Chapter 4: Crossroad of the Past and Future-Prelude to Salvation
[The absolute, Hayate, has arrived at the west continent]
[The Dragon Race has noticed Hayate's presence]
[The curse of the Dragon race intensifies]
[All Dragons have started to move]
'Hayate...?'
It was a name that Grid was familiar with, no, actually it would be an understatement to say he was only 'familiar' with it. Hayate, the head of the tower of wisdom and the one who holds the first seat, the only human Absolute, Humanity's very first legend, and the one and only 'Dragonslayer'. No one knew better than Grid how much that man had suffered for the sake of the world, he bore a curse for centuries without uttering a word, always with a smile on his face. However, there was one time, a single one, when that smile disappeared from his face.
'me, no, the Tower was disappointed with the gods. I have no intention of letting them go.'
Grid vividly remembered Hayate's words that day, when the gods of Asgard turned on humans and revealed their real faces. Grid couldn't forget the killing intent in his voice.
'Perhaps...'
It was undoubtedly why Hayate himself decided to step in despite knowing the consequences of him interfering in Pluto's affairs. Grid had a soft smile on his face.
'If it's with you then I...No, We can do it'
Grid still had a hard time figuring out how to fight the calamities that have befallen the continent, However, with the help of the tower of wisdom, what was once impossible may not be anymore. Grid who gazed at the destroyed capital, Reindhart, felt his eyes become sharper than ever.
''Just you wait... I will never let you go.''
Grid uttered these words as he stared at the sky. He needed to start moving as soon as possible or else he would be wasting time, earning another wish token may be impossible but now was not the time to worry about that, he needed to do his best.
[You have left the presence of the Absolute god]
[Assimilation with the past 'Hero kings' is starting]
'Huh?'
An unexpected message popped up in midair. Then Grid's vision slowly faded and he found himself in an entirely different place and body. It was reminiscent of his assimilation when he used to read Madra's diary.
Suddenly, something appeared before his eyes, a gigantic existence, no it was more like a beast. The beast bellowed with rage, scales all over its body, glowing eyes. Grid could never forget its identity.
'Bunhelier!!!'
Grid's blood started boiling, Bunhelier, the very same being who brought destruction upon his kingdom and family.
[You're in emotional distress]
[The system has detected a dangerous level of adrenaline being released]
[If the danger persists, assimilation will be forcefully terminated]
Grid calmed down as he remembered it was but the memory of someone unfolding before his eyes.
'But wait, why is Bunhelier here?'
Grid had just realized it, but it was the memory of the first Hero King, so why was Bunhelier facing him? As if reacting to his question, time seemed to stop in the world he was in.
'That's because I am the one who sealed him.'
A voice echoed through the space around Grid. It was an unfamiliar yet warm voice, Grid turned around and he spotted the figure of a man with a toned body, blond hair, and sparkling eyes that would charm even the gods. Although he was handsome, his beauty was different from that of the vampires, it was pure and taintless.
'Welcome to my past, The one who succeeded my will.'
''Thank you, Are you the first Hero king?''
'Well, that's what the people called me. I was but a man with more power than others.'
''I see... So why was I brought here?''
'Hm, It seems you have proven yourself to be truly worthy of inheriting my power, As such this world serves as a Test for you.'
''A test?''
'Mhm, although you have proven that your spirit is worthy of the title you bear. It is now time to prove that you possess enough power to carry your responsibilities.'
''So you're asking me to beat Bunhelier alone?''
'hahaha, well that was the original test, however, do not worry, I will not be asking you to do such an irrational thing. You're still too weak for this kind of test.'
''Then?''
'Prove that you can surpass me, succeed in what I failed to do. Prove to me that there's another path I could have taken, one without regrets.'
''I don't understand?''
'I am sure you will later, after all, you're the one qualified to succeed my will.'
''Hey! Wait!''
However, despite Grid's shouting, the man's figure disappeared and the world returned to its prior state.
[The trial will start when you're ready.]
[Please say 'Start' When you're ready.]
'How am I supposed to fight that thing! Fuck! I keep getting thrown into random events.'
Grid, who understood that he couldn't change anything right now, started checking his stats and equipment.
