Chapter 310
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 310
Chapter Title: Terminal Krash
It took Krash a full several months to produce all the aura crystals—his inner cores.
The sole reason he survived the process was thanks to the Four Seasons.
The user containing the Four Seasons would never die, no matter their condition, and would simply persist.
That was why Krash had endured without eating food or drinking water.
When Krash finally opened his eyes...
The Rift of the World was completely empty.
The pure white aura that had once filled the place to the brim was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, bubbles of fluffy white foam were rising from the pitch-black floor.
Krash observed them and figured that, given enough time, the Rift of the World would fill with aura once more.
The aura Krash had stolen targeted only the Rift of the World, after all.
Not the entire world.
'So it's regenerating naturally.'
Krash sensed the inner cores that had formed within his body.
There were a total of nineteen.
Each one packed with a massive amount of aura.
But there was one problem.
'These are practically bombs.'
The aura contained in each inner core was an indescribably dense concentration.
Even unleashing just one would be far more than Krash could handle.
This wasn't something he could just pop off at will.
'Expanding my vessel is one option, but it's not a cure-all.'
Krash knew exactly how much aura the God of Creation Martial Arts devoured.
Through this process, he'd realized he couldn't accumulate enough aura in his single body to complete it.
The God of Creation Martial Arts was an ultimate technique he could never perfect, no matter what.
And that was a fact Krash, who had obtained a Dragon King's body, could confidently assert.
'I need another way.'
A method to activate the God of Creation Martial Arts without relying on his body's vessel.
As Krash pondered this, one idea suddenly struck him.
'In the end, they're still inner cores, right?'
Krash thought of the two people best equipped to handle such inner cores.
One was Darling Danphelion, the future Lord of the Alchemical Citadel.
The other was Haring Lagren, daughter of the Poison King.
Through them, Krash had steadily received elixirs until now.
In fact, he'd survived numerous crises thanks to their research breakthroughs.
'Depending on the situation, I might need Dormana, Bioren, or even Rona.'
Krash recalled the standouts from the Special Advanced Class and decided to consult them.
After all, they were the geniuses in this field, not him.
Something good might come of it.
'First things first.'
Krash decided to climb back up the cliff.
＊ ＊ ＊
After barely clawing his way up the cliff, Krash came face-to-face with Durandal, who had been waiting alone atop it.
Not knowing when Krash might return, Durandal had stood vigil there without rest.
"I was about to go looking for you if your presence vanished completely."
He'd sensed Krash even from that distance.
Even in retirement, he was no ordinary former Celestial Sovereign.
"Looks like you've achieved some results."
Durandal smiled upon seeing Krash, having sensed the abundant aura filling his body.
Krash explained what had happened below and what he planned to do with the aura.
He hoped Durandal might offer some useful advice.
After listening intently, Durandal shared his own experience from entering the Magic Valley.
"I met my closest friend from back then in there."
"Your closest friend?"
"He's passed on now, but a friend called the Sword Emperor."
The former head of the Juon family, to which the current Celestial Sovereign—the Heavenly Emperor—belonged.
Even Krash's father, the Martial Emperor Balok Valheim, had yielded the title of Sword Emperor to her, insisting it be reserved for her.
Former Celestial Sovereign
Sword Emperor, Dalina Juon
The only woman among the former Celestial Sovereigns, her ultimate technique—Sword Radiance—was now monopolized and mastered by Sigrin Epania through her machinations.
Whether Durandal knew this or not, he wore a bitter expression.
"I failed to protect a friend once again. I couldn't stop her from charging in to halt the Forbidden Zone's rampage, and in the end, I joined her in the illusion the aura showed me."
Dalina was the epitome of a true hero.
During the Epania Empire's aggressive expansion era...
There was the Dargon Kingdom, bordering the empire and locked in daily skirmishes.
Relations between Dargon Kingdom and the Epania Empire were at an all-time low.
Dargon had originally been part of the empire but declared independence by exploiting its remote position.
This led to constant warfare between the empire and Dargon.
But amid this, Dargon faced an unforeseen crisis.
Neglecting the Forbidden Zone's management due to the war with the empire caused the Forbidden Zone 'Endless Ridge' to go berserk.
Dargon Kingdom was reduced to rubble by the erosion beasts pouring from Endless Ridge.
The empire's citizens mocked them for it.
But one person stood apart from the empire's public opinion: Sword Emperor Dalina Juon.
Defying everyone, she took up her sword to seal Dargon's Forbidden Zone.
Alone, she succeeded, saving countless Dargon citizens.
In the process, Dalina met her end as her lifespan expired.
The world was shocked that even a Celestial Sovereign like Dalina had died.
Only then did the world realize the peril and gravity of a rampaging Forbidden Zone.
Moved by Dalina's sacrifice, Dargon bowed to the empire once more and rejoined its territory.
The Epania Emperor praised her unilateral action as heroic, granting her the title of the Empire's Eternal Sword.
That was the legend of the hero, Sword Emperor Dalina Juon.
"That's where it ended. After showing me that illusion, the aura revealed nothing more."
In a way, Krash and Durandal's experiences seemed eerily similar at first glance.
The aura had shown Krash a world that provoked all sorts of thoughts, too.
'Some kind of trial, maybe.'
A trial imposed by the aura.
Krash didn't know if he'd passed it or not.
After all, he'd used the cheat of Black Hood.
"You've grasped how to use the God of Creation Martial Arts."
"Yes, though there are still shortcomings, I've got a feel for it."
"Then, student Krash, just develop it in the direction you envision. Isn't that what successors are for—surpassing their predecessors?"
Durandal smiled warmly.
