Donation's

i want to thank Trent Stone for Donating and supporting ES & SR :) it is greatly appreciated.

!!!!! Pr Credits To Draconis & Tembulon who not only both pred it but improved this ch's quality greatly please rep them. Also Full Credits to Askard who maintains the Information Doc where a majority of spectral regalia information is written please Rep him to ^^!!!

so quite a lot has happened. let me explain some things regarding why i havent updated in awhile.

1 - awhile ago i was pretty sick even thinking about it makes me nautious XD so i will leave it at that.

2 - draconis went on holiday after i got well so it couldnt be helped ;/ he does a very very good job pring and i wont post without him having a first look.

that is the bad news out of the way now for some good news and a bit more bad news.

i plan to update more frequently im very eager to get back to writing sr and im feeling as if i can make it flow better. that bieng said i also plan to focus on this as it is my first story and the one i love most.

this is where the bit of bad news comes but its not to bad. ok i plan to update a few more chapters of sr atleast 4-5 more before i write another ES chapter. as you all know this is to get me to become eager to write ES again and in that state my quality improves a lot i dont want to experience writers block and the way es's latest chapter ended i need to make sure it develops properly.

just to clarify no i havent forgotten about sr nor have i been neglecting it. over the unintentional break i have been eager to get back to writing meaning fuel has been added i have also gotten quite a bit more writing material after binge reading many novels so the inspiration is great.

all in all i still want to apologise to you all *bows*

Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/Share/Enjoy the story :)

P.S i finished chapter 77 the night i posted this so expect that within 2-3 days maybe less ;p

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Avrin and Felia made their way to the entrance of the dungeon, which was littered with the mercenaries, geared up and ready for the best or worst outcome of the dungeon. Avrin looked around carefully, before he spotted Kael, who walked up to him. “Master, did you rest well? My training begins today, correct?!” He spoke with a dash of excitement.

Avrin nodded with a soft smile. “Indeed. But don't think this is easy. In this dungeon, there is only me and you. I will be focusing on your improvement.” Felia, who was also readying herself after arriving, frowned a little, as she laughed to lighten Avrin’s words. “Avrin, surely you're not thinking of leaving us alone?”

Avrin turned and gazed at her. “I don't need to babysit your band of mercs. If you bite off more than you can chew without being careful, I can't be the one to clean the mess up” Felia glared a little before sighing, Avrin’s words were indeed right. If she and her men rushed, it would be their heads.

Kael looked around, quietly admiring the sight with a face full of excitement. It was as if he were entering a warzone. “Kael, lets go.” Avrin spoke as he began to walk towards the dungeon.

Kael jumped up a little before running off behind him.

“Avrin, we aren't ready yet. We still have some people to wait on!” Felia called out, but her words were ignored as Avrin went on ahead. The only reaction was a curious Kael looking back at her, before vanishing into the dark mouth of the dungeon behind his master.

“Urgh.. That man…” Felia rubbed her forehead a little, before Wyni walked up behind her, tightening her attire. “Hmm? Where are Kael and Avrin?” She asked curiously. Felia gave a quiet smile and spoke “They have gone ahead” Wyni’s face twisted with a little disappointment. “D..Damnit, my chance.. I'm going on ahead.”

Felia quickly placed her hand on her shoulder. “Wyni, leave them. No doubt Avrin would consider your presence annoying. He has his reasons. We will catch up. Unlike him, we need all the strength we can get”

Wyni sighed in a slight pout before nodding. She couldn't abandon her friends for the sake of admiring a young boy. While the merc group prepared, Avrin and Kael wandered down several layers of the dungeon.

Kael was shaking with fright, as faint echoes of unknown voices jolted around. “M..Master, how can you not be afraid of this place?... It's only us… Can we really venture deep inside?” Avrin raised a brow behind his mask. “Do not be so afraid. You have yet to see any life, and you're so scared? Don't be a coward.”

Kael took a deep breath and tensed his body, as if to force the fear from his bones and muscles, his face paling a bit, causing Avrin to shake his head a little. As they ventured a little deeper, Avrin stopped.

“Kael, lets start here. This dungeon is no doubt riddled with traps. Although it's impossible to see with your eyes, if you work hard enough, you may develop a sixth sense of perception or instinct to help you.”

