Lymar Village,
Kirkcour Woods, Rosendun.
12:10 a.m. 16 th Banem 1092.
Crackle!
Lightning flashed across the cloudy sky, accompanied by raging thunder as the heavens bore witness to the madness occurring at the village square. Thick mana, visible to the human eye, swirled around the square as if carried by a tornado. The winds were so heavy that no one dared to approach the scene.
The strange thing was that it was impossible to tell who was causing the scene, between the stallion undergoing the ritual or the daeben who had dozens of paintings revolving around him.
Kashi issued a light smirk as he placed the final touch on his last painting. He took a step back and admired the image of beautiful waves lapping onto a sandy beach, which beyond which, traces of a prairie field could be seen.
New Masterpiece Painting
Solemn Beachfront (Dimension Key)
The silent waves upon the sandy beach fill the viewer with a sense of loneliness. Does the prairie in the distance provide a ray of hope, or is it an illusion?
Artistic Value: 1500
Effects: Costs 10 times the level of the lifeform to access the dimension hidden within the painting.
Number of Masterpieces Created: 123
Trait: Dimension Protector (Immunity to Fire, Water, and Rot)
Level up: Intermediate Painting Mastery [8 9]
Level up: Beginner Dimensional Artist Mastery [2 3]
Enables you to produce more delicate and detailed works.
Fame rises by 50 points. (+50 Fame)
Art rises by 20 points. (+40 Art)
Kashi revealed a smile as he flicked Rosario’s brush, sending it into his inventory. It seemed 100 gates was the current limit for his inner world. To increase the limit, he would have to increase the size and stability of the inner world. Well, as far as stability went, he knew what he had to do: Find high-class totems representing the elements. As for size, well, he would take his time figuring that out.
Kashi raised his hand, and the paintings fell onto his outstretched palm one after the other, until they formed a neat, thick pile. The daeben barely had time to appreciate the fruits of his labor when Drixali’s stern but chaotic voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Kashi-dono! It’s time for the final step!”
Kashi quickly tucked the paintings in his inner world, then looked at Drixali. Surprisingly, the strange storm did not end even after he finished his painting. It seemed the gods had taken an interest in the cocoon. The daeben’s gaze narrowed as a smile curled up his lips. Drixlia’s transformation had to be beyond extraordinary for the gods to have taken an interest.
His confidence stoked by the realization, Kashi excitedly called out to Drixali, who was outside the storm. “What’s the final step!?”
“You have to place an imprint on him,” Drixali said and then elaborated. “It will form a connection with him, which will allow you to know each other’s location anywhere in the world, as well as communicate your intentions.”
“What? I’ll be able to talk with Drix?”
“Not talk in the simplest terms,” Drixali refuted with a shake of his head. “It’s intent, not words that are communicated. It’s so much deeper. Words can create misunderstandings, but intent does not. Because it’s the truth of the heart.”
“Ah, I understand,” Kashi muttered, wondering what that would be like. He had a similar connection with Kira, but they used words, not the so-called intent. However, it was true that they could feel each other’s true emotions, hence why he never bothered lying to her. There was most likely no one in the world who understood him as well as Kira did. ‘How long are you gonna sleep?’
Kashi shook his head and turned to Drixali. “What do I have to do?”
“Feed your blood and mana into the cocoon,” Drixali instructed. “Pour as much as you can. It will increase the strength of the imprint.”
“Hmm? That’s easy,” Kashi muttered and then walked towards the cocoon at the center of the ritual. Heavy winds buffeted the daeben, threatening to throw him out, but he walked steadfastly through the gale until he reached the red ball. The daeben dragonified his left arm and cut his right palm with a claw.
Kashi stared at the dripping blood for a second and then placed his palm on the ball.
Swuuup!
Kashi stumbled forward as a mighty suction force grabbed hold of his palm and began to drain the daeben of both his blood and mana. Kashi paled when he sensed the speed at which he was being drained. Damn, this ball was greedy! It was sucking faster than his regeneration could keep up! At this rate, he would be drained dry in a few minutes!
