Return Of The Strongest Player

The shrine was shaped like a dome, with an intricate pattern that protruded from its apex. Engulfed by gold with a lining of a vibrant, emerald hue, the shrine seemed to have been built after meticulous planning.

It was a fine piece of architecture if one viewed it through a critical lens.

With a familiar, emerald hourglass as decor for the shrine's entrance, Arthur felt a sense of wariness as he calmly stepped into the unconventionally created building. He took off his shoes, admiring the rather dim interior that cloaked the shrine in a shroud of mystery.

Arthur's eyes darted from place to place before settling on a certain pathway. "Why is the shrine so… uh, resembling a horror set."

"I don't know what you mean by that," replied Ouranos, rolling his eyes. "But the interior is dark because according to master, the person whom the shrine is dedicated towards was a fanatic of dark magic."

Arthur scrunched his eyebrows, recalling nothing of the sort from his former life. 'Has something changed? Or was I just oblivious to these sorts of legends or myths?'

'To be fair, I did prioritize personal strength over knowledge or wisdom… It's a bitter-sweet feeling.'

Traversing through a dim corridor, the duo finally arrived at the main area.

A man sat cross-legged atop a rather vibrant mat, his eyes closed and his breathing rhythmic, as if he were meditating. His shimmering, crimson hair cascaded down to the mat, while his toned, upper-body was revealed.

He wore loose, white pants with a calm expression plastered upon his handsome face.

Due to Arthur's masked presence, he wasn't able to sense an existence beside Ouranos, who slowly approached him with soft footsteps. 

"What is it, Ouranos?" The crimson-haired man inquired, remaining in his position. "I thought I sent you to investigate the disturbance in mana in the Nightlands. Yet, you seem to be empty-handed."

Ouranos shifted his gaze between Arthur and the crimson-haired man, wondering why the latter couldn't sense the former. "I have come alongside someone."

The crimson-haired man scrunched his eyebrows, slowly opening his eyes. As he gazed at Arthur, his jaw dropped in a comical manner, as if he were bewildered. He wondered if his eyes deceived him.

"The Blade Sovereign…" Arthur muttered under his breath. "Leon Cromwell."

"Master…"

Arthur cocked his head, wondering why the little child he met in the previous timeline still referred to him as "master." They hadn't undergone the procedures… 'Well, we did accept each other as master and disciple…'

'But is that enough?'

"You've grown…" Arthur muttered, as if he were an old man observing the progress of a youngster. 

The Blade Sovereign stared at the floor with a hardened gaze. "You stole my mother's artifact and ran, back then."

Arthur formed a complicated expression. "Well. Uh, I'm trying to gather all the pieces of your mother's artifact, so I can make the real item that far surpasses all the fragments. I was wondering if you had another one."

Leon suddenly formed an expression of indignation. "Who do you think you are, marching into the shrine after several thousand years, wanting to steal another piece, another item that I consider valuable?"

'Thousands of years? I thought the tower was thousands of years old… That's what was widely regarded…'

"Who the fuck do you think you are, thief?" Leon asked rhetorically, his tone containing immense, unmasked hatred and scorn for the crimson-eyed man, who remained emotionless at his outburst.

'I've never seen master like that…' Ouranos muttered internally, utterly stupefied by Leon's behavior. Usually, the latter was an existence that seemed beyond the petty aspect of emotions… He seemed almost transcendental.

Yet, watching him display such anger…

Ouranos couldn't help but feel a deeper sense of respect. Sometimes, witnessing one's vulnerable side was a better indicator of their true personality, rather than their facade, or persona they assumed.

"Master…" said Ouranos, his eyes laced with cautiousness and wariness. "He's strong… He was the one who caused the disturbance earlier. He also handled my sword, Duskbreaker, like it was a toy."

"Duskbreaker was treated like a toy?" Leon raised his eyebrows, facing Arthur. "You…"

"Just give me the fragment, and I'll be gone," Arthur suggested, assuming a battle stance while preparing for a showdown. He hadn't expected Leon to be the one guarding the shrine, but he could definitely fight if needed.

Arthur was excited to implement Leon's own style against him, solely to witness his reaction.

It was as if the atmosphere froze. 

Ouranos and Leon warily stared at the crimson-eyed man, who simply kept his mana on standby, preparing to utilize his strongest spells if necessary. However, that could shatter the world itself…

'Yeah, I probably shouldn't destroy whatever floor this is…'

'But it depends on the resistance these two put up.'

"So, are we going to fight, or are you going to hand over the fragment?" Arthur asked, his crimson eyes flashing a dangerous hue.

"I…"

"Let's fight, master," Ouranos suggested with an invigorated demeanor and a rejuvenated body that wished nothing more than to avenge his former self for losing to the man before him. He couldn't be humiliated.

"No, we are not going to fight," Leon sighed. Suddenly, the defeated expression vanished from his face, replaced by an entirely emotionless persona. The hairs on Arthur's body arose as he sensed the aura.

'The State Of Mushin…'

'But a much more perfected version. It's like he's transcendental.'

'So this is how far mortals can grow… But this isn't even his peak… He's far from achieving his Starbreaker status.'

"Then, hand over the fragment, or we'll have to fight," Arthur threatened. "Even if it's one-sided."

Leon slowly walked over to the shrine's center, willing the mana that coursed through his veins to be released. As a tiny trail of mana entered the shrine's entire structure, it exuded a blinding light.

Arthur watched, mesmerized by the beautiful scene.

Suddenly, a fragment similar to the first one appeared in Leon's palm, causing Ouranos' expression to pale.

"What are you doing!?"

Leon didn't respond and simply approached Arthur.

However, at that moment, a mysterious existence struck.