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Name: Sigmund Class: Hero King-Legendary(Growth)
Level: 1532
Title: ???
Health: 9,365,109
Mana: 3,420,568
Fighting energy: ???
Sword Energy: 50,000
Stats
Strength: 40,960★40,960▲ Stamina:40,934 ★40,934▲
Agility: 40,976★40,976▲ Intelligence: 15,132
★refers to the stats that have been further elevated due to the effect of fighting energy.
????????
????????
????????
Remaining Stat Points: 0
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'No who the hell is that guy???'
Grid couldn't believe his eyes, each one of his stats was enough to cause a stroke.
'Maybe it's a cheat character made just for this test?'
Grid had doubts that a human could achieve such stats, it was probably a character made for him during this test and not a real replica of the first Hero King.
'At any rate, this sword is not normal either...'
[Balmung]
[Rating: Myth(transcendent)
Durability: infinite
Attack Power: ?????
Defense: ?????
* A Sword of the myths, forged with Draconic materials.
* ???
* ???
* The skill 'Dragon Seal' is generated.
**???
**???
The origin of the sword is unknown, it's said to be a sword that existed during the age of chaos. It's capable of sealing dragons when it's embedded in their heart.
* Exclusive item( can not be added to inventory)
User: Sigmund.]
'I wonder if...let's try it...'
Grid remembered reading about it in the lists of rewards for being the first myth of the current world. However, after carefully reading the description, he realized the sword he would receive would only be a reproduction of the original made by Hexetia. On the other hand, the sword in his hands right now was the genuine 'Balmung'. Grid checked his skills list and verified that his skills are still there, although he wasn't in his body anymore, it seemed like the assimilation didn't remove his skills.
''Pagma eyes.''
''AHHHHHHHHHH''
Grid felt great pain in his eyes, it was reminiscent of the time when he used appraisal on Chiyou's box...No, it was much greater pain this time.
[Warning: Pagma's eyes' status is too low to inspect 'Balmung', recoil will occur]
[Warning: You do not understand the ??? of ??? and it's a concept related to ???]
[Warning: the ??? inside the ??? has reacted and it will ???]
[You lack the necessary knowledge and enlightenment to understand the item]
'What the hell is that shit...'
Grid's pain started subsiding, however, despite it only lasting 3 seconds, it felt like an eternity.
''Open potential , pagma eyes.''
[Pagma eyes-Baal's contractor's version have evolved to Hexetia's eyes]
''Hexetia's eyes''
Once again, pain crawled to Grid's eyes, it was as though nothing changed, however, a single thing did.
[Warning: Hexetia's eyes status are too low to inspect 'Balmung', recoil will occur]
[Warning: You do not understand the ??? of ??? and it's a concept related to 'Chaos']
[Warning: the 'Will' inside the ??? has reacted and it will 'Restore']
[You lack the necessary knowledge and enlightenment to fully understand the item]
''Ughhhh, it fucking hurts!''
'But it worked...maybe...'
''Divinity, open potential, Hexetia's eyes.''
[Hexetia's eyes have evolved to Eyes of genesis]
''Eyes of genesis.''
[Warning: you have partially inspected 'Balmung', but your understanding is insufficient, recoil will occur]
[Warning: You do not understand the 'Core' of the 'Aether' and it's a concept related to 'Chaos']
[Warning: the 'Will' inside the 'Aether' has reacted and it will 'Restore']
[You lack the necessary knowledge and enlightenment to fully understand the item]
[You have acquired a blueprint of Balmung(degraded)]
''Oh! let's go one last time!''
''Divinity.Open potential. Eyes of genesis.''
[Warning: Using open potential on Eyes of genesis may lead to Dangerous levels of pain, will you proceed?]
'You tell me that now...?'
''Yes.''
[Eyes of genesis have evolved to 'Clairvoyance']
[warning! 'Clairvoyance' is a skill that greatly surpasses your initial status!]
''Ugh, whatever. Clairvoyance.''
[you have Witnessed the true nature of 'Balmung', but your Status has been forcefully increased, The world is trying to restore your status, recoil will occur!]
[Warning: You Have understood the 'Core' of the 'Aether'.]
[You have partially understood and witnessed 'Chaos']
[A new realm of possibilities has been added to 'Beyond', but is currently sealed due to your low understanding and status.]
