62.3-4 Clues Within the Rift

1. Acknowledging the Strong

After the battle, the young shaman stood silently.He had overestimated his own skills, but during the fight, he had witnessed firsthand how Damian's group responded.They weren't just powerful—They understood battle.He had to admit his defeat.At last, he slowly opened his mouth.

"I was wrong."

He looked up at Damian.

"I trained in this land's shamanic arts.I wield the divine power of this nation.But you... though you follow no laws of this land, you are still strong."

He hesitated for a moment—And then spoke his name.

"I am Kaio,a follower of the Sun God, trained in the ways of our people."

He fixed his gaze on Damian.

"Even if you are a foreigner,recognizing strength is our way."

He no longer viewed Damian as just a guest—but as an equal.

2. Symbols and Characters Found Within the Rift

But that wasn't the end of it.While investigating the rift where the creature had appeared, Ian pointed to a nearby wall.

"There's something here."

As they approached, strange glyphs and markings surfaced across the fractured stone.

"What is this...?"

Leanne furrowed her brow and stepped in closer.

"This isn't the written language of this nation."

The young shaman also examined the markings.His expression hardened.

"I've never seen symbols like these."

They were neither magic circles nor sacred sigils—Something different.Something... not of this world.

3. A Palindromic Word

As the group analyzed the symbols,Damian felt a strange sensation.The moment his hand touched the marking—a single word flashed in his mind.

"NOON."

He had seen that word before.A palindromic structure—a word that reads the same forward and backward.As if signaling a recurring pattern.

Damian's eyes narrowed.

This wasn't just a rift.This world itself was being distorted.

And he knew—this was not the last.

***

Chapter : The Warrior Wreathed in Flame 1. Kaio's Resolve to Redeem Himself

After the battle with the riftspawn, Kaio was lost in thought.He was strong. A wielder of divine power.And yet, he had failed.

"I am strong,"he told himself.

But the memory wouldn't leave him—the moment he failed to read the creature's movement,and had to be saved by Damian's team.

This time, he would fight differently.Not just with strength—but with proof.

He was not merely a shaman.He was a warrior.

2. Parting Ways – Kaio Takes a Solo Mission

New rifts had been discovered across the kingdom.The High Shaman asked Damian's group to head to the most urgent location.Meanwhile, Kaio volunteered for another.

"This time, I'll handle it myself."

The High Shaman studied him quietly.

"Trying to atone for your failure?"

"Yes."

After a long pause, the elder nodded.

"Very well. But do not let your guard down again."

Kaio bowed deeply.

"I won't fail you."

3. Kaio's Combat Style – The Warrior-Shaman

Kaio fought unlike any typical shaman.He did not remain in the rear, chanting spells.He led the charge—a warrior at the front lines.

"Blessing of the Sun God—ignite my body!"

As he chanted, divine light surged across his form.His strength exploded outward.

Berserker Mode activated → Greatly increased strength and speed

Offensive totems deployed → Enhanced nearby allies' attack power

Weapon enchantment spells → Physical attacks unleashed shockwaves imbued with divine force

Kaio's blows combined sacred flame and lightning,creating brutal, holy impacts.

He wasn't just a shaman.He was the sun on the battlefield.

4. Confrontation with Riftspawn – Overwhelming Force

Monsters affected by the rift appeared.But this time, Kaio was ready.

"Divine judgment begins at the edge of my blade!"

No hesitation.

He dashed in at full speed

Empowered strikes shook the battlefield

Each blow ignited divine fire, engulfing his enemies

Too fierce to be called a shaman.Too sacred to be called a warrior.

When one creature fell,a flare of holy fire erupted.But the rift kept spewing more.

"Very well. Then I'll need to hold the line."

"Until this body breaks—the Sun God's flame shall not dim!"

Defensive totems deployed to shield his body

Shamanic barriers absorbed incoming damage

Healing incantations restored his strength briefly

Kaio wasn't just attacking—he was holding, enduring, and waiting for the perfect counter.

5. Final Blow – The Explosive Finish

The battle dragged on.His power was fading.

But he had no intention of prolonging this fight.

"Before the sun sets—I end this now!"

