"...I passed?" Hektor gasped. The young man hesitated, staring at the Sword Spirit for a couple of seconds. When the Sword Spirit nodded, Hektor went ballistic. "Fuuuuck, YEAH!" The warrior shouted with joy! He punched the ground and then raised his hands to the sky. Pumping his fists in the air, he let out all sorts of expletives that would make a nun blush.

Hektor did not forget Rex amidst his jubilation. He grabbed the baby dragon off kissed his head multiple times. "Haha! It's all thanks to you! Wouldn't have done without you, partner!" Rex's little wings excitedly flapped, and he repeatedly licked Hektor's face. Currently, he was unable to use human speech, so he could only show his appreciation this way.

"That's a mighty dragon, not a common dog." The Sword Spirit scolded the excited brats. With his furrowed brows and crossed arms, he resembled a disapproving grandpa. "The kid's still too young to know any better. So, Hektor, you must teach Rex a dragon's pride."

Hektor's eyes went wide in disbelief. "You..."

"What?"

"You said my name." Hektor searched through his memories. He could not recall a single moment where the Sword Spirit called him by name. It was always, 'Hey,' 'You,' or 'Kid.'

"A warrior must show courtesy to another." The Sword Spirit even gaze stated like it was a matter of fact. "This is the basics of the basics."

"Warrior?" Hektor did not know whether to be offended or flattered. "I wasn't a warrior before?"

The Sword Spirit looked upon the young man with disdain. "Is any child that wave a stick around automatically a warrior?"

"Wow. So I was like a child?"

"Do not insult children. They, at the very least, are totally convicted to their roles." The Sword Spirit suddenly raised his head and looked past Hektor. It was unknown what he was looking at as he said, "The same cannot be said of every man who picks up a sword." The Sword Spirit then looked at Hektor. "You've barely crossed the threshold to be called a warrior. From here on out, you should devote yourself to the sword and battle." The Sword Spirit raised his finger and pointed at Hektor's chest. "But most importantly, never neglect your heart. Your heart. Your conviction. The reason you swing your sword. That resolve. The willingness to die for what you believe is what separates the warrior from the vagabond." The Sword Spirit's gaze turned grave as he finished, "The world may laugh at you, scorn you, praise you or even condemn you. Situations will arise where your conviction is called into question. At these times more than most, you must affirm your will. Strive until you reach a realm where man or god cannot shake your will. Then, and only then, would you have truly become a warrior."

Hektor's heart shook as he listened to the Sword Spirit. He suddenly felt a horrible sense of foreboding, like something terrible was about to happen. "Why're you sounding like you're gonna disappear?"

"Heh." The Sword Spirit chuckled as it lifted its buster sword. It balanced the sword on its shoulder and said, "What did you think was going to happen? You gain the weapon and the spirit? Your greed knows no bounds." The Sword Spirit tossed the sword. Shlick! The sword stabbed into the ground a few centimeters from Hektor's feet. "I will cease to exist the moment you take hold of that sword. If you are strong enough, one day, you will cultivate your weapon spirit."

Hektor frowned. He took a step back and shook his head. "No. I'm good. As you said, I already earned plenty from this trip. The dragoon technique and Rex are more than I could've asked for. And you trained me for so long. Even though I'm a blockhead, you took your time. What kind of scum would I be if I turned around and killed you for my greed?"

"Thanks, Hektor." To the young man's shock, the Sword Spirit broke out in a full grin. "I could not have asked for a better person to see me off."

"Wha—"

Schlick! The buster sword suddenly shot out of the ground and then stabbed toward Hektor, pummel first.

In his haste to defend himself, Hektor instinctively grabbed the pommel to prevent the sword from smashing his nose. Unfortunately, this was precisely what the Sword Spirit intended. Dun! A bright light burst out from the buster sword the moment Hektor's hand met it.

The Sword Spirit smiled as it watched the sword break into dozens of tennis-sized motes of light. One second later, those motes flew into Hektor's right arm. In the process, two new tattoos appeared around Sram's mark. The first tattoo was the familiar buster sword, but the second was an unfamiliar lance spear.