[Warning: the 'Will' inside the 'Aether' has reacted and it will 'Restore']
[Warning: the 'Will' inside the 'Aether' is unable to 'Restore'!]
[You have acquired a blueprint of Balmung(???)]
[You have broken the balance of the world by trying to forcefully ascend]
[Penalties will be delivered.]
[Your status will drop significantly.]
[The Hero King effect activates due to detecting malicious intent.]
[You have resisted]
[Your level will drop to 1]
[You have resisted]
[Your stats will drop by 90%]
[You have resi...]
[System error 9453]
[Penalties can not be delivered]
[Pain equivalent to the penalties will be delivered instead.]
[Warning: the Pain will not stop until Dangerous situations are detected.]
[Absolute pain will be delivered...]
[All pain resistance will be nullified]
[Good luck.]
''huh?wa...AHHHHHHH''
Grid's screams echoed everywhere, the pain he was receiving was the maximum amount the system could deliver such as dangerous consequences won't occur after the pain. However the pain was still intense, and Grid couldn't even think clearly.
''FUCK AHMFG FUCK AHHH FUCKKK FUCKFCUKF...''
Grid words started resembling animal noises as he couldn't utter clear words due to the pain.
*******************************************************************
In another part of the continent, corpses could be seen everywhere, it was the eastern border of the empire. Hundreds of knights boldly fought against the great demons that had appeared throughout the continent, however, the strength of a single-digit great demon rendered all their struggles pointless.
''Soul burn''
It was the appearance of the most powerful curse which only single-digit Great demons could cast. Screams echoed through the battlefield, thousands of soldiers' bodies started to burn due to the curse. It was a power that transcended the realm of magic, the strongest form of soul burn used by the 4th Great demon, Gamigin, who was known for his absolute authority over souls.
''Meteor.''
It was the last resort of Braham who had arrived at the scene a few hours ago and had the duty of stopping Gamigin's advance. However, despite his Transcendent power and having surpassed his prime by leaps and bounds, he was still too weak to face such an opponent alone. A huge flaming meteor appeared in the sky and headed towards Gamigin's location.
''Ho? Beriache's offspring is still holding up, how curious HAHAHA.''
Gamigin enjoyed witnessing the suffering of those who fought him, although he could have probably killed all those who stood in his way currently, he didn't. Seeing their tears and intense pain brought a greater pleasure to him, and that pleasure was only greater when it was about his old rival's son.
'I can't fall here... If I do, the empire and the kingdom are done for...'
Braham resisted the pain that was crawling through his body and kept fighting against the odds, It was to protect whatever is left from his dear friend's work. 'Grid', it was the name of the person who gave Braham hope again. The name of the person whose words warmed his heart. The name of the person who carried the weight of his predecessor's sins and tried to erase them.
Suddenly Braham's heart started to ache, it was a pain that didn't come from his body but from his soul. A pain that wasn't physical but emotional. To Grid, this feeling was represented by but a few words:
[Braham can share your emotions through your unbreakable bond]
[Braham's tears are falling]
However to Braham, it was unbearable pain, He shared the sense of loss that his dearest friend had experienced. Braham's tears fell as he couldn't bear the weight of his body anymore.
''You gave up already? How disappointing, I expected too much from Beriache's Descendants.''
Gamigin raised his index finger and pointed at Braham, Mana gathered at the end of his fingered as he mumbled.
''Soul Bu...''
''Bloody carnival''
However a voice suddenly interrupted Gamigin, To others, it seemed as if it was a siren's voice; however, to great demons, it was a voice that caused an incomparable fear sealed inside them to return.
''Beriache??!! How? No...where??''
It was the voice of the former third Great demon, Shizo Beriache, one of the 3 Great monarchs of Hell. If the difference between the 10th and 9th great demon was comparable to that between the 2 continents, then that between the 3rd and 4th great demon was no less than that between Hell and Asgard. Gamigin's body started trembling for the first time since he arrived on the battlefield.
''You are an eyesore, what are you doing, struggling against a bug?''
The voice was talking to Braham, however, it didn't contain mockery but rather disappointment. It was the arrival of none other than the vampire duchess, Marie rose.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone