Nameless King

"So... Do you still need five days?" Alas asked.

"No. It went faster than I had planned. I originally thought I'd be fighting in the arena, and it would take me a few days to recover from my wounds, but as you can see, I'm fully intact." Wain shrugged.

"I don't usually pry into other people's business, but I want to ask anyway. How long can you maintain that kind of power?"

Alas understood that any power has a limit. Even if Wain could change the landscape of the forest in one attack, that didn't mean it was easy for him.

"Ten seconds, and yes, I need a rest now, my energy is at zero." Wain said calmly.

"I see." Alas nodded, "If you're ready, I suggest we head to the Forgotten Forest tomorrow morning. We won't have any trouble finding the entrance, right?" Alas looked at Ern.

"Of course. We'll be among the first there, and you'll get the Royal Spirit. We each have our own goals." Ern smiled.

"Is she coming with us?" Alas pointed at Alice.

"No." Ern quickly replied.

"Why?" Alice exclaimed.

"You are too weak, it is ruled out. You will stay in the city under the care of Alas' men. Moreover, don't you want to be at home?"

"Yes... but... The Forgotten Forest... That sounds very interesting. I would like to go there." Alice lowered her head.

She tried to take the pity push, but it didn't work on Ern.

"You're going to die there. I can't let that happen. That's it, don't mention it again."

Alice only nodded weakly.

"I'm going to go get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow." Wain waved as he headed into town.

"Alas, don't be in a hurry to leave. There's something I want to discuss with you." Ern smirked.

...

After Wain returned, he went to bed. He had not expected the special ability of the Black Sun Aristocrat to be so destructive, but it was also demanding of energy. He awoke only in the evening.

He settled on top of one of the skyscrapers for a while. In the late afternoon, Wain went out on the balcony and admired the city. Many of the houses still had electricity, as did the main generator, the sight of the glowing windows reminded him of the old days.

'I wonder... What would have happened next if all this hadn't happened? Though... it would have happened sooner or later anyway. My former worlds were only fragments that had not yet been touched by Soul Essence...' Wain pondered.

After a while, Wain nodded as he opened the portal. Wain was not headed to his Void or Osvald. He decided to visit a place he hadn't been to in quite some time.

Click.

Wain opened the door as he entered a bar with a cozy atmosphere. Behind the bar was Sven, as usual.

"Wain... What a pleasant surprise." Sven smiled.

"Yes." Wain nodded, "It's been a long time since the last time, but you haven't changed at all."

"The bartender is the face of the bar, so I always have to look good. Did you come for a chat or something in particular?"

"I came here for three things. I want to drink, buy something, and ask you a question." Wain sat down in his chair.

"Okay, I'll do the first one right now, for just one Void Coin."

"Huh, your prices got higher, didn't they?" Wain tossed Sven a coin.

"You have no idea how much some people sometimes pay for my cocktails. Let's just say I adjust the prices on certain things. You've gotten stronger, a lot stronger, so get used to it." Sven proceeded to make the cocktail.

He used several kinds of alcohol, rare herbs, monster parts, syrups, and more. Sven had unique recipes, so no one could replicate them.

"Done." Sven said as he slid the glass over to Wain, "The cocktail is 'Warden of the Force,' ready."

The cocktail was blue, with the eye of some creature floating inside, red star-shaped petals floating slowly beside it.

"Thank you." Wain took a sip.

He instantly felt heat all over his body, for a moment, he felt as if he were inside an oven. Then came a pleasant freshness, or even coolness.

"How unusual. I feel as if I were a hundred times stronger. Though it was expensive, it was definitely worth it." Wain muttered.

"Of course. That's what you should count on when you come here." Sven nodded, "So, what do you want to buy? Some kind of weapon? Maybe armor or a skill?"

"Neither. I'm fine with skills, maybe even too many. I'm going on a trip, so I need something to save my life." Wain waved his hand.

"I see..." Sven paused, "I have something for you, but it's going to cost you a lot."

Sven's ring glowed, and an oval vial of bright blue liquid appeared in his hand. The vial was small, even tiny, a little bigger than a fingernail.

"Is that gnome water?" Wain raised an eyebrow.

"Ahaha, no, it's very rare. It's Phantom Dew Elixir, there are only three drops, but it's more than enough. Suppose, in battle, you go without power, lose half your blood, all your limbs and most of your organs will be a bloody mess. It's a hundred percent death in any situation, but if you drink this Elixir, you won't even have a scratch on you in ten seconds." Sven handed the vial to Wain.

[Phantom Dew Elixir (Third Chronicle, Legendary Rating)

Phantom Dew is the rarest of liquids, found only on the Isle of Ghosts. Many people went there hoping to find just a drop or two, but most never returned. Those who could obtain the Phantom Dew either became rich beyond measure or were given a second life].

"How much?"

"It's only one million for you, but if you want to buy more, the price is ten times higher."

"Hmm? Do you give discounts? Aren't you the most honest salesman, or have your principles changed?"

"No. I just want you to do something for me." Sven smiled.

Wain looked at him questioningly.

"It has to do with the Forgotten Forest. That's where you're going, right?"