The silence of the inner layer was unsettling.
Towering ancient trees blocked out most of the sunlight, leaving only scattered rays to pierce the dense canopy. Strange cries echoed from unseen creatures deep within the forest, while an oppressive aura lingered in the air like an invisible fog.
Damon followed closely behind Master Draven, carefully observing his surroundings. Every instinct told him that a single mistake in this place could cost him his life.
After nearly an hour of walking, they arrived before the entrance of a large cave hidden behind thick vines and moss-covered rocks.
"This will be our home for the foreseeable future," Draven said calmly.
Damon looked around cautiously.
"It seems... quiet."
"It should be."
Draven stepped inside first.
"I secured this place several years ago. Every monster within several hundred meters of this cave has already been eliminated. Even powerful beasts avoid this territory because they can still sense my sword aura lingering here."
Damon swallowed.
"So... this entire area belongs to you?"
"You could say that."
Inside, the cave was surprisingly spacious. A clear stream flowed along one side, while several flat stone platforms served as natural beds. There were stacks of dried firewood neatly arranged in one corner and several animal hides spread across the ground.
"You prepared all this beforehand?"
"I visit this place from time to time whenever I train inside the forest."
Draven placed his sword against the cave wall.
"We'll rest for a while before your training begins."
Damon nodded before sitting down.
After several minutes of silence, Draven stood up and reached into his cloak.
"There is something I must confirm first."
He pulled out an old golden scroll.
Ancient runes covered its surface, glowing faintly with a silver light.
"What is that?" Damon asked.
"A Soul Projection Scroll."
Draven carefully unrolled it.
"This scroll allows my consciousness to temporarily enter another person's spirit core."
"My spirit core?"
Draven nodded.
"Ever since I inspected your body yesterday, something has bothered me."
"The abnormal amount of Spirit Qi."
"The incomplete awakening."
"And most importantly..."
"...that overwhelming power you released inside the inner layer."
His eyes narrowed.
"I need to see your spirit core with my own eyes."
Damon hesitated.
"Is it dangerous?"
"It would only be dangerous if something inside your spirit core doesn't want me there."
Draven placed the scroll on the ground.
The runes suddenly began shining brightly.
WHOOM!
A circular magic formation spread across the cave floor.
"Sit in the center."
Damon obeyed.
"Close your eyes."
He did as instructed.
Draven formed several hand seals before placing two fingers against Damon's forehead.
"Soul Projection."
The scroll burst into light.
A stream of silver energy flowed from Draven into Damon.
His consciousness disappeared.
...
Darkness.
An endless sea of darkness stretched in every direction.
"This..."
"So this is his spirit core..."
Draven looked around carefully.
"This doesn't feel normal."
A normal spirit core should have been filled with flowing Spirit Qi.
Instead...
Everything was eerily silent.
Then—
THUMP!
A heartbeat echoed through the darkness.
THUMP!
THUMP!
The entire space trembled.
Draven immediately drew his sword.
"What is that?"
Far away...
Two enormous crimson eyes slowly opened.
The darkness itself seemed to come alive.
A horrifying pressure descended upon everything.
Even someone as powerful as Draven instinctively took a step backward.
Impossible...
His breathing became heavier.
"This pressure..."
"It can't be..."
A deep voice echoed throughout the endless darkness.
"Another insect..."
The voice wasn't loud.
Yet it shook Draven's very soul.
A gigantic silhouette slowly emerged from the darkness.
It was impossible to see its full body.
Only burning crimson eyes...
Massive black horns...
And endless chains wrapped around an enormous figure.
Each chain was covered with glowing golden symbols.
The chains stretched endlessly into the darkness, binding the creature from every direction.
Despite being sealed...
Its aura alone made the entire space tremble.
Draven's pupils contracted.
"What... are you?"
The creature slowly smiled.
"Leave..."
BOOM!!
An overwhelming wave of pressure exploded outward.
CRACK!!
The space around Draven shattered like glass.
"Ngh!"
He tried to resist.
But the pressure was simply too overwhelming.
His consciousness was forcibly expelled.
WHOOSH!!
Draven's eyes suddenly flew open.
He staggered backward several steps.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Master!"
Damon rushed toward him.
"What happened?"
Draven remained silent.
His breathing was uneven.
He had not felt fear like this in decades.
After several moments, he finally spoke.
