Name: Touch of Benevolence
Type: Weapon Grade: Tier 2 golden legend
Description: Under the heavy hammer, all things are equal; great compassion delivers all sentient beings.
Effect:
① When wielded, it will feel as light as a feather, but will continuously consume magic power.
② Can deliver physical blows to phantom-type creatures; strikes are accompanied by lightning, specializing in attacks against phantom and dark creatures.
③ Dazzling brilliance, do not look at what is improper: protects the wielder from cold intrusion.
④ Possesses the ability to parry magic, but if the capacity is exceeded, its shell will shatter; it needs to absorb magic power and blood to re-form its shell.
⑤ The magic inscription carved on it is the Primordial Fire, which can serve as a refining tool. Appraisal: Wield it, and you'll be the most dazzling one in hell!
Another Tier 2 golden legend!
And it lived up to its reputation.
When Ethan reached out and grasped its cold, smooth hammer handle, slowly lifting it from the flat canvas, a golden glow emanated from its silver-white shell—like a halo around a light bulb. It was filled with a sense of holiness and purity.
"Gurgle, gurgle."
Several blood-red eyeballs rolled. The moment their gazes met—sizzle, crackle—Ethan's vision flickered with countless colors, like a broken television screen.
On the silver-white shell, the Ancient Magic taught by the High One in the mirror was carved. When Ethan learned this Ancient Magic, its writing automatically materialized in his mind. Mr. Black had said there was no way to express it... it seemed his understanding wasn't deep enough.
"Too perfect, too sacred..." Ethan murmured to himself, lost in thought, gazing at this flawless silver heavy hammer.
When he gripped it, enveloped by its golden light, Ethan felt a surge of righteous energy welling up from his heart—as if he had donned a white robe and transformed into a divine being, delivering all sentient beings!
"I, for one, cannot bear to see others suffer... Don't be afraid, lost souls, I'm here!"
"I shall now end your suffering!!"
With that, Ethan directly broke through the window—flipping out from Luna's second-floor bedroom and emerging outdoors.
No other way. The pure white door formed from the Basilisk's body was simply too massive. It wouldn't fit in the bedroom.
However, he figured that in the dead of night, no one would notice what he was doing.
On the ground, a pure white door continuously grew taller and wider. An extreme chill also emanated from within it.
Crack, snap, crackle. The surrounding lush green grass gradually became covered with a layer of white frost.
Finally, it transformed into a giant door, over ten meters high, standing before Ethan.
Hiss, hiss... The serpentine body forming the doorframe slowly wriggled. Its orange-yellow vertical pupils opened, looking down at Ethan, and it flicked its crimson tongue.
Little master, long time no see... Hmm?!
The Basilisk suddenly froze. Appearing before it was a "monster" wearing a white veil (the Ergani skirt) and holding a silver-white heavy hammer. He was completely enveloped in a brilliant golden light.
However, that strange heavy hammer was continuously dripping blood.
Basilisk: [—]
After some time apart, how had its little master evolved again? Every time it thought its little master had reached the limits of humanity, its little master would show it through action that humans could also choose not to be human.
"Good evening, little snake."
Ethan raised his hand and patted the Basilisk's smooth body. With a thud, he hoisted the heavy hammer onto his shoulder. He flashed a bright and cheerful smile: "Daddy here is going in to deliver all sentient beings~"
After speaking, he lifted his foot and stepped into the extremely cold doorway, arriving at the hidden realm beyond the world.
You have entered the Pure White Door. The lamp has been lit, guiding your way forward.
A strand of orange-yellow light spread out, extending like a thread to the end of the white mist.
Like last time, the chill of death gnawed at bones and flesh. But this time, under the brighter power of the lamp, the chill was blocked outside.
Ethan held the "Touch of Benevolence." He felt waves of warmth flowing from it throughout his body. This was the power of the "Fire" Ancient Magic—the fire of life, the fire of protection.
And this warmth was bound to attract the lost souls craving life!
"Ah—.—·Ah—"
Like the groans of the dying, the sound of fingernails scraping glass echoed from all directions.
Immediately following were countless pale, lingering souls! They stared intently at Ethan with their black eyes, full of longing and malice, continuously surging and gathering towards him like an endless tide!
"Ah———·Ah Ah!"
They wanted to engulf Ethan! They wanted to devour his vibrant life force and the warmth of a living person!
However, they didn't see—or rather, they lacked the rationality to see—the curve of the young man's lips, who was regarded as "prey."
Ethan raised his eyes, his cobalt-blue gaze fixed on this "sea of death" surging towards him. A quiet blue fire shot forth from his eyes!
He raised the heavy hammer high in his hand and grinned, saying: "Father is here to take you home!"
As his words fell, the silver-white heavy hammer, imbued with the power of thunder, slammed down with force!!
"Boom—!!!"
