A new hope

When aran walked into the cave and saw a black book shining, lighting up that enormous carve, he picked up that book and sat down there.

In that dark cave, that book was the only source of light.

As he slowly opened the book, to see what was in it, the book was empty!

As he looked at it, thinking that there is nothing in there, some writings started to appear on that.

"Pour Some Mana Into the Book! "

Looking at the text that appeared in that book, He was shocked! Most of all he was curious. After seeing that, he was certain that it was not an ordinary book. So he slowly infused some of his remaining Mana into it and suddenly, the book started to shine again!

As the book started to shine, it became too hot, it burned Aran's hands and he couldn't hold it anymore, so he cast that book aside.

Aran waited until the brightness gets decreased and as he looked at it, some kind of purple fog started to appear out of that book.

The fog appeared from that book, and slowly turned into a man!

A middle-aged man with tanned violet skin. His clothes looked old-fashioned and he had long grey-coloured hair, With red eyes. He also had a darker look, like the demons Aran had read about in the stories.

Looking at that, Aran was surprised but for some reason, he wasn't afraid. He bravely looked at that person and asked

"What are you? "

" HaHha haha Haa "

That person started to laugh, and he continued to laugh, looking at Aran,

"To think that a little brat like you, managed to come here and obtain this book; I am sure the world has changed.

Do you want to know what I am kid? I am a ghost! A lifeless soul.

I was a demon before I died, and got reincarnated as this book after my death.

All these years, many cultivators tried to obtain this book, thinking that it will grant them power but no one could succeed!

But to think that, you managed to come here, you are lucky.

And The worst part about this is, you are the weakest person ever to come here! Hahhahaha" He said and continued to laugh at Aran.

Hearing his words, Aran got astounded! Because he had never seen something like this, in his whole life. He had only read about reincarnations in stories but now he witnessed something that never happened in hundreds of years. he couldn't believe his own eyes.

"Are you telling the truth?"  Aran desperately asked with dozens of doubts in his mind.

"Why would lie to someone who is going to die? I have been in this cave for years and so many cultivators tried to come here. Most of them died at the entrance, at the hands of the mana beast. Some of them who managed to enter were not worthy.

Since the battle is going on outside; the beast is in slumber. That's how you managed to come here. You may have come here by accident, but you can't leave this cave without facing the beast! "

After listening to the demon, Aran got a slight idea of where he was and he started to worry.

Looking at Aran, the demon felt like he is a little different from others he had seen. So he looked directly into his soul using his divine soul vision, which he got after cultivating his soul to the declining soul realm.

As the demon looked at Aran's soul, he was surprised! because Aran had the soul cultivation of the Peak Intermediate stage!

It was really surprising for him to see someone having stronger soul cultivation than his physical cultivation. As he was wondering something, Aran asked

"What is your name?"

" What? Name? My name is Elrich ryfin eimir!

But it doesn't matter what my name is, because you won't be alive to remember it! "

Although the demon, was surprised to see Aran's soul, He knew how weak Aran was and that he won't survive alone in there. But what surprised him more was, the reply he got from aran after that.

" So, what if I am weak? Unlike you, At least I can move without someone else's Mana. You talk a lot for someone who has already died "

Hearing him talking, Elrich started to laugh again, he liked Aran having the courage to talk like that even when he knows that he can't survive.

He started to wonder if he is actually the one he was waiting for! But if he was the one, he couldn't understand why he was too weak.

In that world, Soul cultivation was nearly ten times more difficult than physical cultivation but for some reason, Aran had stronger soul cultivation than physical cultivation. After wondering about that for a while, Elrich decided to confirm his little doubt.

" Although I never cared about anyone who comes here, it's been a long since I talked to someone.

Whatever the circumstances, you did manage to come here.

So, I will give you a chance. I will help you with escaping from here. Maybe you can live! "

Elrich said with a plot in his mind, thinking that aran will accept desperately, but what happened was a little different than what Elrich thought.

Although Aran wanted every help he can get at that point, he knew that in the world where he was living, someone won't just help him for no reason. So he remained silent giving a thought about that.

Elrich knew that Aran wasn't realizing what the stake was, but he didn't want to let him die because he wanted to confirm his doubts about Aran and complete his destiny!

After all, Elrich had his own things going on.

"It's okay if you don't want my help in escaping this place, but what about your breakthrough?

It's hard for cultivators to get stronger than their physical limit. Especially for heavenly cultivators, there are no special ways to get stronger than their physical limits.

