Morning came too quickly or maybe I was just chronically sleep deprived after leaving the guild last night, I rented a cheap room at an inn near the adventurer's district. 

Cheap in a way: the bed is hard enough to be considered an interrogation device but at least it has a roof and no monsters, a massive improvement. 

I stood in front of the small mirror in the room checking the condition of the scars starting to fade, mana recovered about seventy percent and the body felt much better thanks to the savage vitality. 

Honestly the passive ability is problematic, I wore a simple dark robe I bought this morning it was more practical and also helped a bit to hide the fact that my sword looked like a villain protagonist artifact.

I went downstairs to a fairly crowded inn, where I had a breakfast of hard bread and a thin soup made by champions. After eating, I headed straight for the city's north gate. 

The city of Lumeria in the morning is much livelier, merchants start opening their shops, carriages pass by, knights patrol, adventurers set off on quests. 

The fantasy city atmosphere was completely felt, and I enjoyed it for about three minutes. Until a familiar voice rang out.

“Cancer.”

I stopped and turned around—of course, it was Mira, because it seemed the universe wasn't done testing my patience yet. She walked over, wearing white armor and a healer's robe, neater than yesterday, but still looking like someone harboring too much unresolved guilt. I stared at her.

"What is it?"

Let's get straight to the point, Mira looked a little nervous but still went ahead.

“I heard you took the northern investigation quest.”

News spread fast or maybe the gossip within the guild was just unstoppable.

“And?” I asked.

“I’m coming,” he said.

…

Not at all, I immediately shook my head.

"No."

Mira blinked.

“Why?”

I stared at him blankly.

“List the reasons why you want the short or premium version?”

Some of the guards near the gate held back a sideways comedic smile, Mira sighed.

"I'm serious."

“Me too,” I replied.

He looked at me sternly.

“The quest is dangerous.”

“That's usually the reason I leave,” I said.

Unhelpful yet accurate, Mira stepped closer.

“The root of the anomaly is likely related to your class.”

Oho, interesting card he continued talking.

“The White House is also investigating the area.”

Now that's more interesting, I squinted.

“How do you know?”

Mira answered quickly.

“Our group received instructions.”

While it's true that the protagonist's party connections are incredibly useful, I briefly thought bringing Mira along sounded like a terrible idea. It was terrible, but inside information could potentially be very useful. Annoying compromise, I sighed.

"Good."

Mira looked a little relieved too quickly that was a mistake, I raised a finger.

“With conditions.”

He nodded quickly.

"Whatever."

A dangerous phrase.

“First, you come along as a temporary supporter.”

“Not a partner.”

Her expression changed slightly as expected.

“There is no authority.”

“No drama.”

“And if things get worse, I won't save you.”

Half-truth perhaps, Mira was silent for a few seconds then nodded.

"Agree."

Interesting, he was so eager to join in for some suspicious motives, I stared at him for a few seconds Predator Sense detected no hostility no hidden attacking intent, fine then.

“For now,” I said.

We left town heading north for about two hours, the main road slowly turning into a rocky dirt track, the trees getting thicker, the air getting colder, the atmosphere was too quiet, a classic atmosphere of danger. 

Mira walked a few steps behind me, keeping a professional distance. It was nice, a little more awkward, but after a long moment of silence, she finally spoke.

“Why did you still let me come along?”

I didn't look back.

“Because of the information.”

Mira's refreshing honesty fell silent, fair enough. I added,

“And healers are useful.”

A little rough he sounded almost chuckling, almost, maybe character development after some time, 

We arrived at the northern ruins a vast area full of the remains of old stone buildings, collapsed pillars, broken statues, black roots growing everywhere. 

The mana aura felt strangely familiar, I stopped Minor Mana Sense automatically activated my heart beat a little faster, the World Thorn sword reacted the green veins on its blade glowed faintly. Interesting, very interesting Mira noticed.

“It reacted?”

I nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

And I don't like what it means.

A notification appears.

Area discovered:

Forgotten Shrine Ruins

Special condition:

Fragment resonance detected

I froze. Fragment resources? Okay, there you go, no further ado, I smiled a little.

“Yep.”