Kael looked at Avrin, a little confused. “Is this something you have, Master? How long did it take you to achieve?” Avrin shook his head. “My method is different and not usable by you. But the way you can develop yours is putting you in many dangerous situations until it’s etched in your body. Which is why you're going to be walking upfront, 10 meters ahead of me.”

As Avrin spoke those last words with an almost laughing tone, Kael took a step back and thought this was a joke of sorts. “Master, this… Isn't this suicide for me?..” Avrin shook his head. “Don't be so afraid. I want you to get that feeling of danger as traps and things appear. But that isn't to say I won't assist you.”

Kael felt a little relieved, and decided to man up a bit. After hearing Avrin’s reassuring words, he began to walk ahead. And from there, the two went on, downwards. It had only been 5 minutes before a portal behind Kael appeared.

And just like a novice, he was caught off guard, with only the sound being his way of identifying it. “This?!!” from the portal a Draconian creature climbed out, towering over Kael as it hissed and eyed him carefully.

“Oh? They aren't wasting time. They’re up at this level.” Avrin quietly spoke. Kael raised his sword and slashed against the creature's abdomen. The Draconian blinked as the sword slashed against him, only causing his scales to shake a little, barely any pain.

The creature was a little confused, having never faced such a weak opponent before. It grabbed Kael’s sword hand and raised him in the air as Kael kicked against it. “You dumb lizard!! Let go! Let GO!!...” Kael roared out, kicking against the creature until his metal clad boot smacked against it's jaw.

At that point, the Draconian writhed with anger, all while Avrin watched the amusing scene. The Draconian threw Kael up into the air, and prepared to punch him, as he was falling down towards the creature.

In a quick blur, the Draconian was smashed to the side with the impact of a palm against it's ribs, shattering a few, as it crashed against the dungeon wall, screeching in pain before the rubble muffled it's voice.

Avrin then caught Kael by the collar part of his armor at the right moment, before softly placing him down. “Well, at least you tried. Hahahaha” Avrin couldn't help but laugh softly at the scene that played out before.

“M..Master, that creature's body is as tough as steel… There's no way I have the strength to cut it.” Avrin gazed at him and nodded. “Indeed. But we do not need to, necessarily, work on your strength. Gaining experience is just as valuable.”

The creature stood up and began to crawl away into a nearby portal that had just opened up. Kael’s face froze. He was about to rush over, before Avrin stopped him. “Kael, leave it be.” Kael turned to look at him. “Master, won't it bring help!?”

Avrin nodded “Probably. But this is good. More material to train you with.” Avrin hadn't run from the Draconians when he was with Clovis out of fear, but more so that he had no reason to fight them. He was not worried in taking many hundreds on his own.

As the light of the portal dimmed, and Kael went on ahead as Avrin followed. “Master, that creature was really weird. It reminded me of the descriptions and illustrations of some dragons I have seen. What is it?”

Avrin didn't answer right away, as he wasn't sure how to properly do so without he himself being 100% sure. But he gave an answer after a bit. “Probably protectors of a dragon.” Those words made Kael freeze and wheeze a little. “D..Dragon…. Master...this dungeon has a dragon than?...” Turning around to look at Avrin, Kael’s face seemed as if he would cry out of fear.

“Maybe, maybe not. I don't think there's a dragon here anymore. Don't worry.” Of course, Avrin lied to the boy. In fact, Avrin was certain there would be a dragon here. But this may prove advantageous to him, as he would be able to use all his might and see how he fares. But at that moment, he removed the thought, as he remembered Kael and the others around him.

He was not so evil as to involve and injure others who didn't deserve it. With a soft sigh he removed the thought. Venturing deeper, Kael came across a wide metal door with strange earth-like engravings on it.

“Master?” Kael asked, as if looking for advice. Avrin then nodded, and Kael took this as ‘Go in’. Walking forward, he pressed his hand against the large metal like doors, and bit by bit, as his face flustered, he exerted all his strength on one side, before that half opened enough.

As the gate like door opened on the right side, Avrin felt a powerful feeling from his Divine sense, that was extended for 50 meters. Not only for his sake, but for Kael’s as well. Avrin couldn't see anything strange in the room ahead, other than a deathly killing intent.

The room itself, although underground, was quite large, and was lit up with mighty braziers emitting an earthen glow. The ceiling of the room extended 20 meters high, but the width and length a good 50 meters.

