Several days later…

Due to what he had witnessed over the past few days, Paeris looked at Kieran and Agatha with indescribable shock present in his eyes.

She made incredible headway in record time compared to the records of Agatha’s past visits.

Naturally, this was thanks to Kieran’s presence, who continued to improve his use of the Eighth Supreme Cipher of Eni. Though his current utilization was a far cry from mastering the technique, Kieran had become proficient enough to rotate four rings on each arm.

Not only did this reduce the burden of operating the cipher, but it also reinforced its effects.

‘Calling this cipher anything less than convenient would be an offense towards its usefulness. Thanks to it, fabricating is several times faster, and due to whatever principle is embedded in the cipher… the outcome is long-lasting,’ Kieran thought, fascinated by the power he now wielded.

Whereas Kieran took the time to comment on the technique, Agatha continued her actions, uninterrupted by Kieran’s pause.

Based on what Kieran witnessed, Agatha had seemingly entered a state where her surrounding became irrelevant.

‘This goes beyond a mere state of Supersensitivity. She has become one with her actions,’ Kieran thought, silently analyzing Agatha.

Because her actions had not deviated from her original motions, Agatha currently resembled a machine clothed in human skin.

Unfortunately for Kieran, however, he couldn’t keep up with her output of mystic conjurations.

He had long since exhausted his reserve, leading him to take this inevitable breather and begin recuperating that depleted energy.

“It’s somewhat unnerving to think about. Close to four days have passed, yet you have experienced remarkable progress in this unique art,” Paeris voiced, looking at Kieran strangely.

With Kieran’s current attaintments, Agatha performed minimal touch-ups on the symbols returned.

Though, because she failed to sense an additional mystic presence nearby, Agatha stopped supplying incomplete symbols to Kieran for the time being.

“Not to toot my own horn, but I’m a fast learner. It’s one of my strengths,” Kieran replied, exhaling steadily.

With the aid of the Archaic Verity Compendium, some of Agatha’s residual mystic energy that lingered in the air was drawn to Kieran, accelerating his recuperation progress.

“I don’t doubt you. Though treacherous, humans—at least the very talented ones—are famed for their extreme learning capacity,” Paeris responded.

However, it didn’t take long for Paeris’ emerald green eyes to fill with apprehension and even lamentation. “I fear apologies are in order.”

“Apologies?” Kieran muttered, his brow arching dubiously.

Truthfully speaking, Kieran expected the treatment he received.

In fact, he expected far worse, but it seemed that wouldn’t come about simply out of respect for Agatha’s presence. Kieran didn’t need to speculate too deeply to understand that without Agatha present, he would be at a sore disadvantage.

Injustice would be the least of his worries.

“Yes, apologies. However, it’s not for what you think,” Paeris said.

All of a sudden, just as Paeris intended to reveal the meaning of his words, the space not too far away began rippling in two places.

From within the ripple appeared two individuals.

One was an elven woman with an appearance comparable to or even slightly more radiant than Agatha. Her long sage-green hair fell toward her waist with several gold beads situated on small braids that seemed to form an elegant hairstyle.

Like Paeris, this woman possessed deep emerald green eyes, a sign that she was also a Highborn. At the same time, this woman exuded a presence of vivacious nature.

The other newcomer was a male elf with hair the color of pistachio. His pointed ears peered through his pistachio-colored hair, blending with his exquisite robes.

Surprisingly, what drew Kieran’s attention wasn’t the appearance of these people, he was more interested in their weapons.

‘This woman carries two remarkable rapiers. Meanwhile, this man is perhaps some kind of specialized Hunter. Bow and arrow plus dual blades,’ Kieran noted, gaining information regarding these newcomers.

「Lv.??? Viessa, Second Emplenan (High Mythic NPC)

Class: ???

Health: ??? (100%)

Affiliations: «Emplenan Few» «Elven Protection Order» 」

「Lv.??? Venali, Fifth Emplenan (High Mythic NPC)

Class: Hunter of the Forest

Health: ??? (100%)

Affiliations: «Emplenan Few» «Elven Protection Order» 」

A second later, the woman named Viessa glanced at Paeris and spoke. “Your message seemed quite urgent, Third. Just what was it that you sent out a message powerful enough to interrupt our personal activities?”

“Forgive my impatient actions, Viessa. They were made from a place of fear. Given my nature, I couldn’t take any chances. I had to be certain,” Paeris replied, looking at this elven woman with a hint of respect but also adoration.

“A place of fear? You have held your position as the Third Emplenan for countless moons. Aside from our elder and our queen, is there anything inside the forest that can make you despair that much?” Viessa remarked, a hint of praise filling her gaze.