Kashi attempted to wrestle his arm free, but the attractive force was far too strong. Two minutes passed, and the daeben’s frown deepened when he did not sense a decrease in the ball’s greed. At this rate, he would really get killed by this damned thing!
However, Kashi was secretly pleased despite his anger because he could sense a thriving pulse coming from within the cocoon. The lifeform within was getting stronger with each passing second, to the extent that Kashi felt a bit cautious.
Still, Kashi knew he had to do something about this indiscriminate sucking, or he would kick the bucket before getting to appreciate Drixlia’s transformation. If he could only find a substitute to buy himself enough time to replenish his mana. But that might taint the imprint!
Wait… a substitute? This thing wanted Kashi’s mana, right? But who said it had to be mana from his body. It should be fine as long as it was mana that had his imprint.
“Please let this work,” Kashi muttered as he opened a small gate to his inner world on his left palm. Mana from his inner world gushed out and flooded his bloodstream, bringing with them the vitality of Yggdrasil mixed with his dragon soul’s tyrant violence and the strength of the elements present in his world. The aura rapidly replenished Kashi’s blood as it flowed through then went out through his right arm, into the cocoon.
Boom!
Kashi gritted his teeth as the air around the cocoon exploded outward, slamming him with dense mana winds as if the cocoon was expelling ugly mana. Immediately afterward, the cocoon ferociously guzzled the daeben’s mana. Luckily, the speed of suction did not surpass the rate at which Kashi received mana.
Craackle! BOOOM!
Moments later, the cocoon had drunk its fill, and Kashi was sent flying. The daeben hurriedly shut down the portal once he landed. While the extra mana was certainly a boost, he could not control the influx speed, and it was thus a double-edged sword. If he left it open, his body would be bloated with pure mana within seconds and would then explode.
This time, the suction force was enough to prevent this disaster, but until he learned to control the influx, Kashi could not rely on this move in battle just yet. This realization did not disappoint the daeben as some would expect. Instead, he was pleased that he had found another way to improve. Hard work was the easy part as far as he was concerned.
Creaak! Crack!
The sounds of something drew Kashi’s attention to the cocoon. Tumultuous winds, lightning, and flames burst out of the cracks as if announcing the presence of the divine being within.
The centaurs gathered outside the square felt a heavy pressure weigh down on their souls as they gazed at the cracks on the cocoon. It felt like the pressure a cat would face when confronted with a lion. The pressure of a superior lifeform!
Even the mighty Drixali had caution in his eyes as the cracks grew wider. Even though he knew he was much stronger than the being in the cocoon, he too could not help but feel a bit threatened. “The grown zebra cowers before the baby lion,” muttered the demon beneath his breath.
Kashi, meanwhile, stood amid the lightning, wind, and flames with an excited grin. “…Wake up, Drix!”
BOOOOM!
A mighty explosion rocked the town square, sending dust clouds throughout the village. Kashi stood within the roiling dust clouds with expectation in his eyes. He could feel a familiar yet unfamiliar presence within the dust and could not wait to see the aftermath.
Neeeigh!
Whooosh!
Kashi grinned as a loud neigh rang out, accompanied by a gust of wind from the center of the square. The gale swept out in all directions, wiping out the dust to reveal the majestic creature.
Stood at the center was a creature like none Kashi had witnessed since he had come into this world. Drixlia had undergone an evolution beyond the daeben’s wildest dreams. Obsidian dragon scales covering its entire frame gleamed imposingly in the afternoon sun. Tufts of snow-white hair grew at the back of its hoofs, while a massive, beautiful mane grown along its back fluttered beautifully in the winds.
But most striking of all was the horn composed of condensed lightning extending from Drixlia’s forehead. Drixlia softly snorted and then strutted toward Kashi. Lightning sparked beneath its hooves with every step it took, belying its incredible power.