Avrin, to be on the safe side, entered before Kael had gotten a chance, causing Kael to wonder what was wrong. As Avrin stepped in, he gazed around and saw a figure in the middle. It was a statue of a 4 armed Draconian creature with a more dragon-like appearance.

Avrin eyed it carefully, before his heart faltered a little. In each of the creature's hands, were not stone objects, but weaponry seemingly forged from a metal. 2 swords and 2 shields. Each with a strange emblem resembling a creature's eye.

Kael eyed this equipment carefully, and his eyes glowed. “Master.. Treasure?..” Avrin frowned, looking around once more. “Not treasure, but a trap.” Waiting a bit more, as Avrin didn't make a move. Avrin smirked and took this as a chance to teach Kael.

“Kael, do you know how I know this is a trap?” Kael rubbed his head a bit, and gave an unsure look. “Hmm.. Is it because it's strange that there's something like this in the middle of the room? The air is a bit cold too?”

Avrin shook his head. “No, but nice try. Look very, very carefully, and examine it. This is a good chance to develope your eyes’ perception instead of you're instinct.” Kael nodded and looked at it closely.

After a few minutes of waiting, Kael finally spoke. “I know Master! Why would a statue of a creature have forged weapons! Why not carved rock! It's definitely suspicious.” Avrin nodded. “Correct. What do you think the reason that this statue was made in such a way?”

Kael was silent and gave a soft laugh. “I'm not sure, Master. Maybe to tempt people to steal it's stuff?” Avrin nodded. “Correct. Watch carefully.” Avrin began to walk forward towards the statue, feeling the deathly intent emitting greater as he approached, even causing him to be extra cautious.

He reached over and touched the front of the shield. One second. Then several seconds passed. “Hmm..” Avrin chuckled before turning around to Kael. “I guess I was wrong.” As he turned to look at Kael, the statue began to quietly stand, extending all 4 of it's arms silently, as the bits of rock began to crack and reveal a glowing brown scaly skin.

Kael’s eyed filled with a silent fear, and shakingly pointed behind Avrin. But at that moment, the 4 armed Draconian struck downwards with both it's swords, towards Avrin. Only a grin appeared on Avrin’s face as he had intentionally acted in such a way.

The trap had been trapped. He made it think he dropped his guard. As the swords came down, he kicked his right foot forward, managing to step closer to the creature's body that had been half freed from the stone.

“Kael, when you reach a point in strength, you will learn to turn the tables in situations like these.” The creature's beast like pupils narrowed, as it tried to raise the swords as Avrin was right near it's stomach.

It had felt this being in front of it was dangerous. Even though it was 5 meters tall, it felt nervous about him. The air rippled before it twisted. Avrin’s left palm struck toward the creature's stomach.

The creature had no way of blocking, as he was too close and the action had taken a quick moment.

It could only harden it's abs and hope it's scaly defence would endure. The 5 meter Draconian coughed up some blood as it slid across the ground several meters, a little shocked. It's internal organs were shaking a little, as a palm impression was against it's scales.

Gazing at Avrin, who seemed just as surprised at it, the creature roared out in fury, causing the entire area to shake as it emitted a large earth affinity aura. Avrin frowned a little. “I was holding back, but hitting it still made my hand tingle a bit. That's quite a defence. Do you even need those shields?..”

After the creature finished roaring, it charged towards avrin as it swung both swords around like a tempest, causing wind like blades to scatter in all directions. “Hmph!... Kael, be careful.” Avrin called out, before the Draconian slashed downwards with one of it's towering scimitar-like swords.

Like a flash of light, it cut through the air as it screeched. Avrin knew it would be dangerous if he took it directly, and didn't waste time to avoid it. But the speed was quite fast, despite him being prepared.

The blade cut downwards, missing Avrin narrowly. But as Avrin was about to enjoy his moment, the lower right hand of the creature, bearing a shield, pummeled towards his back, crushing him into the ground, causing it to crack with an indentation.

The Draconian roared with fury as it went crazy, still angered by Avrin’s attack before. It began to use the shields to smash the crack in the ground that Avrin was in. “-Urgh..! This bastard..-” Avrin crossed his arms as he tried to use his strength to bear the blows as they came crashing down towards him.

