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]

A cold wind hit my face as Mira and I ran out of the ruins, the sound of crumbling rocks rumbling behind us like a giant monster that had just woken up and was on a rampage.

“Come on, faster!” Mira shouted.

“I've been trying that concept for the past five minutes!”

We jumped over debris down cracked stone steps and then weaved our way through black roots that spread wildly from the walls.

Ever since the second fragment merged with me, the entire place seemed to lose its stability. The previously still roots began to move like living creatures, and some even tried to grab my feet. I slashed at one root wrapped around my ankle with the World Thorn Sword.

No, this sword had clearly changed again, slicing through the roots with ease. Its blade was now longer and slimmer, a greenish-black color dominating the surface, with lines like the veins of living wood pulsing gently. The weapon's aura was heavier, more "alive," and a little worrying, to be honest.

“We’re almost there!” Mira said from behind.

The light from the exit appeared a few meters ahead and then the ground beneath me cracked.

“Seriously?”

I jumped to the side just as part of the floor collapsed down in a cloud of dust, I landed rolling and then immediately stood up Mira managed to get out first and turned around.

“Cancer!”

“I'm still alive.”

“For now,” he muttered.

We finally made it out of the rubble just as the main part of the building collapsed completely.

The explosion of dust soared high, the rumbling sound could be heard in the surrounding trees, I bent down while controlling my breath, my chest felt hot, the mana in my body was unstable.

Since the second fragment sync there has been a strange sensation constantly moving under my skin like something is growing.

A notification appears.

Synchronization complete.

The second fragment was successfully integrated.

Class evolution is available.

Please stabilize immediately.

I stared at the writing and sighed.

“Why do all upgrades always come with the threat of death?”

“Because your life doesn't know the word normal,” Mira replied.

I glanced at him.

"That is true."

For a few seconds we just stood still looking at the ruins that had now turned into a mountain of rocks.

Seraphiel didn't come out or maybe he didn't intend to chase, I'm not optimistic enough to believe he died under the rubble, a man like that is too annoying to die easily.

“He will come back,” Mira said quietly.

I nodded.

“Yes.”

And when that happened I had to be much stronger we started walking back towards the city my steps were a little unsteady, Mira noticed.

"You are okay?"

“Define fine.”

“You look like you're going to faint.”

“Good. That means my performance is consistent.”

Mira let out a long sigh, but she moved a little closer to make sure I hadn't completely collapsed. It was strange. Before, I probably would have refused help. Now? I was too exhausted to maintain my pride.

The journey home felt quieter, the sun beginning to set, the evening sky turning a golden orange. The atmosphere was quite peaceful, a stark contrast to the fact that just a few hours earlier I had stolen an ancient fragment and caused a ruin to explode, a balanced lifestyle.

As the gates of Lumeria City came into view, I finally felt a little relieved. Civilization, a place to sleep, food, and perhaps fewer divine assassins, hopefully.

But as we approached, I immediately knew something was wrong. The guards at the gate looked tense and more numerous than usual. People were gathering around, and the atmosphere in the town was unusual. I stopped.

“Why does it feel like every time I come back, there's always a new problem?”

Mira narrowed her eyes.

"Look."

He pointed above the gate to a large notice on a white sheet with the royal seal, I went closer to read it and immediately frowned.

Royal Emergency Decree

Starting today, all gates of Lumeria City are temporarily closed.

The search for the dangerous individual is ongoing.

It is forbidden to leave the city without official permission.

In the name of public safety.

I read the “dangerous individual” part twice.

“Oh.”

Mira looked at me.

“That was fast.”

“Very efficient.”

I hadn't even had time to shower, under the decree was a sketch of a face that wasn't very detailed but was clear enough.

Black hair.

Sharp eyes.

Unfriendly expression.

Very handsome in that slightly criminal way of course, I stared at the poster for a few seconds.

“At least the artist is quite praised.”

Mira massaged her temples.

“Straight, focus.”

I observed the area around Knight being guarded more tightly as several officers checked people entering.

“The main door is definitely not an option,” I said.

Mira nodded.

“I know a side street.”

Of course he knew, we turned away from the main gate towards the quieter east side of town near the old walls which were partly covered in ivy.

Mira stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary stone wall and tapped in a certain pattern. Click. A small gap opened, and I blinked.

“How do you know the city's secret passages?”

Mira looked a little awkward.

“Our team was given access.”

Oh indeed the privilege of being called a warrior must be pleasant, we entered through the narrow alley it was dark and damp the smell of earth and wet stone.

After a few minutes of walking, we emerged into the warehouse area behind the commercial district. Great, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay."

“Now I'm officially a fugitive.”

“It’s not official yet,” Mira said.

I pointed to a poster in the distance.

“They just printed my face.”

“A reasonable point.”

We walked towards the inn but the closer I got the more uneasy I felt, Predator Sense was active, danger was very close, I immediately stopped, Mira also stopped.

"What is it?"

I didn't answer, my gaze was fixed on the inn, the lights were still on, too quiet, too normal, a bad sign, then the inn door opened and someone came out.

An old man in a gray robe, a wooden stick in his hand, long white hair, his mana aura was very deep and very stable.

A notification appears.

Target identified: ???

Threat: High

Oh amazing, the man looked directly at me as if he had been waiting for quite a while and when he spoke his voice was calm but enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“Finally you came.”

I gripped the sword tightly.

“Can you guess?” I said flatly.

“This conversation is probably not going to be pleasant.”

The old man smiled faintly.

"Depends."

He tapped his staff on the ground once, and the mana around us instantly changed. A barrier? We were trapped, it was incredible.

"I don't come as an enemy," he said.

I chuckled.

“Everyone always said that before my life got more complicated.”

The man seemed almost to smile. Almost.

“I am one of the few people who understand your class.”

That sentence made me freeze.

Okay, now that you've successfully caught my attention, Mira stiffened beside me. The old man stared at my sword, his gaze deepening slightly.

“It’s been a long time,” he muttered.

“It's been a long time since I've seen the inheritor of the fragment appear again.”

I squinted.

"Who are you?"

He was silent for a few seconds. Then he answered,

“My name is Arka.”

He bowed slightly.

“Someone who once failed to protect the World Tree.”

…

I was speechless, that sentence had made my night much more interesting and possibly even more dangerous. The new arc was no joke.

[END CHAPTER 26]