Chapter 391
Episode 391 – Integration
Flame Sword, Elton.
He was originally an assassin who wielded flames.
Even among the spirits, he possessed abilities specialized in close combat. However, after forming a connection with the Forest of Ordor and learning Spectral Form, Elton’s inherent attribute of flame became significantly obscured.
Spectral Form doesn’t pair well with the Flame Sword...
Unlike Spectral Form, which erases one’s presence, the Flame Sword releases energy, making it unsuitable for stealth, so there weren’t many opportunities to use it.
How has he changed...?
At 5-star rank, the Aura trait fully blossoms.
Just as Arthur had mastered enchantments freely upon reaching 5 stars, Elton must have undergone a major transformation as well.
Perhaps sensing Arthur’s expectant expression, Elton made a slightly unimpressed face.
“Tch, judging by your eyes, you’ve already figured it out, huh?”
“I guess I’ve got a good intuition.”
“These guys need a proper ritual. I clearly told them to keep it a secret.”
It was probably frustrating for the spirits who had kept the secret to the end, but Arthur didn’t feel the need to add anything.
Chatting casually with Elton, Arthur observed him closely.
It was clear that something had changed.
Previously, he gave off a sharp and dangerous aura, but now, Arthur couldn’t sense anything at all.
Ordinary.
Like a bald-headed man with a fierce face, he used to stand out no matter where he went. But now, Elton’s presence was so faint that he was no different from a passing pedestrian.
There could be nothing more terrifying for an assassin.
“A 5-star awakening—this is huge news for the Allied Forces.”
“It’s thanks to you.”
“My advice actually worked?”
“If I hadn’t gone to the Rift of the Spirit Realm, I’d still be stuck at 4 stars.”
“Was it really that significant?”
“For those who deal with spirit forms, yes.”
Elton nodded.
On Arthur’s recommendation, he had visited the Rift of the Spirit Realm, which had formed near the World Tree’s roots.
Inside the rift, the presence of spirit forms becomes nearly tangible. In the process of learning to control this presence, the individual receives an intense stimulation to their inner vessel.
Just like how Karl broke through to 5 stars, it seemed Elton had overcome the overwhelming spirit presence and shattered the 4-star barrier.
Now that Elton had succeeded, Arthur thought of the other spirits.
“Then the other spirits might benefit from the rift as well.”
Both Karl and Elton had broken through the 4-star wall thanks to the rift.
Could this mean the spirits now had a chance at 5-star awakening too?
However, Elton gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
Even Medeia, who had been listening nearby, reacted the same way, as if she knew something.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“Not right now.”
“Let’s walk a bit. I actually wanted to get your advice when I heard you were here.”
“Advice? What kind of advice?”
“It’s about the rift.”
The rift...?
Arthur tilted his head and followed Elton.The two walked briskly side by side down the avenue.
The closer they got to the World Tree, the fewer eyes were watching them. When the surroundings fell completely silent, Elton spoke in a low voice.
“The Rift of the Spirit Realm is now a restricted zone.”
“Restricted? All of a sudden?”
“Something happened. And that possibility you thought of—we already tried it. We even conducted experiments.”
After Elton reached 5 stars, not only spirits but also witches who dealt with spirit forms came to train at the Rift.
“But as the presence of the spirit forms exceeded expectations, people began to get consumed by them. No, most were consumed and couldn’t recover. The side effects were so severe that training within the rift has now been banned.”
“Are you saying something changed inside the rift?”
“Yes. A major change.”
“What kind of change?”
“A red vortex.”
Elton’s answer made Arthur immediately recall the red vortex—a phenomenon located at the center of the rift, known as a twisted passage connected to the Spirit Realm.
“The red vortex has grown.”
...What?
Arthur stopped walking and looked at Elton.
The red vortex had originally been small, about the size of a fist. He had heard it couldn’t significantly affect the real world. But now it had grown?
“No, to be precise, it’s still growing.”
Arthur’s expression hardened at Elton’s clarification that it was ongoing. Medeia, watching his reaction, asked cautiously,
“Do you think it could become a serious issue?”
“It can’t be a good sign.”
“As of now, the World Tree hasn’t shown any signs of abnormality.”
Judging by their responses, Elton and the Elder seemed concerned about the phenomenon but didn’t view it as an immediate threat.
But Arthur knew—He knew that forgotten Absolute Beings still existed beyond the Spirit Realm.
Every one of them was a threat.
And the red vortex was embedded at the heart of the Allied Forces—the World Tree.
Arthur’s unease only deepened.
“I need to go check it out immediately.”
Originally, he had planned to dine with his companions at the Elder’s house and discuss their plans.
He had come to check on Reto and coordinate with his allies around the World Tree, but that would have to wait.
“I’ll have to cancel dinner tonight.”
“Hmph, is it that serious?”
“I’ll contact you after I’ve assessed the rift. Could you also inform the others about this situation?”
“If it’s your request.”
Medeia nodded, exchanged a glance with Elton, and turned toward the garden.
With Medeia gone, Arthur approached the World Tree with Elton.
As they walked, Arthur asked,
“When did the vortex begin growing?”
“About a week ago. At first, it expanded so subtly that we didn’t notice.”
“But now it’s clearly visible?”
“It grows noticeably by the day. We tried to alert Aintrier immediately, but the space portal was down for a while, so we couldn’t send word right away.”