Focused all remaining power into his weapon

Channeled explosive divine energy

Delivered one decisive, final strike

KABOOOM!

The blast obliterated the monsters.The rift collapsed in on itself.

Kaio staggered forward, plunging his blade into the earth.

"This time... I did it."

A smile crossed his face.

He had redeemed himself.And grown stronger.

Kaio was no longer just a strong man—He was now a proven warrior-shaman.

***

Chapter : The Gaze of the Powerful

1. Recognition Came Sooner Than Expected

Damian had anticipated that, sooner or later, he would draw attention.In this land, strength was not just a measure of ability—it was a qualification to lead others.

But he had not wished for recognition to come this quickly.He had arrived merely as a traveler,hoping to remain unnoticed and live quietly.

Yet after the incident at the Festival of the Sun,he could no longer be seen as just another foreigner.The eyes turned toward him had changed.He was no longer just a guest.

2. The Change in the High Shamans' Gaze

At first, the high-ranking shamans had regarded Damian as nothing more than an outsider.Their invitation had been an act of goodwill,meant to offer him a glimpse into their culture.

But now, they recognized him as a man of power.They had sensed it from the beginning—his presence alone had hinted at it.But after witnessing the event firsthand,there was no longer room for doubt.

Their attitudes shifted accordingly.

3. The Meaning of a Trial

One of the high shamans fell into thought.Should they continue to treat this man as merely a visitor?Or should they recognize him as someone who now belongs?

In the end, he reached a decision:put them to the test.

"There is something we need help with,"the shaman said to Damian and his companions."This land is being affected by the Cracks.Signs of it are appearing all across the country."

He paused for a moment,gazing directly at the group.

"If you truly are strong,perhaps you could lend your strength to resolve it."

It was not a request.It was a challenge.A test of their worth.

Damian listened in silence.He had not intended to stay long in this place—but he was already entangled.

Now he had to choose:

Will he conceal his presence and walk away?Or will he stand among the powerful of this landand walk forward with them?\

**

Chapter : The Harmonized Fracture – Secret of the Connected Temples

1. A Mission Beyond the Kingdom

The high shamans of the Kingdom of Solistium entrusted Damien's group with a new task.

"We ask that you investigate the fracture outside the kingdom.""Unusual phenomena have been occurring there, and they are not to be taken lightly."

At first, Damien found the request odd.After all, even within the kingdom, fractures—both large and small—had already begun to appear.

Why then send them outside the kingdom?

Still, he did not voice his doubts.He accepted the mission in silence, calmly observing the shamans.

And among them…

...were a few hidden members of Those Who See Beyond.

2. Those Who See Beyond — Quiet Influence

They did not act openly.But their influence among the kingdom's shamans was unmistakable.

"The fracture outside isn't just another anomaly.""It may hold vital clues we need to study."

Though uneasy, the kingdom's leaders had little choice but to cooperate.

"As long as the kingdom stands threatened, we must investigate every source of danger.""Hence, this exploration. Examine the fracture beyond the borders."

Thus, Damien's group departed the kingdom.

But what they didn't know…

Was that the place they were heading to was more than just a fracture.It contained fragments of what Those Who See Beyond had long sought.

3. The Three Temples – A Converging Force

The ancient temples had long operated in isolation.Each one distinct, each fulfilling its own sacred purpose.

But records hinted at a distant past—A time when three temples had once resonated as one.

"The Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Wind, and the Temple of the Earth.""It is said that when all three awaken in unison, a tremendous power is born."

And now, Damien's group was headed to one of them.

4. An Unexpected Presence Within the Fracture

"This is no ordinary fracture…""Something else… is stirring here."

Upon arriving, the group immediately sensed something was off.It wasn't like the other fracture zones they had seen.

At first, the site appeared dormant—Just another spatial rift with no extraordinary signs.

They expected little more than monsters, anomalies, or corruption.However—

Suddenly, the markings of the ancient temple began to glow.And in that moment, the fracture twisted—And a new presence emerged.

"…This isn't just a fracture.""The temple itself… it's linked to the fracture!"

Even Those Who See Beyond hadn't foreseen this.

They had hoped only to study…But what they found here far exceeded expectation.

And now—The consequences would reach even them.