Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1118  Old Bonds

Kahnʼs mind raced with possibilities, his lips curling into a devious grin as he envisioned the chaos Tobias could unleash. The sheer potential of the Ritualist class was astounding, and Kahn knew that Tobias, with his unique abilities, could tip the scales of the Great War in ways no one could predict, or counter. Tobias was no mere subordinate; he was the ultimate debuff specialist, the kind of weapon that could make even the mightiest armies crumble into dust.

The idea was simple but devastatingly effective. Tobiasʼs unmatched ability to weaken enemies and empower allies would make him the cornerstone of Kahnʼs strategy. Unlike Kahn himself or Ceril, whose abilities were tied to specific elements, Tobias had no such restrictions. He could manipulate and weaponize all elements of reality, even the rare Light Element and Holy Magic, with ease. His versatility made him an unparalleled force, capable of adapting to any battlefield scenario.

Kahnʼs imagination conjured the scene... himself and his generals, already formidable beyond compare, stepping onto a battlefield while Tobiasʼs buffs coursed through their veins. Their physical and elemental powers would surge to overwhelming levels, while their enemies would writhe in agony under the constant assault of Tobiasʼs elemental debuffs. The battlefield would become a slaughterhouse, with no hope of reprieve for those on the receiving end of Tobiasʼs relentless abilities.

It wasnʼt just Tobiasʼs offensive capabilities that impressed Kahn. The synergy between Tobias and the rest of his subordinates was nothing short of terrifying. No matter how many enemies stood before them, they would never tire, never falter, and never fall. Tobiasʼs presence ensured that even in the most grueling of battles, Kahnʼs forces would maintain their edge.

Plus, he could also create summoned beings just like Kahn and Ceril.

And then there was the Pendragon Formation, a formation that amplified the entire teamʼs damage output by fifty percent. When combined with Tobiasʼs buffs and the innate power of Kahnʼs legendary subordinates, the results would be catastrophic for their enemies. The thought of Tobiasʼs potential on a larger scale made Kahnʼs grin widen further.

Picture millions of enemy soldiers, dozens of saints, and countless monsters marching under the banner of an opposing empire. What could they possibly do against Tobias? His debuffs would cripple their forces before they even reached the frontlines, while his buffs would turn Kahnʼs own troops into unstoppable engines of destruction. The Ritualistʼs abilities would dismantle any resistance, rendering even the most formidable armies powerless.

Tobiasʼs existence was nothing short of game-breaking. He was the perfect tool for turning the tide of any battle, the embodiment of imbalance in a war where Kahn aimed to rewrite the rules entirely.

Kahn had no intention of fighting fair. Why should he, when he had Tobias? The Great War wasnʼt just about victory; it was about dominance, about making a statement that no one could challenge his might.

Thus, Kahn resolved to make Tobias the ultimate cheat character on their side... a force so overwhelming that even the mere thought of opposing them would become an act of futility.

His smirk deepened, the gleam in his eyes akin to that of a demon relishing the chaos he was about to unleash. The exhilaration in his voice was palpable, filled with the thrill of domination.

Kahn soon declared, his tone dripping with confidence and malice…

”Hehe... As if fighting against me and my group wasnʼt already unfair; now it will be impossible to win.” ******************

A dozen minutes later…

The system had finished passing on some of Kahnʼs most powerful skills to Tobias that would benefit his Ritualist legendary rank class.

A total of 7 Legendary Rank passive skills and abilities, as well as 12 Saint Rank spells and magical attack skills were imparted to Tobias.

On top of it, Kahn also gave Tobias 3 Legendary Rank magic formations taught to him directly by Vildred, the Lightning Dragon Emperor.

Tobias on the receiving end, felt like all his hard work in serving his master had turned incredibly fruitful to the point he broke past all of his previous limitations that he was struggling as a magic class being.

Unlike most of Kahnʼs subordinates… Tobias was a full-fledged human so he had no bloodline effects that helped him so far. But now that Kahn imparted these tremendously overpowered and helped abilities directly to him…

He felt like his clouded future had turned already bright as if a sun had shone over him after a mortifying night. ”Thank you, master. I will keep trying to break past my limits and prove my worth to you.” spoke Tobias politely and bowed with a right fist placed on his heart.

