''Hey, Is this real?!'' Everyone was dumbfounded at the sight of the mountain of treasures. There were shiny golden swords, huge golden accessories, crowns, elixirs, books and everything one can imagine.''Do all of these belong to us now?''Gin said while gulping, excited in his heart. He was a real moneygrubber, as his eyes were shining more brilliantly than the mountain of gold.
''Yes, they belong to us. But, the egg is another matter.''Craz said, gazing towards the huge egg standing at the center of the mountain. It had cracks around it, emanating a strong aura of fire.''It is a real Phoenix egg, not like these Ice Phoenixes. So it's value is clearly higher.''
''And it's on the verge of breaking.''Maira added.''There is no real way to split it. Shall we wait and leave it to fate?''Everyone understood Leon's words. Phoenix would choose the person it wanted to be with. Or Phoenix could just escape, then they could catch it and think a solution later.
''For now, how are we gonna carry these? Do any of you have a pocket dimension?''Grim asked. Pocket Dimensions were like miniature dimensions but only used to carry things. Life couldn't survive at pocket Dimensions. They were rare at Humanity, but it shouldn't be at Dragon Country as they were much stronger than humans.
''Leon and I have one, you guys?''Craz said, looking towards Maira and Gin.''Just mine would be enough.''Craz was a bit surprised. Even his Pocket dimension could only contain a quarter of this mountain. Looks like Black Dragons were really wealthy.
Craz approached the mountain and took out a small bottle. He sent some mana to bottle and a suction force appeared at the tip of the bottle. With each passing minute mountain would lose apart but they were way too little so it was significant. After near to 6 hours, everything was taken cleanly with the exception of Phoenix egg.
Phoenix egg accumulated much more cracks but it still didn't seem like it would break, so they had no choice but to sit down. As they were sitting, other teams benefitted from the absence of Phoenix and directly completed the trial. After 3 days, when everyone was waiting outside, Grim and others got out of the Nest and left the dimension.
When people outside saw a small chick, covered by little flames, on Grim's shoulder they were surprised. From time to time Bird would rub it's head to Grim's cheeks or shoulder, letting out excited sounds. After saying the same things about trials, everyone dispersed.
...
''She really likes you huh?''Maira said like she was feeling regret. Madam Deathcarrier tried to take Phoenix to touch its feathers, but little Phoenix refused to leave Grim's side. Really, both mother and daughter felt bad. Because this little thing was way too cute.
It's small beady eyes, tender body and the small figure was really sweet while it's soft and young voice was making one feel a warmth inside their heart.''Since she chooses you, you need to take care of her properly.''Madam said, throwing the trivial ideas out of her head.
''I know, I have to rest a little as well.''Grim was a bit dumbfounded at the side effects of using Dryflame. The real reason Arihan thought Grim couldn't use it was because, with his level, it would leave temporary wounds and errors at his wheel and body.Basically an Overdrive.
Grim felt like he was really sick, yet there was nothing like sneezing or coughing. His limbs felt very heavy and his mind was a bit sluggish. Madam could easily restore Grim to his peak state, but he chose to stay like this to leave some time for himself. With each step he took towards Upper tier of Giant, the pain would always increase. And he was training while using the Physique for 4 months, so it was really weary. He had to have some free time to restore his mentality and body.
So, he spent his days playing with Candy. Yes, he named her Uriela. Grim was feeling happy at his choice of name, but Maira was not. She would sometimes visit to see Candy, calling her Uriela. To Grim's surprise, Candy also liked to be called Uriela. She also started to get familiar with Maira, but her favorite was still Grim. Grim felt that he had a special connection with her like he could transmit every thought and emotion to Candy, and she could also do the same.
Madam said Candy's blood was a bit different. She had both Ice Phoenix and Phoenix bloodline, only Phoenix bloodline was much more dominant. Even though Ice Phoenixes were much rarer than Normal Phoenixes, they were still a weaker species. So it was understandable Phoenix blood overcame the Ice one.
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Grim stopped working with his Physique and focused his attention on studying how to use weapons. He only had 3 weapons now. His Dryflame Sword, Ice enchanted Greatsword, and a strange weapon called Twin sickle. He saw it in a memory of his Ancestor. His ancestor met with an Awakener, who called himself a 'Shaolin'.When Grim first watched how Shaolin fought,he was amazed. He felt that he was like a child in front of that man, who didn't know anything.
