Chương 51: Passing on the burden

Ethan's eyes fluttered open. Pain still coursed through his body, but the unbearable edge had dulled, replaced by pins and needles and the overwhelming urge to itch everywhere at once. He was lying on something soft. For a moment he just accepted it, letting his body settle, before addressing the notifications waiting for him. Congratulations! You have advanced your body cultivation. You have unlocked [Poison Body].

+5 to all attributes If Ethan wasn't still feeling like absolute shit, he would have let out a laugh. He had done it. But as it was, all he could allow was a small smile, before wincing in pain. He knew that awakening his body cultivation was going to hurt like a bitch, but there was nothing he could do about it. The only way forward was through pain, Ethan knew that more than anybody. After all, he had been a dedicated body cultivator in the past.

He knew the exact steps required to make his body indestructible, and this was just the first of many painful experiences as he got his body back to the stage it used to be. Last time he hadn't gone for the poison upgrade, instead focusing on endurance to physical attacks. Which, by all means, was still something he needed. But he had decided to forgo that for now. He had his armor and core cultivation to help on that front. Instead, he needed something that would help from a different angle.

He had no intentions of ending up like the Broken Dawns' guildmaster. That, and Poison Body should have strengthened his organs as well, instead of just his bodily flesh. He pulled the description up just to check he had got it right. [Poison Body] Tempered through poison and determination, your body has been altered and reforged through poison itself. With no other option your organs, blood and flesh have adapted to your new nature.

"You're up." A feminine voice, that definitely wasn't Sarah's, spoke. Ethan twisted his head, feeling his skin tighten painfully at the movement. Leah was staring at him. Her eyes slitted.

"How's it going," Ethan creaked out, his throat still raw. All the while wondering when she showed up.

"Sarah! The idiot's up!" she shouted, before looking back at Ethan and moving closer.

"Why would you be so reckless?" she questioned.

"What would have happened if the antidote and Sarah's healing didn't help? Did you even think? Not to mention, the horror Sarah must have felt."

"Of course. I've done nothing but think this entire time." Ethan responded, though in truth, he hadn't considered how it would affect Sarah. He could hear footsteps moving closer.

"You took it too far," Leah stated, before turning around and exiting the room.

"He's fine," she added as Sarah moved past her. Ethan let out a breath, his body still aching.

"How are you feeling?" Sarah questioned. Ethan managed a nod.

"Not going to lie, I've been better." She rested a hand on him.

"I'm sorry, I was too fatigued to heal you completely." Again, he felt the flow of mana entering his body as her skill searched for anything left to repair. Ethan normally hated the feeling, but for this one time, it was pure bliss. He let out a long sigh.

"Thank you."

"Don't be thanking me. Thank that antidote you made up. How did you even know to make such a thing? And from poison, no less?"

"Just learnt about it in science class," Ethan lied.

"I always had a fascination with poisonous animals."

"Ha. Well lucky you paid attention in school."

"Yeah." Ethan couldn't meet her eyes.

"So how long was I out?" Sarah didn't respond for a moment, until finally she relented.

"Not long. Maybe a few hours. Things weren't looking too good for a moment there. Leah was about to go get help, though Mark told her to trust you."

"Again, thanks," Ethan replied, feeling better by the second.

"At least Mark seems put off doing this whole cultivation thing now. Thank god. I don't want him going through whatever the hell you just did." Ethan nodded. He had talked to them a lot about how to gain power, and had even been sparring with Mark, hoping to help the man unlock Sword Mastery. He also had a pretty good understanding of Mark. The man likely said that to ease Sarah's worry. Ethan knew he would do anything to protect his family. After all, the man had taken a damn taunting skill.

As far as Ethan was concerned, that was even worse than taking the scout class. Ethan felt Sarah's mana retreat from his body. He flexed his hands, feeling the stiff movement give way to fluidity.

"All finished. I can't find anything left to heal. But, Ethan. I understand you've got a need to grow." She paused, considering her words, before letting out a sigh.

"Look, just make sure you take care of yourself, okay? I've had to see some horrible sights since becoming a healer. What you just did, took the cake. So please make sure you'll be okay before doing anything like that again." Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Ethan nodded.

"Sorry for putting you through that." Truth be told, he hadn't considered how others would feel. He was so used to others being on the same wave length as him, some even more radical. He'd forgotten everyone here hadn't quite let go of their pre-trials way.

"It's not about me. It's about you." Sarah moved back, allowing Ethan to sit up.

"I understand," He answered, while getting a feel for his body. She was right. He felt far better. In fact, he felt better than he had in a very long time. He stood up, stretching his back, before jumping a few times, then letting out a laugh.

"That's more like it." His body felt brimming with power. The mix of both cultivations being active elevated his strength to an entirely different level. Where before he had likely just sat outside human limits, now he knew he had moved a step past it. Though he would still need to test it, which shouldn't be too much of an issue. Ethan had a feeling he would get that chance far sooner than later.

"I take it you're feeling good?" Sarah questioned.

"Better than good. Thanks Sarah, seriously. I couldn't have done it without you."

"I get the feeling you would have tried though." Ethan rubbed his neck sheepishly but didn't respond. Still, he couldn't wipe the smile from his face if he tried. Something about having his body cultivation awakened once more made him feel on top of the world. Where his core was something he knew he needed and would focus on intently, there was something about the solid gains to his body that felt different. Like he was becoming more real. More present.

After all, your core allowed you to interact with the magic of the world, whereas your body allowed you to harness your true might, removing any limits.

"Where's the mess, I'll clean it up," Ethan changed the topic smoothly. Sarah rolled her eyes.

