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***
"We're here." Nova said to Tenma, "I need you to know that I won't be able to help you in there other than guiding you and helping you navigate. The monsters you will face will be entirely your own trial. Don't get complacent or let your guard down. If you die in there, no one will be able to take out your body."
He said the same ominous thing he told Galadriel the first time.
Tenma gulped, her earlier bravado absent but the fire in her eyes still burning.
"What's wrong?"
"Y-You see… I'm excited to go in there but if I put my life on the line for power that won't matter in two decades… The accomplishment I'd feel won't be as satisfactory as I'd always hoped…"
"? What do you mean?"
Alice knew what it meant but she just watched from the side.
"…A spirit is feeding off all the internal Ki I absorb and is a detriment to my potential as a martial artist…" a shadow coming over her face, she dropped her arms, "…There's a pit in my stomach at this moment even though I know I should be happy and grateful…"
"A spirit is sealed inside you? How is that possible? I thought only weapons can become vessels for spirits."
Tenma began explaining what the spirit was and how it stirred fear in the old era of Murim that ended roughly two thousand years ago.
It lived in a separate era than the evil spirit sealed in Fire Lily and is much younger if you consider the difference age between the ages they lived in but the fear it struck in the top martial art masters was not inferior in the slightest.
She also explained how the patriarchs of every generation learned a sealing technique to seal the spirit in a newborn, due to the absence of impurities in newborns, to seal the spirit. But the more impurities accumulated, the more they attach to the spirit itself, making it impossible to get rid of impurities the moment the hosts reach a certain age.
That's why newborns are the best vessels for this spirit.
"If they used a sealing technique, I think I know what it is." Nova said as he began to take off his shirt?
"Take off your shirt, Tenma."
"Pardon…?"
"?" confusion on his face due to her reaction, he said simply, "Take off your shirt and I'll remove the spirit."
"EHHHHH!?"
Her yell shook the forest, as if she heard the most absurd thing in the world.
"W-What are you saying so casually!? I didn't know Guild Master was such a pervert! A-Are you taking advantage of me!?"
"???"
'So that's why he said that!' Alice immediately understood why he brought up such a strange thing. It's something only he can do now. That said, explaining it to Tenma would be a bit difficult…
"This is a misunderstanding. I can have my martial spirit kill the spirit sealed inside you by making it go into my body."
"…What?"
"Since I have Aether, I should be able to withstand the backlash from taking the spirit inside my body—"
"IS THAT TRUE!? Y-You can help me!?" Tenma's eyes widened.
Shielding his ears with his hands, Nova continued, "Why are you so shocked? Equilibrium in mind and body is capable of this."
Gaining complete understanding of one's mind means being capable of perceiving and interacting with the spirit world using their martial spirit. This is one of the abilities of a martial spirit, the highest tier of spirits in existence, besting even Spirit Monarchs.
This isn't the same as entering the Spirit Realm, which only Lian is capable of. A spirit world is its own thing—it exists in the mind of Equilibrium itself. It's also where the martial spirit resides, protecting its host from corruption.
Arnold is essentially thinking of trapping the spirit inside his spirit world so that his martial spirit can kill it.
"I-I've lived with this spirit for nineteen years and have accepted my fate but now you're telling me all I needed to do was find you!? How was it this easy!?"
It made sense that Arnold would be able to do this, thought Alice.
The martial spirit is capable of fighting spirits in the spirit dimension, where no physical objects or humans can reach. It would be like two ghosts or souls fighting for dominance (like how Oriel is fighting the dragon lord inside Arnold's body to gain dominance).
"B-But even if you know a method, the spirit inside me is really strong!" Tenma didn't immediately celebrate, knowing exactly how dangerous the spirit was.
It was once feared throughout the era of Murim, after all. If not for the patriarchs of the three Murim factions—Justice, Unorthodox, and Demonic sects—sealing the spirit, it would've brought more chaos to the world.
If it's unleashed into this world, it will spread that chaos the moment it feels the fresh air.
She shook her head, knowing that she had to see if he's right about what he said.
"Please help me! If I can be rid of this thing, I can finally work towards the goal I abandoned when I found out I will only live 40 years! It interferes with my cultivation and my uncle said it feeds on the natural internal energy I've gathered throughout the years, making cultivation useless!"
'So that's the reason Tenma ended up as the weakest member of the Hero Party in the endgame arcs…' thought Alice.
