One Year Later (2)

"Lancelot. Behind you."

"I know."

A giant fist suddenly came at me from behind as a Four-Armed Demon struck with only a single fist. However, the other three soon followed.

I scoffed as I materialized Arkenvalle and cut all four of its arms before they even reached me as I followed up with a slash to its neck.

Without even being able to scream, the demon died, but the fight wasn't over. Three new demons rushed at me from both sides in an instant, but I disappeared, and reappeared behind the back of two demons and beheaded them too.

The remaining demon backed off the moment it saw its companions killed, but I slashed as Arkenvalle was covered in a dark purple light, and suddenly, the demon's head fell.

"Valle, any hostiles within your radar?"

"No. At least not within a kilometer."

"I see. Good work."

"You too. Lancelot."

A year later after Arkenvalle gained human form, she kept calling me Lancelot, and she strongly insists in doing so. So in turn, I started to call her as 'Valle' the nickname Sally gave her, that for some reason, was really popular in the group.

After a year the group officially started Treading their own Paths, their bonds had grown even stronger as they had become a family to each other. As for me, the only reason I had yet to leave the town, was that it was a good place as operating base. It was right in the middle of monster spawn spots, which meant I could easily traverse to other monster spawn spots depending on where I need it.

"Let's move on, Valle." I conveyed to my trusted partner.

"Mn. I'll go wherever you are." She replied back in glee.

Ever since her first awakening of her human form, Arkenvalle and I had always trusted each other as if it was the most normal thing to do. We naturally felt what each other felt, and we mutually relied on each other as well as support. Even though I am the one being helped the most. Still, Arkenvalle insisted that the fact I'm wielding her is a favour she can't repay no matter what.

'I guess her values as different from humans. How should I say it; 'As expected of a weapon?' I thought that time.

And so, we continued our journey.

◇◇◇

After a long walk, runs, and occasional fights. We finally reached our destination. The North Oaken Lake. It used to be the largest lake in the kingdom, that spanned for about 7km in radius, and was a place where countless fishes, harmless small aquatic monsters, and a great sightseeing spot, but now it was a den to gigantic aquatic murder machines.

And our goal for today, is to verify the rumours about the Seven-Coloured Pearl that would spawn in the heart of the lake.

The Seven-Coloured Pearl was a magical pearl that was condensed inside a Deepwater Devouring Clam. A 50 meter clam that had the ability to consume anything, and store it inside its body that had an Isolated space within. It was rumoured that the clam's stomach spanned for 50 kilometers in cubic size, but that didn't matter.

The important point here is the Seven-Coloured Pearl, which has the ability to store non-living objects within the isolated space inside it, that spanned a tenth of the size of the clam's stomach. Which means it had a 5km space within it.

"Hey, Valle. You ready?"

"As you are."

As Arkenvalle confirmed, I jumped into the lake as I activated Void Wind Guidance Level 5. Void Wind Guidance had the effect of accelerating its caster by creating a spatial force that pushes the caster's motions, and if levelled enough, one would be able to cancel inertia and push oneself into the sky. In other words, flight.

'But that seems a bit far though.' I thought.

Anyway, Void Wind Guidance pushed me as I moved freely under the water. Monsters would occasionally come to mess with us, but I cut them with Severing Blade, it was now capable of cutting through distance, and as long as I use enough force, I could even cut through a mountain in half. It was the power of Level 8 Severing Blade.

I proceeded as I kept descending. With my current levels of Level 33 in the Second Step, I was capable of holding my breath for an entire day, so there was no need to be worried.

Not long after, I managed to reach the bottom of the lake.

◇◇◇

As I swam around the lake—though I say swim, it was more like flying as I wasn't flapping my limbs— I searched for the Deepwater Devouring Clam. There was only one of them within 5km in deep waters, as they were very territorial creatures. If ever another one spawned or moved into the territory of another, they would battle to death as only one may rule a territory. It was an absolute rule for the Deepwater Devouring Clams.

I moved around as I searched, the poor visibility hindering me further, but a sudden feeling of danger suddenly clicked as Arkenvalle warned.

"On your right. A Deepwater Lurker." She informed.

Deepwater Lurkers were the underwater variant of Murlocs. They had extremely sharp claws, and had the near undetectable presence concealment when underwater, even more so in dark deep regions of seas and lakes.

I activated Void Sensitivity Level 9, as I felt everything within 800 meter radius. I 'saw' the underwater murloc swim very carefully as to not make any disturbance. It was one of the reasons why they were terrifying sea hunters, as they were very meticulous in their art.

I then flicked with my finger as I activated Severing Blade with it, and its neck was severed. It was the greatest weakness of the Deepwater Lurkers, having a weak physical body. As to maximize their underwater agility and speed, their bodies were naturally weak and they were prone to sudden ambushes.

As the Lurker died, the rest realized they were visible to me, they quickly scurried away. Another annoying trait of theirs.

◇◇◇

After two hours of search, I was about to give up as the rumours might have been false, but then Arkenvalle spoke in my mind.

"Lancelot, I found something. About 50 to 60 meters, and its...kind of...walking?"

"Huh? Elaborate please."

"It may be best if you checked it yourself. Its right behind you. I didn't notice its presence early due to its evasion of spatial probing, perhaps its spatial mastery is already at that level. Sorry"

"You know I'm not gonna be mad at just something like this, don't you?"

"Yes."

