—-


    After taking care of Aspaira’s financial troubles, Kieran only had one more matter on his mind—the War Deity Council Admission Slip gained after he changed into a True Berserker. Scar insisted that he quickly visit this ce after acquiring at least some strength.


    Considering he was powerful enough to use Crimson Ashrune now, Kieran felt he aplished the bare minimum of strength required to gain any attention while inside that ce. Furthermore, Kieran wondered if the War Deity Council had anything to do with Rautori, as their actions usually transcended the knowledge of kingdoms or organizations.


    It was one of the only all-epassing organizations that could move outside the detection of royal and imperial presences unless they willed it. After all, when it came to worldly powers, organizations like the War Deity Council towered above the pittance of kingdoms and empires. They were at the true apex of this world; at least, their demeanor expressed this ideal.


    Even inside Aeredale City, the main attraction of the Aeredale Kingdom, the most prominent edifice wasn’t upied by the royal castle. No, thergest construct present in this city was a temple in the far distance,rge enough to be seen even from tens of miles away. Naturally, this building was owned by the War Deity Council, which preferred to model their locations as massive temples. Inside those temples were illustrious pirs, statues, artifacts, and many other alluring sights.


    However, the benefits of the War Deity Council’s temples could only be experienced by those with sufficient certifications. Even then, the treatment would always palepared to what official members received.


    After marking his location, Kieran leisurely explored the town while looking about. The current quests in his possession were far too challenging to rush theirpletion or even begin plotting their course. The Arcane One’s quest involved a Secret Realm, something he wouldn’t go near until he possessed at least an Advanced ss.


    On the other hand, Isadora’s request required that he visit the Emplenan Few. Considering that it was nearly impossible to enter their homece and their guards were as strong as Awakened Beings, he would rather not.


    ‘Side quests can be useful in some cases, but because of the massive influx of yers, the avable quests are snagged as soon as they appear. So, I can only rely upon options unavable to other yers,’ Kieran mused while walking the street with a pondering expression._-.


    The two unique avenues avable to Kieran were to either ept demandingmissions at the Adventurers’ Guild or visit the War Deity Council and learn what awaited his arrival. Because the War Deity Council was intricately linked to main quests in the past, Kieran naturally decided to go with thetter options.


    ‘Main Quests appear on different scales depending on the chain of events that activated them. Since nothing important or severe has taken ce, the difficulty shouldn’t be obscene as in the past. Furthermore, there a multiple questlines linking to different events. What did I miss out on?’ Kieran wondered.


    As mentioned before, Kieran joined the game when the average level lingered at about 100 to 105. Because of this, there were some early events that escaped Kieran’s knowledge. By the time Kieran joined, the attention of the elite echelon of yers had shifted from kingdoms to empires.


    Once this shift happened, the baseline difficulty of quests changed well. Of course, this was because levels yed a heavy role in determining a quest’s overall difficulty. The difficulty of a C-Rank Quest meant for Lv.100 yers was iparable to C-Rank Quest designed for Lv.20 yers. The disparity in level, should a Lv.20 yer take on such a quest, would essentially turn that quest into an SSS Rank nightmare.


    Finally, after walking for approximately 30 minutes, Kieran arrived at the temple’s entrance. Standing before its grand dimensions, Kieran felt small inparison. Furthermore, he could sense a heavy pressure permeating the area.


    ‘This isn’t just one aura,’ Kieran thought as he looked around. He perceived several auras intertwined yet notbatting one another. This wasn’t natural in Kieran’s eyes because the presence seemed toe from humans.


    ‘Manifestations of strength,’ Kieran noted before entering the War Deity Council’s gates. For one to manifest their strength while inactive… Kieran could already guess how mighty the leaders inside this ce were.


    Upon entering the temple’s confines, Kieran’s view was filled with immense ivory pirs etched with spiral designs. These pirs supported the arched walkway that led deeper into the temple. As he walked forward, Kieran noticed a few images imprinted on the ground beneath his feet. Each image involved an imposing figure with an imposing expression perfectly captured by the artist who designed this ce.


    ‘It’s astonishing no matter how many times I see it. The architects responsible for this ce are unmistakably brilliant,’ Kieranmented.


    Eventually, Kieran stepped past the initial walkway and overcame his awe. What awaited him was a spacious area with a riveting fountain spewing crystalline water. Off to the side were statues aligned in a subtle arc to fit the curvature of the rounded side walls. On the side opposite the entrance was a beautifully made stone desk with six people tending to it.


    However, only one of them reacted to Kieran’s arrival. It was a man, seeming to be no older than 25, with a fit physique and clear ck eyes. Their deep blue hair followed down to their cheeks as they gestured for Kieran toe.


    But, contrary to their somewhat weing appearance, the tone they used to speak held an undeniable air of superiority. “As stunning as our environment may be, this isn’t a ce that wantonly wees guests. Either present your credentials to be here or leave the premises of your own ord.”


    As this person spoke, Kieran could hear muffled thuds appearing throughout the entrance area. After listening closely, Kieran could make out a series of impacts urring not too far away.


