Return of the Woodcutter

Following the dinner came the time most challengers used to absorb the soul cores they had collected today. 

Aito finally absorbed all the human soul cores in his possession, however, he had yet to level up. He could feel his soul eating the others, but it didn't grow larger any longer. It was like his soul was saving up energy for something. 

The most annoying was, Aito could feel level 2 was within his reach. He just needed a little extra push. He had his fill for today, though. More and it could become risky. 

It would take some time before his soul digested the others. So now was not the moment. Tomorrow, however, he would definitely level up. At least he hoped so.. 

Gwen had told him during his training that the main evolution one undergoes when leveling up was the expansion of one's soul. With more power, the soul would be able to create more soul force. One's soul core would also enlarge slightly, allowing the storage of a greater quantity of mana while condensing it. That's why mana always increased during a level up. 

All in all, it meant one would be able to use more aura. 

There would also be slight changes to one's body. Apart from growing more powerful, the body's transformation was the second reason a soul core needed to accumulate energy before leveling up. 

Depending on the transformation, a soul would need more energy. That was always the case when one would level up from level 2 to level 3 and become an Ascender which would also force all skills to at least level up once if they hadn't reached their limit yet. Limits of a skill were always defined by the user. 

Anyway, a soul and a body were a pair. 

The body could grow stronger as long as the soul could sustain it properly. Like in Aito's case, if the body grew too powerful for the soul to sustain, it would shatter. 

Although, that never happens under normal circumstances. 

Like all rules, there were exceptions to this one. For instance, Aito's new passive skill "One Against Many," allowed for a power-up without any negative effect on one's body, but that's also why it was qualified as a Unique Skill. 

Unique skills were frighteningly powerful and extremely hard to acquire outside of a god granting it to a mortal in exchange for glory points—not that this method was easy either. 

Apart from that, one would need to create it or train a normal skill to a certain level to gain a Unique Skill or be extremely lucky to find a memory bead with one—those were practically priceless, though. 

Aito already knew he had lucked out with the Unique Skill acquired thanks to his achievement. He hoped to reproduce another such feat to gain another one, but he'd either have to do something crazy or simply downright impossible. 

'*Sigh*, well maybe I shouldn't be too greedy, and just settle for what I already have. Although that skill kinda seems useless unless I'm alone.'

With the siblings accompanying him most of the time, he would rarely benefit from One Against Many. Even if he were alone, why would he choose to face hundreds or a thousand opponents on his own? THAT would be pure suicide. 

Aito sighed once again, thinking that his Unique Skill was more unique by its uselessness almost reaching level 0. 

'Whatever, I shouldn't complain. Who knows, I might need it one day. The later, the better though.' 

In need of some fresh air, Aito got up from the dusty corner he sat in. Next to him, Ogoro was training his use of wires by grabbing small items such as mana beads or soul cores. 

Aito chuckled when he heard a "god damn it, those things are so slippery." Ogoro had yet to attain complete mastery over his new weapon, but Aito believed it'd to come soon enough. 

He then left and entrusted his backpack to his companion and went for a walk up the belltower. There, he found a familiar blue-eyed woman admiring the view. 

Gentle breezes ran down her long black hair as her blue gaze laid upon a fake moon. Basking under the moonlight, she looked estranged and out of this world. With a slight smile on her face, she was a far contrast to her usual indifferent attitude.

Down there, the streets looked empty and calm. A pale light shone on the city, giving it a weird gloomy yet majestic appearance.

"Want me to leave you alone?" Aito said, walking next to her. 

"Why?" Sheyla replied. 

He lifted both hands, showing he meant no harm, "Just checking."

Sheyla remained silent and returned to her contemplation. Aito leaned on the belltower's frame, quietly admiring the view, and chuckled.

"What?" Sheyla asked. 

Aito snorted lightly, "I just find it funny how a few days ago you would have either avoided me or bickered with me." 

She adjusted her head slightly towards him, a smirk on her face. "Do you miss our bickering? We can start again if you want."

"Haha, please don't. I like the current Sheyla way better than the other one." 

"Is that so?" She said, appearing to think back on something, "Me too."

"Can I ask you a quick question?" 

"You already did." 

Aito's eyes widened slightly, thinking she was spot on. He chuckled, "Haha, smartass."

Sheyla giggled, then said, "Sorry, what was your question?" 

"I was just wondering, why did you hold a grudge against me before?" 

"That…," Sheyla sighed, "Are you sure you want to know? It's quite a long and stupid story." 

"Stupid? Ho, now that got me even more curious." 

"Fine, do as you wish," Sheyla lightly shook her head. 

She rapidly explained everything to him. Her and Ogoro's childhood. How Ogoro came to admire heroes but couldn't aspire to become one because of his profession. And how Aito had influenced him by saving them during the red trial. 

'No wonder he told me all these senseless things when I first refused to help them before.' Aito felt a headache coming up. 

"I think you were right, though," He said. "I'm not the kind of person who would sacrifice himself for saving innocents. I value my life too much for that."

"I know I was right and still am," Sheyla said. "But the fact is, you came back for m… us. No matter the reason, it remains true that… you saved us when we needed help the most. You might not have had such honorable motives as the heroes my brother admires. However…"

She stared at him, delicately placing back her black hair that was fluttering with the wind, "As I looked upon the unknown man clad in grey armor battling against hundreds of opponents, I couldn't deny that it required bravery for him to do such a thing. You are a brave man, Aito Walker. You might not be one of the most honorable men there is, but you are certainly one of the bravest I know. That's one of the reasons I'm willing to trust mine and my brother's back to you."

"That… I don't know if it was bravery, it looked more like foolishness to me." 

Sheyla giggled, "I believe bravery and foolishness walk alongside each other on the same road, for only a fool would be brave enough to rush at an army on his own. Much like my brother and you." 

"Haha, so I'm a fool now? Eh, I suppose you're right," Aito said, then changed the subject. "What are the other reasons?" 

She smirked, "Because you're trustworthy and strong, of course."

"Ah… that's it?" He replied, with an exaggerated disappointed face. 

"What did you think it wa—"

"Wait, what's that?" Aito interrupted, seeing the pale moonlight shining on Sheyla's face turning crimson. 

Both looked up at the fifth floor's moon glowing of a bloody red. 

"Shit..."