Chapter 62: The Abyssal Rock

"The Abyssal Rock, huh..." Karyl muttered, a bitter smile tugging at his lips, his voice low and filled with melancholy.

On the table before him lay a map, its surface adorned with complex notes. Having been away for quite some time, he needed to plan the arduous journey that lay ahead. Among the numerous markings, one stood out, circled in vibrant red ink.

"It's been an eternity since I've heard that name."

"It may not be a place of fond memories for you, but I assure you, I didn’t choose it with any intention of upsetting you."

"I know. I highly doubt someone who has lived for a millennium would stoop to such petty actions," Karyl responded, his gaze fixed upon the map.

The map they had acquired from Bargo Sira's shop was unlike the usual ones. Typically, the readily available maps only show up to the Three Kingdoms of Istria in the south. However, beyond the three kingdoms, there existed a vast southern region of the continent. The northern kingdoms referred to the tribal inhabitants of that place as "barbarians."

Unlike the northern ethnic groups, who faced the threat of extinction, the southern barbarians possessed considerable strength, even though they were divided.

Even among them, the Digon tribe—once comrades with Karyl—stood out for their unwavering might. The Abyssal Rock mentioned by Allen Javius was in the southern region.

"Who would’ve thought that the southern barbarians and the northern kingdoms could ever find common ground? I must admit, I was genuinely surprised to learn you spent your previous life in the South."

"Humanity was on the brink of extinction. There was no room for any divisions of north and south." Karyl paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Going to the Abyssal Rock isn't a big issue. It's a gateway we must pass through anyway to gain the south."

He pointed to several small circles around the larger one on the map. "The five families guarding the Abyssal Rock, excluding Milliana's Digon tribe, hold the most power. If we can win them over, it'll be considerably easier to mobilize the Digon."

"Surely... they don’t still believe in that legend, do they?"

"Oh, was the legend there in your time too?"

"It has been an eternity since the power of spirits began to wane... And yet, that absurd belief in the existence of a Spirit King within the depths of the Abyssal Rock has lasted for a thousand years. Hah, this is why those uncivilized barbarians are..." Allen Javius let out a deep sigh, shaking his head in disapproval.

"Uncivilized barbarians, huh...? I wonder who's the one living as a parasite in the body of a northern immigrant."

"Ha-haha. The North and the South are completely different. That wasn't what I meant at all."

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

“Just a joke, right?" Karyl's remark almost made Allen's nonexistent heart jump out of his chest.

"Whether or not a Spirit King actually exists is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is that the five families firmly believe in the legend of only the people who have ascended to the top of the Abyssal Rock being able to rule them."

"And you intend to climb it?"

"Yes."

"You and I seem to be quite a good match. With the purpose of reaching the Platinum Dragon's lair and all. Anyway, if you're going to climb the Abyssal Rock, I can help you with that," suggested Allen with a slight grin on his face.

"Help?"

"There's a secret hidden there."

Karyl gave him a puzzled look.

"There's a way to unlock your meridians."

"...!!" Karyl, who had maintained his composure even when discussing the death of a friend, couldn't hide his emotion at these unexpected words. "Is that really true?"

"It is indeed true. Naturally, for someone like you, who has consumed the heart of a dragon, following the dragon's method would be the most ideal. Yet, I, too, have immersed myself in the study of magic for a millennium, enough to rival them."

"How?"

"While the barbarian tribes of the five families worship the Abyssal Rock as the tomb of the vanished Spirit King, they aren't entirely mistaken. Throughout the continent, the spirit's power is the most potent in that place."

"Um..."

"As you are aware, spirits can hardly be seen now. Even during the Magical Era, it was rare to find a spiritualist who had formed a contract with a mid-level spirit."

"Indeed." Karyl nodded in agreement.

"Dragon magic is fundamentlally different from conventional magic. Among the Seven Elders, I was the sole individual who wholeheartedly embraced its power," Allen Javius said with an air of pride. "Dragon magic, despite being classified as magic, is more similar to spirit power. Both magic and spirits have elements, but they are distinct from one another."

"So, what should I do?"

"Do you remember what I said about the Clear Distilled Water before?"

"Of course. How could I forget? You carelessly burned that expensive Clear Distilled Water," recalling the small sphere he had thrown away before extracting the Freezing Talons in the Gray Training Ground, Karyl replied his voice tinged with regret.

"Ha... Kid, are you really worried about that when I’m right here? The very reason we're heading to the Abyssal Rock is to obtain Clear Distilled Water."

"To obtain Clear Distilled Water?"

"That’s right. As I told you before, Clear Distilled Water isn't a mineral but a hardened moss from the Fountain of Vision. And that spring is located right at the peak of the Abyssal Rock."

Karyl unknowingly swallowed a dry lump in his throat. In his previous life, the method of manufacturing and means of acquisition were not known, making it so precious that it remained only in possession of the king and a few high-ranking nobles.

"Do you know why weapons made of Clear Distilled Water are so effective against Tarak? I believe it's because Clear Distilled Water possesses the power of spirits."

"Spirits, huh...?"

"Yes, after teaching us magic and spells, the dragons entrusted us with the task of managing the Fountain of Vision. I was the manager of that place, and after spending decades there, I learned one thing."