I laughed in my mind as I turned around and saw a giant clam...bullshit, who the hell described it as a clam? It has pincers, and six legs with exoskeletons. It looks like a damn crab with an incredibly wide mouth.

It then opened its mouth, and we got swallowed by the spatial devouring. Just as I had planned.

◇◇◇

When I came to, I realized I was, for some reason, able to breath. I then checked the surroundings and I finally noticed I was in some sort of beach. No mistakes. It was a beach and there was even a bright light above, though it wasn't as bright as the sun, it was bright enough to light up the place.

"Valle?"

"I hear you."

"Check the place."

"The images I receive are completely different from what you see. The monster may be interfering in the Spatial Detection Pulse I release, or maybe..."

"What I see is an illusion, huh?"

"Yes."

Now that was troublesome. I am not good enough to grasp the surroundings with senses other than sight yet. And I tried using Void Sensitivity, but it was to no avail. I was at loss on what to do, but a voice entered my head. A different voice from Arkenvalle.

(How curious...)

I was shocked as I looked around in panic, but I didn't see anything that could have sent the mental message.

(...A human carrying the Laws of Space and Rebirth...)

The voice continued, but I had no way of replying as the connection was one way. I clenched my teeth as I shouted.

"Who are you!? Show yourself!" I arrogantly demanded.

(Ahahaha...how interesting...) The voice conveyed, but suddenly, my instincts screamed as I felt spatial forces converge to our location.

"Valle!" I quickly called to Arkenvalle as she flashily manifested in my right hand. She then released some sort of spatial barrier that blocked the incoming spatial blades as our wariness kept itself at max.

(Oh?...you managed to stop that?...As expected, you can tap into the power of Space within you...Tell me...how did you do it...boy?)

'Huh? What does he mean?' I thought. I could control space with my Guidance Tome, and Arkenvalle who was connected to me and manifested through my power could naturally use it too. Also, the Laws of Rebirth that he mentioned earlier is still bugging me.

"I'll ask one more time! Who are you!?" I asked again with an arrogant tone.

(Ahaha...How arrogant...You gain measly knowledge from the future by coincidence...and you think you can rule the world?...How foolish.)

!!!

I was shocked by his words. He knew I was from the future. It was something I had never expected. And what does he mean by coincidence?

'Damn...my questions keep growing and growing.' I thought frustratingly.

However, the voice continued. (Your face tells me you are confused...It is to be expected...mortals panic in the wake of the unknown...) It stated, but I was shocked at a certain word.

'Mortals? Damn, does this mean I'm conversing with a divinity? Shit. This isn't good.'

Divinities were higher realm beings that had power over the world's Laws. Each one were so absurdly powerful that even a bit of their power was able to inflict fatal damage to the Calamity Dragon, which shows how much power they held.

'And to think a divinity would be in a place like this...tch.' It was too late for regrets now. I acted arrogant, and I was not low enough to beg for my life in this late.

But as I was prepared to die, Arkenvalle spoke.

"Lancelot, calm down. It means no harm. I can feel it." She conveyed in a soothing manner.

"You can tell?"

"More or less. He is interested in you, though."

"Interested?"

"Yes. So I think you should keep what you're doing."

'I see.' I thought.

I then calmed down as I thought hard for what to say. After a few seconds of using my brain to full throttle, I shouted.

"What do you want!? And how did you know my secret!?" I asked, still arrogant.

(I know...and I know your future...I can see it...I can feel it...that wretched stench...there's no mistaking it...)

'Future? Did that mean he knew I was coming here? Damn it, another question. At this rate he'll break my focus.' It was getting bad as time went on. The more questions I have, the more things I'll have to investigate. And with my personality, I don't think I would be able to resist if any tiny clues appear in front of me. I'd have less focus on getting stronger.

"..." I was silent this time as I kept clenching both my teeth and fist.

(What's wrong?...child of man...What happened to your arrogance?...Do you want to know your future?...Of course you do...You're all the same...)

'Another question...damn it.'

"Shut the fuck up! Freak." I cursed at the mysterious divinity. Even though Arkenvalle told me to keep this up, I was now seriously angry.

The next instant, I felt space tighten around me as I was restricted of movements. I tried to resist, but even my mana was moving as a snail's pace.

'Ugh! What is this.' I thought as Arkenvalle then sent conveyed.

"Lancelot, I think you've overdone it."Arkenvalle informed.

"Yeah. Me too." I calmly replied.

"...He is angry..." Her tone didn't sound pleased.

"I can see that." I ignored her upset voice and answered with a bit of laugh.

"Idiot." Arkenvalle insulted, and then went silent.

"Valle?..." I called out. But no answer.

And then, Arkenvalle suddenly manifested beside me in human form. She looked at a certain direction, and spoke.

"Let my Lancelot go, old man. I won't let you hurt my master." She said. For some reason, pride filled my chest as I realized just how similar we were to each other.

'She's speaking arrogantly to a divinity! Even though she saw what happened to me, she still doing it! She's proving that we weren't a bunch of pushovers. Go for it! Valle!' I cheered in my mind.

However, the divinity's reaction was different than expected. (...You...why are you here?...and why are you calling your esteemed self as his?...HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN YOUR MASTER?! OUR SAVIOUR?!) His voice was filled with anger and rage as he spoke his last questions. However...

'Saviour?...' The word added another question.

It seems Arkenvalle was a lot more mysterious than I thought.