In an instant, like a thunderbolt striking, mist surged, and lost souls wailed as they were annihilated! The entire hidden realm was violently shaken!!
One hammer strike. In the air, residual crackling lightning lingered, like a group of jumping little sprites encircling Ethan.
Centered around Ethan, the ground cracked and collapsed, and within the vast circular area, not a single shadow of a lost soul could be seen. It was completely cleared!
—How, how could this human attack them?!
The sea of lost souls suddenly paused for a moment, as if the essence of the human in front of them had changed.
However, driven by their instinctive urge for life energy, they had long since abandoned thought.
"Ah———·Ah!"
Wailing, roaring, they filled the void, continuing to surge towards Ethan, one after another!
"Thud."
Ethan slowly lifted the hammerhead, and fine debris fell from it. His cobalt-blue eyes looked at the countless lost souls clawing at him. He licked his molars excitedly.
On the silver-white heavy hammer, eyeballs rolled, and blood-red veins pulsed like blood vessels—like a blasphemous object made by a demon mocking a god, or a corrupted paradise. It emitted a sacred, brilliant golden light!
Ethan: "I represent the God of Light... to bring you release!!"
He let out a low roar. Like a leopard, he charged straight into the surging tide of death!
Wielding the heavy hammer, each strike was imbued with the power of thunder, crackling with lightning. He swept across all directions!
"Ah—!!"
Lost souls struck by the heavy hammer would wail and dissipate in an instant. Then, their places would be filled by the incoming lost souls.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Like a relentless bulldozer, the brilliant golden light illuminated this eternally pale and silent land!
"Hahaha!"
Ethan couldn't help but laugh innocently and joyfully. The heavy hammer in his hand swung continuously, each strike taking away a cluster of lost souls!
Enveloped in sparkling lightning, at this moment, Ethan was like the Savior, descending from the heavens to the mortal realm—physically delivering all sentient beings.
Finally, after an unknown amount of time.
"Hoo, hoo, hoo..."
Ethan gasped for breath. He held the heavy hammer, his forehead and back covered in sweat.
"Ah—.Ah Ah—!"
A weak groan sounded from beneath his feet. Ethan looked down, lifting his foot to see a lingering soul, reduced to a mere wisp, trembling and wailing.
In its usually desire-driven, pitch-black hollows, a never-before-seen fear appeared—as if what it faced was not a delicious living person, but a terrifying monster!
Coach! I report that there's a fake human here!! QAQ
Ethan's brows furrowed, and he said gently, "Oh~ you poor thing. You're the only one left, aren't you?"
"Don't be afraid."
"I'll send you to the afterlife right now."
With that, Ethan raised the heavy hammer and brought it down with a bang.
The world fell silent.
Ethan straightened up. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, put his hands on his hips, looked around, and said proudly: "I'm truly excellent."
"I've freed so many lost souls from their suffering."
Ethan stood on a vast, pure white, clean expanse of land. All around, it was empty. Not a single shadow of a lost soul remained!
It was completely cleared!!!
You have passed the Trial of Lost Souls; you are one step closer to the Gate of Promotion.
Because you passed the trial in a unique way, you have gained the skill "Dreadful Harvest."
Dreadful Harvest: Whenever you kill an enemy, you can replenish your health and magic power.
Oh, wow. He even gained a skill.
The more he killed, the stronger he became; the more he killed, the more exhilarated he felt.
Ethan: "Hmm.... It doesn't quite fit my bright and righteous style. This system is truly clumsy."
However, the effect is quite good. "Indeed, good deeds are rewarded."
Ethan's eyes curved in happiness.
Lamp brightness increased. The dense fog before him dissipated.
A wide, turbulent river appeared before Ethan's eyes—light blue, mixed with fine golden powder. It emitted a scent that combined nuts and minerals.
The smell of paint.
You have reached the "River of Paintings."
The path to promotion has been unlocked. You can pass through the River of Paintings to reach the final trial ground.
The "Gatekeeper" is already awaiting you.
Immediately following, in the distant horizon, a golden light flared brightly.
A roar that Ethan had heard before sounded again: "Roar—!"
!!!
"Whoosh, crash!"
The deafening roar, accompanied by strong winds, made the river surge and crash! It blew Ethan's robes back, sweeping his black hair completely behind him!
...It was still so powerful and resonant.
He couldn't imagine what kind of colossal being stood before that Gate of Promotion!
Ethan gripped the handle tightly, growing even more excited.
"What I need to do is to continue learning Ancient Magic. To raise my strength to its peak!"
"Then, to challenge that arrogant and powerful 'Gatekeeper'!"
Just then, wisps of pale souls poured into the leather pouch at Ethan's waist from all around, as if being absorbed by something.
Ethan rummaged inside. Finally, he pulled out the Necronomicon he had obtained in the past.
The pale souls were absorbed into it.
Ethan opened the pages and was pleasantly surprised to see new words appearing at the back!