False Star

The moment Sheo stepped through the door, the space surrounding him shifted. For a fleeting second, he caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a treasure room—but before he could take in the details, his consciousness faded beneath a monstrous pressure. The last thing he remembered was a flash of purple light.

Then, nothing.

He couldn’t feel his limbs. No sense of touch, sound, or sight remained. But slowly, a crawling sensation slithered through the void. It was eerie and confusing, and he had no way to tell what was happening. Something crept toward his right hand.

Then came the pain.

Unimaginable. Unrelenting. It overwhelmed everything. He couldn’t scream—he couldn’t even move. There was no light to see, no body to control. Only agony.

After what felt like an eternity, the pain stopped.

Silence.

A deep, unnatural stillness washed over him. Sheo’s senses returned gradually, though his body felt weak, as though drained from the inside. He quickly looked at his right hand, expecting something—anything—but found nothing unusual. He circulated his energy throughout his body, still searching for a clue.

Strangely, there was no strain. No injury. It was as if the whole ordeal hadn’t even happened.

He rose to his feet and surveyed his surroundings. The room he now stood in was barren, empty, yet it carried an ancient stillness. His brow furrowed. This wasn’t the same room he had glimpsed earlier.

Activating his Space Heart, Sheo peered into the fabric of the space around him. Though his control over it was still weak, he could sense enough to understand something critical: this space was disconnected from the one he had originally entered.

Realization struck him.

He must have triggered a spatial formation—one that folded the area and pulled him into this hidden pocket. Just as he reached this conclusion, the space around him started to distort. The room broke apart in flashes, and he felt as if he were falling. But in the next instant, he stood within the original room he had first seen.

An illusion? A test?

Even though only ten seconds had passed, the pain he experienced made it feel like hours. Shaking his head to clear it, Sheo pushed forward.

The chamber was vast and elegant, aged by time but still retaining its beauty. Intricate formations glowed faintly along the walls, while faded yet majestic paintings adorned the stone. The energy within was thick, almost tangible.

At the room’s center stood a recording formation. Sheo approached it, inhaling deeply, then reached out and activated it.

Energy surged toward the center of the formation. Slowly, a thin mist rose, and from within it, a semi-transparent soul fragment appeared.

The ghostly figure's eyes immediately locked onto Sheo.

It was an old man—his face aged, yet his eyes burned with wisdom earned through countless years. The silent exchange between them lasted several moments, until the soul fragment finally spoke.

"You understood 'All Presence'... and my signature technique’s first move. You defeated the puppet I left behind. You’ve passed all the tests I designed for this place."

Sheo bowed deeply. “It’s my honor, Elder.”

A faint smile appeared on the soul’s face. “Since you passed my trials, you are worthy of inheriting my technique and legacy. I devoted my life to refining my sword art. In my time, my Sword Mind reached the pinnacle of the Trizenic level… yet I could not cross the threshold to Triloknath.”

Sheo’s eyes widened. That was a profound level of mastery. He himself had only reached the low Acyral level, and hadn’t even had the chance to examine it yet.

The soul continued, “I can sense you’ve awakened your own Sword Mind. You must have created your own sword art.”

Sheo nodded silently.

"Good. As your reward, I grant you my sword technique: False Star."

A streak of light surged into Sheo’s mind. He didn’t resist. His consciousness filled with complex movements, principles, and energies. It was a technique crafted by a true sword master. His head felt heavy, overwhelmed by the sheer depth of the knowledge.

Then the elder added, “To leave this dungeon, you must master the technique to its minor level. Only then can you summon enough sword energy to lift my sword.”

The floor trembled. A new formation appeared, revealing a beautiful blue sword embedded within it.

Sheo sat down, closing his eyes. The dense, pure energy around him flowed into his body. His cultivation began to rise slowly—but he didn’t focus on that. Instead, his mind turned inward.

There, deep within his energy center, was his Sword Mind.

It had taken the shape of a divine blade—simple in form, but the power it held was immense. He had never sensed anything like it before. It was sharp, radiant, and terrifying in its clarity.

He smiled faintly.

Then he turned his attention to False Star. It was, indeed, complicated. Each movement required delicate control over presence, intention, and energy. And now he understood why the elder had created the tests involving All Presence.

Sheo trained in silence.

From afar, the soul fragment of the elder watched him carefully.

"It usually takes a genius three months to reach the minor level," he murmured to himself. "Let’s see what this boy can do."

Time passed.

On the second day, a wave of energy burst out from Sheo’s body. But this wasn’t ordinary cultivation energy—it was pure sword energy. Sharp, vibrant, and unrestrained. It rippled through the chamber like a night wind slicing through silence.

The soul fragment’s eyes widened in shock.