“We are definitely in the right place.”

We stepped deeper into the black roots that filled the floor like giant veins, each step felt like entering territory that shouldn't be touched. 

Predator Sense started to activate there was danger very close but didn't move just watched, I gripped the sword tighter.

“Mira.”

“Ready to heal?”

He nodded his staff glowing faintly. 

Good we went down the cracked stone stairs to the underground area a large open room in front of it was dark, an ancient altar circle in the center and someone was already standing there. 

Long white robes, blonde hair, small wings of light floating behind her, I froze. Oh come on, it's not her again. 

Seraphiel slowly turned her golden eyes to meet mine, her expression remaining blank as if we had just happened to meet at the supermarket.

"Ah." he said calmly.

“Faster than predicted.”

I looked at him and took a deep breath.

“Why did I even pretend to hope that today would be normal?”

Mira, behind me, froze completely, an aura of fear immediately surged, but it was understandable. Seraphiel raised one hand, and a golden magic circle reappeared, not the original one.

“Hand over the fragment,” he said.

I raised my sword with a faint smile appearing.

"Good."

“Second round, then.”

[END CHAPTER 23]

I looked at Seraphiel seriously. Doesn't this man have any other hobbies? No meetings? No heavenly documents? No holidays? Apparently not. 

Seraphiel stood before the ancient altar, her expression as impassive as ever, her white robes moving gently in the chilly breeze of the ruins. Her oppressive aura filled the entire room, overwhelming, but unlike before, this time I didn't immediately feel despair. 

Still scared? Sure, I didn't want to kill myself, but I was also much stronger now, and more importantly, I wasn't alone. Mira technically stood behind me, her staff raised, and a healing aura began to flow. Good, a useful healer had been acquired. Seraphiel glanced at Mira briefly but disinterestedly, rude but understandable, her focus returning to me.

“Last time you got away by luck,” he said.

I spun the sword in my hand.

“And a little illegal explosion.”

Correction is important Seraphiel ignored my sarcasm as expected, it felt bland as she stepped down from the altar.

"Stop fighting." he said.

“That fragment was not supposed to be inherited by humans.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Then the god who gave it to me must have a bad sense of humor.”

For a split second, I saw a small change in Seraphiel's eyes, a reaction. Interesting, even a small reaction, she knew something. Good, I caught that.

“So it’s true,” I said quietly.

"My class is not a coincidence."

Seraphiel didn't answer, the silence was also an answer Mira whispered from behind.

“Cancer…”

“Yes?”

“I really don't like this situation.”

“Trust me, me too.”

Building bonds through shared dangers. 

Seraphiel raised her sword of light, golden mana filled the room, a mental warning sounded of danger, I immediately activated Root Domain. 

The roots all over the room moved around me in a defensive formation, Seraphiel attacked quickly, so fast I almost saw the afterimage.

CLANG!

Our swords collided, the impact hitting my arm, but this time I held on and didn't fly away. Good, I grinned slightly as Seraphiel noticed.

“You are growing.”

"Thank You."

“Intensive training trauma is very effective.”

I pushed back the flowing mana, Corrupted Burst activated, a greenish-black aura exploded from my sword, Seraphiel took a half step back. Another attack, I attacked in a barrage.

Slash.

Seraphiel's diagonal thrusts block everything so efficiently, it's really annoying.

CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

Still having ridiculous skills, but this time at least I could keep up with the pace for the most part. Mira raised her staff, a white magic circle appearing, and a magic buff appeared. Oh? Interesting, a light enveloped my body.

A small notification appears.

Buff received:

Holy Reinforcement

Strength +

Agility +

Mana recovery +

Oh, this is great, this is great! I immediately felt lighter, my movements quicker, my reactions sharper. I glanced at Mira.

“Now you are useful.”

“Focus!”

I shot forward my speed increased drastically, Seraphiel blocked but her expression changed slightly finally the minor inconvenience had been resolved. 

I utilized the Root Snare opener, roots emerged from under the altar wrapping around one of Seraphiel's legs for just a split second but it was enough, I slashed horizontally.

SHRAK!