He was a born educator.
He wanted the disciple he'd raised to spread his wings and soar unbound.
"By the way, I heard some amusing news."
"Amusing news?"
Krash blinked.
He was curious what Durandal would find amusing.
"It won't be bad for you. It's about your new moniker."
At the word "moniker," Krash's eyes slowly widened.
Moniker
It was a title bestowed upon the greatest of a generation.
Some monikers pointed to the most talented, foretelling future potential.
Charlotte's Sword Saint was a prime example.
Others honored proven skill and achievements.
And those bearing such monikers were candidates for the next generation's Ten Heavenly Strong or Celestial Sovereigns.
Excluding Charlotte, no one in the Generation of the Sky had received a moniker yet.
Krash would be the first, earning it through his prowess and deeds.
"I believe you'll surpass even the Celestial Sovereigns."
Durandal patted Krash's shoulder.
"So don't forget your current resolve. The path you've forged yourself will be your greatest asset, student Krash."
"I'll keep it in mind."
The world was changing at a rapid pace.
Krash realized his own life was transforming just as swiftly to match it.
To Krash, monikers had only ever meant half-baked insults or curses.
Yet now, the day had come when he received one representing his generation.
This must be what they mean by "you never know with people."
"Head back to the academy."
With that, Durandal turned and departed.
As he'd said, it was time to return to Raheln Academy.
[Welcome back.]
Just then, Krash heard a familiar voice after a long while.
The corpse rat that had been still in his pocket twitched.
Evelask had apparently reinfused it with power.
Seeing it rolling around wildly in his pocket, Krash could tell Evelask was expressing his joy at reuniting after so long.
Krash looked up at the clear autumn sky.
It was time to return to Raheln Academy.
＊ ＊ ＊
After several days of travel, Krash safely returned to Raheln Academy.
Given his disheveled state, he'd parted ways with Durandal and headed straight to the dorms for a thorough wash.
"You've been through a lot, sir."
Alisha, Krash's maid whom he hadn't seen in ages, tended to him diligently, restoring him to his usual self.
She'd had her rough edges before, but Alisha's skills as a maid had improved tremendously.
"I've worked hard for you, sir Krash. Lady Lilina helped immensely with my training."
Lilina had primarily assisted with Alisha's maid education.
Thinking he'd have to thank her later, Krash headed straight for the Special Advanced Hall.
There was no time to waste.
Krash's reappearance naturally caused a stir at the academy.
He'd left with only a vague mention of training.
Those curious about his activities had pretended otherwise while keeping tabs.
By the time Krash reached the Special Advanced Hall, word of his return had spread everywhere.
"Y-You're back, famous boyfriend."
Krash reunited with Darling, who was still using that bizarre nickname.
She looked a mess lately, probably buried in new research.
Her usually well-kept golden hair was frizzy, and dark circles ringed her eyes.
He felt a twinge of guilt asking for her help in this state.
But in this field, Darling was the most reliable.
"Darling, I need to talk."
"I was hoping for souvenirs. Looks like you brought something fun again."
Darling smiled, clearly pleased with such "souvenirs."
It was so like the natural-born alchemist.
"So, what is it?"
"Well..."
Krash began explaining.
Darling listened, pondered deeply, then asked,
"Can you extract those inner cores?"
"Not yet. I don't know how."
Krash had only considered the possibility.
He had no surefire method.
"Then we need Haring."
"She's the expert on inner cores?"
"Exactly. I know how to dismantle and refine components, but harvesting them? She's far better."
It made sense—inner cores from spirit beasts were deeply tied to poisons.
"Conveniently, she was coming over for research today. She'll be here soon."
No need to seek her out.
Perfect for Krash, saving time.
"In the meantime, tell me about your adventures. Sounds like you've been up to all sorts of exciting things."
Darling smiled, saying it had been ages since she'd relaxed.
Having received so much help from her before, Krash happily obliged.
Just as Krash began recounting his tale...
Haring arrived at Darling's alchemy workshop.
Having come straight from training, she hadn't heard Krash was back.
So when she entered and heard his voice from within, she froze in surprise.
"Krash."
Her heart leaped in an instant.
Peeking through the door, there he was—Krash with his dark blue hair, chatting with Darling.
It had been so long.
Since the Hardenharts incident, Haring had truly fallen for him, and just seeing him lifted her spirits.
Her heart raced.
She felt butterflies from merely looking at him.
In her haste to speak with him, Haring reached for the door...
"Inner cores forming in your body... Boyfriend really knows how to go through spectacles."
Haring's body went rigid.
Inner cores in his body.
The words seared into her mind.
Inner cores were crystals formed in spirit beasts' bodies.
They fetched high prices and were prized as rare medicines.
But inner cores had one key trait.
They formed at the end of a spirit beast's lifespan, when its remaining spiritual energy converged.
The formation of an inner core meant the end of one's life.
This was a fact known mainly to the Lagren family, who raised spirit beasts for poison.
And now, inner cores had formed in Krash's body.
Haring's mind reeled.
Krash had received a death sentence with a time limit.
To Haring, it felt like the world was collapsing.
Her strength drained away as she pushed the door open.
"Ah, Haring."
Krash turned at the sound of the door.
He looked far more haggard than before.
During training, he'd subsisted solely on the Four Seasons, so he was in worse shape than usual.
His health was fine, really.
But to Haring, he looked exactly like someone on their last legs.
Her mind blank, Haring staggered toward him.
Before she knew it, she was hugging him tight.
"Krash, no... You can't die."
Krash was startled by Haring's sudden embrace.
But she only clung tighter, her eyes welling with tears.
And that's when...
Bianca appeared.