Aurora Scroll

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Viers had finished his seclusion. The beacon that attracted the void beasts had ceased. Right now, Dia was moving the Biome closer to surface depths. Thinking in submarine terms, the surface was the material world and right now they were too deep undersea.

The cleanup battle against the already gathered monsters took some time, but Viers didn't mind. He took it as an opportunity to flex his muscle and got used to his raised power, speed, everything.

When the crisis was over, Clarissa stopped by and gave him a stare like he was an unknown alien.

“You’re a freak.”

“Now that’s an unkind thing to say,” Viers smiled. “But I’ll think you mean it positively, so thanks.”

“Not even Level 5 but you are already able to exert such strength. That’s freaky,” Clarissa scanned him from head to toe with her own Euryale Sight Arte. Viers learned that Arte from her, after all. Once she was done, she did it again.

Level 4 peak. That was Viers’ current cultivation. He jumped two small realms from mid to high to peak.

“I thought you were going all the way to 5 with all those preparations.”

“At first, I thought so too,” Viers looked at his hand as he clenched and unclenched it. “But I refrain for now. It is too soon. My body and mind cultivation couldn't bear it. Body might after my three years of self-harm, but mind? Risky. So I stopped at 4 peak for now and improve in other area. One that is not less important.”

“Your soul,” Clarissa said.

“Mortal Soul, Grand Soul, then Hallow Soul. I burned almost all the human souls I had in stock to push myself to the Hallow stage.”

Clarissa’s soul cultivation was only at Mortal Soul. It already progressed quite far since she had the soul training via the Arcana cards, but she was still a distance away from Grand Soul.

“You just need Grand Soul to become Level 6 and there's nothing just about it. You went beyond. Seems excessive. I thought it was not possible in a mortal.”

“MCs in other Fables usually go for the trinity, body, mind and soul. It’s not my style. The other two I’ll raise as required but since I decided to focus on the soul part, I better be damn good at it.”

“Ah yes. Your Fables... I sometimes wonder if you switched your Serpentes Renovamen Profound Codex to it or something,” Clarissa rolled her eyes.

Viers was stuck at Grand Soul since three years ago. At Level 4 peak, he was able to grasp the next stage.

“The better the soul foundation, the stronger your soul Arte becomes. How much stronger is it now compared to before?”

“Hard to say,” Viers smiled. “I can only say I like it.”

Soul foundation was also beneficial for non-soul Pathseekers. Their control over Arte or what they could handle and many other little things were affected. Only those with soul affinity could make the most of it.

“Your water affinity, still sealed?”

“Let me check a sec... Yeah. Still a couple of years.”

“What you’re going to do?”

“I figure I can break the curse if I spend a hard month or two grinding the curse down. Apparently there’s a curse breaker item among my loot too. But I don't see the need. The time can be spent more productively, and the item will be invaluable for emergencies. My water affinity will be free on its own. If I need an alternative affinity besides soul, there’s Futon and Faiya. I can borrow theirs.”

“If that’s what you’ve decided. What are your plans now?”

“Why, finished forging and upgrading myself, of course. Until the Biome gets to shallower depths, we can't teleport out anyway. Now that I’m Level 4 peak, I can handle upgrades that I previously could not. Inheritances, items, and so on. Artes need polishing and monster forms need evolving. Of all the stockpiled upgrades that I couldn’t use before, a lot have become usable. My equipment can use an overall revamp too. I don't place too much importance on gear compared to skills, but there is a mountain of good stuff in my closet, it’s a waste not to use them. There’s so much to do!”

Viers said that with twinkling eyes. Clarissa was a bit amazed.

“Shouldn't you take a break? You haven't rest properly after all that healing.”

“Bah. If anything, I have too much energy. It’s the excitement of progress, my dear princess.”

“All right. You do you, Viers. I need a shower and a nap.”

