Bloodbound Codex: I Grow Stronger in Secret

Just as the Guildmaster casually revealed that unbelievable truth, the entire Guild Hall fell into stunned silence. Nearly everyone stood with their mouths slightly agape, while Atlas simply stared at him with visible shock. His mind quickly replayed what had just happened as he thought, ’A clone?... You’re telling me that clone was SSS-rank? How is that even possible?’

He clearly remembered the hand gripping his wrist. No matter how much strength he had tried to use, he had failed to move even an inch from that hold, making one fact impossible to deny. That figure possessed strength beyond anything Atlas had encountered so far. If that had truly been nothing more than a clone...then the original could only be even more terrifying.

Atlas silently analyzed the situation,’ If that clone really possesses strength comparable to the original...then this isn’t just a powerful ability...It’s completely unreasonable.’ Two SSS-rank combatants fighting as one would overwhelm almost anyone before the battle even began, and just as he searched for an explanation, the answer finally surfaced in his mind.

’A Unique Ability...’

Everything suddenly made sense, an ability of that level could explain such an impossible clone, yet one thing still unsettled him, The Guildmaster had called it one of his clones, those words implied there could be more, and that possibility was far more disturbing than that clone’s strength itself.

Before anyone could process the revelation any further, the Guildmaster spoke once again. ”Well, the last thing I will say before I leave is this...if another sudden clash breaks out between Explorers inside this Guild...”

He paused, and at that exact instant an invisible pressure descended upon everyone present. There was no Spirit Energy within it, yet every S-rank or SS-rank immediately recognized what they were feeling. It was Gravity...the same Fundamental Force they all wielded, but under the Guildmaster’s control it felt completely different. Instead of crushing their bodies, it reached directly into their instincts, making every survival instinct scream in fear, and even Atlas found himself affected by that overwhelming presence.

The Guildmaster’s calm voice echoed through the silent hall as he continued ”I will personally deal with it, and when that happens, I can promise you this...the ones responsible will face only one outcome - Death.”

He let those words settle before speaking one last time, ”This is the first time this type of clash breaking out, so I won’t pursue the matter any further, consider this your fortune and a warning...because the second time, no matter who you are, will also be your last.”

The invisible pressure disappeared as abruptly as it had arrived, allowing everyone in the Guild Hall to breathe again. Atlas quietly gritted his teeth as that overwhelming authority reminded him of the helplessness he had once felt before the Human Nobles, the same suffocating feeling of standing before someone far beyond his reach.

He slowly lifted his head, his breathing still heavy as determination burned within his eyes.

’I don’t know what that Elven Knight sensed or felt when he looked at me...but one thing hasn’t changed, there will always be someone stronger than me, so there’s only one answer...I have to get fucking stronger.’

His eyes burned with that determination, this time there was no hatred or killing intent within them, only an unwavering drive to become stronger. The Guildmaster happened to glance toward Atlas at that very moment and caught that flicker within those black pupils. A faint smile appeared on his face before he slowly raised his right hand.

SNAP

The sharp sound echoed through the Guild Hall and, in the very next instant, the Guildmaster vanished without leaving behind the slightest trace. Silence settled over the hall once again. For several moments no one moved as countless gazes shifted back and forth between Atlas and Alberion before the receptionist, who still stood beside the relic, finally broke the silence.

”Sir Atlas...may I have your attention? You were saying this is the Relic you obtained from the Cataclysm-rank Ruin, correct?”

Only then did Atlas pull himself away from his thoughts. He gave a slight nod before answering, ”Yes...I found it inside that Ruin.”

As he looked at the receptionist, he noticed her hand frozen over her mouth while her trembling pupils remained fixed on the Relic. She looked as though she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words, so Atlas simply waited in silence for her to gather herself and explain exactly what kind of Relic this was.

After taking a slow breath, she finally spoke, ”This is a Cataclysm-grade Relic...one of the highest grades known to the Guild. Judging from its structure, however, it appears to be completely unknown. Even the Guild’s records don’t contain anything resembling it.”

Atlas’s eyes widened slightly, he still remembered what the receptionist in Ormolio had taught him about Relic grades and how their rarity, power and value increased alongside them.

Even so, clearing a Cataclysm-rank Ruin never guaranteed obtaining a Cataclysm-grade Relic. The chance of finding one was unbelievably small, making the revelation shocking not only for Atlas but for everyone else inside the Guild Hall as well.

