27 They Won't Steal Him!
Darius almost vomited blood after hearing that. What do you mean the formation is broken?! Your head's the thing that's broken here!
Krune couldn't help but let out a sigh. It's a fact that he destroyed the training room, but it's also true that Darius said that they could go all out. This was also the reason that although he was furious, Darius couldn't do anything to Krune. He was the one who told him not to hold back, after all.
When Krune left the room, everyone made way for him. As for those who had criticized him before, they pretended that they couldn't even see him at all. As for Durin Vola, he had long disappeared. No one knew where he was at this point.
One of the contestants came forward to talk with Krune after this. His cultivation was at a decently high level, being at the 6th Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and he was extremely curious.
"Brother, you're amazing! My name's Reiner. I just want to clear up my doubts. Is what you used back there a Skill Merge?"
As soon as he asked that, everyone's eyes almost popped out of their eyes. Skill Merge? That was only supposed to be possible at the late stages of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Not to mention that only a scant few could do that. Krune was obviously at the 1st Stage, far away from that level.
Krune was somewhat confused to hear that question. He had seen Qi Condensation cultivators using it before, so why was he so impressed by that? He thought that he didn't do anything amazing, so he just nodded his head. After confirming his doubt, everyone felt like they were seeing a ghost. The guy who asked him that question couldn't help but exclaim soon after.
"Unbelievable! Brother, how did you do that? Only those who reach the late stages of the Foundation Establishment Realm are able to use Skill Merge. However, you're still at the 1st Stage. If it's not a secret, can you tell us how you did that?"
Everyone's eyes lit up after that. Even Darius couldn't help but pay attention. Darius was also at the 6th Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Though, he was far from being able to use Skill Merge.
Krune now felt even more confused. If they were this surprised, then what did he see when he saw two Qi Condensation Realm cultivators merging their skills? Krune looked back at him and asked.
"Aren't your reactions a bit too exaggerated? I remember back when I was at Katiu Forest that a few Qi Condensation Realm cultivators also used Skill Merge. It's just that they needed two people to work together to achieve the effect. I'm already at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Shouldn't it be obvious that I can use it?"
After hearing that, everyone gave him strange looks. Reiner could only explain the situation to him after that, saying.
"Well, brother. You see, when two people use Skill Merge, they only need to concentrate on their own part of the skill. This means that even Qi Condensation Realm cultivators can do it as long as they're in sync. The thing is, those at the Qi Condensation Realm and above only have to control a single element. The ones that you saw back then, one was focusing on the Wind element, while the other was focusing on the Fire element, correct?"
Krune nodded as that was indeed the case. Reiner then continued.
"That's the key to the issue! Before our control over the elements becomes proficient enough, we can't merge two skills together. At most, we can cast two skills of different elements, one after another. Let me show you what happens when I try to use two different elements at the same time."
Reiner then used one hand to converge some Wind element while he started to focus on the other hand. He was trying to converge the Fire element while keeping the Wind element from going out. Soon, his face started to sweat before one could hear a small explosion come from the hand with the Wind element. The Wind element on his hand dissipated right after. Reiner looked very tired after that. After taking a few breaths, he then looked back at Krune and said.
"You see, brother? When we try to use both the Fire and Wind element at the same time, our spiritual energy goes berserk, and we lose control over both elements. As for you, you can obviously use them. Not only can you use it, but you can also use several at the same time! Back in your trial, you used ten wind blades combined with fire, and you didn't even break a sweat to do that."
Krune was surprised by this finding. That's because, back then, although he couldn't use Skill Merge straight away, he could still use two elements simultaneously. Not only could he do that, but he also didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. Only when he tried to merge the skills did he have a hard time practicing. Krune pondered for a bit over it and eventually came to the conclusion that it could only be because of his Myriad Energies Technique. He couldn't think of anything else. In any case, he now had another problem. He had to explain this to everyone.
"Even if you tell me that, I can't explain it myself. Today was the very first time I heard of the fact that only those at the late stages of Foundation Establishment should be able to do that. As far as I remember, I was already able to do so when I broke through and obtained my human form back then."
He couldn't mention that he was able to do that before reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm. Let alone telling everyone about the true form of the Myriad Energies Technique.
Reiner shook his head after hearing that. He didn't believe that Krune was telling the truth, nor did anyone else. They have never heard of someone being able to use two elements at the same time at Krune's level. At most, a race with a high level of soul power like the Spiritas should be able to do it a little bit earlier. Even so, it would be at the 6th or 5th Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and those were even rarer.
Of course, this was also because they didn't know much about the geniuses of the universe. Otherwise, they would think like that.