Were it not for the evil spirit, she'd have become one of the strongest martial artists in this world, even surpassing the patriarchs of the various martial sects spread throughout the world.
Even her father.
'But…' Alice remembered something—a single route in the game, 'Tenma does end up becoming strong enough to pose a threat to Arnold. How did that happen?'
A premonition settled deep inside her.
'There's no way Tenma Dragneud—of the Righteous Justice Faction—would resort to Demonic Arts, right…?'
That's the only explanation she could find for her unnatural growth. Demonic Arts always have a price for making an individual strong.
'Anything is possible if faced with desperation…'
Tenma was barely in her 20s when she resorted to Demonic Arts… She probably thought she could fight the spirit somehow and regain her freedom and live until old age.
Such a sad existence…
Tenma fell to her knees, forehead against the ground.
"I will serve you for a lifetime, Guild Master! My loyalty will never find another and I will become your sword for eternity if I reach the realm of Immortal!"
One of the Heroes of Star Fantasy, meant to become one of the strongest martial artists in history and the future Matriarch of the Murim Martial Alliance, is bowing before one of the most dangerous villains in Star Fantasy.
"Your declaration of loyalty has been noted," Arnold leaned down and placed a hand on Tenma's shoulder, "Then once you ascend your limits, walk this journey as an Immortal with me, Tenma Dragneud."
**
Standing with her chest bare, even the tomboyish Tenma blushed and averted her eyes. Alice wasn't into women but even she couldn't deny Tenma's beauty.
Goosebumps rose on her bare chest as she awaited Nova's instruction.
He was currently doing strange hand gestures as Aether gathered around him. Slowly but surely, a spirit-like silhouette began to come out of him.
-"Why have you called for me, boy?" unlike what Alice was expecting, a martial spirit resembling a muscular old man came out.
· Gederick's Martial Spirit
'How did Arnold get that…?'
"Can you help me kill an evil spirit? If it's you, there's no spirit alive that can overpower you."
-"Ahem! Of course, no other spirit can harm this great me, hahaha!"
'Just as arrogant as Gederick, I see…'
-"Hmm… That girl is giving off strong malicious Ki. Girl, who was the first patriarch of your family?"
The spirit asked the bewildered Tenma.
"T-Terrak Dragneud, of the Orthodox Justice Faction…"
-"Terrak!? That arrogant little bastard who challenged me 1000 years ago!?" It seems Gederick knows this Terrak fellow, "Guh, no matter how many times I beat it into that fool of a youngster, he kept coming back, saying he'll take the title of God of War from me. To think he survived long enough to have offspring! I did not expect such a fool to do so."
Deep in thought, he went silent, "I do recall him being severely weakened during our last fight, and with the same malicious Ki coming from you. I never saw the fool again after that, so he must've died from some kind of injury the spirit inflicted upon him. Host, do you realize how dangerous it is for you to want to save this girl? You may have acquired Equilibrium, but there's a possibility what you'll do will shatter your meridians and dantians. Your life as an Aether user and martial artist will be over and I will return to my original Host."
"Guild Master…" hearing this could endanger him too, Tenma looked at him worriedly.
"It's alright, Tenma. If your leader doesn't go through extreme lengths to protect you, then I'm no leader at all." he said as he took off his coat and shirt.
Alice stared at him for a moment without blinking, her mouth opening as if she wanted to say something.
But instead of speaking, she recalled a distant memory from the past.
-' ---- why do you… put yourself in danger like that!? You could've lost your entire character had Bardolt not stepped in to help us defeat that calamity!'
-'If I can't stand in the frontlines as a leader to protect you all, then I am no leader at all. You and I have been together since our solo days so you should know as much as anyone how precious you are to me, ----.'
The reaction of that man was still so vivid in her mind. She didn't just say that just to steel their trust in her.
She said it because she meant it. She took risks even in real life, even to ensure the only family she had left didn't end up on the street. That girl lost everything and only had her to rely on.
Did her wanting to be a reliable guardian in real life had transferred over to her days as a guild master? Or was it the opposite?
…
Alice's heart beat so fast that she couldn't bear it.
She had been alone all this time, not knowing if the responsibilities she wants to take would bring about her downfall or if she had the courage to face it at all.
Yet here this mysterious individual was, upholding the responsibility a leader must uphold to
If she could find him maybe she'd have someone to share her burdens with, but…
She envisioned something—Arnold unsheathed his sword and striking her down after finding out she's a player.