"There is..."
"...something living inside your spirit core."
Damon froze.
"What?"
"It isn't Spirit Qi."
"It isn't your spirit core."
"It is... another existence."
Damon's expression turned pale.
"What do you mean?"
Draven looked directly into his eyes.
"There is a sealed devil residing inside you."
Silence filled the cave.
Damon couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"A... devil?"
"That's impossible."
"I've never seen anything like that before."
"I don't even know how it got there."
Draven slowly shook his head.
"Neither do I."
"I have traveled the continent for decades."
"I've fought demons."
"I've fought cursed beasts."
"I've even battled ancient monsters."
"But..."
"...I've never encountered anything like what I just witnessed."
"What exactly was it?" Damon asked.
Draven took a deep breath.
"I don't know."
"It called me an insect."
"It possessed an aura unlike anything I have ever experienced."
"And despite being sealed..."
"...its power was beyond imagination."
Damon looked down at his trembling hands.
"So..."
"Does that mean..."
"I'm possessed?"
"I don't know."
Draven answered honestly.
"But whatever that thing is..."
"...it is sleeping."
"And I intend to keep it that way."
He reached inside his cloak once more.
This time, he removed a silver necklace.
Attached to it was a beautifully crafted cross engraved with countless holy inscriptions.
"This is the Holy Seal."
"It is an ancient sacred artifact."
"I obtained it many years ago."
"It possesses powerful sealing properties."
"If that devil attempts to awaken again..."
"...this necklace should suppress it."
Damon accepted the necklace.
The moment he placed it around his neck—
AAAAAHHH!!
A searing pain erupted throughout his entire body.
It felt as though molten fire had entered his veins.
He collapsed onto the ground.
"My body..."
"It burns!"
Dark crimson energy leaked from his skin before colliding violently against brilliant golden light emitted by the necklace.
The cave shook.
Draven immediately placed his hand on Damon's back.
"Stay calm!"
"Control your breathing!"
"Do not resist the seal!"
Golden Spirit Qi flowed into Damon's body.
Gradually...
The violent crimson aura weakened.
Several minutes later...
The pain disappeared.
Damon lay on the ground, breathing heavily.
The Holy Seal now emitted only a faint glow.
Draven sighed in relief.
"It worked."
Damon touched the cross around his neck.
"The burning... is gone."
"As long as you continue wearing it..."
"...that devil should remain dormant."
He rolled up the Soul Projection Scroll and stored it away.
"Now..."
"We can finally begin."
Draven retrieved another scroll.
Unlike the previous one, this scroll radiated pure emerald light.
He spread it across the cave floor.
Ancient symbols immediately expanded into a massive circular formation that covered nearly the entire cave.
WHOOM!!
The surrounding World Energy surged violently.
Invisible streams of energy poured toward the cave from every direction.
Leaves outside began swirling.
The atmosphere itself became heavier.
"This..."
Damon whispered.
"I can feel it."
"This is a World Gathering Formation."
Draven explained.
"It continuously gathers and compresses World Energy into a single location."
"Sit at its center."
Damon immediately obeyed.
"Close your eyes."
He inhaled deeply.
"Now..."
"Absorb everything."
Damon focused completely.
The surrounding World Energy flowed into his body like countless rivers merging into the sea.
His Spirit Core began vibrating.
CRACK!
A tiny fracture appeared.
Then another.
And another.
BOOM!!
The shell surrounding his Spirit Core shattered.
A brilliant crimson light exploded outward.
The remaining Spirit Energy inside his body rapidly transformed.
Crimson streams became brighter...
Denser...
More refined.
Every trace of Spirit Energy evolved into Spirit Qi.
At the same time, Damon's entire body underwent another transformation.
His muscles became stronger.
His bones tougher.
His senses sharper.
Even his heartbeat felt more powerful than before.
Hours passed.
Finally...
Damon slowly opened his eyes.
Crimson light flashed briefly within them before fading.
"I..."
"I did it."
Draven smiled faintly.
"You have finally reached the Foundation Level."
"And from this day forward..."
"...you are no longer merely a mage."
"You have officially stepped onto the path of a swordsman."
He picked up his sword and tossed a wooden practice sword toward Damon.
Damon caught it instinctively.
Draven smiled.
"The warm-up is over."
His expression immediately became serious.
"Now..."
"The real training begins."