Nova's eyes widened at the sound of the old language, then grew even wider as realization struck him like a physical blow. "... The clockwork ballerina?" he asked in the same tongue. "Annelie?"
She fell to the ground in shock, staring up at Nova with a thousand emotions on her face, the mos...
2025-01-16 22:14:53 +0000 UTC View PostNova set the steel in place inside the forge with practiced movements, using the tong from a nearby tool rack. While waiting for it to heat, his essence flowed into a new formation around the anvil.
[You have learned the skill: Resonant Anvil Formation (Master - 92%) {Grade 4}] 2025-01-16 22:13:51 +0000 UTC View Post
The Holy Signus went still, jaw clenched as he studied Nova. “... Order. That is how the world has survived for many millennia." His voice hardened. "And what is your suggestion?”
“Justice.” Nova's reply was simple but firm.
“A word without meaning." The Signus's lip curled....
2025-01-16 22:13:06 +0000 UTC View PostAfter leaving Millie with Animo, Nova entered the men's bath. He was momentarily stunned by its grandeur. Polished marble stretched in every direction, and steaming pools of varying sizes were set into the floor. Ornate columns rose to a domed ceiling painted with scenes of divine providence. Tho...
2025-01-16 22:12:25 +0000 UTC View PostMillie moved away from the window and climbed onto the ornate bed, lying back to stare at the ceiling. It looked very soft, nearly consuming her.
"Would you like to meet the others again?" Nova asked, feeling like looking around a bit.
"No..." She shifted against the sheets, a look of...
2025-01-16 22:11:39 +0000 UTC View PostNova held Millie's small hand as they walked through the hallway, feeling her grip tighten with each step. Her nervousness was understandable— nearly every adult in her life had been distant and uncaring, only supplying them with food and taking her older friends, never to be seen again.
...
2025-01-16 22:10:44 +0000 UTC View PostNova glanced at their surroundings, wondering why it seemed so silent. He would have expected someone to have passed this place by now.
Sar noted his questioning look. “If you’re wondering about the absence of people, they all sensed my presence on their way here. We won’t be disturbe...
2025-01-16 22:09:16 +0000 UTC View PostThe steel doors swung wide, framing a woman whose very presence commanded attention. Her silver hair was elegantly styled, and piercing blue eyes studied Nova with unsettling intensity. Her face bore the refined beauty of aging royalty—what had once been striking in youth had matured into somet...
2025-01-16 04:19:26 +0000 UTC View PostA full three hundred kilometers away, in the capital city, Gorwell, an older lady sat in her favorite spot, looking out at the many rooftops. She was chewing on a piece of dried meat, slowly savoring its taste in the midday sun.
It was far from the safest spot to sit in, being on top of the...
2025-01-16 04:17:31 +0000 UTC View PostThe heavy steel door opened with a simple touch of Brother Morrin’s amulet, hanging safely from his neck. A mechanical contraption started moving the doors to the side, letting them both stride through.
“We prioritize your safety here, you see." Brother Morrin patted the mechanical door...
2025-01-16 04:16:42 +0000 UTC View PostBrother Morrin led Nova through the white doors into a building that seemed plucked from another time. Nova's footsteps echoed against worn wooden floorboards as he followed the priest inside. Stark wooden walls stretched ahead, lined with dusty portraits in gilded frames—a jarring contrast to ...
2025-01-16 04:15:48 +0000 UTC View PostNova thought back to his distant life of blacksmithing on the fringes of a new world. He had been born on the ship sailing there, so the new world was the only world he knew. And it was extremely hostile.
Since he wasn’t allowed to join the hunts as a child, he instead started learning th...
2025-01-16 04:14:57 +0000 UTC View PostLarena stared at the small figure lying beside her on the office carpet. Although his decision to surrender to the church seemed absurd, she recognized the look in his eyes. It was the same determination she'd seen when he first confronted her about the children.
"She's not alone," La...
2025-01-16 04:13:37 +0000 UTC View Post“Do you have any preference in materials?” Valeria asked, still not taking her eyes off the stone.
“Mmh? Oh, yeah, just…” Nova had to step out of his thoughts, at least with one foot. “Whatever can be used for smithing and infusing. The higher the quality, the better.”
"...
2025-01-16 04:12:52 +0000 UTC View PostThe soul trader. Still adorned with glowing lamps and draped with blue and silver cloth. But now, two additional guards were standing outside of it, for some unknown reason.
‘I guess I made an impression. Will they let me in?’
He approached the door like last time, hoping...
