Berserkers were born as machines of war, destined for battle and slaughter.
Normally, they appeared no different from anyone else. However, when consumed by extreme rage or excitement, their minds would shatter, transforming them into frenzied demons.
In this state, they lost all reason, unable to distinguish friend from foe, their speed and attack power soaring to terrifying heights. Their senses for blood and magic became incredibly acute, making survival against them virtually impossible.
Consequently, Berserkers were unwelcome anywhere on the continent, often hunted down and persecuted.
Yet, Yue Wu had casually mentioned the presence of a Berserker within his former adventuring party, instantly stunning everyone who heard him.
While evidence of Berserkers—beings universally condemned and pursued—existed on the continent, encounters with them had become exceedingly rare in the present age.
“I never imagined your former companions hailed from so many different continents. Where are they now?”
Lucifer’s voice cut through the heavy silence.
Yue Wu offered no immediate answer. He was unsure how to explain; could he simply say they had abandoned the game? That was hardly possible.
“Well, speak up then.”
Lucifer grew agitated. He couldn’t quite fathom what had come over him. Before meeting Yue Wu, he had always been a calm and composed individual, but now, he found himself easily annoyed.
“Brother’s companions are no longer here.”
Seeing Yue Wu hesitate, Jeanne spoke up on his behalf.
“Alright, I’ve finished writing.”
Yue Wu smiled, handing the scroll to the receptionist.
“Very well. You’ve chosen an adventuring party, and its name is ‘Ten Rings of Power.’ Are you certain you don’t wish to change it?”
The receptionist took the scroll, glanced at it, and then asked Yue Wu again if he wanted to make any alterations.
“No, ‘Ten Rings of Power’ is fine. There shouldn’t be any duplicates, right? After all, this was the name of my old guild.”
Yue Wu confirmed he would not be making any changes.
“No duplicates. Your adventuring party currently consists of ten members. The number of members can only be increased once your party’s rank has risen.”
The receptionist continued, then handed Yue Wu the ten adventuring party emblems he had designed.
“Ten is enough. I don’t want any more than that.”
Yue Wu took the ten emblems. Each was unique, custom-made badges that every member of his former game guild had once possessed.
“This emblem is ‘Redemption’.”
Yue Wu singled out one, intricately carved with a golden cross flanked by a pair of six-winged angels, one black, one white. This was Yue Wu’s symbol in the game guild, for he sought redemption—not just for himself, but for others as well.
“Jeanne, take this.”
Yue Wu pulled out another emblem and, without a moment’s hesitation, tossed it to the suddenly flustered Jeanne.
“Brother, this one?”
Jeanne gazed at the emblem resting quietly in her hands—a winged cross-sword.
“This is ‘Punishment’. It originally belonged to Knight Uncle, but I believe he would be pleased if you had it, Jeanne.”
Yue Wu had two reasons for giving this emblem to Jeanne. First, Jeanne’s in-game profession was a Knight, and she was even one of the mentors for many Knights in the game, advocating for the punishment of all evil.
Second, Yue Wu simply wanted to give it to her, a decision entirely his own.
“Can I really? Isn’t this very important to you, Brother?”
Jeanne grew somewhat anxious, uncertain if she could truly live up to the emblem. Its previous owner seemed to be a powerful individual, much like her brother.
If her future strength failed to match that level, she would truly feel she had betrayed both the emblem and Yue Wu’s expectations.
“Relax. I believe in you, Jeanne, so you must believe in yourself. Confidence is also a display of strength.”
“But, Brother…”
“No ‘buts’. It’s decided.”
Yue Wu was determined that Jeanne would accept the emblem. Even if Knight Uncle disagreed, he couldn’t stop Yue Wu, unless he were willing to have his beloved daughter cross over—which was an impossibility.
“Alright, let’s go. Don’t you all want to know why?”
Yue Wu put away the remaining eight emblems and, taking the dazed Jeanne’s hand, walked towards the main entrance.
“Can you tell us now?”
Yue Wu led Lucifer and the others to the tavern room he had been staying in. After closing the door, Lucifer cut straight to the chase, eager to understand the motives behind the person who had orchestrated their mission.
“Of course, it’s nothing major anyway.”
