[1. Arthur Solace: 98 points]
[2. Indra: 97 points]
[3. Zeus: 96 points]
[4…]
Arthur smiled faintly at the leaderboard. No one on the same floor–except perhaps Eleanor with access to Celestial Flames–could rival his power. He was practically invincible on the same level and perhaps on a few higher floors.
Now, moving on to the Unification Technique.
Regarding its origin, Arthur was still in the dark. The only thing he was aware of was its usefulness. Many swordsmen desired to achieve the Unification of Body and Mind, but only a few were successful.
The Unification of Body and Mind–akin to its name–was a technique that allowed one to fuse both aspects of their existence within a single consciousness. Although it wasn’t a complete fusion–as that would be considered Godly, it was still enough to significantly boost one’s comprehension abilities, hand-to-eye coordination, strength output, and much more.
It was a path of power for swordsmen, and something many desired to achieve after Sword Aura.
‘Although I don’t have Sword Aura yet, this should be plenty useful,’ thought the crimson-eyed man, initiating the fusion almost immediately.
*
A few hours passed, and with a body bathed in blood, Arthur finally concluded the fusion. No new strings of information appeared in Arthur’s mind, so it seemed the technique was only worth this much.
But Arthur was doubtful.
Cleaning his body using the natural springs in the vicinity, Arthur slipped into spare robes. As the robes fluttered due to the breeze that swept by him, Arthur headed back to the Outer District.
The spare robe hid his face, masking his appearance from other players.
*
Arthur–after a long, arduous journey across the Second Floor, finally arrived before Ferhill’s shop. It had been merely a few days since he entered the Second Floor, yet most of the items seemed to have been sold.
The players seemed to leave the shop with expressions of joy and satisfaction, which further increased Ferhill’s value in Arthur’s mind. The fact that he could maintain business without any allegations for such a long period of time was testament to his skill.
Of course, the refined items were of incredibly high quality, and were forged using similar materials to the actual artifacts, but that did not alter the item’s worth.
The items the customers purchased were still entirely worthless.
‘Eventually, I plan to change that,’ thought the crimson-eyed man, allowing a faint smile to blossom upon his face. Selling counterfeit artifacts was a short-term solution, but would not last long-term.
Instead, Arthur planned on gradually shifting to proper business.
He planned on purchasing real materials, and forging actual, useful artifacts in order to sell in bulk.
‘That incident should be approaching soon… It’ll last pretty long, so I should be able to take advantage,’ thought Arthur, entering Ferhill’s shop. As the latter spotted the former, he narrowed his eyes.
“You’re back early, this time,” said Ferhill. After conquering the First Floor, Arthur had spent a considerably long time in its Residential Area. However, the crimson-eyed man had returned only a few days after the global notification.
Ferhill was definitely aware of Arthur’s identity, and could possibly report him to one of the clans who wish to destroy or recruit him. However, Arthur also had leverage, and could easily counter him.
They were seemingly in a dead-lock. But Ferhill was unaware how wrong he truly was.
Arthur collapsed on the bean-bag chair, leaning back before deciding to answer. “I was bored and had virtually nothing to do.”
“So you decided to come here?” Ferhill inquired, raising an eyebrow while letting out a sigh.
“You don’t like having me around?”
“No,” replied Ferhill flatly, uncaring of all manners around the crimson-eyed man, who was his employer. “You should curl up and die somewhere.”
“Harsh. Anyway, I see the sales have been well,” said Arthur, stroking his chin while observing the state of the shop. It maintained its luster, with not a single speck of dust or… perhaps blood, that Arthur expected.
‘Well, if there was going to be blood involved, Ferhill wouldn’t be standing before me, but would be six feet into the ground.’
It was a miracle that Ferhill survived so long while committing fraud within the tower. With the basic strength of a player who hadn’t even cleared the First Floor, Ferhill was vulnerable to any and all attacks.
Due to his business practices, the danger should have only risen.
However, there was he was, standing before the crimson-eyed man, his eyes as tranquil as a lake on a summer day.
“Of course,” replied Ferhill, flashing a proud smile. “Have you heard about the increasing conflict between Asgard and Devas? Both of their forces visited yesterday to buy artifacts in the bulk, so we made a bit extra.”
Arthur nodded frivolously, but his face soon turned as white as a ghost. His eyes widened, while his irises narrowed. “Ferhill… pack up anything that is of use and close the shop forever. Follow me once you’re done.”
Petrified, Ferhill was speechless. Was there anxiety in the crimson-eyed man’s eyes? Just what was going on? Pack up? Why?
“What’s going on?” Ferhill inquired, furrowing his brows while approaching Arthur, who’d already begun stuffing artifacts into what seemed like a dimensional artifact. Arthur’s behavior was never so unusual.
“Do you understand the consequences of what you’ve done?” Arthur inquired, flashing a cold glare at Ferhill. “Both Asgard and the Devas are high-ranking clans at the pinnacle of Heaven’s Spire.”
‘I would’ve been able to fight them, had I been stronger,’ thought the crimson-eyed man between his words.
“Yes, but conflicts between high-ranking clans are usually quite meek,” replied Ferhill narrowing his eyes. “They never go all out. Even in the darkest of times, not much damage has been done during their occasional conflicts.”
Arthur let out a soft chuckle, mocking Ferhill’s naivety.
History was merely that; a recollection of the past. What may occur in the future could only be predicted, not studied.
Arthur was aware of this. 𝐨𝘃𝗹.
The conflict between Asgard and the Devas would definitely not be trivial.
Not this time.