Numerous thoughts flashed in Sval’s mind. From who this girl was to what happened to Miyamoto and Dolores. For people of such strength to be played around this little girl’s finger was almost incomprehensible. What was even more baffling was that this little girl came up to him to sell him a sword. Frozen still and helpless, Sval felt minuscule in comparison.

Out of all the occurrences this past month, this was without a shred of doubt the most shocking one. Sval looked at her in even more detail, trying to figure out what her real motives were.

“Well? Cat got your tongue?” Helena casually waved her hand, trying to see what was wrong with this person. Sval instinctively looked down and saw his organs, blood vessels, and bones and screamed in terror. It was only then that Helena snapped her hand, causing Sval to realize that it was nothing more than an illusion.

“Who are you?” Sval’s first and foremost question. Whether or not she answers this, it would at least let Sval understand a bit more what her motives are.

“Introductions? I’m fine with that if it’ll make you buy this sword. I’m Helena, a financial adviser turned errand girl. Well, after this it should let you know enough, right?” She elegantly bowed, carrying with her motion the aura of authority. She was far too eccentric to be considered normal. All her actions was akin to a devil playing around with her meal.

Whoever Helena truly was, Sval knew one thing for sure, her status wasn’t in the slightest bit small. Adding on the fact that she could force great geniuses like Dolores and Miyamoto to stand still against their will. The little girl in front of him had more than enough power and authority behind her to shape the world as she wished. Which in reality, she genuinely did.

With so many things expressing that Helena was a wolf in sheep's clothing, Sval could determine one thing, there was no reason for Helena to lie to him. His and her statuses in the world were just far too vast for them to normally meet. He could only succumb to Helena’s wishes.

“I understand… If I may ask, are you perhaps the same girl that sold the Lower Rank 10 sword?” Sval needed to make sure. From his subordinate’s stern words, he had warned Sval that the true expert lying in wait was the little girl. She used a few commoners to act as a cover as she went along executing her plan.

“Now, we’re getting somewhere. Yes.” Helena was getting bored of this. She had been more than cordial enough to offer him a way out yet for some reason Sval was just too slow to understand this.

“Listen here, are you going to buy it or not?” Helena looked behind her, staring at Dolores. “Doesn’t matter who buys it, I just need to sell it.”

“Wait! I’ll take it!” Sval knew that despite having such a terrifying entity before him, this was still such a shady deal. Even so, with the threat of having his soon-to-be enemy gain this random unassuming sword from such a heavenly expert he had to make a choice.

“I’ll take that normal iron sword.” Sval couldn’t feel anything emanate from it, letting him assume that this was a random sword she had gotten from somewhere. Most likely, she took it from some beginner blacksmith.

“Normal? Heh… hahahaha!” Helena busted out laughing, if any of the divine experts in the otherworld heard this then without a doubt Sval would be hunted to the ends of the world. Anything Cain made was extraordinary in its own way. Countless god-like entities would beg and offer up their wealth to even have the opportunity to be seen by Cain. His creations were all divine artifacts that could change the fate of a normal world.

“Hahahahaha!” Continuous bouts of laughter made Sval completely unnerved. He could feel an ominous force starting to build up in front of him. It was the same concept with his Overcharged Point where he would gather up immense amounts of mana within himself and explode it all out within a single attack.

Yet… it seemed much more terrifying. Instead of gathering up mana within himself, what Helena was doing was using every other person’s mana to fuel her own attack. And even more absurd was that instead of a completely erratic all-out area of attack, Helena condensed and refined it down to the point of extreme compression.

As this immensely dense concentration of mana slowly formed a small neon crimson ball on top of Helena’s finger, Sval’s heart couldn’t stop beating faster and faster. His senses were telling him that this was an attack worthy of wiping off everyone in a vast distance. Such power was something he could only achieve at his peak.

“Normal! Hahahaha!” Helena’s casual attitude showed just how minuscule the effort it took her to create it. She raised the sword and pointed this orb of pure annihilation towards it.

