Soa felt like a whole new world to Dario. Stepping into the Mystic or Divine Realm is said to feel as though the world is within your fingertips. Whether for good or evil, they change the world with each step they take, yet, there are not many beings who surpass level 100.

With that said, the celebration of Dario’s ascension included several rewards. Lord Vicegerent Jinn had bequeathed the young disciple with the remaining martial arts and access to all that Jinn owns.

“What I’m about to teach you is the martial arts of my predecessors,” Jinn said in the heavenly court of Holy Manalum. Dario was kneeling in front of the Vicegerent of the Seven Heavens, ready to receive a memory transfer. Jinn placed his right index finger on the middle of his disciple’s forehead. What could not be seen with the naked eye even with superior beings like an elf’s eye or a dragon’s eye, they could not perceive the vision of quantum energy entering the neurological system of the young disciple’s mind.

Jinn’s internal energy (quantum energy) connected with Dario’s internal energy (chi/mana) and immediately felt a supplementary effect.

“I will only show you the first time,” Jinn said as he donned his holy mantle. He was about to physically display the martial arts itself. “I will show you once with and without my holy mantle. We will begin now,” Jinn pierced his hand into the interdimensional inventory box and pulled out a curved, black marbled handle refined to perfection with gold elegant engravings.

Jinn imbued quantum energy into the handle and an ethereal blade formed. This is an ancient weapon from Lord Vicegerent Gloriano’s era, the Soul Buster. Feared by all species, it was the weapon known to have killed gods, monarchs, spirit kings, and mystics. And so, Jinn went to teach everything as befitting the position of Lord Vicegerent’s Disciple.

***

“The Solemn Soul…,” Thought Dario, thinking about the title given to him by his Master. Several days had passed and the young disciple had fully inherited everything for the one with the position as the Lord Vicegerent’s Disciple.

Dario was staring out the window as The Regalia was flying towards the crimson desert. After the commemoration of the young disciple’s ascension, war would soon come into full swing. Jinn had always intended for his disciple to lead the Dragon Campaign with full jurisdiction.

Dario swiftly returned to Hollow World to tie up some loose ends. Consolidation of newly acquired lands would have to be secure before any war would take place. So far, Azad and the 3 Demonic Slayers cleared the northern section of Hollow World of monsters by 50% as instructed and defeated the named Dragon, Quasar.

Quasar Lvl. 118 Class: Ancient Species: Demonic Dragon

Main Job: Dragon Lord

Sub-job: Dragon Lich

Titles: Curse Never Dying

Eclipse Dragon

Rank: Ultimate Boss

It was in the order that not all monsters be exterminated. After all, monsters, undead, spirits, and of the like play a part in the ecosystem. It wasn’t mentioned in the orders given to them, but, suffice to say that there is something intended for the monsters still lurking in the great desert.

Veda scanned the entirety of Hollow World and found that dangerous lifeforms were concentrated in the northern and southern regions. Although the east occasionally has monsters roaming the sands, it is relatively safe compared to the north and south. The western desert is the only part of Hollow World that is governed by a single being that destroyed much of the monsters a long time ago.

Before Dario had returned to the great desert, Azad and Calamor confined themselves in a safe area which would be a military encampment built around an everlasting oasis. Such areas had walls constructed ready to handle sieges. Both had to stay in a controlled area because they were notified that Dario would begin his ascension process. Upon hearing such news, they too would need to be in a safe place. Thankfully, parts of Hollow World that had already been conquered were quickly installed with the necessary buildings or structures to ensure control of such places. Therefore, setting military encampments in oases, ruins, dungeons, or any place of significance was protected by the undead and the first thing to come in order. Jinn fully intends to control his property to the fullest.

The reason being that they had to confine themselves was an obvious answer. If their resurrector was going to surpass the limits of a human being, then the undead that the Sith Lord controls will also break through their limits. Physically, the undead familiars don’t have to do anything. The ascension process will still occur whilst moving or not moving. It was unwise to be near any danger because once the Breakthrough happens for Dario, the familiars will be enshrouded by mana like a cocoon and will shed their former vessel. Suffice to say that if any danger or were to be touched while in the cocoon, their whole existence would perish.

When the cocoon hatched, Azad and Calamor had changes in their appearance complimenting the aura around them, making them look like superior beings. They too had exceeded level 99.

Calamor Lvl. 100 Class: 9th Class Archmage Species: Eldar Blood Elf

Main Job: Blood Prophet

Sub-job: Overlord

Titles: The Undead Lich, Deluc (passive)

Eldar of the Blood Elves (passive)

The Bloody Prophet (equipped)

HP: 250189 (+110000)

MP: 100167 (+10000)

AP: 10432 (+10000)

STR: 1570 (+1000)

DEF: 1264 (+1000)

INT: 2725 (+1000)

WIS: 3345 (+2000)

SPR: 1878 (+1000)

VIT: 2367 (+1000)

DEX: 1906 (+1000)

SPD: 1452 (+1000)

LCK: 1000 (+1000)

Evasion rate: 0%

Critical chance: 0%

The Undead Lich, Deluc (passive) - The legend of The Necromancer reaches far and wide. The strong and the weak alike all know of your name and capabilities as a researcher of the forbidden magic, Necromancy.