Suddenly, another cultivator pointed at Krune and exclaimed.
"Ah! I know who you are! You're the guy who built a universe as his foundation!"
With that, all eyes gathered around Krune again. A universe as a foundation? Is that even possible? The cultivator then explained what happened two days ago at the hotel.
Reiner soon showed a look of understanding after that.
"I see. If you really built a universe foundation, then it's no wonder that you can do what you do. Brother, I admire you!"
Krune's eyes suddenly lit up after that, thinking to himself.
'That's right! I have my Universe Foundation! I can just use it as an excuse again. Why did I even forget about that?'
He then looked at the people and said with a tone of confidence.
"Indeed, I have built a universe as a foundation. Now that I think about it, it was after I completed my foundation that I found out that I could use two elements at the same time without problems. I always thought that using two elements was something that any Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator could do. However, now it seems that the reason has something to do with the level of my foundation."
He then opened his foundation for view again. Even if he had to attract more attention, he had to bring their attention away from his Myriad Energies Technique. At the moment, this was the best choice.
When the people used their Divine Sense to see his foundation, they were amazed. It was true! Someone really built a little universe as their foundation!
Everyone started to get close to Krune to befriend him after that. Since his ability to control more than one element simultaneously came from his foundation, then there was no way they would be able to steal it from him. It was better to become friends with him instead! As long as he didn't die along his journey, Krune was bound to become famous in the future.
Noticing that things were getting out of control already, Darius stepped forward and said.
"Alright, leave the rookie alone. He isn't an attraction. You guys can look for him another time. We still have procedures to go through."
Darius's anger had dissipated like smoke after finding out that Krune can, in fact, use two or maybe even more elements at the same time. Let alone his Universe Foundation and ability to use Skill Merge. He already considered Krune a treasure of the Mercenary Guild. When the headquarters receive their call about what happened here today, he might even get a promotion.
"From now on, you are a Three Star Mercenary. Head to the guild office to take your badge and make your ID."
Krune was relieved, thinking to himself.
'Fortunately, I won't need to pay for the formation and the training room.'
By the side, Yusa's eyes were glistening! It seemed like she was thinking about something.
Darius then came forward to continue with the Mercenary Guild's test.
"Alright. For those who still have to go through the examination, follow me. We're heading to the other training room to continue the test."
Krune decided that there would be no reason to stick around. Not only did his 'low profile' plan fail miserably, but every single person or demon beast inside the Mercenary Guild was also now looking at him. Not to mention that he didn't notice that his hood fell down, so everyone could see his rainbow hair. Krune went inside the office to register as a mercenary after that. Only when the door closed behind him did he feel better. At least everyone couldn't see him inside the office.
He wasn't the first inside, though. Durin Vola there as well. When he looked back at Krune, the disdain in his eyes had totally disappeared. But because his pride was too high, he simply snorted and looked away. Yusa was there as well, looking at him as if he was some jewel. It definitely made him feel uncomfortable while that was happening. Cultivators and demon beasts looked at him like that while he was back at the Katiu Forest as a wisp. Nevertheless, it felt somewhat different. Yusa then came forward to compliment him.
"Hello, friend. I'm called Yusa Shen. Nice to meet you."
She then shook hands with him. Since she was being polite, Krune would also do the same back.
"Nice to meet you too. I'm Krune."
She smiled back, responding.
"Very well, Krune. I have witnessed your prowess in the testing room. To think that you can use Skill Merge and even have a universe as a foundation, that's impressive!"
Krune just pretended that it wasn't anything to pay attention to, but Yusa then continued.
"Krune, I have something to ask you. Can you keep me company for a bit after the registering process is over?"
Krune felt a little puzzled but agreed in the end. Of course, it wouldn't hurt just to hear what she had to say.
Durin went forward to do the procedures. He was the first to arrive at the office, so it was only right that he went to register ahead. After that, it was Yusa's turn. The process was quite quick, though. Before she left, Yusa told him that she would wait at the hotel restaurant where Krune was staying.
After Krune entered the next room, he was greeted by the attendant. It was a middle-aged woman with a Two Star Mercenary badge pinned on her clothes.
"Hello there. So, you're the famous dual-element user everyone outside is talking about, right?"
Krune just scratched the back of his head in response while looking away. He didn't want to talk about it anymore. Noticing that Krune didn't want to talk, the attendant continued.
"Alright, let's get this over with. Your registration process will take some time. It has been a long time since someone passed the test at the highest level of accomplishment. To give you your Three Star badge and ID, we will first have to call the headquarters of our Yule Continent and apply for it. Those who get a Three Stars badge have much more advantages, after all. With that, we can't simply give those away that easily. We already sent the information over, so it shouldn't take too long, though. I assume the process will take at most an hour."
