Sword art (1)

It seems like I died once again huh?

Surprisingly, it didn't feel like my first death, when all I felt was interminable cold and loneliness.

Do I need to meet the god once again? Dammit. I can't imagine his sarcastic expression when we meet. It's just been a week since I arrived here, and I've already died.

It's not like I feel any guilt about killing myself though. Rather, I'm grateful that I was able to spend time with my parents.

What does that fucking old man know about anything? It's because of them that I'm here. Harming them in any form, including dreams, is a sin for me. That is also for the sake of power. I can't help but laugh at that old man's folly.

He was taken aback by the fact that I had stabbed myself. If it hadn't been for my parents, I would have done exactly what he wanted.

I wish my father's siblings had taken part in this test. I don't need anyone's assistance in figuring out what to do. I would have sliced off their heads without hesitation.

Forget about it. There is no need to think about it anymore.

A warm warmth permeated my body this time, making me feel wonderfully relaxed.

This reminded me of my very first encounter with God. I'm too scared to open my eyes right now. I'm not sure where he'll appear from.

It's fascinating. Why is it that I only think of him and not anyone else? I'm not sure. Maybe we were destined to be friends in the first place.

Sigh, what stupid thoughts I'm experiencing right now.

The aroma of tea then permeated the room.

'Something isn't quite right,'

I opened my eyes. My body was saturated in sweat when I abruptly sat up straight. In a daze, I touched my body and realized I was on top of a small bed, the bedsheets damp from my sweat. Then I examined the area of my chest where I had stabbed myself in the heart. It didn't have any scars on it.

I eventually took notice of my surroundings after a quick glance around. Right now, I was in a modest room. Aside from a little tea table and a giant ancient clock that incessantly tolled in the corner of the room, the room was relatively sparsely furnished.

"So you're awake now, young man?" I once again heard the grandmaster's voice.

The grandmaster sat next to the tea table, preparing some tea when I snapped my head to the right, where the voice came from. His careless gestures and serene manner while making tea blended in perfectly with the peaceful surroundings.

I leaped out of bed as soon as I saw him and gave him a cautious look.

'How did he end up here?' First and foremost, where am I? 'Didn't I pass away?' In my mind, a succession of questions began to shape.

"Relax kid, I'm not gonna do anything to you." He said.

'Like hell, I'm going to believe you after everything you've done.' 'I'm not going to believe whatever this fucking old geezer says.'

I'm not going to let down my guard.

"I'm sure you've got a lot on your mind." In a laid-back tone, he inquired. "Sit here, and while we drink our tea, I'll answer your questions."

I didn't even move.

"After everything you've done, you're now acting friendly? Tell me where I am."

"Right now, you're in my house. Congratulations on passing the trial, by the way."

'Did I make it through the trial? 'How come?'

"Kid, are you going to keep standing there like that?"

I went and sat in the opposite chair.

"Firstly let me tell you something. You are not dead and hundred percent alive right now. So relax a bit." He said while siping his tea.

"However, I stabbed my heart, so how am I still alive?" That has piqued my interest. Even now, thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

"Where the trial happened is not in the physical world unlike in the first two trials but in your mental world." He made a gesture towards the brain.

'Ha, that explains everything. This old man is truly scary. All the things that happened there felt real. The warmth that my parents showed towards me, my mother's embrace, and me stabbing myself, everything felt as if they were real. Very scary.'

I took a sip from the cup that is placed in front of me.

"Do you know why humans have been easily deceived by the demons? It's due to their excessive greed. Excessive greed is a driving force behind all forms of devastation."

While sipping my tea, I listened to him.

"It is greed, that lies at the basis of many of the world's issues. It's one of the reasons we came so close to losing to the demons. If people like us do not rise up and fight, this world will be devoured by demons in the same way that elves, dwarves, and orcs have been."

He went on to say,

"Elves are uninterested in material things since they are so close to nature, Dwarves value knowledge and invention, and Orcs value power, yet humans want all of these things. As a result, human avarice knows no limitations. If their greed crosses the line, they will become prey to the devils. When they lose their reason and morals, they murder their own for power."

"So I put this exam in place to take this power away from those bastards. However, your performance was beyond my expectations. You totally astounded me."

He then set his cup down and turned to face me.

"Even though this old man lived for many years and saw many things in life, there are many mysteries that are out of my wisdom, such as you here in front of me,"

'Huh?'

"The location I saw in your mental world does not exist in this world." He gave me a sly grin.

'Tsk, he noticed it. Like hell, he wouldn't notice. He is grandmaster after all.'

"When I first met you, I had my doubts. A boy of 17-19 years old could not have spoken, reacted, or acted in the way you did in the final test. However, after viewing things in your mental world, I was able to get a better understanding. This world is indeed full of surprises." While staring at me, he laughed.

'Fuck'

"Don't be concerned; everyone has their own set of secrets, which I respect. It's not like I have much time left anyway."

"Huh? Not much time left?" I asked.

"I believe I left something out. Technically, I've been dead for a long time. The person you're speaking with isn't the actual me; instead, it's the remnant soul I left behind before I died."

"Remnant soul?"

Once an expert reached a certain rank, they could learn an ancient Chinese technique known as {Soul division}. Its major goal was to separate a soul and connect it to an object, allowing a person to interact with the technique's creator for a brief period of time. To put it another way, it was essentially a live recording that you could interact with.

It had no attack power and no other abilities than inheriting the initiator's memories.

Knowing this, I was able to piece the puzzle together and reassemble myself.

"Okay, I hope I've addressed most of your questions. So, let's get started on your reward, kid "saying that the Grandmaster rose from his seat.

"My name is David Foster,"

"Ah! that's right! How rude of me, I still had not asked for your name...a pleasure to meet you, David!"

We both stared at each other and shook hands.

After finishing my tea, I trailed behind the grandmaster.

'Hehe, it's time for my reward.'

****