Chapter 131

Skill cards were incredibly useful items.

If scrolls were like feature phones, skill cards were like smartphones.

Just as the widespread use of smartphones revolutionized human life, Ian's introduction of skill card magic would transform the magic of this medieval fantasy world into something more 'familiar' to Ian.

A world where wizards shout "Fireball!" and actually cast a fireball.

However, even these immensely useful skill cards had limitations.

First, they couldn't contain magic beyond Ian's abilities.

The outcomes of Maronius or Arcana magic could vary in outcome depending on the state of the mystery or Hrundal's will.

But skill cards always produced consistent results, meaning there was no chance of an unexpectedly better outcome.

Also, to create a skill card, one of Hrundal's hand-painted Arcana cards was necessary.

The condition for Hrundal to grant these cards was...

"Your experiences and realizations," Hrundal said with a smile.

"Of course," Ian nodded.

Pyra had hinted at this before. The Arcana cards contained the narrative of one's life.

Thus, unless one was a sage who understood all things in the world, it was impossible to fill all twenty-two cards with Hrundal's hand-painted illustrations.

Ian currently possessed eight special cards.

This meant he could only create eight skill cards.

To increase the number of skill cards... he needed to continue his journey.

Learning and realizations were the only ways to make a wizard grow.

"Now, show me your magic sword."

Ian drew the magic sword Anor-lsil as Hrundal commanded.

The magic sword imbued with the power of the sun and moon did not lose its luster even in the netherworld.

Hrundal narrowed her eyes and ran her hand over the blade.

"As expected... what a sinister sword."

"Sinister?"

Hrundal handed the sword back to Ian.

"It cunningly siphons the power of the Sun. Truly the craft of a sly fae."

Ian imagined the Fairy Queen waving from afar...

Fairies were indeed a race with craftsmanship that could astonish even gods.

"I understand the power of the sun. But the sword also contains the power of the moon. Is there a separate deity for that?"

At Ian's question, Hrundal closed her eyes for a moment.

The poor mortal might not be ready to grasp the truth of the world.

But...

Fulfilling a seeker's curiosity is also the role of a god!

"Very well, I shall tell you the truth."

"...?"

"Mortal, brace yourself for a shock."

Ian tensed up.

How monumental a secret was she about to reveal?

"The true master of the moon is... the Sunbearer."

"What?"

Hrundal sighed at Ian's bewildered expression.

Indeed...!

He was not ready to accept that the sun and moon were powered by the same god!

"The 'moon' you refer to merely reflects the light of the sun...!"

Hrundal looked at Ian with concern.

Before the establishment of the Golden Empire—so long ago that even medieval people would call it 'ancient'—people believed that both the sun and moon were imbued with divine spirits.

A scholar had accidentally discovered that "the moon is just a rock!"

At the time, people accused the scholar of blasphemy and attempted to hang him in the town square.

After all, how could the moon be just a rock?

It was so sacred! So beautiful!

Even now, as ancient beliefs evolved into the worship of the Sky God, medieval people still revered the moon.

But for a god to tell an imperial citizen, who had always believed in the moon's sanctity, that "the moon is just a rock"...

Hrundal couldn't help but worry.

Even though Ian was a wizard and might be fine, she was concerned that she might have revealed a secret too great for the young boy to handle.

However, Ian, who had just learned an immense secret from a god, felt nothing extraordinary.

He already knew that the moon reflected the sun's light.

"Oh, yes. It's the same here too."

"???"

"I figured as much. It was like that in my previous life too."

Hrundal was shocked by Ian's words.

He already knew?

Did that mean the world he came from had already uncovered all the mysteries of the moon?

"You lived in a frightening world..."

"This world is much scarier," Ian said, examining Anor-lsil.

Ultimately, the fact that he was borrowing the power of the Sunbearer hadn't changed.

"So, Ian. You must have received an oracle from the Sunbearer?"

"Yes, through a message in my status window."

Ian recalled the peculiar quest he had received earlier.

[Objective: Create the true Anor-lsil.]

[Gather the following items to unlock the power of Anor-lsil.]

[1. Something containing the power of the sky]

[2. Something containing the power of the clouds]

[3. Something containing the power of the wind]

[4. Something containing the power of the stars]

[5. Something containing the power of the sun]

[6. Something containing the power of the moon]

[Once the true Anor-lsil is completed, the Worship the Sky! challenge will proceed.]

"Was that the oracle?"

"It is an oracle if it's a mission given directly by a god."

In retrospect, it made sense. The status window interpreted it as a quest, but it was a sort of divine mission given to Ian.

"The Sunbearer has entrusted me with a part of the mysteries of the sky."

"..."

"The item I intend to give you is this."

Hrundal revealed a mysterious jewel.

It contained the [Power of the Sky].

"Why does the Sky God want me to strengthen Anor-lsil?"

Hrundal smiled faintly and said,

"Some tasks are understood only when they are completed. The Sunbearer is shy and hesitant to communicate directly with humans. Hence, this cumbersome method is necessary."

"... That's a roundabout way of saying I need to ask in person."