“What are you-” Sval was completely and utterly confused. Why would she strike the obviously normal sword in her hands? Just what kind of joke was she playing here?

“Ha…” Helena finally managed to compose herself. “Anything that comes out of that store is anything but normal. Catch.”

Sval nervously took the sword in his hands and gripped it. A feeling of extreme familiarity and contentness filled his very being. Seeing as such an expert was forcing his hand, he readied himself.

This orb of pure annihilation slowly flew, edging closer and closer toward Sval. If let be, it would undeniably cause a destructive explosion that would wipe out everyone here. With no other choice, he played along, taking a single stance and struck the orb down.

As he slashed down, it felt like his very soul was being cleansed. He saw his childhood memories flash through his eyes, the memories of the old mundane world, and the adventures he had gone on in the otherworld. “So this is what it means by having your life flash before your very eyes…”

As Sval’s strike finally met the orb, there was silence. The expected showcase of a pure destructive maelstrom of death didn’t appear. He could only feel as if the sword in his hands ‘consumed’ it. This feeling was undoubtedly refreshing.

The feeling of slashing. The feeling of the hilt of the sword and the sound of air breaking, as he swung it around, was truly refreshing. The feeling of holding a blade.

After overcoming this blissful feeling, he immediately kneeled down in front of Helena. “I was wrong!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard this countless times before. Pay up.” Helena had a slightly shocked look on her face as he didn’t expect this Higher Rank 9 sword to completely and utterly remove a Peak Rank 10 attack from existence. Although she expected it to weaken it, she didn’t expect that the sword completely consumed it. It wasn’t a normal Peak Rank 10 attack either, it was something that went above and beyond the current realm of this world. A God like her had some liberties with reality after all.

Sval finally understood the value of this sword. Despite its normal appearance, the power it held essentially made it a mage’s worst nightmare. For all their attacks to be consumed, it was absurdly unfair.

Now that he understood this, he fully knew that he wouldn’t be able to afford it even if he gave everything away. Such a weapon was something that could only be achieved as the final spoil after an arduous journey.

Thinking of how intentional Helena was in her choice, there was something that he had that the others didn’t. Sval tried to think, mana stones, rare materials, a map of the dungeons, strength, status, he had nothing above them except for one thing.

“As you wish, the method of rapidly increasing your strength. I guess it truly is something unique.” Sval started taking out a piece of paper and started writing on it.

“Eh?” Helena was completely and utterly confused. Why was this man writing something? Was it something she could cash in for mana stones? She was unsure of the current situation. It was best to let it continue on.

After Sval finished writing it all down, he humbly presented it to Helena. She looked at it for a brief moment then conjured a flame to immediately consume it all. Burning such a method into ashes.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

‘What the hell was that about? Telling me to do all that? Tch, useless! If you want to get strong fast then just keep using mana stones! I swear people are completely idiotic!’ Helena internally scoffed. Her temper was rising.

“What the hell was that for? Mana Stones!” Helena lashed out as she couldn’t handle it anymore. “I want Mana Stones! Hand them over. Stop telling me to do all that it’s stupid.”

Now it was Sval’s turn to be utterly confused. Never in a million years would he have ever expected that such a supreme expert would require Mana Stones. Thinking about it even further, it did make sense.

With how terrifying Helena was, she would definitely have a method to use Mana Stones and properly use them. Converting Mana Stones into something usable with great efficiency. Countless people had also thought of using Mana Stones to grow in strength yet the greatest efficiency they could achieve was a mere 6%.

Fortunately, as people grew in strength, the easier they could convert Mana Stones directly into their strength. Though, it didn’t necessarily mean that all Mana Stones became easier to consume.

For reference, a normal Rank 3 expert could convert Low-Quality Mana Stones with an efficiency of 1% without any way of converting Medium-Quality Mana Stones. As for a Rank 6 expert, they could convert Low-Quality Mana Stones with an efficiency of 3.5% and Medium-Quality Mana Stones with an efficiency of 0.2%.