My sword hit the side of his shoulder armor, a scratch appeared and a thin layer of blood appeared, I froze for a moment. Did I just... 

Yes, I can, I managed to injure the Executor of minor but highly emotional damage. Seraphiel looked at the small wound on his shoulder, her golden gaze returning to me this time different, sharper, a little more serious. Good, Promotion unlocked: taken seriously by divine matters.

“Impressive,” he said dryly.

I smile.

"Thank You."

Then his expression turned cold. Oh no, this second round was really bad, the wings of light behind him opened fully and a golden aura exploded out.

BOOM.

I was pushed back a few steps, the pressure increased many times over, the room shook, cracks appeared on the altar floor.

A notification appears.

Warning.

High-output mode detected.

Of course the second round with the Boss. 

Seraphiel raised her hand dozens of light swords appeared floating in the air, I looked up.

“No.” Not at all. 

He swung his hand all the swords shot towards me, I activated Root Domain to the maximum the roots formed a wall.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The roots exploded one by one, I blocked several attacks but one sword pierced my shoulder.

“GHK!” It hurt, it was sharp and it was very harsh. 

I drew the lightsaber and stepped back, blood gushing out. Mira immediately cast a white light healing spell, enveloping the wound, reducing the pain. Seraphiel glanced at us, frowning slightly.

"Work together," he said.

As if the concept was foreign to him, I smiled faintly.

“Yes.”

“A friend who doesn't try to kill me is quite helpful.”

Verbal critical damage had no visible reaction which was disappointing but that was when the World Thorn Sword in my hand started to vibrate more strongly than before. 

The blade glowed a bright dark green as if reacting to the altar, I looked over at the altar behind Seraphiel as it also lit up ancient symbols appeared.

A new notification appears.

Fragment synchronization available.

Secondary fragment detected.

My eyes widened. Wait, a second fragment? On the altar? Wow, wow, wow. 

The stolen goods were visible, I looked at Seraphiel then at the altar then back to Seraphiel, now it all made sense she wasn't just hunting me, she was also guarding the fragment. Interesting, very interesting my smile widened.

“Now I understand.”

Seraphiel narrowed her eyes.

“You are not the main star,” I said.

“You're just getting in my way.”

The aura in the room felt frozen, Mira behind me looked worried or more precisely concerned, because my smile now was probably psychologically unhealthy. 

I gripped my sword tighter as the mana swirled wildly, Root Domain fully activated, and the roots throughout the ruins began to move. A second round? No, this had just turned into a robbery.

[END CHAPTER 24]

All the roots within the ruins began to move wildly, the stone walls trembled, and dust fell from the ceiling. The World Thorn Sword in my hand glowed brighter and brighter, as if summoning something, or rather, being summoned. 

The target was clearly the altar behind Seraphiel. The second fragment? My heart was beating faster, not out of fear, or at least not just out of fear, but out of instinct, a very strong instinct. 

I needed that fragment, not metaphorically, not in a simple desire. My body felt drawn to it, as if there was a part of me missing, and it was there. Seraphiel clearly noticed, her golden gaze sharpening.

“You feel it,” he said flatly.

I smiled faintly.

“It's hard not to feel it.”

The aura around me grew more active. The Blessing of the Withered World Tree was reacting strongly.

A notification appears.

Resonance increases.

Fragment synchronization: 31%

Oh there is a percentage. 

Good means I'm getting closer or getting closer to a new problem usually both go hand in hand, Seraphiel raised her sword.

"I won't let it happen," he said.

Then he moved very fast, I immediately moved forward and our swords collided again.

CLANG!

Sparks of golden light and dark green energy exploded the floor beneath us cracked, this time I didn't just defend I countered more aggressively with horizontal, vertical, quick stabs. 

My movements were much sharper thanks to Mira's buff but Seraphiel still had the upper hand in technique but her range was no longer as far as before, I was starting to be able to read her attack patterns little by little. 

A light sword came from the right I blocked, a knee attack towards the stomach I took half a step back, a diagonal slash I blocked and countered with a slash.

SHRAK!

The armor on Seraphiel's waist was scratched again lightly but enough to make her wince, from behind Mira raised her staff.

“Come on, skin!”