But, what if I can help you break through? " Elrich asked.

That shook aran a little hard.

Breaking through! something he couldn't achieve, no matter what he did. After hearing that, he got slightly interested in Elrich's proposal. Because he knew that if he can break through somehow, then he can have a chance at everything he ever desired. A true life!

" Tell me, what is it? "Aran immediately asked.

"It's a secret demonic technique! But I can't just teach you a secret technique. You have to prove that you are worthy of learning it.

When the battle outside ends, soon the mana beast at the entrance will wake up from its slumber! and you have to kill the beast to prove yourself and you will have to do it in three days!

I know that you are not strong enough to win against that mana beast but I will teach you a sword technique.

A secret technique that I specially created to fight against that beast.

It's very difficult to master it in three days, But if you can do it and kill that beast; then I will consider that you are worthy and teach you the secret technique for your breakthrough!"

Aran accepted the challenge without a second thought because even though he wasn't strong and he had never fought a real battle, he realized that he will have to fight the beast no matter what and he was also ready to do anything for his breakthrough!

He felt like it is one in a lifetime chance for him.

****

As aran accepted the challenge, Elrich told him to pick up the book and as he picked it up, a new sword-fighting technique with the details about the beast he have to fight appeared in that book.

It was a third-ranked, high-tier beast! By the picture which appeared in the book, it looked like an evolved tiger with extremely sharp claws.

Although the beast wasn't very powerful, It was fast and better at fighting in the dark. Its movements were also different from other beasts. That was why cultivators couldn't kill it, even after having strong cultivation. And it also has a special ability.

After seeing all that, Aran understood what Elrich was referring to, when he said he can't escape that place. He knew at his level, fighting that beast is like gambling with his life.

But, he never once in his life thought that he will get a chance to break through in a situation like that. At that moment, Aran felt that fighting for something he wants, is better than living with nothing.

***

As aran was looking at the details, Elrich told him to touch the technique's details with his bare hands. As aran touched it, the sword technique directly transferred to his mind!

Aran was shocked again because he not only learned every form in an instant, but he also learned the exact amount of mana to be used in every move just by touching the writings. It was as if he was reading a jade slip!

After learning the technique, before aran could train the sword technique to master it, he had to heal his wounds as much as he can. Since he had no time to waste, he immediately started to treat his remaining wounds.

Aran absorbed all the remaining Mana from the broken defence artifact and used all the healing pills he had.

Even after using all the pills, he couldn't heal all of his wounds. But he had no other choice.

He only had eight food pills, so he decided to take two pills for three days and saved the last two to take, right before the fight against the beast.

***

A few hours after the battle outside started, it ended with a great explosion. Aran couldn't go outside to see what happened, but Elrich was capable of seeing everything that was happening in his surroundings, for a long distance through his divine vision.

The text appeared in the book, saying that Aran's troops won the battle! 

Aran was pleased to know, that his sacrifice did not go in vain.

After the battle ended, Captain Xion ordered the soldiers to bury everyone who died. He didn't know that Aran secretly had a defence artifact, So he assumed that Aran died in the explosion and did not try to look for him.

The next day; the remaining soldiers packed their bags and left Fendwir mountain.

***

Aran started his training on the second day.

It was difficult for him to train inside a cave with a wounded body, but he was determined and he wanted to do everything he can.

The sword technique aran learned through the book, had sixty-three forms and it covered both offence and defence. He had to perform all sixty-three forms, in less than three seconds. Agility and speed mattered more than the strength to perform this technique.

For Aran, who still had some wounds, it was more difficult to move fast, than master the technique in three days, but still, he believed in himself and started his training.

***

Finally, the three days were over!

Aran had almost mastered the sword technique but it was still difficult for him since he was only a beginner stage cultivator. He took the last two food pills he was saving and digested all of its energy.

Before going for the battle, He poured some Mana into the book and let Elrich appear out of the book.

"Why are you wasting your Mana on me?" Elrich asked as he got out of the book, knowing Aran's condition and that he has so little Mana. But Aran looked straight at Elrich and said,

" I have never gambled with my life until now. But I am doing this because this is something I have always wanted for my entire life. So, make sure you keep your word!

You never asked my name. I know it's because you don't care but still, my name is Aran Wilford. Remember it! "

Aran said as he turned around and started to move towards the entrance of the cave. As he was leaving, there was only one thought in his mind

" One last fight, with everything I got! "