The approaching illusions were a mixture of solidified light and shadows, bending the basic elements of Plato's belief in order to make it seem like the manipulation of reality itself. It was a profound use of such power.
Arthur felt the sudden urge to open his eyes creep up his spine. It was as if two orbs rested at his shoulders, attempting to persuade him to reveal his eyeballs to the depth and profundity of Felix's Attainment.
'This is an Attainment…' Arthur felt sweat trickle down his forehead. It was as if he were being drowned by an unknown force. It did not directly weigh down on his shoulders but instead attempted to coax him.
Not through force, but through the sweetness of the abyss.
Arthur felt an invigorating force coursing through his veins, while the urge to unfurl his wings and soar into the sky arose in his chest. Once he opened his eyes, it was almost guaranteed that he would be enchanted by the Attainment.
Attainments weren't something a player who hadn't even reached the tenth floor could resist.
'But they can be diluted,' Arthur muttered internally, releasing a rather minuscule burst of Sun Energy. His index finger shone with a vibrant hue, following the rapid combustion of his entire palm.
Arthur extended the palm, allowing webs of Sun Energy to emerge from a cluster condensed in the center. His body was dyed in a heavenly light, after which the Sun Energy formed a barrier around his body.
The barrier was not rigid, but neither was it malleable.
It was indestructible, yet it didn't obstruct the approach of Felix's Attainment.
Instead, it infused Sun Energy into the Attainment of Luminous Constructs, reducing its intensity by drowning it within Arthur's own source of energy. The crimson-eyed man was literally diluting a power comparable to the heavens.
Felix raised an eyebrow, sensing the rapid changes in Arthur's body. His body settled into a position of comfort, and despite how much the Saint Sealing Devil increased the intensity of his Attainment, only a tiny change was noticeable.
'How is he… The Blessing of the Sun,' Felix muttered internally. 'Why didn't I notice this before…'
'But how? He's barely an adult. How has he already comprehended the Sun to such an extent, growing so powerful as to dilute the effects of an Attainment? The intensity of my attack is quite low, but still…'
'He should be blown to smithereens with this level of power. I didn't expect to use so much.'
After a few minutes of stagnancy, Felix retracted his Attainment. His eyes–laced with immense wisdom–pierced Arthur's body, peeking into his soul. Yet, as if a veil was draped over his eyes, he was unable to sense anything.
"Name your terms."
*
After the meeting with Felix, Arthur exited the room in satisfaction. The terms they discussed were well beyond his expectations and only assisted in his rapid growth. Now that he was officially "allied" to the Ganghan Guild, his movements would become unrestricted for the most part, unless he was directly opposing the power of a high-ranking clan.
"Art–Young Master Arthur…" A man hugged by navy attire suddenly spoke in a stiff stone, straightening his spine before bowing in greeting. Arthur's status was not ordinary anymore, and the members of the Ganghan Guild were forced to respect him.
None of them liked it, but there wasn't a choice.
"Prepare rations for one person for a week," Arthur ordered, plopping down on a nearby couch as he massaged his temples. The sensation of Felix's Attainment was still vivid in his mind, and it only displayed his powerlessness. Although Sun Energy could dilute another Attainment to a certain extent, it would succumb to its full power.
A Blessing could never resist an Attainment.
'I still to go faster… faster… faster…' Arthur repeated the phrase in his mind. Anything and everything he did was too slow. As he was currently, a single Elite Ranker, even the weakest one, could wipe the floor with him.
A single move from an Elite Ranker would utterly rip Arthur's body to shreds.
The guard dressed in navy clothing nodded, rushing towards an unknown room in order to prepare rations. He was unaware of Arthur's purpose for ordering something like this, but he was in no position to inquire.
Within minutes, the members of the Ganghan Guild had arranged rations that could last a single person over a week. Arthur accepted the rations, thanking the members of the guild before telling them to notify Felix of his departure.
"Where are you going?"
"The ninth floor. Just tell him not to try to find me."
The members of the Guild glanced at each other, confused. Could the Young Master refer to the Saint Sealing Devil so frivolously? Were they friends?
"Yes."
*
After a long, arduous trip through the vacant streets of the ninth floor's dark side, Arthur finally arrived at a certain house. The house was utterly demolished, with fragments of burnt wood placed in all directions.
Within the house, there was only a single door, behind which a cement wall restricted access. Arthur approached the door, pulling it open. The narrow pathway was engulfed by an eternal abyss.
Arthur glanced at Skofnung. "Well, I'll find a good use for you down there."
[The Demonic Blade 'Skofnung' mocks its user, complaining that it is not in good hands.]
[The Demonic Blade 'Skofnung' demands you abandon it.]
[The Demonic Blade 'Skofnung' demands you pass it on to the 'Saint Sealing Devil', as its capabilities will be drawn to its full extent.]
'Shut up,' Arthur replied, furrowing his brows as he threatened to smash the sword on the cold, hard floor. Skofnung shivered at the thought, fearing its smooth blade would receive scratches. 'That's more like it.'
Without much thought, Arthur delved into the eternal abyss, climbing down the stairs into an underground passageway.
The Ninth Floor was not only a slave market but was also full of such hidden benefits.
This was only one of them, but Arthur did not plan on attempting to snatch others, as they were not too useful.
This one, on the other hand…
