Bloodbound Codex: I Grow Stronger in Secret

THUD.

The pillar absorbed the impact.

The crystal plate flashed.

Several numbers appeared above it.

[ Physical Output: 147 ]

Heron looked at the result.

”Mid C-Rank. Good enough.”

Atlas lowered his fist.

Internally, he calculated.

That strike had used far less than half of his strength. Maybe even less than one-third. If 147 was mid C-Rank, then his full physical output might truly be around B-Rank or higher.

The conclusion matched his own suspicion.

His body had reached a level far beyond D-Rank.

Heron wrote something on the floating sheet.

”Next, movement control.”

The floor formation lit up.

Several small Spirit markers appeared across the room, floating at different heights and distances. Some hovered near the ground, others near the walls, and several moved slowly in curved paths.

Heron explained directly.

”You need to touch the blue markers and avoid the red ones. If you touch three red markers, you fail. If you finish within one minute, you pass. This is not just about speed. Hollow-Class Ruins often have traps, unstable floors, narrow corridors, and monsters that attack from unusual angles. Explorers who can only rush forward tend to die quickly.”

Atlas looked at the markers.

This test was also useful.

It forced movement with restraint.

Heron lifted one hand.

”Begin.”

The first blue marker lit up to Atlas’s left.

Atlas moved.

His body almost overshot the first step, but Spirit Tails corrected his balance before the mistake became visible. He touched the marker and shifted toward the next one.

The second marker moved upward.

Atlas bent his knees and jumped lightly.

Still too high.

He adjusted midair and touched it with two fingers before landing near the edge of a red marker.

Heron watched carefully from the side.

Atlas continued moving.

The test exposed exactly what he already knew. His movement had become fast, and Spirit Tails gave him better balance, but he still lacked refined control. He could avoid obvious mistakes, but his body used more force than necessary. In a real fight, that did not matter much if he overwhelmed the enemy. In a city or evaluation, it mattered a lot.

He slowed down deliberately.

Better to finish with a normal result than look abnormal.

Thirty seconds passed.

Then forty.

Atlas touched the final blue marker at fifty-one seconds.

The floor formation dimmed.

Heron checked the floating sheet.

”Pass. Barely, but pass.”

Atlas said nothing.

Barely was good.

Barely meant forgettable.

Heron looked at him for a moment.

”Your movement is strange.”

Atlas’s eyes narrowed faintly beneath the hood.

”Strange?”

”You are faster than your control level. Your body moves like someone who gained strength recently but has not trained enough to match it.”

Atlas remained calm.

That was too accurate.

Heron continued.

”Not uncommon. Some people use body enhancement medicines, some awaken late, some survive relic exposure, and some receive rough noble training. Whatever the reason is, it is your problem. Just do not enter a ruin and crash into a wall because your legs moved before your brain.”

Atlas answered.

”I’ll keep that in mind.”

Heron did not ask further.

That made Atlas slightly relieved.

The Angelic Guild seemed practical. They noticed abnormalities, but as long as the result stayed within acceptable range, they did not dig immediately.

Heron moved to the final part.

”Spirit response.”

A small white crystal rose from the floor.

”Place your palm over it and release Spirit slowly. The relic will measure density, reaction, flow stability, and reserve pressure. Do not force too much. If you overload the relic, you will pay for damages.”

Atlas placed his palm over the crystal.

This was the most dangerous part.

His Spirit was at 9 now, but his actual usage was poor. The Codex had rewritten the attribute into him, but it had not taught him techniques. Spirit Tails helped regulate flow, but only through instinctive movement. He still did not know how to shape Spirit consciously in any advanced way.

So, he released only a small amount.

The moment Spirit moved from his body, the crystal glowed faintly.

Atlas felt the flow leave his palm.

It was rough.

Not smooth.

The Spirit inside him was dense enough, but the pathway felt untrained. It was like water being forced through a pipe that had never been used properly.

The crystal displayed several readings.

[ Spirit Density: C-Rank ]

[ Flow Stability: Low ]

[ Control: Low ]

[ Reserve Pressure: Above Average ]

Heron stared at the readings for a moment.

Then looked at Atlas.

”Your Spirit is stronger than your control.”

Atlas did not deny it.

”I haven’t trained it properly.”

”At least you know.”

Heron tapped the floating sheet.

”Your density and reserve pressure pass C-Rank standard, but your control is poor. If you try to use Spirit techniques in combat, you will waste far more energy than necessary.”

Atlas absorbed the information carefully.