Looking at the scales, the lightning, and its power, Kashi put two and two together. Drixlia was no longer a stallion. It seemed the combination of Yggdrassil, his dragon, the hydras, Drixali, and Kira’s mana had given birth to a divine creature that should not exist in the mortal realm.
Drixlia approached Kashi and then strutted around the daeben as if showing off its new body. In reply, Kashi laughed and patted the stallion’s flank. “Congratulations, Drix. You are officially the first Kirin to appear in this realm.”
Harrumph!
“Fine, I’ll get on,” Kashi chuckled as he jumped onto Drixlia’s back. Surprisingly, the scales were not as uncomfortable as he thought. A layer of soft white fur cushioned his seat, causing for a much more comfortable ride. Kashi grabbed hold of the Drixlia’s mane and had to resist a shout when the newly-born kirin suddenly took off like a bolt of lightning.
The duo quickly disappeared into the horizon, leaving behind a stunned crowd, who could neither process the kirin’s existence nor its mind-numbing speed.
“Kirin!” Drixali shouted in shock. “It’s really a Kirin!” He glanced at Kashi with fear and respect in his eyes. ‘I had a hunch his aura would improve the bloodline. But to this extent? The news can’t get out, or the entire Netherworld would find a way to hunt him down to improve their bloodline.’
Drixali quickly glanced around. Thankfully, only the centaurs and Kashi’s people were present. A word from him should be enough to secure the centaurs’ silence. Good, all was fine as long as this did not get out.
Unfortunately, Drixali only paid attention to the sentient creatures. He missed an inconspicuous eagle flying above the village. This eagle had seemingly appeared out of nowhere when the commotion began. Currently, it was relaying information to a hidden party.
Mount Plymous.
12:20 p.m. 18 th Banem 1092.
Mount Plymous was a massive mountain range in a hidden location on the planet. One hundred citadels fit for kings lined the mountain range, reducing in number as one rose up in the mountain. The largest and most beautiful building of all rested at the mountain’s summit.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Each of the mansions had a torch atop them that would never go out, whether hit by rain, wind, snow, or the strongest force in the world. However, strangely, the torches above two of the mansions were currently extinguished, and one of the villas had been overtaken by trees, showing it hadn’t been used in centuries.
This was the home and headquarters of the Adjudicators. Since no one could access this place, they could safely leave their bodies behind without fear that someone would assassinate or rob them.
At one of the homes on the second level of the mountain, an Adjudicator suddenly shot to his feet. If one looked closely, they would notice that his right eye resembled an eagle’s rather than a human. Playing within that eye was the sight of a creature riding lightning across the plains. Furthermore, it had begun to climb into the sky with a laughing daeben on its back.
“A kirin!” The adjudicator shouted. “Haha, Kashi, you bastard. You refused the toast, only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Kirin’s belong in the Netherrealm. Try and get in our way and see how we deal with you.”
The adjudicator was so excited. With Kashi’s personality, he would fight back when they came for that Kirin. However, that would be grounds to punish or even exterminate him! Heh, that daeben would soon learn to respect the adjudicators.
Frankly speaking, the confrontation at Ranad had humiliated the adjudicators to no end. Even now, the game community pages were filled with memes about how useless the adjudicators were. To regain their reputation, the adjudicators had kept an eye on Kashi, hoping he slipped up and did something that required their intervention.
However, until now, the daeben had not broken any rules.
But now, a creature that should be in the Netherrealm had appeared in the mortal realm. There was justification. The adjudicators were determined to seize this opportunity to not only regain their reputation but wipe out Kashi.
Unfortunately, the adjudicator’s excitement was cut short by a prompt.
Warning : This Kirin was born and evolved in the mortal realm. Any attempts to force it into the Netherrealm will be seen as an abuse of authority and power.
“Fuck!” The adjudicator cursed as his excitement instantly deflated. Many people did not know this, but there was an even greater power behind the adjudicators: the A.I. that governed the rules of this world and game. Up till now, no one could seize the master control from the A.I, an authority granted by the world’s original creator.
