The Villain's Story

Chapter 706 [706] Kizmal(17).

”The three trials represent the three stages of ascendance. Epic, Legendary, and Mythic. I believe you have already been told that what each stage represents. Epic is evolution of physical strength, A reformation of the body, Legendary is the change of thinking, the mind and how to exert influence. While Mythic deals with the reformation of the soul.

You thought I made them without thinking too much? The trials test each of those, and are meant to give you hints, and also other lessons. Donʼt try to brute force through them, learn instead.”

”I feel like Iʼve had this talk many times.”

”Then learn, and no one would have to repeat it.” Alan sighed, his mind thought about the trials once more, if they represented the three stages above SSS rank, and were to teach him other things as well, were they in order from youngest to oldest?

Lanesha would test his body. Kulak would test his mind, and Valus would test his soul. When he thought about that, a chill went down his spine, and he estimated it would take him even longer to complete the trials.

The first trial was probably the easiest as well, Kizmal was a hurdle he had yet to conquer. How would he fare against the rest. And about the lessons...

ʼDonʼt try to take on everything by yourself.ʼ

That was what Ariel had called him here to talk about. He sighed, and prepared to leave. He had gotten his answers, now it would be wise to go back and formulate a plan with the rest.

He could inform them about his various abilities... and together they could make a plan. ʼGuess I do need their help.ʼ

He wouldnʼt be able to defeat the fragment of Kizmal by himself. Surprisingly, he felt his pride would be hurt if he thought about that, but it was alright. He didnʼt feel anything special.

Alan opened a portal, and as he was about to step in, Arielʼs voice resounded in the realm.

”Leaving already?” He turned around, and said.

”Yeah, I got what I needed, Thanks.”

”I donʼt think you got it all, werenʼt you prepared to ask me more? It seems like you forgot.”

”... More?”

Ariel sighed, she felt disappointed with Alan for a bit, he seemed to forget things at an unusually fast pace.

”What do you think about the skill, ʼDeath?ʼ”

Alan furrowed his brows.

”Something I canʼt use, probably overpowered as hell, and incredibly taxing once I do learn how to use it?”

He couldnʼt exactly see her face, but he felt that it fell... Was Ariel disappointed or dumbfounded? He was unsure. Was he not right, though? The name of the skill was literally [Death]. It had to be overpowered, it had to be incredibly taxing as well. Maybe just less than [Possession], or even more. ”Again, what do you of death?”

This time she changed the wording of her question, instead of mentioning the skill, she mentioned death itself. Alan was confused, but he had to give an answer to this dragon.

Something that wouldnʼt make this dragon disappointed, or angry. Definitely not angry, he had to avoid that at all costs. ”Something I canʼt run from? You know, death comes from everyone?”

”...”

Perhaps that was the wrong thing to say to the one who created it? Alan gulped, the scriptures had told him that Ariel had created death, but he has forgotten the reason. It slipped out of his mind.

He couldnʼt recall it, just that she was the one who created it.

Ariel remained silent, and with each second that passed, cold sweat poured down Alanʼs back. He was slowly getting scared, the chills were just creeping up. He had undoubtedly said something wrong.

”Itʼs a weapon.”

But instead of getting scolded, yelled at, or even thrown all around the realm, he had actually received an answer. Granted, it was accompanied by the tone of disappointment, but it was something!

And it was not finished.

”Itʼs a shield as well. Understand death to use it, the aspects of it, the causes, and you will have [Death]. Recognize it, and you will be able to kill that which cannot be killed.”

ʼThat which cannot be killed?ʼ

”You will be able to inflict true death.”

Alan took a deep breath, and said.

”Like Aranus?”

Something happened, however. He felt the ground beneath him change, sunk down, and rise again. It was as if the giant dragon before him had clenched her hands, causing the entire realm to change.

However, that change was reverted as soon as it happened.

”... Aranus did it differently, he was something... else.”

At that point, Alanʼs senses were screaming at him to drop the topic, and switch to something else. But he was curious. He wanted to know about that. How different? Were there different ways to cause true death? If so, How?

He knew it was wrong to ask her this, but he could not stop it, and neither could Ariel. She knew it was coming.

”How differently?”

He pressed on, would curiosity be the end of him? He wanted to know about why Aranus was so feared. Yes, he knew of his strength, his mana, his other qualities, but they were from an unreliable source. He still believed them all, but he wanted to hear it from someone who experienced it and was not going to lie to him, probably.

He wanted to know.

Ariel remained silent for a while, but Alan wasnʼt going to let her stay silent. He could not see her face, obscured by the fog, but he could feel what she was feeling. The connection between them due to the drop of ichor was thick.

And in this world, it was as if they were one. It was a strange but welcome feeling.

Still, she remained silent, Alan did not want to press more, not because he knew it would make it her angry, but because he knew she would answer. Only, it would take a short while.

”Unique skills, Aranus was desired for his unique skill, and that was what made him so terrifying.”