
However, he was the only one in the hall.
[ You are the first one to pass the 4th trial. If no one manages to enter the hall in the next two days, you will get the Nightfall Phantom's inheritance. ]
"What? So this is the selection round?" Arkhen was dumbfounded before he frowned and snorted, "It's bullshit."
As if hearing his words, whatever that was guiding and talking with Arkhen responded.
[ How is it bullshit? ]
Arkhen raised his eyebrows in surprise, but he was happy to converse and said, "I am the first one to arrive here, so you should give me the inheritance. Why waste time?"
[ What if someone better enters the trials later and manage to reach here? ]
"Huh? So you want the best for this inheritance?" Arkhen asked before he narrowed his eyes. "If you want the best, then you should get the fuck out of this world."
[ What do you mean? ]
"I heard that this world of nine realms is not the only one out there, as there are stronger worlds. So you should go there for the best."
Arkhen knew that this inheritance was from a stronger world, and it may not be that strong in a stronger world. But he still wanted to question this shitty selection round.
After all, the world wouldn't wait for everyone. He was the first one to pass all trials, so he should get the inheritance. Simple as that.
If someone got here before him and he failed, it only meant that this inheritance was not meant to be his.
"Why did you turn silent?" Arkhen snorted.
[ I…]
"First of all, I am the best, and there's no better best than me. Second, Give me this inheritance in two minutes, or I will not accept this inheritance even if you beg me."
"Anyway, this inheritance originated from a person, right? Then I'll eventually become stronger than that person, so I don't really care."
[My lord. Your soul is fluctuating. You wouldn't normally say such things…I think. I mean, you would say things closer to this as you also have arrogance in you backed by your strength and will, but the current words and your thoughts are influenced by another side effect]
Arkhen turned silent for two seconds and then nodded, "It seems like the case. But so what?"
"Hey, inheritance spirit or whatever you are. Make your decision in two minutes."
[So I won't find a better best than you?]
"That's right," Arkhen said as he crossed his arms. "One minute and fifty seconds."
…
Five minutes ago…
'Arkhen, you will have to accept one more side effect that will be needed to make you stronger faster,' Shiron thought as he granted one more Ruler embryo to Arkhen.
Pride!
Shiron gave another ruler power embryo to Arkhen, and the side effect of that power was prideful nature.
Arkhen would have four days of high prideful nature in the cycle, along with four other side effects!
While Shiron gave Arkhen another ruler power embryo after much thinking, Kunik was put into a spot as he stood trembling in the headquarters.
In front of him was a flickering light red and blue screen with a shadow of an imposing man.
"K-King, everything is going smoothly. I wonder why you went to the trouble of contacting me?" Kunik asked while bowing as sweat beads appeared on his forehead.
"Mhmm, is that so?"
A calm and deep voice rang out from the screen.
It was just a simple question in a calm voice, but Kunik directly fell to his knees and started begging.
"I-I am truly sorry, King! Xiniha is missing at the moment, but she is alive, and we also know her location. It was an unforeseen accident, your highness. Please forgive me."
"Please, I beg your forgiveness, your highness!"