”Well, I wouldnʼt have it otherwise.” said Kahn and patted Tobiasʼ shoulder.

”Now, lead us to him.” spoke Kahn.

”Actually, they are both there.” spoke Tobias as he indicated another personʼs presence.

”Aha! Good grief. Now we will have a bountiful reunion, it seems.” spoke Kahn with a nostalgic expression.

******************

10 minutes later…

The invisible Bran Castle floated in the sky while a massive villa located just 30 kilometers away from the northern border of the Verlassen fiefdom came into sight.

Beyond that villa, was a massive building filled with hundreds of artisans and blacksmiths working in a 3-kilometer-long manufacturing facility that had hundreds of forge.

Just the constant incoming and outgoing crowd of people along with flying ships and vehicles parked in the 2-kilometer range were enough to indicate how financially profitable this Blacksmithing Company called Bloodborne was.

And since the two suns in the sky were settling down, people were already departing for their homes.

The man who ran this company also returned to his villa.

While watching the sunset from the garden of his house, the servants brought him a cup of fragrant tea as another person sat beside him on a chair across the table.

”You look like youʼve turned even younger now that youʼve become a 2nd-stage saint.” spoke a tall and skinny green-skinned and black-haired orc, adorning scholarly attire while wearing glasses.

”Says the orc who looks far livelier than the time I met him all those years ago.” responded the old and white-beared man who despite being 85 years old, looked like he was in his 60s.

”Well, I guess working hard and living a fulfilling life does affect your mind and body.

Compared to back then, I can hardly remember the time Iʼve slept on an empty stomach.

My life was overturned all those years ago by random strangers on the street.

Now I earn a hefty wealth while repaying that favor. So I have no complaints.” spoke the orc as he gently sipped the tea while basking in the sunlight.

”But why did you want to meet me today?

Youʼre usually very busy with your work. Every single reputable clan and its leaders are literally begging you to forge their custom weapons.

I even heard that the leader of the Neutral Faction, Stalin Joseif, asked you to forge a legendary rank weapon for him.” iterated the orc.

”Well… thereʼs no end to these requests. But I denied him including the leader of the Pureblood Faction.

Iʼm not making weapons for those bastards who forced him to leave.” replied the old man begrudgingly.

”As for the reason why I called you here… to reminisce.” said the old Saint blacksmith.

”Reminisce what?” asked the scholarly orc.

”Today… itʼs been exactly 5 years since he left.” spoke the old man with a nostalgic but also regretful tone.

”After my children were killed… I only lived for the sake of revenge.

Yet even after trying for the next 4 years, I couldnʼt even touch one of those noble clan bastards.

Nobody helped me. I couldnʼt even contact anyone for help and I was shunned by the whole city just so they wouldnʼt get into trouble by associating with me.” he spoke with saddened eyes.

”Yet one day, showed up a young man in front of my downtrodden house, knocking on my door.

Not only did he promise to avenge my children, but also turned their deaths into a public spectacle… just like how those bastards did to my son and daughter.

Later… he took me to the capital with him. Helped me create a company of my own and even when fate forced him to leave this empire…

He gave me a Saintʼs core. Now Iʼve been living a completely different life because of him.

Though he wasnʼt my blood… that stranger became family to me.” spoke the old man as tears almost welled up in his eyes.

”Canʼt say I disagree with that. He also helped me when my whole world crumbled right in front of my eyes.

He trusted me and my skills as an accountant even when I had no hope in myself.

Meeting you two that day during the Emperorʼs Chosen tournament opening was the best thing that happened in my life.” spoke the orc as his voice also turned somber.

The orc sipping his tea with a grateful countenance was none other than Sirius Blake. He handled the bookkeeping and Seven Deadly Sinsʼ underworld wealth, working directly with Tobias.

As for the old man who was distraught but also missing the said young man even though the latter had been gone for 5 years, his whereabouts unknown and no information available, whether he was dead or alive; yet eagerly waiting for the young manʼs return was…

Albestros Winston.