Chapter 768: Abyssal Frost Falchion (II)
After receiving a nod from the Scarlet King, the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar sent the treasures he had toward the Samsara Flame without hesitation, including the Soul Flag and, finally, the corpse of the Chimera King.
Cain focused on the amount of Fortune obtained from the corpse of the Chimera King, as he wanted to know the difference between giving a treasure with a soul and one without to the Samsara Flame.
Compared to the Unbreakable King that the Collapsing Lightning Duke sacrificed to the Samsara Flame, the Chimera King produced half the Fortune. That meant that a sacrifice without a soul was 50% less valuable.
Luckily for the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar, the sacrifice of the Soul Flag generated a massive amount of Fortune, showing just how much the Samsara Flame liked to consume evil things.
After all the sacrifices, the amount of Fortune that the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar obtained was slightly less than what the Collapsing Lightning Duke received his first time.
Next came the most meaningful part, as the Fortune was divided into two streams. One contained around 65% of the Fortune and transformed into a sword that gleamed with an otherworldly light. Its surface was etched with intricate runes that pulsed with a soft, eerie glow.
At the center of the sword was a prominent clock-like symbol containing a dark gray star that irradiated an immense amount of energy. The blade was adorned with elaborate details, swirling patterns, and embedded gems or orbs that seemed to hold celestial bodies, emanating an eerie and cold aura.
The pupil in Cain's Space-Time Eye narrowed as he focused on the sword. He could see that the nature of the white aura it unleashed was connected to the power of time, more specifically, the ability to freeze the particles that form matter in the main plane of existence, essentially freezing time.
However, before Cain or the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar could understand the sword's nature, what remained of the Fortune transformed into two beams. The one containing 99% of the Merit flashed toward the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar, while Cain obtained the other.
Immediately, a wave of pain coursed through every nerve of the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar, and he felt it nowhere else more clearly than on his hand as a rune began to form. He clenched his teeth and endured until all of the Merit had transformed into a pentagram-like rune on the back of his hand.
Cain's eyes narrowed as he saw that no voice came from the Samsara Flame. However, as he focused on the rune in the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar's hand, he saw that it was not fully completed yet. It was close but still lacked a bit.
That made sense, considering the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar obtained less Fortune than the Collapsing Lightning Duke. Yet, his Gift consumed more of the bright purple energy, leaving less for Merit.
"You are still a little short of completing the Tier I Rebirth Mark, but do not worry; you can obtain more Merit by fighting in the Death Forest. Engrave your Ego Wave in your Gift."