“How much time do you think I spent in the trials?”
“Oh, no more than three or four hours,” Geon replied as Roy vaulted over a fallen tree.
“It felt like I was in there for days. How is that possible? And how can you tell?”
“I can’t begin to guess as to how the trials themselves function, but I think time runs differently there. As to how I can tell, I thought that would be pretty obvious. The Essence surrounding the Dungeon hasn’t diminished at all yet, meaning that no one has been there since I left.”
Roy felt like smacking himself in the head for missing that. He had to be more attuned to his surroundings. It wasn’t really his fault, as he’d been blind to Essence up until now, but he had to make an effort to keep his senses open at all times.
Even as the thought went through his mind, Roy forced his closed-off senses to open once more. It was difficult and distracting, like having the sun shining into one of your eyes on a near-constant basis, but he forced himself to keep them open. He would grow used to it in time.
“Did you figure out how that man could have gotten into the trial, or what he was even doing there? And did you figure out what the cycling technique is? You seemed pretty distracted by it earlier.”
“No. I don’t know who the man was or what he was doing there. What I can tell you is that he was extremely powerful. If you couldn’t even see the color of his Belt, he had to have been at the level of a Sovereign, maybe even higher.
As for the cycling technique, it’s one that is specifically geared towards Power Essence. It’s very old and extremely valuable. As far as I can tell, it’s the most efficient technique for refining Power Essence that I’ve seen in my lifetime!”
“I’m curious,” Roy said, feeling his breathing becoming ragged. “How is it that you know so much about Martial Arts?”
Geon scoffed at that.
“Did you forget that I’m a Dungeon? I gain the memories and experiences of all who died within my depths. I have eons of knowledge and know more about the Martial Arts than anyone alive!”
“Really?” Roy asked excitedly. “Does that mean you can teach me some actual techniques, or how to advance more quickly? I spent the fight during the last trial, randomly expelling Essence and hurting myself. Can you help me become a Sovereign? What is a Sovereign, by the way?”
Roy pelted Geon with one question after the next, not allowing him even a moment to reply.
“You know, if you’d like me to answer your questions, you might consider giving me the time to do so.”
“Oh. Right. Sorry,” Roy replied, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Now as to all of your questions…” Geon trailed off, sounding a bit sheepish himself. “I’m afraid I can’t answer them. Ever since I merged with you, my knowledge has all but disappeared.”
“But you knew what the parchment was, and you know that something called a Sovereign exists. You also knew a lot about the Trial of Beginnings.”
“Yes. I also have the map of the entire Buryoku stashed away in my mind. Right now we’re in the Waterwood, an area primarily controlled by the Shah, Diadei, and Felrin clans. There are still some things I know, but most of that knowledge wouldn’t help you. The Trial of Beginnings is over, and while I know something called a Sovereign exists, it doesn’t mean I know what it is. All I know is that they’re extremely powerful Martial Artists.”
Roy blew out a long breath, finally slowing down to a light jog. He’d gotten hopeful that Geon might be able to guide him, but at least it wasn’t all bad. If he did have a map of the entire planet memorized, then at least he’d be able to get around.
“So…” he hedged. “Any suggestions as to where we should go? I want my revenge on the Shah clan, but I also need to grow stronger. I need to find someone willing to teach me, and I also need a place where I can cultivate Power Essence. Do you know anywhere like that?”
“The Crater,” Geon answered almost immediately. “It is located a few hundred miles to the west and borders the Waterwood, the Windblight, and the Lighted Fields. The region is perfect for a Power cultivator like you, and coincidentally, the Beast King lives there as well. I’ve also heard that there’s a school for the Martial Arts somewhere near the center of The Crater as well.”
By the time Geon had finished speaking, Roy was ready to make a beeline right for The Crater. However, he tamped down on his excitement.
“This all sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch?”
“Well, I’d like to say there are none, but…”
“But what?” Roy asked, getting a growing feeling of trepidation.
“The area is full of powerful Beasts and may or may not be the battleground for a war between four clans.”
“Oh,” Roy answered, feeling his hopes beginning to fall.
If it was that dangerous, he’d be better off taking his chances with the Shah clan. Maybe they’d take him back, now that he was no longer a freak? He could work harder, convince the elders that he was worthy…
“No!” he shouted, startling a flock of birds resting in a nearby tree.
Never again! He would not go crawling back to the ones who had made his entire existence misery. The people who had made him contemplate ending his own life. The people, who even now, were most likely glad he was gone. They would assume he was dead since he hadn’t returned the previous evening. And, once a few days had passed, Koya would likely claim credit, saying he had done it for the betterment of the clan.
And would they punish him once he admitted to outright murder? No! They would congratulate him, saying that he was a worthy member of the clan. He might even receive a reward for doing something nobody else would.
His fists clenched at his sides and he subconsciously began cycling his Essence through his body. Both his fists began glowing a brilliant gold at the same time, moats of light sparkling around them. It was as stable as he’d ever seen the Essence behave once it had left his body. It didn’t explode or fire outward. It simply remained, coating his fists, the light flickering along his skin like golden fire.
“What is that?” Geon asked, his voice sounding awed in his head.
Roy jumped and the Essence destabilized, exploding outward in a concussive blast that threw him off his feet and left his ears ringing.
“Oops, sorry about that,” Geon said as Roy lay groaning on the ground. “If it’s of any consolation, I think you’re on the right path for your first Physical technique!”
12
The ringing in Roy’s ears slowly abated as he rose back to his feet. His head hurt quite a bit, and the Essence in his core was once again nearly depleted. He didn’t care as the excitement of his new discovery overrode it all.
He now had a way to his first Essence technique.
This was yet another thing he’d never thought he’d have. He would have loved to try it again, but seeing as that single failed attack had practically emptied his core, it would have to wait. He noticed that the brightened glow his core was giving off had not diminished once the purified Essence had been used. That told him that the Essence he cycled would affect his core directly, meaning that his core and Essence stored within, were two separate entities. Or so he thought.
A loud crashing sound from the surrounding forest had him instantly alert, and he looked around, sweeping the area with his still open senses. His effective range was about a twenty-foot diameter, not very large. But in a forest, where trees would obscure his view, it could be a lifesaver.