Chapter 6: Valley of Repentance

"Related to you?" asked Z

"Oh, nevermind that"

"Come, let me help you"

Z was a bit reluctant to go at first, but ultimately decided to trust the voice. After walking, he saw an old man with long hair, eyebrows, and beard all in shade of white.

"Young indeed"

"Uhm, sir. Can I know your name?"

"HAHA, I am afraid you can't. But I am sure that if you venture far enough in the outside world, you will come to know who I am."

Z decided to not pester the old man about his name.

"Let us start with questions. I am sure you have a lot of them."

"Yes, Uhm. What is a core?"

"Your core is where pure world energy gathers. You can enhance it through absorbing world energy from the world itself, beast core---"

"But I learned that humans can't absorb world energy"

"That is not true. It is just that the world energy in that valley is so thin, so it does not trigger natural condensation of the core"

"As I was saying, you can also get it from beast cores and other special methods, such as crystals and other manifestations of world energy."

"I see, so that's why my core formed after I absorbed that yellow orb. Which is probably a beast core."

"That is correct. Your core level is the lowest level, which is light red. To enhance your level you need to absorb more world energy and compress it to achieve a deeper color before transitioning to the next stage, which is orange."

"Yes, sir"

"Remember to compress the world's energy in your core till it reaches the deepest shade before transitioning."

"Uhm, how do you transition sir?"

"After your core is full, you can break the thin layer that holds the world energy otherwise known as a breakthrough. Afterwards, you must collect an exponentially larger amount of world energy to create a larger barrier"

"I see, so the goal is to expand the core."

"That is correct. The larger the core, the more world energy you can store. I do not need to tell you the reason why it is better to have more world energy."

"Yes, sir. Thank you for your guidance."

"You stay here for the time being, until you reach a fair red stage. Since I owe it to your people, I will help you train."

"What do you mean you owe it to us, sir?"

"Let me tell you a story. A thousand years ago, there were three guys seeking the path of an adventurer. They went through countless trials together. One of them became a king. The other died. While the last one was banished and sealed in a pit."

"--the pit..."

"That is correct. That wretched traitor framed me to take responsibility for the death of our comrade. He gathered people to banish and seal me to repent, hence getting the name 'Valley of Repentance'."

"Wha-t? Why would he do that?"

"How naive. Power of course. At that time, we stood at the peak of this world but, due to difference in belief... Alas...Forget it, you will know in time. Although that bastard probably twisted the stories outside. You must always remember that people are not always what they appear to be outside. There are plenty of rotten souls that are hiding behind the banner of justice."

"Ah..."

"HAHA, time will come where you will understand what I said."

"Thank you, sir. "