“-Forgot about the extra limbs..-” As the attacks came down, Avrin felt it's strength was at least on the level of Clovis’s second strike. No doubt this creature was at the level of a Master. Possibly a mid or peak one.

With the dust kicking up and rubble scattering, the creature stopped for a moment, as it raised it's muscular body, hissing before giving a deep, laugh like growl. Kael’s face twisted with fury as he unsheathed his sword and rushed towards the creature.

The large Draconian gazed at him, and as Kael was about to slash towards the creature's left leg, the Draconian’s lower left hand blurred before it's shield smacked against Kael, sending him crashing against the ground.

Kael’s armor dented, and was stained with blood as he wheezed while coughing out blood. He would have fainted, had the pain and spirit not kept him awake. “Urg….” His face was full of sweat, as he had felt an incredible pain. As if his organs shook.

He could barely move. As he leaned up, his legs were hurting incredibly, despite the creature holding back. “Shit… Shit… It hurts…” Kael uttered, pressing his hand against his neck to try and help himself breath.

The creature turned towards him with a hungry grin, it's mouth opening and revealing it's large, sharp set of teeth. No doubt Kael felt it may see him as a meal. As the creature stepped towards him, it felt a sharp pain at it's lower right arm.

Turning to look, it's eyes widened with surprise, seeing that the arm was cleanly sliced off. And with a thud, the arm hit the floor. It saw a flash of purple light. Reacting on it's instinct, it used it's swords and shield to block whatever it was, and barely managed to do so, as right before the light was about to go for it's remaining right arm, sparks of orange and purple light shot out as Avrin, with a bit of blue and red blood mixing as it ran down the side of his lips, slashed away against the creature's shield with a void sword.

He then kicked away using the shield as leverage, before his figure landed several meters away from the creature. His clothes ragged and dirtied as he wiped the blood away from his lips. He gazed carefully at Kael.

“Do you know what pain feels like now?... In battle, life or death, you will always feel that pain. Get used to it, because it will make you stronger…” Kael nodded quietly, as he willed himself to lean up, glad that Avrin seemed to be fine.

Avrin than glared at the Draconian with a smug look. “Ah, sorry about that. You have so many arms, surely one or two getting cut off is fine, right?” The Draconian, recovering from it's shock, looked at it's missing arm, then at Avrin.

It's face twisted as it's mouth frothed and it's body tensed. The color of it's scales turned a dark red as steam came from it's nostrils. A surge of killing intent and power surged from the creature that seemed to have entered a crazed state.

“Not good…” Avrin muttered, before the creature slashed with incredible strength with it's swords towards Avrin. It had sent a sword wave of earth energy towards Avrin, causing the ground to split from the energy.

Avrin quickly emitted his Nebula Mist, forming several quick layers of shadow walls. The earthen mana wave crashed against the walls, slicing through several of the 4 layers, before smashing against Avrin, blowing him several meters away, and against the nearby wall as he crashed against it.

Spitting out a mouth full of blue blood, Avrin’s internal organs had been injured. He was thankful that the shadow waves had been weakened, and were more so a blunt force than a sword wave thanks to that.

The creature didn't stop there. It began to charge towards Avrin with great speed, veins pushing against it's scales, showing how crazed and angered it was at losing a limb. “Master!..” Kael called out with fright.

Avrin wasn't worried about the creature's strength, he was more annoyed at how he should beat it. He had many methods, but it had irritated him at how it was effortlessly blowing him away. His face darkened as he stepped from the wall.

His hands opened as they tensed and strengthened. “You have good raw strength…. But you think you can push me around with it…!!” As the creature neared Avrin and was about to pummel it's remaining shield hand towards him, it felt something wasn't right.

It quickly tried to dash backward, but Avrin had already shot towards it and jumped up in the air in front of it. The blood had seeped not only through his lips, but through the lips of his mask. His eyes, through the mask, showed a wild, beast-like look.

The Draconian raised it's shield hand to defend while slashing towards him with both it's swords. Avrin twisted his body, avoiding the first sword, and parried the other with his void sword, before throwing it away to the side.

As he landed on top of the creature's shield he placed his left hand down in an open palm against the surface of the detailed shield before raising his right hand, emitting dark matter across it, and condensing it. His right arm and fist was engulfed in shadow, before he smashed it downwards towards the creature's shield. “Shadow Splinter…” He called out, before he's fist collided with the shield. The impact and force caused the air around to blow away in a gust.