“Thank you. Good night,” Viers waved the tired lamia a goodbye. She had done a great job guarding the last week.

After parting with his stalwart protector, Viers went to see Arsène, who should be doing inventory work.

“‘Sup,” the guy with the same face greeted him. “I separated the items into categories. The info is in my head. Peruse the database if you need more detail.”

“Appreciate it.”

The two shook hands, and Arsène dissolved into particles before getting absorbed into Viers.

“Now then,” Viers put his hands on his waist as he looked at the piles of items in front of him. Pukupukus were carrying things into the pile or taking them to storages like worker ants. “Let’s get to it.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Lucent fire eye, airheart, anti-light onion, lightning nerve tattoo, fish bone of Ferna, painting of a saint, spectral wings, jade cup of tranquility, lavablaze helmet, and many more. Spreading this to my comrades will give them a boost.

Viers wasn't sponsoring Paina and the others completely. He had done a lot for them, cultivation and other things too, and he sometimes set aside the things they needed so they could grow more smoothly and stronger.

Meanwhile, the benefits also flowed from the other side to him. Farley, Jessica, Boram, and the rest, the things that they got from their own adventures, flowed back to Viridis. Viers’ home base had grown substantially from its beginning, a wildlife haven for plants. Now it was a cultivation holy land and a powerhouse of economic revenue. It boasts a high amount of security and productivity. Not all of these were caused by Viers or Dia’s hands.

The Arcanum club contributed greatly to Viridis’ currently level of prosperity.

There’s lots of money too. Mana crystals by the crates, bank accounts, keys to secret storages, even hidden treasures? Heheheh. Some they hid for future successors or set up in trials. There are some who bury their valuables with the pirate mentality, so it will be safe if they got robbed, caught, or killed. Unfortunately, I’ll get them all. With soul searches, all their secrets will be as easy as reading a book. Hallow Soul will make my privacy-destroying skill even easier. Hm?

Viers’ katana, Umikirimaru, vibrated on its own.

This is new. Is someone calling, and the default mode is vibrate?

The sword jumped out of its sheath on its own and dived into a pile of loot of the water treasure category. It selectively slashed and stabbed some items, all high quality. The items then broke down, turned rusty or got reduced to ash.

After it was satisfied, the sword became inert again, stabbing itself down on the ground. Viers walked to it and grabbed it since it didn't go back on its own. As if what happened was some sort of imaginary poltergeist.

“Ooookaaay...”

Checking the single-edged sword, it had improved. The gleam on the blade, the cutting edge, the magic, everything. Previously, it could be categorized as a sword fitting for Level 4 peak. Now it was Level 5 grade.

Hmm. A growth weapon. Not bad, but why is it reacting now?

The sword from a foreign land that he received from Sakuya was an enchanted weapon. He knew, since he bound the sword to him using his soul and a drop of blood. He suspected the sword had a will of its own, because other people couldn't even unsheathe it. Then the earlier happened.

Yo. Enough snack to eat? I can get you more if you like.

As always, the answer was silence. Either the sword spirit didn’t want to answer or couldn't.

Guess it doesn't matter. Talking swords can be cool or annoying. I’ll just be happy with what I can get. Level 5 magic katana is pretty good. Next is...

The Inheritances.

From the Tower of Remorse, he got five Inheritances. The first was Blade Demon Vaan’s. It took the form of an exquisitely sharp blade. Within it, the man’s lifelong knowledge, attainments, Artes, and so on, were contained.

Viers would absorb this Inheritance because it suited him very much. He didn't do so before the breakthrough because he feared he wasn't strong enough to prevent himself from being overwritten or stained by the Level 5 peak’s legacy.

He was going to use Blade Demon Vaan’s skills to elevate himself, not becoming his second coming or knock-off.

Inheritance could only be made by Level 5 or above. While passing down skills and so on was possible by those in the lower level, they would only be inheritance, without the capital I. That was how it was in this world.

