"This requires arduous work, indeed."
Samantha Hall, alone inside the training ground of their home, muttered in the air as she was trying her best to do what the mysterious entity in her head had told her. It was something related to gaining an Inherent Power, specifically, it was related to her Stigma, Breaker of Impossibility, which she received a few years ago when the entity in her head made her presence known for the first time.
"Do you think I'm doing it right?"
She asked, curious. Currently, she was sitting in a lotus position, meditating in a way that the entity in her head had told her.
<Stop talking and just do what I said.>
"Ha… Alright, then."
What the mysterious voice in Samantha's head had asked her to do was simple – to meditate and feel the Mana in the air, but in a peculiar way because Samantha was asked to do it in front of seven different sword weapons, arranged like the rays of the sun except it wasn't pointed in the South.
<Do it for seven hours a day to the point that you feel like you'd be going mad. If you feel like that, it means you are doing it right because Inherent Powers need absurd conditions to possess.>
"Alright, so stop bubbling and let me focus.>
The entity in her head didn't stop talking as Samantha closed her brown eyes and felt the Mana lingering in the air as her entire body was emanating a blue aura. With that, the tranquility inside the training ground had taken place.
***
"Freya, under what conditions did the mysterious Egg tell you to acquire Inherent Powers?"
Making use of the remaining vacation days, Amelie asked Freya, who was continuously performing sword stances even though she had yet to possess a Sword Technique, as they were spending more time in the Chaos Training Grounds.
"About that, I'm advised to live in my territory in the Nether Realm and hunt stray Nether Creatures, like in Estelle's case. Apart from that, I'm also asked to stay in my Undead form throughout the duration given to me."
Freya paused what she was doing as she answered Amelie's curiosity.
"Live in your territory, City of Forgetfulness, for how long, though?"
"Six hundred sixty-six days, to be exact, and it should be on Earth Days also. At least that was the most ideal condition to maximize the effects of the Inherent Powers I would be getting."
"What? That's almost two years. I guess the absurdity of acquiring such powers was truly extreme in a sense."
"Well, you're right, but I can go back and forth from Earth to the Nether Realm. Although it is suggested to live there without going back to Earth for the time being. To be honest, I don't know how I should go on with it because of my parents, and leaving for that long time also means one thing – opening up to them about myself."
Melina Moon and Arche Moon, Freya, and Russell's parents, although were now aware that their daughter and son were talented after the "Missing Person Incident" when the two, along with Amelie and Amery, explored the Nether Realm for the first time, they still weren't cognizant of the two having a Star Contract with beings that was too impactful throughout the Great Universe.
"I have no say about that, but just remember that I will support every decision that you and Russell make, as long as everyone is in agreement and does not endanger each other's wellbeing."
Amelie spoke in a serious manner, glancing at Amery, who was lying on one of the Elderwood benches, sound asleep.
"I am grateful for that. By the way, how many Inherent Powers did the mysterious Egg have told you to acquire?"
This time around, it was Freya's turn to speak of her curiosity.
"It's two for me, how about you?"
"Uhmm, we're actually the same. Although the second Inherent Power's acquisition condition is… how should I say about it… uh, somewhat creepy?"
Amelie's crimson eyes squinted as an ominous smile crept up her lips.
"Oho… does it involve coffins or dead bodies?
"Just dead bodies."
Freya answered in a succinct manner before giving Amelie an inquisitive look.
"Hey, how about we share with each other what the Egg had told us?"
"Haha! You should have asked earlier, but yeah, let's do it."
Amelie agreed to Freya's suggestion as they shared the System messages that were sent for each of them when the Egg's Blessing of Advice was bestowed upon them.
"Although we are informed in the Party Chat, the Inherent Powers specifics are only seen by our own."
"You're right… Uh, your Inherent Powers are kind of… fear-inducing..?"
Freya browsed the information that Amelie had shared, which looked like this:
[Inherent Power: Unnamed]
Description: The Spade is the opposite of Heart, for shall the former rule over the shadows as the latter rule over light.
Effect One: The Intrinsic Effect of the Staff of the Lost Shade, Spade Cross of Penitence's range will be global, as long as shadows exist.
Effect Two: The Dark Shockwave that is produced, according to the user's will, on the Spade Cross of Penitence will give birth to other Spade Crosses of Penitence.
Effect Three: The Shades of Horror will be activated upon the impact of the Spade Cross of Penitence. The activation of this effect would cause shaded figures to be summoned and be the user's command.
[Inherent Power Acquisition Condition]
First Condition: Leave a dark cross throughout every capital of every being throughout the Earth. Inherent Power efficiency upon completion: 25%
Second Condition: Cause at least ten thousand beings to voluntarily become a believer of the Lady of the Shaded Spade. Inherent Power efficiency upon completion: 25%
Third Condition: Leave a dark cross throughout the first to the fiftieth floor of the Last Close Mystery Tower. Inherent Power efficiency upon completion: 50%
"It feels like we'd be really establishing a cult soon. Haha."
Freya could not help but faintly smile upon reading the first Inherent Power that was suggested to Amelie. The conditions were something that could be done separately, and the Inherent Power's effects were dependent upon what condition had been fulfilled.
"Tell me about it. Haha!"
Amelie cackled, hearing Freya's words. She then proceeded to process the Inherent Powers that were suggested for Freya to acquire.
