The old man Sention maintained a blank expression while holding his drink as I questioned if he had chosen me as his successor to seek worshipers.
I mean, come on, who wouldn't be suspicious if an old man suddenly offered to make you the successor of a 'sect' that had been destroyed thousands of years ago? It's not that I don't want to, and it's not that I underestimate this old man, it's just that situations like this sound like a multi-level marketing scheme, right? Isn't that true?
"Hmmm hmmm. You heard my story, right?" Sention asked expressionlessly.
Of course, I heard it. I nodded.
"You're not seeking followers. But it could be with my name, you want me to rebuild your religion or sect, right? That's what I usually hear in society," I replied, shrugging.
Sention rolled his eyes upwards and stroked his long, soft-looking white beard.
"A good idea..." Sention said without looking at me.
"What? Are you serious?" I responded, raising an eyebrow.
Then the old man Sention looked at me while laughing, "Ahahaha! Hmmm hmmm. Indeed, it's a good idea. But I don't want it. My era is over. And as my successor, you are free to do whatever you want."
My gaze turned blank again.
"So...what do you want?" I asked.
At that moment, Sention looked out the window with a melancholic gaze. Then he closed his eyes.
"Hmmm hmmm. I just want someone to continue taking care of this place and its inhabitants after I disappear from this world," Sention said.
Then he opened his eyes and shifted his gaze to me. He said, "You can use that bracelet to enter this dungeon from anywhere. Additionally, some Sentinel Striders in this forest will recognize you at least as an acquaintance."
"There's also an absolute protection formation feature you can activate for 6 hours with a cooldown of...ummm...2 weeks. It will at least protect you from threats at the level of...ummm... Champion Hero. I mean, Elite Champion Hero."
"Oh, and also, you can form a shield or armor from that bracelet. I think its hardness is like your sword. Oh, and there's also an area protection feature with a maximum activation of 12 hours that can withstand up to the level of an Elite Hero. The cooldown is a month," he explained.
'You keep adding features, old man,' I thought.
I was silently surprised. This item is quite strong, isn't it? By being able to access this dungeon, I can use it as a very large storage even though it's not like a storage ring that preserves items from damage or decay.
Additionally, the threat of Sentinel Striders in this forest is gone. I can safely leave this dungeon without facing the wrath of the pair of Sentinel Striders outside the temple.
And the most important is the individual and area protection feature. Being able to protect me from threats at the level of an Elite Champion Hero. Even though it's only once every two weeks, it's enough for me because there are features to change into a shield and armor and area protection.
"Then, this Aegis Sentinel ring? What's the difference from the one sealed in another dungeon?" I asked while looking at the two items in my hand.
"If the ring in the other dungeon can protect you from threats around the level of a Novice Hero, the ring you received can protect you from an Elite Hero. Additionally, it has shield and armor features made of material similar to the equipment that comes from your skin. What's it called? Titan...Titan...Titanite Steel," Sention replied.
'This is indeed impressive. The hardness of Titanite Steel is just below Mythril. And it can be said that weapons made from Titanite Steel are expensive in the market,' I thought.
"Okay. Cooldown?"
"Around 2 to 3 hours with maximum protection activation of 1 hour," Sention replied.
Indeed, the protection of the weaker Aegis Sentinel ring at the Novice Hero level is not very useful for the player Zephyr because he is already strong and has a high-level god's blessing.
But I still want the weaker version. Two are better than one.
"Can I also get the weaker version?" I asked.
Sention raised one of his eyebrows and glanced at me after taking a drink. He said, "I don't know why you want that weak item, but here it is."
The weaker Aegis Sentinel ring appeared floating above his palm, and he threw it at me.
"Thank you, thank you," I said while catching the ring.
I looked at the old man Sention and said, "Then the prophecy? You mentioned a prophecy. Is it about me?"
"You ask a lot. Hmmm hmmm. I don't know much about that prophecy. All I know is that someone will take the Aegis Sentinel ring. But that prophecy might or might not happen. If it's you, so be it. If it's someone else, well, let that person take the Aegis Sentinel ring normally in another dungeon. Unlike someone sitting here," he replied while glancing at me.
I was silent for a moment. It seems that prophecy could be about me or it could be projecting an optional side quest for the player Zephyr that may or may not happen.
Well, it's no longer important. After all, I need these items now.
"So the ring you just threw at me is not from that dungeon?" I asked.
"No," the old man Sention replied while eating apple pie.
I nodded.
"And...are you really sure you don't have any hidden intentions when you decided to make me your successor? Honestly, you're very vague," I asked.
"Aishhh! You ask too much! I told you I'm just interested in you and want to see you. Then I want to pass on my legacy before disappearing," Sention replied, squinting at me.
I also squinted at him. Then I sighed.
'Do old people who feel they're going to die have habits like this? Hmm...I guess so,' I thought.
"You look reluctant. Do you want it or not?" the old man Sention asked.
I then looked between the items given by Sention and Sention himself. With a blank stare, I said, "With the benefits you mentioned, of course I want it and I thank you for your treatment. It's just that, I'm still suspicious of you having bad intentions towards me, old man. You're a stranger to me."
The old man Sention stroked his long beard. He looked like he was thinking about something. Then he looked at me again.
"Hmmm hmmm. A magic contract? I guess that doesn't apply to me. I can break it anytime. Can you do a soul connection?"
"You can break a magic contract anytime? Easily?" I asked.