Ian shrugged.

Ultimately, it was up to him to complete the quest at his own pace and according to his desire.

He had always wanted to meet the Sky God, but there was no urgent need to do so right away.

"But it seems you haven't made any enhancements yet."

"Oh, that..."

Ian showed Hrundal the [Eye of the Wind].

It was a gift from the time wizard Gerard.

Ian had struggled to merge it with the magic sword but had not found a proper solution yet.

He had considered visiting a temple, but surprisingly, Hrundal offered help.

"Well, it's not easy to understand items made by fairies. Especially when they contain the power of the Sunbearer."

With that, Hrundal easily extracted the power of the Eye of the Wind and merged it with Anor-lsil.

When Ian came to his senses, the power of the wind had become one with Anor-lsil.

[Congratulations!]

[The enhancement level of Anor-lsil has increased!]

"???"

How did she do that?

Ian stared at Hrundal in astonishment.

She had accomplished in an instant what Ian had been struggling with.

As expected, the power of a god was far superior to that of humans.

"It is done. Now this magic sword will guide you to places where treasures lie."

It was like a navigation feature.

If Ian ever lost his way, Anor-lsil would help him find the direction.

"Let's see... the [Cloud of Lightning] should be the closest."

Cloud of Lightning.

It was a familiar name.

"Are you talking about the treasure guarded by the Behemoth known as the Mountain King?"

"You know of it too. Yes. But I can't quite sense its presence."

Hrundal, secluded in the Ice Palace, was slow to receive news from the outside world.

"The Mountain King mentioned that a black dragon attacked him and took the [Cloud of Lightning]."

"What? Then what happened to the Mountain King?"

"He died... oh."

Ian realized why Hrundal was surprised and felt embarrassed.

Hrundal was a goddess guarding the path to the afterlife.

If the Mountain King had died, she would have known.

But Hrundal did not know about the Mountain King's death.

The reason was simple...

Ian had sent the Mountain King's soul to the Sky God!

"Hah. So, he left through that route..."

"I'm sorry, Hrundal."

"No, it's fine. Why apologize? If the Sunbearer took him, I'm relieved."

Hrundal had a confused expression.

It wasn't because of the Mountain King's soul.

"The black dragon took the Cloud of Lightning..."

The Cloud of Lightning was the closest and easiest material for strengthening Anor-lsil.

But now, some black dragon had stolen it.

For Ian, it meant he might have to just watch and do nothing!

"What will you do?"

"I'll have to seize the opportunity if it arises."

If the opportunity arises.

A dragon is not an easy opponent.

If Ian declared he would take on a dragon, Eredith might fly over and scold him.

Does he not value his life, thinking he can challenge a dragon?

So, Ian decided to wait and see.

If an opportunity arose, he'd aim for the Cloud of Lightning. If not, he'd look for another item containing the power of clouds.

"Very well. It's your decision."

Hrundal nodded.

Ian cautiously spoke up.

"So, the power of the sky..."

"Ah. That's actually the main point."

"..."

So, everything up until now had just been the preamble.

"The Sunbearer entrusted me with the power of the sky. But Ian, to receive it, you need to meet a requirement."

"A requirement?"

Hrundal said,

"Yes. Show me a Level 7 magic."

"...?"

Ian tilted his head in confusion.

Show a Level 7 magic? What kind of demand was that?

"You need to be capable of demonstrating at least Level 7 magic to make a deal with me."

"... This might take some time."

Ian decided to play it down.

Not because he doubted his ability to master Level 7 magic, but because it might give him an advantage in negotiations.

If he was lucky, she might relax the conditions.

But Hrundal smiled and replied,

"Why do you think I have shared my power with you? Ian, the foundation for your growth has been laid."

"That's..."

"It won't take long. Go out and become stronger."

Ian felt that Hrundal's smile was somehow cold.

An ice-cold smile spread across the goddess's lips.

"You can become an incredibly powerful wizard."

Ian had completed his tasks at the Ice Palace.

He had learned how to use Arcana Cards as skill cards and succeeded in strengthening Anor-lsil.

It was about time to return to the Empire.

He could search for more enhancement materials, increase his magic level, or investigate the whereabouts of the black dragon.

Whatever the choice, it was up to Ian.

"Ah, Ian."

Before he left the Ice Palace, Hrundal had one more thing to say.

"If your magic sword behaves strangely, don't be too surprised."

"... Behaves strangely?"

Ian was now a resident of the fantasy world.

He no longer got surprised by most fantastic things.

But how could the sword change to shock him?

"Thank you for everything, Goddess."

Hrundal almost laughed at being called a goddess but stopped because Ian knelt down.

"Yes, young wanderer."

Hrundal placed her hand on Ian's head.

"Your soul has run tirelessly to get here. But do not resent your fate too much. Wanderers have their own way of life."

Ian bowed to Hrundal and turned away.

A Valkyrie was waiting to take Ian back to the land of the living.

Guided by the Valkyrie's hand, Ian left the Ice Palace.

"..."

Ian opened his eyes.

He was at the peak of the holy mountain.