Speaking of Inheritance, I actually already got one from all the while back, from the Book World.

Sun Deity Inheritance, from Aravin. MC of the Book World. Although Anne the phoenix girl stole the spotlight, the MC factor was strong in Aravin. He was a harem MC.

Viers tutored a villain nemesis of Aravin, who became the Four Horsemen War, to contend with this MC. War died for his quest, but he didn't die for nothing.

Viers already got a lot from Aravin. His soul was long gone, after Viers had dried him out first. Clarissa’s pill alchemy that she studied, the manual came from him. Only two things from him in Viers’ possession that still hadn't been used.

One was Black Hell Datura Poison, a super nasty poison that was capable of poisoning an immortal to death. The spirit teacher loli girl from the Chinese-style land in Aravin’s head was infected by this. Arvin extracted it. A single drop of poison only, but it was still potent.

Two was Sun Deity Inheritance.

Viers didn't mess with the Inheritance since it was dangerous. IF he was correct, it was immortal-tier Inheritance, meaning Divinity. Well, the name had deity so it was pretty obvious but the power inside it was also obvious. So much so that Viers was reluctant to even poke around the Inheritance. Wrong poke, it would blow up. Perhaps nuclear tier.

The Inheritance took the shape of a golden blob, by the way.

The poison and the Inheritance, Viers thought if he was ever in a real pinch, he would use those two as a trump card. The poison for single target, the sun for self-destruct him and all around him too smithereens, a true taking-you-to-death-with-me.

I guess the Sun Deity Inheritance is better served by giving it to Clarissa. This might be a light affinity inheritance. Don't know if it’s suited for her fire affinity, but fire and sun are close enough. She’s a Level 5 now. She might be able to handle it. If Faiya can go with her and get some benefits, all the better.

Oooor... I can give it to Ciel. She is the Justice and a light affinity bearer of my club. But she already has the Divine Weapon. She might have fallen for me but her loyalty is also split with the Church. Hmmm... oh, well. If Clarissa can't get something useful from it, Ciel can get a turn. Although, I doubt it. My lamia princess and High Priestess is resourceful.

As for self-destruct, I can just substitute it with lots of explosives. Hell, even Arsène can self-destruct if it comes down to it. It’s a shame to let the thing gathering dust in the storage.

Viers stored the poison for now. He has a plan for this one. A gift for an immortal hunting him, if they ever met.

Wheeew. I guess I finally digested all of that MC’s worth, then? All done. Cleaned out... Wait, there’s still one more thing!

Viers rummaged through his inventory item casket, à la Doraemon. Too many things were inside.

“Ah ha!”

Boxes. Sealed tight to prevent decay.

These were Aravin.

Viers cut the young man into pieces like chicken meat and stored him in boxes. To prevent resurrections and the like. Aravin’s head he’d destroyed completely and not among these. It wasn't for desecrating the dead, but safety measures. Though, he didn't mind desecration, too.

These cut up parts were the remains of Aravin’s body. The last remains of an MC with world-changing, era-defining potential.

“Arte - Emergence of Reason!”

Two minutes later, a golden bead was extracted from the chopped up body.

Hmm... Compared to the luck girl’s this bead is lacking in luster and quality. Perhaps he has been dead for too long? Aravin is supposed to have True Yang Physique, whatever that means. I got high hopes but I guess that’s that.

Shame that Emergence of Reason don't work on mindless monsters. I’ve just got a bunch of void beasts. That many should be able to give Dia’s space affinity an upgrade. The Arte works only for sentient beings, since beasts just got instinct and not enough reason. It’s in the name.

Aravin’s bead couldn't be used for anything great but he could still chew it. It was like rare candy in Pokémon. It would give a small permanent boost to his cultivation. This was the beauty of the Arte Emergence of Reason.

By-bye Aravin. For real, this time.

Viers tossed the bead into his mouth.

It didn't taste like a corpse.