This confirmed another problem.

His attributes were high, but technique was missing. He had strength, speed, stamina, and Spirit, but he was still using them like a person who had forced numbers into himself instead of training step by step.

The Codex gave power.

It did not give experience.

Heron finally lowered the sheet.

”You pass.”

Atlas looked toward him.

”Then I can enter Hollow-Class Ruins alone?”

”Limited permission only.”

Heron raised one finger.

”You can enter low-risk Hollow-Class Ruins registered under Lumivale’s beginner zone. You cannot enter unstable ruins, deep ruins, chained ruins, or any ruin marked for party entry. If you break that rule and die, the Guild will not take responsibility.”

”That is fine.”

”It is not fine. It is paperwork for us.”

Atlas said nothing.

Heron sighed and pressed the floating sheet against a small relic panel near the wall. A moment later, the room door opened.

”Return to the receptionist. Your new card should be ready, and the assessment result will attach to it.”

Atlas nodded.

”Thank you.”

”Don’t thank me. Train properly. You have enough potential to get yourself killed if you keep moving like that.”

Atlas paused briefly.

Then answered.

”I know.”

He left the assessment room and returned to the main hall.

By the time he reached the counter, the receptionist had already received the assessment result. A new Guild Card rested on the counter in front of her. It was not black like Ormolio’s card. This one was white-silver, with the Angelic Guild symbol engraved near the top.

She smiled politely.

”Congratulations, Mr. Atlas. Your Lumivale Guild Card has been issued.”

Atlas took the card.

The surface was smooth, and faint Spirit lines moved across it for a moment before settling.

The receptionist continued.

”You are registered as a C-Rank evaluated Explorer with limited Hollow-Class solo permission.”

Atlas’s gaze shifted slightly.

C-Rank.

That was better than D-Rank, but not too high.

Good.

He asked directly.

”Can I take a Hollow-Class Ruin today?”

The receptionist blinked once.

”Today?”

”Yes.”

”You just arrived in Lumivale.”

”I need money and experience.”

She looked at him for a moment.

Then sighed faintly.

”Explorers are the same everywhere, I suppose.”

She turned toward the floating mission screen and moved her fingers through the air. Several mission listings shifted and rearranged themselves. After a few seconds, one mission separated from the others and floated closer to the counter.

[ Low-Risk Hollow-Class Ruin ]

[ Name: Abandoned Wind Chapel ]

[ Location: Western Outer Zone ]

[ Recommended Rank: C-Rank Party / C-Rank Solo With Permission ]

[ Main Objective: Survey inner structure and retrieve any remaining relic fragments ]

[ Monster Record: Wind Imps, Hollow Crows, possible Chapel Wraith ]

[ Reward: 35 Gold Base / Extra Payment For Materials ]

Atlas read the details carefully.

Western Outer Zone.

That matched his route.

It was also away from the eastern side chaos.

The receptionist spoke while checking the mission.

”This one is suitable for your permission level. It was cleared partially years ago, but the ruin restabilized recently. The danger level is low for Hollow-Class, but please do not underestimate it. Chapel Wraiths are not physically strong, but they interfere with Spirit perception.”

Atlas looked at the mission.

Spirit perception interference.

That sounded useful for training.

It might also make the ruin safer for Codex use.

”How far?”

”About four hours from the western gate by foot if you move at traveler speed. Faster if you use a Spirit carriage.”

”I’ll walk.”

The receptionist nodded and transferred the mission to his Guild Card.

A faint symbol appeared on the card before disappearing.

”Mission registered. You have three days to complete it. If you do not return within three days, the mission will be marked failed and a rescue check may be requested depending on your last known location.”

Atlas placed the card inside his clothes.

”I understand.”

Then he turned and left the counter.

As he walked out of the Guild, several explorers glanced at him again, but no one stopped him.

Outside, Lumivale continued moving around him.

Spirit Jets crossed the sky above the white towers. Winged guards moved across patrol routes. Merchants shouted prices in the market. Travelers from different races walked through the streets without lowering their heads every few steps.

This city was different from Ormolio.

But different did not mean safe.

Atlas adjusted the bag on his shoulder and began walking toward the western gate.

His goal was simple.

Enter the Hollow-Class Ruin.

Test the next stage of the Codex.

Assimilate more Traits if possible.

And if the ruin was isolated enough, maybe finally see what happened when an Attribute crossed from 9 to 10.

Atlas’s fingers brushed against his chest.

The Bloodbound Codex did not react.

For now.