“To master the minor level in just two days…” he whispered. “Unbelievable.”

The energy surged again, and Sheo’s Sword Mind began resonating with the sword embedded in the formation. Slowly, it moved.

The elder watched carefully. That sword had been nurtured by a pinnacle Trizenic Sword Mind. It should not yield.

But then—

But then, a strange energy circulated within Sheo. He didn’t notice it at first—it flowed silently, invisibly, threading through his core. Unseen and unfelt, it entered his Sword Mind and slowly began to merge with it. There was no resistance, no clash—just a seamless, mysterious union. And in that moment, without Sheo realizing why, his Sword Mind suddenly rose, as if ascending to a higher realm. The elder’s eyes narrowed, sensing something unnatural—a merging far beyond ordinary comprehension.

The elder froze.

“…Sword God Mind…?” he muttered, eyes wide. "No… that’s impossible."

But the signs were unmistakable. The energy pattern matched that of an ancient relic he’d once encountered in his youth—a mysterious artifact said to carry the remnants of a long-lost Sword God Mind. SWORD GOD MIND was a myth even in history. It was so rare that even in the vast annals of the world, the number of individuals who had awakened it could be counted on one hand. The mind within that relic was said not to be alive—but a dormant trace of an existence so profound, it left its will behind even in death.

The sword within the formation trembled.

Then, with a soft hum, it rose and flew straight into Sheo’s hand.

Sheo sheathed the blade and returned his Sword Mind to stillness. Then he turned and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Elder, for the technique.”

After a pause, he added, “May I know your name?”

The soul fragment smiled faintly, hiding his surprise. “When I was alive, they called me Sword Saint Parth.”

Sheo’s breath caught. He had heard that title before. Sword Saints were legends.

Parth nodded. “My time is short. You’ve mastered my technique to the required level. I trust you’ll use it wisely—and pass it to someone worthy, when the time comes.”

He hesitated for a moment, then summoned a book.

“This is an incomplete technique I began developing when I reached the Trizenic level. I never finished it. Perhaps you will.”

Then, he handed Sheo a beautiful blue storage ring.

“It contains my personal treasures and artifacts. You’re close to reaching the Nemesis level. These should help you.”

As his soul began to fade, Parth added, “Those doors you saw earlier? They hold the wealth I accumulated during my life. My work here is done.”

Sheo bowed deeply one final time.

When Parth vanished, Sheo slipped the ring onto his finger. The space inside it was vast—fifty times larger than the one he had carried since the orphanage.

He didn’t spend long examining it. Behind him, the massive circular doors opened one by one. Gold coins, rare ores, herbs, pills, techniques—treasures beyond imagination—spilled into view.

Elisa and Luzi stood at the entrance, eyes wide as they saw Sheo emerge.

Sheo simply shrugged. “We’re already late. Let’s start packing.”

The two nodded and got straight to work.

Sheo noticed the puppet still lying lifeless in the center of the hall. Curious, he walked over and placed his hand on it.

Something was missing.

He realized quickly—Parth’s Sword Mind had been powering it. Without it, the puppet had no life.

Sheo took a breath and began pouring his own sword energy into it. The puppet absorbed the energy greedily, drawing deeply from his reserves.

When nearly seventy percent of his energy was spent, the puppet’s eyes slowly opened.

At the same time, Sheo felt movement on his shoulder.

Dreamy had finally awakened.

The tiny creature stared at the puppet with curious, blinking eyes.

Then, as if recognizing Sheo’s energy, the puppet bowed before him.

He could now control it through his Sword Mind.

Sheo laughed softly. “A Saint-level puppet… This trip was worth it.”

He stored it in his ring. Though he didn’t want to depend on a puppet for survival, it was good to have another card up his sleeve.

Elisa and Luzi returned, having packed the treasures into five storage rings.

With everything in place, the three of them finally exited the dungeon.

As they were just about to exit the dungeon, Sheo raised his hand and stopped them.

Elisa and Luzi, without questioning him, came to a halt. By now, both of them had grown to blindly trust Sheo’s instincts. They had seen his judgment proven right too many times to doubt him now.

Sheo slowly extended his Space Heart again. The subtle but distinct murmurs, which had been like a whispering breeze just outside the sealed dungeon entrance, suddenly became clear. A blurred yet decipherable vision appeared in his mind. Outside the seal—just beyond where light barely reached—stood two individuals, speaking in hushed but serious tones. One of them radiated the power of a Half-Saint, while the other was even stronger—on the very pinnacle of Half-Saint level. Judging by their posture and tone, the Half-Saint seemed like a butler, deferential and formal, while the other exuded the air of a master.

“Master,” the butler said respectfully, “this place is restricted. Anyone above Nemesis level is barred from entering. You can’t access this place.”

