Kaiser had no desire to cross paths with that beastial woman ever again, their darkly romantic parting was something he would never forget. However, he couldn't deny his curiosity about her origins and their so-called Sacred Bond. Once they moved to a larger town, he wanted to know what places to avoid and the real nature of the blood contract he reluctantly signed.

“Be honest with me, have you been eating random mushrooms out in the wild?” Garba asked, raising an eyebrow in mock suspicion.

“Of course not.”

Why would he do that, anyway?

“Then what on earth makes you think a hound and a human would ever mate to produce the creature you mentioned? No offense, but seriously, are most of you Players a little sick in the head?”

Indeed, why would someone like Zara even exist? A mix between wolves and humans… Kaiser hated to admit it, but the old man’s joke might have a point. A lot of humans from Earth had fed on toxic social media, which warped their thinking in strange, perverse ways. Zara must be a descendant, since her beastial powers were beyond what Leveling could give, his distinct beastial prowess to Alfred’s might are proof of that. So it was possible she came from the bloodline of a Player who had actually done the forbidden

"deed" with a wolf.... But who knew—he could be wrong.

Still, the thought horrified Kaiser.

'Shattered Realms are full of psychos.'

He dismissed the thought and moved on to a more important subject. He had already confirmed that Zara wasn’t from these lands; she was probably from a different Realm and had somehow ended up lost in Greenland because Garba himself failed to recognize such a noticeable feature of Beast-kins. Her Clan is likely on another Realm, making him feel assured that chances of bumping into those people — hopefully, Zara personally— are really low. A single one of them was already so terrifying, let alone, an entire clan. Not like Kai planned to make an enemy of them, but Zara would be really displeased if she finds out she's forever bound to the immortal Kaiser.

"Maybe you're right, having a darker mind isn’t uncommon in my world. But let’s forget about that. Say, do you know about mythical creatures by any chance?"

Garba recalled as they moved deeper into the capacious room, where aside from a large bed, study table, bookshelves, wardrobe cabinet and a few more simple furniture. Most of the space is vacant. The ceiling is high, too. And massive windows on the circular walls gave lights to the entire chamber, capacious and bright yet gave off a vive of solitude.

"I do. They're intelligent creatures similar to humans, sometimes even smarter than us. However, those I know only came from passed down tales of Players' travels across Realms. And because of how old those stories are, take every word with a grain of salt. If you're looking for the real deal, though… well, maybe you’ll find one out there, if you can cross the Boundary, that is."

‘So none of them exist here.’

Understandably, mythical creatures would be exceptionally powerful beings, possessing monstrous bodies and outstanding intelligence sometimes even surpassing humans. In comparison, the roaming beasts inhabiting Greenland’s forests were weak creatures left to thrive intentionally to be hunted by humans. There were a few exceptions, but none reached a really dangerous level yet. Kaiser couldn’t hope to find a mystical creature in this vibrant land. But if anything he learned, is that, the possibility of their existence in the Shattered Realms was high.

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Kaiser pressed on.

"Then, how about the Sacred Bond? Ever heard of it?"

Garba scratched his chin thoughtfully before replying.

"Hmm, in the stories related to mythical creatures, there are a few clues related to the Sacred Bond you mentioned. They describe it as a process of enslaving, or in a lighter term, taming intelligent creatures. But I doubt it’s real; many types of supposed rituals have spread, either made up or genuinely extracted from ancient texts. And many fools have attempted to prove the realness of Sacred Bond, but as expected, not a single ritual works. Anyway, enough of that—take a look at this!"

Garba proudly presented the sword hanging on the wall. Pointing at it like it's some kind of sacred relic. Which isn't a complete exaggeration, considering how elegant that piece of art is.

Kaiser’s breath caught as he followed the old man’s gaze and took in the weapon’s stunning craftsmanship. The blade was unlike anything he had seen before—its form was long and slender, the edge double-sided and lethally sharp, but its appearance was what truly captivated him. The blade seemed to be forged from the very air itself, as if it were made of nothing but crystalline breeze. A faint glimmer ran along its edges, a subtle, deadly gleam hinting at an unparalleled sharpness and lightness.

