Free Web NovelChapter 146: Godly Sky Archon
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"The reason why I initially didn’t agree with Vordt leaving my inheritance behind was because I sincerely doubted that anybody would understand it."
"The Sky Archon Arts were made exclusively for Sky Archons, and my inheritance was something that not even my people could learn. How does he expect me to believe that aliens would understand it?"
"That’s what I believed until I saw you humans..."
"You looked just like us, but grounded. You’ve no wings, which is one of the largest portions of what the Sky Archon Arts were about."
"As this realm floats over the void, I’ve come across many other aliens that resembled us, but none looked as close and felt as familiar as you humans. Really, the only difference is the lack of wings; that’s it."
"Well, that, and you use chakra, while we use something called ’Heavenly Energy’ as fuel for our Sky Archon Arts."
Ren watched as, slowly but surely, the Godly Sky Archon rose to the skies. He was left to stand at the sea of clouds; the form of the archon was growing distant to him, but for some reason, Ren was still able to see him clearly.
He could also feel something shifting in the air. The sea of clouds was getting restless. It was happening every time the archon’s wings beat behind him. It’s like he was awakening the pulse of the entire sky along with the beating of his wings.
And Ren’s heartbeat was synchronizing with that.
"Your so-called ’martial arts’ almost work exactly the same as our Sky Archon Arts. But I noticed that many of your kind heavily rely on weapons. Some are even prioritizing that over the refinement of the gifts you’ve already been given."
For some reason, when the archon spoke about this, there was a trace of disdain or displeasure that leaked out in his tone. One that Ren caught immediately.
"Don’t get me wrong, it’s a viable path," he said. "One of the strongest aliens I encountered back when I was still alive came from a race that is deeply connected to its weapons. Those creatures are also one of the strongest creatures out there."
"I didn’t mind them because, well, that’s all they could really rely on. Their very existence, the value of their life, how long they can live, and the entire purpose of them living is to be one with their weapons. That’s how they work. And they refined their craft so much that it propelled them to the upper half of the strongest creatures of the universe."
Ren hid it well, but in truth, he knew what creatures he was talking about. The Living Weapons Race—those who live and die with the weapons they were born with. Their entire life depends on their luck at the genetic draw.
It’s true that they are strong, but they also have a fair share of misery.
"But you humans are different from them. You haven’t even excavated half of the potential that comes with your physique. You can awaken these so-called Martial Physiques, yet many of you discard them in favor of forged metal."
"As a Sky Archon, I can’t help but feel that that’s a shame. If we have the ability to awaken something similar to martial physiques, you better believe that we would not stop until we squeezed out every single drop of its value before deciding if the only path for us forward was to rely on weapons."
Ren believed his claims wholeheartedly.
"Amongst the many geniuses that were summoned to this place, you are unique."
"You’re not like them. You don’t rely on forged metals to fight. You might not have wings, but you do have arms and legs. And somehow, you’re making it work."
"Though, it’s probably not out of want. It’s more like you’re forced to, and it’s your only option."
"I saw the tattoos on your arms, and I felt the presence of a curse in them, a very strong restriction at that too, one that prevents you from using weapons. Am I right?"
Ren didn’t speak; he just nodded. He was surprised that the man noticed it. Few things could escape the senses of a man of his caliber.
"So it is. Sad to say, even if I were still alive, I’d be unable to release you from that. I don’t know who thought that that was a good idea, but they certainly went serious with that. The restriction isn’t dangerous, per se, but it’s definitely bolstered. Even the most knowledgeable creature I know that specializes in curse-breaking would have a headache trying to get rid of that curse on your arms."
"But enough of that. You’re here for a completely different reason."
Swoosh!
A powerful beat of his wings later, the stars above suddenly seemed much brighter and closer than before. Honestly, Ren couldn’t tell if they really appeared closer or not. His senses were starting to feed him things that he couldn’t trust.
It’s not like he hasn’t tried spreading his sensory network here. He did, but each flap of the archon’s wings dissolved his chakra effortlessly before they could do whatever they’re supposed to do. The archon probably wasn’t even doing it on purpose. This was just something that happens in his presence.
And this was just his ghost-remnant will that refused to pass on. Who knows how much of the original one’s power it has left?
"Amongst everybody who came here, you’re the one who obsessively learned about the Sky Archon Arts. You’re the very first one to grasp the similarities and noticed how advanced the Sky Archon Arts were compared to your martial arts."
"I have been watching you."
"From the moment I saw you replicating the ’Wing Guillotine’—a fundamental Sky Archon skill that any of our young owls could do, using your arms alone—I instantly knew you were special."
"And you proved that to me."
"You overhauled your martial arts system, incorporating the values and discipline you received by studying Sky Archons Arts. You discarded what you couldn’t use and fused those that you could to what you already have."
"I have never seen someone as daring as you in my life. You didn’t even enter a trial period. You just added things without the fear that you might be wrong or that your findings might have some deficiencies."
"I don’t know if I should call you mad or a genius."
"Either way, I knew right then and there that you’ve laid your eyes on my inheritance. And I very much doubt that you’d be leaving without getting it." freeweɓnøvel.com
"Well, you’ve made it."
"You’ve collected all of the necessary parts to complete the full inheritance."
"In truth, there was no need for us to meet. But you’ve caught my attention. And I decided that, to honor the wishes of my subordinates, and as my final act before I truly pass on, I will show you personally what it is. Take it as your reference point, one that should make it easier for you to understand the secrets behind the inheritance."
"Of course, I could just tell you, but that defeats the purpose, wouldn’t it? And I can tell that that’s not what you want."
Ren didn’t show any agreements or disagreements, but his determined and focused eyes remained locked into every movement of the archon, which was more than enough to tell his answer.
"Exactly." The Godly Sky Archon smirked.
Then, at the next moment, in Ren’s eyes, the wings of the Godly Sky Archon suddenly disappeared.
’No, that’s not it. They’re...’
Ren’s mind started working over time. His unparalleled comprehension cheat has been roused from its slumber and began baring its fangs at the sudden challenge.
His mind kicked off and started analyzing every detail. Even though this wasn’t martial arts, the resemblance was more than enough for his cheat to be triggered, which was a damn good thing to analyze everything that’s happening here.
Moments later, Ren realized that it’s not that the archon’s wings disappeared.
In truth, they were still there. They never left. It’s just that the power being released from them was so overwhelmingly strong and mystical that it went completely beyond what Ren could catch with his raw senses.
The wings of the Godly Sky Archon encompassed everything.
They’re everywhere but in one place at the same time. It was mind-bending.
The entirety of the sea of clouds, the stars above, hell, even the ground that’s not visible from here—they’ve become his wings. Not the physical ones; those remained at his back. Nevertheless, they’re his wings.
Their purpose suddenly changed...or shifted. Now, everything was lifting him up and keeping him there.
But Ren knew better. This wasn’t just some mere flight.
The whole purpose of this display wasn’t meant to just give him a lift and keep him floating there. If it was, then this inheritance was a whole scam.
No, there’s something more here. Something greater that Ren was missing.
Seeing him in this state, the Godly Sky Archon smiled.
’A perceptive one, eh.’
’Not bad. Not bad, indeed. He reminds me of my younger self.’
’Come on, kid. Figure it out. I know you can do it.’
