Corwin stepped outside the gate worried about the chaos that his long absence would cause. He started to think, he didn’t understand how he’d been in the game for 2 real days without taking a break. He didn’t recall any of the daily patches occurring either. He checked the time and was surprised to discover that only 6 hours of game time had passed. ‘So, it was time-accelerated’ he thought with relief. His iron items should still be valuable.

Corwin used space manipulation to go back to the capital city and auctioned 25 of each iron item for gold, and 25 of each iron item for magic crystals. He’d have to wait 6 in-game hours for results. Corwin bought up some crafting ingredients and planned to use time manipulation which was off cooldown. To keep time manipulation secret, he rented a private workshop. Corwin manufactured 50 of the level 10 set equipment, 50 intermediate mana potions and 50 intermediate health potions. This went a few minutes over the time acceleration but Corwin was quite happy with his crafting results. The set equipment should sell well in a few days, and the potions would be immediately useful for himself. Corwin took advantage of being in a city to mail Kyo the gold amulet he was no longer using.

Finally, Corwin set out for the legacy of time divine trial. Space and time were related and there might be great benefits if Corwin could get both legacies.

Corwin travelled 4 hours south-east, along the banks of the mighty Cressoda river, on a road that neighboured the great flood plains. He saw mighty hippo-like monsters and many alligators. Fortunately, the wards on the road were in good condition. Finally, he reached his destination, a small jungle known as the Cresanian. In that jungle was a level 22 territory, and in that territory was a gate. Corwin smiled as the gate still had a portal. The gate was a level 3 divine trial so Corwin prepared for a substantial challenge.

Upon entering the gate, Corwin arrived in a small dojo. The wooden dojo walls were covered with weapons of every kind imaginable, including a framed black katana. A dojo master, in spirit form, lead two younger spirits through their katas. He left them to their movements to talk to Corwin who had suddenly appeared.

“I am one of many incarnations of time, I have appeared in this form because of something important to you.”

“I understand. I remember this dojo well from my younger days when I trained in martial arts.”

“Perhaps you regret stopping.”

“No, that’s not it.” Corwin looked at one of the spirits practicing Katas and saw himself. He looked at the other and saw his first crush, a young raven-haired beauty moving with grace and poise even as she projected her killing will.

The spirit saw the fond longing in Corwin’s glance. “Ah, young love.” He gazed into Corwin’s memories before continuing. “It’s more of a path not taken though. In that case the trial begins.”

Suddenly, Corwin was 14 again. Just finishing a kata in the dojo. Ae-young was there, in all her majestic beauty. She dripped sweat having just completed the forms, yet somehow not a single hair was out of place. She turned to Corwin with a smile, “I’ve seen the way you look at me.”

Corwin remembered his younger self stumbling through this conversation, trying to deny it. He wasn’t the same man now. “I can’t help but stare, you’re too beautiful, Ae-young.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute. I wouldn’t let most men get away with looking at me like that.”

Corwin was a bit dumbfounded. Was it possible she liked him and they had just never acted on it? “Cute enough to go out with? How about lunch together now that we’re done our forms?”

“It took you long enough to ask. Lunch sounds lovely.”

New memories flashed before Corwin, an entire alternate life spent with Ae-young. They had a family, had kids, grew old together. But something was missing, Corwin didn’t game. ‘My heart just isn’t into a world where I can’t game he thought.’ The illusory life shattered.

Corwin was now in another location. This was the first day of University, the day he met Alice. Alice captivated his heart and his mind, she remained his crush till the day before he reincarnated. He was pretty sure it was unrequired, but in this domain she loved him. Once again a life started to flash before his eyes, new memories of growing old together, once again no game. The old Corwin would have struggled with this, he wanted her so badly. To the new him she was young and immature. Once again the illusory life shattered.

Other turning points of his life flashed before his eyes, in one instance he became a great scientist, discovering new technologies for humanity. But he wasn’t happy, his heart wasn’t in his work the way it was in the game. In another instance he became a general, winning battles and acquiring fame and glory. But his heart still wanted the game.