"We've already taken care of it while you were out. There wasn't any poison left over, so we just dumped everything. Is that alright?"

"Of course. You're the best. If there's nothing left to clean then I'll get out of your way. But I'll make sure I pay you back. Promise." Sarah waved him off.

"You've done more than enough for me and mine. Just make sure you go ease your sister's nerves. She was worried." Ethan nodded and exited the room, quickly offering a greeting to Mark and awkwardly avoiding the two boys. Which was basically impossible considering Tom watched him like a hawk. He left the house, stepping outside into the evening air. The sun was setting, telling Ethan he had been sitting in that poison for far longer than he assumed He stopped outside, looking around the settlement.

People still filled the streets, and he didn't think they would ever really quiet down. Not until the level collapsed. He took a breath of the hot, humid air, letting it fill his lungs. Then he released it, smiled, and took off in a sprint toward the guild. He blurred past people, zigzagging between stalls and customers, feeling the wind against his face as he moved far faster than before. Maybe close to thirty five miles an hour. He kept that pace until he reached the guild.

By then he had worked up a slight sweat, but he wasn't out of breath or tired. It was a bit of a childish test, but he needed to know his limits, and this was the fastest way to get a feel for them. Even if it was just speed. But, shit, now he wanted to try it with [Mana Infusion]. Ethan entered the guild and made his way to the reception desk for guild members. Even though he wasn't officially one, they still knew him and knew he carried some weight.

When the young man asked what he needed, Ethan told him he wanted to see Alex. The man nodded and hurried off, leaving Ethan waiting. He didn't have to wait long, but while he did, he considered his options. Now that his body cultivation had awakened, everything had shifted. He had access to aura again. For most people, that wouldn't mean much. It was just another step forward, another layer of power. But for Ethan, it was something else entirely.

It was a return to something he had mastered, something that had once defined his fighting style. Even if what he had now was only a fraction of what he used to wield, it was still an ace—something hidden, something he could bring out when things got dangerous. The problem was control. The techniques he knew were far too advanced for the body he currently had. They demanded more aura than he could supply and more durability than he could handle.

If he tried to force it, he would damage himself before he got any real benefit. So he would need to adapt. Dilute the techniques into something usable. It would take time, but it would be worth it. His focus shifted back to the present just as the receptionist returned.

"You can head to the guildmaster's room," the young man said. Ethan nodded and pushed off the wall, moving through the halls with purpose. When he reached the door, the two guards stationed outside gave him a brief look before stepping aside and opening it for him. Ethan walked in. Alex was exactly where he expected him to be, still seated beside the guildmaster's bed. The room felt the same as before—heavy, dense, the air thick with mana. It pressed against him, thick and carrying the faint feeling of heat.

Ethan's gaze flicked briefly to the guildmaster. The heart should have lost its potency by now. Which meant the mana filling the room was hers. That thought lingered longer than he liked. Even with his newly strengthened body, it was a reminder of just how far he still had to go.

"Have you got an answer?" Alex asked. His eyes were fixed on Ethan, studying him closely.

"I do," Ethan replied.

"But it comes with some conditions." Alex didn't react negatively. If anything, he seemed to expect it.

"That's reasonable," he said.

"Let's hear it."

"I'll go and end this pointless fighting," Ethan began.

"But in exchange, I need you to start preparing for what's coming. First, I want you to begin gathering teams to clear a safe path to the mirage. Then I want you coordinating with the other guilds on this level. Rotations. Escort groups. Start guiding people forward." Alex frowned slightly.

"That's a big ask."

"It needs to happen," Ethan said.

"Most non-combatants are only staying because it's too dangerous to move on. That's going to get worse with the number of people arriving. If you don't act now, the settlements won't hold." Alex considered that for a moment before nodding slowly.

"It's not unreasonable. I can start organizing something. But the other guilds might be hard. I don't know if they'll listen."

"They will," Ethan replied.

"Especially once the Valkyries are out of the picture. You'll be the strongest force on the level. That comes with influence." Alex exhaled.

"Alright. What else?" Ethan rubbed his chin briefly. Truthfully, he would do this regardless. Stopping the war was reason enough. Saving lives was reason enough. But he had come to terms with something over the past few weeks. Alex wasn't the same as before. Not exactly. He was still Ethan's brother. Someone he would stand beside without hesitation. But that didn't mean Ethan would continue to carry everything on his own. Not when he had the ability to shift things in a better direction.

"I want the Broken Dawns to sponsor a new guild on the second level," Ethan said. Alex stared at him.

"You're planning to start your own guild?" Ethan shrugged slightly.

"Figured all the others were shit. Might as well join in." Alex smirked faintly.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that. I can look into it, but it depends if there are any open monoliths left." Ethan nodded. That wasn't a concern for him. He already knew where one would be.

"Anything else?" Alex asked. Ethan's expression shifted slightly.

"There is," he said.

"And this one isn't negotiable."

"It's something you need to believe," Ethan continued.

"And something you need to act on." Alex leaned forward slightly.

"Go on." Ethan took a breath. This was the risk. Up until now, he hadn't figured out a clean way to spread what he knew. Information about builds, skills, progression—things that could save lives. But alone, no one would believe him. Not without proof. Not without backing. Alex could provide that. The Broken Dawns could provide that.

"I need you to start spreading information," Ethan said.

"Not just to your guild. To everyone you can reach." Alex's brow furrowed.

"What kind of information?" Ethan met his gaze.

"The most important right now," he said, "is that this level is going to collapse in approximately four months."