The receptionist carefully picked up the Relic and examined it from every angle, Its shape resembled a small compass on one side and a watch dial on the other, both connected by a circular frame of black metal that immediately drew attention. The compass side was golden, engraved with intricate directional symbols, while the opposite side was completely black and marked like the face of a clock.

PICTURE*

Its appearance alone was enough to attract attention, but what truly stunned everyone was the density of Spirit Energy radiating from it. The pressure it released was almost comparable to an SS-rank Explorer unleashing nearly half of their Spirit Energy. Alberion silently watched the Relic, his gaze unwavering as though he could already perceive the abilities hidden within it.

And in truth...he could.

Not only could he sense the functions of the Relic, but he could also vaguely perceive the abilities contained within each side, and the more he understood, the heavier his expression became. The reason for that perception lay in his identity as an Elf, one closely connected to the World Tree his race worshipped. It was the very same reason he had sensed the monstrous silhouette lurking behind Atlas earlier.

The exact reason behind that ability would become clear later, but Alberion had already reached a conclusion.

’That Relic cannot fall into the hands of a Human...especially not his. He’s already dangerous enough, if he acquires that Relic as well...killing him will become next to impossible.’

His fingers twitched instinctively, yet before he could act, the Guildmaster’s warning echoed through his mind once again. Alberion forced himself to remain still as another thought surfaced.

’After what happened earlier, he would never agree to sell it to me...but perhaps someone else could buy it from him instead.’

As that idea crossed his mind, Alberion quietly glanced around the Guild Hall and immediately noticed the greed filling countless pairs of eyes. Many Explorers were already staring at the Relic with undisguised desire, ready to purchase it the moment an opportunity appeared, Unfortunately for Alberion though, he wasn’t the only one who noticed that change. Atlas had already sensed those lingering gazes as well, and he understood exactly what they were looking at.

As Atlas sensed those lingering gazes fixed upon the Relic, he immediately understood what many of them were thinking. Without showing the slightest hesitation, he looked at the receptionist and calmly said, ”I don’t know what this Relic does or even how it’s supposed to be used but...I would like to register it under my name first. And one more thing...I have no intention of selling this Relic to anyone.”

His words immediately made the atmosphere inside the Guild shift.

Murmurs spread throughout the hall as several Explorers exchanged glances before sighing in disappointment.

”Tch...so he’s refusing to sell it from the start?”

”What did you expect? He’s registering it in front of everyone. Once it’s officially recorded under his name, nobody can later claim ownership over it.” Another Explorer shook his head before turning away.

”So that’s why he declared it publicly...”

One after another, similar voices echoed across the Guild Hall. Although many were unwilling to give up on a Cataclysm-grade Relic so easily, none of them could openly dispute its ownership once it was registered through the Guild. Alberion silently watched the scene unfold, his expression remaining unchanged, though inwardly he understood that any straightforward approach had already become impossible.

The receptionist gave Atlas a professional nod before carefully placing the Relic back onto the counter.

”Understood, Sir Atlas, I’ll register the Relic under your name immediately. As for your reward, your solo completion of the Cataclysm-rank Ruin grants you a total of seventy Platinum Coins. I’ll have both the registration and your reward prepared right away.”

Atlas nodded once before asking another question.

”Alright...after the registration, can someone examine this Relic? I’d like to know what it does and how it’s supposed to be used.”

Before the receptionist could answer, an elderly voice sounded from the far right side of the Guild Hall.

”Certainly, Sir Atlas.”

Atlas turned toward the source of the voice and saw a man slowly approaching while adjusting the monocle resting over one of his eyes. The sight immediately reminded him of Norse Solace back in Lumivale, though unlike Norse, this man’s entire attention remained fixed on the Relic lying upon the counter.

As he stopped before them, he looked at Atlas and smiled faintly.

”I am one of the Guild’s Relic Evaluators...and I can tell you this much already.” His eyes narrowed behind the monocle as he stared at the Relic once again.

”The abilities contained within that Relic are so outrageous...that even I’m having difficulty believing what I’m seeing.”

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[A/N: Whoever hasn’t read the ranking system or forgot the relic grades, I suggest you guys read the Auxiliary Chapter - Ranking System, I have updated it with Relic grades and Ruin ranking too]