The Draconian’s shield, under the condensed dark matter, twisted and warped, as if it's very being was changed, before it seemed to explode. The force of the hit shot towards the Draconian, causing it to smash against the ground. A wide, 10 meter circular crater formed as the creature was pummeled into the floor.

The air turned dark, as the dark matter scattered, before returning to it's original transparent state. Avrin stood over the creature as he rubbed his right fist, which was bloodied slightly, from the toughness of the Draconians shield.

“Tough bastard…” The Draconian lay unconscious, as it's pupils were white and mouth frothed, while it's stomach scales and stomach itself seemed cracked and damaged. Kael weakly walked over as he held himself using his sword. He looked at the limp creature with shock.

“Whoa… Master, that was incredible. With one move, you killed it…” Avrin made his way out of the crater by jumping up, and gazed at Kael, who was at the top. “It's not dead. But when it wakes up, it's going to be pissed.”

Kael glared at it. “We need to kill it…” Avrin shook his head and softly laughed. “With Clovis on their side, it shouldn't be a problem for them in this state.”

Avrin reached into the enchanted sack at his side and pulled out a healing potion Henreth had given to them. He handed it over to Kael. “Drink this and lets move on.” He spoke, and Kael did so.

A minute of resting after having drunk the potion, Avrin had already recovered the Void Sword and reabsorbed it. “Master, that weapon is incredible… You were able to cleanly slice it's arm off. What's it made of?“ Kael curiously asked.

Avrin replied. “A family heirloom” He lied through his teeth to the boy, who had a glowing expression, having recovered thanks to the healing potion. Other than the dirt and dent marks on his armor.

“Let’s get going.” Avrin hadn't bothered to reform his attire, as it would be pointless for future battles. Kael spoke up, as he and Avrin went over to the door, meters behind the creature's original spot as a statue. “Should we not wait for the others? I still think we should kill that Draconian thing.”

Avrin shook his head. “No need. Clovis can handle it easily with it's wounds. And it's fine. If this is all this dungeon has, we should be fine. More so, tell me what you have learned from that fight.”

Kael didn't argue back, and as Avrin opened the nearly identical door to the one they entered, they continued down a well lit hall decorated with patterns and engravings. “Well, that Draconian was strong… I rushed in blindly and got injured.”

Avrin nodded. “Yes. Don't do that again. Unlike me, you can't heal quickly. What else?” Kael thought carefully. “Skills and technique make a difference. The creature was much bigger than you, but technique and skill helped you overcome it.”

Nodding again, Avrin spoke. “Correct. The creature focused on defence and ranged attacks, but it lacked in close combat. Once I got really close, I could attack it. And it's own speed wasn't anything much. Although it was able to use a large amount of mana, it wasted it's potential on ranged attacks. I used an ability meant to pierce and injure it. Make sure you have abilities for every situation.”

Kael nodded and began to go on. As 20 minutes soon passed, the main group had soon entered and encountered no Draconians, which made Clovis a little disappointed, as he was hoping to join Avrin. Had he not decided to sleep with one of the female mercs in the group, he was sure he would have caught up with Avrin.

“Clovis, how far do you think Avrin has gotten?” Felia spoke. Clovis shrugged. “He is probably pretty far ahead. That guy is weird…” Felia raised a brow. “What do you mean?” Clovis chuckled softly. “His way of fighting... It's as if he puts his body on the line and takes hits on purpose to test things. I'm not sure, but it's like he has the strength to overcome an opponent, but his biggest struggle is what sort of way he is going to do it.”

Felia chuckled and grinned. “That's pretty precise for one battle between you and him.” Clovis turned to look at her for a moment “Oh, not just our battle. Between us and the Draconians the other day. I'm sure he has his reasons though.”

The large mercenary group continued on, with Wyni and elites at the back to protect the rear, while Felia and Clovis were at the front. As Avrin and Kael progressed, with Kael at the front, more Draconians began to appear in larger groups.

Although being disposed of by Avrin, he began to slowly see a little change in Kael, who began to show a bit of improvement, knowing the atmosphere right before the portals appeared. This told him that his effort was not in vain, as the most important thing was not just being at the head of danger, but showing effort and alertness.