As for High-Quality Mana Stones, not a single person could use them at all. Even Sval couldn’t convert High-Quality Mana Stones into his own strength without a proper cultivation method. This was the disparity in both skill and method. These were numbers based completely without using any special method at all. It added on the fact that these are all numbers that came from a completely average person. People with higher talent would be able to convert Mana Stones with much greater efficiency.

If the strongest public person could already reach Peak Rank 8 without a proper cultivation method then what about the hidden monsters lying in wait? It was safe to assume that there was another wave coming, one that would completely render every single guild right now obsolete.

Though one had to take note, Epitome, still had their guild master. Not to mention the fact that it was undoubtedly the richest guild, their method of increasing their strength could be due to a cultivation method. What was initially deemed far too difficult was now finally being shone light.

“I apologize but I do not have enough to even afford a tenth of this sword’s value.” Sval honestly stated. Since such a terrifying monster finally showed up and directly targeted him, she should’ve already known this fact.

“Well, how much do you have?” Helena wasn’t going to be picky at all. A single Medium-Quality Mana Stone was genuinely profitable already. She just wanted to see how much she could squeeze out from this nobody.

“I currently have 20 High-Quality Mana Stones on me.” Seeing that Helena wasn’t completely angered by his words. He decided to continue speaking the truth.

“How about Medium-Quality and Low-Quality Mana Stones? Don’t hold back anything.” Helena was much more satisfied hearing a larger amount than what they had invested in.

“So you’re willing to sell it for my entire guild’s wealth?” Sval saw that Helena was trying to get as much as possible. Seeing that there was no point in playing around, he directly stated it.

“Right. Pay up.” Sval immediately took out everything in his spatial ring and gave it to Helena.

“Where will I send the rest to?” Sval was trying to see if he could form a more solid relationship with her.

“I’ll send someone to take it.” Helena played around with the Mana Stones. Although it still wasn’t impressive, it was more than enough for Cain to restock their food supply. Which was the most important thing. She didn't want to have to fight Nue for the tinest of scraps. As odd as it was, Helena still had some honor in her actions, no matter how little they were.

Devious thoughts appeared within Helena’s mind as she thought of who to send. Should she send the ever-chaotic Nue to see how willing they were to bend to her will or should she send Harry and test him even further? As for sending Cain, she didn’t want to order him around unless it was important. Letting him take the lead this time around was something she owed to him.

Sval was examining his newly acquired sword when he suddenly heard Miyamoto speak.

“... want to fight… her?” Miyamoto felt an odd disturbance as he immediately looked around in a frenzy. Dolores did the same, her previously cold expression showed a hint of panic and fear. It was as if there was a gap in their understanding.

Miyamoto unhesitatingly took out his Lower Rank 10 sword, even using his constitution to forcefully wield it. The sheer pressure from his body completely forced everyone around him to feel a sharp tinge of pain within the very depths of their soul.

As for Dolores, she wasn’t affected at all, merely taking out her own set of weapons. A dagger enshrouded with such immense darkness that it could even block out someone’s vision if they saw it unprepared. Her aura was significantly less powerful than Miyamoto’s but her posture showed that she wasn’t backing down at all.

These two great talents immediately sensed danger and reacted accordingly.

Sval already had the unnamed Higher Rank 9 sword in his possession. Miyamoto’s pressure affected Sval as well yet it wasn’t as severe. Due to Sval’s own sword talent and the protection of this all-consuming sword, he was in the same position as Dolores.

Amelia, on the other hand, was completely suppressed. She immediately fell down as Miyamoto’s overbearing pressure made it so that she could barely breathe. She tried to form a protective cocoon over herself yet the threads were being cut down as they were being formed. A truly pitiful sight.

“You?” Miyamoto looked at Dolores who was also in a state of extreme alertness. “No… the shock in your eyes cannot be faked.”

Dolores took a deep breath and calmly assessed the situation, “It seems like the person under you has acquired a sword I haven’t seen before. Will you let me interrogate him or will you take on the burden? I’m well versed in getting information out of others.”

