Chapter 20

Keith rubbed his hands together and smiled cheekily, “So, did you create other customized arrays? Like a barrier? Or how about an enhanced meteor array? Oh, maybe chain lightning?!”

“You wish.” Frisk scoffed. “I’m busy making the finishing touches on the Laegur Beam Cannon. After that, I have other projects to work on. Besides, how many people can even use externalized skill arrays right now? It’d be a waste of my time to create some for only a handful of people.”

Keith’s eyes lit up. “I can wait. Waiting is good. How long? A month?”

Frisk was annoyed by Keith’s persistence. “If you want them so bad, make them yourself.”

“Hehe,” Keith wasn’t fooled. “Your skill arrays would be way better than anything I could create.”

Frisk waved Keith away. “Then study, study, and study some more!”

Keith’s excitement deflated like a balloon. How long would it take to attain even half of Frisk’s knowledge? Decades? Honestly, Keith didn’t mind learning arrays – he enjoyed it. If it weren’t for the imminent arrival of Torg Igneo, he’d lock himself away with Frisk and bury his nose in a book for who knows how long.

However, reality was just like that.

Sometimes, you had to do things you didn’t prefer.

Keith glanced at Frisk, who had returned to his desk. “Alright, I’ll head out. Good luck with your Laegur Beam Cannon. Cool name, by the way.”

Frisk merely raised a hand without turning his head to say goodbye. Keith didn’t mind. It was an improvement compared to being outright ignored like in the past.

Stretching his arms, Keith roused his spirit, left the Pocket Dimension, and traveled toward Myriad Reefs. Around five days remained until Torg Igneo knocked on their door, and he wanted to power up as much as he could before that happened.

Keith wasn’t alone in that regard.

All of the Innate Nation’s military were like locusts as they spread out from Serenity Canyon as the center, sweeping through all the monsters in their way. They sent the resources they acquired back to New Hope, where hordes of artisans toiled away, producing equipment, potions, and tools.

Scientists were hard at work, too.

Frisk partnered with several blacksmiths to make the finishing touches on the Laegur Beam Cannon, while another team of array masters made significant improvements to War Arrays. There were other ongoing projects as well.

Meanwhile, inside one of the three time-accelerated Pocket Dimensions sat Ska’dur, surrounded by a noise-canceling array. A quarter of this Pocket Dimension was for his use alone, with the rest used by researchers.

As Ska’dur focused, mana violently rippled across the surface of his body. Unlike Keith, who required an emotionless state to control his mana, Ska’dur needed to be agitated.

Thankfully, when he spent years researching the embryonic form of Life Energy, Ska’dur learned to secrete adrenaline through his brain, heightening his senses and reaction time.

Being the strongest fighter in the Innate Nation, it fell upon Ska’dur’s shoulders to tie down Torg Igneo, and the pressure he felt was suffocating. After all, the difference between them was immense. Torg had roamed the Grandsky Realm for over two thousand years, while Ska’dur had just arrived.

To have a chance against Torg, Ska’dur desperately needed to acquire the transcendent grade Mana Body. Fortunately, he didn’t need to learn about arrays, as he’d done that centuries ago. The one obstacle remaining was his Mana Manipulation skill, and he was making great strides towards leveling it due to his experience with Life Energy.

While Ska’dur trained, intrusive thoughts constantly hindered his progress. Rhea. His daughter had fallen into a depression, unable to find any satisfaction from growing stronger when she depended on other people.

Ska’dur blamed himself.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Since Rhea’s birth, he had instilled a mentality into her about relying solely on herself to develop. For Ska’dur, living as a barbarian was a hobby, a way to pass the time. For Rhea, it was her way of life. It was easy for Ska’dur to switch back, but not Rhea. It was the sole thing she knew.

Although Ska’dur felt saddened by Rhea’s predicament, facing Torg Igneo was more pressing, so he returned his attention to his mana.

Finally, a month later, Ska’dur’s Mana Manipulation skill reached level 500, and he began familiarizing himself with the transcendent grade Mana Body’s countless arrays. It didn’t take him long to memorize everything required.

Soon after, Ska’dur left the time-accelerated Pocket Dimension and went to the military base inside the cliff behind New Hope to use the few Tranquility arrays prepared for people to create their Mana Body.

Once seated inside the array, Ska’dur drank a cup of Heart Calming Tea and successfully formed his Mana Body in one attempt. When it unfolded throughout his body, Ska’dur clenched his hands, amazed by the increase in his overall strength. He sent his senses inward, trying to learn how the Mana Body functioned, though he couldn’t understand much of anything.

