To the Depth of Abyss

Chapter 17: Proof of Attainment

[Stone of Proof of Attainment = ???? ABC]

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1st Floor / Giant Leaf Woods / Sites of Memorial

It is night after Ars got a wound that made him unable to walk for a while. He stayed overnight in the little house belonging to the keeper of the historic site - the old man he met this afternoon, Jeff.

"Here's your coffee."

"Thanks."

Ars sits on a chair with his left knee in a bandage. Jeff sat on the opposite chair sipping the coffee he had just made.

[Sites of Memorial: A historical location from the former battle with Abyssal floor boss; Land Owners]

That is the second location on the 1st Floor. The first location is in the Land of Nod.

[Stone of Proof of Attainment: A rectangular black boulder containing the names of the hunters who defeated the Land Owners]

The stone is evidence that will continue to remember the names, both living and dead, who have fought tooth and nail against the Land Owners.

At night, the black stone - or as it is more commonly called the World Stone - will be bright with a bluish light. Not only that, around the location, tiny bluish lights will also start to appear. Rumor says that those tiny lights are the souls of warriors who died in the past.

Therefore, at night, the place is one of the favorite location for hunters to be on holiday.

"I heard that there should be a lot of hunters camping here? But why is there non of them this nite?"

"A group of Hunters were on their way to the West got attacked by Killer Bee. That's why no one wants to take the risk before they kill the big bear."

"Ooohh."

All of that was because of Ars.

"Then don't worry, I've killed that bos area."

"Just because you can fly over this forest, don't brag - that's ..."

Bear Beast Blade. Ars took out one to prove his point.

"How did you take out that sword?! Even though you held nothing earlier."

"Since you are a Legend and have helped me, I am giving you free services. But I won't say anything more than this."

Jeff, an old man in his 40s, is a Legend Hunter. He has the same fighting history as Yin. Around his two hands, there are numerous scars. Even on his face there is a scar large enough that it seemed like it had split open his face.

In the face of that Legend, Ars showed a mysterious aura. Jeff did not mind that, but he still showed a dislike for Ars.

"What are you looking at?" asked Jeff with displeasure.

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"I think it's cool to have a wound like that on your face."

"I can help you. All I need is to cut your face a little until your brain fluid is about to come out. "

"Ugh, that sounds painful. No, thank you."

At first glance, Jeff was like an old man with a rough mouth. But in truth, his attitude grew because of his past fighting experience.

Land Owners, a very strong Abyssal floor monster who said to have no monsters or boss areas that can match their strength. But they won't respawn, or the so-called [Abyssal monster first clear].

Ars did not see it clearly because it was getting dark, but the scars of the battle around the area were truly devastating. Within a radius of 300 meters, several Giant Leaf Trees fell and the ground in several locations had holes in them.

The scars of the battles around were nothing compared to the scars of Ars' battle with Killer Bee yesterday.

"Hey, old man, is your name on that rock?"

"If your eyes are observant enough to search for it, maybe you can find it."

On the surface of the Stone of Attainment, there are at least 100 total names of the Hunters taking part in the battle.

It made Ars curious. "How about Yin?"

'Yin? "

Ah yes, Ars forgot that Yin-name is a pseudonym. Somehow that person made Ars call him by that pseudonym.

"He's Asian like me, and he's lost his left hand."

Jeff glared, as if he didn't want to believe what Ars just said.

Jeff's exaggerated reaction told Ars one thing indirectly -

"So that bastard lives in this jungle."

- that Yin has an unresolved problem that concerns his veteran comrades.

"What's with him being in this forest?" asked Ars curiously.

Jeff put down his coffee cup. Then put on a serious face that looked a little vengeful in it.

"Before I tell you, what's your relationship with that mf?"

That moment will be a factor that will determine Jeff's attitude towards Ars from now on.

Ars cleared his throat softly, then replied: "He is a man who calls himself my Master. He trained me in how to fight and how to become strong. Nothing more, nothing less."

Jeff didn't respond. He first read the expression Ars showed. And Ars didn't show the expression Jeff wanted.

Jeff drew a serious face. "How did you meet him?"

"Me and my party get into an accident on Silver Steel Mountain. They're all dead, and I'm the only one left - "

"Then that bastard by chance found you on that mountain and saved you?"

