In addition to liberating a Soul Trait for Kieran, the Arcane One even provided a convenient passage back to Xenith's main realm. Furthermore, based on the Arcane One's claims, the exit point of this new portal should be closer to the Wildes. While he didn't recommend that Kieran travel there so early on, the Arcane One understood he couldn't influence Kieran's decision.
Since that remained true, the Arcane One felt he could at least assist the young boy in avoiding any unnecessary dangers. A bridge of arcane energy formed, giving Kieran a pathway to the portal. After all, there was truly nowhere else for him to step. He was previously suspended by the mystical properties the Arcane One created. However, it was difficult to uphold those properties now that his reserves were practically tapped out.
However, right before stepping onto the bridge, Kieran turned towards the Arcane One once more. "How strong were your followers before they betrayed you?"
"My followers? All of them were on par with Awakened Beings. However, you needn't worry. They all suffered soul injuries from my Akashic Seal. Soul wounds are unlike bodily wounds; they take a tremendous amount of time to heal. And, when they do heal, there's no guarantee they will return to their former height. Still, I estimate they'd at least returned to being on par with First Phasers," the Arcane One said after carefully considering the extent of their injuries.
Although Kieran didn't say much after, he nodded thankfully. This comment gave him a general idea of when it would be time to activate the Dormant Arcane Symbol. 'Thank the heavens there's no time limit,' Kieran thought while releasing an inward sigh of relief.
A moment later, he stepped upon the bridge of resplendent lights and walked towards the portal's entrance. While doing so, he understood that while his stats didn't reveal any changes, awakening a Soul Trait meant both his Control and Perception would soon be affected. Moreover, it would be a pleasing adaptation.
'The benefits of entering the game upon launch are simply boundless! I imagine others came across this opportunity far before I arrived. There was never any talk regarding a World Quest being distributed in the Wildes's periphery. Then again, if it was that unruly fellow, he wasn't the type to reveal anything that could benefit others,' Kieran mused.
It didn't take long for him to reach the end of the bridge. As he stepped through, Kieran spared the Arcane One another brief glance before quickly vanishing into the portal. Once his presence disappeared, the Arcane One waved his hand and looked at the space that once contained the portal.
"If it is that boy… I wonder if he can find an individual worthy enough to accept my legacy. I'm sure that old man won't take kindly to me trying to mingle with his potential successor. Still, I can't allow my name and practice to completely fade from the annals of history. Bah, whatever… I'll just patiently await his signal by placing my remaining lifeforce on a reduced cycle," the Arcane One grumbled.
He dropped his hood to reveal a handsome expression. However, the strangest thing about his appearance was his eyes. They held no irises; they were completely white like the purest snow. Furthermore, there was a vertical slit spanning across his forehead.
Contrary to what one would expect, this man didn't seem elderly. At most, with his head full of long indigo hair, he seemed like a middle-aged man with a thin stature. Evidently, he walked the path of some type of magician specializing in soul practices.
…
Whoosh!
The other side of the portal opened a few meters in the air back in Xenith's main realm, from which Kieran dropped out, landing heavily on his feet. Just as the Arcane One claimed, he was now no more than 100 kilometers away from the Wildes' entrance.
Unknowingly, Kieran became giddy as he returned. If his current Soul Trait wasn't enough to gain the master's recognition, he wasn't sure what would. After all, this Vengeful Soul he carried represented at least 60% of the Berserk Path's modus operandi.
While it was predominantly focused on overwhelming whatever ordeals may plague their life, Berserkers were typically vengeful beings. Any damage they received at least had to be returned in kind or to a much greater degree! Failing to retaliate was unacceptable in the eyes of a True Berserker.
With this thought in mind, Kieran enthusiastically rushed toward the Wildes. Judging by his current pace, it should take him a little over an hour to reach his destination. Although he was excited, the closer Kieran came to the entrance, the more sluggish his movements became.
Furthermore, his Stamina exhausted rapidly. "Jesus Christ! It's absolute suicide for normal humans to come to this place," Kieran exclaimed in shock. In general, it took almost an hour to completely empty his Stamina bar now that it's significantly higher than when he was Lv.1.
Be that as it may, Kieran's Stamina presently drained at four times its previous rate. Kieran's only saving grace was that no monster inhabited the path between the Wildes and the main continents. All of the monsters gathered inside the Wildes and stayed. Whether or not this happened due to outside reasons was unknown.
But, one thing remained true—the main continents' environment and the Wildes were like two completely different worlds! Whereas the main continents were flushed with Mana, it would be difficult to find even the tiniest bit in the Wildes!