The reply came in an arrogant, smooth voice. “Then can’t we just break the seal?”

“No, master,” the butler replied firmly. “This seal was made by a very strong individual. Maybe... maybe someone at the pinnacle of the Saint realm could attempt to break it. But not us.”

Elisa and Luzi had caught the conversation too. Their eyes widened slightly.

Sheo narrowed his gaze as he focused his Space Heart on the more dominant voice. After a few moments of analysis, his breath caught—he recognized it.

“Rell Varnith,” Sheo murmured under his breath, “from the Sky Howl Sect… the one who bought that Dragon Blood at the auction.”

He took a deep breath, then looked at Elisa and Luzi with a calm but serious expression.

“Elisa. Luzi,” he said slowly, “if you hear the sound of fighting moving away from this place... leave immediately. Head straight to the city. If I don’t return within two days—do not wait. Just leave.”

But this time, Elisa stepped forward. Her eyes didn’t waver.

“No,” she said firmly. “Not again. Let me distract them. You’re faster—you have a better chance of escaping.”

Sheo gave her a small smile, filled with gratitude and reassurance.

“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I know my limits.”

Then, without another word, he retrieved a black cloak from his storage ring. Its material shimmered faintly in the light, made from high-grade concealment fabric. He put it on, drawing the long hood low over his face. A white mask followed, obscuring his features entirely.

He handed two similar white masks to Elisa and Luzi. “Break these before entering the city,” he instructed. “They’ll help you avoid identification.”

With that, Sheo turned and casually walked toward the seal. He passed through it without resistance, his aura completely suppressed.

Just outside, Rell’s eyes narrowed as he saw a cloaked figure emerge from the sealed area. A smirk curled up on his lips, twisting into a condescending grin.

“Well, well,” Rell said in a falsely friendly tone. “Looks like you’ve had quite the adventure. How about letting our sect show you some... hospitality?”

Sheo’s response was blunt, his voice heavy and cold beneath the mask.

“I’ll pass.”

Without pausing, he turned and began walking in the opposite direction. The rejection was direct—and it stung.

Just as Sheo had calculated, Rell’s fragile ego shattered.

His face twisted with annoyance, his tone turning sharp and aggressive. “Very well then. Hand over everything you have, and I might let you live.”

Sheo paused only to reply with mocking disdain. “And who’s going to stop me? You? A spoiled brat who only knows how to flash his father’s name?”

That insult pierced deep. Rell’s aura burst out of his body, forming a wave of pressure as a glowing attack rushed toward Sheo.

But Sheo had already moved. His body shifted with supernatural grace, dodging the attack with ease.

“Weak,” he mocked, his voice trailing behind him as he darted into the nearby forest.

Rell’s face turned red with fury.

“Kanif!” he yelled. “Come with me! Either he dies today—or I do!”

Kanif, the butler, hesitated. He looked at the seal with concern, but ultimately obeyed. With a grim nod, he followed his master into the woods.

Inside the dense forest, Sheo moved swiftly.

“He’s not that dangerous,” Sheo muttered to himself. “Rell only recently became a Half-Saint. His body and energy aren’t synchronized yet. But... his butler is a different matter.”

Kanif’s presence loomed in his mind. That man was powerful. Just one step away from becoming a Saint.

Sheo’s breath steadied. He knew he couldn’t face both of them head-on. Not yet.

So he vanished.

Using his Space Heart, Sheo completely erased his presence. His energy became indistinguishable from the forest itself. Extending his awareness, he spread the influence of his Space Heart across the trees and valleys, forming a mental map—laying the groundwork for his plan.

Back near the dungeon, two more shadows slipped out—Elisa and Luzi. They were silent, their expressions grim. They didn’t speak, but Elisa did pause once, her gaze lingering toward the distant woods.

Then, clenching her fists, she turned and followed Luzi toward the city.

Deeper in the forest, Rell was rampaging.

“Master,” Kanif said calmly, “this terrain is poor for battle. If that boy can hide his energy, we won’t find him easily.”

“I don’t care!” Rell roared. “I’ll burn this whole forest to ash if I have to!”

His energy erupted violently. Trees shattered. Dust filled the air. But they found nothing.

Kanif, composed and experienced, stopped abruptly. He closed his eyes and let his energy flow gently into the surroundings, searching.

Then—his eyes flew open.

Before he could move, a blinding sword light pierced through the air and struck his chest. The attack was so fast—even he couldn’t react.

“Kanif!” Rell shouted, stepping forward—but everything around him shifted.

Darkness swallowed the forest.

The trees, the sky, even the ground—everything disappeared. He found himself floating in an endless void, a beautiful but unnatural night sky filled with glowing stars.

His heart pounded.