[Inherent Power: Unnamed]
Description: The Ruler of Death's aura of death is so potent, causing Him to assign Death Executioners to do the jobs of either placating or eliminating souls. That's why, as a Death Executioner, becoming close to death is what makes someone truly feel alive.
Effect One: The Necklace with a Living Eye will become obsolete, making the Death Executioner change from a Living to Undead at will. It will also increase the Death Executioner's control over Nether territories and will become more revered among the Nether Creatures.
Effect Two: When in Undead form, and when the Death Executioner is not in the Nether Realm, the Death Executioner could execute the "Life Drain" process, which allows the Death Executioner to drain the life of a being over time. When a being dies in this process, the said being will then become the Death Executioner's familiar. Moreover, this familiar will not consume a familiar slot. Furthermore, the Death Executioner's Unique Skill will have a 1,000% increase in proficiency.
Effect Three: In case of death in an Undead form, resurrection will be granted. But during the process of resurrection, the Death Executioner's body will be rendered immobile and prone against the Evil Spirits.
[Inherent Power Acquisition Condition]
First Condition: Live in the Nether Realm for 666 Earth Days without going back to Earth, and hunt numerous stray Nether Creatures. This can be done by going back and forth from the Nether Realm to Earth, but the efficiency will be reduced to 5%. Inherent Power efficiency upon completion: 50%
Second Condition: In whatever way possible, turn 666 humans, with their consent, into Undead and let them live as citizens of your territory. Inherent Power efficiency upon completion: 25%
Third Condition: Eradicate six regions in the Spirit World that are infested by Evil Spirits.
"There are so many things that need to be done. Star Quest and these."
Amelie said, pondering about the uncertain future.
"Yeah, but for me, although Inherent Powers are equally important, the priority is still the Star Quest because of the duration."
Freya said, setting in her mind what was more relevant between the two.
"Fair enough. About the other Inherent Power, it's about meditation, right? We're technically the same, though the effects and acquisition conditions are somewhat different."
Freya just nodded her head at Amelie's words, who just finished browning the shared information.
"Hng…"
The two of them paused as they heard something. Glancing at the sound asleep Amery, Amelie spoke with a smile.
"What a carefree woman. Is she dreaming?"
Just as Amelie said those words, Amery, who was in deep sleep, spoke some words that caused the two to look at each other. Amelie restrained herself to burst out laughing, while Freya turned around, covering her ears.
"She's still a woman, after all."
Amelie said as she chuckled, before getting away from Amery to spar with Freya.
***
After the Star Blessing Winter day, Han Jiho and Anya Amasawa continued their training. Since there was not much to do for the latter, she stayed in the dormitory room in the Rigel Building of the Obelisk Academy, even though classes that were suspended had yet to start in two weeks. Jiho, on the other hand, had nowhere to go so he was staying in his dormitory room, too.
"Hup-!"
"W-wait-!"
Jiho stopped the training sword, that was aiming for her, in midair as Anya, somewhat anxious, spoke.
"Let's get some rest first. Are you being impatient because of what happened?"
Breathing lightly for a moment, Jiho replied in a serious manner.
"I don't know why... I'm psychologically affected before the mysterious power was bestowed on me, but after that, I seemed to have moved on already.
"It's unfair... Even though you and the others are not admitting it, what happened in the terror attack must have surely scarred you."
"You're right... But... If such trauma-inducing circumstances happened, there's no guarantee that it won't happen again in the future. That's why, even though it's hard to cope, moving forward is the only option."
Anya gritted her teeth, remembering how powerless she was at that time. She even doubted herself if it would make any difference if they could use skills inside the imaginary Dark World that Zebel had created using her Unique Skill: Sphere of Darkness.
"One day... She will pay for the sins she had done."
Han Jiho seriously declared as both of them sat together on the ground of the training room, feeling somewhat exhausted both physically and mentally.
"I actually asked my father regarding the woman's circumstances against Samantha's father, but he said that we should stop putting our noses on the issue and let them handle it instead."
'For some reason, even my Dad can't tell me about it. He also looked serious the moment I asked him, which is unusual for someone like him.'
Anya thought, remembering how she asked her father about it.
"Is that so... Hmm... I guess all we need to do for now is to become stronger, at least enough to defend or escape from strong foes like that woman."
"You're right. There's no shame in escaping because it's the prideful ones that easily die on the battlefield."
Anya replied to Jiho's words before the two of the proceeded to stand up to continue their sparring, but before they did so, Jiho asked out of nowhere.
"Do you know where is Rumia and Elizabeth?"
"I don't know about the former, but the latter is coming back here at the academy before this evening."
"Hmm. Is that so, I guess it'll be us for now."
With that, the two of them continued to help each other in pursuing strength.
***
"Here's what you are looking for.
"Stop making me a delivery woman because I'm the master of the Black Market."
Russell just smiled at Azalea's words as the latter handed him a Skillbook. It was something he had purchased in the Thorn of Rose to be given to his younger sister. Specifically, it was a Sword Technique that Russell found suitable for Freya.
"Don't worry. I'll be busy from now on, so you'll barely be able to see my face.
"And... this is a payment for finding this Sword Technique, which I believe is more than enough."
Azalea's eyes widened at the sight of a palm-sized seed that was glowing in green in front of her.
[Seed of Yggdrasil]
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