She caught Krune's attention with the term 'advantages,' prompting him to ask.
"What other benefits are there?"
She then explained the extra benefits that only mercenaries who were at least Three Stars had.
"First, you can get a 20% discount on all purchases of techniques, arts, and items provided by the Mercenary Guild. When you go outside, just head to the counter, and they'll show you everything that can be bought."
"Second, you can apply for higher-level missions. Although they're more dangerous, the rewards are also much better."
"There's also the fact that people can come and look for you directly. In that case, the payment offered to you will be higher than those with lower-level badges."
"To enter new countries or continents, you'll probably have to use teleportation formations. Mercenaries with Three Star badges and above get priority to use them. Not to mention that they only have to pay the number of spirit stones necessary to activate the formation."
She kept explaining all the benefits. Krune was very happy to hear them. It looked like the failure of his low-profile plan wasn't a complete disaster, after all.
---
At the same time, something else was happening at the headquarters of the Mercenary Guild at the application reviewing office. The employee received the request for a Three Star Mercenary badge and ID, which left him slightly surprised. Even considering the entire Yule Continent, they only received the Three Star badge application for first-time testers a few times every week. Because of that, they had to verify the information first. Together with the request, there was also the recording of the examination process that Krune went through. At first, he was expecting that Krune would just barely be able to pass the exam and be injured all over. However, when he saw Krune destroy the three puppets in a single attack, he was taken aback.
'Isn't that a Skill Merge? How's that possible? They said the participant was only at the 1st Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm!"
But strangely enough, as soon as he saw Krune cut the puppets to pieces, the video was cut as well. He was confused by that, prompting him to immediately call that branch.
Back at the Mercenary Guild branch, Marcin, the supervisor of the branch, was pacing back and forth. He knew that they found a treasure, and the headquarters would definitely contact them back. Sure enough, he got a call from the headquarters.
"Hello. Can I talk with Marcin, the supervisor?"
Marcin took a deep breath. He couldn't even remember the last time they received a call from the headquarters. They usually received orders from the Main Branch at Kaley City.
"You're speaking to him. I suppose you're calling regarding the new Three Star Mercenary that we found?"
The person on the other side of the line then spoke.
"Oh, it's good that you know. My name is Fulie, and I'm part of the application reviewing office in the Mercenary Guild headquarters. While looking at the video of the participant named Krune, right after he destroyed the three puppets, the video was cut. We can't give permission for a Three Star badge and ID before confirming why that happened."
Marcin knew that it was coming. With that, he started explaining what happened after Krune cut down the puppets.
"You're telling me that not only was he able to use two elements at the same time while still in the 1st Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, but his Skill Merge also destroyed the puppets and still had enough power to cut down the protective formation of the training room? That formation is supposed to be able to hold back attacks two stages higher than the participant, you know?"
Marcin then responded that it was truly what had happened. Because the entire training room was reduced to rubble, the video recording was cut short as well. He also revealed that they found out that Krune had built a little universe as a foundation. That was probably the reason why he could use two elements at the same time so early.
"I understand. I will have to report this to the higher-ups first. I'll call you back in a few minutes."
Back at the headquarters, Fulie rushed into his supervisor's office. The man behind the desk looked around his forties, with short black hair and no beard. He was Kassius Ruli, the supervisor of the application reviewing office. Of course, he only 'looked' like he was at that age. Kassius then looked at Fulie with a cold face since this guy dared to enter his office without even knocking. Nevertheless, before he could even complain, Fulie was already telling him about his findings at the outer branch beside Katiu Forest. After listening to the whole story, Kassius immediately got up!
"Are you 100% sure about that? Is there really someone who built a universe as a foundation? And that foundation even allows him to control more than one element at once?"
Fulie nodded in response. He also found it unbelievable! Kassius then took a deep breath and immediately made his decision.
"Pass my orders. Krune is now a Four Star Mercenary. Register him as a special member of the Yule Continent headquarters and allow the ID to be processed immediately. Also, spread the news. Otherwise, the headquarters of the other continents might try and steal him away from us. I will definitely not allow that to happen. We have to announce that he's our member as soon as possible!"
Fulie was astonished to hear that. That's because to apply for a Four Star ID and Badge, one had to at least be at the Core Formation Realm!
---
Back at the office that Krune was staying at, he was thinking to himself.
'If I keep going on like this, someone might find out about my real identity. I'll try to keep myself out of sight for a while. Low key, low key...'
Poor Krune, little did he know about the consequences of his current actions.