The adjudicator punched the wall in rage, “Rumaki, you bastard. You should have surrendered the master controls if you were going to die…”
Lymar Village,
Kirkcour Woods, Rosendun.
12:20 a.m. 16 th Banem 1092.
Meanwhile, unaware of the danger it just avoided, Drixlia zoomed past the clouds at breakneck speed, leaving a trail of lightning in its path. Seated atop its back, Kashi hollered as the opposing winds buffeted him, threatening to throw him off Drixlia. However, the daeben did not care, as he relished in the strange feeling of unison he shared with his steed.
Man and horse as one.
Kashi previously thought he had reached that realm, but looking back, he realized he had only been making a fool of himself. The true unity could only exist when there was no distinguishing between the rider and the steed. The moment when the rider did not even have to think for the steed to know what to do.
Yes, Drixlia currently felt like an extension of Kashi’s limbs. Just like he did not think when moving his arms, he did not need to ‘communicate’ for Drixlia to move as he intended. It was a feeling he could not explain with words, so Kashi emptied his mind and instead buried himself in the liberating winds.
A couple of minutes later, Kashi and Drixlia finally returned to Lymar and landed at the village square. Drixlia came to a stop amidst a flash of lightning, drawing furtive, fearful glances from the centaurs who could not stop staring at it in shock.
Even Kashi, who did not feel particularly comfortable with reverent gazes, could not help but feel a hint of pride. He patted Drixlia’s neck with a pleased smile. “Hehe, seems like they respect you more than me.”
“Kashi.”
Goosebumps shot up the daeben’s arms and back, but Kashi managed to hide his shock as he looked over his shoulder. As expected, the irritable white-haired assassin was seated behind him with a blank expression as always. “Wh-what are you doing?”
“I’m sure you have official work to do,” Shadow replied in an even tone. “Get off. It’s my turn.”
“Huh?” Kashi muttered, but before he could even comprehend what Shadow meant, he found himself looking at the sky. ‘Ah, he pushed me off,’ Kashi realized and quickly righted himself. He landed in a low crouch and then glared at Shadow, whose gaze held a faint teasing glint. Kashi rose to his feet and sent the assassin a mocking glare. “Nice try. But Drix and I share an unbreakable bond. Better be careful, or he’ll throw you o—”
Bzzt!
Kashi’s eyes twitched as he stared at the lightning residue left behind as Drixlia shot to the skies with Shadow on its back. ‘What man and horse as one? Drix, you traitor! Give me back my pride, you damned!’ Kashi coughed as he swallowed his rage and embarrassment. ‘At least the centaurs didn’t notice, right?’ However, even that hope was dashed when Kashi notice the mirth in the centaurs’ eyes. Even though they tried their best not to laugh out loud, the truth could not be hidden from their eyes.
Well, wasn’t that grand?
Kashi sighed and shook his head. What’s done is done. Besides, Shadow was right. He did have important stuff to do now. Kasha was reluctant to let go of the centaurs, especially after receiving the God of Worlds prompt. Initially, he had wanted the centaurs to pledge alliance to Rosendun and maybe bolster Absalon’s forces with a couple.
However, things had changed since he first set off for Kirkcour Woods. The knowledge he could add people to his inner world had completely changed the daeben’s line of thought. Kashi had already begun formulating a new plan that would stun the world, but first, he needed to convince the centaurs.
Kashi braced himself as he approached the chiefs, pondering on what tricks he should use this time.
Boom!
However, Kashi froze in his tracks, when before he could even say a word, the chiefs collectively dropped to their knees and bowed.
“Great Kashi-sama!” Mando, chief of the Lymar tribe, suddenly greeted with a shout. “The Lymar tribe pledges its allegiances to your cause. We will ride where you ride and strike down whoever displeases you. Our backs are yours to ride, and our spears are yours to use as you deem fit. Please grant us the honor of flying your banner.”