"No! Wait!" Hektor swatted at the lights as they condensed in a desperate attempt to throw reject them. Unfortunately, his efforts were inevitably futile. He could only watch as the sword and lance tattoos wholly formed. Hektor's eyes turned red with rage. "The Fuck's Wrong With You!?" In his anger, Hektor forgot his fear. He rushed up to the spirit and grabbed its shirt. "Why do you look so happy? How can you face death like that!?"

Hektor's anger caused Rex to shrink back in panic. His tiny wings wrapped around him as he cowered and looked between the two men.

Hektor screamed the question he had wanted to ask many years ago. He could still recall it – the day his parents died protecting him from bandits. His father had worn a similar smile even as he bled out.

Pat...

Hektor felt chills run up his spine. This hand on his head. It was so familiar. Colder, but somehow the same. The young man fought back his tears as he glared at the smiling Sword Spirit. "How can you smile like that?"

"Remember what I said about conviction?" The Sword Spirit's calm gaze searched Hektor's eyes. "Even if the world doesn't understand. Even if they question it, you must strive to the end." Hektor nodded, and then the Spirit continued, "This is my conviction. From the day I gained sentience. To one day, find a suitable successor before I pass on." He chuckled and then added, "Do not fret. I've lived over a thousand years and seen most of what this world has to offer. Even most vampires don't make it that far." The Sword Spirit revealed a rare pleasant smile, and then said, "Really. I'm content."

Hektor frowned, but then ultimately let go of the Sword Spirit. He took a few steps back and then shook his head. His thoughts were a chaotic mess, and he didn't know what to do with them. Rex, noticing Hektor's distress, walked up to him and then rubbed his head against Hektor's legs.

Hektor let out a bitter smile as he bent down and scooped the baby dragon into his arms. He then looked at the Sword Spirit. "How long do you have left?"

The Sword Spirit raised its hand. They were imperceptible at first, but Hektor noticed small shimmers of light breaking off its fingertips. "I would say a couple of seconds. A few minutes at most." It closed its fist and then looked at Hektor. "So, shut up and listen."

The Sword Spirit's expression turned grave as it pointed at Hektor's arm. "The true power of Sram's mark is not something as simple as a small boost in power. It is called [Heaven's Armory]. This ability comes in two-folds. First, is the surface level, which you've already seen. It allows you to break down weapons and store them in your body. Used right, this can become a trump card." The Sword Spirit then paused and said, "The second ability, though, is the most important one. The skill does not have an innate name, but it grants you the ability to understand every weapon stored in the mark to the highest proficiency you have with any weapon. That is to say, if I give you a bow, you would be as good with it, as you are with the sword. If you were to improve with the bow, then your skills with the sword would likewise improve."

The Sword Spirit shook its head. "This is the cheat-like ability granted by god-marks. Look out for anyone with such marks. The gods' champions are all tough opponents with unbelievable skills."

Whoosh!

The Sword Spirit looked at its rapidly disappearing arm. For some reason, the process suddenly sped up. The Sword Spirit had some guesses, but rather than stop, it kept talking. "Next, the buster sword I gave you was personally forged by my true self. There are twelve of its kind in the world, and most already have owners. The Twelve Series, grow along with their wielder, but they also become stronger when close to each other. So, seek out the other ten. But be careful; they will likewise be searching for you."

"I get it!" Hektor shouted as the process further accelerated. The Sword Spirit's legs and arms had disappeared, leaving only its torso and head. "I get it already, so stop talking."

The Sword Spirit smiled, but continued, "Finally, take care of Rex. His parents will eventually come looking, but in the meantime, you must protect him until he reaches maturity. Baby dragons are a rare commodity on the continent. There are no ends to their usefulness, whether dead or alive." By this point, most of its torso disappeared. The Sword Spirit knew it only had a few seconds left. Satisfied that it had completed its task, it finally said, "Listen, when I disappear, you will recall the things I took from you." It wore a bitter smile. "I wonder, what will your expre—"

Hektor trembled, his eyes turning red as he watched the last particles disappear to light. Almost simultaneously, he winced as important memories returned. The young man took a moment to organize his thoughts and then looked at the empty spot. "Razznik. You were Razznik's Sword Spirit."