If he could describe, he would say Shaolin was like water. His movements were smooth, flowing like a water yet at the same time fierce. With enough time, it could create an opening and destroy every obstacle in his way. So he tried to use Shaolin's technique but he really couldn't use it clearly. So he left it to a side.
Grim searched through his Ancestor's memories. There were near to 2000 people, all of them at Hero Realm.This number was quite terrifying because this only covered past 6000 years of Dryflame Family. Their family was a one that survived God's era and fought against Messenger Of Gods. So it was clear there were many more things to see.
What made Grim more interested was the Characters of his Ancestors. Each of them was valiant warriors, brave people and had strong wills. But fundamentally, each of them was different. He could feel the differences, but couldn't describe it. When he immersed himself in a memory, he felt the same experience his Ancestor felt. He felt the same emotion and same pain, pleasure. But thoughts were different. From a point, thoughts would change.
With each thought, the heart would be slowly affected. Each of them had strong wills, but none of them were invincible. There were always 'Dark dots' Arihan talked about. The more he inspected these 'Dark dots', the more ragged his breath became. Among these ancestors of his, there were some who killed millions, some only thousands. Even so when he merged all of these dark spots,they couldn't even be as big as %0.1 of Arihan's.
Grim was terrified at this thought. How many people did Arihan kill at his life? Even if you were to downgrade everything and make 0.1 a million, the whole number would be a billion. What was a billion? There weren't even billion people living currently. What kind of a monster was he? But when he thought Arihan's power, as well as his age he calmed down a little.
Well, he was once more thinking about random things. Realizing it, Grim shook his head and sighed. The sigh was followed by a complaint about how unhealthy sighing was then he started to work. When Little Candy sensed Grim's focus, she quietly left the room and flew towards downstairs.
Slipping into the Main Hall,she directly let out cute cries. When Maira and Madam heard the voice, they turned towards Little Candy.''Uriela!''Maira called out and Candy flew to her palm. It was a bit strange for an egg as big as Grim to create such a small creature. Maira rubbed the top of Candy's head while smiling. Madam continued sipping her tea while watching their interaction, a small smile at her lips.
As months passed, Grim,Maira, and Gin became better and better at teamwork. They were already great, and they even surpassed Craz's team at some trials. Black Dragons' trials were fairly simple, yet a bit hard. Even so, they completed them with no setback.
At some point, Grim even took Candy with him to trials. Maira was refusing because of the potential danger, but after she saw Candy's wish to tag along while pleading with her cute little eyes she agreed. So because of Candy's presence, they were much more cautious than ever. When they were worried about her safety little Candy was excited about the things she saw during these trials.
Whenever she came back, she would search people to 'Talk' about her adventures. But there were no one other than Grim and Maira she was close, and they were at her side at that time. So she went to Madam's side. Candy didn't know about Madam and others were watching the trials, so she always 'talked' freely. Sometimes she would exaggerate while sometimes lie about it like she was leading them.
Madam could understand what she meant easily and always smiled without speaking much. Sometimes rubbing Candy's feathers, sometimes praising her, Madam earned the trust of little Phoenix. Candy was also content about Madam, as she was a great listener. So each time she would more and more exaggerate things and Madam would smile more and more.
As Grim's days passed like that, there were grand preparations at the outside world.
''News!News!All grand armies are moving! Demons are starting to invade openly!''
''Commander!18th,19th,22th,32th and 35th posts are destroyed! There are groups of High-rank demons sweeping the frontlines. All armies are moving.''
''Paladin Kong and his army are moving!''
''What is happening!?Why suddenly everyone started to attack!?''
''What will happen to our families? What if they directly pierce through lines and attack backlines?''
Everyone was in chaos at the sudden development.Before any force could react, Demons directly destroyed all border posts and invaded the central continent. Paladin Kong was marching with his holy army to confront the enemy army at Metal Mountain range.But before they could meet with the enemy army, another news shook the whole higher echelon of humanity.
''3 armies of Demons appeared! They are destroying everything on their path and kill every captive!''
''Where is their destination, Soldier!?''
''Pale City!''