The other chiefs issued similar platitudes, stunning the daeben. Unlike other races, centaurs did not easily kneel, not even before a god. This was because a centaur on their knees was a true sitting duck. If someone were to attack a kneeling centaur, the centaur would not be able to rise to their feet in time to prevent the attack.
There was no greater show of sincerity in the world than centaur on its knees.
Kashi was well aware of the centaur’s culture. Even Razznik, with all his power, never got a centaur to bow to him. Sure, they feared him and ran away if he so much as glared in their direction, but they never kneeled. Unable to comprehend, Kashi looked at Drixali with question in his eyes. “What’s going on?”
Drixali looked at his master with disbelief. Did he really not understand what he had accomplished here? “Master, not only did you save them from certain doom, but you also subjugated me, their god. Finally, they witnessed you bring a divine Kirin into this world. The Kirin is the ultimate lifeform for all equestrian species. Even if they never make it to that level, they hope that future generations will have an increased chance of improving their bloodline by staying around you. Right now, you are probably more of a god to these centaurs than I ever was.”
Perhaps, due to his new-found loyalty, there was no jealousy in Drixali’s voice—only praise. It was like it was only right that things turned out this way.
Kashi thought about it and then nodded. He looked at the chiefs and said, “Please rise. It’ll be my honor to have you all as allies. To be honest, that was my primary reason for coming down here.”
If Kashi had said these words a few hours earlier, the centaurs would have been angered by his gall to dare try and recruit them. Now, however, their eyes glowed with joy and happiness. What had once been seen as arrogance now appeared as benevolence in their minds.
‘Ah, Kashi cared for us and even considered helping us so long ago.’ This was the absurd rationalization going through the centaurs’ heads at the moment.
Kashi, realizing he could get away with murder at this point, confidently continued, “As you’ve probably seen, my inner world hosts an aura that can improve the bloodline of living creatures and help them reach the next level. However, it is currently, unfortunately, quite small. To improve it, I need to fill it with living creatures, both sentient and non-sentient.” Kashi issued a warm smile as he extended his hand. “How would you like to be the first residents of this world?”
“It will be our honor!” Mando and the chiefs hurriedly cried as they rose to their feet and grasped Kashi’s hand one after the other.
“First, I will release some of those who went in for healing,” Kashi said as a portal appeared in front of him, “so they can reveal what the conditions in there are like.”
Whoosh! Plop!
“No. Wait!”
“No, not yet!”
“A little more time!”
Similar, frantic cries rang out in the square as a dozen centaurs were squeezed out from the portal. These proud soldiers did not even pay attention to the chiefs before turning to rush at Kashi. The centaurs pleaded with the daeben to open the portal and swore every type of allegiance swearable under the sun.
*Cough* *Cough*
A loud cough finally brought the centaurs to their senses. They turned around and sheepishly smiled at their chiefs. Mando enquired about their strange actions, and the centaurs quickly went into a full tirade about how unbelievable Kashi’s world was. According to them, injuries that should have been impossible to heal were healed in mere moments.
Some centaurs with severed limbs were shocked to find them regenerating before their eyes. The mysterious aura even healed long-forgotten injuries. But none of that compared to the shock they experienced when they began habitually training their ki. In Kashi’s world, the mana and ki were of such high quality that they progressed five times faster than in the real world.
Even the densest warrior could become an indomitable force if they trained long enough in that world.
Listening to the centaurs, Kashi could hazard a guess as to why his world’s mana felt richer. It was a matter of concentration. This world was at least twice as large as the earth, and filled with all sorts of magical creatures, all of which needed the world’s mana and ki. Hence mana and ki were split around the whole world, aside from a couple of concentrated areas.
On the other hand, Kashi’s world was very small right now, probably, not even a country’s size. Yet, Yggdrassil produced enough mana and ki to power an entire world. The density was quite thick as a result, making its effects much more potent than the real world’s. Of course, this was also why Kashi could not carelessly suck in mana from that world through a portal.