From the starlight emerged a shadow—a man in a black cloak, wielding a majestic blue sword that hummed with power.

“You... don’t know who my father is...” Rell stammered, panic taking over his voice. “If you even scratch me, he’ll kill you—all of you!”

The shadow didn’t reply.

Instead, it moved.

A cold sensation brushed Rell’s neck. He gritted his teeth and summoned his energy, dodging in desperation. The battle began—furious and wild.

Rell used every technique he knew. Sword beams, flame circles, elemental strikes—he unleashed them all. Sheo, enhanced by his newly awakened Sword Mind, fought fiercely. But he couldn’t yet overpower a Half-Saint. He was only at the Rising Nemesis level.

He raised his hand—and the stars responded. Thousands of starlight swords rained down.

Then he retrieved a small bottle from his storage ring, opened the lid, and swallowed three glowing energy pills. A rush of force surged through his body. His meridians cleared. His energy flowed perfectly.

A golden book appeared in his hand, and in that moment, Sheo broke through.

Nemesis Level.

His Sword Mind sharpened like never before. His aura transformed.

He took a deep breath.

Then—boom.

Sheo vanished.

Before Rell could react, a flash of blue light shattered his defenses. His armor cracked, and the sword tore through his chest. He screamed and flew out of the illusionary space, landing in the real forest under the open sky. He looked up, stunned, blood dripping from his mouth.

But the worst came when he looked behind him.

There—stood a puppet.

Behind it, Kanif’s headless body lay in a pool of blood.

Rell froze. His heart dropped.

Panicked, he pulled out a golden communication token from his storage ring—but before he could activate it, a sharp pain tore through his arm.

It fell to the ground—cleanly severed.

“No! Please!” Rell screamed. “I’ll give you anything! I swear I won’t seek revenge—please, just let me live!”

Sheo didn’t even respond.

One clean slash—decapitation.

Rell’s eyes, wide in terror, never closed.

Sheo collected their storage rings. He examined the communication token briefly, sent a coded message, then tossed both bodies into the deep valley below.

He destroyed his bloodstained cloak and mask, then changed into a fresh set of clothes.

Rather than returning directly to the city, he went deeper into the forest. There, he found a secluded cave and took out several high-grade energy stones, placing them around himself. He sat cross-legged, soaking in their energy, stabilizing his newfound power.

Within hours, he reached the pinnacle of Nemesis Level, just like Elisa.

But when he looked down at the dust and shattered stones around him, he sighed.

Over fifty stones had been drained completely. He had consumed ten times more than average.

“Maybe... it’s the purity of my energy,” he muttered.

Then he examined Rell and Kanif’s storage rings.

A smile crept across his face.

They were rich. Very rich.

Thousands of energy stones. Dozens of high-grade techniques. Rare herbs and treasures.

Among them—he found it.

Dragon Blood.

Sheo’s eyes narrowed. He had a flame-seeding technique that required powerful beast blood.

Now he had dragon blood.

He still needed a Saint-level fire beast core... but this was a start.

Shaking his head, he stood and headed toward the city. His speed—five times faster than before—let him vanish into the starlit forest like a passing gust.

Meanwhile, Elisa and Luzi arrived safely in the city a day early.

But their hearts were heavy.

Two Half-Saints... Sheo shouldn’t have been able to survive.

Elisa clenched her jaw. “Rell’s father is powerful... but Rell himself can’t kill Sheo. Not even that Saint-level puppet could do it. But... if he informs his father... we’ll all be in danger. We should leave tomorrow.”

The next morning, both headed toward the beast station. As they walked in silence, anxiety gnawed at them. What would they tell Elder Shuna?

Their thoughts swirled—until they reached their flying beast.

Just as they were about to mount it, a familiar voice called out.

“Took you long enough.”

Their heads snapped up.

Sitting atop the beast—was Sheo.

Elisa and Luzi also mounted the beast, their minds still a bit dazed from the sudden surprise. As the creature flapped its large wings and took off into the sky, they both glanced at Sheo, who was sitting calmly near the front.

The wind brushed past them, and after a few minutes of silence, Luzi finally asked, “What happened back there? You said you’d distract them, but how did you get away?”

Sheo didn’t look back. His voice was steady and casual. “I lured them away from the seal… Then a strong beast showed up—looked like it had been disturbed by their energy. They ended up clashing, and in the chaos, I slipped out unnoticed.”

Elisa narrowed her eyes slightly but didn’t question further. The important thing was that he was back—safe.

Their return journey continued without trouble. This time, they only stopped once to rest the beast and stretch. The sky gradually shifted from bright blue to a golden hue as evening approached. The winds were calmer, and the looming presence of the approaching festival seemed to fill the air with a subtle excitement.

Despite everything, things were finally settling. For now.