Return of the Woodcutter

Aito spent the rest of the day secluded in his room to heal his wounds. Counting Pneuma, the recovery beads, and the fact he had already rested for a while, it took him six hours for his wounds to fully heal. 

Followed by three other orcs, Krugan arrived with large bags filled with a third of the soul cores of those who had fallen during the last day of the sacred event. It was Aito's prize for winning the sacred event. 

In a relatively smaller bag were the soul cores of the elite orcs who had died and in a wooden box was the previous Khan's soul core. 

A level 4 soul core. 

The three orcs following Krugan withdrew politely. Aito asked the huge orc to remain in the room with him to talk about a few things, one of them being what's to come. 

Aito couldn't simply stay on the 6th Floor eternally. He planned on leaving as soon as possible, meaning when his new equipment the orc smiths were working on would be finished.

In the meantime, he wanted to absorb the soul cores but also give the orc his "blessing." Krugan understood what he meant after experiencing it himself. 

Using the candle, Aito pried Krugan's secrets open. Interestingly, the orc had no class whatsoever, despite being a peak level 2 being. Even more interesting, Aito had the option to grant him a warrior class, Axman. A weird class name for an orc because… well he wasn't human. 

No mana was required for the process since Krugan already had a soul core.

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"Feeling any different?" Aito asked from his bed. 

"Hard to say," Krugan replied, standing up. "There is no visible change. But I can feel something in me was unlocked. I feel a veil has been lifted. I feel… that I finally have the potential to reach a higher power. Maybe, with more training and soul cores, I can now succeed in becoming stronger." The orc closed his fist with determination and satisfaction. "Thank you, my Khan. I will not forget this kindness." 

Aito nodded. "Don't mind it. I intend to give this blessing to all your people before leaving. I'm sorry, but that's all I can offer for now." 

"It is already more than I expected. For that, I thank you once more," the orc hit his chest, then stretched his hand and opened his palm. A gesture of extreme gratitude. "However, before that—"

"I know," Aito interrupted. "I have to prove myself to the people. Call them all tomorrow morning in the arena. Tell those who will challenge me for the position of Khan to be prepared to die." 

The orcs had the right to challenge him before he was officially recognized by all as the Khan. Unofficially, he already was. Normally, the elite orcs would fight amongst themselves to determine the next chief, the victor would have proven to all his superiority.

But Aito had jumped this step, thus giving the right to the orcs to challenge his authority in public before it became official. 

"Of course, you are forbidden from participating," Aito said. 

"I already know I am no match for you," Krugan said. "And I doubt you'll have many challengers. Apart from those who… came back, the others won't interfere." 

"Hum, good. I'll be sure to deter their morale right at the start." 

"What about your equipment, Khan? The blacksmiths haven't repaired the previous weapon and what's left of your armor yet. These are… too complex. Especially the shield. We've yet to reach such mastery in our craft." Krugan said.

It wasn't surprising the orcs had trouble with the repairs, considering Ainar's work was top-notch. Having acquired the orcs' knowledge, Aito knew the orc smiths were no match for the minerian's expertise.

"Don't try to mess with the mechanisms. Leave them be and only repair what you can. Also take this and use it to improve my morpho ax. I know luzli is hard to come by," he said, handing over the ax Krugan had given him to swear fealty. "Don't worry about tomorrow. I already have what I need for the challenges." 

Krugan wanted to say something but abstained and started leaving. Who was he to question his Khan? 

"Wait up. Before you go, bring half the content of a bag," Aito said. "I know this isn't the way for you orcs to become stronger, however, this is an order. Take this opportunity to grow. No refusal. Just accept it. Repay me by keeping yourself alive at all costs. I might need you sooner than you may think." 

The orc didn't know what to say. He bowed respectfully and stayed put. "Although it does not hold the same meaning as it used to; I swear on our ancestors that I, Krugan Stoneshield, will not fail you." 

Aito nodded, "I know you won't. Now, take your leave and forbid access to my room. I need silence for what I'm about to do next. Only you are allowed to enter." 

"Yes, Khan." Krugan left as swift as the wind with his soul cores, passing the order that the Khan must not be disturbed until next morning. 

Finally, alone, Aito opened the stone box containing the previous Khan's soul core.

Nestled in a smooth carved rock especially made for it, the core was bigger than those he had seen before. Light grey and round, the size of a large marble, it had a peculiar protuberance on the side. 

The auxiliary core. 

It appeared that once the body died, the auxiliary core would stop rotating and fuse with the main core, becoming one item. 

'How interesting. Why is the color grey? Until now, every core I collected was yellow.' 

That was the first time he saw a level 3 core. Gwen had taught him many things, but he still had much to learn. A notification window popped up. 

[It's because the Khan was classless, ignorant mortal.] 

'Hum, thanks for the free info,' Aito replied, surprised. 'You really are desperate for my help to give me freebies like that, aren't you?' 

[Of course, I am! From the moment I gave you the candle piece, I've bet everything on you! I've never wronged you compared to the others! And instead of feeling grateful towards me, you are disrespectful beyond ungratefulness. You just look like a teenage brat who has yet to mature!]