-halves MP/AP consumption

-+100% MP/AP regen

Eldar of the Blood Elves (passive) - In the Elvhen language, the offspring of the original Elves were called the ‘Eldar,’ the inheritors of the Eldar Tree. They possess power and knowledge from ancient times.

-halves cooldown of all spells

-doubles magical spell damage

The Bloody Prophet - Blood is the sustainer of all life and a power in its own standing comparable to a Dragon Heart. The more blood that is accumulated, the more control and power of blood increases. Upon attaining 8 mana rings around his heart, Calamor entered Lichdomhood and created his Mana Orb with the blood of all his people.

-increases HP by 100000 points

-increases wisdom by 1000 points

- (sealed)

Calamor is of the bloodline of the Eldar Elves, one of the original species to have first walked this planet when it was new. An aloof aura of elegance describes the new look of the Blood Elf.

In all cases, it is not typical to see major changes of appearance when it comes to body reformation. The Blood Elf’s face remained as it always had for hundreds of years, a refined face with scarlet hair reaching down to the waist while adorning a hooded robe belonging to a Necromancer. What changed was the aura around Calamor.

The same could be said for Azad, the aura emanating around him put him at the same level as Grandmasters and Archmages. Effectively, body reformation has sharpened Azad’s horns and the tips pointed deathly. Now equipped with the finest grade of ebony and mystic weave, Azad’s old outfit had been replaced after being worn out for hundreds of years. The metal, ebony, said to be stronger than mithril and orichalcum, is worn entirely on the lower body with a mystic weave worn around the waist like a sash. As for the upper body, a wooden armor piece for the deltoids alongside ebony gauntlets with claw-like fingertips made Azad’s image look reminiscent of a dark samurai with horns. Last but not least, the gilded mask he adorns created from ebony covered all but the nose and the mouth.

Azad Lvl. 100 Class: Mystic/Divine Realm Species: Ronso

Main Job: Legendary Midnight Soldier

Sub-job: Blade Demon

Sub-job: Ritual Soldier

Sub-job: Mystic Rogue

Titles: Blade Demon (equipped)

Arishokras (equipped)

The Blood Ox (equipped)

HP: 110189 (+10000)

MP: 40967 (+10000)

AP: 120889 (+10000)

STR: 2578 (+1000)

DEF: 2037 (+1000)

INT: 1890 (+1000)

WIS: 2123 (+1000)

SPR: 1945 (+1000)

VIT: 2002 (+1000)

DEX: 2486 (+1000)

SPD: 1977 (+1000)

LCK: 1000 (+1000)

Evasion rate: 50%

Critical chance: 100%

Blade Demon (equipped) - The Ronso were a race of religious horned humanoids dedicated to the way of the sword. In other words, the Ronso species was a Sword Clan while also practicing a strict religious code that is now lost. Once in every era, the Ronso would be blessed with the fabled Sword Saint.

-doubles sword damage

-automatic critical damage

-halves MP/AP usage

Arishokras (equipped) - A name given to the de facto spiritual leader and highest-ranking general of The Tribunal, the military branch of the horned species. The Arishok is part of a triumvirate system that leads what is believed to be the “body” of the Ronso.

-doubles leadership experience

-immune to all diseases, curses, and poisons

The Blood Ox (equipped) - During the Fairy Campaign, the Arishok was a soldier serving The Tribunal against the resistance of the Fare species. His high-risk battle tactics lead to being drenched in the blood of fairy creatures that are said to be blessed with mana. Eventually, the war would remember such a character by earning him a nickname amongst the Fairies, “The Blood Ox.”

-doubles fame experience

-magical resistance: 100%

When the cocoon made purely out of mana hatched, Azad and Calamor came out feeling as though Soa was a brand new place for them. Effectively, they wasted no time to test their newfound capabilities by doing the mission that was entrusted to them.

***

Stepping out of The Regalia, Dario was located at the eastern part of Hollow World. Unlike Azad and the 3 Demonic Slayers, Calamor was ordered to clear 50% of dangerous lifeforms in the region and do no more. Eldar Deluc completed his mission a lot sooner and began consolidating the east. The young disciple looked through his side mission objectives.

*Completed Side Missions*

-Reanimate the Eldar Lich, Deluc

-Figure out what to do with the Great King’s Bear Pelt

-Recruit the 3 powerful Peak Realm Experts referred by Elder Saru

-Achieve “Enlightenment” before starting the Main Mission

-Cultivate 5 arcane circle rings around your heart

-Cultivate Saihah (Dragon’s Breath) and develop a new breath

-Raise an undead army of talent

Looking at the screen, much of the side missions were completed and new missions popped up as soon as Dario became a Grandmaster.

*Side Mission Objectives*

-Recruit worthy talent for citizenship

-Cultivate a total of 10 breath attacks [2/10]

-Complete the Sword Saint elite unit [4/10]

[more...]

