After taking a moment to process everything and feel the surge of newfound power coursing through him, August suddenly thought of something important.
"Wait, did I actually kill that Corrupt Spirit during the mission? How did she die?"
Could it be that, because the dungeon was destroyed, the Corrupt Spirit perished along with it?
Glancing at the sapling of the World Tree, August's heart leaped with joy. The tree's growth had increased by 5%, a direct result of consuming the dungeon.
Whatever the cause of the spirit's demise, it didn't really matter. What mattered was that he had reaped the rewards, and that was all that mattered.
With that thought, August left the small dimension. The dungeon had fallen into a deep silence, its once-glowing crystal walls now dim and lifeless. The entire space had become eerily dark, and August found himself at a loss for words. The dungeon was completely finished.
Before long, August returned to Orario. As he gazed upon the protective barrier that once guarded the city, he couldn't help but chuckle. There wasn't a single monster left, yet the barrier still stood.
Crack!
The barrier shattered like fragile paper the moment August touched it.
No sooner had he stepped out than adventurers began to gather around him.
"Is it him? The Transcendent? He actually made it out alive. Did he really succeed?"
"It seems like it. Judging by how there are no monsters following him, he must have completed the mission."
"As expected of the Transcendent! The first one in a thousand years to break through the limits of a blessing and surpass the system itself."
"Yeah, no doubt about it. The Loki Familia is going to become the undisputed rulers now."
The murmurs of the crowd confirmed something August hadn't realized: he had earned the title of "Transcendent." It was likely a name the gods had bestowed upon him. But "Transcendent" wasn't a bad title. Considering he had broken through to the level 9, the title seemed fitting.
As August walked through the city, the adventurers parted to make way for him—a sign of respect from the weak to the strong.
He said nothing, and no one dared to ask him anything.
Only after August had left the Babel Tower did the gathered adventurers breathe a sigh of relief. The awe they felt toward him was overwhelming.
Without visiting any other place, August headed straight back to the Familia. After all, he had returned safely and owed it to Loki and the others to let them know, especially Ais.
"Yo, been a while, Raul."
"Huh? August, you're back?"
The guard at the gate was none other than Raul, a mid-level adventurer in the Loki Familia.
"Yeah, I'm back."
"That's great news! I'll go tell Loki and the others right away."
"Open the gate first."
"Right, the gate!"
With a shout to those inside, the Familia's gate slowly opened.
Raul quickly ran inside as August chuckled to himself. It felt good to be back. He made his way toward where he sensed Ais's presence.
At the same time, in the courtyard, Ais suddenly sensed August's aura. Her face lit up with joy as she turned toward the entrance.
Just as August could sense her, Ais could feel his presence as well.
"Huh? Ais, what's going on?" asked Tsubaki, noticing Ais's sudden excitement.
Tsubaki had come to the Loki Familia to check on Ais, her sister, after learning that August had gone into the dungeon alone.
"It's August. He's back."
"Huh? Seriously?"
"Yes, I can feel his aura."
"Oh~ So it's that ability he gave you, huh? That guy! He didn't even give me a share when he came back. Let's go find him."
"Yes."
The two women stood and made their way toward August.
Meanwhile, Raul dashed toward the conference room where Finn, Riveria, Gareth, and Loki were discussing Familia matters.
Bang!
Raul burst through the door, startling the four inside.
"Captain, August is back!"
"Really? He's really back?"
"Yes, just now."
"That's great! Is he hurt?"
"No, he seems fine."
"Where is he now?"
"He's probably looking for Ais."
The four exchanged knowing smiles. The first thing August did upon returning was look for his fiancée.
"That rascal. He finally made it back," Loki said with a relieved smile, her heart finally at ease.
Riveria and Gareth smiled too. Whether or not the mission had been completed was irrelevant—what mattered most was that August had returned safely.
"Let's go. We should check on him."
"Good idea."
"Agreed."
"Mm."
The four stood and followed Raul out the door.
Elsewhere, after three long days, August and Ais finally reunited. Without a word, Ais threw herself into his arms. She had barely eaten or slept, fearing that her worst nightmares would come true.
But now, August was back. Everything was alright.
"I'm back," August whispered.
"Mm~" Ais responded, holding him tightly.
Tsubaki, watching the scene unfold, could only sigh. That was her man too, and here she was, the third wheel.
Soon enough, Ais calmed down under August's comforting words.
"Hey, I heard from Ais that you gave her that power of Haki. What about me?" Tsubaki asked, crossing her arms.
"Everyone will get it. Here, I'll give it to you now."
"That's more like it, what–!"
Before Tsubaki could finish her sentence, August silenced her with a kiss, surprising her. But then, she felt the two forms of Haki awakening within her, just as Ais had described: the augmenting Armament Haki and the perception-enhancing Observation Haki.
Since they were in a public space, August didn't take it too far and soon let Tsubaki go.
"Armament Haki, huh…" Tsubaki raised her hand, watching as a 'force' gathered around her arm, turning it black in the blink of an eye.
She flexed her arm, feeling no difference in mobility, but the Haki greatly amplified her strength and defense. This would be a huge help when forging weapons, and if she could channel it into her hammer…
August had no idea that Tsubaki's first thought upon gaining Armament Haki was how much it would boost her smithing abilities. True to her title, she was a master blacksmith through and through.
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