“There’s no need.” Miyamoto walked over to Sval who suddenly had an ordinary-looking sword in his hands. It was to the point that even Miyamoto couldn’t pinpoint what this sword was. From his perspective, it was also another completely normal sword.

So this was the most questionable part, why would a person who vividly expresses his refusal to take on a blade suddenly hold one in his hands? And for it to be a completely ordinary one no less. Something wasn’t adding up.

“I’m sure something happened and that sword is related to it. Sval, speak.” Miyamoto sterned spoke. For someone to come in and render both him and Dolores powerless was a person that was well beyond their full capabilities. “If that person verbally warned you to not explain then I won’t pry any further. I trust your words.”

“But the possibility that-” Dolores immediately spoke up. She wasn’t as keen on trusting others so easily. If this might lead to a conflict that would endanger her master then she had to deal with it even if it meant her death.

“Silence. This won’t involve your master at all. At most, we die here.” Miyamoto wasn’t fazed with death at all. This was a feeling that he had honed over the course of countless years in the otherworld.

Dolores visibly showed relief, despite hearing that she would die, the thought of not involving her master was reward enough. A slave seal truly was terrifying.

“It was the same person who sold you your sword. She came over to sell me one of her wares.” Sval didn’t get the impression that Helena would get rid of his bloodline if anyone else knew. She was even willing to send someone to get the rest of his wealth.

“A little girl? Red hair like crimson and eyes as dark as the depths of the abyss. That little girl?” Miyamoto’s eyes narrowed as he took this much more seriously. The way he interpreted this was that he wasn’t doing his job at all.

“Right, she called herself Helena. The same name as…” Sval lowered his voice, implying an Unspeakable.

“That cannot be. If she truly is that person then Earth would’ve been wiped out ages ago. What else? Did she really just come over to sell you a sword?” Miyamoto continued on.

As for Dolores and Amelia, they had already recovered quite well from Miyamoto’s pressure. He had already sheathed his blade as they were conversing.

“If I may interject, who is this ‘little girl’ you speak of?” Dolores had heard of a Lower Rank 9 sword suddenly turning into a Lower Rank 10 sword that intrigued the world for a while. Despite this, her master had stated that it was interesting, nothing more, nothing less.

Now it turns out that there was a female who held immense power, it might finally take her master’s attention. As far as she was concerned, her master was a being of unparalleled might. The peak of the peak, the greatest of the great, a truly supreme existence.

Miyamoto looked at Dolores, “We aren’t close enough for that. Leave.”

“I still want to finish off what we started.” Sval didn’t back down. Although he had received a new blade, it looked completely mundane without any interesting property towards it.

Amelia felt something was wrong, “Master, why don’t we just-”

“Silence.” Dolores now had something she wanted from them. “If we still accept the challenge, would you divulge information about her truthfully? Please answer truthfully, though I cannot force you. If you lie then I could only be fooled.”

Miyamoto saw that Sval finally put down his pride and chose to hold a blade. He was now invested in Sval, he wasn’t going to just let him die like this now. Everything had changed. “No-”

“I’ll tell you! Amelia, I want to take your head myself!” Sval, equipped with such a divine weapon was no longer afraid. He didn’t have doubts nor did he hesitate. Miyamoto sighed as he kept a keen eye on what was happening.

“As you wish. Amelia, take your arms and fight.” Dolores faced Amelia. “The time between us as master and disciple was not long but I have grown fond of you. Fight on.”

Amelia heard this and bit her lips. She knew what was going to happen. Even if no one said it, it was clear. She was now being given up as a sacrifice. “Poetic, isn’t it? Such is life…”

Without any communication, Dolores and Miyamoto had a tacit understanding. If Sval were endangered, Dolores would make a move and cut her own disciple down. Dolores’ motive was purely focused on her master’s safety, a disciple wasn’t much, she could always get another one. Her master was her one and only.

Two faces faced each other once again. Amelia, despite being at her peak state, was completely moody while Sval, who had used up all his mana, was currently burning brightly. The only difference was that Sval had a sword in his hands. Little did they know that the outcome would be decided far too quickly.