What piqued the young disciple’s focus was the fact that he had to find Sword Saints. This was no ordinary task, but, the young man did wonder why such a mission would not be considered one of the main ones. Something was telling him that the closer he is to fulfilling that side mission, the better it would be for the war effort.

“Veda,” said Dario. “It feels like Master has been controlling everything like a chessboard game.”

“Indeed, you are now at a point where you can comprehend and grasp the true intention of your Master,” replied Veda.

“Then the time has come to revive 'The Wandering Flame.'” From the young disciple’s shadow, two individuals crept out of the darkness. “I am assuming this is a person?” Calamor interjected. Chuckle. Dario’s face was wearing a devilish grin. “We’ve completed a lot of missions in a short amount of time, however, we have a lot to prepare and not a lot of time to do it.” Azad chimed in on the conversation, “Then we are here in the middle of nowhere to find this person?”

“Haha!” Dario chuckled and placed his palm in the air and reverberated his mana in the wide desert. Suddenly, what was thought to be a wasteland began to slowly change appearance when a huge and bright blue blossom tree was seen towering the sky. A mirage spell was placed along a great area.

“Ha! The Omen Sect has many tricks I have yet to see!,” Calamor said, almost scoffing. “Come and see for yourself,” Dario replied as he flew towards the tree. As they got closer, a silhouette of an individual can be seen from the distance. What was expected to be a person, was really a hologram created from mana depicting a man brandishing a katana.

Dario did something surprising and bowed deeply towards the hologram. “Your name may be lost, but the Omen Sect never forget their own. We remember The Way of Bushido.” Blue-colored petals like moonlight began to fall and create a majestic scene. “You have come a long way,” a disembodied voice echoed. The spirit of an old warrior monk sprouted from the patch of land filled with moonlight-colored grass.

“Please forgive us for our intrusion to the resting place of the honored one,” the young disciple replied. He stepped forwards and removed his hood, “I need your help, please, grant me your sword.” With piercing eyes capable of peering into one’s soul, the spirit observed the resolve in Dario’s eyes. In other words, Dario was asking for the spirit’s permission to be resurrected and become his undead familiar.

“... Has he returned…?” Asked the spirit.

“Indeed,” replied the young disciple. The hologram emanating from mana disappeared and a ghostly apparition fazed from the ground. The spirit made its full appearance. It was an apparition of a man in his mid-30s wearing a black haori closed with a black strap with two brown belts wrapped around it. His arm is tucked into the front of the haori like an arm in a sling. A jug for alcohol is fastened to the hip alongside black pants and shoes that have brown straps with metal plating. His hair is elongated and black with grey streaks held by a silver ribbon. And lastly, there is a noticeable scar on the right half of the man’s lips.

Rumble. The earth beneath them began to quake lightly. “Go on, young Sith Lord, cast your spell of revival,” said the spirit. A quick grin appeared on the face of the young disciple for a quick second. “Very well,” replied Dario. He placed his palm in the air and his mana left his body and synced with the spirit. “The Omen Sect welcomes the return of the Bushido Sword Saint. Return to the land of the living, Lord Kensei.”

With those last words, an illustrious figure surpassing the likes of Azad and Calamor from the old days of the Omen Sect would become Dario’s familiar.

Kensei Lvl. 100 Class: Mystic/Divine Realm

Main Job: Sword Saint

Sub-job: Spirit Warrior

Sub-job: Legendary Guardian

Titles: Bushido Soul Saint (equipped)

The Legendary Guardian (passive)

The Wandering Flame (passive)

Kensei (equipped)

HP: 109472 (+10000)

MP: 20133 (+10000)

AP: 478901 (+10000)

STR: 3091 (+1000)

DEF: 1807 (+1000)

INT: 1902 (+1000)

WIS: 2235 (+1000)

SPR: 2699 (+1000)

VIT: 1890 (+1000)

DEX: 1978 (+1000)

SPD: 2104 (+1000)

LCK: 1010 (+1000)

Evasion rate: 60%

Critical Chance: 100%

Bushido Soul Saint (equipped) - The illustrious warrior monk, the infallible, the sword itself, the one who reached the ultimate of swordsmanship. “To know life in every breath, every life we take, the way of the warrior, that is Bushido.” -Sayings of The Way of Bushido

-doubles sword damage

-automatic critical damage

-halves MP/AP usage

The Legendary Guardian (equipped) - “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend,” was what his friend said before sacrificing himself to save the world from an old evil. Reputable characters know of The Legendary Guardian’s reputation as a protector and are idolized by many guardians.

-physical resistance: 50%

-magical resistance: 50%

The Wandering Flame (passive) - A spirit who has not fulfilled a promise for an old friend did not pass on after he died and was stuck in the spirit world. Wandering the world in limbo for an excessive amount of time has enabled the use of the power from the spiritual realm. Many Spirit Kings know him personally.

-spirit resistance: 100%

-doubles spirit damage

Kensei (sealed) - The literal translation of kensei is “sword saint,” and is the title used to refer to the Bushido Soul Saint who had forgotten his original name due to remaining in the soul world for too long. At any given time, there can only be one who carries the prestigious title.

- (sealed)

- (sealed)

- (sealed)