    ‘Swords, fighting, and slight grunts—there must be official members training.’ Though the War Deity Council was inherently discourteous towards unannounced guests, Kieran knew that if juvenile members were in training, the council became even more abrasive. Any disruptions of their members’ progress were uneptable.


    Nevertheless, Kieran couldn’t just turn around and leave now that he was here. He acknowledged this person’s words before retrieving his admission slip and passing it across the desk. This particr slip was illustrated with Scar’s signature symbol, so this person’s eyebrows twitched after analyzing it.


    “Commander Scar has sent you?”


    ‘Commander?’ Kieran inwardly remarked. While he expected Scar to have a high position, he expected him to be a Captain at most. With his current power, Scar wasn’t strong enough to go against the War Deity Council’s top brass. Still, the fact Scar was already a Commander for the War Deity Council was a testament to his strength.


    Regardless of his shock, Kieran nodded, which made the individual nce toward his acquaintances.


    “Don’t look at me, Han. It’s still your turn in regards to our duties. We’re just here to apany you until it’s time to switch.” A lithe figure with hair the color of peach blossoms smiled at Han before ncing at Kieran momentarily, then the slip. It was evident that the slip held high significance. Still, they couldn’t help but frown after sensing Kieran’s general level of strength.


    “While I understand that Commander Scar has sent you… aren’t you somewhat weak to be here? Even if you desire training, we don’t have anyone of corresponding strength. Those in attendance aren’t adept at controlling their strength to match their opponent; theyck the skill required,” Han said.


    “I don’t seek any training. I want to know if there are any Captains or Lieutenants here currently; someone that can authorize requests after I’ve proven myself.”


    Han tapped his finger against the desk while considering Kieran’s question. “Fine,e with me. I’ll take you to see Captain Liam.”


    Han guided Kieran through the temple, walking past a series of upied training areas. Kieran only caught a glimpse of each space, but he saw enough to know that these people training inside the temple rivaled Lv.80 yers at the very least.


    Soon enough, Han led Kieran to one of the exclusive training areas meant solely for personnel with a ranking of Lieutenant or higher. Inside this area was a man with long indigo hair, meditating with a sword situated across hisp. The environment was serene, but after a few seconds, the man’s hair began to sway as if it were experiencing the effects of violent winds.


    “Ah, it appears we have caught him at a bad time. He has begun his meditation,” Han remarked before intending to leave with Kieran.


    However, before he could leave, Kieran felt some type of pressure lock him in ce as a sense of danger appeared before his throat. Panic crept into Kieran’s mind as he linked the event to the person in the room. ‘This is… Sword Force!’


    Like Warrior’s Aura, Swordsman possessed a unique quality achievable through the unwavering practice of a sword fed with Mana. This gave birth to sword force, a type of sharp and prative energy known as the bane of Mages.


    Captain Liam opened his eyes to reveal deep yellow pupils that were almost golden in color. “Is there something important that brings you here?”


    “Correct, Captain Liam,” Han answered respectfully. He bowed slightly before continuing, “There person here was rmended by Commander Scar and wished to meet with someone. As you’re the only Captain in attendance, I brought him to you.”


    “Oh?” Captain Liam’s lip curved into a faint smile. “You bear that same metallic odor as Scar; I take it you must be his legatee.”


    “I am,” Kieran honestly replied. There was no use in lying since he was here for a reason.


    “Very well. My Sword Meditation was cut short, but that is fine. I shall conduct his examination, I suppose,” Captain Liam said, giving Han a particr gaze, who in return obliged and left the premises.


    “Tell me, kid. What are your goals ining here? Do you aim to be a Commander like your master?” Captain Liam questioned while rising to his feet. As he stood up, it was revealed that Captain Liam’s height wasn’t too inferior to Kieran’s.


    “Not quite, but I know it is customary for me toe here. All I seek is power and recognition,” Kieran answered.


    “So your ideals are reserved for the individual and don’t necessarily look toward the safety of the masses. I can understand that, for how can you have a lofty aspiration to protect everyone when you are weak? As you said, your first desire should be to obtain strength for your own intents and purposes.”


    Whoosh!


    An arc of colorless light suddenly shed by Kieran’s cheek, leaving a small cut in the wall beside Kieran. However, a subtle glow appeared, causing the mark to disappear in less than two seconds.


    “Unflinching. Is it because you couldn’t process the danger, couldn’t perceive the danger, or felt you weren’t in danger?” Captain Liam smiled unusually. After all, Kieran’s response differed from what he expected. Someone of his strength should fear the movement of a character like him, even if it was severely hindered.


    “A facy,” Kieran smiled back. “You can never doubt the presence of danger; even a close ally can be an enemy given the right circumstance. Still, your attack exceeds my capabilities.”


    “Honest and self-aware of your weakness. Thest thing we need is another entitled freak unaware of their severe ineptitude. Still, you must show me that you deserve to be part of this organization. Even if you are weak, you must disy why you are superior to those at the same level.”


    Without a second’s hesitation, Kieran retrieved Crimson Ashrune and prepared for battle. “With pleasure.”