—


    Agrianos had already revealed that the Nether Severing Hex Seal located in the Chasm of Apogeton’s depth sealed the connection to another realm. Kieran believed the reason for such a seal could rte to Argexes.


    After all, Argianos was the site’s guardian.


    However, when he gazed upon Scar’s wry smile, Kieran’s brows furrowed.


    “No. The seal existed before Lord Agrianos obtained his power. Argexes is sealed inside the Nihility Boundary set between the many dark realms. And, it must stay that way,” Scar said.


    Kieran nked while listening to Scar speak. What the hell was the Nihility Boundary? He had nevere to learn of such a thing. Although it exceeded his knowledge, Kieran understood the gravity of keeping Argexes sealed.


    ‘Could a Monarch be some type of demon god?’ Kieran wondered.


    He recalled Agrianos mentioning another strong dark presence known as Er’shabal. Perhaps there was a connection.


    “Enough about that. Let’s not dwell on the what-ifs. As long as you master the framework Lord Agrianos hasid out for you, the chances of your soul facing corruption are slim,” Scar waved his hand, refusing to answer any further questions regarding Argexes’ power.


    “You said you had other questions for me, right? I didn’t forget since myment made you go on a tangent.”


    Kieran’s quandary ended abruptly because of Scar’s question.


    “I do! The first question is about Crimson Ashrune. Why isn’t it regarded as an Epic Weapon despite the exquisite materials used to forge it.”_.


    “Ah…” Scar’s expression grew regretful as he sighed. “It once was an Epic Weapon nearing the Legendary standard. However, I was too attached to my weapon during my youth. That attachment inevitably led to me making a grave oversight.”


    Scar extended his hand. “Give it here, and I will show you.”


    Kieran listened to Scar’s direction, retrieving Crimson Ashrune from his inventory and cing it above Scar’s hand.


    Somehow, therge weapon seemed insignificant in Scar’s grasp.


    Crimson energy from Scar’s palm bathed the de, revealing arge yet unnaturally imperceptible crack through its length. “The once ster de was damaged after I ignored the signs of me outgrowing the weapon.”


    Crimson Ashrune wasn’t as simple as the de seemed on the surface. Nihilitite Ore and Immortal Blood were two excellent base materials capable of creating an Epic Weapon.


    However, the materials could be pushed to their limits in the hands of a Forger like a Great Dwarven cksmith.


    While Kieran’s gaze was lost in Crimson Ashrune’s current state, Scar recounted the events.


    “Some of the more sensitive parts of the weapon suffered irreparable damage as even Grandar wasn’t familiar with recovering the lost runic essence that escaped from the weapon’s source runes. Despite the issue, the weapon was recast by Old Man Grandar. Until I found you, it was nothing more than a remembrance.”


    “Recovering its former glory is impossible?” Kieran finally looked up after learning of lost runic essence.


    “It’s not impossible. It requires a level of skill that escapes the value of the materials used to forge it. It’s not worth it. Instead, it would be best if you aimed to forge a weapon that will never leave your side,” Scar said.


    However, although Scar dissuaded Kieran from trying to recover Crimson Ashrune’s lost power, he had grown fond of the weapon.


    “I won’t go out of my way. But, if I stumble across a solution, I’ll see to it that Crimson Ashrune recovers its former glory.”


    “I have gifted you that weapon, so the choice is yours. My fate with it has concluded, but yours is just beginning.” Scar had no intention of reiming the weapon because his current weapon satisfied his desires.


    After Scar removed his hand, the imperceptible crack vanished. Scar’s immense energy was the only reason it appeared in the first ce. Kieran’s current power didn’te close to damaging the greatsword’s materials.


    With his curiosities regarding Crimson Ashrune’s obscure state settled, Kieran moved on to another matter. He retrieved the Shard of Ancient Knowledge from his inventory and presented it to Scar.


    “Are you familiar with this? It’s apparently called a Shard of Ancient Knowledge, but I know nothing of its origins or uses,” Kieran stated with knitted brows.


    Scar scrutinized the shards as his eyes shed with a deep crimson light and then a golden glow.


    “It seems extremely ancient. I’m getting sensations simr to Lord Agrianos, so it’s possible it was birthed during the same era. It feels eerily simr to runguage, but there are some differences, twerp. Your best bet would be visiting the Wykins.”


    Scar’s suggestion perplexed Kieran. Why? Because the rtionship between Wykins and humans was terrible after a historical feud. Many of humanity’s top figures snatched the Wykins from their home and demanded their abilities.