Hence, why Kieran's body felt laden with heaviness.
With the help of many breaks, Kieran eventually reached his destination approximately 3 hours later. But, to his surprise, there was no one awaiting his arrival. Initially, Kieran began to frown, but he soon stopped because quest alerts would appear if there were any changes in what was required of him.
Thus, Kieran waited patiently. He wasn't insane enough to step inside the dense and unsettling aura surrounding the Wildes, but he also didn't waver.
After waiting for a few moments, a crimson slit opened beside Kieran. At first, it was the size of a zip-tie, but it abruptly expanded to over 4 meters in length and was blasted open by a ferocious presence. A man with reddish-black hair thrown wildly about his shoulders and back emerged from inside the portal.
This hair stretched well past his waist as piercing crimson eyes fell upon Kieran. While his appearance was unhinged, Kieran couldn't deny the fact that this individual stood at the epitome of everything Kieran had seen thus far—whether it be presence, ability, or appearance.
Immediately, Kieran felt an indomitable pressure crush his body, threatening to push him to the ground. This wasn't an intended attack; it was simply how brutal and powerful this newcomer's presence was.
Although Kieran felt some distaste towards this individual's actions, he didn't voice them. Rather, he couldn't. Trying to speak became extremely difficult to accomplish.
"Are you the runt that my little twerp sent?"
Following this question, the pressure surrounding this new presence was reigned in. For a moment, their expression lit up as the overwhelming fellow smelled a few alluring scents coming from Kieran, or rather his soul.
"That would be me," Kieran nodded while releasing a relieved sigh.
〈System: Meet with the original wielder. 1/1 (COMPLETE!)〉
"Mmn… Passable strength. A Soul Trait befitting our purpose and Scar's praise, if you could even call it that. Come with me."
"Into the Wildes, right?"
"Obviously? Where else would I be taking you? Would you rather I take you to the bathroom in case you feel like ridding yourself of your bodily fluids? If so, allow me to burst your bubble—you'll need to travel tens of thousands of kilometers to even find an establishment.
"Didn't… you just perform Spatial Movement? And from what I saw, it was a cakewalk for you," Kieran countered.
"Heh, a knowledgeable little fellow, ain'tcha?"
"Besides, I can't enter the Wildes with my current body. I'll quite literally die from the deathly energies," Kieran reminded.
As a result, the opposing side's lip turned up. "I forgot how weak we humans can be in the beginning. Whatever."
Whoosh!
A gust of crimson wind surrounded Kieran's body, soon turning into a bleeding tempest. As it swirled around Kieran's body, a liquid resembling blood attached to his body at odd points. Those points ultimately formed a kind of diagram that seemingly vanished into thin air a moment later.
〈System: You have gained «Agrianos' Protection» through the «Ancient Crimson Aegis»!〉
〈System: Until the Ancient Crimson Aegis dissipates, you will be immune to all environmental damage.〉
'An Aegis?' Kieran murmured. 'Isn't this something like a faux Constitution? And he imparted one so effortlessly? Also, Agrianos, was it? Is that the name of Scar's master?'
Agrianos gave Kieran a sidelong glare while subtly shaking his head. "Right now, you have my protection. If I hear any more complaints, I'll strip it away and let you immediately test your luck with the Wildes. Is that understood?"
"Completely."
"Follow me," Agriaos ordered. He stepped inside the Wildes without turning back. He expected Kieran to at least have this level of bravery. Besides, he didn't need his eyes to understand the events occurring around him.
Meanwhile, Kieran focused more on the notifications that appeared after stepping foot across the border.
〈System: You have entered the «Wildes, Home of the Maddened»!〉
〈System: You are the first to enter the forbidden land!〉
〈System: Error! Rewards will be withheld until you reach a sufficient level. This unnatural visit won't be counted.〉
'Oh? I suppose relying upon Agrianos' Protection would be too game-breaking to receive rewards meant for much stronger players. Meh, I wasn't looking for a reward either way,' Kieran shrugged.
Agrianos walked forward aimlessly, occasionally shifting his eyes about. Although he had a purpose for moving the way he did, he also began his evaluation of Kieran. Additionally, Agrianos held his open hand before his body as he walked.
A crimson spark soon turned into a raging flame as an enormous greatsword appeared before him. Space seemed to contort in fear as this weapon was summoned. The immense sword was predominantly silver with an abyss black edge sharpened to an absurd level.
Furthermore, exquisite crimson markings capable of inciting rage in anyone who laid eyes upon it graced its side along with a gem in the form of what appeared to be a dragon or demon's eye.
Whoever forged this weapon understood the makings of a matchless weapon!
