Joshua spent so much time in the area. Eventually getting the blessings of all four Seasons. Bayran, Ancient White dragon that leads winter. Asim, Ancient of Autumn a warrior that governs Autumn. Then Cinders, Ancient of Summer. The phoenix that governs the scorching summers and lastly, Barakas Ancient of Spring, the monarch butterfly that blooms flowers.

Joshua got his full gear and has already reached the Garden of Thorns.

Joshua Gates Venerator Class : Garden of Thorns HP 20,000 MP 17,500 Stamina 250,000 Level 75 STRength 600 VITality 400 ENDurance 5000 DEXterity 1000 DEFense 750 SPeeD 5000 INTelligence 500 MAGic 3500 Unassigned Stat Points 0

Joshua finally gained the Mask of Thorns, Garden Gauntlet, and Winter's Cloak. Those were the gear equipment that he had earned

Mask of Thorns

Mask that is worn by the Garden of Thorns.

It is to signify a Seedling's ascension into the path that is The Garden.

Now, you are a Garden of Thorns.

DEF 500 Special Bonuses

Thorns Vow (Full Set)

Thorn's Vow decreases damage dealt by enemy attackers by 15% per hit. (Always active)

Cage of Thorns

Intimidation factor increased by 75%. Able to force enemies away from a fight. Not applicable to Venerators

New Thorn

Venerators can be intimidated with this skill. 50% chance of success if enemy morale is high. 100% chance if morale is lowered to a required treshhold. Treshhold depends on levels and equipment.

Bloody Rose(Sovereign Combat Skill)

Killing humans of ill intentions grants bonuses that apply in combat. (Venerators are included) +20% attack speed and halves damage by enemies per 100 kills.

Anti-Theft Skill

Anyone that wears this mask will have their whole body lacerated by thorns until they die.

Appraisal Block

Can only be seen by those who have a higher stat than user. (

Garden Gauntlets

Gauntlets that have been used by the Garden of Thorns.

The gauntlets are only worn by those deemed worthy. Anyone else that wears it. Can be disguised as simple armor if needed.

DEF 750 Special Bonuses

Feint Blow

Feints one attack to enemies, no MP cost but timed effect. 5 second cooldown.

Ripping Force

Tearing limbs off enemy targets damages morale and doing it to a high leveled member increases fear.

Crippling Fear(Unarmed skill)

Grapple attacks on low level enemies will leave them terrified.

Winter's Cloak

A cloak that is gifted to the one who does not give up no matter how dangerous things are.

DEF 500 Special Bonuses

Absolute Immunity

Status effects are nullified.

Comforting Colds

Heals 1HP per second when in battle. Also has a cold wind blowing in when it is active.

Winter's Blessing

Status effect magic has a higher chance of succeeding.

Joshua stood before the gates, seeing the four Ancients and the many other creatures that are going to see him off.

"To the humans. You will simply be a Venerator with normal statuses. And the four of us has blessed you to not be seen as a Garden of Thorns but as a fighter instead." Barakas explained as she turned into a small butterfly to land on Joshua's nose.

"Oh I am going to miss bothering you. Besides you've always been thoughtful to bring honey from the Elemental Bees every time you visit." Barakas whispered to Joshua, staring at him with its beady eyes.

"The Return Key is for you to come back here when you need it. To humans, the spire will end and you will emerge out of it. Garden of Thorns also lifts your weapon restrictions. So you don't have to be too worried about a lot of things. Besides you've gotten our techniques anyway." Asim said as they all knelt before him.

Then something else popped up.

Taking note of Thorn's approach to all the matters.

+1 for not attacking Bayran

+5 for avenging family

+20 for defeating Bipedal Golem at such level difference.

+15 for honesty with Asim.

+...

The points continously were accumulating, and Joshua did not understand anything as everyone kept their heads low before him.

Point accumulation completed : You have qualified to become a Lord of Thorns.

"From this day forth. You've conquered the Garden of Thorns Trial. You are now a Venerator with the Garden of Thorns class. Many things will change when you do. We, the Residents of Garden acknowledge you as our Lord and Master." Joshua heard them all chorus as he fell out the door.

Losing his consciousness. Voices were echoing all over, sirens letting their pressence be known. Bright lights flashing all over.

"We got a survivor!" Joshua was still in a daze, even with the endurance that high. Waking up to a white ceiling. Another scent that was familiar, but not something Joshua was fond off.

"You're awake." THe voice spoke, Joshua turned to the left, seeing a woman who was holding a clipboard. Black suit, expensive watch and her atmosphere was literally a figure exhuding authority. Her stats? They were... Lower than what he expected. Perhaps the equipment will change these stass?