    Those who rebelled and voiced dissent were killed, driving a wedge through the rtionship. Since that feud, the location of the Wykin’s main colony eluded all human knowledge. Insanely powerful barriers protected all of their movements and settlements.


    Kieran frustratedly scratched his head. “What the hell is wrong with humans?! They break everything they touch!”


    The Elves, Wykins, Dwarves—the rtionship with many non-human yet essential races was awful!


    “What can I say—we’re a truly destructive race. We’re blessed with intelligence, yet that same intelligence leads us to do unspeakable things. Innovations, advancement—all it does is pave the way for destruction,” Scar chuckled.


    Since Scar wasn’t much help, Kieran inevitably returned the Shard of Ancient Knowledge to his inventory.


    Afterward, he brought up another matter. “I registered to join the War Deity Council’s diator Coliseum. It’s also one of the reasons I came to see you.”


    “Hoh?” Scar’s gaze shed with intrigue. The diator Coliseum was the War Deity Council’s tradition. Vivid memories surfaced in Scar’s mind as he crossed his arms with arge grin.


    “I remember it like it was yesterday—crushing all of mypetitors and iming the first spot. Without that feat, I wouldn’t have be a Commander so quickly.”


    Scar turned to Kieran with a stern gaze. “Surely my sessor will uphold this superior legacy, right?”


    Kieran whistled and averted his gaze because iming first in the diator Coliseum required overwhelming strength. He wasn’t going against yers; hispetition was bonafide NPCs belonging to a virtually transcendent faction.


    Scar didn’t appreciate the silence, which showed from his deep frown. Contrary to popr belief, Scar wasn’t mad. No, he was irritated because he knew why Kieran acted this way.


    “Damn you. I’ll reward you.”


    Kieran gave a mischievous grin after hearing these words. “How so? Enlighten me, old man.”


    “Old man?!” Scar hollered. “What old man?! Lord Agrianos is an old man. I’m in my prime, you damned fool. You have the eyes of a dingus, you little snot-nosed brat.”


    “I don’t hear the contents of my reward,” Kieran said smugly. He crossed his arms and taunted Scar.


    “If you uphold the legacy to the fullest extent…. I’ll teach you an Esoteric Skill,” Scar offered.


    This offer made Kieran go mute. An Esoteric Skill was something only Advanced Beings could grasp naturally. Every Esoteric Skill, whether defensive, offensive, or supportive, was absurdly strong.


    “Deal!” Kieran blurted.


    Since he didn’t hesitate, Kieran didn’t realize that Scar slyly changed his words. They became undeniably ambiguous. The allure of the deal stole Kieran’s reason!


    Scar didn’t just state he had to im first; he mandated Kieran to uphold the legacy to the fullest extent. There was some hidden facet to Scar’s offer.


    After a brief pause, Scar beckoned for Kieran to follow him to a spacious room where they could act freely. Now that he understood Kieran’s power had grown, Scar wanted to gauge Kieran’s current affinity.


    “Although we have a deal, I can’t have you looking foolish. Thus, from now until the challengemences, you’ll be training with me.”


    Scar cracked his neck and loosened his body before directing Kieran. “Use Blood Mania and enter your strongest state.”


    Kieran obliged because this was something he honestly looked forward to. How was his growthpared to when Scar first tested him? He needed to know.


    Like blood-red mes, the crimson wisps raged around Kieran’s body as he enforced the Vampiric Blood Encrustration. However, Kieran could feel the judgment in Scar’s gaze despite theck of an expression change.


    ‘His Vampiric Blood Encrustation—no, his Blood Mania, in general, is in an obscure state. It’s not weak, but his control of the technique’s principles is extremelycking, or it’d contend against many mighty skills.’


    Scar’s opinion of Kieran’s Blood Mania wasn’t terrible but wasn’t filled with praise either. Scar understood at first blush that Kieran’s control of his emotions was elementary as best.


    “Know this boy—we are vehicles of power. But that power is useless if wielded withcking authority,” Scar said. He wouldn’t give any answers outright. So, speaking in a roundabout way was the solution.


    Kieran absorbed thement but didn’t respond.


    “Come,” Scar beckoned.


    Bang!


    Kieran blitzed toward Scar with Crimson Ashrune tucked near his body. Against an opponent like Scar, he wasn’t afraid to let loose.


    Whoosh!


    Scar smirked as a thin blood film appeared over his left palm. A sh of fury surfaced in his eyes but dissipated instantly. However, once it disappeared, the film emanated a sense of dread.


    Tap! BOOOOOM!


    Keuk!


    Kieran’s eyes widened as the floor cracked from Scar’s gargantuan palm pressing him through the ground.