Unlike Viessa, Venali immediately snapped his hawk-like eyes on Kieran, narrowing them several times until he zeroed in on the mark on Kieran’s hand.

Unless someone requested council with them directly, the Emplenan Few remained detached from most irrelevant events that occurred within the forest.

When it came to maintaining order within the community, that task fell upon the shoulders of the knights and the civil order, composed of the people that attended the Gardenia High Court days ago.

Thus, Venali was not aware that a member of the War Deity Council currently walked amongst his people. Without so much as uttering a word, Venali drew one of his dual blades and dashed forward, rushing Kieran.

When he stopped, his cold blade was pressed against Kieran’s throat. “I believe I’ve found the source of his fear. This unsightly human stinks of what we detest the most.”

“Careful,” Paeris cautioned. However, these words were not directed at Kieran, they were meant for Venali.

“Careful? A mongrel of that insufferable human power roams amongst our people and you ask that I be careful? I ought to claim his head and be done with it,” Venali said, his tone terse and his eyes cold.

However, despite understanding his fury, Paeris continued to shake his head. “And risk falling out with the Wykins? The Fairies alone can not repair the veil. While they can temporarily bolster it, it means nothing if the source isn’t tended to.”

Listening to Paeris’ words, Venali’s expression darkened.

“If you would… could you please remove your blade from my throat?” Kieran requested.

Surprisingly, despite the situation at hand, Kieran remained unusually calm.

Noticing this calm, Viessa shifted her gaze about. “A falling out with the Wykins? In other words, he possesses deep ties with the Heiress?”

“No… I believe he possesses deep ties with the Enchantress. Furthermore, he is no mere mongrel of that damned murder-crazed organization. He possesses the highest marking a member of their youngest generation can hold,” Paeris revealed.

After his marking was revealed to the public, Kieran decided to disclose more information about it to prove that he was not just some mindless follower.

The more Venali listened to Paeris speak, the tighter he clenched his dual blade. Because of this tight grip, the weapon pressed into Kieran’s throat, drawing blood.

But, at the same time, something strange occurred.

Rather than the blood seeping down his neck, it flowed in reverse as did some of the nature-based Mana that Venali released.

When it merged with Kieran’s body, he was overcome with a pleasant sensation. ‘…Strange. Usually, my body craves the blood of others. Why is it craving the vitality of the elves? Is there some secret to their power that I’m unaware of but my power desires?’

Upon asking himself this question, Kieran let nature take its course.

〈System: You have absorbed a trace of extremely pure vitality.〉

〈System: Thanks to your Constitution, you have reaped some benefits from the absorption.〉

〈System: Your Health has risen from 6,440 to 7,500.〉

As he gazed at the message before him, Kieran remained nonplussed, unable to utter a word or make the slightest noise.

What he absorbed was akin to letting a drop of water drip on one’s parched tongue yet it increased his Health by more than 1,000 points!

Such a drastic increase made Kieran desire more of this energy.

pAn,d a-n0ve1 Though he tried to contain his strong urge to consume Venali’s power, Kieran couldn’t help it. His Blood Mania Source Rune began to thrum against his wishes and outside of his control.

Unfortunately, Viessa stepped before Kieran with a peculiar glint in her eyes before he could make a move. “That’s quite the frenzied look you’re revealing. This power… it’s something dark. A demon, perhaps? It’s likely. Venali, release him.”

Unlike with Paeris, the moment Viessa spoke, Venali obliged. Though one rank separated Viessa and Paeris, there was a great disparity in their strength.

Besides, Venali had learned never to anger the Second Emplenan as she was a bearer of a frightening and almost torturous temper.

Despite the commotion that ensued around her, Agatha remained engrossed in repairing the weakening portions of the veil, only leaving enough awareness to sense when Kieran reactivated his mystic abilities.

“A demon? Then… is he related to that barbaric monster? There are absurd legends surrounding that guy,” Paeris murmured, looking at Kieran frequently.

Remnants of disbelief remained in Paeris’ mind because the more he learned about Kieran’s identity, the more he felt something was amiss. What was this bizarre combination of powers that typically wouldn’t mesh well?

How could one person carry the legacy of many oppositional powers?

All of a sudden, Kieran felt his mind being pulled, but the sensation was familiar, so Kieran let it happen.

Silly boy, I have spoken with another Ego of incredible strength. If possible, you must find your way beneath this tree. The connection is all a guise to hide the truth of this tree. Beneath this place… is something special. I will try to make contact once more.

After receiving the compendium’s message, Kieran’s consciousness returned to its normal state, but Kieran examined his surroundings with meticulous care.

‘If this place is a facade, it’d explain why although we have traveled to the edge of the forest… there’s no sign of the queen. Maybe she’s the key to all this. Without her, I’m left at an impasse,’ Kieran thought.