Silence reigned on the silent sea in the pocket world, above which Kailen, who had reverted back to his normal appearance after the simulation ended, floated.
He stared at the holographic screen before him, hearing the familiar voice of the time dilation artifact.
Quickly, he checked the rewards.
[Rewards obtained: Vine affinity (Say yes to assimilate with the vine affinity)
Comprehensive knowledge of Runesmithery - Rank 0 (Say yes to assimilate with the comprehensive knowledge of runesmithery, rank 0)
Artifacts obtained: The courtesy coin]
Kailen quickly sent the coin he had received from the machinery lifeform when the simulation was ending—obviously the courtesy coin—to his storage ring.
He said yes to assimilate with the comprehensive knowledge of runesmithery, rank 0.
Although Kailen had retained the rune knowledge he had absorbed from the weird library in the city during the simulation even after it had ended, he felt his mind become clearer concerning all the rune knowledge he had absorbed in the library.
It was as if he had been blind concerning their applications previously.
Various angles he had not considered sprouted in his mind.
Also, he obtained new knowledge concerning the craft.
Kailen felt as if he had been learning rank 0 runes for a thousand years. Compared to previously, when he was an amateur when it came to rank 0 runes, he was now a master of the rank.
Kailen’s eyes gleamed with profound knowledge, his gaze deep.
One had to understand that inasmuch as Kailen was not a match for rank 1 Runesmiths and above in terms of the effect of the rank 0 runes he created—since his spiritual power was not at their level—the rune knowledge he now held for a rank 0 runesmith was enormously extensive.
If one looked at him, it would seem they were staring at an unfathomable person.
If previously he gave one the feeling of a cold, unapproachable individual, now he’d give one the feeling of an enigmatic, unfathomable person, as if his gaze contained untold mysteries.
Kailen, however, was oblivious to the shift in his demeanor.
He quickly assimilated with the vine affinity.
Naturally he received profound mastery over the affinity , as if he had been using it for an extremely long period of time.
His use of the affinity compared to when he used it during when he possesed the body of Nyk in the simulation was simply trash , compared to this, like the difference between heaven and earth.
The vine affinity simply contained one skill, just like during the simulation—the ability to summon vines from the surface of the ground or himself, and control them.
Obviously, the applications of vine manipulation could be extensive, with the profound mastery he had obtained after assimilating with the affinity.
"Unlike during the simulation where I was limited by the poor universe energy reserves and weak body of Nyk, I’m back to my peak, where I have endless reserves of universe energy. I won’t be limited in my use of this new affinity. Also, my spiritual power is not a problem in my normal state, compared to during the simulation. The rightful source is novelFɪre.net
However I feel like my reflexes have been honed extensively. This is probably due to being placed in an extremely limited body where I was forced to survive. Naturally, I’d receive some benefits in that area."
After that, Kailen activated his shadow affinity and shadow sense, shadow manipulation, elemental mirroring, infinite Alchemy flame, lightning affinity, Asura enlightenment physique, and his techniques, one after the other.
Confirming that he was really back to his former self, he mused with a sigh of relief, "It’s good to be back."
The time dilation artifact appeared before Kailen, however, all of a sudden.
Kailen could notice that although she had a calm expression on her face, it was as though she was hesitating to talk to him.
She cleared her throat several times as if she wanted to say something, but she stopped.
Kailen was surprised because this was the first time the shameless and tsundere-like time dilation artifact was behaving like this.
However, an obvious realization dawned on him.
’She’s probably feeling bad about the simulation and the fact that she threw me into something that almost cost me my life. But I understand. I cannot be handed power without a price, and I cannot become a seasoned warrior without trials and tribulations.
In the end, the benefits were worth it.
Also, although I know that she can be a pain sometimes, one thing is certain—that whatever she does is definitely for my good, and I won’t be anything without her.’
Kailen sighed then spoke.
For the first time, he brushed his hand through the hair of the time dilation artifact, an action she surprisingly didn’t find uncomfortable.
It seemed she had really grown fond of this kid huh.
"You don’t have to worry. Even if you throw me into the depths of hell in some sort of simulation, and the stakes of surviving is 1 percent, I understand that it’s all for my good. I understand that I cannot become a powerhouse in the universe if I have everything easy.
Also, I will definitely experience life and death situations in the outside world. What better way to prepare myself for them than to be in countless of them in these simulations.
As for the possibility of death in any simulation like the one I just completed , in which actual death is a possibility , if I die ,just find another host"
The time dilation artifact revealed an expression of relief on her face. It seemed this kid was really maturing .
As for finding another host if he died, did he think it would be possible ? He would always be her first and last host . She was betting everything on him. All the more reason why she was introducing these harrowing simulations to prepare him for what was coming . If he died , she’d also cease to exist- since their consciousness had been bound together.
However he needed to be forged for what was coming. Of course this was all in her thoughts and she didn’t tell Kailen .
The expression of relief appeared on her face for a split moment—Kailen even failed to notice before it disappeared from her face.
"It’s good I don’t have to beat sense into you. Tsk! It turns out you are not so insensible after all!" she replied, kicking him in the nuts.
Kailen squirmed in pain.
How was someone so tiny so powerful?
Of course, she heard him since he didn’t veil his thoughts from her.
"Are you calling me tiny?"
For several moments, various screams and blows resounded on top of the sea, eventually dying down to reveal a beaten and battered Kailen, ’traumatized’ by the time dilation artifact.
"Seriously, I should really avoid women from now," he muttered.
The time dilation artifact crackled her knuckles and sent a horrifying gaze his way.
"What did you just say, brat?"
Kailen sighed.
"Nothing, nothing."
He raised his hands in defeat, speaking quickly and anxiously.
She laughed at his actions, satisfied.
"Always a blessing to teach this brat a lesson," she voiced out loud, words Kailen cursed her for with veiled thoughts.
"Anyway your time here is up. It’s time to go back"