Arthur nodded solemnly. Soon, they arrived at a place where massive roots were tangled and embedded in the earth.
As Arthur was about to enter the rift through a gap between the roots, someone blocked his path.
“It’s been a while, Banri.”
Arthur greeted Banri warmly.
The cute shadow spirit, who looked just like Fenry, clung tightly to Arthur’s leg in welcome.
Apparently, Banri had been guarding the World Tree in Fenry’s absence.
Banri waved from the front and led Arthur inside. They quickly entered the rift. A narrow passage, surrounded by a hard shell, unfolded before them.
The Rift of the Spirit Realm lay at the base of the World Tree’s roots. Soon, the narrow path ended, revealing a clearing bathed in red light.
A massive clearing about 100 meters wide. At its center, a red vortex floated in midair, its presence palpable.
“Hmm...”
Arthur let out a low groan upon seeing the red vortex. Unlike the first time he had seen it, it had grown to the size of a full-grown adult.
Frowning, Elton muttered,
“It’s already gotten bigger.”
“Have you figured out why?”
“No. Even the Ortain couldn’t identify a clear cause.”
Arthur silently stared at the vortex dyed in the red of the Spirit Realm. A sticky, unfamiliar energy flowed out from the swirling currents.
It was the aura of the Spirit Realm.
The denser that aura became, the stronger the presence of spirit forms would grow.
Just as spirit forms naturally manifest within the Spirit Realm, the intensifying aura meant trouble.
“Arthur!”
As Arthur suddenly walked toward the vortex, Elton called out in alarm.
He knew the tremendous spirit form slumbering inside Arthur’s body.
Stepping into this situation now was far too dangerous.
But only for a moment—Elton’s mouth slowly fell open.
...What the...?
Arthur walked as casually as if he were taking a stroll. His expression was calm too. It seemed he was completely unaffected.
Hoo—
Standing before the red vortex, Arthur let out a long breath.
Uuuuung!
A twisted wind howled.
A sticky breath flowed over his body from within the vortex. After staring at the vortex for a while, Arthur slowly reached both hands inside.
Then he closed his eyes.
“Reto.”
As the sensations of the Spirit Realm tingled at his fingertips, Arthur called out.
One of the Absolute Beings.
He figured Reto might know something about this phenomenon.
[This alone isn’t enough to understand.]
“You can’t sense anything at all?”
[Only that something is happening on the inside. Try asking someone else. Someone who might know more precisely.]
“Who do you mean?”
If not Reto or the witches who birthed the World Tree, then who could possibly know?
[The Shadow King, Shery von Haus.]
“Ah...”
[He is also the World Tree’s shadow. If anyone has investigated this, it’s him.]
Reto’s reasoning was sound.
The problem was—Arthur had no idea how to meet the Shadow King.
To that, Reto gave a simple answer.
[A world without shadows does not exist.]
“What does that mean?”
[It means shadows are everywhere, and yet nowhere. The Shadow King cannot be met just because someone wants to. There is only one way to meet him...]
Suddenly—
Huh?!
Arthur’s vision turned black.
The red vortex began to vanish into darkness, and Elton’s urgent voice echoed faintly in the distance.
[When the Shadow King wills it.]
Total darkness engulfed Arthur’s sight. He quickly scanned his surroundings.
Pitch black.
He couldn’t see anything.
But he could feel it—Someone else had entered this space.
The overwhelming pressure he had felt when facing Makibeldor, the King of Greed.
Only one being here could produce a similar presence.
“Shadow King, Shery von Haus.”
—How arrogant. You dare speak my name so lightly.
“Is this your domain?”
But before he could say more—
….!
A crushing wave of murderous intent struck him like a physical blow.
The fear that he might die then and there washed over him.
Arthur curled up tightly, gritting his teeth.
Then, raising his head, he smiled fiercely through clenched teeth.
As he smiled, the oppressive pressure lifted as if it had never existed.
—You know too much, child. Be thankful the World Tree’s blessing has spared you.
Arthur had known he wouldn’t die. Reto had already given him the hint.
A being who can only be met when they wish to meet you...
That meant the Shadow King had a reason for seeking him.
And given the timing...Arthur had a strong hunch.
“If you give me information about the red vortex, I’ll deal with it.”
“If left alone, won’t the World Tree be endangered?”
The World Tree was the only vessel that allowed the Shadow King to remain in the real world.
If it disappeared, so would the Shadow King.
That was the fate of shadows.
Unless it involved the World Tree, the Shadow King wouldn’t have come to him now.
—You are indeed different from those foolish humans. I understand ‘his’ choice now.
“What...?”
Who was he speaking to?
As that cryptic sentence ended, the darkness began to fade.
And with it, the Shadow King shared his information.
—One of the forgotten beings has found the entrance and is toying with things from the inside. If left unchecked, the Rift will become a territory of the Spirit Realm.
“What happens if that occurs?”
—Then this place will receive visits from the forgotten.
—Tear the entrance apart. ‘You’ should know how. I’ll block what you’re afraid of.
With those final words, Shery von Haus vanished, and the darkness completely receded.
Arthur blinked—The red vortex was before him once again.
Reflected in his eyes, the glowing red entrance.
As he withdrew his hands from within it, Reto’s voice echoed in his mind.
[Prepare for Integration.]