"What do you expect? I'm a former god with a strong soul and abundant mana with divine control," Sention replied with a smug face.
'The answer I expected indeed,' I thought, sighing.
"So what? Can you do a soul connection?" the old man Sention asked, continuing his previous words.
"Of course. But I'm still new at learning it. I can't use high-level soul connection," I replied.
"Relax. Hmmm hmmm. Just go with the flow," Sention replied.
'Should I bet again on my luck? Maybe there's the luck of a transmigrator? Let's give it a try!' I thought.
"Alright, let's do it," I replied, extending my hand.
'Anetta, counterattack if there's a threatening soul flow.'
(Understood, master.)
Sention floated towards me and shook my hand. The flow of his soul's power entered. And it felt very comfortable. I felt like I was being protected. I could also sense some of his feelings. Feelings of sadness and regret. I guess these feelings were about his followers who perished during the war.
Then there were feelings of happiness, enthusiasm, and joy. I don't know why, but I feel he felt that way because he was passing on his legacy. Clearly, this was a high-level soul connection.
'You worry too much. You don't need to guard more with your skills, kid,' Sention said in the soul communication space, grinning.
I also grinned. After feeling how comfortable his soul power was, I was quite sure this person didn't intend to harm me.
'I knew that,' I replied.
Then Sention looked at our hands that were shaking hands.
'Hmmm hmmm. Honestly, there's no need for me to have physical contact to do a soul connection. But it seems you want to do it the old enjoyable way,' Sention said.
'The old enjoyable way?' I asked.
'Don't you know? Soul mages or individuals with strong soul skills usually don't need physical contact to do a soul connection. And this handshake symbolizes that you trust the person you're connecting souls with. Besides, soul skills have a greater effect with physical contact,' Sention explained with a grin returning.
I could feel the honesty in what he said.
'Hmm. So Yolina offered her hand first because she trusted me? But I didn't know this. Don't misunderstand. I don't trust you, old man,' I thought with a thin grin.
'Hmmm hmmm. Yolina? Your girlfriend?' Sention asked, raising both eyebrows twice with a strange smile.
He ignored my last sentence. My face turned blank.
'She's my sister,' I replied in a flat tone as well.
'Oho? Doesn't it become more interesting if she's your sister?' Sention said.
I was silent for a moment and looked at him expressionlessly.
'Can we do this properly?' I asked.
'Okay, I'll start. Your name?' Sention said.
Why is he starting? I should be the one to start. But whatever.
'Darius Gallean,' I replied.
'A truthful answer, but I'm asking about your real name in this world, kid,' Sention said.
'Edward. Edward Kazan Vallois. Now it's my turn. Do you have any hidden intentions in passing on your legacy to me? Do you have any ill will towards me? What's your reason for passing on your legacy to me?' I asked with a blank expression.
'That question again. I have no hidden intentions. I have no ill or bad intentions towards you. And the reason I am passing my legacy to you is that I am interested in you and probably don't have much longer to live,' Sention replied while grinning and stroking his long white beard.
I was silent for a moment. Then I nodded. He was telling the truth.
'Enough for you?' Sention asked.
'Hmmm. I'm really curious. Were you truly a god in ancient times? And are you now a former god?' I asked.
This time Sention's gaze turned blank from his usual expression.
'Seriously? You still doubt me? To those two questions, the answer is yes. Enough? If you ask again, I will question you further,' Sention said.
I smiled artificially.
'That's quite enough!' I said.
'What's with that smile?' Sention said.
After that, he released the handshake and floated back to his rocking chair.
"Do you already know how to use that bracelet?" Sention asked, pointing to the bracelet lying next to the two Aegis Sentinel rings on the sofa.
"How would I know?" I replied, raising my left eyebrow.
"Take the bracelet, then drop your blood on it. After that, you just need to think about this place to come here again," Sention said, closing his eyes while rocking in his chair.
"That's the way to enter? Then the way to exit? Do I just need to think of leaving this place?" I asked.
"You just think about leaving this place, and you will be in front of the temple where you entered," he replied with his eyes closed.
"Hmmmm."
I then looked at the bracelet.
"I will be gone for a while," Sention said.
"Where are you going to...?"
When I looked at the old man Sention, he was no longer in his rocking chair.
"Old man?" I called out to the old man Sention.
Then I searched the entire house and found no signs of Sention.
'He said he would disappear and that he didn't have long to live, right?' I thought.
I felt a bit melancholic thinking about Sention. I received his legacy just like that, and then he left.
I opened the door and stepped outside. I looked around and searched for him. Still no signs.
Then I walked towards the outer fence.
'Even though we just met, well, somehow I also feel a bit sad,' I thought.
"Well, I hope you rest in peace, old man." I clapped my hands together and slightly bowed.
"Who are you praying for? I'm still here, you brat."
I heard the voice of the old man Sention. Then I stopped bowing. He was floating in front of me.
"Oh? You're not dead? That's a relief," I said in a flat tone.
"Somehow I feel you're not sincere," the old man Sention said.
"That's just your feeling," I replied.
"Whatever. This is your next inheritance."
The old man Sention ignored my reply and handed me a scroll.
"What is this?" I asked, holding out both my hands.
"The land certificate for this forest," he replied casually.
"What?" I asked with a slightly puzzled expression.
"Although it doesn't cover the entire area, I own a portion of this forest," he replied again, casually.