I reflexively jumped, the next second three spears of light hit where I had been standing.

BOOM!

A small explosion shook the room. Seraphiel wasn't just playing with swords, she was now being cunning. I landed and immediately activated Root Snare, roots emerging from the floor, shooting towards Seraphiel. 

He cut some but not all of them, one root managed to wrap around his wrist but enough to hold him still. 

I ran, the World Thorn Sword lit up, Corrupted Burst activated, full of greenish black energy coating my sword blade, I slashed straight forward but Seraphiel blocked but the impact this time was much greater.

BOOM!

He was pushed back several meters, his feet sliding across the stone floor. A trail of cracks left behind, and I smiled broadly.

“Yes.”

Finally a bit of emotional dominance, Seraphiel looked at me her expression still flat but her aura turned colder and more dangerous. 

He opened his palm a large golden magic circle appeared above the altar, I immediately felt something was wrong.

A notification appears.

Warning.

Active sealing protocol.

The second fragment will be moved.

I widened my eyes.

"Oh no."

Unacceptable Seraphiel can't beat me easily now at least not fast enough. 

So the target changed, keeping the fragments away from me. It was clever and very distracting. I immediately ran towards the altar, and Seraphiel appeared in front of me like a teleport. 

I blocked the sword's vertical descent, and the impact nearly knocked my knee out. Damn, it was still too strong.

“Give up,” he said coldly.

I grinned.

"Not interested."

Then shouted:

“Mira!”

He immediately understood the good support, Mira raised her staff high, a bright white light flashed, not a heal but another skill. 

A white magic circle appeared right beneath Seraphiel's feet. She turned her head slightly, her expression changing slightly to one of surprise for the first time. Good.

“Bandage lights!” Mira shouted.

Chains of light emerged from the floor binding Seraphiel's legs and one arm. It wouldn't take long but I didn't need long, I only needed a few seconds. 

I pushed my sword as hard as I could past Seraphiel's guard sliding to the side then ran to the altar, Seraphiel struggled to get free and the chains of light began to crack the time limit was clear, I jumped to the altar. 

In the center of the ancient circle was a small dark green crystal shaped like a fragment of petrified wood, yes, the second fragment was very small but its aura was extraordinary, the World Thorn Sword was shaking violently.

A notification appears.

Compatible fragments found.

Do you want to sync?

YES / OF COURSE YES

I almost laughed, such a funny choice, and I touched the fragment. The next second everything exploded in green light.

“Raka!” Mira shouted.

Seraphiel's voice sounded sharper than before.

“Stop!”

Too late, the fragments merged into my body and the pain hit me incredibly brutally.

“AAAAARGH!”

I fell off the altar, my body shaking violently, greenish-black roots appearing along my arms, and the mana throughout the room exploded with instability. The ruins began to shake violently, the ceiling cracking, and dust fell. Déjà vu again? Really?

Notifications appear in succession.

Synchronization successful.

The second fragment is obtained.

Class evolution available.

Weapon evolution available.

Emergency condition:

Mana overload

I stared at the screen, gasping for breath. Oh, good, another upgrade, and this potential for death is so consistent. 

Seraphiel finally broke the chains of light, her aura exploded in anger for the first time I saw a clear expression on her face, she looked at me like I had just stolen the family inheritance which technically may be true.

“You have no idea what you just did,” he said coldly.

I laughed weakly as I stood up, my sword had now changed again, the wooden blade was longer, sharper, darker, the thorns grew like a natural carving pattern, the aura of the weapon was much more terrifying, I grinned.

“Right,” I said.

“But I believe this is a very bad decision for a lot of people.”

And for some reason it made me so satisfied, the ruins started to collapse, huge rocks falling from above. Mira screamed,

“Raka, this place is going to be destroyed!”

I looked at Seraphiel, and she looked at me. We both knew this fight wasn't over, but today? I'd won, at least strategically. I stepped back, raising my sword.

“See you later,” I said.

Then turn around.

"RUN!"

Mira and I ran out of the altar as the entire ruins began to collapse because apparently every time I get a power boost, the properties around me have to suffer a beautiful tradition.

[END CHAPTER 25]