Maya Linx Venerator Class : Warlock HP 10,000 MP 15,000 Stamina 15,000 Level 75 STRength 110 VITality 200 ENDurance 300 DEXterity 110 DEFense 210 SPeeD 75 INTelligence 50 MAGic 300

"My name is Maya Linx of the Venerator Union. I'd like to ask you questions about that Spire you came from... What happened to the residents of the city? The Spire has been there for at least 3 years... And when we had other Venerators try to join it. The Spires reacted by pushing people out. Nobody can move past it." Maya explained to Joshua who nodded to her, he understood what all of that meant. So Joshua was inside there for 3 years, it was still something to take in.

"The system mentioned that there was a Venerator attempting it. Was it you?" Maya asked as Joshua was thinking of an answer.

"The people of Mulligan City is gone. 50 thousand people turned to ghosts. Their remains should be skeletons by now. I had to survive by whatever means necessary. There's a lot of shops that I had to raid because of the place itself. I stole some gear to survive.I was only 16 when it happened. I guess I did spend in there that long." Joshua answered.

"I'm sorry but... You need to register as a Venerator. You will stay in the hospital for observation... Once the observation period ends. You will be able to join a Venerator Quest. One that is meant for you to learn through it. The reason being you're part of the few Venerators that actually came from a Spire itself. And multiple Spires have appeared. It's given rise to a lot of people as Venerators." Joshua looked at himself, noticing that all of his gear is currently in his special storage slot. So if he needed it, all he would need is just to say the word and his gear will come to him. When he needs it.

But for now, Joshua will avoid using his weapons. He did not want to stand out any further. Besides, it would be best to learn about things right now. Joshua had a phone on him when they found him, opening the gallery and seeing the wallpaper of his family. It left a strong thought. 'If Only I Had This Much Power... Then Nobody Would Have Died' Joshua looked at his body, he was lanky like before. His eyes were fine and his heart too. Then seeing that his sclera was still black, blinking twice was enough to change it back. Since he would have to stay in the hospital for a while, Joshua continued to read old texts from his family group chat. Swiping through photos of Joshua when he was in diapers. Cass was taking care of him at the time, his tears were going to flow.

Such moments like this when Joshua fell in despair of losing his family. The Four Ancients would be there for him, comforting him. No ill will towards them for they have stated that the Garden of Thorns has been searching for a worthy master. The nights when Joshua slept at Bayran's domain to avoid hearing the noises of his own miserable cries. Or when Barakas showed Joshua the beauty of butterflies. Asim teaching Joshua how to use a sword and Cinder who taught Joshua how to use fire magic as a utility instead of destruction.

Trivial are they not? Yet Joshua could not help but be calm about it. Joshua made it out, he was alive but at the same time... He felt more like a corpse than a living person. Perhaps amazed at how the ordeal had not destroyed him at all. Many had turned insane, those words were true. Joshua was close to doing it, because being in a place like that? With no one to talk to for the longest time. Lacking human companionship and human interaction, it would have been a death sentence. Even now, Joshua does not know what to take of it.

Grief. Such words came to mind yet, what does it mean to grieve? Is grievance the same as acceptance? These were things Joshua needed to understand as he looked it up. The 5 stages of Grief.

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Joshua tried to remember what everything was. What did it mean to grieve? Where was he? Did he actually grieve for his family despite all of the things he has done in that place? The Black Spire that brought forth the calamity to choose the next Garden of Thorns? Though the class Lord of Thorns was interesting, there was not much details about it, only an excerpt.

The Lord of Thorns.

A warrior that rivals the Noir Dancer.

Where the Noir Dancer waltz into the fray for death.

The Lord of Thorns plows their way to protect others with his magic.

Yet equally destructive is the gaze from the Lord of Thorns.

A figure that stands among the Apex, yet the Apex must kneel before the Lord.

For it is only by power, do the Apex submit their lack of ability to stand at the top.

For many Lords of Thorn have toppled those that were deemed 'Untouchable'

Some did it out of spite.

Some did it for justice.

Some did it for fun.

Some did it for the terror in the eyes of their enemies.

As a Lord of Thorns.

You do not need to pray.

You do not need to beg.

You just do.

Those that turn to you, will be blessed.

Those that have you as an enemy will be cursed.

Dear Lord, it is up to you to carve the path.

Welcome to the fold, oh 13th Lord of Thorns.

Joshua has to admit, the line 'You do not need to pray, you do not need to beg. You just do.' That particular line struck chords in Joshua, for the reason he wished that he had the power. Not to pray to a God or beg for assistance but to just do what is required of him. To protect his family.

The Venerator test will be in a week. Joshua had a lot of things to sort out. From inventories to equipment and even trying to see what is the average stat of a Venerator. A lot of time, a lot of research and a lot of thinking.