Yue Wu retrieved the wolf fang necklace Cang Lang had given him earlier and placed it before Lucifer and the others.
“Then speak!”
At that moment, Lucifer felt an urge to strangle Yue Wu. The man constantly spoke in riddles, revealing only half-truths, which was infuriating.
“Their objective is a relic. The entrance to that relic lies within the forest guarded by Cang Lang, and only this item can safely open it.”
Yue Wu picked up the necklace, idly toying with it as he explained.
“A relic?!”
“Exactly, a relic. Think about it: what kind of place would a Holy Beast willingly guard the entrance to? A treasure? Or perhaps a grand treasure?”
“Are you implying this relic dates back to ancient times?”
“Who knows? We’d only know for sure by seeing it ourselves.”
“What does this have to do with Modley not touching that person?”
“While I don’t know the full extent of your academy’s strength, the power behind that individual is not something a single academy can contend with.”
“What do you know?!”
“I don’t know much.”
“Then why do you know so much?”
“Well… that’s because a friend once told me about the Forest of Fingal. I only learned more after Cang Lang mentioned it.”
“Who is that person?!”
“Chilian, the former guild master of ‘Ten Rings of Power,’ a woman who loved to gossip.”
“Do you know about that faction?”
“Sorry.”
It was unclear whether Yue Wu simply didn’t want to answer or was unwilling to tell Lucifer and the others. He hadn’t even mentioned the incident at Jeanne’s village to Jeanne herself back then. Perhaps Yue Wu had his own plans.
“But one thing I do know is their obsession with that relic.”
Yue Wu finally divulged a small piece of information.
“I know what to do!”
Upon learning this, Lucifer became exceptionally serious, as if placing great importance on the matter.
“However, I must warn you: that place is not benevolent. Its danger level is extremely high. Even with a hundred percent certainty, you might not make it out alive.”
Seeing Lucifer and the other two about to leave, Yue Wu couldn’t help but caution him, hoping to dissuade him from any rash decisions.
“I understand. Will you come with me to Fiore Academy?”
Just as he pushed open the door, Lucifer almost forgot about inviting Yue Wu to the academy.
“Give me some time.”
Yue Wu picked up his teacup, savoring the black tea Jeanne had brewed for him.
“Alright, academy enrollment is in a month. Take this to Dean Trist or Vice Dean Hootga then, and they’ll arrange the benefits I promised you.”
Lucifer removed the ring he always wore, tossed it to Yue Wu, and then departed the tavern with Modley and Sophia.
“I think he’s hiding something.”
“Lucifer, are you suggesting the kid doesn’t trust us?”
“Not exactly. I’m wondering why he refused to tell us which faction is behind it.”
“What’s your theory?”
“He mentioned one thing: that faction isn’t something our academy can handle, and they’re obsessed with that so-called relic.”
“Is there something wrong with that relic?”
“That relic was left behind a thousand years ago by a tribe called Holy Flame.”
Along the way, Lucifer and Modley had been discussing the day’s events. Finally, when the relic was brought up, Sophia, the usually quiet and introverted girl, suddenly spoke.
“Sophia, you know about it?”
Lucifer was hopeful that Sophia possessed some relevant information.
“Yes, the Silver Wolf tribe were the guardians of the Holy Flame tribe. It’s recorded in books, and within the Holy Flame tribe, there was an item capable of threatening the balance of the world.”
While Sophia was indeed introverted, she was far from useless. Her knowledge was not inferior to Lucifer’s or Modley’s; in fact, she was often more well-informed than them.
“So, that faction might be after *that* item?”
Modley realized.
“Yue Wu said those people were obsessed, meaning they’re obsessed with what’s inside the relic.”
Lucifer pondered the implications of their discussion.
“And one more thing: to safely enter the relic, you need a specific item.”
Sophia added.
“That necklace is the key!”
Lucifer and Modley both simultaneously voiced what Sophia was trying to convey.
For Lucifer and his companions, the day had been incredibly fruitful. First, they had encountered the enigmatic Yue Wu and successfully brought him to their side.
Next, they had uncovered a conspiracy that could potentially shake the Fashilan Kingdom, or even the entire continent of Europa.
Finally, Modley’s magical power had significantly increased after the mission.