It's just… a vision. Arnold isn't evil. He's even risking his own life for a Named Character.
She wanted to rely on him… She wanted to seek his guidance… She wants to cry her eyes out, begging him to help her with her burdens… And yet… she's still doubting him and his true self...
'…I'll tell him soon… That I'm… a player.'
How will she deal with the consequences if he's a "Player Killer"? Someone as strong as him could snap her like a twig since she doesn't have her true strength yet.
She doesn't care anymore. Wouldn't this test her own resolve as a leader?
**
Tenma stared at Nova's face as he spoke to the martial spirit about the method he's going to use. She had heard the most absurd thing ever—no, it was the words every subordinate probably wanted to hear, how a strong leader will protect his flock if they remain loyal to him.
At first, she only thought about saving money for a house and enough to last her a few decades so she didn't care who she joined up with.
But now that she's met Nova… she doesn't want to follow anyone else.
He's handsome, smart, resourceful, a great leader, and most of all, powerful. Was there a more perfect man out there for her…?
No, she's foolish to think he would want her. He probably has several women in his private life. He's even wooed their vice guild master.
A man as perfect as him deserves a harem and much more.
Seeing his muscular chest, glistening from the sweat he had accumulated throughout the morning, two places inside her began to feel warm—one beating faster and the other getting wet.
Tenma was so glad no one could read her mind at that moment. Despite being 19, she sounds like a little girl who has no idea what love is.
After finishing the explanation, a certain window popped up in Arnold's view.
· Possible [Death Flag] has been eliminated!
· Hidden Quest: "Pure Fist Blossom Tenma Dragneud" has been started
· Rewards: Loyalty of a Named Character, System A.I Skill Tree, 250% buff when fighting alongside Tenma Dragneud (lasts 72 hours and activates when in battle), increase the level of the System's A.I Skill Tree
- Note: An increase in the A.I Skill Tree level means Player Arnold is now capable of allocating how much percentage of Player Arnold's power a clone can use. In addition, the A.I system can now study the martial arts and techniques of others to use as a virtual avatar training guide.
Outside the view of the two women, he smirked to himself.
…
"Are you ready?" Nova, holding Tenma close with her breasts deformed on his chest, asked.
Face as red as a tomato, she nodded.
The reason for this close proximity is because the two need to be close in order to force the spirit out. This sealing technique is typically done on pregnant women, with their babies still inside them.
This close proximity is needed to trick the spirit into thinking it's being released, mistaking the new vessel for a gateway to the real world.
In order to take out the spirit, Arnold had to trick the spirit so that it can go inside his body.
Though he's confident that Gederick's martial spirit is stronger, that spirit is also something that struck fear across the entire world so this won't be easy. But there's no need to worry about the dangers.
"This will be an easy process and will be over in a blink of an eye so don't worry." He reassured her.
Naturally, even his words calmed her.
Yes, just trust in this reliable leader.
The man who won her trust… and something else… without trying.
A great man.
"You ready, Gederick?"
-"Humph."
"…I'll take that as a yes." Arnold then infused Aether into his fingertips, holding it above her forehead, "Tenma, you'll need to be asleep so that it can't take hold of your subconscious—that would be the worst outcome. When you wake up, let's challenge the trial dungeon."
"Yes, Lord Nova!" she flashed a bright smile at the same person she was meant to kill in one of the routes in the game.
**
Just as he said, nothing eventful happened, but there was a change—
Tenma felt none of the restrictions she did back when she still had the spirit. There were no more interferences to her energy flow, cultivation, or martial arts.
While she didn't undergo an awakening yet, she felt the best she had ever felt in her life, as if chains were removed from her limbs and neck.
Now she could live a long life as a martial artist and grow old, watching her children grow into adults.
Of course, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts is also not out of reach now. While she wanted to go into isolation training in earnest, she needed to help her guild master first in anything she can.
He's the one who opened this new path for her, after all.
When Tenma returned, she told everyone about her class evolution:
Ki Sovereign
-Harnessing life force, aura, and spirit more efficiently than any other class.
Signature techniques:
Project Ki as blades, shields, or chains.
Drain enemy stamina/life force on hit to restore user's own stamina and energy
"Aura Transformation" — enter different forms (e.g., Iron Body, Lightning Form, Phantom Form).
Circulating Ki improves healing during combat.
With this new path carved for her, she'll aim for the pinnacle of martial arts as she brims with her newfound motivation.