“Whoo… whooo…” Ambrose panted loudly after he finished the training for the day. He was still wondering how the event in Tsukuyomi was going, but he planned to check the stream once he logged off.
“Train the meditation once you return to your quarters.” The Wisdom King reminded him and stood up while picking up his empty tea cup and plate.
“Oh, alright, grandmaster.” Ambrose groaned inwardly as he forgot about that. Thus, watching the stream had to be delayed.
As the Wisdom King was about to return indoors, Ambrose stood up and patted the dust off his pants. He then remembered something that increasing his curiosity.
“Grandmaster, may I ask what that door stuck in the mountain is?”
He stopped walking and scratched the back of his wrinkly, bald head.
“That place doesn’t concern you. Focus on the training, youngling.” The Wisdom King said without turning his head to look at his bald-headed apprentice.
“I have some concerns regarding the training.” Ambrose said as he stood upright with his arms behind his back.
“And what is that?” The Wisdom King turned to look at his apprentice.
“We, the players, have a unique way of growing stronger.” Ambrose explained, hoping to express his perspective. “We grow stronger as we kill creatures, wild animals and beasts.”
“Hmm…” The Wisdom King rubbed his chin. “Is that so? Well, what do you want to do?”
“If we shorten the training by a few hours, I can take a trip to the Nether Forest and hunt down some creatures there to further enhance my strength.”
“…” The Wisdom King lowered his tea cup and plate to the table. He then nudged his chin and said, “I might have a solution for that. Follow me.”
Ambrose lifted his eyebrow and followed silently behind the Wisdom King. They left the temple, walked down the hundreds of stone steps to reach the village. The villagers happily greeted the wise grandmaster as they headed over to the center of the village.
The Wisdom King sat down on a bench with a planted oak tree behind him.
“Sit.” He patted the seat beside him.
Ambrose nodded and sat down. When he finished sitting down, he looked straight ahead and widened his eyes in surprise. The door stuck in a mountain was within the reach of his vision. They looked straight at it even though it was hundred meters away from them.
They could still see the intricate carvings and knew that the door was centuries old.
“We won’t shorten the training. However, I will grant you access to that.” The Wisdom King pointed his shaky finger at the door. “It will reduce your sleep by an hour or two, but if it is necessary to increase your strength, then it has to be done.”
“What is in there?” Ambrose asked with a frown.
The Wisdom King took a deep breath and said, “The City of Evil, Warhaven!”
“What?!” Ambrose’s eyes bulged as he never expected the underground city to be so near any of the major cities!
“We, the Temple of Honorables, have protected his entrance for centuries.” The Wisdom King said. “That is one of many entrances that leads straight to the heart of the Warhaven.
“It is our duty to ensure that no one escapes from there.”
‘There are multiple entrances…’ Ambrose nodded. “So, instead of going to the Nether Forest, I will go to that City of Evil?”
“Do you gain strength by killing people?” The Wisdom King asked.
Ambrose nodded hesitantly.
“Then, yes.” The Wisdom King said. “That place is home to unspeakable power and darkness.”
“Anything goes there. They won’t bat an eye if you kill anyone there. I would even encourage you to do so. It’s a lawless land where chaos reigns supreme.”
“That sounds very dangerous.” Ambrose narrowed his eyes, not sure whether he should go there. He would be more comfortable in the Nether Forest, even if he might be ambushed by Inquisitors.
“By fighting those beasts, you might learn something very valuable about your swordsmanship.” The Wisdom King said and looked at his apprentice with a soft look. “Remember, true growth comes from facing challenges head-on.”
“I… understand.” Ambrose looked at the old grandmaster firmly. “I will do it.”
“Mm…” The Wisdom King rummaged through his pockets and took out an old brass key. “This is the key to opening the door. Whatever you do, don’t lose it. It’s the most valuable item there, as it’s the only way you can leave Warhaven.”
Ambrose accepted the key and nodded.
“The following training schedule is this: from morning until nightfall, you will learn swordsmanship with me.
“Then, you go to Warhaven and stay there for at least four to five hours. When you return, you do your meditation training for an hour. Only then are you allowed to sleep.”
“I understand.” Ambrose took a deep breath, as that made his schedule completely compact.
“Your training is over today. You may go to Warhaven.” The Wisdom King stood up and patted his apprentice’s shoulder. “Be careful out there. It’s better if you leave your belongings here. You might lose them all.”
“I understand.” Ambrose then watched as the old grandmaster left for the temple. He then looked down at the brass key and moved his gaze over to the ancient door.
He clenched on the key and went to Honorable Zhen’s house to store his belongings there. That included his two Red Swords and one Black Sword. Then, he took out a pouch with most of his silver inside. 𝐎𝗏xt.𝗰𝑶𝔪
He only planned to take 100 silver with him to Warhaven.
After that, he put his old training dummy from his dojo in the corner of the room, the spare clothes in the wardrobe, the crimson metal below his bed, and the Merchant Whistle to his desk’s drawer.
He also hid his skill scrolls, golden key, steel shortswords, and Style Scroll. Then he placed his strange Book of Suicide Swordsman on top of his bookshelf.
Once he was done, his inventory became very empty. He only had a box of apples, the Orc Whistle, and a worn-out black cloak left in his inventory.
The Ring of Nature adorned one of the fingers of his sword-wielding hand. The sword in hand was the Black Sword. He still needed one of his swords if he planned on fighting there.
Thus, he chose Black Sword.
“I am ready…” Ambrose sheathed his Black Sword, then left the cottage, where he met Honorable Zhen while walking back to the village. He managed to see the brass key in his hand and did nothing except pat his shoulder before returning to his cottage.
The Honorable Zhen knew the dangers of Warhaven, but he didn’t bother saying anything, as it seemed that the Wisdom King thought Ambrose was ready enough to enter that dangerous world.
While opening the door to his cottage, Zhen turned around to see the departing back of Ambrose. He looked towards the tall statue on top of the golden temple and drew a cross on his chest.
“Allmighty Gods of Heaven, look after him.”
Creak—then Zhen entered the cottage and closed the door behind him.
Ambrose, on the other hand, slowly approached the ancient door. The sun had already gone down and it was dark in the village, yet the light from nearby houses provided enough light for him to see the design of the door and the keyhole.
A few of the villagers peeked out of the windows as the outsider stood in front of the ancient door. They hadn’t seen the door open in decades. Therefore, they were very curious.
Ambrose inserted the key into the hole and turned it slowly.
Click—the door slowly opened.
