After defeating the gryphon, Shimatsu appeared again before us.

“Congratulations, you’ve successfully cleared the dungeon and showed me your mastery of the third branch.”

“Thanks. By the way, how can you just disappear like that whenever we reach a new floor?” Questioned Kamui.

“I have my own ways of monitoring you from afar without interfering with your trials.”

Afterward, a light appeared and teleported us outside of the dungeon. We found the master and the other trainers waiting for us outside.

After congratulating us, we went directly into the dojo to rest for the day, and the master told us that we would do a debrief the following day.

In my room, I pulled out my inventory to check the new items that I got from clearing the last dungeon.

Apart from money and several materials, I found that I got another weird item. This time it was the feather of the gryphon. Like the other unknown items, this feather had no description and question marks on its grade.

“Well, another weird item to add to the collection.”

The next day, we were called to the master’s office.

“Did you rest well?” He asked.

“Yeah, all good. I’m full of energy now.” Kamui sounded fresh and excited.

“Hoho, that’s nice to hear. So I heard from Shimura what you’ve done inside the dungeon. It seems you have mastered the way of the third branch. Therefore, tell me what do you think was the point of those trials inside the dungeon?”

Master always had this habit of asking his disciples their thoughts about certain tests and trials to see if they had assimilated what he wanted to convey.

“First of all, the dungeon relied a lot on mana control and how we use it. The areas relied heavily on that and the way we used it determined the difficulty of the challenge. For example, if we weren’t good at determining the subtle changes in abundant mana in the air, we wouldn’t have found the correct way to clear the labyrinth.” I explained.

“And to add to what Shiryuu said, the monsters were quite resistant to anything except mana attacks. The centaur had that armor that can’t be penetrated except with mana-based skills.” Kamui added.

“The overall challenges of the dungeon tested our use of all mana aspects, from skills to sensing things and controlling objects.” I finished my idea.

“Correct, you understood the core element of the final trial of the third branch. I wanted to test your ability to control mana and rely on it in situations where everything was useless, in addition to your mastery of the third branch techniques. Also, I wanted to see your teamwork and how you could rely on each other in case of an emergency. First, you did a good job at clearing a B-rank dungeon by yourselves, this shows how much you have grown in the past months. If the base stage taught you how to use the way of the sword and improve your speed, then the third branch’s objective was to teach you mana-based attacks and improve your imagination and mana control…”

Suddenly, one of the trainees entered the office. “Sorry for the intrusion master, some General Guild members are in front of the dojo and demanding a talk with you.”

“General Guild… What brought them to here?” Questioned Kamui.

“Did they find out that I was here?” I panicked.

“Let’s go out and see what they want. If they really came here for you, then they will only bring trouble to themselves.” Master re-assured me.

We went out of the dojo and arrived at the main entrance. We saw two big limousines stationed in front of it, and a few members wearing black stood in line in front of the cars. A door opened and a big bald man appeared out from it.

“Well, well, you’re here after all. We’ve been looking for you everywhere.” The big man was the director of the dungeon management office in my country.

“What do you need?” I said with an irritated tone.

“It’s not a good thing to run away from your job and train here as nothing has happened.” He replied.

“I’m not part of General Guild to abide by your rules. I can do whatever I want.” I shouted.

“You are a Mythological Weapon user, you don’t have that freedom.” He pointed his finger at me.

“Don’t force your false laws on me. I know your true colors, and someday you’ll reap what you sow.” I brought out my sword and pointed it at him.

“Look who is threatening me. I have the authority to subjugate you right here and confiscate that weapon of yours.” He removed his vest.

“Then bring it on. You won’t get unscathed out from this.” I took a fighting stance.

“Hold on. You wanted to have a word with me, so here I am in front of you. State your business or leave. You’re wasting precious training time.” Said the master.

“Well sorry about that venerable master of the dojo. I came to ask you about Shiryuu, but since he showed up here, we don’t have any more business with you.”

“Then leave right now.” Ordered Master.

“Pardon?” The director was surprised.

“I said leave right now. We are in the middle of a training session.”

“And if I said I won’t leave without getting the weapon of that warrior over there.”

“Then you won’t like what will happen to you and your men.”

“Are you challenging General Guild? If you don’t comply with our demands, then we can take away the rights of this dojo and it will be gone in no time.”

“Bring it on Lad.” Master smiled.

“If you want a fight, I can give it to you.” The director put on his fighting iron gloves.

“It’s been a while since I’ve fought a foul like you.” Master brought out two wooden swords.

“Are you belittling me?” The director dashed toward master with a punch. “Heavy Blow.” He shouted.

Master easily dodged his attack and struck the director on his head with the blunt side of his right sword. The big man fell on his knees, then he turned and swung his arm at the old trainer, but he jumped over it.

“You’re going to pay for this.” The director stood up and prepared another attack. “Death Gatling.” He attacked master with a shower of quick and strong punches, which were easily dodged.