"That dragon magic is related to spirit power?"

"Exactly. Though they live in the human world, dragons are essentially beings of the spirit realm. The spring water of the Fountain of Vision is crucial in strengthening the magic power of dragons, as it's the only place spirit power, albeit fading, remains," Allen Javius replied pleased with Karyl's understanding.

"So, my dragon magic can also be stabilized there."

"Exactly. Plus, the Fountain of Vision just so happens to be located at the peak of the Abyssal Rock. It’s just killing two birds with one stone."

Karyl clenched his fist, the weight of a rare opportunity settling in his hand. After obtaining the dragon's heart in Einheri and gaining the ability to use magic, he had been stuck without any means to enhance his meridians.

"See? Helping me escape the Gray Training Ground has proved quite beneficial for you, hasn't it?"

Karyl replied with a slight smile. "I must admit it, making a contract with you was a good decision. But it seems there’s more to it, isn’t there?"

"...What?"

"You have waited a thousand years for a meeting with Narh Di Maug. Would you really change our path just to increase my dragon magic?”

"You always view my kindness with suspicion..."

Allen’s tone conveyed his displeasure, but Karyl gave him a look, silent granting permission for an explanation. After a moment of hesitation, Allen eventually looked at Karyl and smiled awkwardly.

"Ha... I can't hide anything from you, can I? Sometimes, your youthful appearance fools me."

"Since going to the Abyssal Rock is clearly in my best interest, I should know your purpose for helping, right?"

"It sounds like you might refuse if it doesn't benefit you."

"You got it. If you're planning to deceive me or act behind my back, it might cost you dearly in the end."

Leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed, Karyl nodded once more. Eventually conceding, Allen relented and replied somewhat reluctantly.

"It's for tempering."

Allen's words carried a significant weight, yet Karyl seemed puzzled.

"It’s for tempering?"

"Remember when I mentioned that the Freezing Talons were a collaboration between dwarves and elves?"

"Are you referring to the Bladers? The organization that even members of the Assembly of Seven Elders were a part of?"

"Correct. Anyway, that's not what’s important right now. The five magical artifacts created by the Bladers all originated from the Fountain of Vision. That’s why they possess the power of spirits."

“So?"

"By infusing water from the Fountain of Vision into the Freezing Talons, we can enhance its spirit power. Spirits are essentially souls existing within nature. The Freezing Talons, enhanced by spirit power, could potentially accept even my soul..."

"Wait... You mean you may be able to materialize your form through the sword?"

"Exactly. Of course, it would require your magical power."

"How interesting," Karyl said with a slight grin.

"Huh? Aren't you amazed?" Allen was surprised at Karyl’s nonchalance.

"Well, there are monsters in the realm of specters that can occasionally manifest their forms. It's not that far-fetched. Although, seeing it firsthand would be a first."

"That's not the impression I get." Allen eyed Karyl suspiciously. "It seems you had an ulterior motive as soon as you heard my words."

"Was it that obvious?"

"...Well, you're always up to something."

Karyl said, as he shrugged and uncrossed his arms, "It's not something I need to do right now. Just an intriguing thought. But as you said, if we can use the artifacts tempered with the water from the Fountain of Vision as a medium for spirits..."

"Hmm?"

"There are more magical artifacts created by the Bladers, besides the Freezing Talons, right?"

"Yes."

"Out of the five artifacts, I've seen The Flame Punish and the Infinite Breath in my past life, so obtaining them is possible. And since you’re here, finding the remaining two that had been lost, might also be feasible."

"...What are you getting at? Your expression makes me nervous."

Karyl said with a wide grin on his face, "I want to find the rest of the magical artifacts and temper them. If the Freezing Talons can be used as a medium for spirits, then the other artifacts might be able to do the same, don’t you think?"

"Are you saying that there are other spirits like me?"

"Plenty. And they're quite useful."

"You don't mean... You madman..." Allen said, his voice unable to hide his disbelief.

Before Karyl could even speak further, Allen uttered, "Are you thinking of creating an army of the undead?"

"Well, why not? It’s not impossible."

"That was a land even the sorcerers of the Magical Era a thousand years ago couldn’t conquer. It's a forbidden realm humans shouldn’t set foot in."

"I said it’s for later, didn’t I?"

"...I've never met someone so twisted. Your eyes glitter at always looking to exploit everything." Allen looked pale at Karyl's calmly stated intentions.

Karyl chuckled at his words.

The forbidden land that neither the northern immigrant tribes nor the empire dared to breach, a massive barrier serving as their border. That place, which had been home to the dead for over a millennium, harbored an unconquered dungeon known as the Ghost Castle.

If I can control its lord, Lich Zarka Hochi, the course of the war could drastically change.

He had developed another new goal, and the thought of it thrilled Karyl.

"Allen, create a training space. It's a waste to just sit around. I need to finish the rest of my training."

"Sure. You must be itching to move. I’ll use plenty of magic, so expect a serious number of monsters. It’ll be nothing like the training ground. "

Tightening his grip on the Freezing Talons, Karyl murmured softly, words he would have never uttered in his previous life.

“Use as much magical power as you like."