2025-01-16 04:12:08 +0000 UTC View PostStanding before the gate, Nova wondered how the process of getting back inside usually went. He half expected it to start opening as he approached it, but it remained silent.
“... Hey! Can I come back in?!”
The massive gate remained closed, showing no reaction.
‘Are th...
2025-01-16 04:11:12 +0000 UTC View Post[Gained soul of Outland Troll Gragh.]
[Gained Outland Troll Bone (Uncommon) {Grade 4}]
[Gained Outland Troll Skull (Rare) {Grade 5}]
[Gained Outland Troll Flesh (Uncommon) {Grade 5}]
[Gained Blood ...
2025-01-16 04:10:24 +0000 UTC View PostNova felt the three souls floating around his core, along with a small object he had never seen before. A small organic pouch filled with liquid, purple in color.
‘The Venomous sac? So objects can be stored in my core, and there are things I can obtain from animals I kill? But what’...
2025-01-16 04:09:25 +0000 UTC View PostThe distant mountains loomed closer now, with jagged peaks cutting into the northern sky. Nova and the chronicler had been traveling for hours, trading questions back and forth as the landscape gradually changed from rolling plains to rocky foothills. Scrawny bushes dotted the rough terrain, and ...
2025-01-16 04:08:40 +0000 UTC View PostMagical runes were pretty. Especially the way they flickered when activated together. They also made a faint sound, almost like a beautiful melody. But the melody was always over before she could enjoy it properly.
‘Hmm… What if I make a circle? Maybe it will continue until I stop i...
2025-01-16 04:07:56 +0000 UTC View PostSeeing no reason to delay, Nova approached the gate with steady steps. His backpack and sword were clear indicators that he was going to hunt, but he still expected resistance.
And sure enough, as he approached the gate and expected it to open, nothing happened.
“Are you… heading ...
2025-01-16 04:07:22 +0000 UTC View PostOnce again, Nova found himself in front of a large building, wondering how he should enter. The buttons syndrome had worked last time, but he might do better without the boastful attitude. After all, this time, he wouldn’t be trying to negotiate.
‘I might have to demonstrate my usef...
2025-01-16 04:06:43 +0000 UTC View PostIn the end, nothing happened. The essence remained unomved, even after he counted a new three minutes in his mind to make sure.
‘... Fuck. This is a major bump in the road. Only the fragments can gather essence while not equipped, then… Is it because it’s part of my own soul, whic...
2025-01-16 04:05:40 +0000 UTC View PostNova left the warehouse, feeling a slight reluctance. This was a great chance to rid the city of a cancerous growth. But despite his boasting, he wasn’t confident in a victory. Not even in a one-on-one.
‘That blade was special… If enchantments or special types of forging exist in ...
2025-01-16 04:04:51 +0000 UTC View PostWooden planks bridged the gaps between crumbling buildings in the lower district, creating a maze of makeshift paths that stretched three stories high. Children darted across these precarious walkways while women hung patched laundry on lines strung between windows.
The air grew heavier her...
2025-01-16 04:04:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe cobblestone streets echoed with the chaos of port life. The salt-laden air carried a medley of scents—fresh-caught fish, tar-sealed wood, spilled ale, and the ever-present brine of the sea.
The spirited sailors and dockworkers nearly drowned out a struggling fiddle player, even before...
2025-01-16 04:03:14 +0000 UTC View PostNova stared at Millie in surprise. He had never expected her to be some kind of rare talent, or that they even existed in this world in the first place.
‘Her Soul Power is more than twice as high as mine from the get-go? Hmm… Well, it’s not a big deal, considering I can get ...
2025-01-16 04:02:24 +0000 UTC View PostThe room didn’t change at all, but Nova assumed the guard had left in silence. ‘Now I only need to gauge the governor. I saw a lot of affection in the girl’s memories, so… I think he will be willing to negotiate.’
A low rumbling interrupted his thoughts, followed by storm...
2025-01-16 04:01:15 +0000 UTC View PostThe golden and velvet door opened without a sound as Nova slipped into Larena's office once again. Candlelight danced across the ornate walls, casting long shadows. The familiar scent of ink and parchment filled the air, mingled with a trace of sea salt from the open window.
Larena sat behi...
2025-01-16 03:59:25 +0000 UTC View PostNova stood outside, hidden in one of the many shadows littering the castle's roof. The guard seemed very experienced, and was clearly stronger than Nova, even with the fragment.
‘This is problematic… How will I negotiate with the governor without any leverage? I don’t have the pow...
2025-01-16 03:58:32 +0000 UTC View Post