Hektor held out his palm, and the buster sword appeared within it. He looked at the blade, a solemn look in his eyes. What kind of man could produce a Spirit with that much conviction? Furthermore, even though the Sword Spirit was firm, Hektor sensed a gentleness underneath it all. Could this man indeed be the Mad Destroyer legends taught to fear? "I need to see with my own eyes."

Rex nudged Hektor's chin, which then caused the young man to chuckle. Hektor's expression relaxed as he placed Rex on the floor. "Nothing we can do about it. Now then." Hektor looked at the pile of corpses left behind by the Sword Spirit. He could not count how many bodies were present. After all, it was a thousand years' worth of investigators.

Hektor, however, was not interested in the bodies, but rather the weapons and armor they wore. He had learned from Kashi never to waste such good things. Furthermore, he now had the perfect storage container in the form of Sram's mark.

And so, the young man set to work. Hektor stripped the corpses of anything remotely valuable. It didn't matter if they were rusted or not. If Sram's mark accepted, then he took it. Rex helped too. He grabbed items from afar and dragged them over to Hektor. And so, man and dragon worked tirelessly for hours until they had cleaned the place bare.

When they eventually finished, Hektor high-fived Rex with appreciation and joy. The work would undoubtedly have taken longer without his help.

Hektor, dressed in a set of red and black leather armor, checked the throbbing mark. Surprisingly, unlike Razznik's twelve series, the other weapons did not show up as tattoos. Hektor surmised that the tattoo was most likely the Twelve Series' innate skill.

Hektor, satisfied with his haul, looked at Rex. He smiled and then said, "C'mon, Rex. Let's go home..."

Island South of Serisis.

4:52 p.m. 17th Zelyr 1092.

3 Days to World's End.

Bam!

"Still can't catch me, kid!"

Fang Ling laughed as he kicked off a tree. The tree exploded behind him, revealing a disgruntled daeben glaring at him in frustrated anger.

"I don't need to catch you!" Kashi channeled ki through his arms and legs and then rapidly punched out. "Dancing Dragon!" Several Long dragons burst out of his arms and then chased after the fleeing midi.

Fang Ling frowned. This kid improved at a monstrous rate! Fang Ling knew that Kashi was still holding back a lot of his power. If the daeben were not so fixated on training, then Fang Ling would not have stood a chance. However, Fang Ling was not going to roll over so easily just because of that.

Gritting his teeth, Fang Ling kicked off several times, barely dancing through the flying dragons. Fortunately, the ki-constructs lacked sentience, and so could not chase him after he bypassed them. Fang Ling, however, did not dare relax. That was because he knew the next wave was coming in hot.

Dun! Whoosh!

Fang Ling kicked the left, barely dodging Kashi's punch. The daeben, however, did not stop. Kashi spun and unleashed a deadly barrage of punches at the airborne midi.

Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, Fang Ling was just too agile. Kashi could handle the speed, but when coupled with the midi's small frame, Fang Ling was nigh impossible to hit.

"What's the matter, kid?" Fang Ling gloated to hide his rapidly increasing exhaustion. Dodging Kashi's attacks was not just physically taxing, but mental as well. One wrong move and it was all over. So, he hoped to coax Kashi into giving up before he was exposed. "Giving up?"

"Not even close!" Suddenly, Jingu Ross appeared in Kashi's right hand. "Extend!" The brush's shaft shot out like a missile and reached Fang Ling in the blink of an eye.

Fang Ling frowned as the bristles stroked his chest. "This thing has no attack power!"

"Maybe so," said Kashi with a mischievous grin. His wrist rapidly danced, and soon drew a rune on the midi. "But there are multiple ways to attack someone."

"Urk!" Fang Ling's expression shifted to shock as he suddenly felt his speed drop. He desperately tried to dodge Kashi's subsequent attack, but his ki refused to circulate in time.

Bam!

"Caught you." Kashi grinned as he wrapped his hand around the midi's leg before he could escape. He then let go and boasted with a smile. "I win."

"Argh, damn it!" Fang Ling cursed as he landed on the floor. He sent the daeben a curious glare and then examined the small painting on his chest. Fang Ling's brow rose in shock as he scrutinized the weird crest. He raised his head and then looked at Kashi. "Is this a rune?"