Heavy to low. This physics law applied to mana as well. High-density mana would flow towards an area of low-density. Once connected to this world, the mana in Kashi’s world would gush out with nigh-uncontrollable speed.
Kashi shook his head and turned his attention back to the chiefs. After listening to the soldiers’ accounts, the chiefs were even more excited about the proposal. Satisfied, Kashi took out a large portrait from his inner world and handed it to Mando.
Kashi explained what it was and how to use it. “All you need to do is inject it with mana, and it will transmit you or an item to my world.”
Mando quickly caught on. Kashi, not opening the portal, meant he had something else in mind. “Is there something you need us to do?”
“My world is barren right now,” Kashi explained. “No wildlife or trees. But you can help with that. I would be grateful if you could have some wildlife and seeds transported to my world.”
Mando nodded. “Anything else, Kashi-sama?”
“I plan on building a town near the Royal Road for the centaurs,” Kashi explained. “No matter how good my world is, it is currently too empty. A town in this world, which you can use as an intermediary base between the two worlds, will be perfect for those who want a change of pace, as well as trade.”
Kashi took out another portrait from his inventory and handed it to Mando. “When the new town is built, place this one there.” Finally, Kashi took out a rink and gave it to Mando. “There is only one contact in there. My guild’s financial advisor, Miote. Explain the situation to him, and he will assist you in any way possible.”
Somewhere, Miote suddenly sneezed as he perused a stack of documents. “That damned Kashi definitely just added more work for me…”
Meanwhile, Kashi finalized the details with Mando, placed Drixali back into his world, and then made his way to the field where Rayatha and Larsial were.
Kashi walked up to Rayatha with a cold glare, causing a hint of caution to appear in the druid’s eyes. “As I said earlier, I will ban you to my world.” Kashi declared, causing the druid’s eyes to light up with hope. “I will also provide you with all the blood you need to synthesize a cure for the blight, but there is something you must do in return.”
Rayatha asked, “What must I do?”
“Simple one first,” Kashi said. “You will be placed in charge of vegetation in my world. Currently, there is plenty of life energy but no plant life to take advantage of it. As a druid who has spent his entire life studying plants, this should not be hard for you, right?”
Rayatha nodded. “With enough mana, I can even turn a desert into a prairie.”
“The second condition is the tough one,” Kashi revealed. “I have no use for someone who spends his entire life in my world. A druid of your caliber can definitely do great work for my guild both in this world and mine. Don’t you think it’s a waste to only have you in mine? However, I cannot trust you. If you leave my world, you might contact the Order and leak classified information.”
“That is a distinct possibility, yes,” Rayatha did not bother denying the fact. “What is your solution?”
“I have a choice to subdue living beings in my world, so they are only loyal to me,” Kashi openly revealed. “I can do it by force, but that is not my style. So, I ask you now. Will you allow yourself to be subdued? Your personality and psyche will remain untouched. The only thing that will change is your unwavering loyalty towards me.”
“I will do it,” Rayatha responded without a moment’s hesitation. “I have dedicated my entire life to finding a cure for the Blight. I do not care where my loyalty lies or if I live beyond that.”
Kashi glanced at Larsial, and she undid the cuffs on Rayatha’s wrists. Kashi extended his arm, and Rayatha accepted it. The daeben pulled the druid to his feet and said with a smile. “Welcome to the Hopeful Maggots.”
Moments later, Rayatha stood in a field with an intoxicated grin on his face. He took a deep breath, and could not help but exclaim in pure joy at the sweet aura that cleansed his cells.
The druid then took out a few seeds and scattered them across the earth. He chanted a spell, and the seeds burrowed into the soil. Seconds later, the druid’s eyes widened in shock as hundreds of bulbs pushed their way out of the earth.
Desert into a prairie?
Rayatha was sure he could turn a smooth rock into the greatest garden with this much life energy. The druid gazed at the grassland that stretched into the horizon. He could already see a vision of the beautiful landscape that was soon to appear here.