The illusion continued in all the myriad forms. Finally, one from his past but the actual future occurred. He was firing Edward from the Guild of Sorrow. The game knowing about his future hit Corwin like a ton of bricks. He thought to himself ‘I’ve prevented this outcome. Edward and I will play together and become successful.’

In total, 99 different illusory lives flashed before Corwin each without the game. Despite all their interests, each lacked appeal. Corwin’s heart was set on becoming the best in the game. Each illusion shattered and finally Corwin was back in the dojo with the spirit.

“Your heart for this life is strong Corwin.”

“This is my path. My destiny”

“You are worthy of my legacy, you have withstood the test of time.”

You have received the legacy of time as a swordsman. You will gain a new time skill on each tier up. You have received the first skill, ‘haste of the warrior’”

Corwin left the divine trial and stared fondly at the faded gate. He reflected on missing Ae-young. Then he had a rather horrifying thought. The game AI had read his memories of the future. Does it know I know what’s coming? Will the game change?

Corwin Swordborn

Spoiler : Level 10: 90% of level 11

Str: 1801(base:25)

Agi: 1866 (base:70)

Con:1801 (base:25)

Int: 601 (base:25)

Cha: 601 (base:25)

Lck: 217 (base:25)

Cnc: 217 (base:25)

Sta: 217 (base: 25)

Qi: 217 (base: 20)

Soul: 217 (base:20)

Air Affinity: 217 (base:20)

Fire Affinity: 217 (base:20)

Def: 5593

MDef: 4251

HP:20910/20910 (base: 1000)

MP:8110/8110 (base: 1000)

Gear:

MW: Epic Tier Level 12 Longsword, +192Str +192Agi +192Con

Base Damage: 240-288, Def 288 MDef 240 Durability 201/384, Requirements: 384 Str

OW: Epic Tier Level 12 Shortsword +192Str, +192Agi, +192 Con

Base Damage 196-240, Def 240 MDef 196, Durability 198/384, Requirements: 384 Str

MA: Epic Tier Level 12 Plate, +192 Str, +192 Agi, +192 Con

768Def,768MDef, Durability 96/96, Requirements:96 Str

LA: Silver Tier Level 12 Plate Cuisse, +48Str, +48Agi, +48Con

192Def, 192MDef Durability: 96/96 Requirements: 96 Str

G: Currently Epic, Level 12 +192Str, +192 Agi, +192 Con

768Def, 768MDef, Durability 370/386 Requirements: 386 Str

B:Epic Tier Level 12 Plate Boots +192Str +202Agi(10 Gemstone) +192Con

768 Def, 768MDef Durability 368/386 Requirements: 386Str

H: Epic Tier Level 12 Helm, +192 Str, +202(10 Gemstone) Agi, +192 Con

768 Def, 768MDef Durability 372/386, Requirements: 386Str

RR: Epic Tier, Level 12 Ring of Hidden Attributes (+192 All base attributes, +192 All Hidden Attributes)

LR: Epic Tier, Level 12 Ring of Elements (+192 All base attributes,

Ignore 2.4 Levels, Ignore 2.4 Equip Levels

AM: Epic Tier, Level 12 Amulet (+192 All base attributes)

Skills:

Spatial Slash, Legacy, Tier 0 Level 0

Haste of the Warrior, Legacy, Tier 0 Level 0

Time Manipulation, Special, Tier 0, Level 9

Space Manipulation, Special, Tier 0, Level 9

Air Manipulation, Special, Tier 0, Level 9

Earth Manipulation, Special, Tier 0 Level 9

Fire Manipulation, Special, Tier 0, Level 8

Water Manipulation, Special, Tier 0, Level 8

Thunder Slash, Rare, Tier 0, Level 1

Wave Chop, Rare, Tier 0, Level 0

Wind Charge, Rare, Tier 0, Level 1

Disrupting Blow, Rare, Tier 0, Level 1

Double Slash, Uncommon, Tier 0, Level 2

Slash, Common, Tier 0, Level 2

Pierce, Common, Tier 0, Level 2

Parry, Common, Tier 0, Level 2