"Hehe..." Kashi grinned as he twirled Jingu Ross. "Yeah, it's a Level 2 Slow rune." The daeben chuckled as he remarked, "I got an idea when Jingu extended. Even if I can't use it as a direct offensive tool, that doesn't mean I have to waste it. I thought about painting portals on the ground, but that'll take too long, and it's too situational. So, I decided to test out runes." Kashi took out a large book. He waved the [Runes of Creation] and then boasted, "I've got dozens of runes in here. Might as well try them out and see how effective they can be in battle."

Kashi returned the Runes of Creation to Orez and then said, "Thankfully, it's even more effective than I thought. I guess learning runecrafting counted for something in the end.

Fang Ling groaned and then shook his head. What was with this freak!? Did he not think he was strong enough yet? What exactly was he chasing that he needed to add all these weapons to his arsenal? "Archery, CQC, and now Rune-fighting. Are you sure you're not putting too much on your plate?"

Kashi shook his head. He looked toward the north-east and then muttered, "He's much stronger. I need to be complete if I'm going to stand a chance."

Fang Ling sighed. "Well, looks to me like you've covered all of your weak points. Rather than picking up more, I think you should focus on refining everything you currently have."

"Funny. I had the same idea." Kashi chuckled.

"So, I guess this is it?" Fang Ling put his hands in his pocket and then observed the youth. "You will be on your way now, won't you?"

"Mm." Kashi nodded. "I am eternally grateful, Fang Ling-san."

Fang Ling waved his hands. "Call me, Fang." His lips spread in a smile. "You'll be back, yeah?"

"Of course." Kashi looked at the ocean. "I've still got unfinished business." He then said to Fang Ling. "I won't come alone. We will find the Queen when I return. Or, at the very least, get rid of Kudrick. That much I can promise."

"Get rid of Kudrick?" Fang Ling's eyes widened in shock. "You can?"

Kashi revealed a sinister grin. "Soon. I'm not the type to wait long for vengeance."

"Haha! Serisis will be in your debt if you can take care of Kudrick."

"Really?" Kashi questioned with a raised brow. "Isn't Kudrick around these parts of the sea? Why would Serisis care about it?"

"You know how Serisis borders the ocean?" When Kashi nodded, Fang Ling stated, "Don't you find it odd? Even if Serisis' land wasn't fertile, we should have thrived through fishing and deep-sea exploration."

Kashi frowned. Huh? Now that he thought about it, it was odd that Serisis' food situation was so dire for a country that bordered the sea.

Fang Ling, seeing that he had the daeben's full attention, continued, "Kudrick's the reason we're in such dire straits. It commands most of the fish in the region. It directs the smaller ones to stay away from the shallow waters and then orders the larger fish to attack any ships on sight. Because of this, the common folk can't go out to fish, and we can't very well send every soldier out into the waters to risk their lives for some fish." Fang Ling sighed and then shook his head, "We've been on this island for over a decade now, but even we have to fashion new boats every few days. If the Royal Family did not support our expedition, we'd have long since had to pack up."

Kashi patted the desponded midi's shoulder. "Do not worry, Fang-san." He grinned as he spoke with high confidence. "We will liberate Serisis from this fiend's grasp. I promise on my name."

Fang Ling nodded. Relief flashed in his eyes. If a reliable daeben like Kashi helped, the situation might not be so untenable. "Alright, then. I'll be waiting."

Kashi grinned. "It might take a while, as I want to wait till my Hydra reaches maturity, but we'll be back." The daeben then looked at the sky and shouted, "Drix!"

Bzzzt! Crackle!

A bolt of lightning descended from the sky and then smashed into the ground. The lightning dispersed, revealing Drixlia in all of its glory. The kirin walked over to Kashi and then gently nudged him.

"Haha." Kashi chuckled as he patted the kirin's head. "Hey, Drix, ready for another ride?"

Drixlia neighed with excitement, prompting Kashi to hop onto its back. Once Kashi was seated comfortably, he looked at Fang Ling. "See you soon."

Fang Ling nodded and then waved. "See you soon, Kashi. Good luck with your battle."

"Thanks!"

The daeben's shout was lost in the lightning bolt that zipped across the horizon.