Ars got saved from the start also had doubts. How could Yin be in Silver Steel Mountain and be able to find Ars lying on the ground?

But if he thinks about it, there was no Party Hunter who was hunting for stones in Silver Steel apart from them. Plus, why would Yin wander through Silver Steel alone?

"What was he doing in that place at that time? You must be asking that, right?"

Jeff read Ars' mind.

"There is a dungeon location on that mountain. We used to intend to conquer it. But because we sensed a very dangerous figure was inside, we sealed the place so that no one could enter."

"Wha?" Ars did not hear wrong. Jeff is talking about Fafnir's Lair. "Then why haven't you done it yet?" asked Ars with a little emotion.

Jeff realized Ars' anger. "We found the dungeon to coincide with the appearance of the Land Owners. Priority over treasure. We prefer to face an enemy we already know what their form is rather than going into a pit of uncertainty. But unfortunately, the fight with [Guardian Ape of the Woods] wiped out almost all of our party members."

Ars doesn't know how strong the Legend Hunters are in the past. But if a party raid containing over 100 hunters almost got wiped out, the Land Owners must be very strong.

From there, Ars got a perception. "But why hasn't he conquered that dungeon until now. I think with his great strength he can conquer it alone." Or so Ars thought.

But Ars' perception made Jeff laugh.

Jeff finished his coffee. Then stand up from the chair. "If you think only with strength; a man can control everything. You still need a lot to learn, young man."

Jeff went to the kitchen to return his coffee cup. Before going into his room, he stopped to give Ars advice.

"A man's greatness doesn't count by how much power he has., but how much 'ambition' and 'will' he have. Whether you want to be a man who only wants to see fire, or you want to be a man who wants to protect, it all depends on that two things."

After giving the message, Jeff went straight into his room. Letting Ars find out for himself the meaning of his message.

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Ep 17.5

Those Who Lost the Fire Within Themselves

1st Floor / Giant Leaf Woods / Sites of Memorial

Dawn /

When the sky had begun to cast a bright light in front of the Stone of Proof of Attainment -

[Forbid]

[Item: World Property]

[You cannot take God's belonging]

"God's belonging, huh?"

Ars tries to store the World Stone to [Unlimited Inventory]. But it forbidden by the Abyssal system.

"Are you trying to read all the names on there?"

Jeff came over.

"I've read all the names here. I found yours, but why are you at the bottom?"

There are 124 names written on the big black stone, and Ars points to Jeff's name, which is at number 100 down.

"That means I'm useless in battle."

"Is that so." Ars changes to the very top. "Then what about this, Satria?"

Ars points to the top of all names. At that moment, Jeff's expression turned sour.

"It's the name of the cheater who always takes the Last Kill in battle."

"Cheater..."

That is Yin's real names. Jeff used a tone of hatred in his words, like when Ars asked about Yin.

Satria, a name that is very familiar to used in the country where Ars was born.

"No wonder he's shorter than me."

Even though their height difference is only 10cm.

Ars's leg healed after resting the night. Jeff has also given him breakfast. Before leaving, Ars had a last message for Jeff.

"If one day I ask for your participation in fighting once again -"

"I can't do that."

Jeff refused before Ars finished talking.

"I can't use my body to participate in another big battle. I broke some of my bones beyond repair. My IQ has even decreased because of the wound on my face. "

"Does that have an effect?"

Whatever it is, Jeff's fight is over.

"All I can face now is Killer Bee or Queen Bull Hornet."

"You wot?! Those two literally are Area Bosses, that even I had to put much effort to deal with one of them!"

Ars misjudged Jeff.

"Agh, whatever." Ars calmed down, then asked another question. "Apart from the two of you, is there any other Legend living on this 1st Floor?"

"There are several at West Station. If your eyes are observant, you can even see them on the surface. "

"I did find some veterans on the surface. But those who are Legend, why are they in there?"

"Those who have lost the fire within themselves and wanted to go home."

"But unfortunately they can't do that."

Guild craftiness that doesn't allow its Hunter to return home. Ars and Jeff knew that very well.

Jeff continued, "You can't expect anything from the loser who decided to stay on the 1st Floor. If you want a figure with great power, go to the lowest Floor. The place where big battles take place every day. "

"3rd floor."

The Latest Floor of Abyssal Terra. Floor 3.