“Two Swords Ono-Ha-Itto-Ryu, Cross Flow Slash.” Master kept dodging all the punches and in one fell swoop, he slashed the director on his chest and defeated him with one strike.

“Well now, if this was a real fight, you would have been already dead. Fortunately for you, I’m using wooden swords.”

“You little…”

“If words get out that a high member of General Guild attempted to strike down an innocent civilian, then you will be in big trouble,” Master smirked.

“Damn you…” He stood up and went to the car. “You’ll pay for this humiliation.”

“Feel free to return any time for more life lessons.”

After their utter defeat, they drove away and left the dojo.

“Was it okay to let them leave like this?” Kamui asked our Master.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. They can’t do anything to us, as long as I’m here.”

***

That evening, we all had dinner together and celebrated our branch ascension.

Later on, we discussed our next moves.

“Well then, I guess I’ll have to leave tomorrow. Since I’ve learned the third branch, now I can easily become a B-rank warrior, and participate in the tournament a month from now.” Announced Kamui.

“You mean the rankers tournament in Central Area? There is one for A-rankers too, I will participate in it. How about you Shiryuu?” Said Necro.

“Yeah, I’ll participate too,” I replied.

“What will you do for the time being?” Kamui asked me.

“I’ve got an invitation to participate in a dungeon raid led by one of the top guilds. I’ve got two invitations, so do you want to come with me?” I replied.

“Are you sure?” Kamui sounded extremely happy.

“Yeah, this will be the perfect opportunity for you to show off your strength after ascending to B-rank.”

“Thanks a lot, mate.” Kamui jumped with happiness.

“Hohoho, so we have three of our dojo participating in the Rankers Tournament next month. I can’t wait to see you rocking.” Said Master.

“Thanks, Master!” The three of us thanked him at the same time.

The next day, Kamui went to the dungeon management center to get his rank checked, and he successfully became a B-ranker.

That night, we celebrated once again our success of mastering the third branch and the ascension of Kamui. Master gave us the B-rank gears of the dojo and before I slept, I called Vladimir to rendezvous with him to take us to that dungeon without anyone noticing my presence.

The following day, I gave Kamui the invite that I have received from Vladimir in an envelope when I left the building of the Armoured Wall guild months ago. Then, we departed to the meeting location.

***

After arriving, we found Vladimir and his silent teleportation team waiting for us.

“I can’t believe I’m in the presence of not only one Mythological Weapon user, but two and they are from one of the best guilds in the world.” Kamui was surprised.

“You’re looking different, boy.” The giant addressed me.

“I’ve been training the past months,” I replied with confidence.

“Well, I can’t wait to see what you’ll show us in the Rankers Tournament.” He said.

“Let’s get going, the other participants are waiting.” The A-rank awakener said in a hurry.

“Just to let you know, this is one of the hardest B-rank dungeons in the world. Do you still want to take our invitation and join the raid?” Vladimir said to both of us.

“Yeah, I’m sure about that. Even Kamui here is excited about it.” I replied.

“Then it’s fine. Let’s go.”

We were teleported to someplace in the Central Area where the dungeon was located.

There were ten participants in total. One scout, two healers, two mages, two swordsmen, one guardian, one gunner, and one fighter.

Seven of the participants were part of Vladimir’s guild, while the top members of the guild scouted the three others.

Vladimir gave me two invitations, while another member of the guild chose the final participant.

We arrived there, but one participant was missing.

After an hour of waiting, a female Awakener and member of the guild brought the last participant.

“Sorry for being late. I was excited about this raid, so I ended up not sleeping at night and oversleeping this morning. Luckily Sara woke me up and brought me here.” The last female participant apologized.”

The last participant was none other than the light female mage from the last raid.

“Oh, you’re here too. It’s been a while.” I said.

“Shiryuu, I didn’t think I’ll be meeting you this soon.” She was happy to meet me again.

“Hey, hey, Shiryuu, do you know this beauty?” Kamui interrupted our reunion.

“Yeah, she’s an acquaintance who participated with me during the last raid I was part in. This is Kamui, a friend of mine and fellow apprentice of the Ono-Ha-Itto-Ryu.”

“Nice to meet you Kamui. My name is Mika. I’m a mage.”

After our little meeting, Vladimir introduced us to the other guild members, and we entered the dungeon.

***

Somewhere in the world:

“Did you call for me, my Lord?” Adramelech entered a dark room and stopped moving near a big window where the moonlight shone through it.

He was missing an arm and had several bandages over his eyes.

“Those bandages suit you well.” Said a mysterious figure with a sarcastic tone. “I have a mission for you to redeem yourself.”

“I am ready, Sir.”

“You have to reclaim your honor by slaying that Mythological Weapon user.”

“Yes Sir. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I’ll be sure to be worthy of your trust.”

“I hope you will. There won’t be a next time.”

“I’m well aware, Sir.”

“You can take any troops you want. Be sure to kill that boy and bring me his weapon.”

“You have my word. I thank you from the deepest part of my heart.”

“Now, you may leave.”