After Ska’dur familiarized himself with his new state, he left the room that housed the Tranquility array. Just as he took his first step into the hallway, a middle-aged female dwarf wearing a blank expression intercepted him. “Sir, your equipment is ready.”

“Lead the way,” Ska’dur nodded.

As the dwarf guided Ska’dur through the interconnected halls, she kept sneaking glances at him, clearly nervous to be in his presence.

“What’s your name?” Ska’dur took the initiative to lighten the atmosphere upon noticing her anxiety.

Like a startled rabbit, the woman jumped, faced Ska’dur, and saluted, shouting, “Major General Luca’s aide, Sergeant Major Nonina, at your service, sir!”

Nonina’s voice was so loud that she drew the attention of the other passersby in the hall, causing her face to turn red from embarrassment. Even then, she maintained her serious expression as if she didn’t notice anything.

Ska’dur coughed, “At ease.”

“Yes, sir!” Nonina shouted again, then promptly spun around and resumed leading the way. By now, Ska’dur was too afraid to continue making conversation, so the two walked in silence.

Eventually, they stopped before a guarded door, with a large sign above saying ‘Armory’. Nonina swiped a keycard across an array on the wall, and a beep rang out. The thick metal door slid open, and they walked in as it closed behind them. A few restricted doors later, Nonina brought Ska’dur into a room containing a lone table.

Atop it lay a plethora of items.

Nonina walked forward and faced Ska’dur. “Sir, Major General Luca said that the military expended a lot of resources and effort to procure the items here for you to use. She hopes they’ll increase your odds of survival.”

“How tactful,” Ska’dur gave a wry smile.

“I didn’t say it. Major General Luca did,” Nonina explained, trying to draw the line between her and her superior.

Ska’dur rolled his eyes. “I know.”

Nonina started explaining the different items. “Here are three divine grade Monster Pet Eggs for you to absorb. They dropped from a Mithril Golem, Redflare Elemental, and Slipstream Marlin.”

Ska’dur was visibly astonished. Although his innate gift allowed him to gain abilities from absorbing monster eggs, coming across them was a matter of luck. Till now, he’d acquired a single ancient grade egg.

“I understand the Mithril Golem and Redlare Elemental, but how will the Slipstream Marlin help me against Torg?” Ska’dur voiced his confusion.

Nonina pointed to the ocean-blue egg. “The Slipstream Marlin’s unique ability allows it to teleport short distances consecutively.”

“I see,” Ska’dur nodded.

Nonina continued, “Moving on, your equipment: all divine grade, targeted at resisting fire damage. Several innate gifts modified them, making them comparable to celestial grade in exchange for low durability. We’ve prepared three sets.”

Pausing, Nonina carefully picked up a wooden box and opened it. Inside was a pristine vial containing bright orange liquid.

When Nonina remained silent, Ska’dur asked, “This is?”

Nonina took a deep breath to calm her emotions, then said, “Energy Bloom Tonic, a celestial grade potion.”

“Celestial grade?” Ska’dur blinked, the hand caressing his beard freezing.

“Yes,” Nonina confirmed. “Lady Yara said that in the Grandsky Realm, transcendent grade potions don’t exist, and even those belonging to celestial grade are rarely seen. So, be happy to have the honor of drinking it.”

Nonina saw Ska’dur’s expression shift and quickly explained, “Those were Lady Yara’s words, not mine.”

“I know,” Ska’dur nearly choked.

Nonina closed the box and gently placed it back on the table. Next, she picked up a bracelet and shared, “The last item is a primary War Array. They’ve improved in all aspects compared to when we used them in the Innate Dimension. Just pay attention to your distance from the Skynet tomorrow. Don’t exceed one mile.”

“Understood,” Ska’dur replied.

Nonina stepped away from the table. “Everything is yours.”

Ska’dur walked up, and as he observed the items, he felt a heavy weight press down on him. He didn’t know how much effort, sweat, blood, and perhaps even lives went into getting these items. All he knew was that by taking them, he needed to risk his life against Torg Igneo.

And that made his blood boil with excitement.

Fighting between the thin line of life and death was what fuelled his youth. Now, he could once more relive that feeling.

With a wave of his hand, Ska’dur put the items into his inventory, his intentions clear.

Tomorrow, the Innate Nation would formally introduce themselves to the Grandsky Realm. Standing in their way was a single person – Torg Igneo, known by all as one of the three strongest people in the Grandsky Realm. Should they hold him back, it would mean they had the qualifications to enter the battle for ownership of the Realm. If not, then their independence would come to an end.