The hilt was carved from dark wood, polished to a rich, deep finish that glinted in the dim light. Its texture looked both inviting and sturdy, worn smooth by generations of hands that had wielded it before him. The old man reached for it, his hands steady as he reached up to take it, almost reverently, as though he held an heirloom of profound importance.

Just from the looks of it, Kaiser could tell it's no ordinary blade. Perhaps, the most magnificent sword he had ever seen. With a dark wooden hilt and completely transparent, slender blade, as though made from the finest glass. Kai can't help but wonder how such a creation was forged. That said, is it even usable in battle? From the looks of it, the sword was meant for decoration rather than bloodshed.

As he brought it down, Garba held it out, the sword catching the faint light of the room as it gleamed in his weathered hands.

"That's a neat sword. Where did you get that?" Kaiser remarked.

Garba looks at the young man, suspecting his mouth is getting sharper by the minute. From his casual tone alone and poor choice of words, as if indirectly saying; Where did you steal that?

Nevertheless, Garba shrugged. He isn't that different from Kai, anyway.

"From the Player you were laughing at." He stated, jokingly yet honestly. His senile eyes then studied the translucent blade, somberly.

"Beautiful, isn’t it? Windblade, is what it's called."

‘Damn, his sword is cooler than he is,’ Was what Kai originally wanted to say, but he decided to hold back that comment. Instead, he asked.

"But can you actually use it?"

Garba looked at Kaiser again. Is it him, or the timid, barely talkative young man are disappearing, lowly being replaced by a sharp tongued rascal? But that's fine, rather, his amused. This kid, Kaiser wasn't such a boring kid when you came to know him better.

"Why? Does it look like a mere decoration to you? Doubleyu, ahem, ‘He’ was said to be the greatest swordsman to ever step foot in Greenland, his blade feared by every Player, even Bakar. My family might not be related to him by blood, so we’re not official Descendants, but one thing he did pass down to us is his blade!"

"Just the blade?" Kaiser tilted his head.

The old man rubbed his face, not knowing whether this young man is intentionally irritating him for the fun of it or genuinely curious. Even Kai was not sure what his actually doing, in his perspective, his just having an amusing conversation.

He let out a long sigh.

"Of course not, brat. Why pass down a sword if you're not letting them use it! Obviously, the great "He" had also taught my ancestor the art of wielding the blade. I'll have you know, the village you're staying at was founded thanks to "His" presence here and my family's protection was the main reason it thrived through its lowest point. Our legacy of swordmen had protected it from mischievous Plunderers and invading Beasts alike. If you don't believe me, I could walk there and still be treated with the respect of a reputable guardian."

No wonder the village holds the Tower Warden in such high regard, a word from him alone had cleansed every villager suspicion towards the strangers, Kaiser, Ariella and Cia once was when they first interacted with the settlement. Because the lighthouse keeper's family had served as its blade since its uprising, through hardship and wealth.

A grin creeped onto Kaiser's lips. Of course, he has heard of their unforgettable contribution and amazing history of producing swordsmen, some are even said to be stronger than Alfred. Unfortunately, the tower keeper's family had waned down, leaving one last member to carry their legacy... and swordmanship.

Kaiser wasn't a bright student, but at least he did his homework sometimes. Alfred, being the Hunters leader and soon to be promoted as village Chief was extremely busy, even if he exploited the things the Hunter owed him, the swordmanship lessons he could offer are inconsistent, at best.

He wants to learn the art of the blade as soon as possible. What better teacher is there except a lonesome old man who has nothing to do in life? Granted, that geezer came from a bloodline of swordsman.

Kai clapped, exaggerating his amazement.

"That's impressive. So the rumors I've heard are true. It's a shame your family's sword style ends at you, gramps. Since we don’t have much time left, I don't mind continuing your legacy. Feel free to pass your sword style to me."

Garba laughed

"Brat, where did your shame had gone to?"